Annsiston, AL – The Anniston City Council held its work session and regular meeting on Monday evening, March 3, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The council moved efficiently through a full agenda that included budget amendments, an economic development resolution, and a public comment from a local entrepreneur seeking relief from a recently enacted moratorium.
Work Session
City Manager Kenneth Free and Mayor Smith Roston guided council members Downing, Tolson, Harrington, and Moss through several items ahead of the regular meeting.
Blackwater Development Company Amendment The council reviewed a resolution authorizing a second amendment to the development agreement between the City of Anniston and Blackwater Development Company LLC — a two-year contract extension that the council noted had already been discussed at length in prior sessions. No significant concerns were raised.
Budget Amendments Several budget amendments were presented for council review. These included the re-appropriation of designated unused funds from the FY2025 budget; recognition of Main Street Alabama grant funds in the FY2026 budget; recognition of donations to Longleaf Botanical Gardens earmarked for the purchase of inventory for resale; and authorization of the appropriation and obligation of bond proceeds for a capital project.
Surplus Property City Manager Free flagged three weed eaters from the Public Works department for surplus disposal, noting the equipment had reached the end of its useful life cycle.
Board Reappointment A reappointment to the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board was presented for council consideration with no objections noted.
McClellan Loft Community Project Economic Incentive The council discussed a resolution affirming its intent to provide economic development incentives and support for the McClellan Loft Community Project, described as the “intent portion” of a related sustainable development resolution the council has already deliberated on in detail.
St. Michael’s Clinic Desktop Computers Mayor Smith Roston and City Manager Free discussed a request related to the expansion of St. Michael’s Clinic using Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding. The expansion involves knocking through a wall into an adjacent learning center. Of seven desktop computers in the space — originally purchased with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds — the clinic requested use of three for public purposes. Free recommended the clinic sign for the three computers so the city retains accountability and control of the equipment.
City Manager Updates — Inventory, Permitting, and Efficiency Initiatives City Manager Free outlined several operational improvement initiatives currently underway. He announced that March has been designated as inventory month across all city departments, tasking each division with conducting a full accounting of all non-expendable equipment including laptops, monitors, and IT devices. Free noted the city has never previously conducted a comprehensive inventory of its assets, and said the effort will tie directly into the upcoming budget process to prevent unnecessary duplicate purchasing. A barcode tracking system will be implemented, and Free mentioned the possibility of adding a dedicated supply logistics position to maintain ongoing accountability.
Free also announced that a new online permitting and inspections system is set to go live, allowing residents and contractors to apply for building permits, submit plans, and make payments without visiting City Hall. He emphasized the system will not eliminate any positions and that in-person service will remain available. Mayor Smith Roston specifically requested confirmation of that point, noting that some residents — herself included — prefer face-to-face interactions with city staff.
Additionally, Free said the city is exploring consolidating software systems across departments — including HR and finance — currently running on platforms described as 10 to 12 years old in some cases. A centralized purchasing model is also under review to reduce redundant supply spending across departments.
On a facilities note, Free reported that the final replacement part for the City Hall elevator is in transit, with an anticipated return-to-service date of April 1, allowing council meetings to eventually move back to the Hilder Cooper City Hall chamber. Mayor Smith Roston asked that audio and visual systems be tested thoroughly before meetings relocate.
Woodstock 5K Donation Before adjourning the work session, Mayor Smith Roston asked the council to consider bringing a donation to the local Runners Club forward at the next meeting in support of the upcoming Woodstock 5K race, an event that draws participants from across the region and nation to Anniston. She suggested amounts ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 and said supporting materials would be distributed to council members in advance.
Regular Council Meeting
The regular meeting was called to order with all council members present. Minutes from the February 17, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously, as was the full agenda.
Consent Agenda The consent agenda — comprising the Blackwater Development amendment, all four budget amendments, the three surplus weed eaters, and the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board reappointment — passed unanimously without discussion.
Resolution: McClellan Loft Community Project The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution affirming its intent to provide economic development incentives and support for the McClellan Loft Community Project.
The meeting’s sole public commenter was Gladys McCluney, who addressed the council regarding her blues lounge, Maconi’s Unnoval, located at 2210 Noble Street. McCluney told the council she has been actively working to open the business since August 2025, when she established her LLC and initiated the licensing process with the Alabama Beverage Control (ABC) board. She said she also completed a background check through ALEA in Montgomery, secured a $25,000 surety bond, obtained a sales tax license and number, and initiated general and liquor liability insurance — all prior to January 2026.
McCluney expressed concern that the bar-to-tavern moratorium passed by the council on January 6, 2026, has put her business plans in jeopardy despite the significant financial and administrative steps she had already taken. She said she was not aware that there was any urgency to finalize her paperwork before the moratorium was enacted. “Had I known that there was a rush, then I’d have rushed through it,” she told the council.
Mayor Smith Roston responded with empathy, apologizing for the inconvenience and offering to have city staff meet with McCluney to review where she stands in the process. The mayor indicated the matter could subsequently be brought before the full council for a decision. McCluney expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be heard.
Councilmember Downing announced a Ward 1 Town Hall meeting scheduled for March 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anniston Museum of Natural History Auditorium. He encouraged all Ward 1 residents to attend and share their input on city priorities.
Councilmember Tolson thanked attendees and expressed optimism about the council’s direction, extending condolences to McCluney and affirming the council’s openness to welcoming new businesses to Anniston.
Councilmember Harrington announced a Ward 3 community cleanup scheduled for March 21 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., inviting residents citywide to participate if able, and expressing hope that similar efforts could eventually be carried out across all wards.
Councilmember Moss thanked staff and council for their support at her recent ward town hall, which drew approximately 70 attendees including residents from multiple wards. She expressed appreciation for the collaborative spirit of the current council.
Mayor Smith Roston closed council comments with praise for the council as a whole, calling it “top-notch” and crediting voters for helping assemble what she described as a dynamic and genuinely dedicated governing body. Now in her sixth year as mayor, she encouraged residents to remain engaged and continue attending council meetings.
The next Anniston City Council meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2026. The Ward 1 Town Hall is set for March 26 at the Anniston Museum of Natural History Auditorium, 5:30–7:30 p.m. The Ward 3 cleanup is scheduled for March 21, 8:00–11:00 a.m.
