ANNISTON, AL — The Anniston City Council addressed a range of municipal issues during its October 20 work session and regular meeting, including ongoing cleanup efforts at Gensco Tire properties, road and bridge improvement financing, changes to the city’s bulk waste collection agreement, and economic development initiatives.
The council also approved licensing requests, authorized funding for state lobbying services, and heard public concerns regarding airport improvements, park access, domestic violence awareness and child safety.
Gensco Tire Provides Update on Cleanup and Compliance Efforts
Representatives of Gensco Tire appeared before the council during the work session to provide an update on cleanup efforts at the company’s Anniston facilities.
Duttie Kross, representing Gensco, explained that the company repurposes aircraft tires for agricultural, industrial and marine applications. She acknowledged longstanding concerns involving tire storage, mosquito control, inventory management and compliance with city fire safety requirements.
Company representatives reported that several operational changes have been implemented over approximately the past 90 days, including a management restructuring, the hiring of four additional yard employees and expanded mosquito prevention measures.
The company reported removing approximately 40 truckloads of tires since late July. Representatives explained that each truckload can contain approximately 35,000 to 40,000 pounds of tires.
Gensco has also purchased additional tire-cutting equipment to increase processing capacity and reduce accumulated inventory. Representatives said the company’s current production goal is approximately 200 tires per day per machine, with additional equipment expected to increase capacity.
Other improvements include vegetation removal, debris cleanup and the creation of access routes for emergency vehicles. Representatives estimated that approximately 85% of the necessary emergency access improvements have been completed.
Despite the progress, company representatives acknowledged that the facilities remain out of compliance with city requirements. Officials clarified during the discussion that the compliance issues involve city ordinances rather than state environmental regulations.
Gensco representatives described a six- to nine-month period as a goal for continued improvements but stopped short of guaranteeing full compliance within that timeframe.
Council members raised concerns about fire safety, mosquito populations, neighborhood appearance and the effect of accumulated tires on surrounding residential properties.
Particular attention was given to properties near Walnut Street, McCoy Street, Mulberry Street and 18th Street.
Representatives said the company is prioritizing the Walnut Street property and exploring additional measures, including fencing improvements, to reduce the visual impact on nearby neighborhoods.
The company also described a revised inventory management strategy intended to ensure that more tires leave its properties than are received each month.
Council members emphasized the importance of sustained progress and continued accountability as the cleanup proceeds.
Council Addresses Road and Bridge Improvement Financing
The council discussed a resolution declaring the city’s official intent to reimburse expenditures associated with road and bridge improvement projects through future tax-exempt financing.
The measure also included related amendments to the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
The financing approach would allow the city to incur eligible project expenses before receiving financing proceeds and subsequently reimburse those expenditures.
The resolution was included on the consent agenda and approved during the regular council meeting.
Bulk Waste Collection Agreement Amended Following Council Discussion
The city’s waste collection and disposal services agreement received considerable attention during the work session.
Council members discussed an amendment involving the $8.50 monthly bulk trash collection charge, which would shift responsibility for the charge from the city to customers.
The amendment also includes language expressing the city’s intent to offer contractor 121 Disposal an additional three-year term following the existing agreement, subject to the contract’s conditions.
Council members raised concerns about the quality and consistency of bulk waste collection services.
Reported issues included delayed pickups, incomplete collections, waste remaining along streets and collection activity extending into evening hours.
Some council members questioned whether the city should consider a contract extension while residents continue to report service problems.
Others acknowledged that the bulk waste collection program has helped reduce illegal dumping and remove significant amounts of unwanted material from neighborhoods.
City officials explained that shifting billing responsibility to customers creates additional financial risk for the contractor, particularly involving accounts that may become delinquent.
The potential contract extension was discussed as a means of addressing that risk.
Officials clarified that the amendment expresses an intent to extend the agreement rather than immediately establishing a new three-year contract.
The council also discussed whether residents could be allowed to opt into or out of bulk collection services. Officials indicated that the contractor’s current business model does not accommodate that arrangement.
Following the discussion, the council approved the amendment during the regular meeting.
City Approves Funding for State Government Relations Services
The council considered a professional services agreement with Williams & Jensen, PLLC, to provide state-level government relations services in Montgomery.
