City Council - Regular Meeting

It is now 530 and I will call out September 15th, 2026 work session meeting to order. As our agenda states, we will have a presentation from on our employee clinic service agreement with Semble Health Solutions. If we'll Brian.

Good evening, counsel. Good evening to each and every one of you. Just given a quick overview, because there's a lot of moving parts with the City Clinic, and I'm just here to tell you just a few very important key points. So this City Clinic, as you know, it opened the doors in February 27th of 2013. Several years later, it was acquired by premise health care. Here was a very small hometown field company. They acquired premise, acquired them, which they are a global giant in the industry. They are literally a global company, very different, very matrix driven company. And they have been with us since January 1st of 2023. And we are looking The request tonight is to do business with Symbol Health. This is a request to do nothing more than at 105 North 10th Street is our current city clinic. We are, for lack of better words, looking to just change the logo on the door. It is the same exact business model. There is no change in operations, but being a good steward of city money, it is a change, an initial change immediately of over $300,000 in savings to the city. And that is real money. I can tell you about numbers, any questions you have. But at the end the day, that is what this request is for. It is to change the operating company. from premise health to symbol health. Premise health has just not been a good fit for the city. There's a lot of operational things in the background that I handle on a day-to-day basis. And as I said, they're a big global giant in the industry. And I won't say it's been an easy road. We make it look easy. But at the end of the day, that is one of the big pushes to make this change. And this is a benefit not just for employees, but it's the dependents as well. We have over 893 employees that are eligible. 500, almost 600 employees with their dependents actually use the clinic. Very important part of that. But again, the savings to the city immediately will be over $300,000. If there's any specific questions I can answer, I'd be glad to answer any of those for you.

I have one question. So where is the savings coming from?

It's the cost of all things across the board. So whether it's from paying the physicians, the staff, to the supplies, to the lab supplies, from keeping the dispensary full, it's across the board.

But how are they getting that savings? I guess are they cutting employees? I mean, there's somewhere that, so how are we providing the same kind of health care with cutting those savings?

That's a great question. It's the same exact service, same exact model. It's just what premise is charging us versus what Symbol Health is going to charge us.

Did you have competition, local competition bid this out?

I did have EAMC was interested. We did have them come over to City Hall and I could tell you that they just weren't ready. Based on their presentation and what they provided, there was several key elements that were requested from me that I couldn't provide because that's the purpose of bidding it out. They just weren't ready for it.

Did you open it up to local physicians here to bid it out, like internal medicine or any kind of internal groups, you know, pediatric clinic, any of those?

We didn't have any interest.

I mean, did you put it out there so they knew it was an opportunity for them to come talk to you all about it?

We did not. We were at the end of our contract and our contract allowed us to either renew the contract or move forward with a separate company.

But just to make no local entities were You didn't interview?

EAMC was the only one that was interested.

Was EAMC the only one interested or the only, again, the only one that knew about the bid that was up?

EAMC was the only one that was interested in presenting a bid to us outside of Symbol Health.

Okay, because I was just trying to understand how EAMC knew that we were getting to this point and nobody else really understood what was happening. I just want to make sure that because we um we have her emails and calls from our local health care providers and we do want to make sure that they have the same opportunity if they have the capacity to provide this and I know when we do other city businesses most of the time there are bids placed out and people are able to look at it and see it And I was just wondering why this one was kind of a little different.

Well, I think the big misunderstanding based on the EMC presentation is this is not bringing a physician's office under the umbrella of EMC. This is an onsite clinic that's more of a specialized clinic for employees only and their spouses, their dependents, the family and the way it's operated. It was very clear to me based on the presentation that they brought. What bring in a physician's office under that umbrella and the key components to that is not the same thing as an onsite clinic and I think a lot of the physicians in the local area the ones that may be interested that's what they're under the the understanding of and that's not the case there's a there's a lot more moving parts to it you know again the small things nothing in the presentation talked about. the cleaning services, the power of the water, keeping the keeping the lights on the small things. But it's more of the sustaining that clinic and how it's actually functionally run versus a physician office. They're not run the same.

Yeah. And I was just was there ever articulated to them so that they would understand what we were looking for as a

Um city to provide and yes, so the gentleman that came over and made the presentation. I did give him some information, but I had to be very careful and what I provided him because again, that's that's the purpose of them coming to give that bid presentation to again, hopefully you know, grab our attention and maybe look, look at them. But I had to be very, very specific and careful on what I provided them.

Yeah. And I understand that, but I was just still kind of looking at, I understand the local doctor's office has made, you know, you feel can or cannot do the job, but just giving them the same opportunity to be able to present and to see if they actually can handle it. Or once they are able to present and they're not a good fit, then we, say no to them but just allowing them the opportunity I think is one of the things now I did have both Dr. Power and Dr.

Mecca of the clinic they were both very interested uh they talked to me uh it came a few weeks ago two three weeks ago Dr. Power reached out to me and she said she's not ready to present she's not ready at this time and that was her her feedback to me

Okay, and will it stay at this particular location?

Yes, there is nothing changing. Same location, same building, 105 North 10th Street, right there at the corner of 2nd and 10th. It's in that strip plaza there. It's the two buildings on the very end. Same exact location.

And I know you may can or can't not tell me this specifics. But is this, I know it's catered to the city of Opelika employees, but is there, because one of the talks is a medical clinic that's not just going to be for our employees. And is this something separate for that or is it planning on being at some point moved out to the industrial parks or they're looking for contracts from other businesses or industries or plants that's within the city that currently uses our local providers?

This is specific to the current clinic that we are been operating since 2013 only. It's for City of Opelika employees, their dependents, and eligible retirees. That is it. Thank you.

What is the responsibility of this corporation coming in and running it? Can you explain that? They're, I mean, they're, are they in charge of hiring the nurses and the doctors? Yes, they are. Can you explain? Yes. Okay, what, and so we provide the building And the utilities, Opelika pays for all that, correct?

Correct. It's all pass-through billing.

So what are they responsible for?

Compliance is the biggest one, medical compliance. Making sure that we stay in compliance year-round. That's the biggest number one thing.

What percentage of our employees use the clinic, you would think?

