Feb 15, 2022 City Council

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APPEARED TO HAVE A MOVE WOULD TURN?

[1. CALL TO ORDER. Mayor Anders.]

>> SPEAKER: SO MOVED. >> SPEAKER: WE ARE ADJOURNED FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND LINDSAY IT IS AFTER 7 O'CLOCK SO WE WILL GO RIGHT INTO OUR MEETING.

ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL)

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

(RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE)

>> SPEAKER: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

(SILENCE) >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS. Mayor Anders.]

I WILL WORK WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND MS. WITTEN TO APPOINT A STUDY GROUP THAT WILL CONSIST OF PLANNING COMMISSIONERS AS WELL AS CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

WE WILL LOOK FOR A REPORT FROM THIS GROUP ON MAY THE 1ST AND THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED UP WITH A WORK SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THE CITY COUNCIL. THERE WAS ALSO DISCUSSIONS LATER ON ABOUT WE HAVE HAD A RESIGNATION TO OUR PLANNING COMMISSION AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET A NEW PLANNING COMMISSION ARE IN PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE KNOWING THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN FOR THE MARCH MEETING.

'S OF THE CITY COUNCIL DECIDED TO SUSPEND THEIR RULES TO SPEED THE PROCESS UP. SO OUR GOAL WOULD BE TO HAVE A NEW PLANNING COMMISSION ARE IN PLACE BY THE APRIL 5 -- APRIL 14 MEETING. THAT APPOINTMENT WOULD BE MADE ON APRIL 5. JUST A NUMBER OF ANNOUNCEMENTS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TONIGHT'S. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT ROAD RACE COMING TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEKEND, THE WAR EAGLE RUN WILL BE SUNDAY MORNING.

I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU WHO GET UP SUNDAY MORNING WITH A ROUTINE TO GO TO WORSHIP OR WHEREVER YOU MIGHT GO TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THE ROAD RACE THAT WILL BE GOING ON AS OF TODAY THERE IS OVER 2000 RUNNERS PARTICIPANTS.

MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN AND IT WILL BE GREAT WE CAN FOR OUR HOTELS TO HAVE ALL OF THESE VISITORS TO TOWN. THIS IS A PRIVATE INDUSTRY, ENTITY THAT IS COMING TO TOWN PARTNERING WITH OUR TOURISM OFFICE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I WILL BE GETTING UP AT 6:30 ON SUNDAY MORNING AND WELCOMING THEM OFF AND ENCOURAGING THEM. WE APPRECIATE IT AND HOPE FOR GOOD WEATHER. ARBOR DAYS COMING UP AND THERE WILL BE AN ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION IN THE CITY.

ON FEBRUARY 26. IF YOU WANT TO PICK UP A NEW TREE YOU CAN GO TO EITHER PUBLIC LOCATION OR THE TCB WHY IN THE KROGER SHOPPING CENTER. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE EFFORTS GOING TOWARDS THAT. YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITIZENS ACADEMY AND I WANT TO THANK ALLISON BLANKENSHIP FOR HER BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

WE HAVE HAD A ROUSING RESPONSE TO THAT AND APPLICATIONS ARE STILL OPEN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW WE DO BUSINESS HERE AT THE CITY. I THINK WHAT I APPRECIATE THE INTEREST FOR SO MANY FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS PAST SATURDAY I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE DARDEN GALA TICKET IS A CELEBRATION OF DR. DARDEN WHO WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN DOCTOR IN EAST ALABAMA, I BELIEVE IN LEE COUNTY AS WELL.

IT IS A GALA THAT RAISES MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN EITHER THE SCHOOLS OF PHARMACY OR NURSING OR MEDICINE.

WHAT A GREAT CELEBRATION. THEY ALSO RECOGNIZE A LOCAL DOCTOR EACH YEAR AND DR. JIM MATTHEWS WHO HAS BEEN NOW RETIRED BUT A LONG TERM INTERNET IN OUR AREA WAS RECOGNIZED.

A VERY GREAT CELEBRATION PROVIDING GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FURTHER THEIR MEDICAL CAREER AND IT RECOGNIZES THE LEGACY OF SOMEBODY WHO WAS A VERY HISTORIC TO OUR COMMUNITY. IT WAS GREAT.

