ANNISTON — The Anniston City Council approved a series of budget amendments, infrastructure projects, contracts and development-related items during its July 21 meeting after reviewing the proposals during a preceding work session. Council members also discussed future improvements along Quintard Avenue, heard updates on community projects and shared comments regarding litter cleanup, community events and the city’s newly adopted alcohol ordinance.
During the 5 p.m. work session, council members reviewed a lengthy agenda that included multiple budget amendments, a board appointment, an alcohol license, bid recommendations, agreements, an easement and formation of an improvement district.
One of the longest discussions centered on the city’s ATRIP-II local match requirement for planned stacking lanes along Quintard Avenue. Council members expressed concern about the potential loss of mature trees in the roadway medians while emphasizing the importance of developing a long-term landscaping plan that maintains the corridor’s character and provides continuity throughout Quintard Avenue. Staff said the project remains in the planning phase and that the Alabama Department of Transportation will determine final design requirements.
Council members also discussed appropriating funds to purchase a debris vacuum truck for the Stormwater Division. Staff explained the equipment is currently available for purchase and acquiring it now would prevent the city from waiting several months for delivery if it were ordered later. Officials confirmed the purchase would be funded through stormwater revenues.
Discussion also included replacing an aging John Deere Z970R mower used for McClellan maintenance operations. Staff said the mower had exceeded its useful life, repairing the transmission would not be cost-effective and the city intends to trade in the existing mower toward the purchase of a replacement.
Council members received clarification on several additional budget amendments, including reallocating proceeds from the Museums’ Disco Ball fundraiser back into the museum project budget, recognizing grant funding for the Pieces of America: Anniston’s 250th Community Mosaic Project and accepting an AARP Community Challenge Grant for accessibility improvements at the museum trail system.
During discussion of the museum trail project, staff explained the city intends to reject the current construction bid because it exceeded available grant funding. As a result, the project will not move forward until additional funding is available.
Additional work session discussion included funding for professional legal services related to McClellan development property matters, appointing Jimmy Jackson to the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board, issuing a retail beer and wine license for Sushi House, awarding demolition bids for 10 substandard structures using Community Development Block Grant funds, amending the city’s consulting agreement with BluLynx Solutions, granting a utility easement to Alabama Power in the Golden Springs area and approving the formation of the Summerall Improvement District associated with development along U.S. Highway 21 North.
Council action
During the regular meeting, the council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:
- Approval of a retail beer and retail table wine license for Sushi House Anniston.
- Rejection of the Anniston Museums and Gardens IA Trail bid.
- Awarding demolition contracts for 10 substandard structures totaling $64,499.
- Budget amendments for the city’s ATRIP-II local match, reroofing City Hall and the Anniston-Calhoun County Public Library, museum project funding, the Community Mosaic Project grant, the AARP accessibility grant and professional legal services related to McClellan property matters.
- Appointment of Jimmy Jackson to the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board.
- Authorization of a utility easement for Alabama Power.
- Approval of the petition to form the Summerall Improvement District.
- Authorization for the city manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to the consulting agreement with BluLynx Solutions.
The council also unanimously approved separate resolutions appropriating funding for the Stormwater Division’s debris vacuum truck and the replacement mower for McClellan Maintenance Operations.
Council members approved on second reading an ordinance adopting Chapter 3, Article V, Division 2 of the city’s Code of Ordinances regulating certain on-premises alcohol retailers. Following the vote, one council member said additional questions had been raised by local business owners regarding incident reporting requirements, street closures and whether businesses reporting incidents to law enforcement would be penalized for doing so.
No members of the public addressed the council during the public comment portion of the meeting.
During council comments, one council member thanked participants in the city’s inmate work program for cleaning Coleman Road in Golden Springs, noting the roadway looked significantly improved after crews removed litter. Residents were encouraged to properly dispose of trash and take greater pride in the community.
Another council member thanked the Parks Department for organizing both the Heritage Festival and a recent youth fishing rodeo.
One council member discussed questions received from local bar owners regarding the newly adopted alcohol ordinance. The council member said business owners had asked whether incident reporting requirements could be extended from 24 to 48 hours and whether notifying law enforcement about incidents would count against their businesses. Concerns were also raised about traffic congestion near entertainment venues, particularly around 14th Street, with an emphasis on maintaining safe conditions for businesses, patrons, nearby residents and emergency responders.
The vice mayor, who presided over the meeting in the mayor’s absence, thanked city staff for preparing the meeting’s extensive agenda, praised Parks and Public Works employees for recent community events and cleanup efforts, thanked fellow council members for their cooperation and encouraged residents to remain mindful of summertime safety.