Real numbers as of today, we have 540 members that are using the clinic. Now we have 425 employees, but 540 that includes dependents, etc. So of 893 eligible employees, we have 540 that are using it.

Repeatedly use it. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

I was going to say that I think the employee clinic is a wonderful idea and I am fully committed to continuing it for, for the city's, city's employees. I think it's, I think it's a great way to help mitigate the cost of a self-funded plan. You know, your, your, your cost or your cost and how you mitigate that. There's, there's many different ways to mitigate that. A, a employer clinic is something that lots of people do i think it's a good idea i think it should continue obviously the city employees really enjoy that and i think that any any effort for us to take that away would be uh misguided um i think the the challenge here is um i think my my thing is we should try to keep care local. We should try to keep business local at any chance we get. And if we were serious about keeping this local, we would put together a request for proposal that would lay out what you actually want, you know, whether you want to stay with the physicians you have or whether you want to, however you want to put that together. And I think anybody that would then try to uh bid on that or you know try to uh solve that solution locally would then have a clear picture of what you know what would be needed um and so i'm not sure i'm not sure where if if that that rfp process if i'm requesting a proposal for a certain thing i think that's how it typically would go so I think it's a great idea, though. I think it's something we need to continue and keep doing it just like it is.

And I would like to add a note. So Simple Health, you know, as we neighbor with our partners next door, they have been operating their on site city clinic since the doors opened as well. So they're they're they're well known in the area. It's a more localized company. Again, they're not a global giant like we deal with right now with premise health, but they are locally known.

Are there any employee satisfaction surveys that have been taken up?

Yes. So employee satisfaction. Every time an employee goes to an appointment, they immediately, whether it's via the mobile app or their email that they have registered with premise health, they get a satisfaction survey. Yes, sir. And do you all get reports back from that? We do. We get I go through a monthly report with the district manager and she briefs me on all feedback.

Yes, sir. Can you just give me a 10,000 views synopsis on what the feedback is? As far as what we're receiving?

Correct. From the current staff, it's excellent care. Excellent care. It's over in the 98 percentile with no exaggeration. They're very, very happy with the physicians and the nurses in the clinic.

So with Symbol, we'll still be getting the same employee satisfaction surveys and everything?

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. The staff will remain the same. There is literally no change in the business model other than the company that's running it and changing the logo on the door.

And is there any and I know this is last minute, but is there any information because we do have to make this informed decision and just want to be able to make sure that we're making the best decision Um, as you all have sought symbol. Um, is there any information that we would be able to get that just lets us know that this was indeed the best route for us to take besides just seeing we get that cut?

You care to elaborate on that?

Yeah.

So when you made the decision to, um, what was it that I guess separated and sold them apart from the other presentation, the cost savings, you know, a business partnership, um, again, standing here before you today, I can tell you working with premise, you know, and I know the city administrator can stand up and vouch for this. We hear from them when something's wrong. We don't hear from them. It's not a business partnership. It's just not a good fit for the city. And I'm looking for the not only the best interest of the city, the employees, their dependents to retirees, but cost savings as well. You know, you can pay a lot of money and not get the best service. And as a matter of fact, I just got the renewal yesterday from premise health. It's going up another $80,000 from from last year with with justification. That's to me, it's not justification. And when I look at that cost savings being a good steward of city money, knowing the record that Symbol Health has, looking at all those factors together, this is a great business partnership as well as a huge savings to the clinic. We're talking $314,000 to $354,000 of immediate real money savings for the same business model.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Auburn, the city of Auburn currently uses, um, simple for their healthcare. Yes, sir. Correct. Mm-hmm um, have we conversed with the HR department in the city of Auburn and what, what would it, what was your discovery there?

Uh, I just talked to her at a conference two weeks ago and she said she wouldn't change a thing.

Very happy with the services. And I apologize because I know that you answered this before when Councilwoman Gianottica asked it, but can you explain again where exactly the savings is coming from, that $400,000 savings? It's all the costs across the board.

Again, so it's categorized in five different areas. So you have your medical personnel, which is the biggest chunk. the two physicians. We have one MP. We have a full time nurse, one part time nurse. That's the the biggest cost. Then you have your your medications, the dispensary for all the prescription medication, and then you have lab supplies miscellaneous from your latex gloves to all the things the nurses and physicians use while you're at a typical appointment. Then you have the medical malpractice insurance, which is a pretty good chunk, and then the management fee. That's broken down by per employee per month and per retiree per month. The retirees don't pay as much as far as an administration fee, but that's where Premise, Symbol Health, they would make the money. It's based on the per employee per retiree per month. And those categories, that's where the total sum of the cost, the annual cost comes from.

So when we're looking at this and we're just changing the name on the door, but we're keeping the same staffing, we're keeping everything else the same. Is that just from company to company? Like they just premise just charges more than simple. So will we be still be using the same pharmacy? All the in-house pharmacy? Yes, sir. So we'll be using the same in-house pharmacy that we currently have? Yes, sir. If this were to get passed? Yes, sir. How is that savings?

As far as from across from pharmacy to pharmacy? Right. Well, currently right now for medications for premise health, it is in the tune of 70. I'm sorry, I take that back $90,345 from two symbol health. The medication is $71,000. So there's a $20,000 just in that category.

Can you go over those numbers with each category that you were talking about earlier? Yes, sir. This is great discovery for us. Okay.

So staffing as a whole, this is the big chunk. So we're comparing 2027 budget to 2027 budget. These are all recent accrued numbers. Premise health. would be $630,948. Symbol, with the same exact model, would be $360,844. On the formulary, the medications, premise health is 90,345, and symbol health is 71,964. Lab supplies, et cetera. Premise mixes the two together and their total is sixty nine thousand five hundred and forty seven dollars. Symbol hasn't broken out separately, so labs are thirty two thousand three hundred. And supplies are twenty seven thousand dollars flat. Then the insurance. Premise Health charges five thousand one hundred and twelve dollars. That's included with Symbol Health. So when we talk about the administration fee, that's included in there. They don't break that out separately. And then we have management fee. So both premise and Symbol Health charge $23 per employee per month, which that comes to a total amount from premise. It is $118,440. and all those categories I just provided you, that's $914,392. Where with Symbol Health, their administration fee, based on actual numbers we have today, it's $111,228. That does not include the few retirees that use it, so that number is a little off. But their total on this one, that's $603,000. $336. So you have a $914,392 versus a $603,336. That's a $314,000 difference.

