July 7, 2021
Lee Evancho
Worksessions
- McDaniel Avenue Safety Consolidation Project
- Draft Resolution providing for the elimination of a Grade Crossing; repealing all prior actions in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. Research was presented including studies by ALDOT, statistics on accidents at this crossing as well as others. Eliminating this crossing could be done at no cost to the city. There are roughly 20 trains a day that come through Anniston also Amtrak trains.
- Former Cooper Homes Redevelopment
- Discuss with Council collaborating with Anniston Housing Authority to seek funding for redevelopment of affordable housing at the Former Cooper Homes site. – The director of the Housing Authority spoke and presented the costs of a full cleanup solution as well as an alternative of a engineered solution that would not remove the pollution and may hinder potential rebuilding. The cost estimation would be between $1.5 million and $3 million dollars. Some of this funding may be able to be offset through grants and tax rebates, and state funding. Council members asked about the rebuilding process and timeframe, but the housing authority said it would be impossible to give specific timelines until the cleanup was addressed. He stated it may be between 18-24 months once the cleanup was completed.
- Job Position Reclassification
- Discussion to abolish current Civil Engineer position and reclassify pay grade for Senior Engineering Aide position – The presentation was that this change would enable the city to save money and to also get a licensed qualified individual versus a consultant.
- Bids
- Evaluation of bids for the removing and re-roofing of 1029 Gurnee Avenue (formerly Moore Printing) – The recommendation was to reject these bids. They city only owns a portion of the building and Moore Printing owns a portion. The proposed solution is to write the proposal to cover the entire roof. As opposed to partial roof repairs.
- Bingo Applications – applications have been submitted, but there are still unresolved issues and sites haven’t been evaluated for coding issues. The Elks lodge has been cleared, but the other two are still pending.
- Anniston Elks Lodge #189
- Word Alive International Outreach, Inc.
- 7 Springs Ministries
- Grant Application
- Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant
- Proposed Street Vacations
- Proposed vacation of a portion of Walnut Avenue & East/West alley between Walnut/Moore/13th St/14th St
- Proposed vacation of a portion of Symphony Way
- National Park Service Grant Projects
- Contracts, Agreements and Work Schedule for three (3) NPS Grant paid projects
- City Manager Updates
- Funding for Anniston Fire Department radios – the current equipment is about 25 years old. The request is for $50,000 for ten radios.
City Council Meeting
- Invocation
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Mayor Jack Draper – Present
- Councilmen Jack Jenkins – Absent
- Councilman Demetric D. Roberts – Present
- Councilwoman Ciara Smith – Present
- Councilwoman Millie Harris – Present
- Reading/Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
- June 15, 2021 Regular Meeting – Unanimously Approved
- June 19, 2021 Called Meeting – Unanimously Approved
- Additions/Deletions to the Agenda
- Addition for Greyhound Mural
- Addition for Anniston Fire Department Radios
- Adoption of the Agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Board Confirmation
- Manuell Smith – Anniston Museum of Natural History – Unanimously Approved
- Public Hearing
- To receive public comments regarding over-ruling objections to the abatement of identified nuisances Group 2021-02 Unsafe Structures – Code Enforcement spoke to share an email from a property owner.
- Unfinished Business – None
- Content Agenda – Unanimously Approved
- Resolution declaring a reported condition to be a public nuisance Group 2021-05 Grass/Debris/Vehicles
- Resolution over-ruling objections to the abatement of identified nuisances caused by unsafe buildings, structures, or construction
- Group 2021-02 Unsafe Structures
- Resolution amending the 2019 Action Plan to include the CDBG-CV3 allocation Resolution appointing member(s) to the Anniston Museum of Natural History
- Resolution appointing member(s) to the Downtown Development Authority
- Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant
- Motion to award the bid for a 2021 Crew Cab 3⁄4 ton pickup or a compatible model for the Fire Department in the amount of $33,987.50 to Sunny King Ford
- Motions – Unanimously Approved
- Motion to reject the bids for Repair and Resurfacing the existing 6-lane red running track at the Anniston Sports Complex
- Motion to reject the bids for the prep and exterior painting of the Old Fire Station at McClellan located at 34 Traffic Circle, Anniston, AL
- Motion to reject the bids for removing and re-roofing of 1029 Gurnee Avenue (formerly Moore Printing)
- Motion to approve a Bingo Application for Anniston Elks Lodge #189
- Motion authorizing an agreement to restore the Greyhound Bus Mural
- Motion authorizing purchase of ten radios for Anniston Fire Department in the amount of $50,000
- Ordinances – Motion for immediate consideration passes and Ordnance Unanimously Approved
- An ordinance adopting Chapter 13, Article IV of The Code of Ordinances to Regulate Short-Term Rentals – 1st Reading
- Additional or Other Matters that may come before the Council
- Public Comments
- Dino Nanna – Wanted to stress that if the council wants to show they want to truly revitalize this city they should consider to moving the permanent offices closer to the city and not further away. Councilwoman Smith stated that the goal is to move city hall back downtown. The city will be sending out a link that will also allow residents to give their feedback.
- Council Comments
- Councilman D.D. Roberts spoke about gun violence and the importance of protecting all the residents. He asked the Police Chief to “beef up security.” He stated our families aren’t safe and our children aren’t safe. If our parents aren’t safe what are we here for? We have to do more. Just because wrong has been done for ten years doesn’t been we shouldn’t do more to correct it now. We have to start having some truthful conversations. Councilwoman Smith also stated she agreed that the loss of three young men from our community this weekend was sad. She thinks we need to be more accountable and not just have conversations. She wants to make the streets safer for the black men and women of the city. Councilwoman Harris also stated the gun violence was unacceptable and needed to be stopped. She also thanked all the departments for helping with the Nobel Street Fest. Mayor Draper spoke regarding gun violence and stated that we all have a role in gun safety. We all have to work together to keep the community safe. He also thanked the city staff for the hard work this weekend and thanked all for participating.
- Adjournment
