BY MICHELLE KEY
AND HANNAH LESTER
EDITOR@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council held a public hearing on a project development agreement with PFL LTD.
PLF LTD. has purchased real estate in Opelika and is leasing the property to Orr DC LLC which has the intent to construct two modern warehouse buildings with a total area of 345,000 square feet located at 175 Orr Ave.
The project is expected to have a capital investment of nearly $19 million and will create jobs for approximately 120 employees.
As a part of the agreement, the city of Opelika agrees to pay the company an incentive payment of $150,000 upon the completion of the installation of underground storm water drainage pipes.
RECOGNITION
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the city council recognized the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department for awards it recently won. For more on that, see the article on A1.
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The council approved a temporary street closure for the Opelika Chamber of Commerce for Bike Night on March 23, 2023.
– The council approved a request to host the 12th annual Going Blue for Autism event at Courthouse Square on April 1, 2023.
– The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street for the On Tap Craft Beer event on May 13, 2023.
– The council approved a request for the Kid’s Duathlon to be held at the Opelika Sportsplex on Aug. 5, 2023.
– The council awarded a bid to G&W Electric Co. for Viper-ST Solid Dielectric Reclosers & SEL-651R2 Controls for Opelika Power Services.
– The council approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford F250 Super Duty Truck for the Public Works Building Maintenance Department from Lynn Layton Ford for over $51,000.
– The council approved a contract for Electrical Substation Site Work for Power Services with Harmon Engineering & Contracting Co. Inc. for just over $97,500.
– The council approved a contract for IAR-041-000-019 Construction of Grade, Drain, Base and Pave Opelika North Park Industrial Access Road Project for the Engineering Department with D&J Enterprises Inc. for just over $86,700 for the city.
– The council approved the expense reports for city departments.
– The council designated city personal property as surplus and authorized its disposal.
– The council approved the purchase of eight SWAT bulletproof vests from Gulf States Distributors with a state of Alabama contract for nearly $31,000.
– The council purchased renewal of the Rubrik Software and Support Contract with Omnia for nearly $61,500.
– The council accepted a donation of real property — 27.46 acres of land — from 280 Land Company LLC.
– The council approved an addendum to the master services agreement with AUBix LLC for IT.
– The council approved authorizing off-duty police officers to work off-duty jobs.
– The council approved certain tax abatements and exemptions for STI Opelika LLC. The company is planning to expand its facility located at 420 Williamson Ave. The cost of the project is estimated to be $4 million and will create 32 new jobs.
– The council approved a request for a special use permit with Verizon Wireless to modify equipment located at 900 Reeder Ave. A.
– The council approved a special appropriation to the American Cancer Society for $5,000 for its annual Relay for Life event.
– The council approved a special appropriation to the Domestic Violence Intervention Center for $3,500 to be used for the second annual Domestic Violence Intervention “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Gala to be held on May 11.
– The council heard the first reading for amending sections 14-326 and 327 of the City Code of Ordinances regarding the Business License Code.
These modifications will create two new classifications: Retail — All Health and Personal Care Retailers and General Services — Amusement Theme (including water parks, go-cart track, indoor play area, tennis court, volleyball, swimming pool, skating rink, miniature golf) skiing facility, marina, participant sporting event or activity, shooting gallery or range, and axe throwing.
– The council reappointed Brent Potent to the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals for a new term ending March 16, 2026.
– The council reappointed Rusty Melnick to the Board of Parks and Recreation for a new term ending March 15, 2028.
– The council appointed Carlton E. Hunley IV to the Medical Clinic Board for a term ending March 2, 2029.
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
The Opelika City Council held a special called meeting at noon on Tuesday, March 7, to canvass the votes from the Feb. 28, 2023, special election pertaining to the renewal and continuation of an 11-mil ad-valorem tax for the support of education in the city of Opelika.
The results are as follows:
Ward 1: 94 in favor, 8 against,
Ward 2: 146 in favor, 9 against,
Ward 3: 380 in favor, 29 against,
Ward 4: 288 in favor, 12 against,
Ward 5: 265 in favor, 20 against,
Absentee Ballots: 20 in favor, 2 against and
Provisional Ballots: 2 in favor.
Total votes cast were 1,276 with 1,196 in favor and 80 against.
The resolution to accept the results was approved by the council.
The next scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday, March 21, at 6 p.m. A work session will be held prior to the meeting.