How does staffing get cut that much if you're not cutting, you're going to have the exact same employees, but how does it go from $630,948 to $360,844? Can I address that? Yes, sir.

Some of the problems that we've been having with the premise is that certain days they'll have two doctors there all day long. making the higher rate. So it's the way they manage their health and what they have there, which have the same coverage because the doctors want to do it that way they love. And we have complained about it and they haven't done anything about it. So it's all in how they manage the clinic to make it the most efficient way. That's that's what's going on.

Yeah, there's one physician that should be there on Tuesdays, one on Thursday and one for the half a day Friday. what's happening is one of them has been coming in an extra day two days plus and that's driving the cost up and obviously based on I know what we're paying them when I say it's all even though it's coming from premises y'all know it's passed through billing so the city's paying that that's a substantial hourly rate and so the the symbol model is going to be nurse practitioner primarily right you're not going to have

not going to have two.

No, what I just gave you is the physicians. There's a separate model that is a supervisory and it's even less cost. So that's a where I told you it was 603,336. That model includes the physicians, the nurse practitioner, and the nurse, the the one and a half FTE of the nurses. So one's full-time, one's part-time. The one where we have a supervising physician, that total cost is 560,373. And that would be a total savings of $354,000. So we're keeping the same doctors? Yes, sir. Same doctors, same MP, same nurses.

They'll just be on a different rotation?

As far as what they work? Currently, yeah. No, sir. Well, again, partnering with Symbol, we want to make sure that the physician that's working the extra hours We're going to push back on that. We want them to work on the days that they're scheduled to work to keep this proposal in line with what it's proposed to be. But then the NP, she's there Monday through Wednesday, and then we have a full-time nurse Monday through Friday, and then we have a part-time nurse that's Monday through Wednesday. And that's just the reason they're scheduled for those dates. Those are the busiest days, the most foot traffic that comes in the clinic, the most days that we see over trending with a three-year look back of the most appointments that are made in the clinic. Those are the three busiest days.

This is really hard because us as a council know more because of things that have been taking on and off the agenda. So with that, we have to include it. The evidence has been presented in front of the jury. Right. And we can't forget it. So if the scale of the clinic were to increase, were to move and to increase, would that increase the overall amount that we're paying for health care if we switch companies?

That's a great question. But the the the agreement that we're going to sign that if it's approved this evening, is for the current clinic. It is no more than literally the same on site clinic. It is not to grow is to maintain that clinic for the employees and their dependents and the couple of retirees that we have.

I know I just need help understanding that encapsulation of what that would look like. Are we would we be getting more staffing? Would we need things like that? Would this cost this? Would this cause this to be more than what we're approving now? We're not moving. I mean, I'm not sure I'm understanding your question. OK, I'll be transparent with it. The the city clinic is has this had on the agenda before about proposing to move out the industrial park and having these industrial partners be a part of it. And we were informed about it and it was on an agenda. And then we had this pushback with our medical partners of people saying that they weren't allowed to be bidded and they weren't allowed to bid on this process. So whenever we came to council that night, it was taken off the agenda. So knowing that ahead of time, that that is what I'm trying to encapsulate is if that is the future, which as far as I know, is would that cost the cause cost to go up?

I mean, hypothetically, yes. But again, this is for the current clinic. This is I mean, anything based on growth.

And so, can I ask a question? And with this amount being so significant from 360,844 by symbol and 630,948 by premise, it's just in my mind also that there's going to be a cost that's made up somewhere because you don't see a significant cut in a budget of a competitor that big and so I'm just to what Todd said, too. We know the proposal has come before us that this will possibly be moved to the industrial park. So what our pause and our reserve is is seeing this large gap and wondering, does Symbol even have the intention? And I know that we're not dealing with Opelika. We're not dealing with them. But is their intention to also drive in other businesses to try to make up this cost? And that's the part that's in our minds that seems like it's just the same model being presented in a different way. to say that it's going to be over here in the clinic and we all know or is alleged eventually that it will be moved or there's conversation about of the clinic being put out there and I don't know if you have knowledge of that or not but we know that and that's what gives that pause and so many questions because we just want to make sure that we're being fair and do the right thing.

Sure, that's a fair question. These two quotes or proposals are literally This was just an annual renewal for premise health. If nothing changes today, the new the budget for this year is nine hundred fourteen thousand dollars. If simple health comes in tomorrow, which would be February 27th, because that's when the contract ends, the cost to us would be either 603 or 560 with a supervisory physician. If you're thinking in the future based on, you know, business partners, that's going to drive costs down. It's not going to drive them up. That's going to drive the cost down, because if there were if that was the future, you know, with more more, you know, sharing the clinic, if that's the right word, they would have their share of their costs. So it would drive our costs as a city down.

So, Brian, you just brought up something that was enlightening. You said February 27th and. Our process and our contract currently is to let them know six months in advance, correct? No, there's a 60-day requirement. 60-day requirement. That's good. Looking at this just theoretically, we still have a little bit of time to discuss and everything, correct? I can't make that decision.

If it's 60 days, then- The requirement to cancel the contract,

If we don't cancel it, it auto renews. That's an auto renewing contract. The requirement is that we must give them a 60 day lead time if we're going to cancel the contract.

So we technically could have until December to figure that part out? Or at least November?

and that's y'all's decision. But there's enough time. I mean, that's just what we're asking from the timeline. You've read this contract. You understand all this. There's a 60-day cancellation policy requirement.

So just to make it straight, we have not approached local physician doctors to do this job.

They have approached us.

They have approached you and you've gotten back to those those that have reached out. You have gotten back all the information just for them to be able to look at it and and come back to you and make a proposal, not just the hospital.

I did not specifically talk to a physician at EMC, but I did talk to Dr. Power, Dr. Mecca and as well as the EMC staff that came over that gave us a PowerPoint, a brief their proposal.

Those are the folks that... And no one else has reached out to you, but maybe other people and... Okay.

