City Council - Regular Meeting

and get started.

Okay, Ned, if you wouldn't mind calling us calling our role. Sure. Mr. Cesy, here. Mr. Lucas, here. Mrs. Henry, here. Mrs. Golden here. Mr. Cyber here. All five present.

Thank you. So, we've got a quite a few items we're going to try and zip through here in the work session. Our first item is a public hearing uh related to a proposed ordinance to reszone acres uh 2.2 2 acres of property for Athens GCD and DFO Athens Investment LLC from a B2 to a CPU. Um Erin, you're going to come up I know during the public hearing itself, but does anybody have any questions on that? There'll be an ordinance to follow it. Okay. Who will take that ordinance?

I will. We'll need a rule suspension. I will.

Golden Councilwoman Golden's taking the rules. Our second item is a public hearing related to another proposed ordinance to reszone 2.3 acres of property for Milton George from Estate to B2. That's located on 72 directly west of Line Road. Again, Erin's going to outline this for us during the meeting, but does anybody have any questions at this stage? Okay, who will take that ordinance and rules as well? Who will take the rules? Okay. Item three is a public hearing relating to a proposed ordinance to reszone property for Wade Hayes to the Point Incorporated from R11 to R2 multifamily uh and adopt a master development plan. This is uh 18 acres located directly south of Elm Street West and approximately 2,000 ft west of Hind Street North. Any questions on that one for Erin? Okay, who will take that ordinance? Henry and then we need a rule suspension on that. Okay. Item uh public hearing four is a public hearing relating to a proposed resolution deter uh determining that a structure on North Clinton Street is unsafe and a public nuisance and ordering an abatement of the same. Um Eric, you want to talk now or you want to wait till the meeting or you want to go ahead and cover it now?

I'll just say a few things now. Okay. and then finish up. Uh during Sure.

Uh this first one is a storm damaged property that uh we're just going through and cleaning up. Uh today we were there and uh you know there were quite a few homeless folks living inside that structure and we had those people removed. So uh just another reason why uh we need to clean this particular property up. U in the packet you'll see the quad chart there that's got all the the data and the dates and everything. and you'll have a resolution to condemn there. Uh copy of the legal notice that was sent uh out uh the less pendings where we filed the lean against the property and then affidavit showing that it was posted in the paper. So we're just asking that you take action to condemn it tonight so that we can uh move forward. Is there any questions that you might have on it?

I don't have any. Does anybody else have any questions for Eric? Okay. Uh who will take that resolution Lucas? Uh item public hearing number five is similar proposed resolution determine structure on 100 standard for road is unsafe and a public nuisance. You want to talk to us about that one as well, Eric?

Uh yes sir. the U building burned back in uh August of 24 and uh we've gone through and talked with Millennia about it. Uh they have yet to follow through to even submit plans for refurbishing the building. They've not tried to pull a permit. So, we're moving forward with condemnation on it so that we can pressure them into either removing it or uh repairing it. Uh if they don't in a reasonable amount of time, then we will move to tear down. Okay. Any questions on that one? Okay. Who will take that?

Okay. Thank you. The final public hearing we have tonight is doesn't have a um anything attached to it. It's uh relating to the zoning approval for the sale of alcohol in the city of Athens by Five Points. It's at 218 South Madison Street. It's a new business. Okay. Consent calendar. We have item A is a resolution to approve travel expenses for personnel of the electric department in the amount of $46.64. Item B is a resolution to approve the purchase of a 2025 Dodge Ram crew cab 4x4 pickup for the gas services department from the state of Alabama bid list from Styver in Prattville at a price of $47,19 to be funded from gas services capital budget FY2026. Item C is a resolution to approve the purchase of SIM guns for training from Wal for Walter Craig Law Enforcement Division for a cost of $10,869.58 to be funded from the police department's existing capital expenditure account. Item D is a resolution to declare a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500, a 2015 Dodge Ram 5500, a 2017 Nissan Frontier, and a 2015 Dodge Ram 5500 with flatbed as surplus property of the electric department and it will be sold at public auction on gov deals. Item E is a resolution to set a public hearing for the regular meeting on December 22nd, 2025 to consider the request of the city council for various proposed amendments concerning sections 38.8.2 and 3.9.1.N of the zoning ordinance of the city of Athens as recommended by the planning commission. And then item F is a resolution to set a public hearing for

the regular meeting on December 22nd, 2025 to consider the request of the city council for various proposed amendments concerning various sections uh and article 9 of the zoning ordinance of the city of a uh Athens as recommended by the planning commission as well. Those last two are just setting public hearings. Uh but does anybody have any questions on the first uh four of those for any anybody? Okay. Is nobody who will take that consent calendar? Okay. So, that's it for consent and now on to our regular meeting. Uh, our first resolution is a resolution restating the map of the Square Arts and Entertainment District. Um, I know we're expanding to include two areas down by the market.

