ANNISTON, AL — The Anniston City Council held both a work session and regular council meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, addressing various municipal matters ranging from property transfers to infrastructure improvements and special event approvals.
WORK SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
The work session began at 5:00 PM with council members reviewing several items scheduled for the formal council meeting later that evening.
Cash Reimbursement
The council reviewed a $74.78 reimbursement request for Alan Robison of the Museum and Gardens Department, who attended the Botanical Gardens Meeting at Bellingrath Gardens & Home in Theodore, AL on April 3, 2025.
Special Events License
Members discussed the Special Events Retail Liquor License application for the upcoming Anniston Heritage Festival, scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Zinn Park, 101 W 14th St.
Property Transfers
Two property transfer proposals were examined:
- A plan to convey 712.15 acres of land at the former Fort McClellan military installation to Calhoun County for multi-purpose recreational trails.
- A proposal to convey Outparcel 2 to Blackwater Development as part of the Development Agreement at the Summerall Subdivision for a tire and auto service center.
Councilmember Harris provided background on the Fort McClellan land transfer, explaining: “The Backcountry Horsemen of America presently has 26 miles of trails at Fort McClellan. In order to attract more equestrian visitors, the trails need to be expanded.”
She noted that the terrain is unsuitable for housing or industrial development: “The terrain is too steep. You cannot develop an industry on it. Or develop a housing area. There’s no water out there.”
The Planning Director elaborated that the decision came after meetings with county officials and various stakeholders. City officials explained that they had jointly decided with county commissioners and the county administrator that the best solution was for the area to be developed as a mixed-use recreational trail system.
Although the trails would serve both equestrians and mountain bikers, there was acknowledgment of some controversy regarding shared usage. The city aims to develop more horseback trails while also working toward the goal of establishing a gold-level or silver-level ride center in Calhoun County, which would require additional mountain biking trails.
Cost Abatement
The council reviewed 18 properties slated for cost abatement nuisances, with these properties to be placed on the consent agenda for the formal meeting.
Golf Cart Financing
Council members discussed financing terms with First Bank of Alabama for previously approved golf cart purchases totaling approximately $252,400 at a 4.99% interest rate.
Mayor Smith explained: “We did reach out to multiple banks, and I think we only received two responses back from Regions and First Bank, and First Bank had the lowest interest rate.”
Residential Fencing Concerns
Councilmember Harris raised concerns about residential fencing materials in the city, noting that while the council had previously changed height regulations to 36 inches for front yard fences, they had not specified acceptable materials.
“I’ve gotten a lot of complaints about one particular fence that is covering a whole lot, and it is made of plastic, and it’s just awful,” Harris said. “And there’s another fence on Fairway that’s chicken wire, which is not supposedly acceptable.”
Harris suggested investigating whether existing problematic fences would be grandfathered if new material standards were adopted, emphasizing that poor-quality fencing creates “an eyesore to the people who live around the terrible fence and it hurts their property values.”
Road Paving Issues
Harris also highlighted the deteriorating road conditions near New Flyer, a major employer in Ward 4 that manufactures electric buses and employs over 750 people.
“I’ve been getting all kinds of emails from that company about how we repatch it, and then it doesn’t last,” Harris said. “The repatching comes off, and it’s just a big mess. They say it’s damaging people’s cars.”
The estimated cost to properly repair the roads is approximately $245,000, with the city having $136,000 available in the current fiscal year budget for paving projects. Council members expressed support for moving forward with the repairs, recognizing the company’s importance to the local economy.
Councilmember Roberts emphasized: “I think the level of partnership to New Flyer is important not only to the city but the region, making sure that they can get their employees to and from work in an effective and safe manner, as well as rolling their product out on the road.”
City Manager Updates
Mayor Smith shared plans to pursue traffic signal improvements near a developing commercial area:.
The mayor also highlighted citizen complaints about inadequate street lighting: “A lot of the complaints that I get specifically on the north side of Anniston are lighting concerns. We currently have a master agreement in power. I would like to assess that master agreement and see how we can improve it.”
Councilmembers agreed that lighting issues extend to other areas, noting several particularly dark areas, despite lights being present on the poles.
The work session also included a brief discussion about Main Street Development Authority appointments, with Councilmember Harris noting that she had inquired about open positions but was told they had been filled.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Following the work session, the council convened for their formal meeting, beginning with an invocation led by Councilmember Downey and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Procedural Matters
After establishing a quorum, the council approved the minutes of the May 6, 2025 meeting and adopted the agenda without additions or deletions.
Public Hearing
The council held a brief public hearing regarding the Special Events Retail Liquor License for the Anniston Heritage Festival. With no public comments received, the hearing was closed.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:
- The reimbursement to Alan Robison for $74.78
- The Special Events Retail Liquor License for the Anniston Heritage Festival
- The cost abatement for the 18 properties identified during the work session
Resolution
The council unanimously passed a resolution approving the financing terms with First Bank of Alabama for golf carts and utility vehicles in the amount of $252,400 with a 4.99% interest rate.
Ordinances (First Readings)
Two ordinances received their first readings:
- An ordinance declaring surplus the 712.15 acres at Fort McClellan and authorizing its conveyance to Calhoun County for recreational trails
- An ordinance declaring surplus the Outparcel 2 property and authorizing its conveyance to Blackwater Development for a tire and auto service center
Mayor Smith noted that both ordinances would come up for their second reading and potential vote at the next council meeting.
Council Comments
During the council comment period, Councilmember Downey thanked citizens for attending the meeting and commented on the importance of public participation in city governance.
He also made brief remarks about the recent extreme weather fluctuations in the area, noting the significant temperature swings experienced last week.
Mayor Smith highlighted upcoming events, including high school graduations and the Heritage Festival scheduled for June 21st.
Special Recognition
Following the formal adjournment, the council held a special recognition ceremony for the Anniston High School track team and Coach Lisa Howard Holland for their outstanding achievements, including the boys’ track team’s third state championship in four years.
Mayor Smith presented Coach Holland with a detailed proclamation highlighting her 21 years of service and impressive record, including numerous coaching accolades such as three state titles in the past five years and recognition as the Calhoun County Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year for multiple years (2012, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
“We’re so proud of each and every one of you for your accomplishment and the work that many of you have put in for the last three years,” Mayor Smith told the team. “I know how strict you all [coaches] are on these children, but it builds character, grit, and tenacity.”
The city also presented the team with a commemorative banner recognizing their achievements.
The next Anniston City Council meeting will include second readings and potential votes on the two property conveyance ordinances introduced at Tuesday’s meeting.
