Jun 01, 2021 City Council

>> SPEAKER: WE ARE GEORGE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

[00:00:02]

I WILL OPEN UP TONIGHT CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 1, 2021.

ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL)

>> SPEAKER: WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND THEN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

(RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE)

(SILENCE) >> SPEAKER: PLEASE BE SEATED.

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS.]

(VIDEO PLAYING) >> SPEAKER: WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR JUNE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AND MANY OF OUR GREAT EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR SERVICE AWARDS.

TODAY I'M PROUD TO PRESENT YOU OUR JUNE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.

I HAVE A MEMORANDUM HEAR FROM GREG NELSON OUR CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF AUBURN TO MEGAN CROUCH OUR CITY MANAGER. IT IS MY HONOR TO NOMINATE THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE 2021.

SERVING AS THE GIS ANALYST AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT SHE IS RESPONSIBLE WITH CURATING AND DEVELOPING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE WITHIN AND THROUGH OUR MAPPING TECHNOLOGY.

HER EXPERTISE IN THIS POSITION PROVIDES VALUE ACROSS ALL CORNERS OF THE ORGANIZATION SUCH AS OPTIMIZING THE FIRE DIVISION'S RESPONSE TIMES, FLYING DRONES TO DOCUMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS, HELPING DEPARTMENT STREAMLINE OPERATIONS AND PRODUCE MAPS TO VISUALIZE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.

IDENTIFYING AND FOMENTING NEW TECHNOLOGY IS AN EVERYDAY PART OF HER JOB. AS SUCH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCES IN THE CITY PICKED THE EMERGENCE OF DRONES AND REGULATION THEREOF HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SUCH COMPLICATED AND IMPACTFUL SOLUTION.

WORKING WITH AUBURN UNIVERSITY TO MANAGE A GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM SHE MAKES ACCESSIBLE TO THE CITY EVEN MORE NOVEL TECHNOLOGY. SHE EXEMPLIFIES EXCELLENCE.

SHE ARTFULLY COMMUNICATES COMPLEX IDEAS IN A WAY THAT ALL TEAM MEMBERS CAN SEE THE VISION AND HAS THE DISCIPLINE TO EXECUTE THE TEDIOUS WORK THAT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS. THE MASTERY OF HER CRAFT, ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE ACROSS DISCIPLINES, AGILITY TO DESPOND TO CHANGE AND SELFLESS DESIRE TO SEE ALL SUCCEED ARE EMBODIED IN HER WORK. HER IMPACT AND IN OUR DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY SURELY MAKES LARA WORTHY OF BEING CELEBRATED AS A JUNE 2021 EMPLOYEE FOR THE MONTH (MUSIC PLAYING) I'M PROUD TODAY TO RECOGNIZE OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR FOR OUR BRING TO THE SCHOOLS BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE NORMALLY DO AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING LIVE EACH AND EVERY YEAR BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS YEAR THINGS ARE DIFFERENT. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, CITY COUNCIL HAS HAD A GREAT LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND ONE OF THE WAYS WE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IS TO RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING PEOPLE THAT WORK AT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. AS WE ARE DOING TODAY RECOGNIZING THOSE TEACHERS. I HAVE A RESOLUTION HERE THAT I WILL BE READING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE LOOKING AT AND EVALUATING AND HOPEFULLY IMPROVING TOMORROW NIGHT AT OUR GENERAL COUNSEL MEETING. WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES THAT QUALITY SCHOOLS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF A PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY, AND WHEREAS THE COMMUNITY -- TEACHER DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO EMPOWER THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WITH KNOWLEDGE AND WHEREAS AUBURN TO THE SCHOOLS STRIVE FOR

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WHEREAS OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS IS NAMED MICK DETRICK ALL OF HER ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND KIM JOHNSON OF AUBURN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IS THE SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF Y'ALL THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN OUT A BETTER COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATES THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES FROM AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION BE SPED UP ON THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING AND A COPY PRESENTED TO EACH HONOREE. ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF AUBURN NALA THIS FIRST DAY OF JUNE 2021.

AUBURN. WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL IS PLEASED TO HONOR OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS, ITS FACULTY AND STAFF AND STUDENTS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, AND WHEREAS THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM CLAIMED THE 2021 ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CLASS 7 A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN A SERIES AGAINST HOOVER. AUBURN TIGERS 19-2 IN GAME ONE BEFORE LOSING GAME TWO AND FINALLY CAME OUT ON TOP 7-6 AND THE EXCITING GAME THREE TO BE THE CHAMPIONS.

THE TWO TEAMS BATTLE FROM A SIX HOURS THE DOUBLE-HEADER UNTIL THEY GAME ENDING RELIEVER RYAN OLSON -- WHERE ARE YOU RYAN? HIS MOTHER WANTED TO MAKE SURE I RECOGNIZED HIM.

STRUCK OUT THE FINAL BETTER WITH THE TYING AND WINNING RUNS ON BASE. WHEREAS THIS MARKS THE FIFTH CHAMPIONSHIP IN AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL'S VARSITY BASEBALL CROAK PROGRAM. FIVE TIMES WE HAVE DONE THIS.

WHEREAS PATRICK MCGLON WAS NAMED THE SERIES MVP AFTER GOING THREE FOR FOUR WITH TWO RBIS IN THE SERIES DECIDING GAME.

AND WHEREAS THE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CONSISTS OF HENRY EVAN, RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE HERE. RYAN AUSTIN, RILEY AUSTIN, JOHN BENEFIELD, TODD CLAY, CONNOR COSBY, NATHAN FOSTER, BRADY FULLER, DAVID HIXON, PATRICK MCGLON, JACE NORTON, RYAN OLSON, TANNER PHILLIPS, EVAN POPE, MATT RHODES, CALEB SANDERS, SULLY SPEAKS. GRIFFIN STEWART, JACK TO EA, WILL TURNER, WEBB VERONESE, TANNER WALDROP, BRENDAN WALL, JASON WATERS, PEYTON WILLIAMS AND WALKER ZAPP.

IF WE LEFT SOMEONE OFF PLEASE FORGIVE US.

NOW BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN ALABAMA THAT OUR COUNCIL RECOGNIZES AND FORMALLY CONGRATULATES THE PLAYERS, COACHES FROM AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND THEIR EXEMPLARY EFFORTS IN REPRESENTING AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS AND OUR COMMUNITY THE CITY OF AUBURN.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION BE SPREAD UPON THE MINUTES AND PRESENTED TO COACH MATT CIMO AND HIS TEAM THIS WILL BE READ AND PRESENTED ON TUESDAY NIGHT AT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WHICH IS JUNE THE 1ST 2021.

CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS. (MUSIC PLAYING) WHERE IS THE CITY COUNCIL IS PLEASED TO HONOR AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL WITH THE FACULTY STAFF AND STUDENTS FOR THE EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENTS BOTH IN THE CLASSROOM AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. AND WHEREAS TO AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL GOLFERS WERE STATE CHAMPIONS IN THE 2021 AUBURN ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CLASS 7A GOLF ASSOCIATION. SEVENTH-GRADER KATE HA WON THE GIRLS INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENTS AT THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FIRING 369. AND WHEREAS TIGER SOPHOMORE WILLIAM STELT WHEN THE BOYS INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT WITH A THREE UNDER 68 WHEREAS BOTH AUBURN HIGH BOYS AND AUBURN HIGH GIRLS TEAMS FINISHED IN THIRD PLACE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE TEAM STANDINGS AND WHEREAS HA NOT ONLY FIRED AT THE LOWEST SCORE AMONG 7A COMPETITORS AND MAKE OLEA GROVES IN MOBILE BUT THE SEVENTH-GRADER FIRED THE LOWEST SCORE IN THE COURSE OUT OF ANY GROSS GOLFER FROM ANY CLASSIFICATION.

CONGRATULATIONS. THAT'S AWESOME.

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CONGRATULATIONS. (MUSIC PLAYING) WHEREAS AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL'S TRAY REYNOLDS RECENTLY WON THE 2021 ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CLASS 7A INDIVIDUAL TRACK STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 110 HURDLES.

WHEREAS TREY A MEMBER OF AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL'S CLASS OF 2021 FINISHED WITH A TIME OF 13.94 SECONDS AND IS NOW THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL RECORDHOLDER IN THE 110-METER HURDLES.

WHEREAS TREY WAS ALSO THE CHAMPION AT THE PRESTIGIOUS MEET OF CHAMPIONS IN MOBILE AND THE SAME EVENT.

TREY FINISHED HIS SEASON WITH A SECOND PLACE FINISH IN THE STATE DECATHLON MAKING HIM THE THIRD MAIL IN AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TO FINISH SECOND. HE SCORED A NEW SCHOOL RECORD OF 5897 POINTS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN A MOTHER THAT THE COUNSEL HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND FORMALLY CONGRATULATES TRAY REYNOLDS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND EXEMPLARY EFFORTS REPRESENTING AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS AND OUR CITY , THE CITY OF AUBURN.

CONGRATULATIONS, TREY.

>> SPEAKER: I WANT TO THANK PAUL AND CEDRIC FOR HOSTING THAT DAY. IT WAS VERY MEANINGFUL SERVICE AND VERY APPROPRIATELY DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH OPELIKA'S POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LEE COUNTY SHERIFF.

WHAT A GREAT EVENT. I ENCOURAGE EACH OF US.

I BELIEVE IT ROTATES BETWEEN THE THREE ENTITIES.

NEXT YEAR IT WILL EITHER BE AT THE COURTHOUSE OR OVER AT OPELIKA. IF WE WILL DONE.

VERY NICE TIME AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

ALSO THAT WAS THE DAY OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING. AS OPPOSED TO BEING IN THE ARENA WITH 800 PEOPLE WE WERE AT THE HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER WITH A FEW LESS PEOPLE THAN THAT. I APPRECIATE THE CHAMBER WANTED TO TAKE THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING CITIZENS OF AUBURN WHO HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.

THEY RECOGNIZED MR. BOBBY ABRAMS WITH THE CHAIRMAN TOWARD WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GIVES EACH AND EVERY YEAR. WE TALKED ABOUT MR. ABRAMS AND HIS COMPANY A LOT DURING THE PANDEMIC ESPECIALLY.

HE WAS CERTAINLY AN APPROPRIATE PERSON FOR US TO RECOGNIZE.

I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS THAT THEY PUT IN TO MAKING THAT HAPPEN. YESTERDAY THE MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION RECOGNITION REMEMBRANCE WAS OUT HERE AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE STAFF THAT PARTICIPATED IN THAT MAKING IT A VERY APPROPRIATE EVENT.

THE WEATHER WAS SPECTACULAR. I THOUGHT THE WORDS OF DR. BEATTY WERE PARTICULAR POINT OF THE DAY.

ARE SINGERS OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND TAPS AND THE BAGPIPES AT THE END, WE WERE VERY BREAST TO HAVE THOSE PEOPLE WANT TO PARTICIPATE WITH US AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE EFFORTS THAT WENT TO MAKING THAT A VERY SPECIAL EVENT.