Is there anything you wanted to add to that, Mayor Marks? Terry, I know you're here, but

if I can, let me just address this real quickly. Item G, uh, that basically picks up the new Bob's Barbecue. That's the little church there by farmers market. And also there is a proposed plan for the old news currier building and so when we were doing this we decided to include this. So basically those are the two only two additions to that. You will see those NG as outlined in red and then we have the green proposal there. But the red that you see on the map is the proposed changes. Right behind uh attachment A, Miss Cyber and Council, you will see a two-page sheet and it says Square Arts and Entertainment District, City of Athens information sheet. Uh I added that for your information. That is by executive order, by an ordinance that y'all's passed. It cleans up some of the amendments. It also is saying we're not going to do away with the hard blue cups downtown because we don't want the uh the flimsy go cups out there thrown all over the streets and all over the trash bins. And so it cleans up some of that language. Shane and I have been working with Terry and others about this for several months now, but I wanted to include that information that again that information is by executive order that you gave me the privilege of, but I wanted to include it in this. So, uh, Miss Sbert, that is I think that deals with G. Uh, yes, it does. I think that's all the comments on G. Yeah, we've made changes to these boundaries before as

that's a good that's a good problem to have, right? Businesses expand beyond that circle and so um thanks for continuing to bring those to us. Does anybody have any further questions on that? Okay, who will take that?

That's G. Okay. Item H is a resolution concerning an expanded downtown business grant program. Mayor Marks, you want to cover that one? This is another exciting program.

Thank you, Mr. Sabbert. This is something that really excited about. You know, we uh the city council approved for Main Street to have a proposal a couple of years ago and we allocated some money. I think it was like 50,000 for an opportunity to assist small business downtown. It was very successful. I talked with Terry briefly and been working with Shane. We believe there are many other opportunities out there for for uh the main street area to help small business. And you know, one of the things we've done, we've expanded a lot of incentive issues for the big business out by the interstate. We want to continue to do that because of sales tax opportunities. But in order to help our small business, I would really like for you to approve this section tonight. It allocates $100,000 to that. I've also talked with Shane about a proposal to expand maybe some opportunities outside the business district, I mean the uh main street area. And I'd like to follow up talking particularly to Mr. Lucas and Miss Golden about some opportunities to start that program. We hadn't put all the package together yet, but I think it's a great opportunity that we continue to try to support our small business people and opportunities that they have. So, this allocation we pulled it a think what from the alcohol funds that we have available money connected to that. So

well that's up to you to say whichever way which would you prefer. We have good funding source in the alcohol money right that's not allocated. So I would recommend uh to the council to pull it from that fund if that's acceptable. We need to put that in here for this. That probably be good. Yeah. If you add that language it would be helpful. That would help that would happen, Ned, as we track the funding. Okay. Through the main street. Perfect. But at the break, we can make sure that we got the right just write to a note on there. Okay. And that's it. I think that's it for item H.

Yeah, we did a facade grant. I remember Terry, how long's that been? 10 years ago, maybe? Maybe longer. And it kind of spurred downtown development, didn't it? Oh, and just Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Good. We continue to look at ways to try and do things for small business. It's more challenging because they're all unique. But, uh, who will take that? Did you have a question, Mr. Luc? Oh, you'll take it. Any questions on that one?

Okay. Who will do the rules on that?

I will. Okay. Item I is an ordinance amending ordinance number 888 to add the job titles of utilities director of finance controller, cash management, finance accountant, utilities plant accountant, utilities payroll accountant, purchasing manager, warehouse supervisor, and warehouse technician for the finance department. And to delete same positions for the city clerk's office department. Miss Sbert, if I can. Marcia, you help me. When we did the reorganization at the last council meeting, I believe the last one, the one before, we failed to add these two steps. And am I quoting that accurate, Marsha?

Okay. Okay. This is just fixing that. Okay. Yeah. And they should have been added. So, we're going back and saying, oops. Okay.

Yeah. Does anybody have any questions on that one? Okay. Who will take that ordinance? That will require a rule suspension as well. Who can do that? Okay. Item J is a resolution to adopt a revised org chart for public works. Uh we're adding one civil engineer, four light equipment operators, one crew leader, one equipment operator, and two light equipment operators. Uh Marcia, did you want to add anything on that or anybody from public works? It looks these were budgeted headcount that we're just making formal now.

We added those positions when we did the 26 budgets. Okay. Does anybody have any questions on that? Okay, who will take that? I'll take it.

Item K is a resolution to approve the purchase of 10 automatic external defibrillators with pediatric key, carrying case, and accessories from AED Leader for a total cost of $16,289.80 80 cents to be funded from the Albam Mountains, Rivers, and Valleys RCND council grant for the police department. Any questions on that one? And Annette, we had that budget, didn't we? Didn't we add those? But capital have not. So, we'll need to suspend the rules.

So, you want to suspend the rules on that one? Okay. It's a good opportunity to fund those defibrillators. Councilwoman Henry's taking that. Who will do the rules on that? I will. Okay.

Item L is a resolution authorizing the city engineer to approve a change order on US72 and moral road improvements related to the following items. Um, it's dealing with borrow excavation and roadway pipe in an amount not to exceed $87,040 to be funded from the 2024 go warrant CDBG and ARC. Anybody have any questions for Michael? Is Michael Yeah. Anybody have any questions for Michael on that one? Okay. Who will take that? And we'll need a rule suspension on that.

