BY MICHELLE KEY

MICHELLE@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Laticia Smith and Elizabeth Hill, members of the local NAACP chapter, presented an alternative redistricting map to the Opelika City Council during its work session on Tuesday night.

The map was developed after the NAACP reviewed the proposed map presented by Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller (referred to as The Mayor’s Map). The Mayor’s Map was tabled from the meeting agenda but will go into effect on Sept. 13, 2022, should any other options not be approved by the council before that date.

The NAACP collected and received input during the ward meetings conducted by the council at the request of the NAACP.

The memo created by Opelika Planning Director Matt Mosley following the five ward meetings noted five areas of concern that were raised by citizens. The NAACP identified three additional areas of concern upon review.

Mapmaker Tabitha Isner was hired by the NAACP to make adjustments to The Mayor’s Map, not only addressing the group’s concerns with the map, but also to make sure all legal requirements were met.

Isner created a map that accommodated five out of the eight areas of concern with one additional area changed to meet the requests and legal requirements.

The areas of concern are labeled on the proposed alternative map as Areas A through I.

Area A: West End Subdivision — Area was moved from Ward 1 to Ward 3 and the NAACP map accommodated this request from citizens in this area.

Area B: Gateway Drive, Airport Road and Frederick Road — an area was moved from Ward 4 to Ward 1 and the NAACP map accommodated the request from citizens in this area.

Area C: Foxrun Parkway, Jeter Drive — Area was moved from Ward 5 to Ward 2, and the NAACP map accommodated this request from citizens in this area.

Area D: Commanche Drive — Area moved from Ward 2 to Ward 5, and the NAACP map agrees with the proposed Mayor’s Map on this move.

Area E: Downtown — Area moved from Ward 1 to Ward 2, and the NAACP map is in agreement with the Mayor’s Map proposal on this move.

Area F: Oak Bowery, Morris — Area moved from Ward 3 to Ward 4, with the NAACP map accommodating this request.

Area G: Town Lakes — Area moved from Ward 2 to Ward 5, with the NAACP map accommodating this request from concerned citizens.

Area H: Cedar Creek — Area moved from Ward 4 to Ward , and the NAACP map is in agreement with The Mayor’s Map for this move.

Area I: Spring Hill — The NAACP added a move of this area from Ward 4 into Ward 3, in order to keep the population totals within the wards within the correct deviation as allowed by law.

The Mayor’s Map had an allowed population deviation of 4.15% whereas the NAACP Map reduced that deviation to 1.82%.

Should it choose, the council can vote to introduce an ordinance pertaining to the proposed NAACP for first reading at the next city council meeting which will be on Aug. 3.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:

• The council approved a street closure request from Opelika Main Street for the Main Street Alabama LAB Reception Event to be held on Aug. 17.

• The council approved a street closure request from Opelika Main Street for the Annual Songwriters Festival to be held on Oct. 15.

• The council approved a bid for the purchase of 17 archery targets for the new archery range at Spring Villa.

• The council approved a bid for upgrades to the sidewalks and drainage systems on South Long Street.

• The council approved a bid for the construction of grade, drain, base and paving for Opelika’s North Park Industrial Access Road project.

• The council approved a resolution to purchase 40 disc golf targets for the parks and recreation department.

• The council approved a resolution to purchase licensing and maintenance software for the Salesforce Platform for the IT department.

• The council approved a resolution to purchase a John Deere 5090E Cab Tractor FT4 for the public works department.

• The council approved a resolution to accept the public infrastructure and utilities in several new subdivisions.

• The council approved a resolution to accept the quote for a Webex Calling Plan from Cisco for the IT department.

• The council approved a resolution to accept a quote fromAdapToSolve for various purchases for the IT department. 

• The council approved a resolution for the service agreement with APHIS-WS for wildlife damage management.

• The council approved a resolution to authorize the city of Opelika to join the state of Alabama and other local governements as participants in both current and future opioid settlements.

• The council approved a resolution for a special appropriation to the Opelika Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

• A motion to remove the plan for the redistricting of the council districts within the city of Opelika was not passed and the item remains on the table at this time.

• The council approved an ordinance to amend the City Code of Ordinances: Adopting an Electronic Meeting Policy for City Council Meetings.