BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council held a public hearing on a proposed cell phone tower to be located at 600 Floral St. inside Floral Park in Opelika.
Following a lengthy public comment period, Ward 1 Council Member George Allen made a motion to table the resolution until further information could be reviewed. All five council members voted to table the resolution.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
• The council approved a request from the Opelika Chamber of Commerce to continue Food Truck Friday Nights in downtown Opelika.
• The council approved a request for a temporary street closure from the Opelika Chamber for Bike Night on Nov. 3.
• The council approved a request for a temporary street closure for the second annual Glow for Epilepsy Event on Nov. 6.
• The council approved a request for a temporary street closure by EAMC for a fall festival on Nov. 18.
• The council held a public hearing on a weed abatement and later voted to approve said abatement for the property located at 508 S. 8th St.
• The council approved a bid for the purchase of uniforms for the Opelika Power Services.
• The council approved expense reports from city employees.
• The council approved a resolution to pay for emergency repairs related to sinkholes at 1506 and 1508 Preston St. in the amount of $129,330.
• The council approved the purchase of one 2023 Ford Ranger XL 4WD Super Cab for the Inspection Department for just under $33,000.
• The council approved the purchase of 14 sets of turn out gear for the Opelika Fire Department for a little over $48,000.
• The council approved a bid for AED monitoring equipment and an annual subscription for the fire department not to exceed an amount of nearly $106,000.
• The council approved the purchase of ammunition for the police department for almost $104,000.
• The council approved the purchase of Fortigate Firewall Hardware for the IT Department for a little over $213,000.
• The council approved a resolution to adopt a procurement policy for contracts and subawards supported by federal financial assistance.
• The council approved a professional services contract with Barrett Simpson Inc. for work pertaining to the Columbus Parkway North Access Road.
• The council approved a request for a special use permit by AT&T for cell phone equipment located at 1981 Airport Road.
• Ward 3 Council Member Tim Aja made a motion to table the resolution to approve an appropriation of $25,000 to the Arts Association of East Alabama. The motion to table was passed with a 4-to-1 vote.
• The council approved several appropriations for the organizations listed below:
– Circles of Opelika for $3,000,
– Keep Opelika Beautiful for $38,000 and
– Museum of East Alabama for $30,500.
• The council approved a contract for services with Frazelma Teaching Parents LLC for the amount of $20,000.
• The council approved a contract for services with Girls S.T.E.P.S. Inc. for the amount of $12,500.
• The council approved a contract for services with PRF Teaching Ministry for the amount of $70,000.
• The council approved a contract for services with The Curtis House for the amount of $20,000.
• The council approved a $1.2 million funding agreement with East Alabama Healthcare Authority.
• The council approved a funding agreement with the Food Bank of East Alabama for the amount of $100,000.
• The council voted to approve Lela Lofton to the Library Board for a term ending Oct. 19, 2026.
• The council voted to reappoint Robert Elliott to the Library Board for a term ending Oct. 19, 2026.
• The mayor announced his appointment of Jimmy Wright to the Opelika Housing Authority for a term ending Oct. 18, 2027.