TODAY THERE HAS BEEN A CELEBRATION OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER DAY. IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO ANY OF OUR SCHOOLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THERE WAS A LOT OF DOUGHNUTS AND BISCUITS AND CELEBRATIONS AROUND THESE GREAT PEOPLE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES EVERY DAY.

I THINK THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO. CHIEFS REGISTER, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COMMUNICATE OUR THANKS TO THOSE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AND THEIR SACRIFICES THEY MAKE EACH DAY TO KEEP OUR CAMPUSES SAFE. WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT.

AND I WANT TO THANK ALABAMA POWER FOR GIVING US A GRANT TO OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD RECENTLY FOR $75,000.

IT WILL FUND IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSIST IN EXPANSION OF OUR TRAINING CENTER LOCATED IN AUBURN INDUSTRIAL PARK.

THANK ALABAMA POWER FOR BEING A GREAT POWER TO THE CITY OF AUBURN FOR A LONG LONG TIME. THOSE ARE ALL MY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO ANNOUNCE?

>> SPEAKER: THE COST TO THE CITY FOR THE COUNCILMAN DIXON LAWSUIT IS $68,136 AS OF THE 31ST OF JANUARY.

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>> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE? >> SPEAKER: I WANT TO THANK AL DAVIS AND HIS STAFF FOR ALLOWING ME AS A CITY COUNCIL PERSON TO HAVE THE SENIOR CITIZEN VALENTINE BALL AT BOYKIN THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT. IT WAS A SUCCESS.

WE HAD PROBABLY HUNDRED 50 PEOPLE THERE.

IT WAS A REALLY NICE BALL -- 150 PEOPLE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS EVENT.

THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU, CONNIE.

>> SPEAKER: THIS PAST SUNDAY THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL HAD A PRESENTATION BY THE ACE CLUB WHICH STANDS FOR AFRO CULTURAL EDUCATION AND THEY HAD AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE.

DOMINANT RACE WHO IS AN AUBURN HIGH ALUM SPOKE AND HE HAD A GREAT MESSAGE FOR OUR TEENS AND REALLY FOR EVERYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE. MY DAUGHTER AND I HAD A GREAT TIME SEEING THAT AND I AM VERY PROUD OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL, MS. GENTRY WHO IS THE LEAD OF THAT GROUP, WHO HAPPENS TO BE MY DAUGHTERS MATH TEACHER AS WELL. IT WAS REALLY A GREAT PERFORMANCE AND I APPLAUD EVERYONE WHO IS A PART OF THAT GROUP. THIS NEXT WEEKEND IS THE MARDI GRAS PARADE ON SATURDAY THE 26TH IN -- TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR 3 PM. A CAVEAT BECAUSE OF THE BASKETBALL GAME. WAS JUST WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY.

MAKE YOUR PLAN TO COME DOWNTOWN ON SATURDAY THE 26TH AND SEE A

PARADE. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

>> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE PUBLIC PAUL REGISTER FOR HIS -- I HORRIBLE ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 85 AND I CAME THROUGH THEIR GOING SOUTH SHORTLY AFTER IT OCCURRED.

FOLKS WERE ALREADY ON THE SCENE AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WAY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE AS WELL AS OUR POLICE.

JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND I'M SORRY HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT

>> SPEAKER: NOBODY ELSE? AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]

>> SPEAKER: HOPE YOU ALL ARE DOING WELL.

AU HAD A NICE VALENTINES WEEKEND.

LOVELY WEATHER WE ARE HAVING. AUBURN UNIVERSITY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED A NAME CHANGE FOR THE ARENA SO IT WAS THE AUBURN ARENA AND THAT WILL BE THE NEVILLE ARENA.

AFTER BILL AND CONNIE NEVILLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE PAT DIE SOCIETY. WE ARE PLAYING VANDERBILT THERE TOMORROW NIGHT AND COULDN'T GET BACK TO NUMBER ONE.

THIS PAST WEEKEND AN ORGANIZATION ON CAMPUS CALLED DANCE MARATHON RAISED OVER $270,000 BY DANCING ALL DAY LONG ABBY RONSON DANCE AND WORKED ALL DAY LONG TIRELESSLY.

WE ARE PROUD OF THEM AND THAT IS JUST ONE ORGANIZATION ON CAMPUS THAT RAISES TONS OF MONEY FOR GREAT CAUSES.