Yes, sir. Okay. Who will do the rules? Okay. Item M is a resolution to authorize the mayor to award the lowest responsible bidder Grayson Carter and Sons contracting in the amount of $147,4921 for the construction of US72 and Hind Street pedestrian crossing to be funded with the 2024 go warrants.

Yeah, Miss S, we've been working on this uh crosswalk at Hind Street and the pedestrian crossing on 72 for some time. I think DOT has finally turned us loose to say they would approve it. Is that right, Michael? And there's been I know there's some questions with the email that has already been sent to question some of the activities with that Michael can explain when he gets that time. Right. Does anybody have any questions for Michael about it? Okay. Who will take that? up. Does this need a rules suspension? Yes, please.

Okay. Who will handle the rules? I will. Okay. We also have an add-on. I think everybody should have a copy of it. It's going to be item M or N, I'm sorry.

Yeah, Miss Stard, if I can. Thank Thank you for looking at adding this on. On September the 8th, we approved a CDBG grant and ARC funding for about $300,000 each, $600,000. One of them with the CDBG funding was like a 50/50 match. I was informed late this afternoon that because of of actually the income level in Limestone County that city of Athens is now a 7030 match. And oh by the way, it cost us an additional $35,000. So uh with a 7030 match on that 300,000. We're committed to building the uh the roads there. This is the food city project and the street that goes through there and trying to cut that gap. But I gave you the resolution that was approved on September the 8th and I gave you the new resolution that would uh that would correct that funding. Uh, Annette, do you have a copy of that? Let me give you mine.

And that's based on the fact that our average income Yes. in Limestone County went up. Yeah. We Yeah. We got cut from to a 7030 ratio instead of a 50/50, which unfortunately and the grant person in Montgomery is the one called to inform us that. So, I'm not sure that we have much recourse other than to build a street and to fund it. Yeah. And Ned, let me give you my copy of this. I thought Kim gave you a copy. Sorry.

Okay. Does anybody have any questions on that one? Does anybody have an issue putting that on tonight? Okay. Who will take it? And that'll need real suspended since it's a change. Okay, who will do the rules for us?

Who will crazy? Okay, that's everything. We've got a slight change I know on H that Shane and I can address with the net. Is there anything else? Mayor, Annette, anything else that we Okay, you guys have anybody in the council have anything? All right, we'll take a short recess to 7 minutes. Be back.

started.

We appreciate everybody coming tonight on this short Thanksgiving week. Annette, if you wouldn't mind calling us to order. Yes, sir. Mr. Cruy here. Mr. Lucas here. Mrs. Henry here. Mrs. Golden here. Mr. Cyber here. All five present.

Councilwoman Henry is going to offer our invocation and our pledge of allegiance will be uh from Mayor Marks. Dear heavenly father, be with us tonight as we carry on the work of the city of Athens. As we begin this week of thanksgiving, let us keep in mind the blessings that you have bestowed upon us here in the city of Athens and upon its citizens. Help us to remember our purpose and our goals and to remember those who in this season of Thanksgiving and joy are often um overlooked because of sickness or inability to participate otherwise. Help us to remember them and help us to remember everyone in the decisions we make here this evening. In your son's name we pray. Amen. 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, Counciloman Henry and Mayor Marks. Next, we have an approval of our city council minutes and our work session minutes. If somebody would please make a motion for that. I make a motion. We get a roll call on that please. And that Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Mr. Cyber? Yes. Zero nays. We don't have any special city council minutes nor standing or special committees. So for our port of officers, Mayor Marks.

Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Sabbert. And um my goodness, what a great weekend we had. Friday night we had the tree lighting and everything down at Big Spring Park. Had a huge crowd and the rain had moved through and so it was a really great event. Lots of people down there. This weekend, I think Terry can vouch for it. I've never seen as many people downtown. It has gone from a pickle ball facility to I told them to fake snow on the courthouse square to Santa Claus lined up to uh ice skating rink to uh people everywhere in the vendors and it absolutely was was a great great weekend. Um last night, those of you that missed it, I know James Lucas attended and Dana attended. uh Canton Jones concert was at the Veterans Museum and those of y'all that didn't have an opportunity to do uh as he says unity, transformation, and love for revival missed a absolute wonderful opportunity to share and to be with people. Justin was there. And so I encourage you if this talented guy comes back to town, he wears ball caps if you're not familiar with him. and I presented him with a key to the city and a baseball cap which he put on immediately during his concert. But a lot of great things going on. We still got a lot of work to do but so much good activities going on and just proud of what our city is doing. So thank you

Shane. Nothing from me. Happy Thanksgiving. And happy Thanksgiving. Thank y'all councily. I have nothing. Councilman Lucas. Uh yes. Uh I've getting complaints about illegal dumping uh several places in in district three and uh I don't know what we can do about it. Can we put up signs of what we need to do? But it's some of it's in the same place over and over again. And I I'm sure some of it is being hauled in

and and dumped there. So um just concerned about that.

Miss Lucas, identify those for me if we have to. We'll run extra police there. They're doing that on the weekends. They're doing it with our dumpsters around town sometimes. Not accusing any particular person, but if we can find it, identify any sheet of paper, anything with a name on it, we'll turn over to the police department. I've seen them pull up in front of city hall. If I was up here on a Saturday afternoon and something working out my window, pull over there to the dumpster by uh uh right across the street and just dump materials and take off. So uh anything we can do to help clean it up, just let us know. Okay. But yeah, the give us the location.