SPEAKING OF YOUNG PEOPLE, YESTERDAY AFTERNOON LATE A YOUNG MAN WHO GREW UP HERE IN AUBURN AND WENT TO LEE SCOTT WON THE NCAA MEN'S INDIVIDUAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP.

A YOUNG MAN NAMED TURK PADDOCK WHO HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY ALL OF HIS LIFE AND CHOSE TO GO TO CLEMSON TO PLAY COLLEGE GOLF. HE IS NOW THE NCAA COLLEGE CHAMPION BUT WE ARE VERY PROUD OF TURK FOR DOING THAT.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE WITH MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS.

ANYBODY ON THE COUNSEL OF ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

>> SPEAKER: I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SCHOOL BOYS LACROSSE TEAM. THEY HAD A SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

I THINK THEY FELT SLIGHTLY SHORT OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP BUT THEY DID A TREMENDOUS JOB THIS YEAR. KUDOS TO THEIR SUCCESS.

AND I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND OUR PARKS AND ON CITY MARKET.

IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR.

IT WAS PACKED EARLY EARLY. I JUST WANT TO SAY MY

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THAT AS WELL. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

>> SPEAKER: I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO ACTUALLY CAME OUT AND ENJOYED THE FESTIVITIES ON MAY 22 FOR THE UNSUNG HEROES DAY. IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.

IF YOU CAME OUT YOU LEARNED A LOT.

THE PROGRAM, THE CELEBRATION, CEREMONY WAS OUTSTANDING.

WE HAD A GREAT SPEAKER. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT ON JUNE 19 THERE WILL ALSO BE A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT SAM HARRIS PARK. THAT IS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 19.

IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH JUNETEENTH, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COME OUT AND LISTEN TO SOME OF OUR GUEST SPEAKERS TALK ABOUT THE OCCASION. WE HAVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, WE HAVE FREE FOOD, GAMES, AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.

AND THAT IS GOING TO BE -- THE PUBLIC IS INVITED AND THE CELEBRATION WILL START AT 10 AM AND GO UNTIL EVERYBODY LEAVES.

AROUND THREE OR 4 O'CLOCK, SOMEWHERE LIKE THAT.

EVERYBODY IS WELCOME TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THAT DAY ALSO.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, CONNIE. I APPRECIATE YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORTS. ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNSEL?

>> SPEAKER: I JUST SPENT 30 MINUTES THAT IT TUMORS CORNER.

SOME OF YOU WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE TUMORS SIT IN, A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAT AT TUMORS CORNER BETWEEN THE HOURS OF FIVE AND SEVEN FOR THE LAST YEAR, RAIN, HAIL OR SHINE.

I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AND APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THEY SIT THERE AND THEY ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC WITH FRANK CONVERSATIONS AND MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE.

I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE DEDICATION THAT THE CORE GROUP THAT SHOW UP EVERY DAY HAS DISPLAYED IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT DIRECTION THEY TAKE NOW AFTER HAVING ONE SOLID YEAR BEHIND THEM.

I'M CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIND A PLACE IN THIS

COMMUNITY. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE? I FORGOT TO MENTION AUBURN 2040 THE PORTAL IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO SIGN UP. ALL OF THE EXPLANATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEAMS IS AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND I REMIND YOU THAT IF YOU DID THIS LAST YEAR WE NEED TO DO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR SIGN UP DOESN'T COUNT FOR THIS YEAR SO PLEASE GO BACK IN AND CONSIDER WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED. WE WILL KICKOFF JULY 15.

I SEE THIS AS A PROJECT THAT WILL TAKE SOME TIME IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER SO WE NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE EXCITED ABOUT IT AS WE PLAN AUBURN'S NEXT 20

YEARS. >> SPEAKER: I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND EVERYBODY WE HAVE ASSISTED -- CITIZEN, BY SAYING THEY WERE HAVING TROUBLE TO SIGN UP.

IF YOU GO TO CITY HALL AND THE LIBRARY, PARKS AND RECREATION, ANY CITY FACILITY AND SOMEBODY CAN HELP YOU GET SIGNED UP.

DON'T LET THAT BE AN IMPEDIMENT. IF THERE IS AN ISSUE CALL US OR STOP BY AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WE HAD SOME DISCUSSION. FIRST OF ALL WE STARTED OFF WITH RECREATION AUTHORITY AUTHORITY WHERE THE COUNSEL APPOINTED BRAD MARTIN TO BEGIN A TERM THAT WILL START ON JUNE 21 OF THIS YEAR TICKET IS A FOUR-YEAR TERM. AND THEN WE HAD A ROBUST DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COX ROAD WIDENING PROJECT AND THE STRIPING OF THAT ROAD AND THE CITY COUNCIL ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA.

IT WILL BE THE LAST THING ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT, THE TIME FOR THAT IS COMING UP ON ITEM NUMBER SIX. BEFORE WE GET THERE ITEM NUMBER

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]

IS THERE REPRESENTATIVE? >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME AGAIN. CAMP FRESHMAN ORIENTATION IS IN FULL SWING. I'M A COUNSELOR SO IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN. THEY STARTED LAST WEEK AND WE HAVE THREE FULL-DAY SESSIONS A WEEK.

A FEW VIRTUAL SESSIONS COMING UP.

MORE PEOPLE ARE SIGNED UP IN PERSON.

THIS IS OUR LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS TODAY TO AS BRINGING IN A LOT OF REVENUE DOWN TOWN TO ALL OF THOSE BUSINESSES AND A LOT OF TOURISTS HAVE ALREADY COME TO AUBURN IN THE FIRST WEEK.

EFFECTIVE TODAY AUBURN UNIVERSITY WILL BE REQUIRING MASKS IN CERTAIN AREAS, CLASSROOM, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

OTHER THAN THAT IT WILL BE KIND OF UP TO THE UNIVERSITY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

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LASTLY OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPRESENTING HAD A GREAT BREAKFAST WITH MARY AND HER'S AND CITY COUNCIL CROUCHED.

WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF SELECTING TWO TO THREE STUDENTS TO BE PLACED ON THE AUBURN COMMITTEE SO WE CAN FURTHER THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE STUDENTS ON EACH OF THOSE COMMITTEES. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I HAVE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[6. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS.]

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS NEW ITEM THAT WILL BE ON OUR AGENDA RELATED TO COX ROAD AND THE STRIPING OF COX ROAD, THIS WILL BE THE TIME FOR YOU TO DO THAT.

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING ON THE COUNSEL.

I'M JACKSON 506 AVENUE A OPELIKA I'M HERE ON A SITUATION AND I'M SURE A LOT OF YOU ALL ARE AWARE OF WHERE OUR PRESIDENT IS TODAY.

HE IS OUT IN TULSA. HE IS DEALING WITH 100 YEAR PROBLEM THAT WE FAILED TO FACE AS A COUNTRY.

AND INJUSTICE THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME.

I AM HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE OF AN INJUSTICE THAT I FEEL THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO PEOPLE THAT LOOK A LOT LIKE ME.

THAT INJUSTICE IS OUT ON COX ROAD WHERE THERE IS AN ANNEXATION THAT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE HERE PER THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION.

COUNCILMAN TAYLOR AND I STARTED WITH THIS PROBLEM WHEN PEOPLE CAME TO HER ABOUT A PROPERTY THAT WAS PRESENTLY IN THE COUNTY WE WENT TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE ADDRESSED THAT PROPERTY MATTER THAT CONCERNS MR. PAINTER, WHICH ARE PAINTER IGNORED THE PEOPLE. HE EVICTED SEVERAL PEOPLE.

EVADED THEIR TENANT RIGHTS, JUST TOTALLY IGNORED IT.

SO I'M REALLY SPEAKING TO YOU GUYS BUT I'M ACTUALLY SPEAKING TO THE DEVELOPER THAT IS PURCHASING THE PROPERTY.

THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE. THAT ZONE WAS CREATED NOT BY YOU GUYS, NOT BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA, BUT BY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. GIVING WHOEVER DEVELOPS THAT PROPERTY CERTAIN TAX ADVANTAGES. THOSE ADVANTAGES WILL BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS.

EVEN THOUGH THE CITY OF AUBURN WILL NOT REAP SEVERAL OF THOSE TAX ADVANTAGES WORK MR. PAINTER AND DEVELOPER WILL CAPITALIZE ON THAT BECAUSE OF HOW HE EVICTED THESE PEOPLE RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC THESE PEOPLE HAD TO MOVE OUT, MOVE THEIR KIDS FROM ONE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO ANOTHER, HAD TO ABSORB ALL OF THE COST OF MOVING, AND, ETC. THE OPPORTUNITY ZONE DOESN'T ALLOW THAT. IT SAYS THAT IF YOU DISPLAY SOMEBODY, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THEIR EXPENSES.

MR. PAINTER TOTALLY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE, OUR MEETINGS.

WE CAME HERE, YOU GUYS HAD EVERY RIGHT TO DENY HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IN THE CITY.

BUT IT IS GOING TO BE ZONED TONIGHT, I BELIEVE.

THE DEVELOPER WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT MR. PAINTER WRONGFULLY EVICTED? I'M GOING TO CONCLUDE HERE BECAUSE MY TIME IS RUNNING OUT. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THESE PEOPLE THEY ARE GOING TO GO AND THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO GO ON WITH THEIR LIVES. KIDS THEY WILL GO ON.

THAT IS CLEAR GENTRIFICATION, AS CLEAR AS THE BELL THAT RINGS LIBERTY, THOSE PEOPLE HAVE CIVIL RIGHTS, THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TENANT RIGHTS, AND WE ARE ADAMANTLY PURSUING IT.

WE WENT TO, THE COURTS DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND AN OPPORTUNITY TO ZONE BECAUSE AUBURN DIDN'T HAVE ANY BECAUSE OF ITS ECONOMIC BASE. BUT THIS WAS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY. SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? YOU GUYS BRING IT IN. MR. PAINTER, HE MAKES HIS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON HIS DEVELOPMENT.

THE DEVELOPER, HE MAKES HIS TAX BREAKS ADVANTAGES.

THE PEOPLE GET WHAT? THEY GET SHAFT.

PEOPLE OF COLOR IS ABOUT TO BE TIED OF THIS KIND OF ACTION.

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BUT I TELL YOU TONIGHT, WE WILL SIT MISTER PAINTER ON NOTICE THAT WHAT HE HAS DONE IS WRONG AND YOU GUYS NEED TO ADDRESS IT FROM SOME ANGLE. I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT I'M PUTTING HIM ON NOTICE TONIGHT THAT WE ARE CONTACTING HUD AND WE ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT IF HE IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT TAX BREAK THAT THESE PEOPLE WILL BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR LOSSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE I SIT?

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, SIR. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS RANDALL MCDANIEL I'M IN AUBURN CITIZEN FOR A LONG TIME. AUTOMOBILE DRIVER, RESIDENT OF WARD EIGHT. I LIVE AT 2169 TAMPA DRIVE IN AUBURN. TOMMY'S MY REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS COUNSEL. WE LOVE HIM TO DEATH IN OUR AREA. WE DON'T THINK THAT HE IS TRYING TO PROFIT FROM THIS BICYCLE PATH HOWEVER, I LEAD A BICYCLE GROUP ON SATURDAY MORNINGS, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN US AROUND TOWN.