And I think with that being said, I do think we should provide them the opportunity to be able to do so. And that just helps us. Well, it helps me as a council person to know that we've done the right thing by giving them the opportunity to at least apply for or bid on it. And then if they can't fulfill it, we at least know that we gave them that opportunity. I know that may sound like we in the business model, but just as my due diligence to vote for it, I just want to make sure we're being fair to our local people. And if that's just my reserve right now.

I would just like to say that in dealing with East Alabama, we understand they told us they had 27 clinics. That means they bought 27 doctors offices off out and call them clinics. So we assume, that those 27 clinics, because they're part of the hospital as a clinic, had the opportunity, if they cared, to be in or do this. I'm telling you, they don't want to do this because it's not in their, what they normally do.

Yeah, I'm not talking about just the hospital by itself. That's not, that's not, they're just the ones that got a chance to present. I'm not referring to the hospital.

It's part of the hospital that they call clinics that are doctor's offices, and we haven't heard a word from any of them

But I think the word has not been out there fair enough. Like we said in the end, this might be the best company to run it, but it hasn't been a fair process.

Mr. President, may I say something?

Yeah, this is open. It's still part of it. We got another minute to discuss this.

When East Alabama Health came and made their presentation, they were not prepared to offer anything beyond the twenty three dollars per person. They did not have any of the other information to do the medical stuff. I told the people from the hospital that after we no longer had a contract with premise that I would be glad to provide them what the charges were, that we paid the premise because we would no longer be obligated to them. so that they could make a better presentation. They cannot make one until they get the numbers and understand what they're bidding on. They were very pleased with that. So if in fact we go to symbol and we give East Alabama other information and East Alabama comes and makes us a better proposal, we have the opportunity to get to take the symbol and tell them we're going to leave in x number of days or months or whatever the requirement is and be able to go to east alabama health right now east alabama health has not made us a proposal that would match in

It kind of falls under, just thinking about it, like a bid meeting specifications. Like when you bid things out to people, certain people will bid, but if they don't meet the specifications, then they essentially have eliminated themselves. It doesn't fall under the bid process, but I'm thinking of it that way. They have to meet the specifications of what we're requiring them to provide.

Well, how did East Alabama Health know about it? were they pursued or was it put out there or who gave them? They called me.

They sought out the mayor.

They called me. When they knew how to, like when they knew that we were looking to change.

They knew that we had a clinic and they said, would you consider allowing us to bid on the claim? And I said, absolutely. And they said, so they did. What's his name? Cal? Gil. Gil.

Okay, based on what I'm hearing, it appears as if a decision will not be made tonight, and we only have so much time allotted for our work session, which means this can carry over to our next meeting. Brian, we appreciate you being here and what you provided for, and hopefully if it does not end tonight, you'll be willing to come back on our next meeting. All right, thank you so very much. And with that being said, we will close our work session and begin our regular meeting. Call the roll. Go ahead and call it in order. It is now a little past 6 o'clock and I will call our September 15th, 2026, Opelika City Council meeting to order. Call the roll, Mr. Jones. Ms. Holmes.

Here.

Ms. Walker.

Here.

Mr. Beams. Here. Mr. Routes. Here. Mr. Allen. Here. We're pleased to have for our invocation, Tim Kirkenick from the Christ of Redeemer Seminary. For our invocation and for our Pledge of Allegiance, we have Aliyah. It was an Emmett Haddock from Southview Primary School. Let us all stand.

The reason that I am the one opening a prayer this evening is because the one asked to lead it, Lincoln Anderson, a resident of Opelika. And a graduate of Christ Radio Seminary passed away suddenly on Friday afternoon. Let's pray for Lincoln's family and for our city. Father in heaven, thank you for the life of Lincoln Anderson. We ask for grace and mercy to be upon his wife, Claire, and son James, the Good Shepherd Anglican Church, and the Christ our Redeemer's 70 families and all who knew him. We grieve, but as the scripture says, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Thank you that Lincoln's faith is now sight and he's now with Jesus. We remember all in our community who have suffered loss, who are dealing with difficult and challenging times. May they look to you, God, to be their source of strength and encouragement. May they find hope in you. Thank you, Lord, for our city. Please bless it for your honor and glory. Guide our city leaders, give them wisdom and good judgment that comes from above. Thank you for your many blessings. We are so grateful for the good news of the gospel that you offer the free gift of salvation through your son, Jesus Christ, for all who believe. God, today and every day, give us eyes to see people as you see them and equip us to love and serve others in both our words and our actions. All this we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Next on our agenda will be the adoption of the agenda. Council members, are there any items that need to be added to remove from the presented agenda?

Mr. President, with the discussion that we just had to the changing of the resolution number nine for the approval of employee clinic services agreement with simple health step resolution solutions.

Excuse me. That would be addressed during the Well, they can remove it.

If he wants to remove it from the agenda, they can make a motion in a second and a majority vote can remove it completely from the agenda. That's what he's wanting to do.

Even if they're not the one that introduced it. That's correct. You sure? Yes.

Okay. I would make a motion to remove it from the agenda, Mr. President. Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion? Okay. With the removal of the said item, is there a motion to accept the presented agenda with the exception of this item?

Well, let's vote on, you need three votes to remove it from the agenda and then you can vote on the amended agenda. You had a motion and a second.

Motion and a second. Any discussion? No discussion. All in favor, let it be known by. I'm sorry. Call the roll.

Ms. Holmes.

Aye. Ms. Holmes. Aye.

Mr. Beam. Abstain.

Mr. Raut. Aye. Mr. Allen.

Nay.

Okay. So it's removed from the agenda number nine, three ayes, one abstain and one nay.

Now with the removal of that said item, I need a motion to accept the Remaining item on our consent agenda, I mean, on our present agenda.

So moved.

Second. Any discussion? Having none, call the roll, Mr. Jones.

Holmes. Aye. Swanton. Aye. Mr. Bing. Aye. Mr. Rauch. Aye. Mr. Allen.

