City Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome to the work session for the Athens City Council meeting, May 26, 2026. Thank you for your attendance. Of course, this is the work session. No action will be taken. This is more of an organization for the meeting to be coming up at 4.30. During the meeting, we will have our official call to order, roll call, invocation, and pledge of allegiance. We will have approval of minutes. We will have reports from officers. And we also have quite a few public hearings. We will start with public hearing number one, which is a public hearing related to an ordinance to annex .63 acres located at 22728 Pepper Road or Riodea LLC to zone the property B1 within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. There is a follow-up ordinance resulting from that public hearing. Who would like to take ordinance 11A? Okay, there will need to be a suspension of rules. Who would like to take that, please?

I will.

Thank you. Next is public hearing number two. It's a public hearing related to an ordinance to annex 18.8 acres located directly south of New Cut Road and approximately 1,300 feet west of Lucas Ferry Road. The parcel numbers are added into the agenda. This is for Newton Investment Properties, LLC, wishing to zone the property R13, high density single family residential district within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. Public hearing number two also has a follow up ordinance. That would be 11B. Who would like to take that, please? It will require rule suspension. Who would like to take that? Thank you. After that we'll have public hearing number three. It is also related to an ordinance to zone 61.79 acres located at 2088 Lindsey Lane for Keith Johnson Row from conventional planned unit development to R13 high density single family residential district within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. That will have a follow up ordinance which is 11C. Who would like to take that?

Thank you.

And as an ordinance, it will also require suspension of rules. Who would like to take that, please? Thank you. Public hearing number four is also related to an ordinance to zone 1.88 acres located at the northwestern corner of West Washington Street and Lucas Ferry Road. FROM AN INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT TO R12 MEDIUM DENSITY SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS. PUBLIC HEARING 4 HAS A FOLLOW-UP ORDINANCE 11D. WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT PLEASE? I WILL. THANK YOU. AND WHO WILL OFFER TO SUSPEND THE RULES?

I WILL.

THANK YOU. The public hearings that we've discussed so far, we will have some follow-up information during the regular meeting from Erin Tidwell, our city planner, who will give more insight into what is related to those actions. We have a fifth public hearing. This public hearing is relating to zoning approval of the sale of alcohol in the city of Athens by KVAT Food Stores Incorporated, doing business as Food City 508, located at 17878 Lucas Ferry Road. And this is just a public hearing. There's no action to be taken at this time. After those public hearings and the ordinances following those, there will be a time for public remarks regarding agenda items only. If anyone wishes to speak to something on the agenda, that is your opportunity. After that, we will go into our regular resolutions, ordinances, orders, and other businesses. We will start with our consent calendar.

Excuse me.

On the consent calendar, is a resolution to approve a retail beer and wine off-premise alcohol license for Publix Alabama LLC doing business as Publix Alabama 2145. This will be located at 14210 Mooresville Road in Athens. B is a resolution approving travel and education expenses and the total amount of $1,179.58 for personnel of the building department. C is a resolution to declare 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 as surplus property of the Electric Department and to be sold at public auction on govdeals.com. Item D is a resolution to set a public hearing for the regular meeting on June 22nd, 2026 to consider the request of Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley to rezone plus or minus 14.2 acres of property located directly east of Teresa Drive and directly north of West Hobbs Street. From R12, medium density single family residential district to R14, single family duplex attached residential district. ITEM E, RESOLUTION TO RESCHEDULE THE JUNE 8, 2026 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO JUNE 15, 2026 AT THE SAME TIME AND PLACE. ITEM F, RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF 5 MSA G1XR SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS 10 MSA 4500 PSI 30-minute air bottles and five MSA face masks to be purchased from Sunbelt Fire at a cost of $57,065 to be funded from the fire department's existing capital expenditure account. Item G, resolution to declare one 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 as surplus property of the gas services department to be sold at public auction on govdeals.com. Item H, resolution rescheduling the process to amend the project plan for the tax increment financing district number three to June 15, 2026. Item I, It's a resolution approving travel and education expenses and the total amount of $285.20 for personnel of the Water Services Department. That would be the end of the consent calendar. On our regular meeting calendar is item J. Item J is a resolution. Oh, I'm sorry. Amy had already asked to be given the consent calendar since I had it in my notes already. I did not announce that. My apologies. Amy Golden will... offer the consent calendar.