WE CALL IT THE BICYCLE AND BREAKFAST GROUP.

IT'S A CASUAL BUNCH. WILL RUN SOMETIMES TEN PEOPLE, SOMETIMES 20. WE USED TO BE ON COX ROAD EVERY SATURDAY MORNING OR A LOT OF SATURDAY MORNINGS AND FOUND THAT IT JUST WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND I THINK TO MR. PARSONS COMMENT, MOST CYCLISTS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME BARRIER OR RELIEF BETWEEN CARS AND THEM SO THEY DON'T GET RUN OVER.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK REALLY FOR THE PROPOSAL TO CONTINUE THE PROPOSAL THAT IS BEEN MADE TO HAVE TWO BIKE LANES.

WHY NOT GO WITH A MULTIUSE PATH? WHY NOT GO WITH A SUICIDE LANE? THOSE ARE NOT GREAT IDEAS FROM A BIKER'S POINT OF VIEW.

THE MULTIUSE BIKE PATHS THAT I HAVE BEEN ON TYPICALLY HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WALKING OR RUNNING, WHICH IS EXCELLENT.

BUT A LOT OF THEM ALSO HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A DOG OR TWO UNLEASH. PEOPLE HAVE THEIR EARBUDS IN, IT'S A LITTLE BIT HAZARDOUS FOR BIKERS TO BE ON THAT.

ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY THE ADVANTAGE OF THAT SORT OF THING IS PARENTS CAN LET THEIR SMALL KIDS RIDE A BIKE AND THE WAY AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND IS COMFORTABLE TO HAVE A BIKE PATH OR MULTI-USE PATH FOR THAT GROUP.

MOST OF THE BIKERS THAT WANT TO GET ONE PLACE OR THE OTHER EITHER EXERCISE OR ARE TRYING TO RUN ERRANDS OR WHATEVER, WOULD PREFER A BIKE PATH. SOME SEPARATION OUT OF THE TRAFFIC BUT BY THE ROAD SO THEY ARE NOT AS MANY STOPS AND PROBLEMS AS YOU ARE ROLLING ALONG.

THE IDEA OF A 6-FOOT BIKE PATH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD IS JUST SOMETHING SO APPRECIATED BY THE BIKE COMMUNITY.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE LOOKED FORWARD TO.

ONE OF THE ISSUES WE HEAR ABOUT AUBURN IS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF BIKE PATHS OR BIKE LANES THAT START FROM NOWHERE AND ENDED NOWHERE. BUT THAT SORT OF A TEMPORARY THING. WE ARE EXPECTING THOSE TO BE PULLED TOGETHER AND CONNECTED OVER THE YEARS SO THAT WE REALLY HAVE A BIKE FRIENDLY CITY. AND THAT YOU CAN GO FROM PLACE TO PLACE AND DO YOUR SHOPPING, DO YOUR EXERCISE, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT SOLELY ON A BICYCLE. WE THINK THAT SORT OF THE WAY TO GO. AS A MATTER FACT, I READ RECENTLY IN THE NEW YORK TIMES THAT IN 2020 BICYCLE SALES ZOOMED OVER 40 PERCENT HIGHER, AND FOR EBAGS, ELECTRIC ASSIST BIKES, OVER 150 PERCENT INCREASE IN SALES.

WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS THAT PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND I THINK IT'S THE WAY OUR SOCIETY IS GOING, ARE RECOGNIZING THAT CARS AREN'T THE ONLY WAY OF GETTING AROUND.

THERE ARE OTHER WAYS AS EFFICIENT OR MORE EFFICIENT AND BIKING IS ONE OF THOSE WAYS. ANYTHING WE CAN DO IN THIS COMMUNITY TO MAKE IT MORE BIKE FRIENDLY I THINK THE BETTER COMMUNITY WE WILL HAVE. PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO ME WHEN I SEE WE HAVE A LARGE STUDENT POPULATION THAT USED TO BE ON THE ALBERT BIKE COMMITTEE AND WE LOOK AT TRYING TO GET STUDENTS COMING FROM NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST IN THE CAMPUS WHERE THEY COULD COME BY BIKE AND NOT BRING A CAR EVERY DAY. THAT WOULD BE MY GOAL TO SEE US HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

[00:30:02]

THE ONLY CONCERNS I HAVE WITH MULTIUSE, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT USE IT, IT'S NOT A GREAT BIKE PATH FOR MOST OF US.

THE IDEA OF A TURN LANE FOR A BICYCLIST IS SCARY.

THE IDEA THAT I'M GOING TO BE DOWN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD AND SOMEBODY'S GOING TO WHIP OUT OF TRAFFIC TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WILL BE COMING RIGHT AT ME. THAT IS A CONCERN.

I JUST DON'T THINK THOSE TWO SOLUTIONS ARE AS GOOD AS A BIKE PATH. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND I HOPE YOU WILL GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE PLAN.

>> SPEAKER: NAKED, MR. MCDANIE, MR. MCDANIEL.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

MY NAME IS KIRK IVERSON I LIVE AT 647 SHAWNEE STREET IN AUBURN.

FOUR. I RIDE BIKES WITH RANDY.

I ALWAYS HEAR GOOD THINGS ABOUT MR. DAWSON SO I THINK EVERYBODY HERE CARES A LOT ABOUT MAKING OUR TOWN BETTER AND I THINK EVERYBODY HERE SUPPORTS CYCLING. I'M A CAR DRIVER TOO AND I'M A PEDESTRIAN TOO. I DO ALL OF THOSE.

I REALLY LIKE TO RIDE MY BIKE. I WAS ON THE BIKE COMMITTEE FOR 15 YEARS STARTING IN 2020. I WAS CHAIR OF THE BIKE COMMITTEE FOR FOUR YEARS. I WAS AROUND WE DID A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT MADE AUBURN ONE OF THE FIRST BIKE FRIENDLY CITIES IN ALABAMA. RIGHT NOW WE ARE ONE OF TWO BIKE RIDING FACILITIES IN ALABAMA. WITH THE GROWTH OF AUBURN, IT'S NOT AS SAFE TO RIDE AROUND HERE AS IT USED TO BE.

THERE'S MORE PEOPLE, MORE CARS, MORE PEOPLE COMING TO AUBURN TO DO A LOT OF GOOD THINGS. WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER. LOOKING BACK ON WHAT WE WERE PLANNING, THE BIKE PLAN, THE AUBURN BIKE PLAN, I THINK HAS ALWAYS ENVISIONED SOME KIND OF BIKE FACILITY ON COX ROAD.

IT HAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED A FACILITY ON WIRE ROAD BETWEEN WHERE THE CURRENT JOANNA HOYT BIKE PATH AND MATT COX AND WHERE THE UNIVERSITY BIKE PATH AND BIKE LANES AND AT WEBSTER.

THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN WEBSTER AND COX THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FILLED IN I THINK WHEN THEY WERE MAKING THE JOANNA HOYT BIKE PATH THEY RAN OUT OF MONEY SO IT ENDED AT COX BUT THE INTENTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO CONNECT IT TO THE REST OF THAT PATH AND TO THE UNIVERSITY PATH THAT GOES ALL THE WAY INTO CAMPUS.

I WAS INVOLVED IN GETTING THE FUNDING AND PLANNING FOR THE CAMPUS FACILITY ALSO. I THINK AS RANDY ALREADY SAID, WE RIDE ON COX QUITE A BIT. IT TENDS TO BE ON THE WEEKENDS.

I USE TO LEAD A WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDE THAT'S NOW A THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE BUT WOULD TAKE SOME CYCLISTS AND RIDE AROUND TOWN IN THE EVENING. IS SORT OF, MOSTLY FOR RECREATION. ON THAT RIDE BUT IT'S ALSO SHOWING CYCLISTS HOW TO RIDE PROPERLY THROUGH TOWN AND TO BUILD THE SKILLS UP A LITTLE BIT.

I STOPPED WRITING ON COX WITH THAT GROUP BECAUSE IT'S TOO DANGEROUS NOW ON AN EVENING RIDE.

I STILL RIDE ON SATURDAYS, EVEN NOW PROBABLY BE WRITING THIS SATURDAY. IT'S INTERESTING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW. WE GO SLOW AND CAREFUL AND WE ARE VERY CONSIDERATE OF THE CARS AND MOST OF THEM ARE CONSIDERATE TO US. IT STILL OKAY.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ROUNDABOUT WHICH SHOULD MAKE LIFE EASIER. I WILL SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I WAS AROUND WHEN THEY PUT IN THE SANFORD EXTENSION THAT GOES FROM UD OVER TO GLENN. ORIGINALLY THAT PLAN CAME DOWN AS JUST ONE MULTIUSE SIDEWALK ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THAT WAS IT FOR BIKES. OTHERWISE IT WAS CAR TRAFFIC.

SO WE MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER FIRST AND A BUNCH OF CITY ENGINEERS TO TALK ABOUT IT. WE EXPLAINED OUR POINT OF VIEW.

IT WAS LIKE WHAT RANDY WAS SAYING ALREADY.

IF NOT GOOD TO MIX CYCLISTS GOING BETWEEN TEN AND 20 MILES AN HOUR AND PEDESTRIANS, KIDS, DOGS, WHATEVER GOING ZERO TO TWO OR 3 MILES PER HOUR. IS BETTER TO BE ON THE ROAD FOLLOWING TRAFFIC IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE TRAFFIC.

OBEYING THE TRAFFIC LAWS JUST LIKE THE CARS DO.

WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF CONTROVERSY WHEN IT WAS PROPOSED TO CHANGE IT TO THAT, TO THE CURRENT STATUS.

IN FACT, THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM AWARD EIGHT AT THE TIME SPOKE UP

[00:35:05]

IN TERMS OF EXPENSE. THE COUNCIL VOTED AND SUPPORTED IT AND IT WAS BUILT. AT THE FOLLOWING, THE COUNCIL MEETING AFTER THAT, THE GENTLEMAN SPOKE UP AND SAID HE HAD BEEN AGAINST IT NOW THAT IT WAS DONE HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST STREETS IN AUBURN NOW WITH THAT. OTHER EXAMPLES, LONGLEAF IS AN EXAMPLE OF A POORLY DESIGNED ROAD.

THERE IS A MULTIUSE SIDEWALK. NOTHING FOR BIKES ON THE STREET.

YOU ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE WALKING OR BIKING VERY SLOWLY.

CHILDREN, OLDER PEOPLE TRYING TO STAY OUT OF THE STREET.

BUT THE REST OF US ARE CONTENDING WITH CARS.

THERE IS A TURN LANE BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE OUR LANES ANY WIDER. THAT'S THE EXAMPLE OF A BAD STREET. WE DO RIDE THAT IN DAYLIGHT TIME

BUT STAY AWAY FROM IT. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH

WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> SPEAKER: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COUNSEL, MEMBERS, YOUR HONOR, CITY MANAGER, EVERYBODY ELSE, MY NAME IS KEN PYLANT.