Aye. All voted aye to adopt the rest of the agenda. Next on our approval of the minutes, council members, you received a copy of the minutes from our last meeting on September 1st. 2026 are there any correction addition of deletions if not I will entertain a motion and a second to accept the minutes as presented so moved second thank you so very much Miss Cummings thank you mr. president first of all I'd like to

Tell the council that we have been reviewing a rental tax ordinance that you all have seen that was removed from the agenda. There will be more information coming from Lee's office and my office over the next few days. If you'll watch your email, that information will be coming to you. We also have the financials. I think you have a copy of those. And so if you have a question, call me or Joey or Cindy Boyd. And you also have a copy of the monthly permits for the month of August. We had $21 million in permits issued. That is the third highest amount issued since 2015. So there are a lot of, uh, positive things. Uh, the second page of that year to date, uh, is, uh, right at $320 million. And again, that is the third highest year, uh, since 2016. So at this time, uh, Mr. President, if you would join me, I would like to invite the character council to come to the, uh, front and we will make a present.

All right. It is my pleasure this month. I have the honor of presenting the Citizen of Excellent Character Award. And I'm praying that I can get through this because Ms. Patsy, you're going to have to come up here now. Yes. I hope you got your ears on. She does? That's good. Ms. Patsy, Bill, all the family, y'all want to come up? We're going to love on Ms. Patsy for a minute. Come on. Can you stand? Come on, you can stand right here by me. Hey, baby. It is my honor and privilege to nominate Dr. Patsy Boyd Parker for the citizen of excellent character award for the month of September, recognizing the character trait of dedication. When I think about dedication, I can think of few people who embody the word more completely than Ms.

Patsy Parker.

For decades upon decades, Ms. Patsy has dedicated her life to other people, to children, to education, to her family, to her community, and to the city of Opelika that she has always called home. There probably aren't many people in Opelika who don't know Ms. Patsy, and when you mention her name, it doesn't take long before someone says, she was my counselor, she taught me, or she helped me get a scholarship. Those statements repeat across generations of Opelika families may tell her story better than any list of positions or awards ever could. Born and raised in Opelika, Ms. Patsy graduated from JW Darden High School at only 16 years old. She went on to Alabama State University where she graduated as valedictorian, no surprise, and later earned a master's degree in counselor education from Auburn University, War Eagle. She returned that education to her community. Ms. Patsy taught English and served as a guidance counselor at JW Darden High School, and following integration, became the first black counselor at Opelika High School. She devoted herself to helping young people continue their education, finding scholarships, financial aid and opportunities for students who might otherwise have believed college was out of reach. One of those young people was our own Mayor Eddie Smith, who credits Ms. Patsy with helping make it possible for him to become the first person in his family to attend a four year university. Mayor Smith says, tell me if this is right, I am not sure where I would be today without the love and compassion of Ms. Patsy Parker. He also remembers something many of her former students will recognize. She could be demanding. She saw potential in young people and she expected them to live up to it. As Mayor Smith put it, she helped, quote, A poor kid without much of a future achieved things he never dreamed possible. And I suspect the same story could be told over and over again throughout Opelika with different names. Ms. Patsy called those young people her babies. And she dedicated her life to helping her babies find opportunity. Even after retiring from Opelika City Schools, she did not retire from serving others. She continued helping students at Southern Union State Community College and later on the Opelika City Schools Board of Education, including a chairperson. Her dedication also extended far beyond education. She served for decades on the Opelika Industrial Development Board and the Alabama State University Board of Trustees, where she became the first female chairperson. She has given her time and her leadership to numerous civic and educational and community organizations. Her service has been recognized many times and in 2023, the city of Opelika honored her by naming Patsy Boyd Parker Drive in the Northeast Industrial Park. Those accomplishments are remarkable But if you really want to understand Ms. Patsy's dedication, you have to look beyond the boards, titles, and awards. You have to look at the people. You have to look at the thousands of students she encouraged, the young people she helped find a way to college, the educators and community leaders she mentored, and the countless people who are better today because Ms. Patsy took the time to invest in them. Her dedication was also evident in her family. Ms. Patsy and her beloved husband, Mr. Bill Parker, shared 66 years of marriage before his passing in 2022. I had the privilege of knowing the two of them together, and I always admired the way they looked at one another. After all those years, you could still see how much they loved each other. Their life together was a beautiful example of love, commitment, family, and dedication. For me, this nomination is very personal. I am blessed to call Ms. Patsy my friend. When I served the Opelika School Board of Education, she mentored me just as she mentored so many others throughout her life. She helped me, she encouraged me, she taught me. Over the years, we have laughed together, We've cried together, we've prayed together. Her friendship is something I cherish deeply, and I know my story isn't unique. There are thousands of people throughout Opelika and beyond who could tell their own Miss Patsy story.

Something she taught them, an opportunity she helped them find, a word of encouragement she gave at exactly the right time, or simply the way she made them feel that mattered.

That is dedication.

It is showing up year after year, decade after decade. It is giving your gifts to others. It is loving your family faithfully, serving your community tirelessly, investing in the next generation, and leaving every person you touched better than you found them.

Ms.

Patsy Parker has spent a lifetime doing exactly that. Her influence is woven into the story of Opelika. in our schools, in our institutions, in our community, and most importantly, in our people.

It is with tremendous respect, gratitude, and personal affection that I nominate my dear friend Dr.

Patsy Boyd Parker for the Citizen of Excellent Character Award, recognizing the September character trait.

Standing up here acting like an idiot, but I want to say something. I didn't know this was happening, but this is something I try to say to every one of my first year students. If you can't be a pine on the top of a hill, be a scrub in the valley. But be the best little scrub by the side of the rill. Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a bush, be a bit of the grass. Some highway happier makes. If you can't be a muskie, then just be a bass, but the liveliest bass on the lake. We all can't be captains. Some gotta be crew. There's something for all of us here. There's big work to do and less to do, and the task you must do is in the air. You can't be a highway, then just be a trail. You can't be the sun, be a star. It isn't by size that you win or you fail. But just be the best of whatever you are. Pass that on to your kid for me. Thank you.

And there's one last thing, Ms. Patsy. It says the community of character person of the month. It's a great pleasure that we acknowledge you for your outstanding character within the city of Opelika. Your goodwill towards mankind in our city has not gone unnoticed. We hope that others will see your good works and model your actions. Please be encouraged to continue making a difference in the city of Opelika and throughout this world this whatever day of September it is. I love it.

