Architectural rendering of the proposed development known as The Landing. A public hearing on the proposed ordinance to rezone property associated with the project was held during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. 

BY MICHELLE KEY

MICHELLE@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA — 

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council issued a proclamation during the Tuesday night city council meeting designating the week of June 15 through 19 as Juneteenth Celebration Week.

A celebration will be held June 16 at Courthouse Square in downtown Opelika starting at 6 p.m. The council approved a request for street closures at Courthouse Square in downtown for this event as well as a special appropriation of $250 from each council member’s discretionary funds, totaling an amount of $1,250, to GEMS Empowered for the Juneteenth Celebration. 

IN OTHER BUSINESS

– The council approved a request for a restaurant retail liquor and retail beer on premise alcohol license for Los Tres Amigos LLC, doing business as Los Amigos.

– The council held public hearings and later voted to approve weed abatement assessments for 105 Vaughan Ave. and 915 York Ave.

– The council held a public hearing on an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone nearly 15 acres of land located near Gateway Drive and Interstate 85 from C-2 to a planned unit development (PUD) to be known as The Landing Entertainment District. According to the application, the proposed development plan would include a coffee shop, a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, retail outlets, restaurants, quick service restaurants with drive-thrus, hotels and an outdoor recreational facility. More details on the project can be found in the June 6 agenda packet uploaded to the city’s website. The council later introduced this proposed ordinance for its first reading. This item is scheduled to be voted on during the next council meeting on June 20. 

– The council approved a bid from Open Trench Excavation for the installation of conduit systems for Opelika Power Services.

– The council approved a bid from Directional Boring for the installation of conduit systems for Opelika Power Services. 

– The council approved expense reports from various departments.

– The council approved the designation of city personal property as surplus and authorized the disposal of said property.

– The council approved a resolution for the emergency purchase in the amount of nearly $23,500 to replace a damaged traffic signal at the intersection of Pepperell Parkway and 30th Street.

– The council approved the purchase of SysAid Software utilizing the Omnia Contract No. 2018011-01 for the IT Department in an amount just over $15,000. 

– The council approved the purchase of Fuelmaster hardware and software utilizing the Sourcewell Contract No. 092920-SYS for the IT Department for the amount of $35,000.

– The council approved the purchase of furniture from for the new fire sation using the State of Alabama contracts No. MA220000002789, MA220000002803, MA220000002896, MA220000002845 for the Opelika Fire Department. The purchase is not to exceed $37,634.80.

– The council approved the purchase of a 2023 Ford F150 Responder Supercrew 4×4 pickup in the amount of nearly $49,000 utilizing State of Alabama contract No. T191L for the police department. 

– The council approved a quote from CDW Government to purchase Rubrik software and support for the IT Department. The annual contract amount for this software and support is just over $16,000.

– The council approved a quote from CivicPlus Inc. for annual recurring services for ultimate department headers, encryption, hosting and security, SSL management, website media center storage and redesign. The annual charge for this service is $25,377.78 for the first year with a 5% increase each additional year thereafter. 

– The council approved a special appropriation in the amount of $10,000 to AO Tourism for hosting the AJGA Golf Tournament at the Grand National golf course July 3 through 6.

– The council voted to amend Section 16-188 of the City Code of Ordinances to update school zone speed limits on Fox Run Parkway and Waverly Parkway. The speed limit in the school zone on Fox Run Parkway will be 25 miles per hour during the hours of 7:30 to 8 a.m. and 3:05 to 3:35 p.m. The speed limit in the school zone for Auburn Classical Academy will be 20 miles per hour during the hours of 7:30 to 8 a.m. and 2:30 to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

– The council introduced for its first reading an ordinance to amend Section 4-78 of the City Code of Ordinances to update language relating to large animals running at large. 

– The council voted to reappoint Bill Parker Jr. to the Indian Pines Public Park Authority for a new term that will expire on June 7, 2027.  

The next meeting of the Opelika City Council will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 6 p.m.