Anniston City Council Meeting: Financial Success, Infrastructure Developments, and Local Business Support

Anniston, AL – The city of Anniston held the regular scheduled work session and city council meeting on October 1st, 2024.

Work Session

• Presentation
  • Presentation regarding the Audit Report FY 2023 by Mr. Williams with HHM, Memphis
    • Overview: Garrett Williams presented the FY 2023 Audit Report for HHS and related entities, highlighting key aspects of the audit process and results.Audit Findings:
      • Audit Opinion: The audit received an unmodified opinion, indicating a clean audit with no significant issues found.
      • Audit Standards: The audit was conducted in compliance with generally accepted auditing standards, aiming to ensure financial statements are free from material misstatements.
      • Independence: The audit team maintained independence from the city throughout the engagement.

      Financial Highlights:

      • General Fund:
        • Total assets: $32 billion, with approximately $23 billion in cash and investments.
        • Liabilities: $12.5 million, primarily related to debts, with minimal other liabilities.
        • Positive change in fund balance of $6.5 million this year.
      • Budget Performance:
        • Total revenues exceeded budget projections, indicating a positive variance.
        • Total expenditures remained below budgeted amounts, demonstrating effective budget management.
        • General fund balance as of year-end: $20 million, sufficient for approximately five months of operational expenses.

      Single Audit:

      
      • No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were identified during the single audit.
      • A clean opinion was issued for the ARPA grant program.

      Conclusion: Williams commended the finance department for their cooperation and efficiency throughout the audit process, emphasizing that the audit went smoothly with no issues raised.

  • Presentation regarding the Water Tower by Ed Turner with the Anniston Water Works & Sewer Board
    • Ed Turner from the Anniston Water Works & Sewer Board presented an overview of the proposed water tower project on Compass Hill, behind Lowe’s. The project stems from an agreement with the Economic Development Authority (EDA), which includes a commitment for financial support.Key details from the presentation include:
      • Project Costs: The total project cost is estimated at around $5 million, broken down as follows:
        • $2 million for the water tank
        • $2.5 million for the transmission unit and modifications to the booster pump station
        • $300,000 for necessary modifications
        • $150,000 for engineering and construction administration
      • Project Purpose: The new water tower will supply water to higher elevations around Compton, facilitating development in the area and serving projects that currently lack water lines.
      • Community Support: The project has received positive feedback from the county commissions and local stakeholders, emphasizing its importance for community development.
      • Funding and Timeline: The board is actively seeking federal funding. The design work is completed, but the project requires a permit from ALDOT, which could extend the timeline to about two years before construction begins. Once the necessary agreements are reached, the board will initiate the bidding process.
      • Additional Considerations: Turner highlighted that similar past projects have faced material delays, indicating the potential for similar challenges in the current project.

      The presentation concluded with an invitation for questions, emphasizing the collaborative effort required for the project’s success.

