By Morgan Bryce
Editor
Opelika City Clerk R.G. “Bob” Shuman’s announced his retirement from the city of Opelika via a letter read aloud by Council President Eddie Smith during last Tuesday’s meeting.
In the message, Shuman thanked current and previous council members and city administration as well as Opelika’s citizenry for helping make his nearly 32-year career so memorable, which will end effective March 1, 2020.
“It has been my honor to (serve you all) for almost 32 years. It has been quite a journey with many great memories. Over the years, the city of Opelika has been blessed with elected officials that always made decisions in the best interests of the city. The leadership of Opelika is in great hands and I look forward to watching the city of Opelika grow and prosper in the future.”
In the regular meeting, Jennifer Morgan of Luxury Exposure Events announced that Ward 1 Councilwoman Patsy Jones will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award during this Friday’s “Little Red Dress Soiree” at Montgomery’s BMW dealership. She is one of 30 women across Alabama who will receive recognitions for her contributions to her city and community.
The council also approved a total of $75,000 to help fund the Super 7 Football Championships that will be played at Jordan-Hare Stadium in early December. Projections from the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau in past years indicate that the games help generate several million dollars in revenue, a significant boost for the local economy.
In other business, the council approved:
-a request for a temporary street closure for the Opelika Chamber of Commerce’s Sno-pelika event on Dec. 4
-the awarding of bids to the city’s engineering department for a robotic total station, purchase of three 2020 SUVs equivalent to Chevy Tahoes for the Opelika Police Department and transformer repair for Opelika Power Services
-approved Mayor Gary Fuller to designate city personal property as surplus and authorize its disposal
-approved a weed abatement assessment for 814 Donald Ave.
-approved the purchase of hardware and software and camera storage upgrades for the city’s IT department from Tyler Technologies, Inc. and one 2020 Chevy Tahoe for OPD
-approved a refunding of $50,255.72 to Opelika City Schools for overpayments on ad valorem taxes
-renewal of an agreement with Kucera, a company that handles aerial photographic and specialized mapping services for the cities of Auburn and Opelika, Lee County and Auburn University
-approved appropriation contracts of $6,000 and $50,000 for the Employer’s Child Alliance and Arts Association of East Alabama, respectively, and
-approved a special appropriation of $2,500 for the Lee County Young Leaders program.
The Opelika City Council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesday of each month, with work sessions starting between 6 and 6:45 p.m. followed by their regular meeting at 7 p.m. Meetings are held in the council chambers within City Hall, which is located at 204 S. 7th St. Their next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18.
For more information, call 334-705-5150 or visit www.opelika-al.gov.