Anniston Work Session and City Council Meeting 6/15/2021

1. 772 Amendment
   1. Butch Reimer with Tru Cabinetry will discuss new business and job opportunities. – The company is based out of Clay County and looking to expand in Anniston. A few sites were considered and there there have been a few meetings with the city. Mayor Draper stressed the importance of expansion and bringing new job opportunities to Anniston.  The president of Tru Cabinetry, Butch Reimer, spoke about the building they are looking and wanting to occupy. He also spoke about the upgrades they are looking to make. He also stressed their desire to work with the city. The goal is to have about 150 job openings over the next three years. The company has been around since 1990 and rebranded as Tru Cabinetry in 2015. Mayor Draper stated that the attorneys are working on the 772 amendment and he is looking forward to the opportunities and growth potential. The goal is to be be in the new location by the end of the year. 
2. Proposed Use of Rescue Act Funds
   1. Mayor Draper asked for an update on the needs of the Water Works Department. The first project to be looked at is designed and ready to go. It will allow sewage to be expanded and open up new areas for development. This project is estimated at $700,000. The other projects under consideration are multiple locations of water main replacements and would include replacing leaking sewage mains. It would require tearing up the roads in question and would require repaving. This would also allow for fire protections in these areas. The secondary projects have not been fully designed and the specific pricing is not known. 
   2. A discussion was held on the importance of using funds to improve the Ladiga Trail. Jay Jenkins stated that he felt that the city is missing funds by not investing in upgrading Anniston’s trails. He feels that right now, people are driving through Anniston to go to other cites and that is a missed opportunity.
   3. Additional discussion was held about investing in the overall improvement of downtown, because if the buildings stay in a state of disrepair then money will continue to be lost by the city. Discussion was held on the value of rental assistance and other incentives which would focus on investing on the people instead of just the infrastructure. Another point was made that if rental discounts are given and incentives are given and the business fails, the city is left with nothing. If the buildings and infrastructure are repaired and the business closes down or moves on there is a least a tangible improvement the city is left with.  
3. Public Nuisances
   1. Group 2021-05 Grass/Debris/Vehicles – 
4.  Bids
   1. Evaluation of bids for a 2021 Crew Cab 3⁄4 ton pickup or a compatible model for the Fire Department
   2. Evaluation of bids for Repair and Resurfacing the existing 6-lane red running track at the Anniston Sports Complex
   3. Evaluation of bids for the prep and exterior painting of the Old Fire Station at McClellan located at 34 Traffic Circle, Anniston, AL
5. Councilman Roberts discussion items
   1. Bike Trail at Randolph Park
   2. Used tires being stored in Ward 2
6. Proposed City Hall Sites
   1. Discuss proposed sites for new City Hall
7. City Manager updates
   1. Discuss return of public comments to Council meetings with the guidelines set forth in Section 12 – 14 of Ordinance 20-O-22 establishing the Order of Procedure for the meetings of the Anniston City Council
   2. Discuss lifting the mask requirement authorized by Council on April 6, 2021 for all city facilities

City Council Meeting