All right, ready? One, two, three. One, two, three.

Mr. President, the first public hearing tonight is for a weed abatement assessment at 509 First Avenue.

I declare this public hearing open. If anyone wants to speak for or against this item, please come to the podium to my left.

State your name and address. Remember, you have three minutes to speak.

Having none, I declare this public hearing closed.

Second public hearing is for a weed abatement assessment at 208 Cedar Creek.

I declare this public hearing open. Anyone wants to speak for or against this item, please come to the podium to my left. State your name and address. And remember, you have three minutes to speak. Having none, I declare this public hearing closed.

Third public hearings for a weed abatement assessment at 1520 Clinton Street.

I declare this public hearing open. Anyone wants to speak for or against this item, please come to the podium to my left and state your name and address. And remember, you have three minutes to speak. Having none, I declare this public hearing closed.

Fourth, public hearings for a weed abatement assessment at 1408 Magnolia Street.

I declare this public hearing open. Anyone wants to speak for against this item, please come to the podium to my left and state your name and address. And remember, you have three minutes to speak. Having none, I declare this public hearing closed.

Fifth and final public hearing is to amend the text of the zoning ordinance. This is in regards to the regulation of package stores in Opelika.

I declare this public hearing open. Anyone wants to speak for or against this item, please come to the podium to my left and state your name and address. And remember, you have three minutes to speak. Having none, I declare this public hearing closed. Agenda-related public comments, Mr. Jones.

Okay, if you'd like to speak to the mayor of the council about anything that's currently on tonight's agenda, please come to the podium to my left. If you have not, please sign the sign-in sheet with your contact information. If you do speak, please state your name and your address. Please keep it at three minutes or less. I will remind everyone that item number nine has been removed from the agenda, so we can't have any comments on that. And before the meeting, the proposed rental, short-term rental ordinance was removed as well, so it's not currently on the agenda tonight.

That's a good comment in the non-agenda.

Yes, you can comment on anything in the second roster of comments, yes.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. Next item on the agenda is the adoption of consent agenda. Does any council member wish to remove an item from the consent agenda and address it as part of our regular agenda?

And again, this is without number nine.

Having none, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda with the removal of number nine?

So moved.

Second. Call the roll, Mr. Jones.

So moved. Aye. Swalwell. Aye. Mr. Bean.

Aye.

Mr. Raut. Aye. Mr. Allen.

Aye.

All voted aye to approve the unanimous consent agenda.

Resolutions, Mr. Streese.

Thank you, Mr. President. Our first resolution is to approve a right-of-way encroachment agreement with the East Alabama Health Care Authority for medical arts parking on First Avenue.

Is there a motion for approval?

So moved.

Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion? Having none, call the roll, Mr. Jones.

Holmes. Aye. Swallow. Aye. Mr. Babes.

Abstain.

Mr. Rupp. Aye. Mr. Allen. Aye. Motion carries, four ayes, one abstain.

Our second resolution is to approve a weed abatement assessment at 509 First Avenue.

Is there a motion for approval? So moved. Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion? Having none, call the roll. Mr. Jones? Holmes?

Aye. Swatland? Aye. Mr. Bean?

Aye.

Mr. Raut. Aye. Mr. Allen. Aye. All voted aye.

Our third resolution is to approve a weed abatement assessment for 208 Cedar Creek.

Should be Cedar Creek Drive.

Is there a motion for approval? So moved. Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion? Having none, call the roll, Mr. Jones.

Ms. Holmes. Aye. Ms. Watley. Aye. Mr. Bean. Aye. Mr. Raut. Aye. Mr. Allen. Aye. All voted aye.

Resolution number four is for the approval of a weed abatement assessment resolution at 1520 Clanton Street. Is there a motion for approval?

So moved. Second.

Any discussion? Having none, call the roll, Mr. Jones.

Soames. Aye. Swartley. Aye. Mr. Beings.

Aye.

Sorrell. Aye. Stroud. Aye. Hold it up.

Fifth resolution is for the approval of a weed abatement assessment at 1408 Magnolia Street.

Is there a motion for approval?

So moved.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Having none, call the roll. Mr. Jones.

Ms. Holmes. Aye. Ms. Watley. Aye. Mr. Beans.

Aye.

Mr. Raut.

Aye.

Mr. Allen.

Aye. All voted aye.

Ordinance number one is a second reading to amend the text of the zoning ordinance regulation of hemp stores in Opelika.

Is there a motion for approval? So moved. Second. We have a motion and a second. You get that?

Ms. Holmes?

No. She was second. Any discussion? Having none, call the roll, Mr. Jones.

Ms. Holmes? Aye. Ms. Wally? Aye. Mr. Beans?

Aye.

Mr. Rowe? Aye. Mr. Allen? Aye. All voted aye to approve.

Ordinance number two is to approve leasing a portion of 1103 Glen Street to the Lee Russell Council of Governments for the Senior Center. This is the first reading.

Yeah. May I? We ran out of time in the work session. I was going to ask if y'all would consider suspending the rules on this. It's not a big deal. I think it's October 3rd is when the lease runs up. So it's up to y'all. But I would request it if.

I move that we suspend the rules.

Well, we got to intro it first, then motion to suspend, then motion to approve.

All right.

So, Mr. President. Okay. I'd like to ask a member of the council to introduce this ordinance for first reading.

My pleasure.

And at this time, I will ask the council members for a motion to suspend the rule on the ordinance number two.

So moved.

Second. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Having none, call the roll.

Ms. Holmes. Aye. Ms. Walton. Aye. Mr. Beans. Aye. Mr. Rauch.

Aye.

Mr. Allen.

Aye.

I have unanimous consent to suspend the rules.

Okay, now I will entertain a motion to approve Orders Number 2. So moved.

Second.

Any discussion? Having none, call the roll. Mr. Jones.

Aye. Ms. Walton. Aye. Mr. Beans.

Aye.

Rout. Aye. Mr. Allen. Aye. All voted out to approve. Thank you.

Ordinance number three is to amend the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual for Sexual Abuse Prevention Policies. This is the first reading.

I'd like to ask a member of the council to introduce this ordinance for first reading.

My pleasure.

