City Council - Regular Meeting

go ahead and get ready. Um, this of course is the work session for the business meeting which will follow as quickly after this as we can. We're scheduled for 4:30 and we're going to try to have that as a goal. Mr. Cybert is not in attendance this evening. He and his family are out of town. So, uh it's my privilege to be here with you tonight. And to get started, if we can have roll call is through for the work session. Uh Mr. Crees here, Mr. Lucas here, Mrs. Henry here, Mrs. Golden here, and Mr. Cyberts out four present.

Thank you very much. At the regular meeting, of course, we will have the um kind of traditional opening which will be followed by approval of minutes, reports of officers. We have a heavy agenda of public hearings this evening. We'll get into those uh shortly. And then of course after the uh public hearings will be our first uh opportunity for public input with public remarks regarding agenda items. H I will remind people then that this is only for items that appear on this evening's agenda. You will have three minutes to speak. You will need to give your name and address before you uh address the council. Then we will go into our regular meeting. We do not have a consent calendar this evening. So, we will have our regular items. For those of you who have a copy of the agenda, please be aware that we have an addition. Item K will be added. Uh that was a request from uh the mayor's office and our cemeteries, parks, and recck department to add an item that was not previously scheduled, and I've allowed that. that will be dealing with um contracting with a consultant about a possible pool, which I know that's been something very exciting for people. So, I'm glad that we can add that. We will end the meeting this evening with our general public comment on matters pertinent to city business. Before we start, um we will go through and sort of get sorted for the meeting. And we also do have a brief presentation by our city planner about some of the public hearings that will be taking place. Miss Tedwell, would you rather do the presentation at once before we go through the items or Okay, if you don't mind, that might make a little more sense as we work through

them. I would appreciate that. And we will turn over the work session to our city planner, Erin Tidwell, for that.

Thank you. All right, Justin. The first one is the food trucks. So, there's two items on the agenda tonight. Um I think it's public hearing number three and public hearing number four that deal with um some various amendments to the zoning ordinance. And the reason they're in two separate items is because one of those is a directive from the council for us to look at concerning food trucks. Um and then the second one, um is a derivative of some staff recommendations that came through the planning commission. All right. Um so as a summary uh public hearing number three um that deals with zoning ordinance section 3.8.2 and 3.9.1 in um 3.8.2 uh that's just a summary. We're just adjusting some language um concerning food trucks in the ordinance and then we're uh further clarifying how what a food truck court is in the city limits. Justin, can you go down one more? There we go. So 3.8.2 too. Um, as you can see outlined in red here, it's just um adding some additional language to relax our food truck requirements that basically says food trucks can operate um in the city so long as they have the correct permitting. And um we've passed the council passed a separate food truck ordinance um I guess several meetings ago. Um, so this will align with that and bring the zoning ordinance up to speed with our food truck ordinance requirements. All right. Then the next section, um, some language is added at 3.9.1 in to further align that food truck ordinance with the zoning ordinance. Um, and this will expound upon what a food truck court is and um, what it is not and how it may operate. Um, just some further clarification there so there's no conflicts. So that's the first um public hearing three. There any questions on that? This essentially

just brings the um zoning ordinance in alignment with that food truck ordinance that was passed earlier. Right. So that's public hearing three. There's an ordinance to follow. Then public hearing four. And I know um the council members, y'all had these packets since Tuesday. So if there's any questions, just let me know. So, um this is various amendments to the zoning ordinance and a lot of these are very simple. Um for the most part, I think there's eight sections in here that we're touching. Um and we'll go through those. The last one, um 6.10 open space. Um that's a little bit heftier and we'll go through that as well. Justin, do you want to go through? All right. So, the first uh ordinance section we're dealing with is 3.9.1C, alcoholic beverage sales. Um, this zoning ordinance currently is a little bit redundant between um our existing alcohol ordinance and um our zoning requirements. Justin, can you go down one more slide? There we go. Yeah. What's outlined is blue is current text. Go down one more. So, it's it's a pretty hefty section on alcohol. um that's being proposed is basically just cleaning that up to take the redundancy out. So the alcohol ordinance will stand on its own and then the um zoning ordinance will control control the zoning aspects and the distance requirements um align themselves in that aspect to our existing municipal alcohol ordinance which is a standalone ordinance. So right now the way it works is if there's a change in our municipal alcohol ordinance, we have to then come back and do a corresponding change to Walker zoning ordinance. So this just takes that out. Justin, there we go. The next one is a very simple change. This is just from staff and how um the conversations we

have with folks. Um currently accessory structures within the text of the ordinance. an accessory structure. Think of like a garage or a carport, something along those lines. Um, we're just adding language in there that you can find in our definitions of the ordinance and just putting it into the text that just clarifies you can't have a garage on a property or an accessory structure on a property unless there's already a primary structure or a house simply. So, it's just some clarification language. So, and the next section. All right. Um, the next item is something that we've seen come up a couple of different times. I think this is um we've got some questions from council about this before as well with uh various master development plans. Zoning ordinance section 6.1.9b, residential development adjoining a freeway. Um, this section is currently or subheading within our ordinance, but there's no context or text within this section. Um, so what we're doing here is we're building out this section to help with compatible development within Athens. Um, so where we're seeing more development take place adjacent to, you know, the interstate, major arterials, railroads, we want to make sure we have something um, in place to ensure compatibility such as buffering. And in this case, what we're suggesting is when you develop adjacent to um a freeway, interstate, major arterial or railroad, um they should be separated by a minimum at a type B buffer, which is three rows of overrain trees that are 5t on center. Um and then if it's needed, if there needs to be less buffering, the planning commission can review this and say a top A buffer is required or a top C buffer if there's existing topography in place. um depending on what we're screening against. And we also have a section that allows for some flexibility if there's existing screening in place, existing landscaping, that can count towards

those buffer requirements. So, it's just to kind of address a need that we've seen, right? Um this slide probably should have gone before the previous, but the next um couple of sections deal with buffer tops. So this is um we have in the city of Athens we have type A buffers which is an 8 foot wide buffer with a row of evergreen trees and a fence. Um you have a type B buffer which is three rows of evergreen trees um 5t on center. Then you have a type C buffer which is semi-transparent green space that is um should be a evergreen tree planted 40t on center. So it's a little bit different types of buffering there. Let's get on to the next. Um so table 6.1 or 61 we have found um the way it's currently structured it doesn't always read very well for adjacent development um or existing development and compatible against developing uses. That developing uses um column is um currently exhaustive. So we'd like to build in some flexibility to where the table can be um can be more flexible and apply in appropriate situations. We also took out some redundancy in the table. Um so this was a cleanup item. Justin, can you go down one more? Um we also um for some additional flexibility, we um added language similar to some other tables in the ordinance that basically um in cases of uncertainty, the zoning official can determine the minimum buffer top required. If the zoning officials uncertain of the adequacy of the buffer's con um effectiveness, they reserve the right to forward the request to the planning commission for consideration. So the planning commission um can further provide uh input on those buffering decisions. All right. If y'all have any questions as we go through this, just let me know. Just