Dumped in ditches and Levert and Levert is a lot of it. Levert catches a lot of it all the way down to the end down there. Right down on the end. Yeah. So with Brown February, they got fish heads and everything in the bag. Yeah. I know it won't be long before that

start. And I don't know what we can do. I guess we can ch ask our city attorney and our police department something. We need to do something about these apartment complexes that close out and uh either evict and other people and they dump mattresses, beds, everything in the world out on the side of the road. I mean, up Market Market Street by the New Food City. Those apartment complexes up there right now. There are two or three mattresses out there, there's uh beds that have been broke down, tore up. And I don't I know they some kind of way we need to hold somebody responsible. And maybe we go directly to if you own this apartment, we going to hold you responsible. I just I don't know what to do with that,

right? But we'll look at it and see if we can come back to city council with any ideas. Thank you, Mr. Lucas. Give me those. Uh I know the end of Levert catches a lot. Let me know where they are. Right. Uh we have some on uh I believe it's 12th Street. Okay. Off of Hind Street. That ditch is like have a lot of trash in it. and the sanitation department have been doing a good job of of getting it, but with their regular routes running, sometime they don't have a chance to get it and it's there for another week or so. Yeah, some of these folks actually know our schedule better than I do, right?

And they go right behind them. I mean, honestly, they do. So, uh, we'll keep trying to do the best we can. If we catch them, get a tag number, please. Yeah. Thank you. But uh that's sometime hard to do. Thank you. That's all I have. Okay. Council Henry.

Uh yes. Actually, I spoke with Mr. Brown u Thursday of last week about the market straight thing and um it's an ongoing thing not only with apartments but certain rental addresses as well. And um I do think we need to be a little more stringent about it. I also wanted uh to recognize that we had a couple mayor's youth commissioners in attendance tonight uh fulfilling their obligation of attending meetings. So, good job, guys. And also wanted to remember Mr. Samut of the Limestone County Commission who passed away over the weekend. Uh thoroughly nice guy, a pleasure to work with. He will be missed. Counciloman,

I would like to remind everybody that we've got um a couple more events coming up in town. The um Lady Civotan Christmas open house tour and the Donald House Festival of Trees is going on through the weekend. That's all.

Okay. Well, I would um as well say my condolences to the Sammit family. He's been in office for um off and on since the '9s. He's been around a long time and served this community well. So certainly sorry for his family at this time. Um when everybody else is celebrating, I know that's difficult. Uh and also to the mayor's point with downtown Terry, I don't know if you've got numbers, but every merchant I talked to when I was down there were having banner weekends. So the weather was good and I think people were just out in full effect. So, it was hopefully a good weekend for all the merchants down there and hopefully that'll continue until the until Christmas. So, good things good things happening downtown for sure. Um, with that, we're going to jump right into our public hearings. Our first public hearing is relating to a proposed ordinance to reszone 2.2 2 acres of property for Athens GCD LLC and DFO Athens Investment LLC from a B2 to a CPU. Property is located directly south of Huntsel Browns Fury Road and directly west of Saturn Drive within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. We'll open this public hearing hearing. We've actually uh just done the well we've seen this property several times um in the past. This is the Emma at Arabella. There we go. And um Emma at Arabella property along Huntsville Browns Ferry Road um near um Tanner Crossroads intersection. And what they're reszoning with this request is actually just a very small portion. And it comes down to um a question about the design of the development. They realized when they um laid this out that the residential portion um that's part of that seeped

will actually be facing the back of what will anticipated to be like a big box or commercial. So they did not want those residences to face the back of a commercial property. Um Justin, can you go to the next slide, please? Here we go. So what they've done is they've requested to come in and add about 16 additional um uh what would equate to 16 additional residences um which is that 2.2 acres which would need to be reszoned to a cap. Um planning commission reviewed this on 1021. They found no issues with this and they would recommend um approval of the resoning. So okay

questions have any questions for Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

Is there anyone else like to speak on this? Okay. Close that public hearing. We have an ordinance. Coach Crey public hearing related to the proposal proposed ordinance to reszone plus or minus 2.2 2 acres of property for Athens CDC or GCD LLC 51% and DFO Athens Investment LLC 49% from B2 general business district to to CUD property is located directly south of Huntsville Browns Ferry Road and directly west of Saturn Drive within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. We get a motion to suspend the roll.

Second. Can we get a roll call, please, on the rules? Now, Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Creasy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five, zero nays. Can we get a second on that ordinance, please? Second. Nope. Um, I'm here. Second. Okay. Any questions? Further questions on that? Okay. Could we get a vote on that, please? Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Mr. Cyber? Yes. Five. Yay. Zero nays.

Our second public hearing is relating to a proposed ordinance to reszone plus or minus 2.3 acres of property for Milton A. George from Estate to a B2. properties located directly north of US Highway 72 and directly west of Wine Road within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. So, we'll open public hearing. Um, this property is directly east of 306 Barbecue and the request tonight is actually just to resone a portion of the property. Um, it it's the 2.2 2 acres that is directly at the intersection of line road and highway 72 and this actually fronts highway 72 and so it'll kind of close that gap um of B2 um highway frontage. So we see no issues with this resoning. The planning commission uh reviewed it on 1021 as well and they sent a recommendation to reszone this um to B2. So no issues with this.

