Anniston City Council Meeting Highlights – May 21st, 2024

Anniston, AL – The city of Anniston held the regular scheduled work session and city council meeting on May 7th, 2024.

Work Session

• Board Applications
  • Alice Easley-Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
  • Johnny Byrd- Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
  • Maggie Burn Owens- Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
  • Barry Twigg- Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
• Grant Application
  • Airport Improvement Project Grant with ALDOT for the Anniston Regional Airport
• Alcohol License Application
  • Application for a 140-Special Events Retail Liquor application for the City of Anniston d/b/a Anniston Heritage Festival located in Zinn Park at 114 W 14^th Street inside the city limits
• Resolutions
  • Amend Resolution (24-R-24) authorizing the Alabama Department of Revenue to Administer and Collect Sales, Use, Rental, and Lodging Taxes Levied by the City of Anniston that was approved at the May 7, 2024 agenda to remove Section 3. Effective Date
• Bids
  • Clean-up and Grass-cutting of 21 lots; Pre-Bid Conference is scheduled for May 21, 2024 with the Bid Opening on May 28, 2024
• Surplus
  • Public Works-damaged small chainsaw
• City Manager Updates
  • Discussion on City Detect Recommendation
    • Recommendation to the council to incorporate the proposed initiative into the upcoming budget process, aiming for an initial one-year trial period. This approach is advised because there is no existing data to predict outcomes accurately. A one-year trial will allow the collection of data and assessment of the initiative’s effectiveness and public reception. Following the trial, the council can consider extending the initiative to two or three years based on the gathered data. This method ensures flexibility and avoids long-term commitments.
    • Additionally, it’s noted that he will be out of the office from Tuesday to Friday next week, attending a CCNA conference.

City Council 

• Invocation
• Pledge Of Allegiance
• Call To Order
• Roll Call
  • Mayor Jack Draper – Present
  • Ward 1 Councilman Jay Jenkins – Present
  • Ward 2 Councilman Demetric D. Roberts – Present 
  • Ward 3 Councilwoman Ciara Smith – Present
  • Ward 4 Councilwoman Millie Harris – Present

• Reading/Approval Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting – Unanimously Approved 
  • May 7, 2024
• Additions/deletions to the agenda
• Adoption of agenda
• Special recognition
  • Theta Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated
    • A member shared that their chapter, chartered on March 19th, has been a vital part of this community for over 65 years, upholding the principles of manhood, scholarship, and perseverance. We have contributed significantly to northeast Alabama, with members like Dr. Rogers Davis, the first Black City Council member in 1968, and Dr. Clarence Journalers, a distinguished educator. Our efforts include mentoring programs such as VOLTS, aimed at fostering leadership in disadvantaged youth, and we actively support voter registration and rights restoration initiatives. Additionally, we have awarded over $75,000 in scholarships to more than 100 students in the past 30 years. Our mission is to provide educational opportunities in science, mathematics, and engineering, and we continually strive to meet the needs of our community through various programs and partnerships.
• Board confirmations Hearing – No Comments
  • Alice Easley-Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
  • Johnny Byrd- Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
  • Maggie Burn Owens- Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
  • Barry Twigg- Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
• Public Hearing
  • To receive public comments regarding a 140-Special Events Retail Liquor application for the City of Anniston d/b/a Anniston Heritage Festival located in Zinn Park at 114 W 14th Street inside the city limits – No Comments
  • To receive public comments regarding the proposed updates to the Anniston Zoning Ordinance
    • Julie Moss the executive Director for the McClellan Development Authority (MDA) shared that she came to express her disappointment that the city has refused to collaborate with the MDA on the redevelopment of the property, as stipulated in agreements with the US Army. Despite the city’s responsibility to work with the planning commission on zoning updates, it has repeatedly declined to engage with the MDA on this matter. She stated that the MDA Chairman and that she attempted to participate in the planning process but were rejected. She went on to state that the lack of cooperation and the city’s ignorance of the club’s and MDA’s development plans hinder proper zoning changes. Furthermore she stated that the city’s unawareness of the current environmental cleanup status is concerning. She felt the community and all city residents deserve better than having significant zoning changes pushed through without involving all stakeholders.
• Unfinished Business – None
• Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
  • Resolution Appointing/Reappointing Members to the Parks and Recreation and Beautification Board
  • Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Grant Application for Federal Assistance for the Airport Improvement Project for the Anniston Regional Airport
  • Resolution Declaring Personal Property as Surplus and Authorizing the Disposal of Said Property
  • Motion to amend Resolution (24-R-24 ) authorizing the Alabama Department of Revenue to Administer and Collect Sales, Use, Rental, and Lodging Taxes Levied by the City of Anniston to remove section 3
  • Motion to approve a 140-Special Events Retail Liquor application for the City of Anniston d/b/a Anniston Heritage Festival located in Zinn Park at 114 W 14th Street inside the city limits
• Ordinances
  • Ordinance to provide the establishment of Districts within the corporate limits of the City of Anniston, Alabama; to regulate within such districts the use of real property contained therein, including, the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards and other open spaces, the density of population and the use of buildings, structures and land; to provide methods of administration of this ordinance and penalties for the violation thereof  (1^st Reading) – No Action Required
• Additional or other matters that may come before council – None
• Public comments
  • First comment focused on a critical need for more community involvement and understanding, particularly when it comes to young people facing difficult circumstances. The speaker shared they had seen a young man end up in jail, causing immense pain to his family, a pain money cannot alleviate. Mistakes happen, but as a community there needs to be more engagement and discussions to prevent such outcomes.
  • The second comment was actually seeing understand of when the city would be moving into the new city hall and he was upset about the rent the city is currently paying for rent. He also wanted an update on trail improvements. He also had concerns that he doesn’t see people working on city hall or on the trails and he feels these projects are not moving fast enough.
• Council comments
  • Councilman Jenkins had no comments.
  • Councilman Roberts thanked all for coming out and participating. He also assured that work was happening on the new City Hall.
  • Councilwoman Smith asked Jackson Hodges to give an update on the Transition Center.
    • Mr. Hodges shared, that things are progressing well, they city has successfully raised all the necessary funds for our project and have comprehensive plans ready. The city is currently reviewing these plans, and they anticipate breaking ground within the next couple of months. Partnerships have been established with organizations like St. Michael’s and interfaith nonprofits to provide various services, including prescription medications, social services, and career coaching. He shared that this holistic approach aligns with our mental health initiative. The city has extensive material available, including a 50-page business plan, showcasing how this project will not only create jobs but also empower individuals to apply for other opportunities. The facility will have a capacity to accommodate 84 people.
    • Councilwoman Smith thanked the speakers for participating, but also notes that opportunities to shape the life of the young people and referenced Theta Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity as an example of that. She also encouraged all to participate at the Heritage Festival.
  • Councilwoman Harris thanked the speakers for coming out. She also recognized Maggie Burn Owens and thanked her for a willingness to serve.
  • Mayor Draper thanked al for coming out. He reminded all that the zoning ordnance is still being reviewed and will be voted on at a later meeting he added that the council may pass the zoning ordinance at its June 3 meeting and will consider any amendments to the ordinance.
  • Adjournment – Unanimously Approved