I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN WARD FOUR WITH BRETT SMITH ON ANNA LOU DRIVE, 1400 AND LOU DRIVE. HOWEVER, I GREW UP ON 2010 THE ROAD 12. ANYBODY KNOW WHAT WE RODE 12 IS? TOMMY DOES. TRICK QUESTION.

LEE ROAD 12, MY PARENTS BOUGHT SOME ACREAGE OUT THERE.

IN THE EARLY '80S. THAT'S COX ROAD.

COX ROAD WAS ADOPTED I WOULD SAY TEN OR 15 YEARS AGO BY THE CITY

AND IT IS TOTAL PATCHWORK WITH. >> SPEAKER: IT LIKELY WAS A NEGOTIATION WITH COUNTY WHERE CAME IN TO THE CITY'S CONTROL.

>> SPEAKER: IT WAS A COUNTY RODE WHEN I GREW UP ON IT.

I WANT TO MAKE IT KIND OF CLEAR WHERE I STAND.

I'M NOT AGAINST BIKERS OR BIKE RIDERS.

I GREW UP WISHING I COULD HAVE A PLACE TO RIDE.

I GREW UP ON A GRAVEL RODE, VERY DIFFICULT TO RIDE A BICYCLE ON.

NEEDLESS TO SAY. BUT ALSO FEEL IT KIND OF IMPORTANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OF A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, SHALL WE SAY. IN MY PERSPECTIVE IS GROWING UP ON COX ROAD, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME THINGS THAT ARE UNPLEASANT AS IT RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRAFFIC.

WHEN I WAS 16 I WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE ON A TRACTOR HAULING HAY. TWO YEARS BEFORE THAT MY FATHER WAS HIT ON ANOTHER TRACTOR ALSO HAULING HAY.

WHEREAS I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT JUST LIKE THE CYCLISTS WANT SOME TYPE OF IMPROVEMENT ENHANCEMENTS THAT HELPS THEM FOR THEIR SAFETY, I THINK THERE'S A WHOLE ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE.

WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY ALL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE IN MOTOR VEHICLES TOO? WE GET AN ACCIDENT AS WELL.

IF I WOULD HAVE HAD A TURN LANE THEN, I WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN HIT. I WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, TAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN, PUT A TURN SIGNAL OUT, IT DIDN'T STOP AND GENTLEMEN, THE YOUNG MAN, FROM PASSING ME GOING UPHILL INTO TOWN GOING UP TOWARDS SUNSET.

IT DIDN'T STOP HIM. KIND OF LIKE WHAT TOMMY WAS SAYING. LINED DON'T STOP PEOPLE, ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST, AND THEN SITTING BACK AND LISTENING TO EVERYBODY TALK AND I HAVE A LIST, A FULL PAGE OF LIST OF NOTES.

I'M NOT GOING TO READ FROM THAT THE ONE COMMON OCCURRENCE I KEEP REDUNDANTLY HEARING IS, WE ARE TRYING TO PUT THINGS TOGETHER THAT DON'T MIX. THEY DON'T HAVE ANY BUSINESS BEING TOGETHER. I THINK KELLEY, MR. GRISWOLD, MR. PARSONS, TO THE CYCLISTS THAT CAME, MR. MCDANIEL, IVERSON, I TRY TO WRITE YOUR NAMES DOWN, AND ANYONE ELSE -- IT'S NOT TO PREVENT YOU, BUT I THINK THAT THE CITY, ME AS A

[00:40:04]

IT'S A VERY STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN.

TRAFFIC COUNTS HAVE INCREASED. WHY ARE WE TRYING TO STILL -- WHY ARE WE TRYING TO MIX OIL WITH WATER? THERE ARE OTHER PLACES THAT THEY SEPARATE THEM.

WHY NOT TAKE THE TAX DOLLARS AND DO MAYBE A BETTER MULTIUSE PATH? OR PERHAPS ALABAMA STATE LAW SAYS IF I INTERPRET IT CORRECTLY THAT IF A MUNICIPALITY PROVIDES A PATH THAT IS DESIGNATED FOR BIKERS, THEY ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO USE THAT PATH.

THAT'S HOW I INTERPRET IT. SO WHY NOT DO SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF THE ROAD? LET'S NOT COMPETE.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WIN, NOT AGAINST A MOTOR VEHICLE.

I DON'T WALK IN THE ROAD. IT'S DANGEROUS.

LET'S GET THE CYCLISTS OUT. I PROBABLY WOULD BE MORE INCLINED, I'M OVERWEIGHT, OUT OF SHAPE, I COULD PROBABLY BENEFIT FROM A BIKE RIDE TO BE HONEST. BUT YOU ARE NOT EVER GOING TO SEE ME COMPETING WITH A VEHICLE OR AN 18 WHEELER TRAVELING 60 MILES AN HOUR. IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE I WOULD WIN.

THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME AND SPEAK TO YOU TONIGHT.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: EVERYTHING HE SAID. I LIVE IT 2021 FIELD VIEW AND I AGREE WITH HIM. UNLESS YOU LIVE OUT THERE I DON'T THINK -- LISTEN TO WHAT TOMMY SAID, THERE'S SO MUCH TRAFFIC OUT THERE. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE HOW MUCH TRAFFIC COMES OFF OF 85 IN THE MORNINGS GOING TO OFFER AND GOING FROM AUBURN. BACK TO MONTGOMERY AND OTHER PLACES. I'M NOT ANTI-CYCLING.

I THINK IT'S GREAT. BUT LIKE YOU SAID, I HAVE HEARD NO LESS THAN THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE SAY WE DON'T RIDE BIKES OUT THERE ANYMORE BECAUSE IT'S DANGEROUS.

I THINK THEY ARE ALL CORRECT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS. I DON'T THINK IT MAKES ONE BIT OF DIFFERENCE WHAT Y'ALL DECIDE. WE SHOULDN'T BE ADVOCATING TO BRING WERE PEOPLE OUT THERE RIDING BIKES.

IN MY OPINION. I APPRECIATE YOU FOR LISTENING.

I APPRECIATE THE TIME. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, SIR.

>> SPEAKER: WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS DAN TITLE I LIVE ON TOWN CREEK DRIVE. I'VE HEARD EVERYBODY AND I KIND OF FEEL FOR SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID.

I DON'T THINK EVERYONE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CYCLISTS ARE TALKING ABOUT WRITING ON THE ROAD.

WE KNOW THE ROAD IS DANGEROUS. IT'S NOT SOMETHING -- IT'S HARD TO MEASURE BUT YOU CAN FEEL IT. YOU KNOW WHEN THE MIRROR IS 6 INCHES FROM YOUR HEAD AT 35, 40 MILES PER HOUR.

COX ROAD IS LIKE THAT. IT'S A DANGEROUS ROAD RIGHT NOW MATTER WHAT YOU GUYS DO IF YOU STRIPED STRIKE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, MAKING IT WHITER IS GOING TO MAKE IT SAFER.

THEY WILL HAVE A SAFER ROAD. FOR CYCLING AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT IS SOME ROOM. THERE IS A LOT OF DANGEROUS ROAD IN AUBURN. AUBURN IS NOT, AND -- IT'S NOT BIKE FRIENDLY. IT'S NOT A CITY THAT ADVOCATES CYCLING. I HAVE CYCLED IN OTHER CITIES AND I RIDE AROUND HERE AND IT IS SOMEWHAT DANGEROUS.

SO WHAT YOU DO IS YOU PICK YOUR STREETS.

WE WOULD LOVE TO GO -- WHEN WE CYCLE WE GO ANYWHERE FROM TEN TO 40 OR 50 MILES PER HOUR. WE ARE NOT GOING TO WRITE OUT OF TOWN WANT TO GO OUT IN THE COUNTRY OR TO THE ROADS.

THAT'S WHY THERE SHOULD BE BASICALLY A ROUTE AROUND AUBURN.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH COX ROAD.

YOU ARE MAKING IT PART OF THAT ROAD.

IT'S A CONNECTOR. I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT DO WE WANT TO BE A CITY THAT ADVOCATES CYCLING OR DO WE NOT? RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE NOT DOING THAT. WE ARE KIND OF, OKAY, THIS IS A CAR ONLY ROAD. WELL, I THINK YOU CAN DO BOTH.

IF YOU WERE TO ASK ME RIGHT NOW WHAT YOU SHOULD DO, YOU SHOULD HAVE A CENTER LANE, TWO REGULAR LANES AND 26-FOOT BIKE LANES.

[00:45:04]

I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BIKE LANES NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. I THINK YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB JUST WIDENING IT. AND I THINK YOU WANT TO DO THAT FOR WIRE ROAD AND A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER ROADS.

>> SPEAKER: MEGAN, LET THE ASK A QUESTION.

THE POSSIBILITY OF DOING EVERYTHING.

WE COULD DO THAT BECAUSE THE RIGHT OF WAY.

>> SPEAKER: I DEFINITELY WAS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH THE DECISION WAS MADE ABOUT WIDENING THIS ROAD.

I WILL HAVE THE CITY ENGINEER FRASER EXPLAIN THE NUANCES AND WHY IT'S NOT CURRENTLY WIDER THAN IT IS.

>> SPEAKER: IT GOES BACK TO THE TRAFFIC ANALYSIS THAT WE DID IN 2019 TO DETERMINE IF TWO CLAIM TO BE SUFFICIENT WITH THE BIKE LANES AS OPPOSED TO THREE LANES AND/OR FOUR LANES.

BASED ON THE VOLUMES TO LANES IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE FOR SIEBEL

FUTURE. >> SPEAKER: BUT ALSO TO THAT END FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE, YOU HAVE STUDY IS ONE PIECE OF IT BUT THERE WERE OTHER CHALLENGES.

IF YOU WERE JUST GOING TO MAKE IT WHITER NOT JUST INCREASING COST BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

>> SPEAKER: YES, WITH A YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SITE ISSUES SO WOULD HAVE TO HAVE INITIAL RIGHT-OF-WAY TO MAKE IT WHITER

THAN IT IS NOW. >> SPEAKER: ONE FINAL COMMENT.

WE KNOW WHAT'S DANGEROUS AND WE ALSO KNOW WHAT SAFE.

THERE ARE ROWS THAT YOU THINK ARE NOT SAFE AT ALL THEY ARE VERY SAFE. A LOT OF THEM ARE FOUR LANES.

WE HAVE A NICE BROAD SHOULDER THAT IS PAVED ON THE SIDE, BICYCLISTS LOVE THAT. YOU CAN GO WITH THE TRAFFIC, EVERYONE STAYS AWAY FROM US EVEN IF THERE IS A NUMBER OF US.

WE CAN POP OUT AND PEOPLE CAN GO AROUND US.

WE KNOW WHAT SAFE AND WE KNOW IT'S NOT SAFE.

COX ROAD IS NOT SAFE AND I THINK A BIKE LANE, WHAT A BIKE LANE DOES, IT ACTUALLY PROTECTS THE CYCLIST.

PEOPLE FOLLOW THE LANES. WE KNOW THAT TWO WHITE LINES, TWO LINES HERE PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW THAT.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY IF YOU HAVE A CENTER LANE. I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SITUATIONS LIKE THAT. YOU ARE GOING TO BE 2 FEET INTO THE LANE. I TELL MY WIFE, I TELL MY KIDS WHEN THEY RIDE A BIKE, DON'T RIDE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN A CAR IS COMING. YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND MAKE HIM SEE YOU. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FLASHING LIGHT, MAKING SLOW DOWN AND GO AROUND YOU.