Okay. Any questions? Any questions for Aaron? All right. Okay. Is there anyone else that'd like to speak on this? Okay, close that public hearing. Councilman Lucas,

an ordinance to resone plus or minus 2.3 acres of property for Milton A. George from from estate residential and agriculture district to B2 Jones business district property located directly north of US72 and directly west of line road. Now therefore be it ordained by the city council of city of Athen Alabama. I move that we suspend the rules. I'll second that. We get a roll call rules, please. Mr. Casy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes.

Five, zero Naz. Can we get a second on the ordinance, please? Second. Okay. Is there any further questions before we vote? All right. Get a roll call, please. Mr. Lucas. Yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Zero nays.

Our third public hearing is relating to a proposed ordinance to reszone property for Wade Hayes to the point from R11 uh to R2 and adopt a master development plan. The property consists of 18 acres and is located directly south of Elm Street West and approximately 2,000 ft west of Hine Street North within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. We'll open this public hearing. There we go. Um, this item come up before us tonight. Um, this is a resoning for multif family and this is a little bit different than just a uh resoning for like a B2 district for example that we previously saw with multif family. We're also adopting a master development plan um which is a zoning document showing us how the property will develop over time. Um so tonight we're looking at the resoning and also the adoption of the master development plan. Um so what we're what we see here is 18 acres that's cut out of the overall um track. And so the 18 acres is immediately adjacent to existing R2 along Elm Street. Um the planning commission has reviewed this. They believe it does fit in with the um our Athens 240 plan for development within this area. they are leaving a buffer of single family residential um around the overall property. Um so they see no issues with this resoning and adoption of the master development plan. Justin, can you go to the here's here's the plan itself. Um there will be buffers um adjacent to Laurenwood. There'll be a type A buffer required and um they have about 4.87 acres of open space. They're only required to have 2.7 acres. So they do meet our minimums. Um so we have no issues and the planning commission did review this and recommend it on 1021. So any questions?

Any questions for the hearing? And they will still um if this is approved um in accordance with the plan commission's recommendation, they will still have to go through the site plan process and the development requirements um that go along with that. So, Mr. Sbert, I just wanted for Aaron to clarify that it still does go through the site plan process. And a question that I had about this uh Erin on a phone call today was that does not open into Jackson Drive. The other piece you But it will stub into that property or that's up to the site plan, in it. Dustin, can you go back more master plan?

This property actually does not touch Jackson Drive. I don't believe it's on the edge. We're just looking with this item. We're only looking at that 18 acres. Okay. Um on that north, that's what I told somebody. I wanted to make sure that I was right. And that's right in front of the public works up there, guys. Yeah. Um so for Jackson Drive, they would have to come back with a subdivision layout for that property. Okay. That's what I told them. Thank you. Later. Yeah. Any other questions? Okay. Thank you, Erin. Is there anyone else that'd like to speak on this? Okay. So that public hearing close. Councilwoman Henry

now therefore be ordinate by the city council city of Athens to reszone property for Wade Hayes uh doing business as to the point Inc. from R11 low density single family residential district to R2 multiple family residential district and adopt a master development plan. property consists of plus or minus 18 acres and is located directly south of Elm Street West and approximately 2,000 ft west of Hind Street North within the corporate limits of the city of Athens. Move to suspend the rules. Get a second on the rules. Can we get a roll call on the rules, please? Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Casy, yes. Mrs. Henry,

yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five. Yay. Zero nays. Can we get a second on Councilwoman Henry's ordinance? Second. Any further questions on that? Final questions. Okay. Would you call the role in that, please? Now, Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five, zero nays. Public hearing four is relating to a proposed resolution determined that a structure on North Clinton Street is unsafe and a public nuisance and ordering abatement of the same. We'll open the public hearing on that. Eric,

I'll speak for the condemnation of the property. It's um it wasn't great before the storm. After the storm, uh it left the roof in very poor uh condition on the front of the property and and towards the back. Uh it it's had lots of instances of uh homeless people in and out of it. So uh I think this will go a long way in cleaning up that area down there on North Clinton. So my recommendation is to continue.

Any further questions for Eric? That was direct line of the tornado in December. Anyone else? Any other questions? Okay, consider that public hearing close. Councilman Lucas,

resolution determining that a structure on North Quinton Street is unsafe and a public nuisance and order and abatement are the same where the appropriate municipal official has determined that the condition of the structure is unsafe and the structure and the structure constitute a public nuisance to the cit citizens of Athens. Be it be it resolved the structure shall be demolished by the city of Athens. This work may be performed by city own forces or if the appropriate municipal official investigate and determine it to be preferable that the work occur through the use of third parties. Then the city of Athens building inspection department is authorized to contract on behalf of the city of Athens with a third part third third party for a cost not in excess of $30,000. We get a second on that.

