Anniston City Council Recognizes Undefeated Young Athletes at the City Council Meeting and Appoints New Finance Director

Anniston, AL – The Anniston City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 17th at the Anniston Meeting Center.

• 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
  • December 20, 2022 Regular meeting
• Additions/Deletions To The Agenda
  • Removal of the motion in accordance with the Council-Manager Act of 1953, the City Council hereby affirms the City Manager’s appointment of Jessica Leonard as the Finance Director of the City of Anniston from the consent agenda
• Adoption Of Agenda – Unanimously Approved
• Recognitions
  • Anniston Youth Football Champions
    • Mr. Hoffman the assistant PARD director spoke.  To share that they went undefeated at the North Alabama Youth Athletics division.
    • Sophomore Team (ages 5 – 7)
    • Senior Team (ages 10 – 12)

• • Public Hearing – None
  • Unfinished Business
    • Motion to remove motion to approve a Bingo Permit to 7 Springs Ministries located at 33 Old Gadsden Hwy, Anniston, Alabama 36201 – Unanimously Rejected (Mayor Draper abstained)
  • Consent Agenda –
    • Resolution authorizing the Finance Director to write-off account receivables for certain household refuse collection charges
      Motion to approve a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) and Retail Table Wine (Off Premises Only) alcohol license to Radiant Food Store 1 LLC d/b/a SAMCO 18 located at 111 Old Gadsden Hwy in the police jurisdiction
    • Motion to approve bid for grass cutting and lot clean-up of 21 lots to Wendy Thornton in the amount of $2,850.00
    • Motion to approve bids for demolition of 12 CDBG substandard structures to Emtek for CDBG properties: 2430 McKleroy Ave, 1421 McDaniel, 1318 Front St., 1600 Bancroft, 1122 Mulberry Ave, 2000 McKleroy Ave, 1022 West 16th St., 1008 Front St., 2631 McCoy Ave in the amount of $49,300.00; T&D Stump Grinding and Tree Service/Cleaning LLC for CDBG property: 100 East 29th St. in the amount of $11,950.00; Eagle Demolition for CDBG properties: 1312 W. 15th St., 1724 Dooley Ave in the amount of $16,893.00
    • Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Chambless King Architects for renovation of 1129 Noble Street Historic Courthouse
  • Motion in accordance with the Council-Manager Act of 1953, the City Council hereby affirms the City Manager’s appointment of Jessica Leonard as the Finance Director of the City of Anniston – Unanimously Approved
    • Councilwoman Ciara Smith noted that Ms. Leonard is the first African American finance director as well as a graduate of Anniston High School.
  • Additional Or Other Matters That May Come Before Council – None
  • Public Comments
    • Glen Ray – 3514 Dale Hollow Road
      • Mr. Ray felt that there were issues in the community now because the city has been hurt by putting wrong people in the right places. “They passed along years ago that the parents couldn’t whoop their kids” He also stated, “We do have some bad kids, but most aren’t, but they aren’t in the church.” He stated that the Bible says spare the rod and spoil the child. He also stated that we are going to have out of control children and children are going to hurt other children. He challenged the leaders and community to help the children and families and to not put all the burden on the police just because they have cameras.
    • Shawana Hill – 2630 Wilmer Avenue
      • She wanted to start by congratulating the children recognized earlier. She also thanked Councilman Ciara assisting with her issue. She acknowledged that she can see the work that is happening in the community and appreciates the work.  She also suggested issuing a curfew to help reduce some potential retaliation for the recent violence.
    • Richard Jackson – 2317 Noble Street
      • He also congregated Ms. Leonard for her appointment. He also said that she was a prime example of success by supporting each other. He went on to say the council is only as strong as the community and vice versa. He also noted the hard work of the young athletes that they are overcoming many pressures and still succeeding. He stressed the necessity of working together to accomplish progress in the city.
  • Council Comments
  • Adjournment – Unanimously Approved