Thank you. Ordinance number four is for first reading to amend the text of the zoning ordinance regarding the regulation of package stores in Opelika.

I would like to ask a member of the council to introduce this ordinance for first reading. Thank you. Second roster public. Comments, Mr. Jones.

Okay, if you'd like to speak to the mayor or council about anything else tonight, please come to the podium to my left. Like earlier, sign in the sign-in sheet, contact information. If you do speak, please state your name and your address. Please keep it a three minutes or less. Thanks. Anything? Yes, ma'am.

Hello, everyone.

My name is Ebony Gilbreth McLeod. I live at 2164 Chapel Lane in Opelika. First city council meeting, so don't know exactly how this goes, but I actually have a question and a concern, which is about, so I live in the Hidden Lake subdivision. which is near Southern Union, Opelika High School, and the shopping area where the Winn-Dixie was removed. So I feel like I'm in a food desert. So I wanted to know what are the plans to put, hopefully, a grocery store in that area where Winn-Dixie was removed.

Thank you.

Sorry, we can't answer questions right now.

Thank you.

Susan Bolt, 1188 East University Drive, Auburn. I wanted to speak tonight about the short and long term rental ordinance that I understand has been tabled. But as many of you know, I'm very passionate about the Constitution and constitutional rights and therefore property rights. I've been before this council before. Some of you are new, but I've been here before over this same thing four years ago when it came up. My concern is that this ordinance that is being proposed does violate the Constitution and my rights, property rights, all the citizens' rights. Fourth Amendment, we should have a protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, but yet this ordinance takes that away. Our 14th Amendment is supposed to provide us with due process. What due process is going to exist for the property owners before they're penalized denied a license, or subjected to enforcement actions. Our 14th Amendment is supposed to allow equal protection, yet y'all have decided to tax short-term rental and long-term rental properties, yet you're doing nothing for similarly situated properties of homeowners. You can drive through a neighborhood and you can't tell the difference whether somebody owns that property or whether it's a long term tenant. And a lot of times on the short term rental properties, you can't tell that either. So what we have going on here is nothing less than discrimination. Can't do that. You have to treat similarly situated properties the same. And Mayor, I'm really disappointed with you because you know this came up four years ago when it was repealed. It wasn't suspended, it was repealed. It was based off of a case in Centerpoint, Alabama. It is unconstitutional and you are a local boy done good and you were supposed to protect those of us who have been long-term residents and I'm perturbed. You know better, and I can't figure out why you sponsored, or at least your name is a sponsor on this ordinance. Why is that? You know better. It's irritating that I have to come up here and spend my time protecting my rights when you know it ain't constitutional. Irritated, and I wanted to tell you face to face. There's also a provision in there that for business licenses on long-term rentals, you want to charge a 1.5% rate on gross receipts with a minimum of $100. And on commercial rentals, you want to charge 0.025 of gross revenues. 60%, 60 times more on residential properties than commercial. Help me understand that. And help me understand why the city of Opelika deserves a single penny more. I'm not getting any extra services by y'all allowing me to have a business license. What are you providing for me once you tax me more? We need less government. We need less regulations. And citizens, thank you for letting me know about this. We all need to stay involved because this is not right. I'm really disappointed in you.

Emily Key, 202 Fifth Avenue. Good evening, Mayor Smith and Council. My name is Emily Key, and for over 10 years, I've dedicated myself to providing affordable housing for low income residents in Opelika. We are actively saving properties on the brink of demolition while also building new units to combat the affordable housing crisis that we have here in our community. I'm here tonight to urge you to reconsider the proposed amendment to our city ordinance in regards to business licenses for rental properties that was set to be on the agenda this evening. I am grateful that it was removed, but I know that it will be back. If this ordinance passes as it is currently written, the city creates a terrible incentive It will discourage local dedicated builders like myself from creating low income housing. It will force existing mom and pop landlords to pass these operational costs on to the tenants. For a family living paycheck to paycheck in our city, even a minor rent increase can trigger housing instability. We should be incentivizing the creation of affordable roofs, not taxing them. Furthermore, business licensing laws are designed for commercial trade, health facilities, or consumer goods. Applying them to residential tenancies ignores the specialized nature of housing laws, which heavily protect tenants right to their home. For 10 years, I've been a partner in Opelika's growth by keeping members of our workforce, our seniors and our low income families housed. Do not make it harder for all of us to do this work. Please rework this licensing amendment in a way that truly benefits the residents of Opelika. Let's focus on policies that encourage housing construction rather than add a sweeping tax that targets our most vulnerable neighbors. Thank you.

Good afternoon, everyone. Now that we got all the numbers out of the way, let me tell you what it's gonna do to these tenants.

Name and address, please. I need your name and your address.

State your name and your address.

Annie Jones, 2H. 200 Lee Road, 2H. What was your name?

Annie Jones.

Annie Jones.

You got it?

Thank you.

You're welcome. We're always talking about affordable housing, affordable housing, affordable housing. What do you think that this bill is going to do if it passes? You're going to have people living on the bridges. You're going to have people homeless and it's not affordable for them to pass on this because we have to pass it on to the tenants. The material cost has gone up. Food gas costs have gone up. This is not the time to be playing with someone's life. We all have an income where we can make it. But think about the small tenants, the constituents that voted for you that cannot do the same thing. It's easy to sit high and not look low, but we can't forget about the tenants. This is who it's gonna affect. We'll be okay, but the cost of material and the cost of supplies and labor has skyrocketed. And so for this to be passed, it's going to be passed on to the tenants. And then you're gonna have houses that's probably gonna sit there because we're unable to rent them. And then where's this gonna go? So we have to think about others. Fat wallets, the tenants don't have fat wallets. They just don't have it. Some of them are now looking for $500 and $600 housing. But landlords cannot afford to rent that place for that, because guess what? Half of them destroy your property before you can even get six months out of it. And then you're in court trying to get them out. You got those losses. All this cost is going to be passed on to the tenants and back to the landlord. It's not a big profit to be doing this. And this is definitely not the time in this economy. You're doing too much.

Ms. Jones, did you sign in? I will. There's a sign-in sheet right outside that door on the left. That way, if they want to get in contact with you, they can, okay? It's right outside on your left.

