Jul 05, 2022 City Council

[1. CALL TO ORDER.]

[00:00:08]

>> WE'LL CALL TO ORDER TONIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 5, 2022. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

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.

>> THANK YOU. EARLIER TONIGHT DURING THE

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS.]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ON THIS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT BOARD IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, AT THIS TIME WE'LL RECOGNIZE OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AS WELL AS OTHER EMPLOYEE WHO IS DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB

HERE AT THE CITY. >> MISS MAYORTH MAYOR S MAYOR R WE'RE PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.

OUR JULY AUBURN CITY OF THE MONTH [INAUDIBLE]AUBURN CITY OF MONTH [INAUDIBLE] I'M PLEASED TO NOMINATE KELVIN STAPLES, THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES SOLID WASTE TELEVISION AS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. KELVIN BEGAN WORKING WITH THE CITY IN 2004. HE IS DEPENDABLE, HARD WORKING AND DEDICATED TO ENSURING THE SERVICE PROVIDE BY THE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING DIVISIONS ARE PERFORMED TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITIES. KEVI HEMPED AS CLVI HEMPED AS C [INAUDIBLE]NVI HEMPED AS CREW [INAUDIBLE]I HEMPED AS CREW [INAUDIBLE] HEMPED AS CREW [INAUDIBLE]HEMPEDEPDE AS CREW [INAUDIBLE]R AS CREW [INAUDIBLE]V AS CREW [INAUDIBLE]E AS CREW [INAUDIBLE]D AS CREW [INAUDIBLE] INCLUDED SEVERAL WEEKEND WORKDAYS.

HIS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL COLLECTION ROUTES AND EQUIPMENT AND THAT KNOWLEDGE ALLOWS HIM TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM ANY ASSIGNMENT EFFORTLESSLY. KELVIN CONSISTENTLY TAKES ON ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

KELVIN HAS SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WRITE LETTERS OF APPRECIATION REGARDING HIS PROFESSIONALISM, HIS COURTEOUSNESS AND HIS DEPENDABLE SERVICE. KELVIN TAKES PRIDE IN HELPING WITH ANY ISSUES TO ENSHOWER THAT TEEM WORK AND THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY SERVICES ARE EXECUTED CONSISTENTLY.

KELVIN'S DEDICATION IS APPARENT WITH THE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE HE PROVIDES MAKING HIM WORTHY OF THIS RECOGNITION.

THANK YOU, KELVIN, FOR AN OUTSTANDING JOB, WE APPRECIATE IT.

[MUSIC]

>> CERTAINLY WE'RE PROUD OF ALL OUR EMPLOYEES AND PROUD OF KELVIN FOR BEING OUR EMPLOYER OF THE MONTH AND BEST TO WILLY GOING INTO HIS RETIERM. THANK YOU FOR ALL OUR EMPLOYEES.

UNDER MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT I WANT TO THANK ALL OUR DEPARTMENTS. PARKS AND REC HAD A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THIS BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF PUBLIC SIEVES LAST NIGHT AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER GREATED I'M GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER GREAT

[00:05:04]

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EVENING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ENJOYED, NOT JUST FOLKS FROM OUR COMMUNITY AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORT THAT GOES IN WITH OUR CITY STAFF TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY EACH YEAR. LEE COUNTY'S HUMANE SOCIETY IS HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE ON JULY 17TH ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A GREAT ORGANIZATION THAT DOES GREAT WORK TO BENEFIT ALL OF US HERE IN LEE COUNTY AND SPECIFICALLY IN AUBURN WITH US BEING THE LARGEST COMMUNITY, WE CREATE THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF VOLUME IN THE LEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY.

TAYLOR AND I ARE PART OF THE HABITAT DEDICATION AND THE BEUFORD FAMILY RECEIVED A HOUSE. WHAT A GREAT PICTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY WHEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER TO BENEFIT A FAMILY THROUGH THE HABITAT PROGRAM AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR BOARD, MARK AND THEIR LEADERSHIP AND IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY HANDING THE KEYS OFF TO ANOTHER FAMILY TO HAVE A HOME.

VERY SPECIAL. OUR LOCAL ROTARY CLUB RECOGNIZED OUR PUBLIC SAFES POLICE OFFICERS OF THE YEAR HERE RECENTLY WITH A LUNCH UPSTAIRS AND I APPRECIATE OUR ROTARY CLUB TAKING THEIR TIME TO RECOGNIZE THOSE THAT PROTECT US EACH AND EVERY DAY AND IT WAS A FUN DAY OF LUNCH UPSTAIRS AND GREAT TO SEE OUR OFFICERS RECOGNIZED AND THERE WERE SOME TOURS GIVEN OF THIS GREAT AND WONDERFUL FACILITY. COUNCILMAN HOVEY WHO WILL SOON BE CALLED SENATOR HOVEY IS NOT WITH US TONIGHT, HE'S UNDER THE WEATHER BUT JAY WILL BE WITH US UNTIL NOVEMBER SO I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS HERE SINCE THAT WAS ANUANCED RECENTLY.

JAY WILL FINISH HIS TERM OUT HERE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE SERVING THE CITIZENS OF WARD 7 THROUGH THE EARLY PARTS OF NOVEMBER. AND JENNIFER STEPHENS IS WITH US FOR HER FIRST MEETING TONIGHT. WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE YOU WITH US AT THIS TIME AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU FOR THE NEXT

FOUR MONTHS. >> I WOULD HIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO MEGHAN, TO YOU, AND EVERYBODY FOR THE QUICKNESS OF ONBOARDING ME TO BE HERE TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> GOOD, WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE YOU.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS TO MAKE AT OUR NEXT MEETING. WE'LL HAVE INTERVIEWS NEXT WEDNESDAY ON THE 13TH IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE HAVE FIVE APPLICANTS SEEKING TWO OF THOSE POSITIONS WITH OUR PLANNING COMMISSION. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT?