All right. Um the next section 6.2.6b, 6B. We're just adding the word evergreen in here to clarify that a type C buffer um does have to be evergreen trees or evergreen species to make sure that buffer is established regardless of the time of year that it is. Um there's some additional language within our buffering section that points to this, but we just want it very explicitly stated. So, all right. The next section um is a this comes to us from um BZA, the board of zoning adjustment. They've dealt with several cases and um they recommended this change, so we wrapped it into um this larger various um amendments. Um essentially, zoning ordinance section 6.8.13E, changing message signs, electronic readerboard signs, electronic center signs. Um we're proposing adding two sections to this. Um section five and section six. And this will clarify that fixed price signage. So like your gas station signs, the only thing they advertise is the price of fuel. Um that's used for the sole purpose of displaying a single product. So a fixed price sign is different from a changing message sign. It's just going to display the price of a single product. And um item number two or the second thing we're trying to accomplish here is identify how existing non-conforming electronic signs can be reduced in size and brought closer into conformity. So we've had several requests um dealing with reducing the size of a grandfathered um non-conforming sign. So this is just providing some clarification there. All right, let's go to the next one. Um and to go along with that in article nine that's where we get the definition of maintenance of signs. Um right now um the definition

it would conflict their previous amendment. So what we're doing um is just adding some clarifying language to align the definition of maintenance of a sign with our previous um proposal which came from BCA and also take out some language that's a little bit outdated with current case law. So the next item. All right. So this is the larger item um within the overall um group of various proposals. Um this is zoning ordinance section 6.10 and this deals with 6.10.1 through 6.10.18. Um the framework uh for this section is currently within our ordinance. Um what's being proposed here is uh basically reformatting the section to address some concerns that have come up over time about um residential development within the city. All right. So 6.10 uh two um we're just relocating some language from a previous section just for some logical logical reading and clarity. Um, so changed some formatting, but there's no requirements in this section that changed. We just moved some language to this location. All right, the next section. Um, 6.10.3. Um, we have added a mechanism here for staff to better review and enforce the type of open space used um within a development. And we also provided a provision for applicants to appeal staff's decision. Um that's currently not in um this section. Go down. All right. Um this is the section we took this language and we moved it back to 6.10.2. So this is just a uh more of a housekeeping section for those changes.

we go. Um 6.10.6. This is storm water management features. Um we changed an updated language here to adjust how storm water management can be counted towards your open space requirement. Right now what we're seeing in a lot of developments especially high density developments is that um we require a certain amount of open space to be set aside within the development and they are doing that through the use of their detention facility. So um their detention or retention ponds are what they are setting aside and they're counting that towards their open space requirement. So when the intent of the open space is to be um something active or set aside for community use um right now the way our ordinance is written is uh developers don't necessarily have to do that um they are using their storm water management feature or storm water management um infrastructure to count towards those open space requirements. So what we're doing here is we're just changing some language on how that can be storm water management can be counted towards the open space right next. There we go. Um what we're doing here we built in some flexibility. Um right now uh 6.10.7 it says basically you have to have 5% open space for within all districts. Um and any combination of the types of open spaces that we have um can be used towards that. And then if you have an additional 5% that's required um it specified what type of open space you had to build into that development. So you had to meet a certain set of requirements. What we're doing here is we're saying no um you can actually achieve this goal through any means that are within the ordinance. So we built in some flexibility there. All right. Um 6.10.8 eight. Um there's a portion of

our ordinance that is redundant. It has um the different types of open space in a table and then it has the exact same information under it um in text. So what we're doing here is just we're removing the table. Um the pictures I don't know that they're actually in the slideshow just because of for sake of um space, but the pictures will still be in the ordinance itself. We're just removing redundant information. So, um 6.10.9 natural area. This is the first type of open space um that you can use to achieve your open space requirements. Um like I said, everything in black is already in our ordinance. Um we went in here and we adjusted the language of how storm water management can be counted towards that open space requirement. Um we also added a clause where there's required um there's already some required landscaping. So what we did was we came back and we said hey just for clarification your existing landscaping can count towards those requirements um to build in that flexibility. Um then we also like I said storm water management within the natural area. Right now we're when people are setting that pond aside that counts towards like the all 100% of that counts towards the required um acreage or the required open space that 5%. So what we're saying here is if you use natural area to count towards your development criteria um you can still use 50% of that to count towards your ponds but the stormwater management features may occupy up to 50% of the natural area when treated as a site amenity and design pursuant to subsection 6.10.6. six storm water management features. So, and then if you're using a wet pond, um that can count towards 100% of those features. So, all right. Um greenways and neighborhood amenities. We

went back and we've seen some different types of uh development, different requirements that have um happened. Um the US Postal Service is requiring us to use mailbox kiosk now and um which we haven't traditionally required that. And um it's not a city requirement, but we're trying to accommodate for that here. And as well as um signage that's utilized within the neighborhoods, those types of things. We've recognized that those can be placed within the neighborhood amenity section. And because of that, we also removed the minimum size of that open space. So we just says it has to be large enough to accommodate the requirement. So, all right. Um 6.10.12, it's a pocket park. We just changed some language in here to recognize that all city codes need to be um met and also just to say your existing landscaping, your existing vegetation can count towards your landscaping requirements. Okay. Um courtyard, which is another type, we did the same thing here. You have to meet all city codes. your existing vegetation count towards to your landscaping requirements and there was an existing typo that we are correcting. So go down. All right. Um same thing here square green we just said existing vegetation count towards your landscaping requirements to build in that flexibility. Um you have outdoor dining areas and plazas. Same thing existing vegetation can count towards your landscaping requirements. All right. I think the last change we did this was just another typo that should have read as or instead of of. So we're um suggesting we address that now as well to correct a typo. Um is that the that's it. So those are it in a nutshell. Um like I said that last one is the largest one that's 6 uh 10.1 through 6.10.18 10.18 and there's various changes in there but we

use the framework of the existing ordinance um to limit the amount of changes. Any questions? Okay. Thank you,

M. Henry, if I may. Uh I had some late phone calls this afternoon and um I would request from the city council that your call, but uh that you let's talk about a little bit more the the public hearing number four. Uh I'd like to go through with a public hearing if you if you would and then let's postpone that of course what that means. If there were to be any changes to public hearing number four, the ordinance that has been produced in the paper, then it would have to be readvertised. But if you just introduce it or let it lay over, then it could stay as it is. But there was some questions from the developers about the open space and we've had a lot of discussion. I know that you and I and the planning commission had a lot of discussion about this, but I'd least like for all the council members to be here and to understand what this the impact that it may have. So, uh, if you would do that, I'd appreciate it. Uh, public hearing number three has to do with the food courts and I think it's good to go and I don't have any issues related to that. It loosened up the food court requirement and I think it's a good uh it's a good ordinance. Uh unless there's a lot of either positive or negative from the general public.