ALL OF THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO CHILDREN OF PIEDMONT COLUMBUS REGIONAL HOSPITAL. WE ARE SUPER PROUD OF THEM AND.

BLACK STUDENT UNION IS HOSTING UNITY WEEK THIS WEEK.

THEY ARE DOING EVENTS EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

I THINK TONIGHT THEY ARE HAVING A LUAU.

TOMORROW NIGHT IS A FILM UNITED STUDENTS ACROSS CAMPUS.

WE WILL BE CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF FEBRUARY. ELECTION WEEK YOU SAW A BUNCH OF THAT I'M SURE. POSTERS EVERYWHERE.

WE HAVE A NEW SJ PRESIDENT, JAY CASON IS OUR NEW PRESIDENT HE WILL BE AT BREAKFAST NEXT TIME HOPEFULLY.

AND I THINK I FORGOT TO MENTION THIS LAST TIME THAT WE DID TENTATIVE PLANNED A RUN ON THE LONG EVENT.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING BUT IT WILL BE CAN MAKE AND WE WILL BE DISTRIBUTE MERCHANDISE. THATANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: WE TALKED ABOUT THE COUNCIL WASN'T INVITED TO THAT.

>> SPEAKER: THEY MUST BE. >> SPEAKER: THERE ARE VERY VERSIONS OF THAT. (LAUGHTER)

>> SPEAKER: WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING BREAKFAST WITH YOU NEXT

[6. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS.]

THESE WERE ONLY BE COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO ITEMS THAT ARE ON OUR AGENDA. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO THE COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS. City Manager Crouch.]

CITY MANAGERS TO MEDICATIONS. >> SPEAKER: UNDER CITY MANAGER'S COMMUNICATIONS THIS EVENING WE HAVE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING BOARD VACANCIES.

ONE VACANCY ON THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD BEFORE YOUR TERM BEGINS APRIL 15, 2022, AND ENDS JANUARY 14, 2026.

THE APPOINT WILL BE MADE AT THE MARCH 15 MEETING.

ONE VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, FIVE YEAR TERM BEGINS JUNE 1, 2022, AND ENDS MAY 31, 2027.

THE APPOINTMENT WILL BE MADE AT THE APRIL 19 MEETING.

AND AS DISCUSSED EARLIER ONE VACANCY FOR AN UNEXPIRED TERM OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT WOULD BEGIN UPON APPOINTMENT AND

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THE APRIL 5 MEETING. >> SPEAKER: MAKE IT, JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK MY FRIEND DAVID HOUSEL WHO HE IS NOT SEEKING A SECOND TERM IN THE LIBRARY BOARD AND I APPRECIATE DAVID'S INTEREST AND DESIRE. HE HAD DONE SO MUCH FOR THIS COMMUNITY FOR SO MANY YEARS AND BEING WILLING TO SERVE ON OUR LIBRARY BOARD WAS VERY APPROPRIATE FOR HIM AND HIS INTEREST AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THAT.

ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, YOU AND I HAD ALSO WORKED THROUGH SOME TIMETABLES ON THAT POTENTIALLY THIS WEEK.

THE APPLICATIONS FOR THAT WILL ALSO GO LIVE TONIGHT AND WILL BE LIVE FOR APPROXIMATELY A FULL MONTH.

>> SPEAKER: WHEN WE SAY TONIGHT WE WILL CLARIFY THAT IT IS MIDNIGHT. IF YOU ARE UP AND APPLY AT 12:0.

>> SPEAKER: AND POTENTIALLY THE APPOINTMENT OF THAT IS APRIL 19.

SO THE INTERVIEWS FOR THAT WOULD BE POTENTIALLY A WEEK BEFORE THAT. WE WILL BE FINALIZING THAT AT THIS TIME. THIS IS THE APPOINTMENT TO FILL THE MR. CHARLES SMITH. HE HAS DONE TWO FULL TERMS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD. HE IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND HE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

HE IS ALSO SERVED ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE PARKS AND ADVISORY BOARD. HE HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE GREAT CITIZEN IN AUBURN FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND THERE WILL BE TIME TO THANK CHARLES BUT I WANT TO SAY TONIGHT THANK YOU CHARLES FOR ALL OF YOUR GREAT EFFORTS ON THAT.

