Oxford City Council Finalizes Court Settlement and Hears Dollar General Concerns in May 28 Meeting

Oxford, AL – Oxford held their Regularly called City Council Meeting and Work Session on May 28th, 2024.

City Council Meeting 

• Call to Order
  • Councilwoman Hubbard – Present
  • Councilman Gardner – Present
  • Councilman Waits – Present
  • Councilman Henderson – Present
  • Councilman Spurlin – Absent

• Welcome/Invocation
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Approval of Minutes of May 14, 2024 – Unanimously Approved
• Old Business – None
• New Business
  • Motion to add Resolutions 60 and 61 to the consent agenda. Unanimously Approved
  • Consent Agenda: – Unanimously Approved 
    • Resolution No. 2024 – 54 – Resolution authorizing a tax abatement agreement for JARA Properties, LLC.
      • In the work session the tax abatement was discussed to explain the Real estate company have a 10 year abatement on the property tax. JARA Properties, LLC has submitted an application to the City for the abatement of property taxes and construction taxes to aid and assist in the expansion of an existing plant with a total investment of $686,212.00.
    • Resolution No. 2024 – 55 – Resolution authorizing a tax abatement agreement for Heritage Arms USA, LLC.
      • In the work session it was discussed that Heritage Arms, USA, LLC would receive a 5 year tax abatement. This company is expecting to hire 8-10 employees. Heritage Arms USA, LLC has submitted an application to the City for the abatement of property taxes and construction taxes to aid and assist in the plans to purchase and install new equipment with a total investment of $1,494,584.00.
    • Resolution No. 2024- 56 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a settlement agreement in the litigation of Eric Johnson v. City of Oxford.
      • The litigation of Eric Johnson v. City of Oxford, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Case No.: 2:23-cv-00224, (the “Litigation”) have reached an amicable resolution of the “Litigation” and that the Mayor be authorized to execute a Settlement Agreement concerning the “Litigation” and make payment from the general funds of the City of Oxford in the total amount of Ninety Five Thousand Dollars and no/100 ($95,000.00) in carrying out the terms of said agreement.
    • Resolution No. 2024- 57 – Resolution appointing Greg Hethcox to the Oxford Library Board for a three-year term expiring May 28, 2027.
    • Resolution No. 2024- 58 – Resolution authorizing the City’s participation in the FY2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (OPTION 2 Selected)
      • There were two options presented in the work session.
        • Option 1 – That the purpose of this application is to provide sidewalk improvements along north Main Street from Oak Street to the City limits. (Not including lights)
        • Option 2 – That the purpose of this application is to provide sidewalk improvements along north Main Street from Oak Street to Thomason Street. (Including lights)
    • Resolution No. 2024- 59 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Employment Agreement with Stanley Allen as a full time municipal judge.
    • Resolution No. 2024-60 –Adopting the City Employee handbook as modified.
      • The employee handbook underwent significant changes, primarily in the disciplinary section. The classification of offenses, such as classification one and classification two, along with their corresponding examples, has been removed. Instead, a disciplinary Review Board, formed by the mayor, has been introduced. This board will review disciplinary actions to ensure adherence to city policy and equitable treatment of employees. If an employee is suspended without pay or terminated, they will be placed on administrative leave with pay until the review process is completed. Once a decision is reached, the employee’s status will be adjusted accordingly. Administrative leave with pay remains unchanged. These revisions aim to streamline the disciplinary process and ensure fairness in employee treatment.
    • Resolution No. 61 – Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a training agreement with the Alabama Fire College to allow recruit training at a Oxford Fire Training Facility
      • In 2020, an agreement was established with the fire college to conduct recruit schools. The contract was limited to three years. As a result, plans are in motion to initiate a bridge program linked to the high school curriculum starting the last week of July. To proceed with this program, a formal agreement with the fire college is required to ensure compliance with Alabama state regulations governing firefighter training. Currently, 11 individuals are enrolled in the class, including five from the high school program, with additional participants expected from Tuskegee and Eastaboga fire departments, as well as Lincoln.
• Council Comments/Reports
  • Councilman Henderson noted that Memorial Day just past and thanked all for their service as well as the families who have lost loved ones. He also thanked the Mayor for lowering the flag.
  • Councilman Waits did thank Don Hudson for all the work done by Park and Rec for the tournaments. Mr. Hudson credited a unified effort from the entire city.
• Mayor’s Comments – Mayor Absent 
• Set Public Hearings for June 11, 2024, to consider the following requests which were considered by the Oxford Planning Commission at their May 7, 2024 meeting:
  • Zoning request from Wilber and Melda Matson to zone property located at 2884 McIntosh Road as Residential 1 District (R-1)
  • Zoning request from Roger Gibbs and Anita Davenport to rezone property located at 704 Hale Street from Residential 2 District (R-2) to Planned Development 3 District (PD-3)
  • Zoning request from Genie Pembrook to rezone property located at 1610 Beck Road from General Business District (GB) to Residential 1 District (R-1)
  • Set a Public Hearing for June 11, 2024 to consider a condemnation at 32 Dessie Circle
• Visitors
  • Anthony Burdell spoke representing the residents of the Plantations Subdivision in Oxford, Alabama, conveyed deep concerns regarding a proposed Dollar General store construction in their neighborhood. These concerns were prompted by a letter received on April 17, 2024, from the Board of Adjustments of the City of Oxford. The letter outlined a variance request by Chandler Hunt to reduce required parking spaces for the potential business.During a meeting attended by Burdell, Mr. Hunt, the representative of the proposed Dollar General store, presented plans to the Board of Adjustments. Among the concerns raised by Burdell and other community members were the proximity of the Dollar General property to two Plantations Homeowners’ properties, the potential devaluation of surrounding properties, and the traffic congestion that could arise from the proposed entrance location on County Line Road.Burdell emphasized the dangers of creating a bottleneck on County Line Road, foreseeing potential accidents, injuries, and even fatalities, especially at the intersection of Highway 21 and Buckhorn Road. The proposed entrance location’s close proximity to this intersection raised significant safety concerns, particularly regarding the potential risks posed to drivers attempting to turn across Highway 21.Despite Dollar General’s request to remove the proposal from the City Planning Commission’s agenda, substantial progress has been made on the project, including the preparation of site plans and blueprints. The issue is scheduled to undergo review by the Planning Board on June 4, 2024, at the Building Department in Oxford.

• • Danny Hubbard also spoke as a resident of Plantation Subdivision. He shared that today he conducted further research on the impact of Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores on property values, referencing a study conducted by Clemson University in May 2020 for DeKalb County, Georgia. The study revealed a decrease in property values ranging from 16 to 21% in areas where these discount stores were established. Additionally, the study highlighted concerns about traffic bottlenecks, particularly along Highway 21 north and south, due to increased automobile traffic associated with Dollar General stores. His primary concern is the potential for accidents and fatalities resulting from traffic congestion near the proposed Dollar General store location. He emphasized the importance of closely examining these issues when considering the approval of such projects. He also  mentioned another study focused on strategies to address the proliferation of Dollar General and Dollar Tree stores nationwide, which he intends to share for further consideration.
• Motion to adjourn (next regular Council Meeting, June 11, 2024)