I've spoken with the members of the council and they're good with with removing that one bit of action, we will carry forward with the public hearing. Okay. Uh thank you. Uh our planning commission does a great job of keeping us informed and thank you for that. We will now go ahead and get organized for our various pieces of business. Uh we do have public hearing number one which is related to a proposed resolution fixing and assessing costs associated with the demolition and abatement of an unsafe structure that will be followed with a resolution. Who would like to take uh public hearing? Excuse me. Uh resolution 11A. I'll take

Okay, Mr. Gracie, if I could, this is just closing the loop on a property that we took down. This is just uh closing that so that we can fix a lane. So, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer. Okay. If anyone have any questions for Mr. Wel? Okay,

Miss Hendri, I know it's a side note, but I want to give hats off because Eric's going to have to leave it a little bit. his uh persistence in taking down the Shauny's building and working with Sha's corporate office. Hats off to you. Great job. And uh I just can't wait to see what they going to develop there. We don't know, but I know that's aside from this, but thank you. Uh since you're here, would you like to go ahead and speak to public hearing two, please?

Yes, ma'am. Um, public hearing number two is going to be for the silos that are on North Clinton. Uh, as you recall, we condemned the building that sits in front of it. This is just following along that same action. We're trying to clean up that area. Um, it wasn't in great shape before the storm, but after the tornadoes, it caused a partial collapse and then the the buildings racked. So, it's it's time for us to get that along with some other things up there. So that's all we're doing here is condemning that property. Thank you. Anyone have any questions regarding that? Who would like to take 11B? I'll take it.

Thank you, Miss Thre. Since those are both resolutions, will we require rules change on it? Okay. I didn't think so. I just wanted to verify with you. Thank you. Uh, next is public hearing three about which we have already heard. that will follow with ordinance 11 C. Would anyone care to take that? Okay. That is an ordinance. We will need rule suspension for that. Who would care to suspend rules on 11C? I will.

Thank you. As is previously discussed, we will have public hearing four. We will not take action after uh the item 11D has been withdrawn. We will have a fifth public hearing relating to a zoning approval for the sale of alcohol in the city of Athens. Um this is a new business and this is strictly a public hearing. There's no action slated for today. That will come at a later date. At the conclusion of our public hearings, we will have public remarks regarding agenda items and then we will begin our regular meeting. We do not have a consent calendar this evening. So, we will go into regular topics. Before we do that, all y'all hanging out in the back, there's seats up here. There's no need for you to have to sit stand. Please come forward. You don't get extra credit for standing. Make yourself comfortable. There's still plenty of seats. I just hate for y'all to have to stand there. And if there are some other seats scattered about if we want to squish up, there's probably gaps that we can fill. Please make yourself at home because we will we will have kind of a lengthy bit this evening. in the regular meeting. Uh resolution A is to approve travel and education expenses for personnel of the water services department. Uh Mr. Juncan, do you have anything to add?

Okay, great. Thank you. Uh who would like to take item A? Oh, we

thank you. Item B is approve expenses for Councilman Cybert in the amount of $650.40. This is entered by me. Um, but we do need someone to read it. So, who would care to do that? Okay. Thank you. Item C is a resolution to approve fiscal year 2025 budget amendment from the capital expenditure fund department uh departmental capital request to be determined in the amount of $2 million. Mayor Marks or Miss Barnes, do you have anything to add?

This is just our um close out of our fiscal year for the general fund for fiscal year 25. So, we're able to we were able to put $2 million aside for the departmental capital request. We'll come back to you probably in late January. Um the department heads are still getting me their wish list of capital. So, this is just setting the money aside for that. Thank you. Marks, you have anything? Uh it's good. I'm I'm glad we finished a year where we can put $2 million toward capital expenditures and it's another good year, folks. So, thank you. Great. Who care to take resolution C? Amy one.

Uh item D is a resolution concerning the 202526 municipal appropriations for various government agencies and purposes. Um again, Mr. Barnes, you have anything to add? Um again, we just um at after we finish out the the regular budget, you know, we always of course at the end of September adopt our FY well 26 operating budget. At that time, we're still processing the requests from the various agencies. So, we've gotten those. I think you uh all had spreadsheets of the proposed what everyone had requested and what we were able to give. So this is just um adopting those appropriations for and incorporating those into the fiscal year 26 budget.

Great. Thank you very much. Who will take item D? Thank you, Miss Marge. Well, we need to suspend. We'll probably uh suspend the rules on D and E. Thank you. I will. Thank you. D and E. Item E is a resolution concerning the 2526 municipal appropriations and contracts for third party non-governmental entities. I'll take that.

Thank you, James. And for suspension of rules, who can do that?

Thank you. Item F is a resolution authorizing the water services department director to enter into a contract with Krebs Engineering for the design of the new Athens water treatment plant, electrical, and finished water pumping improvements in an unbudgeted capital amount of $615,000 to be funded from the water services department's capital improvement funds. Mr. Meyer, do you have anything to add? Oh, there you are. I thought you were back there. Sorry. Yeah, again, this is one of several projects we'll be bringing up probably in the next quarter about uh our capital improvement plan. This is the first one to get an engineer under contract to handle the future demands that we see as far as water goes to update our pumping capacity at the plant right now.

Thank you. Does anyone have any questions? Who would like to take item F? Thank you. And since this is unbudgeted, we will need rules for that. Yes, we will.

Thank you. Who would like to suspend rules for item F? Thank you. Item G is a resolution resolution authorizing Mayor William Marks to enter into a contract with Wolfco Media for one year at a cost of $2,500 per month for a total of $30,000 to be funded from the fiscal year 26 operating budget for digital marketing. Um, Mayor Marks or Miss Hullman, do you have anything to add? Uh no, I just wanted to say how uh Wolf Media does an excellent job. Uh and we gave you some stats with this resolution in the in the number and I I think it's a good opportunity for us to promote our city and I want to get with each of the council members and promote your districts during the next year. And so I think it's a uh it's a good plan for us to continue to grow and uh uh be transparent and promote what we got going on in each of the districts. So, thank you.

