By Michelle Key
Publisher
The Opelika City council approved the fiscal year 2021 budget during last week’s city council meeting. The $60,178,967 general fund budget is slightly smaller than the 2020 fiscal year budget in part due to lower projected gasoline tax income. Detailed information on the budget can be found on the city’s website (opelika-al.gov/129/Agendas-Minutes) in the Sept. 15, 2020 agenda packet.
Also during the meeting, Mayor Gary Fuller presented a Proclamation for Down Syndrome Day, declaring that Oct. 1, 2020 is Opelika Down Syndrome Day.
In other business, the council:
– approved the appointment of Leigh Whatley to the Planning Commission. The term ends Feb. 15, 2024
– approved a request from Opelika Main Street for Auburn University PARK(ing) Day to be held on Sept. 26 – This is an annual program hosted by the university’s Environmental Design program and is part of the national PARK(ing) Day initiative led by the American Society of Landscape Architect
– approved a request for Life Chain 2020 to be held on Oct. 18
– approved a request from Historic Possibilities LLC DBA Amersand for a Lounge Retail Class 1 Alcohol License
– held a public hearing and the first reading of an ordinance regarding the amendment of the zoning ordinance section 2.2, 7.3 C and adding sections 8.28, 8.28.2
– approved the purchase of Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection and Response software for the IT Department
– approved the purchase ESRI Small Municipal and County Government License software agreement for the IT Department
– approved the distribution of Wellness Fair Benefits and Information packets/bags to employees in absence of the annual Wellness Fair
– approved a construction inspection agreement for the 1st Ave TAP with AECOM.
– held the first readings for an ordinance for a Lease Agreement with East Central Alabama Highway Safety Office
– appointed Linda Lanz to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term ending Aug. 19, 2023
– reappointed Richard Moreman Jr. to the Lee County Youth Development Board for a tern ending Oct. 1, 2024
– reappointed Auzzie Comer to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals for a term ending Oct. 1, 2024
– reappointed Wayne Gibson to the Board of Adjustment and Appeals for a term ending Oct. 1, 2024
– recognized the Opelika Police Department as a member of Central Alabama Crime Stoppers.
The Opelika City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday nights of every month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held in the Meeting Chamber of the Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Blvd. in Opelika. Meetings are live-streamed to the city’s YouTube Channel.