BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
The Opelika City Council met Tuesday night for its appointed meeting and voted four to one to approve the proposed ordinance that will create a residential rental registry and inspection program. Numerous citizens have spoken both for and against the proposed ordinance since it was first introduced earlier this year. With the ordinance being approved, it will now go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2022. Properties must be registered with the city prior to Jan. 1, 2022, and owners can start the registration process on Oct. 1.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
• Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller read a proclamation declaring Sept. 30, 2021, as NICU Awareness Day. Medical staff from East Alabama Medical Center attended the work session prior to the meeting and delivered a presentation on the new level 3 NICU that is set to open this week.
• Fuller read a proclamation declaring the month of October 2021 as Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
• Fuller announced the reappointment of Henrietta Snipes to the Opelika Housing Authority for a new term ending Oct. 18, 2026.
• The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street for a concert event on Oct. 8.
• The council approved a request from Opelika Main Street for Opelika Songwriters Festival on Oct. 17.
• The council approved a request from First Baptist Church Opelika for Fall Festival Event on Oct. 31.
• The council approved a request from EAMC for a temporary street closure on Dec. 3.
• The council approved expense reports from various departments.
• The council approved Change Order No. 2 for the TTL Construction Inspection of Industrial Boulevard.
• The council approved a resolution for a right-of-way agreement with ALDOT for Pepperell Parkway Improvements.
• The council approved a motion to designate city personal property surplus and authorize disposal.
• The council approved a first amendment to a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Agreement with EAMC.
• The council approved a resolution to authorize two agreements with Motorola Solutions, Inc. to provide maintenance services for the Opelika Police Department.
• The council approved a resolution to authorize a group health and dental insurance contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
• The council approved a resolution to transfer current year city council discretionary fund balances.
• The council approved a resolutionfor the renewal of the property and liability insurance policy for the city.
• The council approved an ordinance for a lease agreement with East Central Alabama Highway Safety Office.
• The council approved an ordinance to allow the rezoning of 1.26 acres located in the 500 Block of Rustic Street from R-1 to R-3.
• The council approved a motion to reappoint Sidney James Nakhjavan to the Lee County Youth Development Center Board for a new term that ends Oct. 1, 2025.
The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.