Okay. Who would like to take item G? And this will also require RO suspension. Well, it's in the budget. Oh, is it? Okay. My bad. Excuse me.

Item H, resolution approving an economic development project relating to the NRE Swan Creek LLC. Mayor Marks or Mr. Black, you have something? Well, I just uh I mean the our developer is here. We've been working on a project uh for gosh a year or two and it's finally come to the to the fruition and we are so excited about the opportunity to announce that uh uh if passed by the city council that we will be uh have have a Hobby Lobby, a Burlington, a academy, a homegoods and uh several other developments in this area. So it's an exciting opportunity. We say shop local and we support our downtown folks, but we also know that we got to grow our sales tax do sales tax dollars. It's 42% of our general budget. And that and I talking about we don't have the opportunity to put $2 million toward capital expenditures unless we have the sales tax dollars to redirect this money. So, we're in a my opinion, we're in kind of a monopoly war with some of the surrounding cities and we need to keep our money local and so I appreciate your support with this. Got a lot of good positive comments. So, thank you.

Hey, resolution H. Who would like to take that? Thank you. The next item also relates to the same economic development project. Um, do we need rule suspension for both H and I? I believe just I. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. That's what I wasn't certain about. Thank you. Um, Mayor Marks or Attorney Black, do you have anything to add for item I? It it's it's the same as uh as item H except it's just in an ordinance form that sets it into law.

Okay. Who would like to take item I? And who will suspend rules for item I? Thank you. Item J is an ordinance authorizing the lease of certain real property along Sevenmile Post Road for agricultural use. Mayor Marks or Miss Barnes, do you have anything to add?

Our contract for the farm uh down at 7 Mile Post Road is uh had run out and we took bids. Uh we went through the bid process and I think we had three or four people, is that correct? That uh expressed an interest in farming that property. It's about 180 acres or so that I best recall and the farmland is down at 7 mile post. It's jointly owned by the city and the county. So this ordinance if passed will have to go to the county commission for its passage and uh and so we took the high bidder uh which was a good price and so our first step is take action from the city council. If it's approved then we'll send it to the county commission. Thank you. Who would like to take item J?

And since this is an ordinance when rule suspension, who would care to spend the rules for item J? You for those of you who are not here at the beginning of the work session, we do have an addition to this evening's agenda, which is item K. And I think the reason that a whole lot of y'all are here because this does deal with the further project and planning for a new pool complex. Who would like to take item K? Thank you. And that is unbudgeted. So we will require rule suspension for that. Who would do that for us, please?

Thank you. Item K is the last business item we have for this evening. Uh just to remind people at the end of business, we do open the floor for general public comment. The rules pertain to that is that every member has of the audience has the right to speak. They are limited to three minutes and they are required to both approach the podium and give their name and address uh prior to their comments. After that period of commentary from the audience, we will adjourn the meeting. And with that, we're going to take a brief rest recess and adjourn this work session before we begin the regular meeting. We knew that this evening's work session would be lengthy, so apologize for that, but we will take a very brief 3 to 5 minute break and then return. Uh there's no need to adjourn this meeting. We just call into recess. So, at this time, we will do that and we'll catch y'all back in 3 to five minutes. Thank you.

going to start the regular meeting for this evening. We apologize for the late start, but we had a very active work session. We still have some people standing in the back. We've got room. Y'all please help yourself to a seat. There's no point in having to stand unless you just want to. So, everyone, please make themselves comfortable. This is the December 22nd, 2025 meeting of the Athens City Council. And if we can have an official roll call, please. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Casy here. Mr. Lucas, here. Mrs. Henry, here. Mrs. Golden here, and Mr. Cyber is out tonight.

Thank you very much. To begin the meeting, we will have our invocation which will be led by Councilman Cesy, followed by the pledge of allegiance by Mayor Marks. Please stand as you're able for these things. Let us pray. Lord, thank you for giving us the opportunity to come here tonight and represent the city. Uh may may you grant us wisdom to to help to understand the problems. Grant us clarity to help see things clearly and grant us patience to be able to understand and and address the needs of everyone here in the room. Also like to thank or excuse also like to ask you to protect everyone through the holiday travels and to help everyone remember the reason for the celebration. Jesus name. Amen. Please join the pledge algiance 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 very much. We will begin the meeting with approval of the city council minutes and the work session minutes both from December 8th, 2025. May I have a motion to approve? Move to approve. May I have a second? Second. Roll call, please. Okay. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Casy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. And Mrs. Henry, yes. Fouray, zero nays. Thank you. At this time, I do not know of any special city council minutes that we need to approve. nor do we have any reports of standing committees or special uh committees. We will then move to our report of officers beginning with Mayor Marks.

Thank you, Miss Henry. Just real briefly somewhere back there is Terry Richardson. That is our main street director. And Terry, hats off to you, chamber, everybody else that was involved uh in the Sip Insider weekend. The weather was beautiful and it was absolutely packed downtown. So, thank you for shopping local. It was a great event and uh we finished out another good year thanks to city council for the conservative budget process that we do. Uh we had a an election this year in 2025 and uh excited about 2026 and our future. So that's all I have at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Marks. Moving on to city attorney Shane Black. Do you have a report? No, ma'am. Just merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you. We will now have reports of our council members. Uh Mr. Cybert is out of town, which is the reason he's not in attendance this evening. Mr. Cesy, do you have anything you'd like to add? No. Mr. Lucas,

uh just like to wish everybody a merry Christmas and I just wanted to say a few words about the Lincoln Bridge for Park Committee uh toy and bike giveaway. It was awesome. And a lot of kids went home well pleased. We g had a lot of toys and a lot of bikes to give away. And we had the best Santa Claus in town. You can't you can't beat him. I I won't call him his name, but he's very good attorney, too. So, we we thank him so much for being Santa. And uh just the kids were so excited. the mayor and the council and commissioner and uh a lot of people were there and everybody's still talking about how great it was. We thank y'all.

Yeah, Mr. Lucas, just in case we need legal advice is the reason we have Santa there, right? I know. And he came he came riding in on his big red slate. He did on the big fire truck and uh and my goodness, hats off to the firefighters and the shopping with a firefighter. They had 116 kids and then the police department and what a great job they did just helping out the community. It's a great community and we appreciate it. Thank you for mentioning that. Mrs. Golden.