WE WILL GET TOGETHER AND FORMALIZE THESE DATES ON ALL OF THE INTERVIEWS SO THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS WHEN THOSE TIMES WILL COME. THEY WILL BE OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC. I JUST WANTED TO STOP ON THAT.

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]

CONSENT AGENDA. >> SPEAKER: OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. THIS ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND DEAL WITH THAT ITEM

INDIVIDUALLY? >> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE TO

REMOVE ITEM 8B,. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE?

>> SPEAKER: ITEM 8D2. >> SPEAKER: 8D2.

ANYONE ELSE? MS. CROUCH, WE WILL START WITH

[b. Concurence. Industrial Development Board. Support a Community Development Finance Insitution (CDFI) with the establishment of an Auburn loan fund.]

EIGHT B. >> SPEAKER: ITEM 8B IS A CONCURRENT WITH THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO PARTNER WITH SABOR FINANCE TO ESTABLISH AN SBA LOAN FUND WITHIN A LOCATION OF A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION IN ORDER TO MAKE FUNDING MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES AND STARTUPS.

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

>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. MR. GRISWOLD?

>> SPEAKER: I WOULD LIKE A BRIEF EXPLANATION FOR THE PUBLIC ON WHAT THE BENEFITS TO ALL BUT IS CREATION OF THIS SEE DFI AND ALSO A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF HOW IT WILL BE FUNDED.

>> SPEAKER: WHAT I'M GOING TO DO AND WE WILL GO BACKWARDS BUT I WILL GO TO THE FUNDING PIECE FIRST.

I HAVE LESLIE CHAMBERS HEAR FROM OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND A NUMBER OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS.

SHE IS THE FINANCIAL MANAGER WITH THE PROSPECT THIS EVEN THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T SEE THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OR DEPUTY DIRECTOR THIS EVENING. LESLIE IS MORE THAN CAPABLE.

THE FUNDING FOR THIS, WHAT ULTIMATELY SABOR FINANCES IS DOING IS THESE ARE HIGH RISK LOANS AND SO THIS IS SEED MONEY OF $75,000 FROM THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD RESOURCES AND ANOTHER $75,000 FROM REPAID URBAN ELEMENT ACTION GRANTS.

THOSE FUNDS HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE BEFORE PHILIP DUNLAP ARRIVED IN THE EARLY '80S. HE WORKED AS A CONSULTANT TO BRING THOSE TO THE CITY AND THE LIKES OF THE HOTEL AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY WERE BUILT WITH BONDS IN THOSE FUNDS TO APARTMENT COMPLEXES, TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALL OVER THE CITY.

THE CITY CHOSE IN THE '80S TO RESTRICT THE USE OF THOSE FUNDS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED PROJECTS AND THEY ARE PRETTY WELL IDENTIFIED IN YOUR RESOLUTION WHERE IT TALKS ECONOMIC DEVELOP ACTIVITIES THAT IS ELIGIBLE FOR.

WE HAVE OFTEN USED IS FOR LOAN FUNDS.

WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE BUT WE USED TO HAVE A REVOLVING PHONE THAT HELP ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE GOAL FOR THIS IS TO PROVIDE ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX TO REALLY ASSIST BUSINESSES THAT ARE HIGH RISK.

I WILL HAVE LESLIE CHAMBERS EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT BUT WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

WE THINK WE ARE REALLY GETTING INTO THE START OF SPACE AND WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES WHERE THERE IS A GAP IN FINANCING THAT HASN'T REALLY BEEN FILLED BY A LOT OF OTHER NEEDS. LESLIE?

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. SABOR FINANCES A SEA DFI OUT OF BIRMINGHAM. THEY HAVE PARTNERED LONG SINCE WITH INNOVATION DEPOT AND GETTING THEIR START WITH STARTUPS. THERE IS A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMERCIAL -- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND STARTUPS.

THERE IS A GAP WITH HIGHER RISK LOANS THAT TRADITIONAL LENDERS JUST CAN'T REACH. EITHER THE LOAN IS TOO SMALL TO MAKE OR THE INTEREST RATE WOULD BE TOO HIGH AND IT IS NOT A BANKABLE DEAL. SO THE SEA DFI PROCESS, THE

[00:15:03]

WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT SABOR FINANCE IS THERE NOT JUST PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUT THEY ALSO HAVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT THEY CAN OFFER TO STARTUPS AND MID STAGE BUSINESSES IN THE AUBURN AREA AS WELL.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT THEY OFFER IS A FOCUS ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INCLUSION FOR MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES, WHETHER THAT IS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN OWNED BUSINESS OR A WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS, A VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS.

