Pictured above are “Bloody Mary Flights” offered by Next Level Cafe. Restaurants with alcohol licenses, like Next Level Cafe, will soon be able to expand the hours alcohol is available once the amended ordinance goes into effect.
BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council passed what has been called “The Brunch Bill” during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. The bill was introduced for its first reading but then the council made a motion to suspend the rules requiring two readings and voted to pass the proposed ordinance.
The amended ordinance [Section 3-7] will allow Opelika on-premise and off-premise alcohol licensees to serve alcohol from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays.
Opelika restaurant owner Timothy Lowery spoke at city council urging it to pass the proposed changes.
After the meeting, Lowery, who owns Next Level Cafe, discussed what it means for his restaurant and the city of Opelika.
“It puts us in a better position to compete with our neighboring community and it will be a great addition for our guests and for the city.”
Opelika Chamber of Commerce President Ali Rauch also advocated for the passage of the ordinance and said she is thrilled at its passage.
“We at the Opelika Chamber are thrilled that the city council elected to extend alcohol sales to 10 a.m. on Sundays,” Rauch said. “We strongly believe this is better for our businesses, citizens, visitors to our community and it brings us in line with many other communities across the state. We are grateful to the council members who have worked behind the scenes to encourage this to happen, especially Council President Eddie Smith, and to our businesses who have been advocating for this for years, like Cafe 123, but also new businesses like Botanic. I know they are excited and ready to start serving.”
The amended ordinance will go into effect following publication.
OTHER BUSINESS:
– Mayor Gary Fuller presented Attaboy and Attagirl awards to the Accounting Department for its efforts that led to a positive and successful audit.
– Fuller presented awards to the 20 Under 20 Student Exploratory Program graduates.
– Fuller presented a proclamation in honor of Black Maternal Health Week — April 11 through April 17.
– The council approved a restaurant retail liquor and retail beer on premise license for SUN IL 22 LLC doing business as Mandarin House.
– The council approved a restaurant retail liquor and retail beer on premise license for Seafood Opelika Inc. doing business as Kpot Korean BBQ and Hotpot.
– The council approved a temporary street closure for New Spirit Missionary Baptist Church for a Family Fun Day on April 8.
– The council awarded a bid for emergency debris removal for the Public Works Department to D&J Enterprises.
– The council awarded a bid for switches for substation No. 10 for Opelika Power Services to Substation Enterprises Inc.
– The council approved the expense reports from various departments.
– The council designated city personal property as surplus and authorized its disposal.
– The council approved the purchase of 16 OptiPlex 5400 AIO desktop computers from the state of Alabama for a little over $19,200.
– The council approved the purchase of a Marathon RJ-250 Self Contained 34-cubic-yard compactor from OES through the Sourcewell Contract for a little over $41,600.
– The council accepted a proposal from Sain and Associates for the Northern Perimeter Corridor Feasibility Study.
– The council approved a construction inspection services agreement with CDG for the Andrews Road Improvement Project for the Niagara Bottling Plant. Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has agreed to participate in the cost of construction and consultant fees for engineering and inspection at a maximum cost of $771,100 and the estimated compensation due to CDG under the proposal is nearly $111,000, with said compensation to be paid from the unassigned fund balance.
– The council approved the final closeout change order No. 1 for the Sportsplex Intersection Roundabout.
– The council approved the final closeout change order No. 2 for the North Uniroyal Bridge Replacement Project to increase the total contract amount by over $128,200.
– The council approved a professional services agreement with True South Properties for a right-of-way acquisition.
– The council approved a motion to amend the Cemetery Rules and Regulations, which can be found on the city’s website and then approved the amended regulations.
– The council approved an employment contract with Joel D. Motley as city administration for another three years.
– The council approved a request for a refund of occupational taxes paid in error by Chase Christian.
– The council approved a special appropriation of $1,000 to the Chamber of Commerce 20 Under Forty for the current class project for the Boys and Girls Club.
– The council approved a special appropriation of $2,500 to Keep Opelika Beautiful for the 2023 Garden in the Park.
– The council approved a special appropriation of $7,500 to the Arts Association of East Alabama.
– The council left the proposed ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map for 1531 and 1617 1st Ave., rezoning 8.928 acres, from M-1 to a planned unit development (PUD) on the table to address at a future meeting.
– The council voted to amend Sections 5.7-11,12,13 and 5.7-17 of the City Code of Ordinances: Prescribing Charges and Fees for Cemetery Lots and Services and then voted to approve the newly amended ordinance.
– The council amended the Zoning Ordinance & Map at the 3200 block of Columbus Parkway, rezoing nearly 210 acres from Annexation to a PUD, which would consist of 600 residential units.
– The council approved the annexation petition by Rodney and Laurie Jones to annex nearly 210 acres on Columbus Parkway (U.S. Highway 280) into the city of Opelika.
– The council reappointed David McCain to the Lee Russell Council of Governments MPO Citizen Advisory Committee for a term that will expire in April 2025.