No, ma'am. Okay. Um I just want to also um answer one question which was about the uh Athens fire and rescue toy giveaway, but this also applies to the police department. Um those guys do projects throughout the year to raise money for that. This is in addition to their uh duties of keeping us all safe. This is something that they took upon themselves several years ago and it is a wonderful event uh from both of our public safety departments. So thank you for that. And if you ever have the opportunity to be involved in that in any way, you should take it because it is a wonderful event. And the kids had a great time. Moreover, the parents expressed such gratitude for being able to be a part of it and to uh rely on that assistance for making certain that their children had a good Christmas. So, hats off to the men and women of our public safety departments. Thank you very much for that. We will now begin with our public hearings. We have public hearing number one which is related to a proposed resolution fixing and assessing costs associated with demolition and abatement of an unsafe structure at 608 West Market Street. We will hear for from Eric Wadell, our chief building inspector. But since this is a public hearing, please remember that you as the audience do have an opportunity to speak to this issue as you might need to do so. If you decide that you would like to speak on any of our public hearings, please remember to approach the podium, give your name and address, and limit your remarks to three minutes. Thank you. And we will begin with public hearing number one. Miss Henry, just real quickly, um Mr. Wadell had an a little bit of an emergency at home and he had to leave, but he presented it during the work session and if you'll open it if there's any comments or if our attorney can

address it, it'd be good. He did. I just wasn't certain if he had left yet, so I couldn't couldn't say. There's so many people here tonight. Kind of hard to say. So, everybody, Madam President, if you'd like for me to summarize it, I'll be happy to do so. This is 608 West Market Street. It was a demolition of an unsafe structure by the city. The building inspection department, Eric Wadel, headed it up. This hearing relates to the costs that are assessed. The total cost of removal and the lean amounts $12,79547. In your packet, there is a breakdown of those cost. City council adopts resolution tonight and that would be imposed against the property on the tax records and as a lean. Thank you very much. Yes, ma'am.

Does anyone else have anything they'd like to say relating to public hearing number one? Seeing no comments, I will declare this public hearing closed. And now we will have uh resolution 11A. Mr. Creasy resolution fixing and assessing costs associated with the demolition and abatement of an unsafe structure at 608 West Market Street.

Second. Mrs. Golden has offered a second on the resolution. Are there any questions? Now we have a roll call, please. Mr. Creasy, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Four yay, zero nays. Thank you. Next is a public hearing relating to a proposed resolution determining that a structure on North Clinton Street is unsafe, a and a public nuisance, and ordering abatement of the same. In Mr. Wadell's absence, Mayor Marks, do you have anything to add or attorney Black? I'm going to turn it to our attorney. Thank you.

And yes, ma'am. This uh this relates to a structure on North Clinton Street, some silos. In your package, you'll see about a year ago, there was a tornado that came through downtown Athens, and those winds caused significant damage to that structure. They're in the form of a partial collapse. Now, this resolution, if adopted by the council, would call for the demolition of those structures to be performed by the owner and if not by the owner, then by the city. Okay. Does anyone have anything to add for two public hearing, too?

Oh, certainly. Does anyone else have anything to add to public hearing number two?

Seeing no motion to that, I will declare public hearing two closed. And we do have resolution 11B uh that will be offered by Mr. Lucas. A resolution determined that a structure on North Clinton Street is unsafe. Public news and ordinary abatement are the same. Whereas appropriate municipal officials have determined that the condition of the structure is unsafe and that the structure constitute a public nuisance to the city of Athens. Therefore, be it resolved, the structure shall be demolished by the city of Athens. This work may be performed by city-owned forces or if the appropriate municipal officials investigate and determine it is to be preferable that the work occur through the use of third party then the city of Athens building inspection department is authorized to contract on behalf of the city of Athens with a third party for a cost not in excess of $30,000. $30,000 Is there a second on resolution?

Second. Thank you, Mrs. Golden. May we have a Do we have any questions? And may we have a roll call vote, please? Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Forier zero nays. Public hearing number three, which I'll declare open, is a public hearing relating to an ordinance amending the Athens zoning ordinance. Miss Tidwell reviewed this during the work session, but if you'll please get us up to speed for those who might not have been in attendance.

Um, since we went into so much detail during the work session, I'm just going to give a synopsis if that's appropriate. Right. So, for public hearing three, this is a zoning ordinance amendment dealing with two sections of the zoning ordinance pertaining to food trucks. Um, this is zoning ordinance section 3.8.2. We're just adjusting some language concerning food trucks and tools and how they're permitted. Um and then zoning ordinance section 3.9.1N and that's just further clarification on what a food truck court is in alignment with our food truck ordinance that was passed previously. Okay. Does anyone else have anything they would like to add to this public hearing? Seeing no motion from the audience, I'll declare this public hearing closed and we will entertain ordinance 11 C. Mr. Tracy,

whereas the planning commission of the city of Athens, Alabama, proposes the that the Athens city council further amend ordinance ordinances number 2017 through 2016. Whereas the regular meeting of November 18th, 2025 and after the public hearing, the planning commission issues a final report and recommendation that the Athens City Council amend ordinances 2017 the ordin the zoning ordinance of the city of Athens, Alabama has set forth herein. After having received the consideration information from the public hearing and having fully deliberated these matters, the city council desires to amend the zoning ordinance as set for herein and therefore be it ordained by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama while regular session on December 22nd, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. As section one, the city council proposes amended section 3.8.2 two of the zoning ordinance of the city of Athens. Let me see. The city council proposes amend section 3.9.1 N of the zoning ordinance of the city of Athens, Alabama as follows. No food in food truck in excuse me, food truck court. A food truck court is an area where food trucks may be permanently located and doing business with general public. Food trucks are permitted within the city only to the extent allowed by other city ordinances and any food truck located within the food truck court must comply with those other city ordinance as well as the provisions of the ordinance only permitted in the designated food truck court and at specific events as indicated. Food truck courts must must meet the following standards. They must be

subject to an approved site development plan. Must include a minimum of two slip lots. Must have off streetet parking to comply with the standards of walk up restaurant with each food truck slip lot counting as the separate walk up restaurant. Must provide restrooms for customers within the permanent structure. Permanent utilities connection shall be provided for each slip lot of the slot. Each slip slot will be metered separately. All food trucks must meet all requirements of the Limestone County Health Department and the Alabama Department of Health for mobile food establishment. The court operator and all food truck operators are required to have a city of Athens certificate of occupancy and business privilege license.

