Anniston, AL – The Anniston City Council held its work session and formal meeting on July 15, 2025, addressing several key community development initiatives and infrastructure improvements.
Work Session Discussion
Community Development Block Grant Planning
City officials presented two upcoming CDBG resolutions to the council. A consultant explained that the Annual Action Plan is a required one-year plan submitted to HUD detailing how the city will use grant funds. The plan includes 13 different project summaries starting on page 21 of the document.
The second item involved reallocating unexpended HOME funds to Generational Wealth Builders Inc. and Calhoun Cleburne Habitat for Humanity. Chris Lindsey from Generational Wealth Builders was present to answer questions about the reallocation.
Airport Lease Concerns
Discussion arose regarding the Anniston Airport’s standard space lease to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mayor Smith indicated that after conversations with stakeholders, including Council Member Harrington and city staff, several concerns were raised that warranted further review. The mayor requested to remove this item from the evening’s voting agenda.
Infrastructure and Traffic Safety Discussions
Council Member Downing raised several neighborhood concerns:
- Traffic Safety on Davis Street: Multiple residents approached Downing about speeding and reckless driving, requesting stop signs or traffic control devices to address the problem.
- Street Lighting on Bird Street: Downing requested installation of a street light near an apartment complex on Bird Street, citing safety concerns due to poor lighting. The area includes several houses and apartments in a pitch-black section between Davis and Albuquerque Street.
- Emergency Road Repairs: Downing advocated for emergency funding from city reserves to repair significant pavement damage at the intersection of McCall and Abbott streets, describing a large section of missing pavement that affects the street’s passability.
Traffic Control Process Discussion
The meeting revealed confusion about the city’s process for traffic studies and control device installation. Officials clarified that while some studies can be conducted in-house through the Public Works department, proper traffic engineering expertise is required. Council Member Harris emphasized that specifically trained traffic engineers are needed to ensure proper device placement and avoid legal liability.
The council discussed implementing a standardized process with specific deadlines (potentially twice yearly in March and November) for reviewing traffic control requests.
Street Lighting and Road Assessment Initiatives
Mayor Smith announced plans to review the city’s master agreement with Alabama Power for street lighting, which hasn’t been updated since 2017. The current agreement reportedly costs approximately $50 per light per month. The mayor had already initiated conversations with Jackie Lowry from Alabama Power to begin this process.
Discussion also centered on a 2020 road assessment that evaluated city streets on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the worst condition. Mayor Smith had sent council members a list of 10 roads per ward from this assessment, focusing on roads rated 4-5. Council members debated commissioning a new assessment and developing a comprehensive long-term paving strategy, noting that many roads have deteriorated significantly since 2020.
Formal City Council Meeting
The formal meeting began with an invocation by Council Member Downing, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum was established with all council members present: Downing, Roberts, Harrington, Harris, and Mayor Smith.
Agenda Amendment
Mayor Smith made a motion to remove the airport lease ordinance from the agenda for further review, which passed unanimously.
Community Development Resolutions Approved
The council unanimously approved both CDBG-related resolutions:
- Authorization of the fiscal year 2025 Annual Action Plan under the CDBG Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Act program
- Amendment to the 2017-2024 Annual Action Plan for reallocation of HOME funding to Generational Wealth Builders Inc. and Calhoun Cleburne Habitat for Humanity
Council Comments
Council Member Harrington encouraged residents to report areas with poor lighting to help ensure citizen safety throughout the city.
Council Member Roberts praised the Recreation Department, highlighting local baseball teams that advanced to regional competition. Roberts credited the department staff for their dedication to youth development and encouraged residents to stay hydrated during the hot weather while checking on elderly neighbors.
Council Member Downing promoted the extensive services offered by the Anniston and Calhoun County Library system, including the “library of things” program that allows residents to check out camping equipment, tools, musical instruments, video game equipment, and activity kits. Downing noted the library provides approximately $4 million worth of community value through its services.
Executive Session
The meeting concluded with the council entering executive session to discuss preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade, commerce, and property considerations, including potential purchase, sale, exchange, lease, or market value discussions of real property.
