BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council held its regular work session before the 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday night. The session started with a presentation by representatives from the cell phone industry — a presentation that included a photograph of the proposed site at Floral Park and that gave more detailed information as to why that location was deemed to be the best location for the tower. The presentation and discussion can be found on the city’s YouTube channel.
The resolution for the proposed site was tabled during the last city council meeting in October. Several members of the community spoke out against the proposed tower, citing concerns such as safety, aesthetics, lowered property values and more.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, Ward 5 Council Member Todd Rauch made a motion to remove the resolution from the table and bring it back up for a vote.
However, there was no second for his motion, so the matter remains on the table for at least another two weeks.
PROCLAMATIONS
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and the council issued a proclamation declaring November to be National Epilepsy Awareness Month. The proclamation was presented to Janataka Holmes.
Fuller also issued a proclamation to Rick Lane, declaring Nov. 1 to be Rick Lane Day in honor of his 40 years of service with First United Methodist Church in Opelika.
OTHER BUSINESS
• Approved a request for a temporary street closure for the Younglife 5K event on Nov. 13.
• Held a public hearing on the amending of the Zoning Ordinance and Map to rezone 8.928 acres located at 1531 and 1617 1st Ave. This property would be rezoned from M-1 to a planned unit development (PUD). The council later introduced the ordinance for its first reading.
• Approved the purchase of a 2023 Chevy Tahoe from Glynn Smith in the amount of $60,741.60.
• Approved the purchase of gasoline and ultra-low sulfur No. 2 diesel fuel.
• Approved expense reports from various departments.
• Approved emergency repairs for garbage truck No. 838 for just over $15,205.
• Approved the emergency purchase of two pumps at Saugahatchee Station for public works for nearly $88,000.
• Approved the purchase of a 2023 John Deere Gator for Public Works for just over $16,000.
• Approved the purchase of a Sulzer Submersible Pump for Public Works for a price not to exceed $25,270.
• Approved the purchase of a 87HP/480V/Homa Pump for Public Works for a price not to exceed $31,528.64
• Approved a resolution to accept Public Infrastructure and Utilities of Subdivisions.
• Approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with Davis Architects, Inc. for the Aquatic Facilities Project. The project includes a new swimming pool at Covington Recreation Center and an expansion of the Opelika Sportsplex facility.
• Approved a resolution to enter into a professional services agreement with Woolpert, Inc. for aerial photography services.
• Approved a resolution to enter into a professional services contract with Seay, Seay & Litchfield, P.C. for renovations to the Denson Recreation Center.
• Approved a request for a Special Use Permit from AT&T for property located at 2605 Tower St.
• The resolution for an annual appropriation contract for FY2023 with the Arts Association of East Alabama remained tabled. Rauch made a motion to remove it from the table and vote on the resolution, but the motion failed to get a second.
• Approved an annual appropriation contract for FY2023 with One Voice Shelter Coalition in the amount of $10,000.
• Approved an annual appropriation contract for FY2023 with Opelika Downtown Redevelopment Authority in the amount of $6,000.
• Approved an annual appropriation contract for FY2023 with Opelika Chamber of Commerce for the amount of $125,000.
• Approved an annual appropriation contract for FY2023 with Storybook Farm in the amount of $6,000.
• Approved a contract for services with Esperanza House in the amount of $6,000.
• Approved a resolution to enter into a funding agreement with Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity in the amount of $250,000.
• Approved a resolution to enter into a funding agreement with The Fuller Center for Housing Inc. in the amount of $250,000.
• Approved a special appropriation to Opelika Main Street for the 2022 Christmas in a Railroad Town event on Dec. 9. in the amount of $1,250.
• Approved a motion to appoint Christie Hill to the Lee Russell Council of Governments MPO Citizen Advisory Committee for a term ending Nov. 5, 2024.
• Approved a motion to reappoint Sherri Reese to the Lee Russell Council of Governments MPO Citizen Advisory Committee for a term ending Nov. 5, 2024.The next Opelika City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. with a work session taking place prior to the meeting. All council work sessions and meetings are open to the public.