Is there a motion to suspend rules? I move to suspend. Is there a second on the uh rule suspension? A second. We have a roll call on roll suspension, please. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier, zero nays. Thank you. And is there a second on the ordinance? Second. I believe Mr. Lucas got that. May we have a roll call vote on the ordinance, please? Mr. Cesy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier zero nays.

Thank you very much. Moving on to public hearing number four. This is a public hearing relating to an ordinance amending the Athens zoning ordinance. Mrs. Tidwell, Miss Tidwell went in depth during the work session as was needed. Thank you very much for that. And uh we will declare the public hearing open with her comments. Once again, I'm just going to give a synopsis since we did go into such uh depth earlier. Um, so this is looking at um this is a a conglomerate of a various zoning ordinance amendments. Um, we're touching on about eight sections of the ordinance. Um, the first one will be 3.9.1C, alcoholic beverage sales. We're just aligning language with our current municipal alcohol ordinance, which is a a separate document than our zoning ordinance. Um zoning ordinance section 6.1.7 accessory structures. We're just clarifying that an accessory structure um and its relation to a primary structure. Um zoning ordinance section 6.1.9b residential development adjoining a freeway um we're adding language on buffer requirements for residential development adjacent to freeways, interstates, u major arterials and railroads. Um zoning works table 61 which is minimum buffer requirements. We're adjusting the buffer table to be more inclusive and non-exhaustive of developing uses um to ensure compatible development. Zoning ordinance table or zoning ordinance section 6.2.6 buffers um this is a minor change to clarify that a type C buffer um which is evergreen trees um 40 foot on center does require evergreen trees to be planted. We're specifying that. Um, zoning ordinance section 6.8.13E, changing message signs, electronic reader board signs, and electronic center signs. Um, this was brought to us through the board of zoning adjustments

um to um adjust language to clarify what a fixed price sign was um and is. So, think of a gas station sign or a sign that's used for the sole purpose of displaying the price of a single product. And um two, we're identifying how existing non-conforming electronic signs can be reduced in size to be brought further into conformity with our ordinance. Um we want people to be in conformity. Um then zoning ordinance section article 9 um definition of maintenance of sign. We're just aligning that language on the definition with the previous change on 6.8.13E and zoning section 6.10. Um this is the large one. It goes from 6.10.1 to 6.10.18. Um, open space requirements. U, we're updating the language to adjust how storm water management can be counted towards open space. So, any any questions?

Does anyone in the audience uh care to speak to this public hearing? Thank Rick Johnson, 2039 Lindsay Lane South. Um, honestly, I'm disappointed that uh that the vote on this has uh has been delayed. Um, you know, I view well, let me let me start by saying a lot of what we had asked for uh as a planning commission uh administrative items, cleanup items, you know, making tables easier to read, making information easier to find in there. So I'm assuming that the uh the controversial part is related to how we treat storm water facilities uh with regard to open space. So one of the things I wanted to do real quickly is go through the different types of open space that we look at for uh for our developments. So you have a greenway which is a a linear green path through through an area. You have, you know, your neighborhood amenities, whether it's a ball field or a clubhouse or a or a swimming pool. You have pocket parks, uh small little areas, uh of green space where people can congregate. Um a courtyard, which is fairly self-explanatory, has layouts of how those uh how those should be uh should be uh engineered in here. uh a square or green space very very similar. Uh the other uh you have outdoor dining areas, you have plazas, you know, all of this stuff is meant for uh what I consider to be uh a quality of life within the neighborhoods, right? Uh the last one is a natural area. So, you know, basically it's a undeveloped space, whether it be in a flood plane or whether it be to save trees. And I I'll read from you real quickly what uh what the uh zoning ordinance says today.

So it can it can contain hillsides, hill crests, uh slopes, flood plane, streams, pond, agricultural lands, forest, fields, meadows, uh tree save areas, uh scenic c corridors, viewsheds, uh wildlife habitate habitat, or vegetated storm water management systems. Now, which one doesn't fit in with that that whole list of of uh of items there? So if you if you think about it as storm water management and they call it a feature in here. It's a facility in in my mind. Uh it's basically a hole in the ground that holds water for a temporary amount of time and then it runs out and it's not usable necessarily for any other purpose. And that's why this is a quality of life issue. There's been subdivisions and you guys have approved uh master development plans and subdivisions that 100% of their open space has been deter detention facilities. That's that's that's not conducive to a a healthy or if you know what I'm saying. So a place where kids can get out and play, places where folks can congregate. Um, you know, I think this is needed uh in the city at least some boundaries uh around the uh the detention facilities, but you know, again, uh maybe it will uh we'll come back around and uh and and you guys will will vote positively, but I appreciate it.

Thank you. Does anyone else have anything to say regarding this public hearing? Miss Henry, I would just like to say that the phone call that I got is exactly what Rick what Mr. Johnson hit on there and I just want us to think through it. You guys think through it before we take action on it. He's exactly correct. It was a long conversation as you and I know at the planning commission to present to the city council and there has been developments where the whole open space has been a uh a holding pond which is not quality of life. So somewhere in there, we need a good balance and uh the call that I got this afternoon just said, "Slow down just a little bit and let's talk." So I appreciate it.

Okay. Uh as Mr. Johnson alluded to, um excuse me, I'm sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. Does anyone else have anything that they would like to say?

At this point, I declare this public hearing closed. And as Mr. Johnson was alluded and for those of you are who were at the work session, item 11D, which is an ordinance dealing with these changes, was uh requested to be withdrawn. After consulting the other members of the city council, I have granted that request and this will be carried over. Mr. Black, if you'll correct me to the next meeting. Okay. I plan that action will be taken at the next meeting. So seeing no other action on that, we will move on to public hearing number five, which is relating to the zoning approval for sale of alcohol in the city of Athens. Uh this was entered by our revenue officer, Hope Wood. I don't know that I saw her here. So is the mayor's office or anyone speaking to that or we're just going straight into the public hearing? I think it just to the public hearing then of course as you know it will go back to the alcohol committee for review and come back to you guys. So thank you.

This has to do with a request by Jay Guffkagod doing business as Jify 2 Hob Street. Address is 716 Hob Street East B in Athens. This is uh listed as a new business and we will declare this public hearing open. saying I don't see anyone who wishes to come forward. So, we'll declare this public hearing closed. As Mayor Mark said, this is a preliminary hearing and this will be taken up at a later date. This brings us to our public remarks regarding agenda items only. If you wish to speak to one of the items on the agenda this evening, this is your opportunity. Uh we don't entertain comments that are not pertinent to agenda items at this time. Should you wish to speak, please come forward, state your name and address, and we do ask that you limit your comments to three minutes. At the end of the three minutes, you are welcome to wrap up any um ideas that you might have, but we do try to limit the conversation to three minutes. Yes, ma'am.