IF NOT HE'S GOING TO PASS SHE WAS 40 MILES PER HOUR AND BE VERY CLOSE. THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, DAN. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS TIM MCDONALD (INDISCERNIBLE) THIS IS MY VERY FIRST COUNCIL MEETING.

>> SPEAKER: IT'S ALL GOOD. >> SPEAKER: I'M A CYCLIST.

>> SPEAKER: COULD DO STEP NEARER THE MICROPHONE.

>> SPEAKER: I'VE BEEN A CYCLIST HERE IN TOWN FOR MANY YEARS AND I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT OUR MANAGEMENT THAT WAS A COUNTRY RODE AT ONE TIME. I USED TO CYCLE DOWN AT ALL THE TIME. WAS A GREAT ROUTE AND I STOPPED WHEN THE INTERCHANGE WENT IN AND THE TRAFFIC LEVELS -- IT BECAME IN THAT HOUSE. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT PUTTING LINES OUT THERE, I DON'T CARE WHICH LINE TO PUT THEIR, IT'S PROBABLY STILL GOING TO BE A MADHOUSE AND I WON'T RIDE DOWN ANYMORE. IT GETS TO A FEW PLACES I WANT TO GET TO ON A BICYCLE, BUT IT'S NOT A GREAT THING.

IT'S NOT A ROUTE I'M GOING TO USE ALL THE TIME.

BUT I WANT TO REEMPHASIZE WHAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER SAID THAT THIS I LOOK AT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITY TO SUPPORT CYCLING, ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. I LOVE CYCLING.

I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT. I COMMUTE ON MY BICYCLE TO WORK, I RIDE THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK OUT IN THE COUNTRY.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT IN THE COUNTRY SAFELY AND ENJOY.

ANYTHING Y'ALL DO TO SUPPORT THAT I AM IN FAVOR OF.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO.

I KNOW YOU HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITY IN YOUR HEARTS AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, JIM. COME BACK AND SEE US.

WHO WILL BE NEXT? WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.

[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.]

CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS. >> SPEAKER: UNDER CITY MANAGER

[00:50:02]

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]

IS ANY COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBER WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM IN THE CONSENT AGENDA AND DEAL WITH ITEM INDIVIDUALLY?

>> SPEAKER: ANYONE? IF NOT, AS THEIR MOVE TO APPROVE

THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> SPEAKER: SO MOVED.

>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY I I. (VOICE VOTE)

CONSENT AGENDA HAS BEEN APPROVED >> SPEAKER: UNDER ORDINANCES

[9. ORDINANCES.]

THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING.

>> SPEAKER: WHO FOR APPROVAL. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.

>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING OR HEARING NONE, WE WILL STILL DO A ROLE CALL ON THIS.

>> SPEAKER: IT IS AN ORDINANCE. >> SPEAKER: LINDSAY?

(ROLL CALL VOTE) >> SPEAKER: ITEM 9A2 IS A SECOND READING FROM A REQUEST FROM HARRY AND ALLISON PAYNTER TO ANNEX APPROXIMATELY 33.47 ACRES LOCATED NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD A INTERSTATE 85.

THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING.

>> SPEAKER: MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.

>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE COUNCIL? SEEING OR HEARING NONE, LINDSAY, ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL VOTE)

>> SPEAKER: ITEM 9A3 IS MICHAEL ALLEN HOMES TO ANNEX APPROXIMATELY 13-POINT TO 7 ACRES LOCATED CHANGING THE SPD

[00:57:04]

>> SPEAKER: I INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASKED FOR

UNANIMOUS CONSENT. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.

>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. ANYONE HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE THIS EVENING? ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> SPEAKER: I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THIS ACTION AND WE HAD QUITE A FEW CONSTITUENTS AND RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ADDRESSED THIS MEETING.

I DO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN WE CAN HOPEFULLY MARRY THIS SPEEDS A BIT BETTER. AND GET TO 35 INSTEAD OF 40.

BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT DIDN'T WARRANT THAT SO WE WILL TAKE MAYBE -- BABY STEPS AS NEEDED.

>> SPEAKER: AND AS A FEW OF YOU HAVE ASKED, IN DUE TIME WE WILL STUDY IT AGAIN AND I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY AT THE REQUEST OF SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS WE STUDY THIS AND WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT HAD BEEN STUDIED SINCE THE CITY TOOK THE ROAD OVER FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

THIS STUDY DID WARRANT. OFTEN A SPEECH THAT HE DOESN'T WARRANT LOWERING THE SPEED REDUCTION.

THAT IS WHY IT IS BEFORE YOU. >> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER, TO

QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? >> SPEAKER: I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH MAYOR PRO TEM WITTEN. THIS IS LONG OVERDUE.

THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: GOOD FOR BOTH OF YOU. YOU BOTH ADVOCATED FOR THIS AND GOOD FOR Y'ALL AS WELL. LINDSAY?

(ROLL CALL VOTE) >> SPEAKER: UNDER RESOLUTIONS

[10. RESOLUTIONS.]

THIS ITEM WAS POSTPONED FROM MA. A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.

>> SPEAKER: MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.

>> SPEAKER: HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

WE WILL OPEN PUBLIC HEARING IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY THAT I

MOTION CARRIES. >> SPEAKER: ITEM 10A TO HIS REQUEST FROM GONZALEZ-STRENGTH & ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF HARRY AND ALISON PAINTER FOR CONDITIONAL USE OF AGRICULTURAL USE TRACTOR SUPPLY AND SALES/REPAIR FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF COX ROAD AND INTERSTATE 85 IN THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS APRIL 8, 2021, MEETING.

THIS ITEM WAS POSTPONED FROM THE MAY 18, 2021.

A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED. >> SPEAKER: MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

[01:00:04]

>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND.

THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN FOR PUBLIC HEARING.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL GIVE US NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY I I. THE MOTION CARRIES.

THIS NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA DOES IMPACT A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY FOR VERY LONG TIME SO I WILL BE LEAVING THE MEETING AND TURNING THIS OVER TO MS. WITTEN FOR THIS. I WILL BE BACK.

>> SPEAKER: MAYOR PRO TEM WITTEN COUNCIL, ITEM 10A3 IS A REQUEST FROM PARKER LEWIS ON BEHALF OF GAAL OWNER CARE OF CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC TO AUTHORIZE A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION TO THE CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL FOR COMMERCIAL ENTERTAINMENT USE HOTEL FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 202 WEST MAGNOLIA AVENUE ALSO

KNOWN AS THE GRADUATE HOTEL. >> SPEAKER: MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? ANY QUESTIONS? SEAT NONE ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY I.

MOTION PASSES. >> SPEAKER: GREG WILL GET MAYOR

ANDERS. >> SPEAKER: WHILE WE ARE PIVOTING TO ITEM 11A ANOTHER ITEM OF BUSINESS I WILL HAND OUT THE DRAFT RESOLUTION.

[11. OTHER BUSINESS.]

>> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE ANOTHER ITEM OF BUSINESS, ITEM 11 A A RESOLUTION WAVING AN INFORMAL POLICY TO ADD BIKE LANES TO COX ROAD AND REPLACE THE BIKE LANES WITH A TWO WAY LEFT TURN LANE. IF IT'S AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL I READ THE DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR EVERYONE.

THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT AMENDING A CONTRACT IT'S JUST AMENDING AN INFORMAL POLICY AND SO THAT'S WHY IT'S DRAFTED IN THIS MANNER.

WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUBURN ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH JLG ENTERPRISES LLC TO WIDEN COX ROAD TO 36 FEET TO INCLUDE 212-FOOT VEHICLE LANES AND SIX-FOOT BIKE LANES ON EACH SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM FIELD VIEW DRIVE TO WIRE ROAD AND WHEREAS THE COX ROAD WIDENING PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF AN 8-FOOT MULTIUSE PATH ON THE EAST SIDE OF COX ROAD FROM LONGLEAF DRIVE TO WIRE ROAD AND WHEREAS AS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AUBURN BICYCLE PLAN THERE EXISTS AN INFORMAL POLICY TO ADD BIKE LANES TO CITY STREETS IDENTIFIED ON THE BIKE PATH MAP AND BICYCLE FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE 2017 CITYWIDE TRAFFIC STUDY, AND WHEREAS THERE IS A DESIRE TO WAVE THIS INFORMAL POLICY TO ADD BIKE LANES TO COX ROAD FROM FIELD FOOD DRIVE TO WIRE ROAD AND REPLACE THE BIPLANES WITH A TWO WAY LEFT TURN LANE. NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF ALL BURNELL OF A THAT THIS INFORMAL POLICY BE WAIVED AND TO REPLACE SIX-FOOT BIKE LANES ON EACH SIDE OF COX ROAD AND FIELD VIEW DRIVE TO WIRE ROAD WITH A TWO WAY LEFT TURN LANE. ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY

COUNCIL THIS FIRST DAY OF JUNE. >> SPEAKER: MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SPEAKER: SECOND. >> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? >> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL FOR HEARING THIS TONIGHT.

I APPRECIATE THAT AND IT SHOWS A LOT ABOUT YOU THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO HEAR IT. SECOND OF ALL I COULD SUPPORT THE BIPLANES. THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW ME I'M TOTALLY HONEST ABOUT IT I PERSONALLY HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE BIKE LANES GOING IN BUT I GAVE MY WORD TO MY CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE THAT I WOULD SUPPORT THE TURN LANE AND THAT'S WHAT I WILL DO TONIGHT. I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS.

HOWEVER IF THE REST OF THE COUNSEL MEMO TO NOT WANT TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF IT NO HARD FEELINGS AT ALL.

BUT I DO THINK AND I WANT TO URGE THE CITY MANAGER TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS AND THE COUNCIL AS WELL.

THE THING WE HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE TONIGHT MOST OF ALL, BIKES AND CITIZENS AND ANYBODY WHO TRAVELS THE ROAD, COX ROAD IS A DANGEROUS ROAD. THAT HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR.

I THINK THE CITY OWES IT TO THE CITIZENS OF COX ROAD AND THE CITY OF AUBURN THE ONES THAT RIDE THE BIKES OUT THERE THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE OUT THERE TO DO MORE THAN WE ARE DOING.

IF WE WIDENED TO TWO LANES UP AT THE BIKE LANES INCOME SHOULDN'T STOP THERE. WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE IT WHERE WE ADD ANOTHER LANE OUT THERE OR WHATEVER.

THE STUDY IN 2019 I APPRECIATE WHAT THE CITY STAFF DID WITH THAT BUT I GUARANTEE THESE BIKE RIDERS KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU TRAVEL THAT ROAD YOU

[01:05:01]

IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS ROAD. I CRINGE EVERY DAY WHEN MY PARENTS NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THEY WILL GET RUN OUT. I WORRY ABOUT THEM GOING OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAY. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS OR DID THIS BECAUSE I TOLD MY CONSTITUENTS I WOULD.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT IT THERE'S NO HARD FEELINGS I PROMISE YOU. I HAVE TO DO WHAT I SAID I WOULD DO AND I WILL ASK YOU TO VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE FOR WHATEVER YOU THINK IS BEST. DON'T DO IT BECAUSE YOU THINK I

WANT YOU TO DO SOMETHING. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE?

