Anniston, AL – The Oversight Committee for the McClellan Development Authority (MDA) Board convened on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. under the leadership of Senator Keith Kelley. The committee, which is comprised of a diverse group of local government representatives and stakeholders, met to review the operations and activities of the MDA. Key members in attendance included Rep. Mark Gidley, Rep. Barbara Boyd (who was absent), Rep. Steve Hurst (also absent), Rep. Randy Wood, Rep. Chard Robertson, Commissioners Fred Wilson, Danny Shears, Carolyn Henderson, Terry Howell (absent), and Lee Patterson. Anniston’s leadership was also well represented, with Mayor Jack Draper and City Council members D.D. Roberts, Ciara Smith, and Millie Harris. Additionally, Calhoun County Attorney Julie Borrelli and Anniston Attorney Bruce Downey participated in the discussions.
The meeting was held to address pressing issues regarding the MDA, and the committee spent significant time reviewing administrative updates, correspondence, and responses related to the MDA’s activities. The meeting began with a change to the agenda to accommodate necessary updates, and the minutes from the January 23, 2024 meeting were approved without a formal reading. A report was expected from the MDA, but no representtive provided a formal update. A letter from Senator Kelley, sent in February 2024, had requested updates from the MDA on several key areas, including property holdings, financial accounts, ongoing projects, and future plans. The MDA had responded with detailed documents on March 13, 2024, which outlined significant development projects such as a residential subdivision, a town center, recreational enhancements, and the installation of a critical water tower. However, these efforts were hampered by challenges in cooperation with the City of Anniston on zoning and planning issues.
Copies of the MDA’s responses were distributed to the Calhoun County Commission, Anniston City Council, and the State Examiner’s Office for further review and auditing. The committee stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the MDA’s operations and requested more detailed feedback from the city and county on the information provided by the MDA.
Anniston City Manager Steven Folks offered a comprehensive analysis of the MDA’s operations and highlighted several concerns. One major issue the said has was and is the lack of transparency, particularly regarding incomplete meeting minutes and potential overuse of executive sessions, which may violate Alabama’s Open Meetings Act. Folks also pointed out that the MDA’s use of code names for projects made it difficult to understand the full scope of their activities. There were concerns about the MDA’s compliance with public laws, including the Public Works Law, and about the level of oversight from the MDA’s board members. He also noted challenges in the coordination and alignment of priorities between the MDA and local government, specifically mentioning the use of Fort McClellan properties for animal control facilities and expanding horse trails, as well as a lack of collaboration with city personnel, which made it difficult for property buyers and investors to navigate the development process.
Councilwomen Millie Harris and Councilmen D.D. Roberts from the Anniston City Council addressed issues regarding the MDA’s claims of being excluded from the city’s planning processes. Harris emphasized that the city had conducted numerous public hearings on zoning changes, all of which were well-advertised. She expressed frustration that the MDA had not participated in these meetings or provided the city with relevant documentation to substantiate their exclusion claims. Similarly, Roberts highlighted the lack of input from the MDA during public meetings for Anniston’s comprehensive plan, and she pointed out that the MDA had no designated liaison after former Mayor Bill Robinson’s term. Both councilwomen urged the MDA to be more transparent and to engage more fully in the city’s planning efforts.
Calhoun County Administrator Jonathan Gaddy also shared his perspective on the situation. He agreed with City Manager Folks’ concerns about the need for better collaboration between the MDA and local governments. Gaddy emphasized that effective planning and zoning require strong coordination between the MDA, local officials, and elected leaders, which has often been lacking. He echoed concerns about the MDA’s overuse of executive sessions, which could undermine transparency, and expressed doubt about the completeness of the materials provided by the MDA.
Commissioner Danny Shears also weighed in, reflecting on his own experiences with the MDA. He noted that the county commission rarely held executive sessions, and he found the MDA’s frequent executive sessions to be a challenge for maintaining engagement and transparency. Shears pointed out that such long sessions, sometimes lasting over an hour, made it difficult for attendees to stay involved in the proceedings. While he appreciated the efforts of the MDA board members, many of whom he considered friends, Shears expressed concern that the MDA’s leadership might not be fully informing board members about the authority’s activities.
Senator Keith Kelley shared feedback from the State Examiner’s Board, which audits state agencies, highlighting several troubling findings. Kelley noted discrepancies in financial reporting, missing documents, and compliance issues related to public bid laws and the Alabama Open Meetings Act. He raised specific concerns about missing property details during transfers from the Calhoun County Commission, the lack of participation in the Employment Retirement System, and inconsistencies between financial statements and expenditures. Kelley underscored the critical need for transparency and compliance with the Open Meetings Act, emphasizing that important contract terms must be disclosed publicly prior to execution.
Rep. Mark Gidley also expressed concerns about adherence to the Open Meetings Act and sought clarification on the process for holding executive sessions. He raised questions about the potential for decisions to be made in executive sessions without subsequent open meetings, stressing the need for transparency in all decision-making processes.
The meeting also included discussions on the future of the McClellan Development Authority and its role in developing the McClellan properties. Anniston Mayor Jack Draper suggested significant structural changes, proposing that the city, in collaboration with the county and state officials, would be better positioned to handle the development of the McClellan properties. Draper recommended that the MDA board hold a meeting by January 2025 to consider a resolution acknowledging the inability of the MDA to fulfill its original goals and to begin transferring its assets, debts, and obligations to a successor entity. He proposed that the board recommend the dissolution of the MDA, pending approval by the Anniston City Council and Calhoun County Commission. While the Oversight Committee does not have the statutory authority to enforce such actions, it made recommendations for the MDA to consider.
The Oversight Committee unanimously voted on the motion presented by Anniston Mayor Jack Draper, which outlined a clear path forward for the McClellan Development Authority (MDA). The motion included several key steps: First, it recommended that the MDA Board of Directors convene no later than January 2025 to adopt a resolution acknowledging that the authority is no longer capable of fulfilling its original purpose. Following this, a 90-day period would be initiated for the orderly transfer of the MDA’s assets, debts, properties, and obligations to a successor entity. During this transition period, the City of Anniston would establish a new department to oversee the continued development of Fort McClellan, working closely with the Calhoun County Commission and the legislative delegation. Finally, the motion called for the MDA to recommend its dissolution, with approval from both the Anniston City Council and the Calhoun County Commission. This motion was unanimously approved by the committee, signaling a decisive step toward transitioning the responsibility for Fort McClellan’s redevelopment to the City of Anniston.
Before adjourning, committee members expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their dedication to McClellan’s redevelopment. “We appreciate everyone’s presence here tonight,” said Senator Kelley, extending thanks to the MDA Board of Directors, local officials, and attorneys Julie Borrelli and Bruce Downey. The meeting concluded with a recognition of the importance of collaboration among all parties involved—the MDA, the city, the county, and the state delegation—to ensure that McClellan’s development aligns with the region’s economic goals. The discussions underscored the need for clearer communication, improved transparency, and greater cooperation to drive future development efforts.
As the MDA Board prepares to meet in January, the recommendations made during this meeting will guide the next phase of Fort McClellan’s redevelopment, ensuring that the property reaches its highest and best use as a community and economic asset.