• Street Renaming
  • Discussion regarding the renaming of ITC Deltacom Way
    • The discussion focused on renaming ITC Deltacom Way to Kusano Way. This request aims to honor Kazu Kusano, who established a business that underwent an address change in 2001 and moved to its current location in 2007. Kusano is planning to build a third facility and hopes to hold a local meeting in Anniston in 2025, enhancing recognition for the area. The council members discussed the potential for a streamlined process for changing the street name, which could expedite the sign change compared to the usual procedure involving multiple entities. It was suggested that the new name could be approved quickly, allowing for the sign to be updated in time for the anticipated meeting in the spring. Plans to include this on the next agenda were proposed, specifically for the second meeting in November. Overall, the discussion emphasized the importance of honoring local contributions while ensuring a smoother process for future street name changes.
• Grant
  • Grant application for Federal Assistance for FY 2025 with the United States Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration through the State of Alabama Department of Transportation
    • The meeting discussed the grant application for Federal Assistance for FY 2025 with the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration, managed through the State of Alabama Department of Transportation. The grant, amounting to $304,600, has been approved for the airport master plan. With the inclusion of state and city matches, the total funding will reach $330,000.Council members confirmed that this grant had already been approved, including previous approvals for 75 airport plans. No issues were raised regarding the grant, allowing the meeting to move forward. The grant will be included on the consent agenda for further approval. The next item on the agenda was a request for a Class One license for Civil Service, LLC, at 1102 South Windsor.
• Alcohol License
  • 010-Lounge Retail Liquor-Class I license Sip and Serve LLC dba V S Jazz Bar located in the city limits at 1102 S Quintard Ave, Anniston, AL 36201
  • 140-Special Events Retail License for the City of Anniston dba Anniston Jazz and Art Festival
    • Both licenses will be subject to public hearings and included on the consent agenda. Additionally, remarks were made regarding a plan that is already in place, although specific details about the plan were not provided in the summary.
• Bids
  • Purchase of (1) one 2025 Ford Maverick Truck for the Police Department
  • Clean-up and Grass cutting of 35 Lots; bid opening scheduled for October 3, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Michael Tucker Park Bathroom Renovation with a base bid of $398,000.00, alternate
    • the addition of the cupola at $6,700.00 to Kilgore Construction in the total amount of $404,700.00
      • Discussion regarding the bathroom renovation highlighted the need for significant repairs, including replacing the roof, updating fixtures, and making cosmetic improvements both inside and outside. The aim is to enhance safety and comfort for users of the facilities.
• Pay and Classification Plan
  • Update the City of Anniston Pay and Classification Plan to include the position of “Assistant Fire Training Officer” in pay grade PS206.
    • The City of Anniston is updating its Pay and Classification Plan to include the new position of “Assistant Fire Training Officer” in pay grade PS206. This position is designed to assist the training center as it expands and enhances efficiency.By creating this role, the city will transition this position to a salaried worker rather than an hourly worker, which is expected to be more cost-effective and efficient. This change aims to streamline operations and reduce the need for hiring multiple hourly workers.

City Manager Updates

• Alleyway/Right of Way Issue at West 15th Street and Glenaddie Avenue
  • A situation arose concerning an alleyway located at West 15th Street and Glenaddie Avenue, adjacent to a parking lot near a newly constructed building.
  • A survey revealed that the alleyway is not part of the city’s right of way but is actually on private property. This resulted in the owner blocking the alleyway with a fence, creating access issues.
  • The city’s right of way is limited to the grassy area surrounding it. To resolve this, the city proposes to create a new alleyway within its right of way, estimated to cost around $13,000. Funds are available for this project.
  • City officials discussed this with Councilman Roberts, and they seek council approval to move forward with the project.
• Leadville Mountain Bike Race
  • The NEBA (North East Bike Association) has expressed interest in hosting the Leadville Mountain Bike Race, a major event that qualifies participants for international races.
  • The race is expected to draw between 1,000 to 1,500 participants, leading to significant economic impact, estimated at $4 million.
  • The city will provide in-kind services to support the event, similar to arrangements made for other local events like the Fat Tire Festival.
  • A motion was proposed to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of intent for a three-year commitment starting in June 2025, which was well-received by the council.
• Hospital Financing Update
  • The city needs to address a refinancing issue regarding the hospital. An attorney for the hospital contacted city officials to clarify the city’s reversionary interest in the property concerning a new mortgage.
  • The title insurer requires an ordinance to confirm that the city’s reversionary rights are secondary to the lender’s interests. Although this has been acknowledged before, the lender requires formal documentation.
  • City officials were informed that this step is crucial for finalizing the loan, which is set to be funded soon. The ordinance is deemed necessary to avoid any delays in refinancing.

City Council 

• Roll Call
  • Mayor Jack Draper – Present
  • Ward 1 Councilman Jay Jenkins – Present
  • Ward 2 Councilman Demetric D. Roberts – Present 
  • Ward 3 Councilwoman Ciara Smith – Absent
  • Ward 4 Councilwoman Millie Harris – Present
• Sip and Serve LLC dba V S Jazz Bar
  • A public hearing was held to receive comments regarding the 010-Lounge Retail Liquor Class I license for Sip and Serve LLC, located at 1102 S Quintard Ave.
  • Public comments supported the establishment, highlighting its potential as a jazz venue that caters to a mature audience. The owner, Anisha Orme, and her sister emphasized the club’s family-friendly atmosphere and plans for various themed events.
• Anniston Jazz and Art Festival
  • The council received comments regarding a 140-Special Events Retail License for the City of Anniston for the Anniston Jazz and Art Festival at the City Market, 126 W 11th St. Public support indicated that the festival would positively impact the community.
• Unfinished Business
  • No specific items were reported under unfinished business.