Anniston, AL – The city of Anniston held the regular scheduled work session and city council meeting on August 21st 2024.
Work Session
- The Anniston City Council recently held a work session to discuss various community issues, with a significant focus on the ongoing cleanup efforts at the Anniston PCB site. The session featured a detailed presentation by Ms. Gayle McCauley, who provided updates on the progress and challenges associated with the cleanup.
PCB Site Cleanup Update: Ms. McCauley began by distributing a fact sheet to the council members, summarizing the key aspects of the PCB site cleanup. The Anniston PCB site is divided into multiple “operable units,” each representing different sections of the contaminated area. She outlined the accomplishments to date, including the cleanup of over 600 residential properties, though about 36 properties still require attention due to access issues or being deemed unsuitable for removal at this time.
The session emphasized the progress made in residential areas, where significant efforts have been undertaken to address contamination. However, there are still challenges in gaining access to certain properties, particularly those that are privately owned or heavily wooded. Ms. McCauley noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been involved in these efforts, sometimes issuing warrants to gain access to vacant properties for cleanup.
The focus then shifted to non-residential areas, where the EPA selected a soil remediation plan in 2017. Following a lengthy court process, field sampling and engineering design work began in 2021. The cleanup of Snow Creek and Chocolata Creek is a priority, with sediment deposits and floodplain soils identified for remediation. The council was informed that this part of the project is complex, involving multiple stakeholders and requiring additional sampling to refine the cleanup boundaries.
Ms. McCauley highlighted the collaborative efforts between the city of Anniston, local utilities, and the EPA. A soil management portal has been developed, allowing the city and utilities to coordinate their activities with the ongoing cleanup operations. The session also touched on the upcoming engineering design phase, which is expected to take over a year, followed by project implementation that could span two to four years.
Council Business: The council briefly addressed other agenda items, including the extension of the jail release program and an alcohol license request. These items were reviewed without significant discussion and placed on the consent agenda for approval.
The meeting adjourned with no further questions or comments from the council members, signaling their satisfaction with the updates provided during the session.
City Council
- 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 – Absent
- Ward 4 Councilwoman Millie Harris – Present
- Reading/Approval of Minutes Of Previous Meeting August 6, 2024 – Unanimously Approved
- Additions/deletions to the agenda – None
- Adoption of agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Public Hearing – None
- Unfinished Business – None
- Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Motion to approve a Retail Beer (On or Off Premises Only) for Robertson Service Company LLC d/b/a Big Dad’s Bar B Que 3105 located inside the city limits at 3105 McClellan Blvd. Anniston, AL
- Resolution appointing member(s) to the McClellan Development Authority
- Resolution authorizing amendment to Lease and Inter-governmental Services Agreement Resolution authorizing reimbursements to city officials for expenses incurred while traveling away from the city
- Public comments
- Ralph Bradford -825 Quail Dr.
- Ralph Bradford raised several concerns during his address at the Anniston Work Session. He questioned the redistricting process that placed new residents into Ward 2, particularly regarding where these individuals will vote. He highlighted an example where residents had to travel significant distances, potentially violating the Voting Rights Act.
Bradford also expressed concern about changes in Ward 1 demographics following redistricting, which he referred to as “fuzzy maps.” He pointed out that despite removing both white and Black residents, the white population percentage in Ward I increased, which he found suspicious and requested an explanation in writing.
Lastly, Bradford mentioned that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is investigating why African American majority cities, including Anniston, are unable to elect African American mayors. He stated that a federal complaint has been filed against Anniston for gerrymandering and warned of potential legal action against the city.
- Ralph Bradford raised several concerns during his address at the Anniston Work Session. He questioned the redistricting process that placed new residents into Ward 2, particularly regarding where these individuals will vote. He highlighted an example where residents had to travel significant distances, potentially violating the Voting Rights Act.
- Ralph Bradford -825 Quail Dr.
- Council comments – Waived
- Adjournment – Unanimously Approved
