$1.5 Million Sewer and Water Works Project Discussed at Anniston Work Session and City Council Meeting 9/7/2021

September 8, 2021
Lee Evancho

Work Session

Rescue Act Funds
- Discuss collaborative effort with Anniston Water Works Sewer Board and County using Rescue Act Funds – The proposal addressed a need that has been present for a long time according to Mayor Draper. Maps and cost estimates were distributed to the council members. The plan is for a water system and sewer replacement. The County has cooperated and that has lead to a reduced costs because the county has agreed to contribute. The total costs would be $1.5 million. That does include the repaving of the road as well as all the work. This would have been about $3 million without the county contribution.
Safety Improvements on Greenbrier Dear Road
- Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement with the State of Alabama acting by and through the Alabama Department of Transportation for Safety Improvements on Greenbrier Dear Road Project STPOA-7407(601) – This is not a new matter. When the State department of transportation went to close the project out, they found some signatures had not been fully executed. They are simply wanting to get those signatures in place to properly close the matter out.
Board Appointment
- Main Street Board – Dr. Gretchen Richards – Dr. Richards was nominated by Mayor Draper. He thanked Dr. Richards for her willingness to participate and serve on the Main Street board.
Alcohol application
- Discussion of a Lounge Retail Liquour – Class II (Package) application for AMAL LLC d/b/a AMAL LLC 2 located at 3006 McClellan Boulevard in the corporate City limits. – Nothing further was added. This matter is on the consent agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Project Updates
- Debris Door Hangers – Anytime debris is not picked up due to a code violation, a door hanger will be placed with the details of the violation, contact information, steps that need to be taken, and timeframes.
- Drainage Issues Golden Springs and 21st Street & Parkwin Avenue – This is being put together and will be presented for review in the next couple of weeks.
- Edgefield Farms – There has been a lot of flooding. The city has taken out a good bit of debris to assist with this issue. The Public Works department also wants to review the drainage system to ensure the city has met all their requirements.
- In-kind work at Tru-Cabinetry – The building is down. There is still some pending removal of mulch, but that project is almost completed.
Councilman Roberts spoke about a call he received regarding 7th and 10th Street and pavement and drainage issues. He wanted to know if that was on being looked at. There was a discussion of the milling verses overlay. Depending on the method used to repair the damage, it will look different. Most of the work was done by the county and not the city. It is possible to come back in and do work, if it is needed.
An additional comment was made that it may be needed to hold an additional work session to discuss budgetary issues.

City Council Meeting

Welcoming of Guests
- Councilwoman Harris introduced and welcomed Craig Miller owner of Miller Sand and Gravel. He is also on the Longleaf Botanical Gardens Board. She went on to thank him for, “Walking the walk” and being a great person.
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 – Present
Reading/Approval of Minutes – Unanimously Approved
Additions/Deletions to the Agenda – No Changes
Adoption of Agenda – Unanimously Approved
Board Confirmation
- Dr. Gretchen Richards – Main Street Board – Unanimously Approved
Public Hearing
- To hear public comments regarding a Lounge Retail Liquor – Class II (Package) application for AMAL LLL d/b/a AMAL LLC 2 located at 3006 McClellan Boulevard located in the corporate city limits – No Public Comments
Unfinished Business
- Resolution adopting the budget for Fiscal Year 2022 – Motion to table for a later date. – Unanimously Approved to Table
  - Councilman Jenkins submitted several amendments to the proposed budget. – Amendment to Proposed Budget Unanimously Approved
    - Delete phone and postage for ward usage for councils $3,000 savings
    - PARD Golf increase to $2,500 for maintenance
    - Increase rentals $45,000 which matches previous numbers.
    - PARD Golf Projects increase to $9,000.
    - Food Services increase salaries to $275,725.
    - Food Services Sales of Food increase to $113,000.
    - Food Services create marketing budget of $1,500.
    - Decrease capital outlay budget for the Farmers Market to $450,000
Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Resolution appointing a member to the Main Street Board
- Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the State of Alabama acting by and through the Alabama Department of Transportation for Safety Improvements on Greenbrier Dear Road
- Motion to approve a Lounge Retail Liquor – Class II (Package) application for AMAL LLC d/b/a AMAL LLC 2 located at 3006 McClellan Boulevard in the corporate city limits
Additional or Other Matters that May Come before the Council – No other matters
Public Comments – No Comments
Council Comments
- Councilmen Jay Jenkins
  - Someone started a pray for our children initiative on facebook. He wanted to bring some light to this and praise it.
  - He wanted to give a, “Shameless plug” for the Cast play, Clue, that will be seen September 16th-19th and he will be performing in that as well as his son.
  - Van Marks was asked to come forward. His daughter-n-law, is a combat veteran that was injured. She has taken up swimming and is on the US ParaOlympic team. She finished 4th in the 200 individual medley. She finished 3rd in the 50m butterfly. She also set a paraolympic record. She also won the gold in the 50m backstroke and set a world record. She has also talked to our local teams and worked to inspire them. He wanted to congratulate her and his family.
- Councilman Roberts
  - He wanted to encourage all to be safe. He wanted to talk about the importance of the vaccine. We often hear things on facebook, but our hospitals are full and he recently suffered a personal loss due to COVID. Please be safe and wear a mask and get vaccinated.
- Councilwoman Smith
  - Please get vaccinated if you are able to.
  - She also wanted to congratulate the Anniston High School Football team on their success.
  - She also congratulated Donhoe for their success as well and reminded everybody to, “Support our children.”
- Councilwoman Harris
  - Wanted to thank Councilman Jenkins on his creativity with the budget to save money and still meet our needs.
  - She also wanted to remind everyone of the comprehensive plan meetings that are coming up.
  - She also wanted to reiterate the importance of getting vaccinated. She isn’t saying it should be mandatory. She simply is saying that if you can’t get it, be safe and protect others.
Mayor Daraper
- - Congratulations to Van’s daughter-n-law.
  - He also thanked all for coming out and watching online. Continuing to stay engaged is very important.
  - In respect to COVID, he stated, “We are getting overrun.” Please take measures to keep yourself and others safe.
Adjournment – Unanimously Approved