Um Amanda Schulty, 1036 West Washington Street. So, just a couple things. Um, item B, um, resolution to approve expenses for Councilman Chris Cyber. Um, can you explain what that is for? Because typically you put what it is for and this one is not included in that one. It's my understanding this is items relating to his leadership Alabama participation.

That's what I thought. Um, just wanted to get confirmation on that. Um, next is the H and I resolution approving the economic development project relating to NRE Swine Creek. Um, can you talk about who the developer is for that and who's going to be um collecting that 7.4 million because when I look up the NRE Swan Creek business, there is no person attached to that. It's just linked to a law office. So, I'm just curious as to who that developer is actually going to be. And it's noon developer, the same one that did our TJ Maxx project. And it's designed exactly like the TJ Maxx project. Well, yeah, I understand. I just wanted

it is to the noon developer that brought the project to us. When will that East Swan Creek have a city business license to do business? Because it just started in September, but the city doesn't have a registered business license on file for that. I just was trying to figure out how that process works because I actually came up to city hall today and there is no registered business license. You don't have a business yet. But if you're doing are we paying this NRE Swan Creek? Yeah, please. M president, may I uh respond? Yes, please. Yeah, Miss Michel, I don't think they're doing business yet to in the city when that's what I was getting confess,

right? If if Right. If they're if they're act once they start doing business within the city, that'd be the point at which the business would need a business license, right? Okay. So, at this point in time, I don't believe there have been any activities I didn't think so. I just wanted to get some confirmation on that because, you know, there's been some business license questions in the past. And then lastly, um, on the the pool, which I'm a huge proponent for. I think it would be a great tax dollar investment for the city, but just um curious why we didn't include it. I actually I because I saw that the agenda posted Thursday uh afternoon, but by 6:00 I had already received a text that this was going to be on the agenda. So why we did it as

because we got it back from our community, our uh recreation department late Friday and so we asked the city council president add it tonight. Okay. I mean, I'm just saying I got a text Thursday night, so we knew Thursday it was going to be on here. Um, but who's um who are we doing the contract through and how much is that going to be for the development of that in the meeting whenever we pass this to do the development? Who's it going to be to and how much?

It's pretty self-explanatory. The resolution is for up to $34,500 to Councilman Hussard and Associates and they are aquatic consultants that worked with Auburn University, University of Alabama, Coleman, Huntsville, and others. They're one of the leading people in the nation and so we're consulting with them to help us with this process. No, I appreciate that. Whenever we talked when it was an add-on item, it was just saying for the development. So, I just was getting confirmation on that. Thank you. Y'all have a merry Christmas.

Good evening everybody. Uh Justin S Perry, 1772 Owen Street. Um nice turnout, isn't it? Pretty good crowd. Um over the past several months, I know we've talked about um the benefits of the aquatic center, particularly with the swimmers, with residents, with the water aerobics, with health focus health focused activities. Um we've spoken about the needs for our local recreational leagues and high school teams. Um we've addressed a long-standing gap between the water aerobic opportunities since the closure of our previous facility and now the closure of the Madison facility. Um, and we've emphasized the broad health benefits of an aquatic center provides and all its residents. Tonight is the night, right? We get to vote. So, um, I just want to say this is this is a meaningful step if we vote, if y'all vote correctly. Um, that's one that will elevate our parks and wreck to the next level. U, we talked about making our city attractive. Having an aquatic center is going to be really attractive to a lot of businesses. We spoke before about how Coleman uses it in their business material to attract businesses. So, this is a really good thing. Um, I had something else typed up, but I decided just to instead I'd like to ask if you're here to support the pool, if you could just stand up or raise your hand, just kind of show them the need. And I thank everybody for coming out and I thank y'all for taking this up. And again, good evening and have a good night.

Merry Christmas, guys. Merry Christmas.

Thank you, Justin. Uh Alan Buckner, 1611 Elkton Street. Um sorry, it's my first time. I understand this is just uh we're going to have consultation about this aquatic center, but something like Coleman that's outdoor only and I would hope that when they're doing the uh exploratory whatever it is that we'd look at indoor facility for practice in the winter time especially and um hosting events this the high school could you know host swim meets and stuff like that. Thank you. Yeah, like I say, we're we're right now we're doing a a good search to bring a master plan back to the city, city council, and uh we're going to have to have some buy in from a lot of folks like the county and the school system and others because we're about to enter into a big project and uh so but right now we're doing the master plan which is the important first step. So, thank you Hi, Melissa Hopper 12677 Wickcom. I just wanted to talk about the pool and how important I think it is, especially for people who are handicapped or disabled. it. Having a place to go and exercise and to be with other people is so important for not just that part of the community, but also for elderly and um handy not handicapped people, but

just you know people in general. So I hope that you consider an indoor facility because that's useful all year round. So thank you Is there anyone else who would like to speak at this time? Seeing no one coming forward, we will begin our regular meeting with resolution A. Mr. Lucas

be resolved by the city council of the city of Athen Alabama to approve the payment of budgeted travel education expense for specified water service employee in the total amount of $1882. Is there a second on resolution A? A second. And we have a roll call, please. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier, zero nays. Resolution B will be offered by Councilman Goldman. Golden say that came from

be resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama to approve the following expense for Councilman Chris Cybert. $650.40. Leadership Alabama. Is there a second? Second. May we have a roll call, please? Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Creasy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier, zero nays.

Item C will also be offered by Councilman Golden. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama to approve the following fiscal year 2025 budget amendment. Capital Expenditure Fund Department Departmental request to be determined $2 million for the funding of expenditures will be from the physical year fiscal year 2025 general fund budget surplus through 9:30 2022 budget amendment to the following line item. Is there a second? May we have a roll call, please? Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Yes, Mrs. Henry.

Yes. Four. Yay. Zero naz. Resolution D. Mr. Casy.