>> I DON'T HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT BUT I HAVE A QUESTION.

WITH JAY'S ROLE AND HE FINISHES IN NOVEMBER, HOW DO WE FILL HIS SEAT? DO WE APPOINT?

>> NO, MA'AM, BECAUSE THE ELECTION IS PROCEEDING, THAT WILL BE UP TO TUNE SILLMAN HOVEY AS TO WITH HE WITH DRAWS FROM THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND I HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THAT WITH HIM BECAUSE HE'S UNDER THE WEATHER.

WE'RE WAITING ON A FINAL DECISION AND THAT WILL BE UP TO

HIM. >> OKAY, JUST CURIOUS.

>> I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A CALL FROM EVAN DAILY FROM BOY SCOUT TROUPE 71 WORKING ON HIS CITIZENSHIP BADGE.

HE ASKED HOW TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S OPEN TO EVERYBODY, NOT JUST SCOUTS, OBVIOUSLY, BUT SOMETHING I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO AUBURN AND THAT'S THE VARIOUS ACADEMIES THAT THE CITY WHARFS THE PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY AND THEOFFICERS THE PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY AND THE PLANNING ACADEMY AND IT'S A WONDERFUL ORIENTATION AND IT'S FUN, TOO. YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH FOLKS THROUGH OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE IF YOU HAVE INTEREST IN

ATTENDING ANY OF THOSE. >> AND SINCE YOU MOVED HERE, WE HAVE HAD A CITIZEN'S ACADEMY NOW CLOSE TO FINISHING UP.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE ABOUT TO GRADUATE SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. ALL RIGHT, MR. PARSONS?

>> I JUST WANT TO MENTION THE HUGE LOSS THIS COMMUNITY HAS RECENTLY HAD WITH THE PASSING OF LEE COUNTY CORONER LEE HARRIS.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH BILL FOR MANY YEARS IN MY ROLE AS A FIREFIGHTER AND FIRE INSPECTOR IN THIS CITY AND HE WILL BE MISSED IN THOSE PUBLIC SAFETY CIRCLES.

HE WAS A TERRIFIC FIGURE. HE OFFERED A LOT OF COMFORT AND A LOT OF PROFESSIONALISM IN SOME VERY TOUGH MOMENTS THAT HAVE

[00:10:02]

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]

>> THANK YOU, HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE.

>> ALL RIGHT, WE WILL MOVE AHEAD WITH OUR UNIVERSITY

COMMUNICATIONS. >> HELLO, HELLO, HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD 4TH OF JULY. THANK YOU TO JUDSON FOR FILLING IN FOR ME LAST TIME. WE HAD A GREAT CITY BREAKFAST AND DISCUSSED MORE SERIOUS TOPICS ADDRESSING IRE COMMUNITY AND ALSO TOPICS LIKE JABARI SMITH, THAT WAS MY FIFRT THING WE TALKED ABOUT SO THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR HOSTING US FORFAVORI THING WE TALKED ABOUT SO THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR HOSTING US FOR THAT. ALSO, AUBURN SCIENCES LAUNCHED A FULLY ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT COMPLETER DEGREE PROGRAM. THIS IS AIMED AT ADDRESSING THE NATIONWIDE TEACHER SHORT ANNUAL, ESPECIALLY AT THE PRE-K LEVEL AND IT'S CREATED FOR STUDENT WHO IS HAVE TAKEN SOME COLLEGE CLASSES AND WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO FINISH THEIR DEGREE AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF AUBURN FOR SEEING AN ISSUE AND SEEKING TO ADDRESS IT. LAST THING, THE SCHOOL OF AVIATION COMPETED IN THE 2022 AIR RACE CLASSIC THIS PAST MONTH. THERE WERE 41 TEAMS TOTAL, ALL WOMEN LED AND AWE BURNS TEAMS PLACED SECOND ANDAUBURNS TEAMS PLACED SECOND AND FOURTH IN THE RACE SO'S TEAMS

[6. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS.]

>> 4RR9, NEXT FOR CITIZENS' COMMUNICATIONS ONALL RIGHT, NEX' COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS. COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. THERE'S ONE ITEM WITH A PUBLIC HEARING, ITEM 10 A. YES?

>> I'M ROBERT WILKINS, 261 DENSON DRIVE.

WONDERFUL DAY I DIDN'T DO BEING JULY 4TH.

WHAT I WANT TO TAKE ABOUT IS 8 C, 1, 2, AND 3.

I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I PULLED THE AGENDA.

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND REALLY, AND I FEEL LIKE I'M ALWAYS NEGATIVE, I DON'T WANT TO BE NEGATIVE, OKAY? BY I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CAN'T BE DONE WHEN EVERYBODY I CAN'T BE DONEU I DON'T UNDERSTA CAN'T BE DONET I DON'T UNDERSTA CAN'T BE DONE WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS DONE.

YOU VOTE ON DIFFERENT THINGS, IT'S A 5-3, 4-5, WHATEVER IT MAY BE BUT YOU'RE STILL A UNIT AND THAT UNIT SCHULTE ALSO BE WHEN THIS SHOULD ALSO BE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THIS SHOULD HAPPEN TO DO ALL OF THIS AUTOONE TIME. YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GIFT, OKAY? EACH ONE OF YOU HAVE.

