BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
During Tuesday night’s Opelika city council meeting, Mayor Gary Fuller honored Opelika’s Chief Building Inspector, Jeff Kappelman, and Andy Bell, building inspector, with an “Atta Boy Awards.” These awards are given out to city employees to recognize them for going the extra mile in their day-to-day responsibilities. Kappelman was recently award the Mentor of the Year award during the Code Officials of Alabama Association (COAA) meeting in August.
Bell was nominated in part for his work co-authoring a training manual that was published by the ADECA Energy Division and for his contributions to the Energy Code Inspection Checklist used by Alabama building inspectors.
Both men were recognized for being leaders in their field.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
• The council approved expense reports from various departments.
• The council approved change order no. 1 to contract with Incapsulate, LLC.
• The council voted to authorize a project agreement with The Estates HOA for a sidewalk project on Academy Drive.
• The council voted to establish compensation of presiding municipal judge, municipal judge, assistant city prosecutors and public defender. These positions have not been granted a pay increase in the last three years. The increases will go into effect Feb. 1 and are as follows:
The part-time presiding municipal judge shall be paid at the rate of $2,450 per month for professional services.
The part-time municipal judge shall be paid at the rate of $2,250 per month for professional services.
• The part-time assistant municipal prosecutors shall be paid at the rate of $150 per hour for professional services.
• The council voted to re-appoint Ben Hand as municipal court judge and Jeff Tickal as assistant municipal prosecutor.
• The council approved a request for approval of a special use permit with Dish Wireless at 54 Reeder Road.
• The council voted to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone 3.3 acres located at 1200 block South Fox Run Parkway.
• The council voted to authorize a first amendment to the option and lease agreement with Level-Up Towers. The city and Level-Up Towers entered into the original agreement on Dec. 20, 2020. This amendment is to modify the rent and option term in the agreement.