MS. GRISWOLD? >> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT UNEQUIVOCALLY I DON'T THINK THAT THERE IS ANY MOTIVATION FOR ANYONE TO VOTE ANY WAY IN TERMS OF PROFITING FOR THIS. THAT ANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT INTEGRITY ISSUE I DON'T BELIEVE AN INTEGRITY ISSUE WHATSOEVER INVOLVED IN THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I DO APPRECIATE CHIEF DAWSON BRINGING THIS FORWARD ON BEHALF OF HIS

CONSTITUENTS. >> SPEAKER: INC. YOU.

>> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO POSTPONE THIS TO THE SECOND MEETING IN JUNE. YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION?

>> SPEAKER: IS HER SECOND? >> SPEAKER: SECOND.

>> SPEAKER: SO I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO POSTPONE THIS TO THE SECOND MEETING IN JUNE WHICH IS THE 15TH.

SO WE WILL HAVE DISCUSSION. >> SPEAKER: I LISTEN TO THE MERITS OF THE ISSUE THIS IS MORE TO THE PROCEDURAL.

I KNOW THAT THERE IS NOTHING -- THIS IS ALL WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF WHAT WE CAN DO. WE CAN VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION THIS EVENING. BUT IN MY EXPERIENCE ON GREEN SPACE ADVISORY AND HAVING SEVERAL CONSTITUENTS HERE TONIGHT FROM WARD FOR THAT ARE CYCLISTS, KNOWING SEVERAL MOTORISTS IN THIS TOWN, I THINK THERE IS A A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS AND A LOT OF MULTIYEAR INVESTMENT IN CREATING A PATHWAY , DRIVEWAY, CREATING A COMMUNITY THAT IS WELCOMING TO ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES AND DESIRES.

AS THAT, I FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A CONTRACT. WE HAVE CREATED AN INFORMAL POLICY BUT IT IS A POLICY NEVERTHELESS THAT WE HAVE ADOPTED. WE HAVE DECIDED THAT WE ARE GOING TO START ADDING BIKE LANES.

TO CHANGE THAT I THINK WE NEED TO -- WE WON'T NOTICE THIS BUT IT WILL BE ON THE AGENDA AND FOLKS WILL BE ABLE TO COME AND TALK ON BOTH SIDES OF IT. IT'S NOT TO THE MERITS OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE I THINK SAFETY IS IMPORTANT, SAFETY FOR CYCLISTS AND SAFETY FOR MOTORISTS, SAFETY FOR EVERYBODY.

IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT. BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AS A REPRESENTED OF FOR WARD FOUR TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ISSUE. THIS A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS. AS THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR

CITY. >> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE MOVE TO POSTPONE THE VOTE ON THIS UNTIL TWO WEEKS, WHICH IS JUNE THE 15TH?

>> SPEAKER: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT TIMING.

CITY MANAGER MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A TIMING ISSUE THAT WE ARE OR WERE ALREADY BEHIND ON THIS PROJECT.

MY QUESTION IS, WHAT WOULD THIS DO TO OUR ABILITY TO HOLD OUR CONTRACTOR TO THEIR TIMELINE IF WE ARE HUNTING AND DELAYING IT.

I GO BACK TO WHAT COUNCILPERSON SMITH SAID.

THIS IS AN INFORMAL POLICY SO I'M REALLY KIND OF BEFUDDLED AS TO WHY WE ARE EVEN SITTING HERE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD'VE BEEN HANDLED INTERNALLY.

WE DON'T GET IN THE WEEDS LIKE THIS ON OTHER ISSUES CONTRACTUAL ISSUES. FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE DONE DUE DILIGENCE, WE HAVE ALLOWED THE OPPORTUNITY BY PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA FOR CONVERSATION.

THAT HAS BEEN QUITE A BIT OF CHATTER THROUGHOUT THIS COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS ITEM. I FEEL LIKE -- MY QUESTION IS, ONE, WHAT DOES THIS DO CONTRACTUALLY FOR OUR CONTRACTOR CONTRACTORS? DOESN'T HOLD US, CAN WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRESENT DELAYS IF WE DELAY IT? AND TIMEWISE IN TWO WEEKS, WHATEVER ACTION IS TAKING PLACE, IS THERE AVAILABILITY OF THEIR CREWS TO DO THE JOB?

MULTIPLE QUESTIONS. >> SPEAKER: I WILL GIVE A SHORT CITY MANAGER ANSWER AND THEN CITY ENGINEER FRASER WILL ANSWER THE REST. I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE MULTIPLE CONTRACTS WE HAVE WITH EARTHMOVING AND ROAD BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE MARKETPLACE.

THERE ARE A LIMITED FEW. CONTRACTUALLY AND WITHOUT SHOWING THE CITY'S CARDS ANY TIME WE TALKING ABOUT CONTRACTS

[01:10:02]

I WILL HAVE CITY ENGINEER FRASER SPEAK A LITTLE MORE TO THAT WHEN YOU ARE OFFICIALLY ASKING FOR DELAYS.

THERE IS SOME COMPROMISE IN THERE BUT IN TERMS OF WHETHER IT COMPROMISES OUR LEGAL POSITION, I MIGHT HAVE TO DEFER TO THE CITY ATTORNEY. CITY ENGINEER FRASER, HOW DOES THAT WORK WHEN WE ASKED FOR SOMEONE TO HOLD OFF FOR A COUPLE

OF WEEKS? >> SPEAKER: IT TYPICALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT THE CHANGE IN SCOPE IS.

IF IT IS ON UNFORESEEN CASES, SAY SOME DESIGN ISSUE, THEN IT IS NO FAULT OF OURS AND NO FAULT OF THE CONTRACTORS.

IN THIS CASE IF THE CONTRACTOR COULD SAY SORRY, CITY, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CONTRACT.

YOU HAVE NOW ASKED ME TO STOP. THEY COULD ACTUALLY CHARGE US FOR A ROEE MOBILIZATION FEE BECAUSE THEY WOULD BASICALLY HAVE TO DEMOBILIZE, QUICK -- QUIT WORKING UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE. AND THEN READ MOBILIZE.

AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE CUBE WHICH COULD BE WHO KNOWS WHEN. WE REALLY RUN THE RISK OF A MOBILIZATION FEE AND A DEMOBILIZATION FEE IN ADDITION

TO TIMING. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: IF I MAY STEP OUT OF LINE A BIT AND MAYBE INFER THAT PERHAPS WE HAVE HAD -- HOW LONG IS THIS PROJECT BEEN GOING ON? WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOW LONG THIS HAS DRAGGED OUT THUS FAR.

WHETHER WE ARE TIPPING HANDS OR PERHAPS TYING OUR OWN HANDS BY TAKING AWAY OUR ABILITY TO HOLD THEM TO AN AMENDED TIMELINE.

I UNDERSTAND TRYING TO GET WORD OUT.

I FEEL LIKE WITH THE CORRESPONDENCE WE HAVE HAD THERE HAS BEEN -- I DON'T THINK THERE CAN BE A LARGE COMPLAINT ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING TONIGHT.

IF IT MADE THE FOOT PAGE OF THE PAPER THAN WORD IS GETTING OUT SOMEWHERE. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT I WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED TO AVOID PAINTING OURSELVES INTO A CORNER THAT WE CAN'T HOLD A CONTRACTOR THAT IS ALREADY TAKEN A LITTLE

WHILE ON A PROJECT TO COMPLETE. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE?

>> SPEAKER: I TEND TO AGREE WITH JAY.

I THINK WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD TONIGHT.

WE ARE PUTTING THE CONTRACT WITR OURSELVES BY DELAYING THIS.

IT IS BEEN A DIFFICULT PROJECT AND WE ARE REACHING THE FINISH LINE AND WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND PROCEED.

WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ON THE TABLE.

TO POSTPONE. >> SPEAKER: LET ME SAY SOMETHING. I WILL LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE. MAYBE I WAS OUT OF LINE FOR SAYING AFTER SOME OF THE BIKERS GOT UP THAT LIVES OUT IN THAT AREA. MAYBE I WAS A BIT OUT OF LINE WHEN I SAID THAT THE TIMES THAT I TRAVEL I DON'T SEE BIKERS.

BUT FROM THE UNDERSTANDING THAT I HEARD TONIGHT, THERE ARE BIKERS OUT THERE BUT THEY MAY BE AT A TIME THAT I DON'T TRAVEL THE ROAD. I'M NOT OUT THERE ON THE WEEKEND. I'M NOT OUT THERE AT NIGHT.

I'M NOT IN THE EVENING TIME. SO IT CHANGES THE CONCEPT OF WHAT I SAID PREVIOUSLY. WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW. I WAS BASING IT ON WHAT I THOUGHT I KNEW. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO THINK THAT I AM TAKING SIDES AND I WAS IN A SENSE FROM WHAT I THOUGHT I KNEW ABOUT THE BIKERS AND EVERYTHING. I'M NOT A BIKER.

I MAY NEED TO BE BUT I'M NOT. I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK ON THE BIKING SITUATION, AND I'M SITTING ON ONE HAND AND TOMMY SITTING ON THE OTHER HAND AND I RESPECT TOMMY AS A COUNCIL PERSON AND THAT HIS WARD. I WAS ALSO BASING IT ON THAT FACT ALSO. THAT HE IS BASING IT ON WHAT HIS CONSTITUENTS, THE PEOPLE THAT PUT HIM IN OFFICE, AND I HAVE TO AGREE WITH A PERSON WHO GOES WITH WHAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS THINK. BECAUSE IF IT WAS MY WARD WARD AND I WANTED SOME SUPPORT, MY BIGGEST SUPPORT WOULD COME FROM MY WARD, THE PEOPLE IN MY WARD. SO I SAY ALL OF THAT TO SAY THIS, I'M STILL CONFUSED AS TO HOW WE SHOULD FOCUS THING.

I PERSONALLY THINK NEEDS TO BE DELAYED.

BY UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I WORK WITH CONTRACTS EVERY DAY.

I UNDERSTAND CHANGE ORDERS, I UNDERSTAND TIMELINES.

I UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT. SO WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ON THAT LEVEL I KNOW THAT GREEK LANGUAGE.

[01:15:02]

IT WAS FOR-2. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE? WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO POSTPONE VOTING ON THIS RESOLUTION UNTIL TWO WEEKS WHICH IS JUNE 15.

CITY MANAGER, CAN WE DO THIS AS A ROLL CALL?

>> SPEAKER: AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL.

>> SPEAKER: LET'S DO THIS BY ROLL CALL.

IF YOU VOTE YES, YOU ARE VOTING TO POSTPONE FOR TWO WEEKS, IF YOU VOTE NO YOU ARE VOTING TO CONSIDER TONIGHT.

LINDSAY? (ROLL CALL VOTE)

>> SPEAKER: SO IT FAILS SO WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. WE ARE STILL IN DISCUSSION.