WARD 3, MAYOR, AND WARD 8. YOU HAVE TIME NOW TO PRESENT TO THE COMMUNITY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OPPOSITION. I WAS IN POLITICS SINCE I WAS 13 YEARS OLD AND I WAS THE CO-CHAIRMAN FOR PICKENS CAN'T RUNNING AGAINST GEORGE WALLACE AND ICOMMUNITY RUNNING AGAINST E WALLACE AND I THOUGHT ALBERT BREWER WAS AN INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUAL, REFINED HAD GREAT IDEAS BUT SOMETIMES POLITICS TAKES PEOPLE AND MIXES THEM UP. I THINK, MAYOR, YOU HAVE A WAY TO SPEND TIME ON THE VISION THAT WE HAVE IN THE FUTURE AND NO ONE IS GOING TO DOWN YOU NOW. ALSO, I'M CONCERNED LET'S SAY THAT WE HAVE SOME SITUATIONS WHERE WE HAVE SOME WRITE-IN VOTES OR YOU SAY, LET'S SAY YOU LOSE.

DOES THAT MEAN THIS IS NO LONGER VALID THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO VOTE ON TODAY? OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT -- I JUST THINK IT'S KIND OF NOT A GOOD THING FOR THE COMMUNITY, IT'S NOT A GOOD THING, AN IMAGE FOR YOU THREE, YOU'RE VERY LUCKY AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT WARD 3 AND WARD 8 HAVE IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. YOU ALL HAVE TO FINISH OUT YOUR TERM BUT GIVE US SOME VISION. WE WANT TO HEAR Y'ALL'S VISION, OKAY? THANKS.

>> YES, SIR. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SUSAN BOLT, 1188 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE.

I WANT TO SPEAK ON ITEM 8E1. WHEN THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT UP ON THE APRIL 19TH MEETING I SPOKE WROTE WITH MY CONCERNS AND SPEAK TO SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS. I WAS CONCERNED THIS CONTRACT WAS TO HIRE A LOBBYIST TO LOBBY [INAUDIBLE] FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF

[00:15:01]

I WAS TOLD YOU WERE LEAD TO BELIEVE THAT THE RAVE KNEW WOULD GO WOULEWOULVWOULEWOULNWOU WOUL GO AWAY IMMEDIATELY BUT WE CAN SEE NOW THE CITY HAS A SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS NAH THEIR BUDGET BUT THE LARGER CONCERN IS THAT THE CITY MANAGER DID NOT PRESENT ALL THE FACTS TO YOU. OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS, TO MAYBE A W, OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS, TO MAYBE A WELL INFORMED DECISION. THIS ITEM WAS PULLED OFF THE APRIL 19TH AGENDA. IT'S BACK NOW, BUT IT'S $18,000 MORE EXPENSIVE AND THE LANGUAGE ABOUT LOBBYING AGAINST SENATE BILL 44 HAS BEEN CAMOUFLAGED AND HAS A MORE GENERAL DESCRIPTION AS GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS REPRESENTATION.

>> MS. BOLT DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS? THE ONE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER WAS A STATE CONTRACT. THIS IS A CONTRACT WITH OUR

FEDERAL DELEGATION. >> I GET IT BUT IT'S THE SAME THING. YOU'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT

LOBBYING AGAINST. >> WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT LOBBYING BUT IT'S TWO DIFFERENT AREAS.

>> OKAY, BUT NO -- >> JUST MAKING SURE YOU

UNDERSTAND. >> I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THERE'S FEDERAL AND THERE'S STATE. I WOULD LIKE TO RECLAIM MY TIME, TOO, THANK YOU. THE PRINTED ARGUMENT FOR THIS CONTRACT IS NOW CENTERED AROUND GRANTS AND APPROPRIATIONS DESIRED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN AND THE SUCCESS OF GRANTS AND APPROPRIATIONS ACQUIRED WITH THE HELP OF CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS AND THIS IS GREAT. THIS IS THE WAY OUR STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT MUNICIPALITIES. WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE GREAT LEADERS, WE HAVE TOMMY TUBERVILLE, [INAUDIBLE] AND JAY HOVEY. ALL THESE MEN ARE CHEER LEADERS FOR AUBURN. BY REQUESTING ANOTHER EXPEND SHIRR TO ASSIST IN GRANTS AND APPROPRIATIONS, IT LEADS ONE TO ASK IS THEEXPENDITURE TO ASSIST AND APPROPRIATIONS, IT LEADS ONE TO ASK IS THE CITY MANAGER UNABLE TO PERFORM HER JOB? IT IS PART OF HER JOB TO COORDINATE PROJECT REQUESTS AND WORK WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ACQUIRE FUNDING.

WHILE SPEAKING TO SOME OF OUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES, THEY STATED THEY DUD NOT WANT TO WORK WITH LOBBYISTS BUT WOULD PREFER TO WORK WITH OUR LOCAL CONSTITUENTS.

THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON TO HAVE ADDITIONAL NON-LAWYERED LOBBYISTS TO HELP WITH THESE ACQUISITIONS WHEN PERSONNEL IS ALREADY IN PLACE F. THIS $108,000 CONTRACT IS EXCHIEDED WILL THE CITY OF AUBURN GET RID OF $108,000 OF EMPLOYEE COSTS ALREADY IN PLACE TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS CONTRACT? WILL THEY FIRE SOMEONE AND REPLACE THEM WITH THESE LOBBYISTS? WE DO NOT NEED A DUPLICATION.