THEY HAVE A SPECIAL PROVIDE THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO THEIR BUSINESSES. IT IS ACCESS TO FUNDING WITHOUT BIAS. I THINK THAT IS A HUGE PIECE OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM THAT WE CAN FILL FOR OUR BUSINESSES IN THE AUBURN AREA. SABOR FINANCE IS A NONPROFIT LENDER SHALL EVERY DIME OF INTEREST THAT IS RAISED OFF OF THE LOANS THAT THEY MAKE WOULD BE RECYCLED BACK INTO THEIR FUND AND CONTINUE TO MAKE MORE LOANS THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THEIR PROGRAM HERE. THEIR FOCUS IS ON THE SUCCESS OF THE BUSINESS THAT THEY INVEST IN , NOT THE SUCCESS OF THEIR

INVESTMENTS. >> SPEAKER: THIS $150,000 COULD

LEVERAGE UP TO. >> SPEAKER: UP TO $100 MILLION TO BE USED IN THE AUBURN EAST ALABAMA AREA.

>> SPEAKER: 100 PERCENT OF THEM ARE NECESSARILY CAPTURED IN AUBURN WE HAD A LONG TALK WITH SABOR ABOUT THIS.

WHAT WE WANTED TO BE SURE WE WERE DOING WAS GETTING THIS GETTING INTO THE SPACE AND IDENTIFIED GAPS FOR YEARS.

A LOT OF YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH SBA LOANS AND WHAT THEY INVOLVE. LOOKING TO PLAY IN A SPACE THAT A TRADITIONAL LENDER WOULD NOT SO THAT WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF THE VERY DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT LESLIE DESCRIBED.

WE ARE OFFERING A FULL MENU OF OPTIONS TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE IN BUSINESS. THE COUNSELING PEACE AND ASSIST WITH START UP IS ALSO A BIG DEAL AND THAT IS A NO CHARGE SITUATION. THE INDUSTRIAL BOARD I ATTENDED THEIR MEETING ABOUT THIS FELT VERY STRONGLY THIS IS A BIT OUTSIDE OF THEIR REALM OF. BUT THEY ALSO FEEL THAT IT IS VERY RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS MONEY THEY'VE EARNED FROM POLICE INCOMES AND OTHER THINGS THAT THEY WANTED TO PUT THEIR OWN MONEY TOWARD IT AS WELL BECAUSE THEY THINK IS IT IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> SPEAKER: WOULD THIS BE A POLITICAL PROCESS THAT WILL GO BEFORE THE BOARD LIKE WE DID WITH THE COVID RELATED BOARDS? WHERE WE WOULD VOTE AT EACH APPROVAL?

>> SPEAKER: NO. >> SPEAKER: ALL LENDING WOULD BE HANDLED BY SABOR FINANCE. WE GET INTO A SPACE THAT WE DON'T REALLY NEED TO NECESSARILY BE IN.

>> SPEAKER: THIS IS JUST A LOSS RESERVE.

IT IS PURELY A LOSS RESERVE. YES, IT IS AT RISK.

>> SPEAKER: IS THE CITY UNDERWRITING ANY OF THE LOANS?

>> SPEAKER: NO, WE ARE NOT INVOLVED.

IT'S AT ARMS LENGTH. THIS IS -- THE WAY THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WORKS IS WHEN THEY TAKE UP MAJOR ACTIONS SUCH AS THIS, A RESOLUTION IN 1994 REQUIRED SOME CONCURRENCE OF THE COUNCIL. THE REASON YOU ARE SEEING THIS IS THE CONCURRENCE WITH THEIR ACTIONS OF DOING SO.

YOU HAD GENERAL AWARENESS BUT IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM IS THE CITY OR THE INDUSTRIAL BOARD LIABLE. BUT THIS LOSS RESERVE MONEY IS AT RISK. THERE IS NO QUESTION.

WERE THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS GOING, SABOR IS IN BIRMINGHAM, BESSEMER AREA. WE HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH SABOR.