Excuse me. And there was that one item where we're going to add to consent the travel?

Can we add it to the end of the meeting? Sure. Absolutely. That's what I had done. I'm sorry I didn't touch base with you. Either way will work. Thank you. Item J is resolution to approve fiscal year 2026 general fund budget amendments. Mrs. Barnes, do you care to speak on that now or wait until the meeting?

Either or. This is something we always do midyear. You had I think over the weekend in your packets a little summary of our financial results this time last year versus the first six months this year. We're doing very well. We expect another healthy surplus coming up. There always are a few line items in the budget that we do have to amend mid-year. The memo that was attached was just a brief explanation of those amendments. I think this time last year we did budget amendments of about $500,000, and I think the total is $334,000, which is good. So it's all good unless you have any questions about any specific item.

Does anyone on council have any questions?

Okay. Thank you very much.

Sure. Who would like to take item J? Thank you. And item J will require a rule suspension. Who will take that, please? Okay. I actually heard James first. Mr. Lucas. Item K is a resolution to approve reimbursement to Councilman James Lucas for $314.37 for the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention. Who would take item K? These items will not require rule suspensions because they were already budgeted. Item L, a resolution to approve reimbursement to Councilwoman Amy Golden for $372.60 for the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention. Who would like to take that, please?

I'll take it.

Thank you. Item M, resolution to approve reimbursement to Councilman Seibert for $276.65 for the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention. Who will take item M? Thank you. I HAVE APPROVED TWO ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA THIS EVENING. ITEM N IS A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, U.S. DOT FISCAL YEAR 2026 SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL FUNDING, SS4A. program from the Federal Highway Administration in the amount of $3,455,575. This would be $2,764,460 federal and $691,115 in sponsored funds. This funding, if awarded, will be used for safety improvements at the intersection of Elm Street or Alabama Highway 99 and hind street edgewood road if the funding is awarded the city of athens agrees to pay required expenses including but not limited to 691 115 in matching funds and that the ss4a application be executed in the name of the city and the agreement be attested by the city clerk and a seal of the city of athens be affixed this was of a timely nature because of a deadline which is the reason it was included in tonight's agenda who will take item in

I don't know who was first.

Yeah, and Ms. Henry, just to emphasize, you've already said it, but it was so timely that we had to get this grant in that Erin and her staff and Paige worked on this to the last minute on Friday, so thank you for including it. It's simply to apply for this grant funds. Hopefully they'll be awarded, but sometime we're going to have to deal with the traffic on Elver Street, and particularly in that intersection of

uh hind street now so this gives us good opportunity if we're awarding okay thank you uh this is a resolution so it's my understanding we'll need rule suspension this is three mrs barnes does it okay it's just to apply for the grant thank you As you know, the City Council President sets the agenda. Mr. Seibert is not here tonight. He is traveling with his family. Item N, I approved on his behalf as President Pro Tem. I've also approved Item O. Item O is a resolution to reimburse Mayor Ronnie Marks for his expenses for the Alabama League of Municipalities annual convention in the amount of $107.25.

Who will take item O? I will.

Thank you. Item O then will bring to an end our actionable items for this evening. After that, we will have general public comment on matters pertinent to city business. This is the citizen's opportunity to offer any insight, questions, or observations that they might like. There is no limit to the topic. However, in both opportunities for the citizens to speak, there is a time limit. We ask that anyone who wishes to speak come forward to the podium, state their name and address so it can be entered into the public record, and at that point you will have three minutes to state your case. At the end of three minutes, the buzzer will sound. We ask that if you are in mid-sentence or mid-thought, you wrap it up and then return to your seat. And with that, that is the work session for this evening. Our regular meeting will start at 4.30. So we have a fairly light agenda. A lot of it was on the consent calendar. So that means we've had a fairly short work session. We will see you back for the regular meeting at 4.30. Thank you. And we try to start our meetings at a timely fashion. So welcome to the May 26, 2026 meeting of the Athens City Council. We appreciate your being here. And to get started, may we please have a roll call? Mr. Creasy?