AUBURN CITIZENS HAVE ALREADY ELECTIONED THEIR REPRESENTATIVES. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW THIS EXPENDITURE. NOW THAT THIS ITEM HAS REAPPEARED I HAVE AN EVEN LARGER CONCERN AND I HAVE TO ASK DID THE CITY MANAGER THINK THAT THE TUNE SILL MEMBERS AND THE CITIZENS ARE SO IGNORANT TO NOT NOTICE THE WORD SUBSTITUTIONS PRICE INCREASE AND SHIFT OF FOCUS? I FIND MYSELF BEING ANNOYED FOR YOU, THE CITY COUNCILLORS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO GRIN AND NOD AND BE PART OF THE DECEPTION SO I ASK IS THE CONTRACT ABOUT ACQUIRING FUNDING OR EXTENDING REACH? IN THE RESIDENCE TEETHES LETTER DATED APRIL 15TH, THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE SEEMS TO LEAN TOWARD BIGGER GOVERNMENT, ALSO IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT CITY AUTHORITY.

SO THE GOAL IS TO PROTECT THEIR CONTROL EVEN WHEN IT OPPOSES OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. THIS IS AN OVERREACH AND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROTECT AUBURN CITIZENS FROM THIS OVERREACH. IF YOU LOOK INTO THE BIO INFORMATION FROM THE BREADLY LAW FIRM THEY ARE A LEGISLATIVE FIRM. THEY DO NOT CONCENTRATE ON GRANT WRITING. ONE OF THE NONLAWYER PROFESSIONALS MENTIONED IS A CON FACTED FELL NONMIKE HUB BARD'S CHIEF OF STAFF. AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU ARE THE BRAKE STOP BETWEEN CITIZENS AND GOVERNMENTAL OVERREACH.

WHILE IT IS YOUR JOB AS A COUNCIL MEMBER TO HELP FACILITATE THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU REMEMBER THAT YOUR ALLEGIANCE IS FIRST TO THE CITIZENS AND NOT BIGGER GOVERNMENT. GIVE GIVE ME SOME MORE MONEY AND I'LL GIVE YOU SOME MORE GOVERNMENT.

THIS CONTRACT APPEARS TO BE A GOVERNMENT OVERREACH DESIGNED AS

[00:20:01]

>> I'M VERY CONCERN THAT HAD THE ACCUSATION IS THAT OUR CITY MANAGER DID NOT PRESENT THE FACTS AND THE USE OF THE WORD DECEPTION IS UNFORTUNATE. THIS IS A GOVERNMENT, A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TONIGHT.

THE BRADLEY COMPANY FIRM DOES REPRESENT CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES ON FEDERAL AND STATEWIDE LEVELS. THE ONE THAT MS. BOLT WAS MENTIONING EARLIER WAS A STATEWIDE CONTRACT THEY WERE ABLE TO DELIVER OVER $3 MILLION TO THE CITY OF AUBURN THAT'S BEING USED TO FACILITATE GROWTH AND EDUCATION IN OUR WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM F. YOU SPEND $100,000 AND GET $3 MILLION IN RETURN, I BELIEVE THAT'S AMILLI THAT'S A GOOD INVESTMENT.

THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR US RIGHT NOW IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRADLEY GROUP FOR THIS YEAR.

TO SAY THE CITY COUNCIL DECEIVED THIS CITY COUNCIL IS FLAT OUT

WRONG AND RECKLESS. >> PERHAPS WE WILL SEE THE MANAGER EXPLAIN HER SIDE OF THIS OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.]

HERE. >> WE'LL DO THAT, ALL RIGHT.

ANYTHING ELSE? WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO THE CITY

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]

MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS. >> ALL RIGHT, I HAVE NONE UNTIL LATER. [LAUGHTER] . DOES ANY COUNCIL MEMBER REQUEST TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL OFF 8C. >> 1, 2, AND 3.?

>> 1, 2, AND 3 >> YES.

>> AND I WOULD LIKE TO PULL OFF 8E1 SO WE CAN CONTINUE THAT

DISCUSSION. >> ALL RIGHT, READY TO CONTINUE?

>> LET'S GO WITH 8C. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. DISCUSSION?

WE'LL GO TO YOU, MS. WITTEN. >> YES, WOULD YOU EXPLAIN TO THE COUNCIL THE REASON WE'RE SEEING THIS TONIGHT AND WHY IT WOULD NOT, WHY THESE CANDIDATES, MYSELF INCLUDED, WOULD NOT BE ON

THE BALLOT IN AUGUST? >> CORRECT, AS IT SAYS IN YOUR PACKET, ALABAMA CODE SECTION 11 11.46.26 REQUIRES THAT WHEN THERE IS NO OPPOSITION WE ENSTATE PEOPLE. WHEN NO ONE IS IMPOSING, YOU DO THIS AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING BUT NO ONE IS IN THEIR NEW OFFICE UNTIL THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER BUT IT REQUIRES THAT NAMES NOT APPEAR ON THE BALLOT FURTHERING THAT DISCUSSION THAT THOSE WHO ARE UNOPPOSED THEIR NAMES WON'T APPEAR ON THE BALLOT, EITHER.

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT, THE NOTION THAT SUFFICIENT PEOPLE WOULD WRITE IN FOR, SAY, ONE OF THESE ALREADY CONFIRMED COUNCIL MEMBERS.

>> YOU CAN'T WRITE IN. >> PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO DO THAT.

>> CORRECT, THE SEAT HAS BEEN FILLED.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES. >> ALL RIGHT, 8C2, BETH WITTEN CERTIFIED AS WARD 3 AWED AID A MOTION AND A SECOND, I PRESUME

YOU HAVE MADE YOUR COMMENTS. >> YES.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.

ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES.

>> 8 C 3 TURRET FIES TOMMY DAW SEWN FOR WARD 8.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >>

[00:25:14]

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> THE THOUGHT THAT ANY OF US ARE UNREACHABLE IS ANY CORRECT.

ANY OF US CAN BE REACHED AT ANY TIME.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF US, PLEASE GIVE US A

CALL. >> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I'M JEALOUS. >> GET THAT FOR THE RECORD.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A HOT MONTH COMING UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO SAY THE SAME THING.

