ANNISTON, AL — The Anniston City Council met Tuesday, Sept. 1, for a work session and regular meeting that included discussion of a proposed $10 million street resurfacing plan, budget amendments, mobile food truck regulations, nuisance properties and the adoption of the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston presided over the meeting with council members Harrington, Downing, Moss and Tolson present. The council also heard public comments concerning ward boundaries and support for a local arts organization before concluding with council comments and an executive session.
Work Session
The work session began with a presentation from GMC concerning the city’s pavement plan. The presentation was the first of nine items listed for discussion, followed by two FY 2026 budget amendments, reimbursement to a city official, an alcohol license, public nuisance abatements, a utility easement, a position reclassification, two mobile food unit requests and city manager updates.
During the paving presentation, representatives said an earlier assessment identified approximately five miles of streets classified as “red,” indicating a need for resurfacing as soon as possible, and approximately 60 miles classified as “orange,” indicating issues that should be addressed within about three years. The proposed $10 million plan would address all streets previously classified as red and approximately 45% of those classified as orange, with approximately 35 miles of resurfacing proposed.
Council members raised questions about alleyways and streets within their individual wards. GMC representatives said alleyways did not appear to have been included in the original assessment.
The council was also told that accessibility requirements could add an estimated $2.5 million for handicap ramp improvements along streets included in the resurfacing program. Depending on the final costs, some streets could potentially have to be removed from the paving list. Officials discussed completing ramp work during the fall and winter before beginning paving in the spring. The resurfacing work itself could take approximately one year.
Council members next discussed an FY 2026 budget amendment for additional septic system improvements at the Anniston Museum and Gardens. Officials said construction revealed a second discharge line that had not been known when the original plans were prepared. The discovery required additional work, including a deeper tank and additional lines. Officials said the updated system would be mapped for future reference.
A second budget amendment concerned funding from General Fund Contingency for an initial retainer to PGAV Planners LLC related to the Summerall Improvement District. City officials said the expense could be reimbursed if the city moves forward with the financing package being considered for the project.
Other work session items included a $145 reimbursement to Chris Leach of the Anniston Police Department for the Unmanned Aircraft Part 107 Exam taken July 24 in Peachtree City, Georgia; a nonprofit tax-exempt license for the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association for the 2026 Coldwater Fat Tire Festival at 26 W. 10th Street; objections to nuisance abatements in Group 2026-04; a utility easement for the Oxford Water Works and Sewer Board; and reclassification of the Tree Division Crew Leader position.
The council also considered exceptions to mobile food unit requirements for Easy Eats at Sinclair Social and advance approval allowing Los Venados Taqueira to remain stationary for more than three consecutive days at 631 S. Quintard Ave.
That discussion expanded into a broader conversation about stationary food trucks in Anniston. Concerns were raised about whether approving individual permanent locations could establish a precedent and how food trucks fit within the city’s comprehensive plan.
Smith-Roston said she currently supports stationary food trucks, citing their ability to attract customers and provide entrepreneurs with a lower-cost alternative to opening a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant. Council members also discussed establishing clearer parameters governing where and how stationary food trucks operate and ensuring sites remain attractive and appropriate for surrounding areas.
City staff noted that the existing ordinance allows food trucks to remain in place for three days and provides a process for the council to consider longer stays on a case-by-case basis. A council member requested a copy of the ordinance for further review.
The work session concluded with a city manager update concerning radar speed signs. Council members were asked to identify potential locations where they would like the devices placed.
Regular Council Meeting
During the formal meeting, the council approved the minutes from its Aug. 18 meeting and amended the agenda to add two economic development resolutions involving Galactic Hospitality Group and Anniston Retail LLC, along with an executive session.
A public hearing was held concerning properties included in public nuisance Group 2026-04. The affected properties announced during the meeting included locations on McElroy Avenue, Glenwood Terrace, Quintard Avenue, Marguerite Avenue, Boundary Street and Moreton Road.
One property owner addressed the council concerning an ongoing residential construction project, explaining that the project has taken longer than anticipated and estimating completion around May 2027. He said measures had been taken in response to complaints, including installing a fence and continuing construction.
Smith-Roston asked that the property owner work with city staff to develop a more definite plan for addressing nuisance concerns while construction continues. City staff said complaints had included squatters, the property’s condition and the length of time it had remained unfinished, while also noting that the owner had an active permit and had recently made progress.
The council subsequently approved the consent agenda as amended. The posted consent agenda included the Coldwater Fat Tire Festival license, nuisance abatements, reimbursement of travel expenses, the Museum and Gardens septic-system budget amendment, funding for the PGAV Planners retainer, the Tree Division Crew Leader reclassification and the two mobile food unit matters.
The council then unanimously adopted the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Council members also approved an ordinance granting a utility easement to the Oxford Water Works and Sewer Board. Although the ordinance appeared for its first reading, the council agreed to immediate consideration and approved it during the meeting.
Public Comments
Two residents were scheduled to speak during public comments, a section specifically included on the council’s published agenda.
La’Sha Robinson addressed the council regarding ward boundaries, election districts and residency requirements for council representation. Robinson discussed population figures among the city’s wards and questioned previous boundary decisions and the process used to establish voting districts.
Ashley Martin spoke on behalf of Cheaha Creative Arts, a nonprofit organization providing low-cost art and music instruction. Martin said the organization provides violin, guitar, piano and art instruction and also offers art programming in Anniston City Schools.
Martin discussed the organization’s annual Jazz and Arts Festival, explaining that funding previously provided through Main Street Anniston was not included this year and asking the city to consider supporting the event. The festival is scheduled for Oct. 23-24, with a private ticketed sponsor event Friday and a free public event Saturday at the Anniston City Market.
Council Comments
Moss reported having no comments.
Harrington asked residents contacting him by email to make sure messages are directed to Joe Harrington because another individual with a similar name works at the police department, creating the possibility of emails being sent to the wrong recipient. He also thanked those attending the meeting.
During another council comment, residents were reminded about the week’s heat and encouraged to provide water for themselves, their pets and plants. Support was also expressed for Cheaha Creative Arts and its work providing arts and cultural opportunities to local children and students, along with encouragement for the community to support the organization’s October festival.
Smith-Roston concluded council comments by addressing ongoing public discussion surrounding Anniston City Schools. She said the strength of a city is connected to the strength of its school system and called for a plan of action focused on students rather than personalities or disagreements.
Smith-Roston said she would like to see the Anniston school board commit to a plan of action and allow the city to participate in that process. She described her remarks as part of an ongoing conversation about what comes next.
The council then entered executive session to discuss matters involving real property and preliminary negotiations involving trade or commerce. Smith-Roston stated that the council would not return to deliberate or vote on matters discussed during the executive session.