Here.

Mr. Lucas? Here. Mrs. Golden? Here. And Mrs. Henry?

Here.

Four present, one absent.

Mr. Seibert is traveling with his family this week, so he is obviously not here. We will begin tonight with the invocation. It is my turn to do that, and we will follow that with the Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Marks. If you all will please stand as you are able for those observances. Dear Heavenly Father, be with us this evening as we conduct the business of the City of Athens. Help guide our decisions. and to make them beneficial to all the citizenry here. We have such a wonderful, wonderful city and it is an honor to be here and to direct the business of it. We beseech you to be in our hearts and minds as we conduct this business. This is a very solemn week as we have celebrated Memorial Day yesterday. Thank you for that opportunity to live in a country where that is something that we can do as a community. Be with those who are traveling, who are facing hardships and other situations in their lives. Thank you for being the gracious and benevolent father that you are. It is in your son's name we pray, amen.

Before we get started with the pledge, I want to introduce everyone to Katrina Wiggins. Katrina served three years in our youth commission here in the city of Athens. She is currently a student at Howard University. And when she gets finished with this program, she's going into law school. So I got her sitting beside the best lawyer in the state of Alabama. So Katrina, welcome aboard and shine. So thank you. Katrina, help me with the pledge. Please join me with the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Ms. Wiggins. And Mayor Marks will now go on to the approval of the City Council meetings, both the work session and the regular meeting that had been conducted on May 11, 2026. Do I have a motion to approve? Move. OK. May I have a second?

Second.

Let's just all, I don't know, arm wrestle over it, okay? May we have a roll call for that, please?

Mr. Creasy?

Yes.

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four yays, zero nays.

I'm not aware of reports of either standing or special committees that we have. There was no special city council minutes to approve, so we'll move on to our report of officers beginning with Mayor Marks.

Yeah, thank you, Ms. Henry. And Katrina may get me sometime this week. She is going to be an attorney someday. So she's serving as the intern, and we're happy to have her with us this week. I went out yesterday to both East and West Strain Road. I see some of the neighbors here tonight. And I wanted you to know that our Strain Road project, Mr. Lucas and I are still dedicated to it. We're working with an attorney. regarding the piece of property on the west side, and we're very close. I know our next council meeting is June the, what, 13th? 15th and hopefully we'll have that resolved by then and then we can move forward with the drainage work yesterday although it rained over three inches of rain there's been no downpours and actually I took about 10 or 20 pictures out there and talked to some of the neighbors and the drainage is working okay it doesn't mean that we have forgotten the project it means it's where we are And until we resolve the issue with the Bridgeforth family, we will continue to do our work and our due diligence. And right now, Ms. Henry, that's all I have. No, ma'am.

Sorry, I forgot my, I turned off my microphone. Nothing from the city attorney. Let's move to our council members. Mr. Creasy, do you have anything you'd like to add?

Not at this time.

Mr. Lucas.

I don't have anything.

Okay. Mrs. Golden? No, ma'am. And I have nothing, so we'll move straight to our public hearings. We do have several public hearings tonight. We will hear from our city planner, Erin Tidwell, in regards to several of those. Public hearing one... is a public hearing related to an ordinance to annex .63 acres located at 22728 Pepper Road for Rhea Dia LLC wishing to zone the property B1 neighborhood business district within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. At this time I will declare the public meeting open and we will hear from city planner Aaron Tidwell.

Um, this item has actually come before the commission or excuse me, the city council previously, there was a clerical error. And so we're bringing this back to correct that essentially previously it said 0.7, seven acres instead of 0.6, three. So, um, once we have no issues with this, the planning commission sent a recommendation and, um, and at this point, uh, this should have no factual bearing on the application that was previously made.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else in attendance wish to speak either for or against this item? Seeing no motion, I'll declare the public hearing closed. Ordinance 11A is a follow-up of that ordinance.