I'M A LITTLE GELATOSE, TOO, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS BY

CONGRATULATIONS. >> YEAH, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> 8E1 AUTHORIZES A CONTRACT WITH BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS, THE CONTRACT IS $9,000

A MONTH OR $108,000 A YEAR. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> MR. GRISWOLD, I BELIEVE YOU

WANTED THIS? >> YES, I DID.

THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUE THAN WHAT WE TOOK OFF THE AGENDA SOME TIME AGO, THAT BEING REPRESENTATION AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THIS BEING A SEPARATE REPRESENTATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND I'M ALSO CONVINCED THAT ANY ACCUSATIONS ABOUT US BEING MISLED ARE UNFOUNDED. HAVING SAID THAT, HOWEVER, I DO AGREE THAT WE HAVE FULLY CAPABLE AND FULLY COMPETENT ELECTED STAFF AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE STAFFS OF THEIR OWN, BOTH AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL AND THE DC OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE SO I'M IN AGREEMENT THAT I DON'T SUPPORT THIS CONTINUED CONTRACT. I BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE

IN PLACE. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CITY MANAGER.

WE KNOW THAT IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT PROVED TO BE TO OUR FAVOR.

IN THE EVENT THAT THIS THIS SHALL COMES UP NEXT YEAR AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SUBSTANTIAL BENEFIT FROM THIS CONTRACT, DOES IT COME UNDER REVIEW? DO YOU MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE --

>> ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE THINGS EVERYONE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND IS THIS IS A MONTH TO MONTH CONTRACT SO AT ANY POINT IN TIME WITH 30 DAYS WRITTEN NOTICE IT CAN BE CANCELED AND IT WAS THE SAME AGREEMENT LAST YEAR.

THE REASON THAT I PROPOSED IT LAST YEAR TO THE COUNCIL WAS IT'S NO SECRET WE'RE A GROWING COMMUNITY BUT BEYOND OUR NEEDS FOR AN OUTER LOOP, FUTURE WATER SOURCES, ALL KINDS OF THING FOR FEDERAL FUNDING JUST TAKE THAT OUT OF THE PICTURE AND FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT BASED ON CONGRESS' CURRENT TEMPERATURE THEY DECIDED TO DO FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS. A LOT OF PEOPLE KNEE THEM AS EARMARKS AND WHILE WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STAFF OF ALL OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION, THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES IN DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

WE HAVE SENATORS THAT ARE REPRESENTING STATEWIDE SO OUR GOAL HERE IS TO MAKE SURE ABURN GETS AS MUCH AS WE CAN WHILE FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS AND/OR EARMARKS ARE GOING ON.

AT SUCH TIME THOSE STOP WE MAY NOT NEED REPRESENTATION BUT THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF PROJECTS WORKING AND ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE HOPPER IS WARM WARNING SIGN BOARDS.

WE'RE TRYING TO FUND THAT THROUGH AL-DOT PASSED DOWN THROUGH OUR METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION.

I WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO OBTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE DRIVING THROUGH AUBURN AND SO WE'RE USING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE TO COME WITH OUR GROWTH AND WE'RE USING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES.

IF I WASN'T CONFIDENT IN THIS, I WOULD NOT PROPOSE IT TO YOU, BUT I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE COUNCIL UNDERSTANDS IF THE MAJORITY OF YOU DECIDE AT ANY TIME YOU DON'T WANT TO PROCEED TO CONTINUE THIS CONTRACT, I CAN CANCEL IT WITH 30 DAYS NOTICE PERIOD. THERE'S NO LONG TERM OBLIGATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A COMMENT AND A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ONE, I THINK IT'S A GREAT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS BOTH FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND AFTER THE MEETING

[00:30:02]

OUR BUDGET FOR PERSONNEL IS WELL UNDER 50%, WHICH IS ATYPICAL FOR A CITY OUR SIDE, HOW MUCH WOULD IT TAKE TO BE A BENEFIT AND HAVE THE SAME RETURN AS THIS CONTRACT?

>> WE HAVE IN OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE, DAVID DORTON HANDLES ALL OUR SOCIAL MEDIA, MANY OTHER THINGS AT THE COUNCIL AGENDAS AND SO ON SO WE BUILD TRACK BUT ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS WHEN YOU SAY $108,000 A YEAR FOR THIS AND YOU SAY YOU ONLY PAY A STAFF MEMBER $90,000 A YEAR OR $80,000 ASSUMING THEY HAVE ALL THE CONTACTS AND SO ON TO DO THIS, WE HAVE A BENEFIT LOAD IN THERE AND WE HAVE EXCELLENT BENEFITS AND WE BELIEVE IN TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE. WHAT COSTS ME MORE THAN $108,000 WHEN YOU'RE COUNTING SALARY AND BENEFITS WHICH HIT IT IS BOTTOM LINE. I DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY IN 30 DAYS TO ELIMINATE A POSITION SHOULD WE NOT NEED IT AND ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS BEING LEAN, WE'RE LEAN IN PART.

WE EXPECT MUCH OF OUR STAFF, WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM BUT WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH WE HAVE BEEN, THROUGH ATTRITION AND OTHER THINGS TO NOT FILL POSITIONS AND NOT BEEN IN A MODE OF LAYING OFF AND WE BELIEVE IN TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE SO THAT'S WHY WE HAVEN'T DONE IT AND WE DID THAT CALCULATION BEFORE WE BROUGHT

THAT TO YOU A YEAR AGO. >> AND SECOND, I HAVE THE UTMOST CONFIDENT THAT WE HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION AND OUR STATE DELEGATION AND I WOULD EXPECT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE AUBURN'S INTEREST PRESENT IN MIND BUT WOULD A LOBBYING FIRM ALSO BE WORKING TO HELP US IDENTIFY OUTSIDE OF OUR DELEGATION WHAT OUR PITFALLS AND OBSTACLES MAY

BE? >> YES, AND THEY'RE ALSO IDENTIFYING MANY THINGS. THERE ARE A LOT OF GRANTS OUT THERE AND A LOT OF TIMES, WE'RE SPENDING INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME WORKING WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT OUR BIG PICTURE NEEDS ARE SO THEY'RE IDENTIFYING OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING.