Good evening. Justin Vosser, 728 McDonald Drive and here in Opelika. I'm back. Two weeks ago, I came to the city council meeting to talk about the Waverly Woods project. It's still going on. They have since detonated no less than four days worth of explosives back behind our house. The red dust is still a problem. And out of all the people in the city that I've talked to, There's only one person that's bothered to contact me, and that's Lee. Lee has gone above and beyond to keep me in the loop as much as she can, but even she's been shut out of information. I'm not fighting the development. I fought it back when it was in the Planning Commission. It got voted on, it passed, but well, that's how the city grows. I'm not bitter about that. What I am upset about is the fact that I can't even get a blasting schedule. I can't even get the courtesy of saying, hey, we're going to blast on Wednesday. We can give you like hours of 8 to 12. I can call Point Broadband and they'll give me, hey, you know, your internet service is out. We'll be there Wednesday between 12 and 2. And they'll give me a phone call before they get there. And you bet that they'll be there. And I guess that's the difference between private sector and public sector. Because what the city's response to this is worthless. It's absolutely worthless. You're the city. You're supposed to protect your constituents. The people that voted for you. The people that may not vote for you next election cycle. May vote for some fresh faces. That's your job. I feel like I have to come in here and be a parent. I have two small girls that are screaming every time the blast goes off because it sounds like a bomb going off in the back yard. less than 200 feet for the first four. Four blasts. Another three the next day, another two the next day, and three yesterday. Shook the house. Every time there's a blast, I have to go around the base of the house, check the foundation. I've gotta go around the inside of the house, make sure nothing's falling off the walls. Or God forbid that there's any structural damage on the inside. Now I know none of you have to deal with that because you're not sitting next to a development. None of you have to deal with the red clay that's constantly in the air, that's coating everything, and then have to deal with AGX coming by and putting an envelope in your mailbox that says current resident. Couldn't even be bothered to look up the owner of the house. or who lives there. And you know what it had? It had some informal greeting about partner progress and two tickets to Kiwi Car Wash.

Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Kevin Royal. I live at 401 North 9th Street in Opelika. I'm one of the partner physicians at Internal Medicine Associates in Opelika, and I originally came to speak regarding the city's not necessarily the city's employee clinic, but the plans for that clinic to be expanded to promote those services and give those services to private industry and their employees who have private insurance. But I came in just as you guys were asking, and I appreciate the thoughtful discussion you had and the thoughtful questions you asked about that clinic. I would set one thing straight is that you know we are the largest primary care clinic anywhere around and we were not approached about this. I came the first time the building contribution from the city council for the industrial park clinic was here and that got pulled off the agenda so I did not speak that night but at the time I let it be known hey we're here we're happy to help If we can be a part of a solution, I don't want to be somebody who just comes up and complains. If I can help make a solution for our city, I'd like to do it. But we hadn't heard anything else until the last couple of weeks when I realized this is sort of coming back. And I think it's pretty well known that the ultimate plan is to expand this clinic into the industrial park in a building that's being provided by the OIDA and to offer services to businesses that are part of the industrial park who have private insurance. The problem I have is that basically you're using money from the taxpayers, the health care providers included, to subsidize our competition. I take care of patients that work at every business in that industrial park. And if that clinic comes in to a building where they don't have to pay rent, where they don't have to pay utilities, and they provide services to those patients, well, that hurts my clinic. But not just my clinic, any clinic that provides primary care services in this community. That includes the pediatric clinic. Uh, my wife has a clinic that serves, uh, kids. So it hurts all of those folks. So, um, I would just urge you to, to get some assurances that that's not something that's gonna happen. I agree with Chuck, uh, the city's self-employed or self-insured, sorry, self-insured and, and there is a incentive to control costs. And so I understand that this entity that insures itself wants to have a clinic for its employees so it can control costs, but that's a very different thing. from expanding that clinic into the private market. I pay for my own utilities. The roof leaks in my building, I dip it in my pocket, and we get money out and pay for it. We don't have somebody else providing those things for us. So I just think, in the sense of fairness, that's not something that should happen. And again, I would just say we're happy to be part of any solutions. I just don't want to be up here complaining. But again, I appreciate the thoughtful discussion you had earlier. And you guys, I sent an email for your review. And feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions. Thank you.

I'm Sue Ellen Talickson, 910 David Street, Noblika. I, too, am glad that there is the clinic for city workers, but I do not at all feel comfortable or support expanding that for private citizens. We subsidize that, and it's taken money directly out of small businesses like Kevin and Ellen's. It's pretty hard to recruit physicians here to start with. Getting through medical school is no small feat. I just can't fathom you guys being in competition with them. That just seems wrong to me. I think it is wrong. And for the workforce support campus, what if next you decide that a health food store would be great for workforce support? Well, then that would put Dayspring out of business. Once you start down that road, where does that stop? I mean, I just don't think the city should be in that business for a lot of reasons. I don't think that's what you guys really do. I think you've got plates overflowing with projects and problems like out the wazoo. I mean, how could we possibly afford to build that building when we can't afford to complete the sidewalk on Renfrew? I've got one third of a sidewalk there. I mean, there's people walking on our street every single day. A lot of kids. We've got people on walkers walking on that street. Two super dangerous corners, but we can't afford to finish it. How could we possibly be doing that? You know, and tons of people in Opelika need help with health expenses. How could we be subsidizing, you know, People who work at these large corporations, they have health insurance. And so I think we want to really, really not just have good intentions, which I know that you guys all do, but sometimes there can be really, really negative consequences that result from very good intentions. And so I would like to see just some common sense, let's get back to the business of taking care of Opelika, we've had so much growth and so much expansion here. We've got the moratorium. As far as I know, there's only been one online survey and one public meeting in a year's pretty short. So, you know, let's focus on the things that really matter to all of Opelika, not just what's good for industrial development. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.

Thank you. Character trait of the month, dedication, self-sacrifice, and devotion and loyalty. And at this time, I entertain a motion to adjourn this meeting.

So moved.

Second. Call to roll, Mr. Jones.

Ms. Holmes. Aye. Ms. Whatley. Aye. Mr. Babes.

Aye.

Mr. Routt. Aye. Mr. Allen.

Aye. Meeting's adjourned.