Resolution concerning the 202526 municipal appropriations for various governmental agencies and purposes. Whereas by this resolution, the city council of Athens appropriates various funds for governmental purposes and governmental entities who serve various public purposes. with the citizens of Athens. Whereas the city council finds that action on each of the items listed below serves a valuable public purpose and has for its objective the promotion of public health, safety, moral security, prosperity, contentment and or the general ware welfare of the community. Therefore, be it resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, the mayor or the city clerk is directed to appropriate 145,000 to the limestone Athens limestone public library to assist in funding its operation expenses. The mayor, city or city clerk is authorized to release these funds at his or her discretion. The mayor or city clerk is directed to appropriate 30,000 to the house Houston Memorial Library to assist in funding its operating expenses. The city or city clerk is authorized to release the said funds at his or her discretion. The mayor or the city clerk is further authorized to expend up to 10,000 in connection $10,000, excuse me, in connection with the maintenance of the public library and museum. The mayor or city clerk is directed to appropriate 25,000 to the health care authority of Athens and Limestone County to assist in funding its operation of a transportation program available to city residents in need of kidney diialysis

treatment. The mayor city or city clerk is authorized to release the funds at his or her discretion. Move to suspend the rule. We have a second on the rule suspension. Second. A roll call vote, please. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier, zero nays. Is there a second to resolution? Second. Okay, any questions? Oh, we have a roll call. Okay, Mr. Casy, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier, zero nays.

Resolution E comes from Mr. U Lucas, please.

Okay. Resolution concerning 20 2526 municipal appro appropriation and third party non-governmental in entities for be resolved by the city council of city of Athen Alabama to for boys and girls club of north Alabama sum of $28,000 a limestone county tour association uh sum of $120 $120,000 beautifification board uh $7,000 KLB $28,000 A and Limestone County Family Resource Center $26,000 Community Action Partnership of Hunts for Madison and Limestone County $6,000 at Main Street $60,000. Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama, $22,000. Alabama Veteran Museum, $20,000. The ARC of Alabama Incorporation, Athen Limestone, ARC, $8,500. Athen Limestone County Athen Limestone Community Association $25,000

$7,000 for retired and senior volunteer program. Athen Limestone Children Advocacy Center, $10,000. Limestone County Churches involved $6,000.

Move to suspend. Thank you. Is there a second on the rule suspension? Second. Thank you. May we have a roll call vote on rule suspension? Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Cesy? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. And Mrs. Henry? Yes. Fore zero nays. Thank you. And is there a second on the resolution? Second. Thank you. May we have a roll call on that, please? Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. And Mrs. Henry, yes. Four, zero nays.

Resolution F. Mr. Casey. This is to request approval to enter into the engineering services contract with Krebs Engineering Incorporated for the required electrical and mechanical improvements at the water treatment plant located off section line road. They agreed upon a contract amount for the six is for $615,000.

Moved to motion suspend. Move to suspend. We have a second on the rule suspension. Thank you. May we have a roll call vote on rule suspension? Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier, zero nays. As to the resolution, is there a second? Second. Thank you. And we have a roll call vote on resolution F, please. Mr. Crees? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four. Zero Naz.

Item G. Mr. Lucas. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Athena, Alabama to authorize Mayor William R. March to enter into a contract with Wolf Media for one year at a cost of $2,500 per month for a total of $30,000 to be funded from the FY26 operating budget. Second. Okay. Any questions on item G? We have a roll call, please. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden yes Mr. Casy yes Mrs. Henry yes foray zero nays

resolution H Mr. Tracy,

whereas NR E Swine Creek LLC the intends to develop a new commercial retail shopping center on the southern end of Broly Boulevard near the intersection of Interstate I65 and Highway 72 in the city of Athens, which will include Hobby Lobby and at least four of the following five. a retail store, Academy Sports and Outdoors, HomeGoods, Burlington, Books a Million, and PetSmart. The city council determined that it is in the city's best interest to provide economic development incentives to the company in order to facilitate the development, construction, and establishment of the stores. Whereas the stores are expected to in involve an estimated an estimate, excuse me, of approximately $34 million will result in the creation of substantial number of jobs and will create annual taxable sales of approximately $30 million. There the stores will add a large commercial center and improve public thorough affairs along the I65 interstate corridor consistent with the Athens 2040 comprehensive plan.

Is there a second on resolution H? Second. May I have a roll call, please? Mr. Casy? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes.

Four. Zero naz. Item I is an ordinance which will be offered by Councilman Golden. Whereas the city council has adopted a resolution directing mayor the mayor to execute a project agreement relating to the development of a new commercial real retail shopping center on the southern end of Broly Boulevard near the intersection of 65 and highway 72 in the city of Athens which will include Hobby Lobby and at least four of the following five retail stores. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Homes, Homegoods, Burlington, Books a Million, and Pets Smart. Whereas the city council wishes to enact an ordinance allowing the mayor mayor's payment of certain municipal sales taxes tax to proceed and proceeds to the company. May we have a rule move to suspend the rule.

Thank you, Mr. Lucas. Is there a second on rule suspension? Second. Thank you. May we have a roll call vote on the roll suspension? Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mr. Cesy? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four. Zero nays. For the ordinance offered by Councilman Golden. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you. And we have a roll call vote on ordinance I. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mr. Creasy. Yes. Mr. Lucas. Yes. Mrs. Henry. Yes. Forier zeron item J Councilman Cy excuse me Lucas.

This is the ordinance ordinance authorizing the lease of certain real property along 7 mile post road for agricult agricultural use. Whereas the city council desires to lease certain real property located on 7m post road in Limestone County for agricultural use. Whereas said whereas said real property is owned by the city of Athens and Lamstone County, Alabama. Whereas the city council find that the proposed consideration for the lease of the property $173.3 per acre of crop land is fair and adequate. especially considering that the lease will be subject to termination at any time at the discretion of the city and county. Therefore, be it ordained, the mayor is authorized on behalf of the city of Athens to cause the lease of certain real property described there hereafter to harve and written lease agreement.

Move we suspend the rules. Second. And we have a roll call vote on rule suspension, please. Mr. Cruy, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Forier, zero nays. Is there a second on the ordinance? Second. Thank you. And may we have a roll call vote on ordinance J, please. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Golden, yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes.

Borier, zero naz. For those of you who may have arrived late, uh we did have an addition which is item K which will be offered by Councilman Golden. Be it resolved by the city council of the city of Athens, Alabama to authorize the city of Athens to enter into an agreement with Councilman Hunaker and associates to conduct an aquatic study plan for a future aquatic center at a plan cost not to exceed $34,500 to be funded from the 2024 general obligation bond proceeds. Move we suspend the rules. Second with a second by Councilman Lucas. May we have a roll call vote on the rule suspension? Mr. Cruy?

Yes. Mr. Lucas? Yes. Mrs. Golden? Yes. Mrs. Henry? Yes. Four. Zero naz. Is there a second on Mrs. Golden's offering? Second. We have a vote, please. Mrs. Golden. Yes. Mr. Cesy, yes. Mr. Lucas, yes. Mrs. Henry, yes. Borier, zero nays. Okay. Before the mass exodus of everybody who got their way tonight and congratulations, uh we will open uh the floor at this time for general public comment on matters pertinent to city