BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
The Opelika city council voted to authorize Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller to institute legal proceedings in the name and on behalf of the city in order to enjoin the noise nuisance at the sawmill and planer mill operated by West Fraser Timber Co. LTD at 2100 Industrial Blvd.
The city maintains that the company’s facility emits high noise levels which are in violation of Opelika’s ordinances regulating noise. According to the resolution paperwork (copies of which can be found on the city’s website), city employees have issued numerous notices that the facility is in violation of the noise ordinance.
The city has received numerous complaints from residents living in residential neighborhoods near the facility.
Opelika resident, Louis Brandwein, addressed the council regarding the noise.
“From 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. … it sounds like pots and pans and sometimes mixed with alarms, buzzers and sirens going off,” he said. “My mom, who lives one street over, has said that she has heard it at 2 or 3 in the morning.”
Brandwein said that he hoped for a positive vote on this item.
Ward 5 councilmember Todd Rauch also spoke regarding the noise.
“When I was elected to the city council, the noise over at West Frasier was non-stop, it was continuous, it was throughout all hours of the night.”
Rauch expressed his gratitude to both Fuller and former councilmember David Cannon for their work toward finding a solution to this problem.
“I woud lilke to thank the mayor for taking this action and putting it in force, and also I want to thank and David Cannon, previous council member, he was a leading charge through this and helping out the community,” Rauch said.
PROCLAMATION
Also during the meeting, Fuller read a proclamation declaring Oct. 21 as Wear Purple Day in Opelika, to encourage residents of the community to help eliminate domestic violence in Opelika.
SERVICE AWARDS
Several employees were given service awards for their service to the city during the meeting.
40 Years:
Diane Heard – Library
20 Years:
Tracey Johnson – OFD
Robert Lee – OFD
Richard Converse – OPD
15 Years:
Tommy Beam – OFD
5 Years:
Christopher Skipper – OFD
Giovanni Satiesteban -OPD
Charlton Martin – OPD
IN OTHER BUSINESS
– The council held a public hearing on the amendment of the zoning ordinance and map regarding the rezoning of 166 acres located on Hwy 431 and Cusseta Road. The council did not introduce this ordinance for the first reading.
– The council approved the purchase of one 2022 Chevy Tahoe.
– The council approved the designation of city personal property as surplus and authorized the disposal of the items in accordance with state law.
– The council approved the purchase of 255 Toter 96 Gallon Universal/Nestable Carts.
– The council approved the purchase of a Direct-Link Bridge Series Crisis Response Throw phone system.
– The council approved the purchase of one 2021 Ford F150 Super Cab.
– The council approved the purchase of Antivirus Malwarebytes software.
– The council approved the purchase of a Bobcat Compact Excavator.
– The council approved the purchase of VMware Workspace One Management and Security software.
– The council approved the purchase of police equipment for seven 2021 Police Package automobiles.
– The council approved the purchase of ammunition for the police department.
– The council approved an annual appropriation contract for fiscal year 2022 with Envision Opelika Foundation, Inc. for the amount of $75,000.
– The council approved an annual appropriation contract for fiscal year 2022 with J. W. Darden Foundation, Inc. for the amount of $5,000.
– The council approved an annual appropriation contract for fiscal year 2022 with Opelika First Class Pre-K Academy for the amount of $20,000.
– The council approved an annual appropriation contract for fiscal year 2022 with Opelika Main Street for the amount of $60,000.
– The council approved a special appropriation to East Alabama Community Ballet for 2021 Nutcracker Performance for the amount of $1,000.
– The council approved a special appropriation to Opelika Main Street for 2021 Christmas in a Railroad Town for the amount of $1,250.
– The council approved change order No. 1 for Robinson Paving Co. for the Northpark Drive Improvement project.
– The council approved a proposal for engineering services with CDG for design of an industrial access road for Project Crown.
– The council approved a franchise agreement with Knology of Alabama, Inc.
– The council introduced an ordinance on the Regulations Restricting the Sale of Dogs and Cats at Pet Shops and Pet Supply Stores for a first reading.
The next scheduled city council meeting will be Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.