City officials explained that Anniston has an existing relationship with the firm for federal government relations and is seeking additional representation at the state level.
The agreement was initially included on the consent agenda but was removed for separate consideration.
During the regular meeting, the council approved a resolution authorizing funding for the agreement.
Jazz and Art Festival and Elks Lodge Licensing Requests Approved
The council held two public hearings concerning licensing requests.
The first involved a special events retail liquor license for Cheaha Creative Arts, Inc., doing business as the Jazz and Art Festival, at 126 W. 11th Street.
Ashley Martin, representing Cheaha Creative Arts, told council members that the October 24 festival will be free and open to the public.
The event will feature local artists displaying artwork for sale, live jazz performances and food vendors. The public portion is scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m.
The second public hearing concerned a bingo license for Elks Lodge BPOE No. 189, located at 1019 South Noble Street.
No public comments were offered during the Elks Lodge hearing.
Both licensing requests were approved as part of the council’s consent agenda.
Council Approves Meeting Minutes and Amended Agenda
During the regular meeting, the council approved the minutes from its October 6 meeting.
The council also approved amendments to the October 20 agenda, including the addition of the waste collection agreement amendment and a separate funding resolution for Williams & Jensen.
The amended consent agenda was approved, followed by separate votes approving the waste collection amendment and the lobbying agreement funding.
Residents Address Airport Funding, Park Access and Child Safety
Two residents addressed the council during the public comment period.
John Squires questioned the economic benefits associated with a reported $18.49 million grant for improvements to the Anniston Regional Airport runway.
Squires expressed concern that surrounding municipalities, particularly Oxford, could benefit from the improvements while Anniston assumes responsibility for pursuing the funding.
He also questioned how the remaining project costs would be covered, citing a reported federal contribution of 96% and an estimated remaining amount of approximately $744,000.
Squires additionally raised questions about nighttime restrictions at city parks and how those rules would affect residents using park facilities during evening hours.
Rani Welch addressed the council regarding domestic violence, cyberstalking, child safety and the handling of abuse allegations in family court proceedings.
Welch shared personal experiences involving family court and expressed concern about how documented abuse allegations and law enforcement reports are evaluated.
She requested additional training and coordination among local law enforcement, court liaisons, victim services and advocacy organizations.
Welch also encouraged greater recognition of police reports and other documentation when agencies evaluate potential threats to children and families.
The allegations and statistics discussed during her comments were presented by Welch and were not independently verified during the meeting.
Welch announced an upcoming event, Rise and Reclaim, scheduled for October 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Second Chance office in Anniston. The event will feature movement-based activities intended to support survivors.
Mayor Discusses Airport Investment and Regional Economic Development
During council comments, the mayor responded to concerns about the Anniston Regional Airport project and discussed its role in the city’s economic development strategy.
The mayor highlighted the airport’s connection to the Anniston Army Depot, aviation services, workforce development and potential job creation.
The discussion included educational opportunities for students through workforce development programs and the city’s ongoing efforts to establish aviation-related career pathways.
The mayor also discussed plans for a fire aviation training center, describing the project as an opportunity to expand specialized training and economic activity in the area.
Regarding concerns about surrounding municipalities benefiting from airport improvements, the mayor emphasized that economic development throughout Calhoun County can create opportunities extending beyond individual city boundaries.
The mayor also addressed ongoing redevelopment efforts involving the former Kat Williams property.
The remarks emphasized that redevelopment of properties that have experienced decades of neglect can require extensive planning and time before visible improvements occur.
The mayor encouraged patience as redevelopment efforts continue.
Council Announces Schedule Changes and Community Events
During the work session, council members discussed canceling the regularly scheduled November 3 meeting because it falls on Election Day.
The council indicated that its November 17 meeting would proceed as scheduled.
During the regular meeting, a November 10 town hall meeting was announced for 5:30 p.m. at the South Highland Multi-Purpose Center.
Council members also encouraged public participation in upcoming community activities, including the October 24 Jazz and Art Festival and the Neewollah on Noble celebration.
Additional council comments recognized municipal employees for addressing neighborhood concerns, including traffic-related issues near 13th Street and cleanup improvements along Front Street.
Council members encouraged continued cooperation between residents and city departments to address neighborhood conditions.
The October 20 regular meeting concluded following public comments, council updates and the completion of scheduled business.