Second. Any further final questions on that? Okay. Could you call the role please in that? Mr. Lucas. Yes. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mr. Creie. Yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five naysay, zero nays. Public hearing number five is a public hearing relating to a proposed resolution determining that a structure on 100 road is unsafe and a public nuisance and ordering abatement of the same. We'll open the public hearing. Eric,

I'll speak for the condemnation here. Um there's been a lack of action uh from the owner in at this complex all across the the whole complex, but this one burned uh back last year. Uh they boarded it up, but they've never done anything to try to rebuild it. Uh I suspect because the rules, our building code requires this to come up to code all the way around. So it' have to be sprinkled. Uh everything would have to come up to the 2018 code. So, um, my recommendation is to condemn it and then, uh, I can go ahead and remove utilities and start working on getting it removed from the property. So, that that's my recommendation.

Any further questions? Anyone else like to speak on this? Okay, public hearing is closed. Councilman Cesy resolution determining determining that the structure on 100 Santa Road is unsafe and a public nuisance and order an abatement of the same. All right. Can we get a second on that? Second by Councilwoman Henry. Any further final thoughts on that, guys? Final questions. All right. Annette, would you please call RO? Yes, Mrs. Henry. Yes,

Mr. Lucas. Yes, Mrs. Golden. Yes, Mr. Cyber. Yes, 5. Zero Naz.

Our final public hearing, thank you, Eric, is public hearing number six relating to the zoning approval for the sale of alcohol in the city of Athens by Five Points, 218 South Madison Street. We'll open the public hearing. Anyone have any comments on this one? Okay, we'll close the public hearing. That concludes our public hearings for tonight. Our next section in the meeting is an opportunity for public remarks regarding any agenda items. So, if you have any public remarks, you'll have three minutes. You can come up and give us your name and your address. Good evening. Um, Amanda Schulty, 1036 West Washington Street. So, three questions. So, on item number n, resolution to authorize the mayor to award the lowest bid responsible bidder. I'm just curious after coming to say 30 meetings. Um, we've not ever used that specific terminology. So, could I get a little bit more clarity on what that spec I was not here for the business part. Um, so could I get a little bit more clarity on why we're changing the wording from lowest respon from lowest bid to lowest responsible bidder?

Shane, you want to respond to that? Anything? I don't item M. Yeah, I don't know why the particular wording was that way, but yeah, under the bid law, you go with the lowest responsible. I understand what the law is. I'm just saying typically in agenda items it's just been the low award the lowest bidder. So I don't know but but I would say though it's it's the same standard. It's it's not a change. No, you know in the city's standard. I think it's just the wording. Perfect. Thank you. Um Sure.

Also on item I think it was item H which I fully support the expanding going through the Athens Main Street. So, is this similar to I think it was last summer 2024 where they awarded Athens Main Street, was it 40 or $50,000 to give out for facade grants? So, and but it's the same type thing for

Okay. So, you'll they'll still have to come in front of city council to get approval and stuff like that. Cool. Thank you. And just wanted to note since we've got two um new council members. I know the three previous that are here. It's been a year ago this meeting that they canceled the or turn sorry to turn off the live stream of public comments and just would like to hear from Mr. Cesy or Miss Golden if that was something that y'all agreed with still doing as I'm going to have to leave to head to my family. So I'll be having to miss the end. So just wanted to get y'all's the two of y'all's take on doing that. Thank you. I really don't have a problem with the public hearing, a public viewing. Um, I don't think that that's a that that's really an issue. That will be up to Mr. Cyber. He will he will be the one that'll make that decision. But uh as long as everyone maintains good decorum and follows the rules and expectations of this of this meeting, I think that would be fine with me.

I'd have to agree with Councilman Casy. As long as we act appropriately and keep our heads about us and follow the rules of order, there should be no reason. But I'm with the council on whatever the group decides.

Thanks. Any other public comments? Wilbert Woodruff, excuse me. 200 Christian, Athens, Alabama. Uh just um two well three things now. Um, appreciate those uh comments that y'all made regarding the young lady's question. And um my question followup after that y'all's answer, will there be a discussion on the procedures of the uh the council and the public address and all that?

A discussion about uh whether we should turn that back. It will change from what it is currently. Sure. Yeah, there'll be a discussion. Okay. Um, no question.

My other uh two is uh concerning um agenda item um PH and uh PH5 and 11E. Could uh one of you all give me the um is there a start date? Um I don't understand exactly what this mean about the uh property on Santa for 100 Santa Road and you know I just want to know just have we got a time

uh well we've just made this official tonight so Eric they'll be notified. I assume the property owner will be notified or what what's kind of the next step? rescal time. Okay. Will any of the uh residents going to be permanently displaced because of this?

Okay. Thank you. Yep. Now in in that center for road issue, there isn't a representative from the from the company here on site at all. Correct.

Mainten I think we have a responsibility to the existing tenants of that complex to get that taken care of and and to move forward.