ALSO INVOLVED WITH COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER THINGS UP IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA AND ARE VERY EXCITED IN THIS MARKET TO

TRY TO HELP SOME FOLKS. >> SPEAKER: SO THIS IS A

BUSINESS LOAN? >> SPEAKER: BUSINESS LOAN ONLY.

>> SPEAKER: I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT AFFORDABLE

HOUSING. >> SPEAKER: WHAT I SAID IS SOME REPAID URBAN ACTION GRANTS FUNDS WE USED MONEY OVER THE YEARS FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS WHERE WE DID LOANS AND WE STILL HAVE SOME SECOND MORTGAGES OUT THERE FROM HOMES BUILT IN THE SHELTON PARK MANY YEARS AGO. THAT BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE AT SOME POINT IN TIME. THAT MONEY GOES INTO THE FUND AND WE RECYCLE IT BACK OUT. WE HAVE USED FOR OTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TO HELP BUSINESSES WE HAVE DONE A LOT WITH IT. WE CALL IT A REVOLVING LOAN BECAUSE WE DO LIKE TO GET OUR MONEY BACK SO WE CAN USE IT FOR

OTHER PROJECTS EVENTUALLY. >> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS

OR,'S FROM THE COUNCIL? >> SPEAKER: COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT PAYBACKS?

>> SPEAKER: THIS IS MONEY THAT WE GOT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE '80S AND THEY GRANTED MONEY AND BUILD THINGS LIKE THE HOTEL AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY.

IT HELPED WITH MAGNOLIA PLAZA CONSTRUCTION.

IT HELP WITH SHELTON PARK, LAKESIDE.

I THINK IT IS LAKEWOOD COMMONS. NOT LAKEWOOD COMMONS.

ON GATEWOOD, THE PART OF THAT IS AND ROSE GARDEN APARTMENTS.

HAS DONE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN AUBURN OVER THE YEARS, FROM THE '80S TO PRESENT, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT MONEY WAS INVESTED. IT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

MOST CITIES SPEND THAT MONEY, GAVE IT TO SOMEBODY AND DIDN'T RECYCLE IT. THE CITY OF AUBURN LOAN DEBT.

OVER THE YEARS THROUGH A PROGRAM AND WHEN THAT MONEY GOT PAID BACK WE RECYCLE IT TO ANOTHER PROJECT.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TAKING SOME PAYBACK MONEY, MAINLY OUR MAIN

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MONEY COMES INTO THE FUND SO WE ARE USING $75,000 OF THAT TO SPEND HERE. IT IS RESTRICTED BY A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL IN THE '80S TO BE ONLY USED FOR ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? THIS IS EXCITING, LESLIE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK ON THIS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SOME PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY RECEIVED THIS HELP. WE HAVE A MOTION.

[2. North Auburn Housing Development Corporation. Execute Statutory Warranty Deed to convey Lots 6 and 7 of Tucker Heights Subdivision. ]

>> SPEAKER: ITEM EIGHT MADE THE TWO IS A REQUEST FOR THE NORTHERN AUBURN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR THE CITY TO EXECUTE A STATUTORY WARRANTY DEED TO CONVEY LOTS SIX AND SEVEN OF THE TUCKER HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION.

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

>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. MS. FITCH?

>> SPEAKER: THE ONLY THING I WAS GOING TO DO IS JUST TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING FOR THIS PROCESS, THIS PARTICULAR

PROCESS. >> SPEAKER: THE PROCESS OF TRANSFERRING THE LOTS TO NORTH AUBURN FROM THE CITY? I WILL HAVE MR. DAVIS RESPOND. WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE AND IT

IS CONTINUING ON. >> SPEAKER: THE CITY PARTNERS WITH THE NORTH AUBURN HOUSING DEVELOP INCORPORATION TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSES. WE ARE NOW AT A POINTS WITH THE TUCKER HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION WHICH IS AT THE CORNER OF BYRD AND TUCKER. THE NORTH AUBURN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS NOW READY TO START BUILDING SOME ADDITIONAL HOUSES. WE CONVEYED THE COUNCIL -- THAT COUNCIL CONVEYED LAST YEAR LOT FIVE WHICH IS WHERE THE HOUSE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. NORTH AUBURN HOUSING IS ACTUALLY BEGINNING TO CONSTRUCT AND GOT HOME.