>> SPEAKER: I HAVEN'T REALLY CHIMED IN.

IT'S A LITTLE UNFORTUNATE. I THINK IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE LOCATION. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PLAN MADE A FEW YEARS AGO, SOMETIME AGO, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS 2019 OR EVEN PRIOR TO THAT. SINCE SOME OF THE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS WERE MADE, AND I AGREE AND APPRECIATE THE CONDUCTIVITY CONCERNED. THAT WE HAVE AN INTERSTATE EXIT THAT IS BEEN ADDED OUT THERE AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE AT WIRE ROAD HANCOX.

IN THE AREA. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A LOT OF CONDUCTIVITY FROM THESE BIKE LANES AND ENCOURAGE THAT EVERYWHERE WE CAN. I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT THIS AREA IS CONDUCIVE TO THAT. I JUST THINK IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE LOCATION AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE SORT OF HAVE BEEN LABELED AS EITHER ADVOCATING FOR OR NOT ADVOCATING FOR BIKE LANES IN GENERAL AND I THINK IT CAN BE SITE SPECIFIC.

I MAY GET KICKED OUT OF MY SPIN CLASS FOR SUPPORTING THIS CHANGE RESOLUTION. BUT I THINK BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES IN THE AREA SINCE THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS LAID OUT THERE , THAT IT MAKES SENSE. AND THE REDUCED CAPACITY TO WIDEN THE ROAD. I DON'T THINK -- THERE HAS BEEN TALK LAST WEEKEND THIS WEEK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF GOING IN AND REMOVING THE BIKE LANES AT SOME POINT AFTER FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. THERE IS NO WAY THAT'S GOING TO WORK. WE HAVE ENOUGH DISCUSSION ABOUT PUTTING THEM IN, YOU CAN'T PUT THAT BACK IN THE BAG.

DOWN THE ROAD. I WOULD RATHER BE FORWARD THINKING ABOUT THE REDEVELOPMENT OF COX ROAD.

JAY HAS BEEN EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW GATEWAY TO AUBURN OFF OF 85 AND THAT ENCOMPASSES A LOT OF DIFFERENT RESPECTS TO THE ROAD AND I THINK IN MY OPINION IT'S BEST LONG TERM OPTION IS FOR A TURN LANE NOT A BIKE LANE.

IF WE HAVE TO CHOOSE. >> SPEAKER: THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION EARLIER ABOUT IF THERE WAS A TIME EVENTUALLY THAT IT WAS WARRANTED THAT IF WE PUT LIKE -- BIKE LANES IN IT WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE, WE WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE IT TO A TURN LANE.

>> SPEAKER: I WILL HAVE THE CITY ENGINEER DISCUSSED THAT.

>> SPEAKER: WAS THE CATALYST FOR THAT DECISION?

>> SPEAKER: COULD YOU RESTATE YOUR QUESTION?

>> SPEAKER: IF I DON'T REPEAT IT RIGHT, WORK WITH ME.

IF WE WERE TO BUILD AS PLANNED WITH BIKE LANES ON EITHER SIDE, IF THERE IS A TIME IN THE FUTURE WHERE BECAUSE OF DATA WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT AND GO TO A TURN LANE IN THE MIDDLE AND TAKE AWAY THE BIKE LANES, SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WHAT ARE THOSE KIND OF CRITERIA AND DATA THAT CREATE A CHANGE FOR US?

>> SPEAKER: TYPICALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT EITHER A CENTER LEFT TURN LANE OR DEDICATED LEFT TURN LANES, WE ARE LOOKING AT

[01:20:04]

SO WE WOULD LOOK AT SAY REDEVELOPMENT ALONG COX ROAD IF A NEW MULTIFAMILY TO THE ELEMENT CAME IN.

IT MIGHT WARRANT A LEFT TURN LANE TO GET INTO THAT DEVELOPMENT SUCH THAT THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC IS NOT IMPEDED BY SOMEONE STOPPED IN THE LANE. WHEN I SAID THAT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IT WAS REALLY PREDICATED ON REDEVELOPMENT OR WE HAVE RESTRIPED BIKE LANES WHEN WE HAVE RESURFACED ROADS.

SO THAT COULD BE 15 TO 20 YEAR TIMELINE, DEPENDING ON THE LONGEVITY OF THE PAVEMENT. SO WHEN WE RESURFACE OVER THE BIKE LANES AND THEN RESTRIPED IT WITH A CENTER TURN LANE.

>> SPEAKER: SO THAT IS BASED ON TRAFFIC COUNTS?

IS ACCIDENT DATA PART OF THAT? >> SPEAKER: IT'S ON COUNTS AND VOLUMES PRIMARILY BUT WE WOULD LOOK AT ACCIDENTS AS WELL.

>> SPEAKER: OKAY. >> SPEAKER: I TELL YOU YOU IN TEN OR 15 YEARS? SLING WILL BE A FOUR-LANE.

UNLESS THE ECONOMY FALLS OUT AND WE WILL HAVE ANYTHING.

IT WILL HAPPEN. I'M SUPPORTING THE CENTER TURN LANE BECAUSE OF MY CONSTITUENTS BUT I ENCOURAGE THIS COUNSEL WHATEVER HAPPENS TONIGHT TO TAKE A LONG HARD LOOK ABOUT COX ROAD.

I'M SERIOUSLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE BICYCLISTS WHETHER WE HAVE A DEDICATED BIKE LANE OR NOT.

I LIVE THERE AND I SEE 18 WHEELERS COMING DOWN THAT ROAD.

NOT ON THEIR CELL PHONE ON THEIR COMPUTER ON THEIR STEERING WHEEL DRIVING AN 18 WHEELER DOWN COX ROAD.

>> SPEAKER: CHIEF JOLSON, YOU AND I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THIS AND I HOPED THAT I CONVEYED TO YOU CLEARLY HOW I REALLY APPRECIATED YOUR ADVOCACY FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS. I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR IN TRANSITIONING TO HOW I STILL REMAIN SUPPORTIVE OF THE STAFF'S PLANS ON THIS. IF YOU LOOK AT MY VOTING RECORD ON MOST THINGS YOU WILL SEE THAT I TRUST THE JUDGMENTS OF THOSE WHO ARE CREATING THESE VISIONS FOR THIS TOWN, AND PART OF THAT VISION IS CONDUCTIVITY. IT'S BEING PROMOTED REGULARLY IN THIS TOWN AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I DO SUPPORT, JUST FOR THE SHEER CHANCE THAT I'M A CYCLIST AND I RIDE ALL THE TIME.

I UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS THAT BIKE RIDERS FACE AND I UNDERSTAND THE WAY THEY DEAL WITH IT.

THIS IDEA THAT THEY CAN'T -- MOTOR VEHICLES AND BIKES CAN'T EXIST IN THE SAME AREA IS JUST NOT THE CASE.

I THINK A LOT OF MOTORISTS DON'T EVEN REALIZE HOW MANY BIKERS ARE AROUND THERE BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T NOTICE US.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT AND WE WRITE ACCORDINGLY.

CONNIE IS NOT GOING TO SEE BIKERS IN HER TIME FRAME BECAUSE BIKERS HAVE ALREADY RULED OUT THAT AREA BECAUSE IT'S TOO FAST AT THAT TIME OF DAY. BUT YOU WILL SEE A BIKE RIDER THERE AT SOME POINT DURING THE WEEK WHEN THEY HAVE MADE THE DECISION ABOUT WHEN IT'S SAFE TO RIDE THERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET SOMEWHERE USING THAT ROAD. ALL THAT TO SAY THAT I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE PLANS AS THEY ARE BECAUSE YOU GUYS MADE THEM AND I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT AND I TRUST THE DATA COLLECTION.

I WISH EVERYBODY THE BEST. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE?

>> SPEAKER: I'M NOT SURE IF THIS REALLY MATTERS OR NOT, BUT THE TWO ANNEXATIONS THAT WE APPROVED EARLIER BOTH HAD IN THE PACKET PROPOSED BIKE FACILITIES ALONG COX ROAD PART OF THE THINGS FOR US TO CONSIDER. JUST A POINT OF INFORMATION

THERE. >> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COUNSEL? I WANT TO COMMEND OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS HOW DEBATE SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

I THOUGHT EVERYBODY THAT SPOKE TONIGHT WAS RESPECTFUL AND PASSIONATE AND I APPRECIATE THAT NO MATTER WHAT POSITION YOU TOOK. THERE IS A LOT OF LESSONS TO BE LEARNED. WHAT MAKES AUBURN GREAT IS THAT PEOPLE REALLY CARE ABOUT THE THINGS THAT THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT AND WE HAVE A GREAT CYCLING COMMUNITY HERE AND I

[01:25:03]

WE HAVE ALSO GOT A NEW ROADWAY HERE THAT LEADS TO A NEW INTERCHANGE THAT'S GOING TO HAVE REDEVELOPMENT ON IT OVER THE YEARS. IT IS KIND OF QUIRKY RIGHT NOW.

AS TOMMY SAID, IT WAS AN OLD COUNTRY RODE.

IT WASN'T MEANT FOR A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND NOW IT HAS BECOME A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I BELIEVE BASED ON WHAT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN IN THAT AREA THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT REDEVELOPMENT ON COX ROAD AND THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE CARS UP THERE AND THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THE BEST THING TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY IS TO MAKE IT THE MOST PALATABLE FOR OUR VEHICLES TO GET UP AND DOWN THERE BECAUSE THE VOLUME IS GOING TO BE SO SIGNIFICANT. LOOK, IF WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE TABLE AND REEVALUATE WHERE WE ARE WITH BIKES, THEN I'M ALL FOR THAT. AND I APPRECIATE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BIKE AND I WOULD HOPE THIS WOULDN'T BE VIEWED AS AN EITHER/OR VOTE FOR SUPPORTING CYCLISTS OR NOT SUPPORTING BICYCLISTS. I CERTAINLY SUPPORT BICYCLISTS AND YOU ARE RIGHT TO BE ON OUR ROADS.

MY PERSONAL BELIEF IS THAT COX ROAD IS A QUIRKY ROAD TO START MIXING A LOT OF BICYCLES AND MIXING A LOT OF CARS ON.

IT IS AN EVOLVING ROAD THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE DRAMATICALLY IN THE NEXT DECADE HERE IN AUBURN. I'M GOING TO VOTE WITH TOMMY'S REQUEST TO MAKE THIS A TURN LANE AND GO FOR THE BIKE LANES.

NOBODY ELSE HAS ANYTHING. I THINK THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO DO A ROLL CALL ON THIS AS WELL.

>> SPEAKER: PROCEDURAL POINT OF ORDER.

CAN YOU VOTE PRESENT ON A VOTE? >> SPEAKER: NOT SOMETHING I'VE HEARD OF BEFORE. THERE IS YES, NO AND ABSTAIN.

ABSTAIN GOES WITH THE MAJORITY AND THERE ARE YOU TONIGHT.

>> SPEAKER: SO YES IS TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION, WHICH ENTERTAINS CHANGING REMOVING THE TWO BIKE LANES AND PUTTING IN A MIDDLE TURN LANE. NO IS NOT SUPPORTING THAT AND HE WOULD GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN.