Anybody else? Anybody else got a question, comment about a agenda item? Okay. We'll move on to our consent calendar. Councilwoman Henry resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama that travel expenses in the amount of $46.64 be approved for electric part electric department personnel. be it further resolved to purchase one 2025 Dodge Ram DT500 crew cab 4x4 pickup for the gas services department. This purchase will be made from the state of Alabama bid list from Styver in Prattville, Alabama at a price of $47,19.3. Funding for this purchase will be from the gas services department fiscal year 2026 capital budget. Be it further resolved to purchase SIM guns for training from Walter Craig Law Enforcement Division for a cost of $10,869.58. Funding for this purchase will be from the police department's ex existing capital expenditure account. Be further resolved that truck 18, a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500, truck 19, a 2015 Dodge Ram 5500 with flatbed. Truck 121, a 2017 Nissan Frontier, and truck 2011, a 2015 Dodge Ram 5500 with flatbed, be declared a surplus property of the electric department, city of Athens utilities and sold at public auction on govdalss.com. be it further resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama to set a public hearing for the regular meeting on December 22nd, 2025 to consider the request of the city council

for various proposed amendments concerning sections 3.8.2 and sections 3.9.1.9 of the zoning ordinance of the city of Athens as recommended by the planning commission. It further resolved to set a public hearing for the regular meeting on December 22nd, 2025 to consider the request of the city council for various proposed amendments concerning sections 3.9.1.C section 6.1.7 section 6.1.9.B table 61 section 6.2.6 section 6.8.13.8 section 6.10 10 and article 9 of the zoning ordinance of the city of Athens as recommended by the planning commission.

Second. Second. Do we have any questions on any of these items? Okay. Would you please call the rolling in? Mrs. Henry. Yes. Do we have a second? Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry I didn't hear that. Yes. Mr. Casy? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Cyber? Yes. Shave zero nays. Item G, Council McCree. A resolution restating the map of the Square Arts and Entertainment District. All right. Uh, we do not need rules on that. Correct.

Okay. Can we get a second? You, Councilwoman Henry, any questions about this? This is a good thing. I hope this continues to grow. It means revenue's coming in. Mike, would you please call the role in that? Yes, sir. Mr. Cruy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five yay, zero nays. Item H. Councilman Lucas.

Resolution concerning an expanded downtown business grant program. Whereas the city council desires to support, strengthen, and enhance small local business in the downtown Athens area through an economic development program that is aimed at incentivizing small local retailers to improve and revitalize their properties. Whereas in 2024, Athens Main Street, a local nonprofit organization working to revitalize downtown Athens, Alabama, assisted the city with administering the FICA grant program. Whereas the city of Athens wishes to continue and expand that program by additional funding for an expanded grant program in downtown Athens. aim at supporting and incentiviz retailer restaurant and nonprofessional personal service business and making permanent physical improvement to their business. Therefore, be it resolved, the mayor or city clerk is directed to enter into a contract with Athen Main Street in such form and manner that is acceptable to the same whereby the city will pay $100,000 to Athen Main Street as an appropriation in exchange for and to be used with respect to Athens Main Street administration of a grant. program benefiting downtown Athens, Alabama. The source of funding shall be the city alcohol fund.

Get a motion to suspend the rules. Move to suspend. And a second. Second. Right. Can we get a roll call on that, please? And that roll. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mrs. Henry. Yes. Mr. Creasy. Yes. Mr. Lucas. Yes. Mr. Cyber. Yes. Five nay. Zero nays. And then can we get a second on the resolution, please? Second. All right. Second by Councilwoman Gold. Any further questions? All right. Can we get a roll call on that, please? Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes.

Five, zero nays. Uh item I, Councilman Cesy,

it ordained by the city council of the state of the city of Athens, Alabama that the ordinance number 888 establishing a classification list for all full-time employees and hereby amend as follows. Add the following job titles to the list of positions for the finance department. Utilities director, finance controller, cash management, finance accountant, utilities plant accountant, utilities payroll accountant, purchasing manager, warehouse supervisor, warehouse technician, and delete the following job titles from the list of positions for the CCO department. Utilities director, finance controller, utilities accountant, utilities payroll accountant, purchase manager, warehouse supervisor, and warehouse technician. Move to suspend the rule.

Second. All right. Can we get a roll call on the rule suspension, please? Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Cesy? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Mr. Cyber? Yes. Five. Zero. Nays. And then can we get a second on the resolution or the ordinance? I'm sorry. Second. Counciloman Golden. I can. Any final questions on that item? I All right. Can we get a roll call on that, please? In that. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. 5 zero nays.

Item J. Councilwoman Golden. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama to adopt the revised organizational chart for the public works department which includes the following 75 positions. Director of public works, records retention clerk, city engineer, civil engineer. Two positions, land development inspector, rightway inspector, street superintendent, administrative assistant, construction supervisor, street construction crew leader. Seven positions, equipment operator, 18 positions, street light equipment operator, six positions, sign technician, two positions, fleet maintenance supervisor, mechanics, four positions, sanitation superintendent, administrative assistant, sanitation sanitation operations supervisor, sanitation crew leader, two positions. Equipment operation, equipment operators, 19 positions. facility service, crew leader, sanitation, light equipment operator, two positions.

Second. Seconded by Councilwoman Henry. Any further comments, questions on that one. All right. Can we get a roll call, please? Announce. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cyber, yes. Five, zero nays. Item K, Councilwoman Henry, it

resolved by the city council, city of Athens, Alabama to purchase 10 automatic external defibrillators with pediatric key, carry case, and accessories from AED Leader for a total cost of $16,289.80. Funding for this purchase shall be from the Alabama Mountains, Rivers, and Valleys RCD council grant. Motion to suspend the rules. Move to suspend. Second from Councilman Lucas. We get a roll call on the rules, please. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Cybert, yes. Five. Yay. Zero nays.