ARE ASKING NORTH ARBOR AND THAT YOU CONVEY THE LOT SIX AND SEVEN WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT TO LOT FIVE ON TUCKER EVIDENT.

BECAUSE THEY ARE ALSO READY TO BEGIN TO BUILD THOSE HOUSES.

SO ALL THREE OF THE HOUSES SHOULD BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE SAME TIME. WE DO HAVE PROSPECTIVE HOMEOWNERS, THEY ARE ALREADY SELECTED, ALREADY QUALIFIED.

THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR THEIR HOMES TO BE BUILT.

THAT IS ONE REASON WE ARE ASKING TO GO AHEAD AND CONVEY THESE LOTS. WE EXPECT AFTER THESE THREE HOMES ARE BUILT THAT WE WILL BE READY TO BUILD THE OTHER THREE ON BYRD STREET. WE HAVE HOMEOWNERS AND PERSPECTIVE BUYERS PREPARED FOR THOSE HOUSES.

WE DON'T EXPECT TO STOP -- NORTH OFFERED DOESN'T EXPECT TO STOP

DEALING ONCE I GET GOING. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: ANY OF THE QUESTIONS? GREAT NEWS, AL. ALL IN FAVOR? AND HE OPPOSED THE MOTION CARRIES.

TO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> SPEAKER: SO MOVED. >> SPEAKER: A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY OTHER FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

[9. ORDINANCES.]

>> SPEAKER: UNDER ORDINANCES THIS EVENING ITEM NINE A'S REQUEST FROM EVERETT AND MARIANNE WILLIAMSON TO ANNEX APPROXIMATELY 3 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED ON EAST SIDE OF SOCIETY HILL ROAD APPROXIMATELY POINT TO MILES NORTH OF PIERCE CHAPEL RODE THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL AS FEBRUAR. UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY.

>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE.

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

ANYONE ON THE CANCEL DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING AND HEARING NONE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? LINDSAY, ROLL CALL. (ROLL CALL VOTE)

[10. RESOLUTIONS.]

>> SPEAKER: UNDER RESOLUTIONS ITEM 10A1 OF FIXING OF COSTS FOR MOE'S AND GRASS. AND DEBATING WEEDS AT 937 ALAN AVENUE. THE COST WILL BE ASSESSED TO THE PROPERTY IN THE FORM OF A LEAN AND ADDED TO THE AD VALOREM TAX BILL BY THE REVENUE COMMISSIONER PICK A PUBLIC HEARING IS

REQUIRED. >> SPEAKER: MOVE TO APPROVE.

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

YOU OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. SEE NO ONE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. (VOICE VOTE)

>> SPEAKER: ITEM 10A2 EFFECTS OF COSTS FOR MOWING GRASS AT 515 BYRD STREET. THE COST WOULD BE ASSESSED TO THE PROPERTY IN THE FORM OF A LIEN AND ADDING TO THE AD VALOREM TAX BILL BY THE REVENUE COMMISSIONER.

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

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

AT THIS TIME WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD TO GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

SEEING NO ONE WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> SPEAKER: ARE THESE VACANT LOTS?

>> SPEAKER: THEY DON'T APPEAR TO BE.

I WILL HAVE MR. COMING TO SPEAK TO THAT.

THERE ARE STRUCTURES ON BOTH OF THEM.

[00:25:01]

PROCESS. >> SPEAKER: EITHER ONE ARE

VACANT LOTS. >> SPEAKER: NOBODY LIVES?

>> SPEAKER: I DON'T THINK SO. >> SPEAKER: I HOPE NOT.

>> SPEAKER: NOT ON BYRD. >> SPEAKER: I HOPE NOT.

>> SPEAKER: I KNEW THE STRUCTURES -- I THOUGHT YOU MEANT IF THE HOUSES WERE VACANT. YES THERE ARE STRUCTURES ON BOTH. THIS IS USUALLY A LAST RESORT.

BUT IF NECESSARY TO TAKE CARE OF.

WE DO A LOT OF DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES AND OTHER THINGS ALL

OVER THE CITY. >> SPEAKER: ANY OF THE

QUESTIONS? >> SPEAKER: I JUST HAVE ONE OTHER QUESTION. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT DOING THIS? THERE IS A LOT ON WILLIAM'S STREET WHERE I LIVE.