LYNZI? (ROLL CALL VOTE)

>> SPEAKER: MOTION CARRIES 5-3. MAYOR, THOSE ARE ALL THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS EVENING.

[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM.]

>> SPEAKER: AT THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN UP THE CITIZENS OPEN FORM. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS ON YOUR MIND.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO DO THAT.

PLEASE AS YOU APPROACH THE DAY IS PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. MR. DEMMITT TENANT WILL LET YOU

GO FIRST SINCE -- >> SPEAKER: JEFFREY BENNETT 1170 RUSTIC RIDGE COURT, AUBURN. AS I SAID BEFORE, I'M LOOKING FOR HELP. I HAVE BEEN WORKING SO I FINALLY RETIRED SO I GET A CHANCE TO COME BACK DOWN HERE AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU ALL. LAKE OGLETREE IS WHERE WE GET SOME OF OUR WATER. THERE IS A GATE THAT IS LOCKED TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GOING DOWN THERE.

AT ONE POINT IN TIME, A PERSON IN OUR CHURCH WENT DOWN AND PUT A GRAVESTONE ON HIS GRANDFATHER'S GRAVE SITE.

DOES THE CITY OWN THAT? >> SPEAKER: IT'S ACTUALLY THE OFFICE -- AUBURN WATER WORKS BOARD SPECS WHAT IS A PART OF

THE CITY? >> SPEAKER: IT'S ACTUALLY -- IS COMPLICATED AND WE WILL LET YOUR TIME GO.

THE WATER WORKS BOARD IS A SEPARATE CORPORATION AND ACTUALLY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS APPOINT THE BOARD MEMBERS BUT THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE DIRECT CONTROL OVER THE BOARDS

ACTIVITIES, ACTIONS OR PROPERTY. >> SPEAKER: WHO OWNS IT?

>> SPEAKER: THE WATER WORKS BOARD SPECS BUT THE WATER WORKS

BOARD WORKS FOR -- >> SPEAKER: IS IT SEPARATE.

>> SPEAKER: IT'S A SEPARATE CORPORATION.

IT'S MEMBERS LIKE THE SCHOOL BOARD ARE APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL BUT THEY ARE INDEPENDENT OTHERWISE.

>> SPEAKER: DID THEY DO A STEADY, A SCIENTIFIC STUDY? THE OTHER STUDY IS IF YOU GO DOWN ON A FOGGY NIGHT YOU CAN SEE THE DIPS WHERE OTHER GRAVESITES MIGHT BE LOCATED AT THAT LOCATION. DID THE WATER WORKS BOARD DO ANY

STUDY ON THAT? >> SPEAKER: I WOULD HAVE NO IDEA ON THAT. MAYBE SIT A MEETING WITH

MR. CARSON. >> SPEAKER: ASKED THE PERSON I

[01:30:02]

NEED TO TALK TO? >> SPEAKER: ABSOLUTELY.

IT WOULD BE BEST IF YOU CAN REACH OUT.

HE'S OUR WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR AND WORKS

WITH THE WATER WORKS BOARD. >> SPEAKER: I WILL GIVE HIM A

CALL. >> SPEAKER: THAT WOULD BE

PERFECT. >> SPEAKER: DOES THE CITY HAVE A HISTORIAN? A PERSON THAT IS A HISTORIAN THAT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO MR. HARPER COMING TO AUBURN?

>> SPEAKER: MEGAN, I WOULD SAY NO.

>> SPEAKER: NO, WE DO NOT HAVE A HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION. WE DEFINITELY HAVE THE AUBURN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION AND WHAT'S THE OTHER, JAY?

>> SPEAKER: THE ONLY REASON I ASK IS -- MR. HARPER CAME HERE AND WHEN HE CAME HERE HE BROUGHT PEOPLE HERE.

THOSE PEOPLE DIED, MISTER HARPER DIED.

DO WE KNOW WHERE MR. HARPER WAS BURIED?

>> SPEAKER: OVER AT PINE HILL. >> SPEAKER: THAT'S DEFINITE?

>> SPEAKER: OFF OF ARMSTRONG. BUT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN TOWN THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THOSE THINGS.

>> SPEAKER: I WILL BE BACK. >> SPEAKER: I MIGHT CAN HELP YOU FIND IF YOU WANT TO FIND THOSE PEOPLE ARE.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING TWICE. (LAUGHTER)

>> SPEAKER: MAYOR ANDERS, HERBERT WALTERS 412 OPELIKA RD.

APARTMENT 111. I AM INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS, TWO OF THEM HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THE UNSUNG HEROES ON MAY 22. NAMELY, LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB AND ALSO LEE COUNTY NAACP BRANCH NUMBER 5038.

I JUST WANT TO THANK MRS. TAYLOR AND HER NORTHWEST AUBURN TASK FORCE FOR EVEN THINKING OF THE IDEA OF PUTTING THAT ON.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERE IN AUBURN AND CONSIDERING WHAT HAPPENED 100 YEARS AGO TODAY IN TULSA, I THOUGHT THAT THE TIMING OF THAT DAY WAS VERY IMPORTANT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, MRS. TAYLOR. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MR. GRISWOLD FOR BEING THERE, AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MR. PARSONS FOR ALSO BEING THERE.

I SHOULD SAY AM ALSO PART OF TWO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS NAMELY LEE COUNTY VOTERS LEAGUE AND SAFETY -- GUN SAFETY.

WE HOPE THAT WE WILL BE AT JUNETEENTH ON THE 19TH AND MAYBE AT THE PRIDE OF THE PLANE ON SATURDAY.

I WANTED TO PUT IN MY TWO CENTS WORTH ON THE BIKE FRIENDLY SITUATION. I DIDN'T SPEAK IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION TONIGHT CONCERNING COX ROAD BECAUSE I DON'T LIVE ON COX ROAD. I HAVE HEARD THE COMMENTS EVEN BEFORE TONIGHT ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS COX ROAD IS AND MR. DAWSON, THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING YOUR CONSTITUENTS ON THAT MATTER. I LIVE IN THE WARD THAT BRETT SMITH REPRESENTS AND I DO RIDE A BIKE.

I WRITE IT DOWN ACROSS STREET, I WRITE IT DOWN EAST LINN ON THE WAY TO KROGER'S, SOMETIMES I WRITE IT TO THE LIBRARY.

LAST SATURDAY I HAD THE CHANCE TO WRITE IT TO TOWN CREEK PARK FOR THE CITY MARKET. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT IF YOU COULD FOCUS MORE ON MAKING AUBURN BIKE FRIENDLY AT CERTAIN PLACES, NOT JUST ANY PLACE. PLACES WHERE RESIDENTIAL STREETS WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA, LIKE GAY STREET.

IT WAS VERY SAFE WHEN I WROTE IT.

YOU JUST HAVE TO BE A LITTLE BIT CAREFUL IN WRITING IT.

I THINK AS PART OF OUR TRANSPORTATION PORTION OF AUBURN 2040, I'M HOPING WE CAN BRING UP ISSUES LIKE WHERE TO PUT BIKE LANES AND WHAT TO DO WITH COX ROAD.

OBVIOUSLY, COX ROAD IS A BIG PRIORITY.

IT'S REAL BIG AND I THINK THE FUTURE OF AUBURN WILL DEPEND A LOT ON WHAT HAPPENS ON COX ROAD AND WHAT HAPPENS ON ALL OF THE STREETS OF AUBURN, AND PARTICULARLY OPA LOCKA ROAD WHICH WHERE I LIVE IS TWO LANES AND IT SOMETIMES GOATS TO FOUR LANES. I DID SIGN UP FOR AUBURN 2040 AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING MORE MYSELF ON THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL

VERY MUCH. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: GARY CANTINA, OWENS ROAD.

I THINK THE COX ROAD BIKE SITUATION, I DIDN'T SPEAK IT

[01:35:03]

WHEN YOU LOOK AT TRAFFIC STUDIES TO LOOK AT WHAT WE NEED AT THAT TIME, BUT AREAS THAT COX ROAD AND OTHER AREAS THAT ARE GROWING EXPONENTIALLY MAYBE WE HAVE TO KIND OF LOOK MORE DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO NEED THREE YEARS FROM NOW, FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? I THINK THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SOME POINT COX ROAD WILL BE FIVE LANES WITH BIKE LANES, BUT THE QUESTION IS, WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT ALL NOW.

SO YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE POINT OF WHAT CAN WE DO FIRST THAT CAN BE EASILY ADDED? I THINK YOUR DECISION TO PUT THE CENTER LANE AT SOME POINT IN TIME YOU CAN WIDEN OR ADD A BIKE LANE WHETHER IT'S PAVED OR DIRT. I THINK WE HAVE SOME POSSIBILITIES THERE. AS WAS MENTIONED, WE HAVE IT TEN OR 15 YEAR PAVING PLAN IN SOME AREAS.

TRY TO GRIND THESE STRIPES DOWN MAKES A MESS ON THE ROAD.

I WISH THERE WAS A WAY WE CAN LOOK MORE LONG TERM AND NOT REALIZE DECISIONS MAKING TODAY BASED ON TODAY'S DATA WE HAVE TO ANTICIPATE FUTURE GROWTH AND IT'S DEFINITELY MONEY DRIVEN SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT. IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE I HAVE RIDDEN A BIKE. AT ONE TIME I HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AND BICYCLED AROUND SHUG JORDAN, OUT TO BEEHIVE RODE, TO WORK WITH MY MECHANIC OUT THERE. IT WASN'T SAFE BACK THEN, CERTAINLY NOT SAFE NOW. IT'S A MATTER OF NO AREA IS SAFE. IN THE PAST I HAD A SITUATION BACKING OUT OF THE SPOT DOWNTOWN AND SOME BICYCLIST RUNNING A RED LIGHT AND HITS IN THE SIDE. HE HIT THE WHEEL AREA DIDN'T DIDN'T DAMAGE TO ME OR HIM BUT IT COULD'VE BEEN WORSE.

I WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE FOR THE BICYCLISTS, MORE FOR THE PEDESTRIANS. WE HAVE TO FIND SOME WAY TO DO MORE THINGS. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, I THINK IN SOME OF THESE ESPECIALLY HIGHER TRAFFIC ROADS, ANY KIND OF BIKE LANE NEEDS TO HAVE MAYBE A 3-FOOT BUFFER FROM THE EDGE OF THE SLOW LANE IF THERE IS A FOUR-LANE ROAD OR WHATEVER.

GIVE THEM SOME BUFFER THERE AND THEN HAVE A SPOT.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE THAT 6-FOOT BY CLAIM, IF YOU ARE ON THE ROAD AT 45 MILES AN HOUR, YOU WILL GET HIT -- SOME OF THAT BREEZE BLOWING BY YOU AND GIVE YOU ARE NOT A STABLE WRITER YOU WILL PROBABLY FEEL AND MAYBE WIPE OUT SOMETIMES.

WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK LONG TERM DOWN THE ROAD HERE.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, GARY.

WHO WILL BE NEXT? WE WILL CLOSE THIS PART OF

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.