WE CAN SAY YOU HAVE A STAFF PERSON WHO DOES THAT.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THINGS BUT IF YOU HAVE TRIED TO FIND FEDERAL GRANTS, THERE'S A MILLION AND ONE OF THEM AND WE'RE TURNING OVER EVERY STONE.

WE PAY A LOT OF FEDERAL TAXES HERE, WE SHOULD GET OUR PIECE OF THE PIE SO WE DO A LOT OF WORK WITH THAT.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND,

ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OH POSED? >> I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN.

>> NAY. >> OKAY, WE HAVE AN ABSTENTION

AND A NAY. >> I WORKED WITH BRADLEY LAW

FIRM BEFORE. >> SO TWO NAYS AND ONE

ABSTENTION. >> SO IT PASSED.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY, ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

[9. ORDINANCES.]

THE CONSENT AGENDA IS PASSED. >> ALL RIGHT, UNDER ORDINANCES THIS EVENING 9 A ADOPTS THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND 2024

BIENNIAL BUDGET. >> THIS IS SECOND READ SOING WE

JUST NEED TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT.

I MOVE TO AMEND THE BUDGET OR NANCE BY INCREASING FINNING FOR

[00:35:01]

>> ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS ON THAT? JUST TO LET OUR AUDIENCE AND PUBLIC KNOW, AS I YEAR REED EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ASK THEM WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS WERE, THEY ALL RESPONDED BACK TO ME.

I GOT WITHWHAT THEIR THOUGHTS W ALL RESPONDED BACK TO ME.

I GOTHEM WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS WE THEY ALL RESPONDED BACK TO ME.

I GOT WITH THE CITY MANAGER TO GET FROM THEM WHAT THE COUNCIL OFFERED SO THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE HERE TONIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION OR THOUGHTS? ALL RIGHT. SO MOVE WITH A VOTE NOW?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

ROLL CALL.

>> AT THIS TIME DO WE MOVE BACK TO THE REGULAR?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE BUDGET. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF AND MEGHAN, YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS BUDGET. THIS IS THE HIGHEST BUDGET IN THE CITY'S HISTORY IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

>> THIS IS A PROUD MOMENT FOR ME, THAT'S RIGHT AND MY FIRST

BUDGET. >> IT'S VERY WELL THOITH OUT AND I THINK THE CITY SHOULD KNOW THAT YOU'RE INTHOUGHT OUT AND I THINK THE CITY SHOULD KNOW THAT YOU'RE IN GREAT HANDS AND THAT AS MENTIONED BEFORE WE RUN A VERY LEAN SHOP AND WE ARE WERE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS.

>> THANK YOU, BETH, FOR MAKING THOSE COMMENTS AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO ECHO WHAT BETH SAID. OUR STAFF DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB.

OUR BUDGET HEARINGS, EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD CAME FARED AND PRESENTED THEIR REQUEST AND REASONS AND AS TO WHAT THEIR BUDGET LOOKED LIKE AND WHAT THEIR DEPARTMENTS NEEDED.

IT WAS VERY WELL ORGANIZED. THERE WAS HEAVY LIFTING BY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN OUR CITY BUT IT WAS WELL LED BY MEGAN AND I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S EFT.

THIS IS A BIGFORT. THIS IS A BIG THING WE DO HERE AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN RECONCILE SPENDING THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY THAT OUR CITIZENS PROVIDE FOR US TO PROVIDE GOOD GOVERNMENT TO YOU AND WE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY,

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT. >> FOR ONE POINT OF REFERENCE IF I MAY, MAY YOU'RE, WOULD YOU CLARIFY, WOULD YOU CLARIFY WHAO, WOULD YOU CLARIFY WHAR, WOULD YOU CLARIFY WHAYOR, WOULD YOU CLARIFY WHAT OUR CARRY OVER.

IT'S NOT A SURPLUS. >> I WILL HAVE OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR DO THAT BECAUSE SHE SPEAKS ACCOUNTANT AND ENGLISH.

CARRYOVER SOME PEOPLE THINK WE'RE JUST SITTING ON THE DOLLARS BUT CARRYOVER GENERALLY SPEAKING -- I WILL LET MEGHAN SPEAK FOR THAT BUT WE'RE MOVING MONEY FROM THIS FISCAL YEAR TO THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR AND YOU ADOPTED AMENDMENTS ALREADY.

WE ORDERED THINGS AND SUPPLY CHAIN IS REALLY, REALLY TOUGH RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY IN FIRE TRICKS, ALL KINDS OF EQUIPMENT.

YOU EVEN HAD SOME COMPACTORS TONIGHT ON YOUR AGENDA AND WE'RE GETTING THE EQUIPMENT BUT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO INSTALL THEM UNTIL THE END OF FOOTBALL SEASON.

>> YOU COVERED IT QUITE WELL. WE MAY END THE YEAR, LIKE 2021 WITH A SURPLUS BUT A LOT OF THAT ARE THINGS THAT ARE ENCUMBERED.