IT IS ALWAYS GROWN UP. WHEN DO YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO ACTUALLY CLEAN THESE LOTS OFF? AFTER YOU HAVE.

>> SPEAKER: THERE IS A WHOLE MEMO IN YOUR PACKET THAT OUTLINES THE WHOLE PROCESS. IT IS COMPLAINT DRIVEN PICKETS.

IT STARTS WITH A COMPLAINT FROM A CITIZEN OR NEIGHBOR.

A LOT OF TIMES OUR NEIGHBORHOOD INSPECTORS ARE ALSO DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR THIS. AND THEN WE FOLLOW A VERY LENGTHY PROCESS WHERE WE TRY TO GIVE THE PROPERTY OWNER PLENTY OF NOTICE TO TAKE CARE OF IT. WE TRY TO WORK THEM -- WORK WITH THEM BUT IF YOU CONTINUE TO GET NO RESPONSE OR NO ACTION THERE IS A WHOLE SERIES OF STEPS THAT WE MUST FOLLOW BY LAW.

THIS IS OUTLINED IN THE STATE CODE AND WE FOLLOW THAT PROCEDURE AND EVENTUALLY WE END UP MOWING OURSELVES.

NOT THE CITY, WE HAVE TO HIRE IT DONE.

WE PAY FOR IT AND PUT A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY.

>> SPEAKER: ANY OF THE QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? ANY OPPOSED.

THE MOTION CARRIES. MAYOR, THOSE ARE ALL THE ITEMS

[12. CITIZENS' OPEN FORUM.]

OF BUSINESS WE HAVE. >> SPEAKER: AT THIS TIME YOU WILL OVER THE CITIZENS OPEN FORM.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL BUT ANYTHING ON YOUR MIND PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND GIVES HER NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO DESIGNATE YOUR COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS BISHOP I LIVE IT 618 HOWARD STREET AUBURN, ALABAMA. I COME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL.

I SERVE ON THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS MYSELF.

I COME TONIGHT WITH A DEEP CONCERN.

IN 1994, WE MET WITH THE MAYOR DEMPSEY IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.

AT THAT TIME WE MET, WE USED TO HAVE DOUBLE MEMBERS AWARDS.

AND MOST OF YOU KNOW THAT WE HAD WARD ONE PLACE.

AT THAT TIME OUR WARD, WE COULD NEVER ELECT UNDER THAT ARCHAIC SYSTEM A CANDIDATE OF OUR CHOICE.

SO HE MET WITH THE MAYOR AND WHAT WE DID, WE MET IN MONTGOMERY AND WE CHANGED IT. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN -- IN 1994, WE WERE ABLE TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF OUR CHOICE.

FROM THAT TIME, WE HAVE DONE SO. BUT I AM DEEPLY DISTURBED WITH WHAT I SEE IN AUBURN. IF YOU LOOK AT WARD ONE, THE MAYOR AND I HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS.

AUBURN IS NOT THE SAME WARD THAT WE USED TO HAVE.

THE STUDENTS -- WHEN I SERVED ON CITY COUNCIL, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 2025 PLAN WHERE WE DISCUSSED THAT WEST GLENWOOD BECOME UNIVERSITY SERVICES, AND WHEN WE ANNEXED IN THE YEAR 2025 PLAN, WE WERE GOING TO -- BEGIN TO ANNEX THERE.

BUT LOOK WHAT HAPPENED. IN OUR DISTRICT NOW.

LOOK WHAT IS GOING ON OVER ON JUDGE STREET OR OVER BY CHURCH OF GOD BY FAITH. AND YOU SEE THAT BIG STAR -- DICK STARR STARTED PUTTING IN HER LYNNFIELD LINFIELD OVER IN THAT LAND AND NOBODY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE BUILDING OVER THERE, THOSE $250,000 HOMES, IN INNER LINFIELD WHERE GENERAL

[00:30:12]

IF YOU LOOK AT IT YOU SEE ALL OF THIS STUFF.

I WISH I HAD MORE TIME. BUT YOU SEE ALL OF THIS STUFF GOING ON. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NORTHWEST AUBURN I COME TO TELL YOU THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ALSO. IT IS NOT THE SAME PLACE.

THE MAYOR AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. MOVED TO

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.