An ordinance annexing plus or minus .63 acres located at 22728 Pepper Road, parcels included in the agenda, for Riata LLC and zoning the property B1 Neighborhood Business District within the corporate limits of the City of Athens, Alabama.

Is there a motion to suspend?

I move to suspend the rule.

We have a second on the motion.

Second.

We have a roll call on that, please.

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. And Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Four yays, zero nays. Is there a second on Ordinance 11A? Second. Thank you. Any discussion? We have a roll call vote, please.

Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Four yays, zero nays. Thank you. Moving on to public hearing number two. This is a public hearing related to an ordinance to annex 18.8 acres located directly south of New Cut Road and approximately 1,300 feet west of Lucas Ferry Road. The parcel numbers are contained within the agenda. This is for Newton Investment Properties LLC and to zone the property R13 High Density Single Family Residential District. I DECLARE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN. WE WILL HEAR FROM CITY PLANNER ERIN TIDWELL.

THIS ITEM IS CURRENTLY IN AN INCORPORATED LOMBSTONE COUNTY. WE BRING IT INTO THE CITY LIMITS. THEY WILL HAVE TO ADHERE TO OUR CITY DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA. We've heard from one neighbor, and they were in favor of this for those reasons because they had currently heard of some proposed uses within the county. They'd rather it be in the city. With that being said, staff has no issues with this request. They have found a way to sewer the property, which is the main thing, and so it's the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve. Thank you.

Is there anyone else in attendance who would like to speak for or against this action? Seeing none, I'll declare the public hearing closed and we will entertain Ordinance 11B.

Ordinance annexing plus or minus 18.8 acres located directly south of New Cut Road and approximately 1,300 feet west of Lucas Ferry Road. Parcels 11-01-01-000-005 or .000. Investment properties LLC and zone... the property R-1-3, high density, single family residential district within the corporate limits of the City of Athens.

Move to suspend. Is there a second on the rule of suspension? Second. Thank you, Mr. Lucas. May we have a roll call for that, please?

Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Creasy?

Yes.

Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Four yeas, zero nays. Thank you. And is there a second to Mr. Creasy's motion? Second. Thank you. We have roll call for that, please.

Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Four yays, zero nays. Thank you. Public hearing three is related to an ordinance to zone 61.79 acres located at 2088 Lindsey Lane. Parcel numbers contained in the agenda for Keith Johnson row from conventional planned unit development to R13 high density single family residential district within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. This time I declare the public hearing open. We will hear from Aaron Tidwell, city planner.

The property that's in front of us tonight for rezoning, it's currently zoned CPUD, and as such, it has an adopted master development plan. What the applicant is requesting to do is go in and do away with that CPUD zoning and go straight R13. What that will do is decrease the density by approximately 22% for what is currently proposed or currently approved. versus what they can build after the R13 rezoning. And so planning commission has reviewed this and they would send it with a recommendation to approve as well. Any questions?

All right.

Thank you.

Does anyone else in attendance have anything to add? Saying no, action. I'll declare this public hearing closed, and we will move on to Ordinance 11C. Mr. Lucas.

This ordinance is to Zone 61.79 Acres, Chief Jonathan Rowe, a property located at 2088 Lansing Lane, Parcel 10-08-2702. From Conventional Plan Unit Development District to R13 High Density Single Family Residential District within the corporate limits of the City of Athens, and therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama, that all the here and after described area are real The state is hereby zoned R-1-3, R-1-3 high density single family residential district in accordance with and defined by the zoning ordinance of the city of Athens, Alabama, and that the area which is zoned as a forehead is situated in Athens-Limestone County, Alabama.

Move we suspend the rules.

Second. May we have a roll call and roll suspension?

Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Four yeas, zero nays. Is there a second on Mr. Lucas's ordinance? Second. Thank you. And may we have a roll call vote on that, please?

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden?

Yes.

Mr. Creasy?

Yes.

Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Four yeas, zero nays. Public hearing number four is related to an ordinance to zone 1.88 acres located at the northwestern corner of West Washington Street and Lucas Ferry Road from institutional district to R12 medium density single family residential district within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. I declare this public hearing open. We'll hear from Erin Tidwell, our city planner.

This property is actually part of the Friendship Church Corner. Friendship Church currently owns this property, and they're looking to rezone it to match the current use, which is residential. That being said, the property configuration fits the R12 district criteria, and so they're requesting to go R12 so they can continue to utilize it as residential. It can continue to be utilized as residential properties without running into a zoning conflict. And so we have no issues with this. Planning Commission has reviewed it and they've recommended approval and they have worked on providing an easement to the rear of the properties to ensure they can all adequately accommodate the sewer access. So no issues.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak to this public hearing? Seeing no one come forward, I'll declare the public hearing closed. Item 11D is a result of this public hearing. Mrs. Golden.

Ordinance zoning plus or minus 1.88 acres located at the northwest corner of West Washington Street and Lucas Ferry Road. Parcel numbers indicated in the agenda from institutional district to R12 medium density single family residential district within the corporate limits of the city of Athens.

I move to suspend the rule.

Second. Thank you. May we have a roll call on rule suspension, please?

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four yays, zero nays.

Is there a second to Mrs. Golden's ordinance? Second. Thank you, Mr. Lucas. And may we have a roll call vote there?

Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four yays, zero nays.

Public hearing number five is a public hearing related to the zoning approval of the sale of alcohol in the city of Athens by KVAT Food Stores Incorporated. This would be doing business as Food City 508, located at 17878 Lucas Ferry Road in Athens. I declare the public hearing open. Seeing no one come forward to speak, I'll declare the public hearing closed. There is no action on this item this evening. It is a first read only. At this time, we will entertain public remarks from the audience regarding agenda items. If you have something that you would like to say that appears on this evening's agenda, this is your opportunity to speak. As I said in the work session, you do have three minutes to state whatever it is that you would like for us to hear. We ask that you come forward to the podium, state your name and address for the record, and then you will have three minutes to speak. Please come forward as you wish. Since no one has come forward, we will move on to our resolutions, ordinances, orders and other business to begin with the consent calendar, which will be offered this evening by Mrs. Golden.

Resolution to approve. the consent calendar as presented in the work session, items A through I, with the addition of some text to item F, the additional text regarding the face mask for the fire department. The additional text reads, the purchase of equipment is related and has a direct impact upon the security and safety of persons. We could please add that to item F. And is this, okay, okay. So I'd like to ask for your approval of those items.

Thank you. Mr. Lucas has offered a second to the consent calendar, which was presented earlier with the addition of a certain line of verbiage. Thank you very much for that. May we have a roll call vote on the consent calendar, please?

Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas?

Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes.

Mrs. Henry?

Yes.

Four yeas, zero nays.

Thank you very much. We'll move to our regular meeting, beginning with item J. Mr. Creasy. I'M SORRY, EXCUSE ME BEFORE YOU GO. THIS IS A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AMENDMENTS. IF YOU'RE HERE FOR THE WORK SESSION, YOU WILL KNOW THAT WE TYPICALLY DO THIS AT MID-YEAR JUST AS A FISCAL UPDATE. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD AT THIS TIME? THAT'S IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Mr.

Senator, I'd like to point out and just give a shout out to you guys because you're the ones that passed the budget. We tried to adopt a very conservative budget and this budget and revenue stream from last year is almost $600,000 plus over where we were last year. So this is evidence that YOU GUYS AND YOUR COUNCIL, WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND THE PRESENTATION WITH OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT, WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE'RE PROUD OF THAT. AND WHEN A FIRE TRUCK COSTS 1.8 MILLION, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS. SO THANK YOU.

OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU. CARRYING ON THEN, MR. CRACY.

Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Athens to approve the following fiscal year 2026 general fund budget amendments as followed. Expenses, administrative in general, $5,000 for publication. Property lease expense, $11,000. Vehicle equipment maintenance outsource, $100,000. Radio maintenance contracts, $8,000. Views and subscriptions, $5,000. Communications equipment contracts, $8,000. Building maintenance, Gulf Museum, $9,000. Athletic program supplies, $10,000. Ground maintenance outsource $20,000. Sanitation department software license maintenance $5,000. Operating expense $10,000. Travel and professional development $2,500. Equipment rental $10,000. Operational capital $50,000. Building inspection department maintenance fees, credit card $20,000. For the automobiles, $2,500. Legal fees, code enforcement, $10,000. Public Works Department, building maintenance, $8,000. Legal fees, $30,000. Clothing allowance, $30,000. Excuse me, $3,000. And the rent for the Wilkinson Street Department for the Information Technology Department is $7,000 for a total expense of $334,000.

I move to suspend the rule.

Second.

May we have a roll call on the rule suspension, please?

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. And Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four yays, zero nays.

Is there a second to Mr. Creasy's resolution? Second. Thank you. And may we have roll call vote on, please?

Mr. Creasy?

Yes.

Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four yays, zero nays.

I just wanna add, we appreciate your thanks, but I don't think that our city clerk's office gets enough credit for the work that they do. We have A lot of accounting. And thank you very much for that. And I know it's a tough job. As many of you know, my husband is an accountant. I know how they are. And we appreciate the work that you all do.

Thank you very much. I appreciate that.

Of course. Moving on to item K. Mrs. Golden.

Resolution to approve reimbursement to Councilman James Lucas for $314.37. for League of Municipalities Annual Convention.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Mo. We have a roll call vote.

Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Abstain. Mrs. Henry?

Yes.

Three yays and one abstention.

Thank you. Moving on to item L. Mr. Lucas?

Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama to approve the following travel education expense From Ms. Amy Golden to Alabama Legum and Ethel Powell to the annual convention in the sum of $372.60. Is there a second?

Second. May we have a roll call vote, please?

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Golden?

Abstain.

And Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Three yays and one abstention. Thank you. Moving on to item M. Mr. Creasy.

It resolved by the City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama to approve the following travel education expenses for the Alabama League of Municipalities annual convention for Chris Seibert at a total of $276.65. Is there a second?

Second. May we have roll call, please?

Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. And Mrs. Henry?

Yes. Four yeas, zero nays. Thank you very much. If you're here during the work session, you would have heard that I have elected to add two items to tonight's agenda. The first item in is a resolution dealing with a US Department of Transportation grant. The reason it was added was because it was a timely nature that we take action on this this evening. And Mr. Creasy, if you can enter that, please.

be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Athens as follows, that the city authorizes the mayor to apply for the U.S. Department of Transportation, USDOT, fiscal year 26, Safe Streets and Roads for All funding, SS4A program from the Federal Highway Administration in the amount of $3,450,575. two thousand seven hundred sixty four million four hundred and sixty dollars federal and six hundred and ninety one thousand one hundred and fifteen from sponsor and the funding is if awarded will be used for safety improvements in the intersection of elm street at hind street edgewood road and if the ss4a funding is awarded the city of athens agrees to pay required expenses including but not limited to the $691,115 for matching funds and that the SS4A application be executed in the name of the city and that the agreement be attested by the city clerk and the seal of the city of Athens be affixed thereto. Now, therefore, be resolved that upon the completion of the execution of the agreement by all parties, that a copy of the agreement will be kept on file by the city clerk.

Thank you. Is there a second to Mr. Creasy's resolution? Thank you, Mr. Lucas. And may we have roll call vote on that, please?

Mr. Creasy?

Yes.

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. And Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four yays, zero nays.

Thank you. Item O, I also elected to add to this evening's agenda. The reason I did is because it made sense given that other actions of a similar nature for the same time period had been added. Item O, Mr. Lucas.

Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama to approve the following travel education expense. Mayor Ronnie Marks to the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention Montgomery, Alabama, April 28th through May 1st, 2026, in the amount of $107.25.

Second. Mrs. Golden has offered a second to item O. May we have a roll call, please?

Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden?

Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. And Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four yays, zero nays. Thank you very much. That brings us to the end of our regular meeting. This is the time now that we invite citizens to come forward for general public comment on matters pertinent to city business.