ANY TIME WE CONTRACT OR YOU GUYS APPROVE ANYTHING, WE HAVE TO ENKIM BEHR THOSE FUNDS. IF WE DON'T SPEND THEMBUR THOSE IF WE DON'T SPEND THEM BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR YOU'RE NOT SEEING THAT BUT WE'VE THINGS SPENT IN THE NEXT YEAR AND ANY TIME WE DO THAT, WE ADJUST IS BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S WHEN YOU SEE THAT COME DOWN WHEN WE BUDGET.

>> WE HAVE AN INTERNAL GOAL FOR OUR ENDING FUND BALANCE SO WE'RE

A SOLVENT COMMUNITY? >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WOULD YOU WALK THROUGH THAT, MEGAN?

>> THE COUNCIL'S ADOPTIVE GOAL IS 20% OF EXPENDITURES AND OTHER USES. WE TRY TO KEEP IT AROUND 25 AS A CONSERVATIVE LEVEL AND WHEN WE'RE BUDGETING, WE SAY A LOT THAT WE'RE NOT A BANK. WE'RE HERE TO USE THE TAXPAYER MONEY TO FUND THINGS FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND SO WHEN WE'RE

[00:40:03]

>> AND THE FUND BALANCE WILL BALLOON ADD TIMES BECAUSE OF CAPITOL PROJECTS ESPECIALLY IN THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED AND SAY WHY HAVEN'T YOU MOVED FORWARD AND WE'LL GET SOMETHING DESIGNED. WE CAN GO OUT TO BID AND MIGHT NOT GET ANYBODY TO BID ON IT. THE PRIVATE SECTOR DOES YOEMAN'S WORK FOR US BUT THEY GET BOXEDM WORK FOR US BUT THEY GET BOXED BOGGEDGGED DOWN, TOO.

ALL 25 YEARS OF MY TIME IN THE CITY WE HAVE HAD CARRYOVER BY WE'RE VERY CONSERVATIVE AND WE HAVE RAINY DAY MONEY BUT NOT GOING TO SIT ON THE TAXPAYER MONEY WITH NO INTEREST.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO SPEND AND GET PROJECTS DONE WHILE STAYING

LEAN WITH OUR STAFF. >> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE BUDGET. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? DO WE NEED A ROLL CALL? EXCUSE ME.

I MADE A MISTAKE THERE. >> JUST BECAUSE IT'S AN

ORDINANCE. >> MY BAD.

>> DAWSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> DIXON? >> YES INSTALLATION OF A STOP SIGN AT PIPER GLENN PHASE WIN.

UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY. >> I ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

>> SECOND. >> ANYONE HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? ANY DISCUSSIONS? OKAY.

ROLL CALL VOTE.

[10. RESOLUTIONS.]

>> ALL RIGHT MOVING TO RESOLUTIONS, WE HAVE ONE ITEM UNDER RESIDENCE LICHENS. ITEM 10 A IS A REQUEST FROM JOHN COWDEN ON BEHALF OF WWS PROPERTIES LLC FOR RECORD SERVICE USE GASOLINE SEVENTIES STATION PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SHELL TON MILL ROAD.

APPROVAL WAS RECOMMENDED AT THE JUNE 9TH MEETING, POSTPONED FROM THE JUNE 21ST MEETING AT THE REQUEST OF THE APPLICANT AND A

PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> A MOTHS AND AION AND A SECON THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. SEE NOTHING ONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM

THE COUNCIL? >> I HAVE A COUPLE, IF I MAY.

>> THE IN AND OUT OF THIS DEVELOPMENT IS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER DOWN FROM THE DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE WAY.

IN TRAVERSING THIS AREA QUITE A BIT, THOSE WHO ARE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND OR RATHER WESTBOUND ON 280 AND MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO ONTO SHELL TON, TRATON, TRAFFICS ONTO SHELL TON, TRATO UP QUITE A BIT THERE.

CAN WE WAKE THROUGH WHAT EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO MAKE SURE STACKING FROM 280 AND/OR STACKING FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF

SHELTON IS MINIMIZED? >> I WILL HAVE THE CITY ENGINEER RESPOND TO THAT. ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS THE OTHER GAS STATION -- THIS PROPOSAL IS IN BOTH ABURN AND OPEIKALA CITY LIMITS BUT, YES, CARS UNDER THING LEFT INTO THE EXISTING GAS STATION THERE'S PROBABLY ONLY A FOUR CAR STACK OR SO BEFORE YOU PUSH OUT INTO 280 SO CITY ENGINEER FRAISER?

>> YES, THE TRAFFIC THAT COMES OFF 280 DOES BACK UP.

I DID TALK TO THE CITY ENGINEER EARLIER IN THIS PROCESS TO LOOK AT WIDENING THIS INTERSECTION AS PART OF THIS PROJECT AS WELL AS WITH THE GAS STATION NEXT DOOR TO TRY TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT BACKUP AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL WORK THROUGH WITH THIS DEVELOPER AS WE LOOK AT THE REQUIREMENTS THEY ARE REQUIRED

TO PUT. >> SO THAT WOULD BE A POTENTIAL

WISENING THAT INTERSECTION? >> POTENTIALLY

>> R. YOU REFERRING TO THE FACT THAT THERE WOULD LIKELY BE A LEFT TURN LANE NOT IN OUR CITY LIMITS?

>> YES, SO THIS CIRCLE K WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT A

[00:45:01]

>> SOME OF THE RESIDENTS THAT BACK UP TO THIS HAD CONCERNS ABOUT BUFFERING AND LIGHTING. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS VOLUNTEERED ADDITIONAL BUFFERING.

CAN WE TALK ABOUT BUFFERING AND WHAT ALL IS BEING REQUIRED?