And a second, please, for Councilwoman Henry resolution there. Any further thoughts, questions on that? Okay. Miss Surn, I'd just like to say thank you for the police department and Holly and others that worked on this grant. These sometimes are overlooked. This $16,000 that goes directly to public safety. That's critical for community and I appreciate their work on doing this. I

I do have a question. What what who will be supplied with the AEDs? How many how many would we need for all of the police vehicles to have? Well, I think that's something we need to work toward. The CPR is is effective, but it's nothing compared to the effectiveness of the AED.

Do we have any of these or are these the first 10? in the cars. Okay. And this is a this is grant money, too. On top of this that

Yeah, I think that's something we need to keep pursuing. I I think that's a I think we need them in every every police car. I was speaking with um chief in the break and telling him um we have a substantial amount of funding that we've received through the opioid settlement um well in excess of $200,000 and that is one of the acceptable uses. We we've spent very little of it. So that's something we could look at spending some money out of it. And there there's there's no question that there will be lives saved with that.

Yeah. Why don't we get Annette, you and I will get with Shane and we'll get you a resolution uh chief to start continuing putting them in vehicles either in phases or all of them. You decide you you help us decide which way to go. Do we have them on fire vehicles? Because y'all know y'all do a lot of first. They already got them. Okay. So, but if you need any more, then it's an opportunity to use that opioid settlement, that lawsuit, and its bill, and it's for specific issues, and this is covered by those.

We've bought a little just I mean, just a drop in the bucket we've spent out of it for um like Narcan, drugs like that the fire department uses, but but we've spent very very little of what we've received, so that would be a great use for it. Yeah, it would. Thank you. Thank you. Did we take a vote? We haven't taken a vote yet. We have not on the rule suspension. Sorry. Let's take a vote. We got lost. I'm I'm sorry. On the resolution, we took a vote on this rule suspension. Uh Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. And Mr. Cipher, yes. Five, zero.

Item L, Council Mccasie. be resolved by the city of by the city council the city of Athens, Alabama to authorize the city engineer to approve a charge order on the US72 and Morsville road improvements related to the following items. 210D-00001-barrow excavator uh 1260 cubic yards 530A-00009-66 roadway pipe class 3 46 linear feet in the amount not to exceed $47,040 funded by the 2024 GO warrants CDBG and ARC C adopted and approved. This is this the 24th day of November 2025.

Move to suspend the rule. Second. All right. Would you call the rules please on or call the role please on the rules? Yes, sir. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. And Mr. Cyber, yes. Five naysay, zero nays. And can we get a second on the resolution? Second. Second by Councilwoman Henry. Any further thoughts, questions on that one? Okay. Would you please call the rolling out? Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cybert, yes.

5 Z. Item M. Councilman Lucas. Be resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama to authorize the mayor to award the lowest responsible bidder Grayson Carter and Sun Contractor Incorporation in the amount of 147,4921 for the construction of the US 72 and Hind Street pedestrian crossing funded by the 2024 go warrants. Move to suspend. I'll second.

Second by Councilwoman Henry. We get a roll call on the rules, please. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Mr. Creasy? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Cyber? Yes. Five. Zero nays. And a second on the resolution, please. Second. Second. Well, we'll go to Councilman Cesy on this one. Any further thoughts, questions on this one? Okay, we get a roll call, please. Now that Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cybert, yes. Five, zero nays.

And then finally, we have an add-on item in Councilwoman Henry. Whereas the city of Athens acting by and through at city council proposes to apply for community development block grant CB CDBG and Appalachin Regional Commission ARC grant funds to construct sewer and road improvements to support a new grocery store at the corner of Elm Street and Lucasf Road. Therefore, be it resolved by the city of Athens that uh William R. remarks. Mayor is hereby authorized to execute and submit an application with appropriate assurances to the state of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs requesting CDBG funds in the amount of $300,000 as well as ARC funds in the amount of $266,660.34 to construct the above referenced sewer and road improvements and that the city of Athens will provide a local cash match of 322,27 $746 in support of this project.

Uh, could we get a motion to suspend the rules? Move to suspend rule. Second. Second. Council Councilman Grace, you got it. It's a It's like Jeopardy up here. Hit the buzzer. Can we get a roll call on the rules, please? Mr. Lucas. Yes, Mr. Creasy. Yes, Mrs. Henry. Yes, Mrs. Golden. Yes, Mr. Cybert. Yes. I have zero nays. Is there any uh Let's get a second on the resolution, please. Second.

Second from Councilman in um Golden. Is there any further questions on this one? I know this was an add-on. So, thank you. Yes, council. I appreciate it. It move it keeps us moving on Food City. And by the way, I went out just a few minutes ago and the concrete blocks are going up. The steel works going up, so they're rolling. Yeah. Yeah, it's moving. Okay. Any further anything else on that one? Okay. Can we get a roll call on that? Mrs. Henry? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Crees? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. And Mr. Cyber? Yes. Fabier, zero nays.

Right. That concludes if there are nothing else to add. That concludes our formal business.