Oxford City Council Celebrate Sports at Council Meeting

Oxford, AL – Oxford held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday June 13, 2023.

• Call to Order
  • Councilwoman Hubbard – Present
  • Councilman Gardner – Present
  • Councilman Waits – Present
  • Councilman Henderson – Present
  • Councilman Spurlin – Present
• Welcome/Invocation – Alan Brown, Antioch Baptist Church
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Approval of Minutes of May 25, 2023 – Unanimously Approved
• Old Business – None
• New Business
  • Proclamation – Oxford High School Boys Baseball Team

Whereas, the 2023 Oxford High School Yellow Jackets Baseball Team has won the title of 2023 6A State Champions at Jim Case Stadium at Jacksonville State University on May 17^th, 2023; and

            Whereas, we commend these young men for their tireless effort as they trained and competed with discipline, drive, self-sacrifice, overcoming many injuries and obstacles on their journey to winning the state title; and

            Whereas, the Oxford High School Baseball Team also earned the titles of 6A Area Champions, Calhoun County Champions, Perfect Game Showdown Champions all with an undefeated 10-0 record during playoffs, ranked in the Top 50 nationally and outscored opponents 92-19 during the playoffs; and

            Whereas, the seniors of the 2023 team has a 102-21 record for the last three years and they are to be commended for their leadership, strength and character throughout the season; and

            Whereas, the citizens and employees of the City of Oxford are proud of the young men of the Oxford High School Yellow Jackets Baseball Team; we know these are strong young men of exceptional character;

            Now, therefore, I Alton Craft, Mayor of the City of Oxford, Alabama, do hereby congratulate the Oxford High School Baseball Team for becoming the 2023 Class 6A High School State Champions. The City of Oxford is very proud of these young men, and very proud that they represent Oxford High School and the City of Oxford. We extend best wishes to these young men for continued success in the future.

• • Proclamation – Oxford High School Girls Softball Team

WHEREAS, a girl who, once steps onto the field, is transformed from “daddy’s little girl” to a fierce, unrelenting competitor who will stop at nothing in order to win a game. Characteristically with dirt across her face, ratted, sweaty hair, bloody knees and dirt-stained socks and uniform. She’s a diligent hard worker who knows the real meaning of teamwork, spirit, and fearing nothing. Contradictorily she personifies all this while she still wears cute, color coordinated hair ribbons; and

                                   WHEREAS, the 2023 Oxford High School Girl’s Softball team have left their mark by making their way to the Alabama High School State Tournament when they advanced to the Elite 8 where they tied for 5^th place; and

                        WHEREAS, the team also were ranked in the Top 10 throughout the 2023 season, 6A Regional Tournament Champions and 6A Area 12 Runner-ups; and

                        WHEREAS, the City of Oxford commend these young female athletes for their tireless effort as they trained and competed with discipline, drive, and self-sacrifice on their journey; and

                         NOW, THEREFORE, I Alton Craft, Mayor of the City of Oxford, Alabama, do hereby congratulate the Oxford High School Girl’s Softball team on their 2023 season. Oxford is very proud of these young women, and very proud that they represent Oxford High School and the City of Oxford. We extend best wishes to these young women for continued success in the future.

• • Recognition – Smash It Sports Vipers Team Women’s Professional Softball Team
    • Players and staff were introduced by Don Hudson. The City Council welcomed the players and team to Oxford. Additionally one of the players read the following statement:

I wrote something that is really from all of us today from our team and everybody. So first of all, we’d like to say thank you everyone to help who helped set up tonight and everybody who was able to make it out. As a little girl you watch amazing athletes playing on big stages and dreaming about the day that you get the opportunity to be that athlete. Unfortunately, softball hasn’t had a solid professional league that girls can join after playing college ball. Lucky for us, we have people that are fighting endlessly behind the scenes to make that possible. And that starts with each one of you. The City of Oxford has worked day and night to create a chance for us to live our dream. Since being here we have felt nothing but welcomed and loved by every person we’ve come into contact with. We’ve been here for two short weeks and already feel like you’re a part of your community. So I would just like to say thank you. Thank you to all the workers in the field who are constantly working to make the complex the best place for professional softball. Thank you to all the workers in the city for giving us a chance to come in here and make Oxford our home. Thank you to the people of Oxford y’all have created a city where women athletes are supporting us and making it comfortable to be our best selves. I can’t put into words how grateful we are to be here. It’s such a vibrant city. I do want to say that everything you are doing for the WPF is amazing. You’re building a league and environment that goes beyond my eight year old self’s wildest dreams and we as a team promised to make Oxford proud of you’re very blessed to be here so thank you all for having us

• • Public Hearing – to consider a zoning request from Phillip Haynes and Debra Wesson to zone property located at 915 McIntosh Road as Agricultural District (AG) – No Comments
  • Public Hearing – to consider a zoning request from J & J Development Co., LLC (Clinton Ray) to rezone property located at 0 Sterling Point Lane from Central Business District (CBD) to Light Manufacturing District (M-1) – No Comments
  • Public Hearing – to receive comments on the condemnation notice sent to Matthew Wade for a structure located at 548 W. 9^th Street to show cause, if any, as to why the structure located on the property should not be condemned – No Comments
  • Public Hearing – to receive comments on the condemnation notice sent to Billie Joyce Robertson for a structure located at 814 Boozer Drive to show cause, if any, as to why the structure located on the property should not be condemned – No Comments
  • Ordinance No. 2023- 13 – Ordinance zoning property located at 915 McIntosh Road as Agricultural District (AG) – Unanimously Approved
  • Ordinance No. 2023- 14 – Ordinance rezoning property located at 0 Sterling Point Lane from Central Business District (CBD) to Light Manufacturing District (M-1) – Unanimously Approved
• Consent Agenda – Unanimously Approved
  • Resolution No. 2023 – 71 – Resolution authorizing an Easement Agreement with Spire Alabama, Inc.
  • Resolution No. 2023 – 72 – Resolution condemning the structure located at 548 W. 9^th
  • Resolution No. 2023 – 73 – Resolution condemning the structure located at 814 Boozer Drive.
  • Resolution No. 2023- 74 – Resolution approving Short Term Rental Permit requests for 1 Tower Road and 804 Pine Ridge Drive.
  • Resolution No. 2023 – 75 – Resolution authorizing a Letter of Agreement with McNair Historic Preservation, Inc. for consulting services
• Council Comments/Reports
  • Councilman Henderson wanted to thank the Mayor for getting the flags out for Flag Day.
• Mayor’s Comments – None
• Visitors – None
• Motion to adjourn (next regular Council Meeting, June 27, 2023) – Unanimously Approved