Anniston, AL – The city of Anniston held the regular scheduled work session and city council meeting on February 20th, 2024.

 

Work Session

  1. Bids
    1. ReceivedbidsforResurfacingaPortionofLeraDriveandMultiplePatchingLocations. Bid opened February 15, 2024 at 10:00AM CST
    2. Receive bids for the purchase of up to fifty (50) Sig Sauer M400 pro rifles for the Police Department. Bid opens March 12, 2024 at 9:30AM CST
    3. Receive bids for FY2024 CDBG Demolition of Substandard Structures Group 2024-01. Pre-bid is set for February 28, 2024 at 9:00AM CST. Bid Opening is for March 6, 2024 at 9:00AM CST
  2. Board Application
    1. McClellan Development Authority – Frazier Burroughs
  3. Alcohol License Application
    1. Special Retail More than 30 Days Liquor License for South Beach Volleyball at McClellan LLC DBA South Beach Volleyball located at 100 Symphony Way inside the corporate city limits
      1. Noted to removed from the consent agenda.
  4. Lease-Purchase Agreement
    1. Lease-Purchase Agreement with Leasing 2, Inc., to purchase one (1) Sutphen Demo Pumper from Williams Fire Apparatus
  5. City Manager updates
    1. Bid for Chief Ladiga Trail Project
      1. Councilwoman Smith noted that she has sent questions to the city manager that she has received. She also wanted to make it clear that she does not have an issue with the Chief Ladiga Trail, but she does have an issues with the city taking the bulk of resources for this project, potentially putting the city in a financial bind if tan emergency was to occur. She also expressed confusion over a few e-mails. There were different emails stating the amounts that would be taken out of the resource because it seems to be be several million in fluctuations. City Manger Folks explain that there would be a 4 million overage and then the initial 2 million so that is where the 6 million came from and they asked for 7 million because some has already been spent. Upon clarification the total amount would be 7 million out of reserves if no outside funding was received. Councilman Jenkins stated there is no reason why the budget is so far over what was bid. Moving board he feels the city needs to really make sure that the budget is adhered to. He wants to make sure that the city os no paying a premium for the design process. Councilwoman also wanted to understand the difference between the general reserve and the contingency fund because she doesn’t believe there was authorization given by the council to move the funds. It was explained that the general funds or reserve is any funds that are over the annual budget. Councilman Jenkins asked because a resolution was passed several years ago that 17% of the annual income would be held in a separate reserve account, but he is confused that they are now being told there isn’t a separate reserve fund. The main concern that was voiced was the long-term financial stability of the city with no major revenue producing projects on the horizon and with two large expenditures (City Hall and Chief Ladiga Trail) being pursed what happens there there is an issue that arrises. No immediate answers were provided.
  6. Councilman Jenkins discussion item
    1. Discuss using existing sidewalks to create a Health Education Pathway connecting both hospitals
      1. Councilman Jenkins asked for an easement addressing a connection between Stringfellow and and RMC. This would use the existing sidewalk so this would just have markers between the two. This would encourage good heart health between the two. He stressed this would not be take away from the city in anyway and was not a transfer of land. This is just a way to memorialize the connection between the two hospitals.

City Council 

 

  • Invocation
  • Pledge Of Allegiance
  • Call To Order
  • Roll Call
    • Mayor Jack Draper – Present
    • Ward 1 Councilman Jay Jenkins – Present
    • Ward 2 Councilman Demetric D. Roberts – Present 
    • Ward 3 Councilwoman Ciara Smith – Present
    • Ward 4 Councilwoman Millie Harris – Absent
  • Reading/Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting – Unanimously  Approved 
    • February 6th, 2024
  • Additions/Deletions to the Agenda  – Unanimously  Approved 
    • Deletion: Public Hearing: Receive public comments regarding a Special Retail More than 30 days Liquor License for South Beach Volleyball at McClellan LLC d/b/a South Beach Volleyball located at 100 Symphony Way inside the corporate city limits
    • Deletion: From Consent agenda: Motion to approve a Special Retail More than 30 days Liquor License for South Beach Volleyball at McClellan LLC d/b/a South Beach Volleyball located at 100 Symphony Way inside the corporate city limits
    • Addition: Motion to Authorize the Mayor to sign an Agreement with Consolidated Publishing for leasing of property.
  • Adoption of Agenda – Unanimously  Approved
  • Board Confirmation Hearing
    • Frazier Burroughs – McClellan Development Authority
      • Mr. Burroughs was notated by Mayor Draper. He is the director of the Anniston PARD. Mr. Burroughs thanks all for the opportunity to serve. Councilman Jenkins thanked Mr. Bourroughs for being willing to serve and for all he has done with the sports program already on the MDA. Councilman Roberts also thanked Mr. Bourroughs for his serve in the past and for his continued serve. Councilwoman Smith also thanked “Coach” for his service.
  • Unfinished Business – None
  • Consent Agenda – Unanimously  Approved
    • Resolution appointing member(s) to the McClellan Development Authority
    • Resolution declaring a reported condition to be a public nuisance
    • Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement with the State of Alabama acting by and through the Alabama Department of Transportation for Signal Timing Update and Implementation
    • Resolution authorizing purchase of one (1) Sutphen Corporation Demo Pumper and Lease- Purchase Agreement with Leasing 2, Inc.
    • Motion to award bid to include alternates for Resurfacing of a Portion of Lera Dr. & Multiple Patching Locations for the City of Anniston to Alabama Grading and Excavation in the amount of $203,572.50
    • Motion to suspend the rule requiring the City Council to meet on the first Tuesday of March 2024 due to Primary Election and November 2024 due to General Election
    • Motion to suspend the rule requiring the City Council to meet on the third Tuesday of April 2024 due to Primary Runoff Election
  •  Resolutions
      • Resolution authorizing expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds – Unanimously  Approved 
        • $329,156.00 in improvements for the Glenaddie and Satcher facilities.
  •  Motions
    • Motion to award the bid for the Chief Ladiga Trail Project to B&B Developers in the amount of $7,267,263.39 – Motion to table – Unanimously  Approved to table
      • Councilman Jenkins did say he was concerned with the overage
    • Motion to Authorize the Mayor to sign an Agreement with Consolidated Publishing for leasing of property from April 1st, 2024 to March 31st, 2025 in the monthly amount of $26,180.07. – Unanimously  Approved 
  • Additional or Other Matters That May Come Before the Council – None
  • Public Comments
    • Jennifer Green – 311 Church Avenue NE, Jacksonville – Not Present
  • Council Comments
    • Councilman Jenkins  – None
    • Councilmen Roberts thanked everyone for coming out. He also stated he was a little sad the violence in the city. He felt that Super Bowl Sunday sounded like a war zone. This is a disadvantage to the city. He also stated he would do a press conference soon on this matter.
    • Councilwoman Smith – None
    • Mayor Draper – None
  • Adjournment – Unanimously  Approved