BY MICHELLE KEY
AND HANNAH LESTER
EDITOR@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
If you’re a fan of Food Truck Fridays (FTF), then you’re in luck.
The Opelika City Council approved a request from the President and CEO of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce Ali Rauch to continue Food Truck Fridays through 2023.
Food Truck Fridays is held normally twice a month, on the first and third Fridays of the month along North Railroad Avenue and 1st Avenue, however, for some months of 2023, Food Truck Fridays will only be held once a month.
FTF is scheduled for the following dates:
– Jan. 20, 2023
– Feb. 3 and 17, 2023
– March 3 and 17, 2023
– April 21, 2023
– May 5 and 19, 2023
– June 16, 2023
– July 21, 2023
– Aug. 4 and 18, 2023
– Sept. 15, 2023
– Oct. 20, 2023
– Nov. 17, 2023
– Dec. 15, 2023
“Food Truck Fridays have become wildly popular among area residents and surrounding communities, bringing a diverse crowd, along with diverse food options to drive additional food traffic to our downtown merchants, restaurants and bars & breweries,” Rauch said in her request to the council. “Over the past 10 months, we’ve tested and adjusted our Food Truck Friday plans, and continue to work with our downtown partners to ensure this event is successful to all.”
Another change, in addition to fewer dates, is fewer food truck participants.
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The council held public hearings and approved weed abatement assessments for 414 Ave. A and 308 Brannon Ave.
– The council held a public hearing and approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance: Section 2.2, 7.3C, 7.8. and Section 8.28.3 Medical Cannabis Dispensaries.
– The council held a public hearing and approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance and map for the 3200 block of Columbus Parkway, 209.71 acres from an annexation to a planned unit development.
– The council approved a request for a Christmas golf cart parade from Stoneybrook Subdivision for Dec. 18.
– The council awarded a bid for transformer repair for the Opelika Power Services to Sunbelt Solomon Solutions.
– The council awarded a bid for repair voltage regulators for the Opelika Power Services to Sunbelt Solomon Solutions.
– The council approved expense reports from various departments.
– The council approved the purchase of two 2023 Pitts TA12 TAG Trailers from Thompson Tractor Co. for the Omni contract No. 161534 for the Public Works Department.
– The council approved the purchase of two Charepoint 250 Charing Stations Fresco Utility Supply, Inc. for the Sourcwell contract No. 051017-CPI for Opelika Power Services.
– The council amended the CDBG PY2020 and PY 2021 Action Plans and Reprogramming of Unused CDBG Funds.
– The council approved an agreement with Seay, Seay & Litchfield, P.C. for the Floral Park renovations and miscellaneous park upgrades.
– The council approved the amended schedule of charges with Active Network, LLC for the Parks and Recreation Department.
– The council approved Amendment No. 1 to I-85 Exit 62 ramp intersections, the U.S. Highway 431/Fox Run Parkway and U.S. Highway 280 and Columbus Parkway intersections.
– The council approved an application of Certified Local Government Grant for $19,650 with the Alabama Historical Commission.
– The council approved an application for an emergency watershed protection program grant in the amount of $61, 800 and a project agreement for the creek bank restoration at 516 Camelot Way for $82,400.
– The council approved a contract with Hudson Construction Company, Inc for emergency steam repair at 516 Camelot Way for over $79,900.
– The council approved a non-disclosure agreement with Heptagon Information Technology, LLC.
– The council approved a right-of-way encroachment license agreement with Fox Opelika, LLC for The Woods Subdivision entrance sign.
– The council approved a supplemental lease agreement with CSX Transportation for existing parking spaces on North Railroad Avenue between 9th Street and 10th Street.
– The council authorized a sale/leaseback transaction with Auburn University for property related to the Auburn University Regional Airport and authorized the conveyance of real property to Auburn University and also suspended the rules and voted to approved an ordinance to authorize the conveyance of the property to Auburn University.
– The council agreed to reappoint John Wesley McCollum Jr. as municipal court judge.
– The council approved The Annual Appropriation Contract for FY2023 with the Arts Association of East Alabama for the amount of $25,000.
– The council approved The Annual Appropriation Contract for FY2023 with the Alabama Council on Human Relations for the amount of $22,500.
– The council approved The Annual Appropriation Contract FY2023 with Employers Child Care Alliance for the amount of $6,000.
– The council approved The Annual Appropriation Contract FY2023 with the Lee County Literacy Coalition for the amount of $3,000.
– The council approved a special appropriation to the Dream Day Foundation for the amount of $2,500.
– The council introduced an amendment for first reading to the City Code of Ordinances for a speed limit change on Waverly Parkway and Hamilton Road from 45 mph to 35 mph.
– The council suspended the rules and voted to approve an ordinance to amend Section 2.2, 7.3C, 7.8 and to add Section 8.28.3 – Medical Cannabis Dispensaries after its first reading.
– The council introduced an ordinance for its first reading to amend the zoning ordinance and map to rezone 209.71 acres of property located at 3200 Columbus Parkway from annexation to a planned unit development.
– The council introduced an ordinance for its first reading to approve the annexation of 209.71 acres located at 3200 Columbus Parkway.
– Per request from the developer, an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinances and map to rezone 8.928 acres located at 1531 and 1617 1st Ave., remained on the table until a later date.