ANNISTON, AL — The newly configured Anniston City Council held its first meeting Monday evening, welcoming two new members and addressing various administrative matters along with a concerning complaint from a downtown business owner.
New Council Takes Office
The meeting marked the first official session for the full council following an inauguration ceremony held the previous day at the Anniston City Meeting Center. Mayor Smith expressed gratitude to Anniston City Schools and city staff for their support in organizing the ceremony, describing it as “absolutely beautiful.”
The council now includes returning members Mayor Smith, Councilmember Lewis Downing, and Councilmember Joe Harrington, along with newly elected members Councilmember Tolson and Councilmember Julie Moss, who represents Ward 4.
Vice Mayor Appointed
In one of the evening’s first orders of business, the council unanimously appointed Lewis Downing as Vice Mayor. Downing abstained from the vote on his own appointment, which passed 4-0.
The council also approved an ordinance establishing the order of procedure for city council meetings, requesting unanimous consent for immediate consideration rather than the typical two-reading process.
Work Session Highlights
Prior to the formal meeting, the council held a work session at 5:00 p.m. to discuss several agenda items:
City Hall Hours Change: City Manager Free proposed changing City Hall operating hours from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch instead of one hour. The service window would remain open during lunch. Free noted the new hours would match Calhoun County’s schedule and provide better quality of life for employees while extending afternoon accessibility for citizens. The council expressed support for the change.
Christmas Parade Fee Discussion: The council discussed the $25 participation fee for the city’s annual Christmas parade. Currently, nonprofits, schools, veterans’ organizations, and downtown businesses receive automatic fee waivers. Some consideration was given to eliminating all fees, but council members ultimately agreed to maintain the $25 charge while removing the special exemption for downtown businesses, treating all businesses equally. The parade typically attracts 60-97 participants annually, generating approximately $2,500, though the city’s costs for police overtime, public works, and staging far exceed that amount.
Traffic Calming Ordinance: Councilmember Downing indicated plans to propose modifications to the city’s traffic calming devices ordinance, which currently requires expensive studies for installing speed bumps and similar measures. He plans to present a revised ordinance at the next council meeting to allow for easier implementation of traffic calming measures.
Budget and Administrative Actions
The council approved several routine items on the consent agenda, including:
- A special events retail license for the 2025 Anniston Museums and Gardens New Year’s Eve Disco Ball at 920 Museums Drive
- Reappointment of a member to the Anniston-Calhoun County Library Board
- Reimbursement for city official Tana Bryant’s travel expenses to the International Code Council Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio
- A resolution reappropriating unused funds from the FY 2025 budget and recognizing new grants and donations for FY 2026
- A fee waiver for Anniston City Board of Education’s Teacher of the Year event on December 16 at the Meeting Center
Downtown Business Dispute
The meeting’s most contentious moment came during public comments when Andy Koehler, co-owner of The Kress Mercantile Co. at 600 East 11th Street, addressed the council about what he described as escalating harassment and vandalism by Justin Hall, an owner of Old Noble.
Koehler detailed an incident on September 23 when his building at 1108 Noble Street was allegedly vandalized with urine mixed with a potentially toxic substance thrown on doors and sidewalks. He said Anniston Police identified Hall through video footage but that a magistrate denied an arrest warrant because there was no permanent damage to the building. The incident forced The Kress Mercantile to delay its opening.
Koehler described a pattern of behavior including social media posts and previous harassment incidents, noting that Hall was previously convicted of harassment involving another woman who works for the city. He requested the council consider issuing a warning or potentially revoking Hall’s business license if further incidents occur.
Mayor Smith acknowledged Koehler’s right to address the council and asked him to remain after the meeting to discuss the matter with the city attorney and city manager, noting it was not something the council could address during the meeting.
*At the time of this meeting, no charges had been filed in connection with the allegations mentioned. It is important to note that accusations are not equivalent to guilt, and all parties are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise through due legal process.
Council Members’ Comments
In closing remarks, council members welcomed the new members and expressed optimism about the future.
Councilmember Downing said, “I finally feel like we have the open road before us and we’re ready to hit the gas and get moving.”
Councilmember Tolson called her election “a blessing” and thanked her colleagues for their guidance during her transition.
Councilmember Moss thanked Ward 4 residents for their trust and shared that she would be heading to Huntsville immediately after the meeting for two days of state-required training.
Mayor Smith emphasized the importance of civic engagement, encouraging residents to attend meetings in person or watch online, stating that the council discusses “important things that affect our city, our citizens, and the city as a whole.”
The council will continue meeting at the Anniston City Meeting Center until repairs are completed on the City Hall elevator.