>> YES, I WILL HAVE MR. FOOT, THE PLANNING DIRECTOR GO OVER THAT. ALSO WITH LIGHTING THERE ARE A COUPLE OF CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

LIGHTING HAS TO BE RECESSED INTO CANOPIES AND WE CAN AND WILL MEASURE FOOT-CANDLES. WE DON'T ALLOW COMMERCIAL PROJECTS TO SHINE LIGHT ON ADJACENT PROPERTY, ONLY AT A VERY LOW LEVEL SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE MEASURED BUT IT'S ALL IN OUR ORDINANCE. I'LL WILL MR. FOOT ADDRESS THE

EXTRA BUFFERING. >> YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE WERE SEVERAL NEIGHBORS WHO CAME AND TALKED WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND IN ADDITION TO LIGHTING THEY ALSO MENTIONED TRAFFIC. YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CONDITION IN YOUR REPORT FOR THIS ONE, BUT THEY ADDED -- I THINK I MAY HAVE -- LET ME LOOK REAL QUICK BECAUSE I THINK I'M REFERENCING A DIFFERENT ONE, JUST TO BE SURE.

YEAH, GOT MY WIRES CROSSED. THEY DID MODIFY CONDITION ONE ADDRESSING THE BUFFERING ALONG THE RESIDENTS SO THEY EXTENDED THE FENCE DOWN TO THE DETENTION AREA TO THE WEST AND THE LANDSCAPING WILL ALSO EXTEND DOWN TO THAT SAME POINT.

THEY TALKED ABOUT PUTTING THE FENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUFFER AREA SO THERE COULD BE LANDSCAPING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE WHICH WILL SOFTEN THE VIEW FROM THE ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL.

I THINK THE PLANNING COMMISSION ADDRESSED THOSE CONCERNS.

THEY ALSO TOOK OUT A CONDITION THAT ADDRESSED THE CONNECTIVITY OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY JUST WEST OF THIS SITE AND THAT WAS TAKEN OUT SO I THINK THAT WILL ALSO AL ALLEVIATE MOST OF THE CONCERNS THE NEIGHBORS HAD.

>> YES, THAT WAS AN ADDITIONAL CONCERN.

THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> ANYONE ELSE WITH A QUESTION OR COMMENT?

>> FOLLOWING UP WITH YOUR BUFFERING THING.

THE MAP SHOWS EXISTING VEGETATION TO THE EAST OF THE PROPERTY OR SOUTH OF SHELTON MILL.

I'M NOT SURE HOW THIS IS ORIENTED.

WHO OWNS THAT VEGETATION SWATH? >> THIS RIGHT HERE?

>> YEAH. >> THOSE ARE SOME OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS, THAT'S THEIR BACK LOT LINES.

>> AND THOSE ARE THE ONE THAT IS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS I

ASSUME? >> RIGHT.

>> AND THAT'S BEEN MITIGATED SOUNDS LIKE.

OKAY. MY OTHER QUESTION MENTIONS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIESEL PUMPS AS WELL.

THIS IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A TRUCK STOP OR AN OVERNIGHT STOP.

IS THAT AN ACCURATE STATEMENT. >> IT'S NOT CALLED A TRUCK STOP IN TERMS OF SPACE TO MANEUVER AND SO ON.

IT WOULD BE TOUGH AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE CANOPY IS TALL

ENOUGH. >> THIS WOULD NOT BE A TRUCK STOP IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. IT'S JUST A REGULAR GAS STATION THAT PROVIDES FOR DIESEL FILE. WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PLANNING COMMISSION I THINK THE MOST YOU WOULD HAVE IS PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT RUN ON DIESEL. THERE COULD BE A STEP VAN OR

SOMETHING BUT THAT'S IT. >> THANKS.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

[11. OTHER BUSINESS.]

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

THE MOTION CARRIES. >> UNDER OTHER BUSINESS, ITEM 11 A IS A REQUEST FROM J AND A BAR DOING BUSINESS AS [INAUDIBLE] LOCATED AT 2487 EAST GLENN AVENUE.

THIS IS THE FORMER SHAKY'S BUILDING.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.

ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? AND THAT CARRIES FORTH.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS

[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM.]

EVENING. >> OKAY, GOOD.

WE'LL HAVE THE CITIZENS OWE OPEN FORUM.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE THREE

MINUTES. >> [INAUDIBLE] AUBURN, ALABAMA.

[00:50:06]

ALSO, IT IS MY FIRST MISTAKE AFTER 65 YEARS

[LAUGHTER] >> GOOD TRACK RECORD.

>> TODAY I WANT TO READ SOMETHING TO REEMPHASIZE NOT SHORT TERM RENTAL BUT MAYBE OUR RIGHTS WITH SHORT TERM RENTAL BUT THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN NAMED SCOTT WELCH.

HE WAS A DESCENDANT OF EIGHT AMERICANS WHO FOUGHT IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. TO HEAR OUR FOUPDING FATHERS SPEAK OF LIBERTY AND FREEDOM YOU MIGHT BELIEVE THEY HAD KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER.

THEY SPOKE AND WROTE OPENLY OF THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO KEEP LIBERTY STRONG, HOW LIBERTY COULD BE TAKEN AWAY AND OUR FREEDOM LOST. WHEN THESE PATRIOTS VOICED THIS OVER 240 YEARS AGO, IT'S JUST AS VALID TODAY AS THEN IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY. LIBERTY IS A STATE OF CONDITION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO ACT AND SPEAK FREELY.

OTHER THAN ILLEGAL OR HARMFUL ACTIVITIES WHEN ONE LOOKS AROUND TODAY WE DO SEE OUR FREEDOMS BEING LESSENED WHILE OUR GOVERNMENT HAS MORE FEED INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE BEHEMOUTH AND DAM THE INDIVIDUALS. JOHN HANCOCK SAID WE HAVE ALL ONE COMMON CAUSE. LIT IT THEREFORE BE OUR ONLY CONTEST WHO SHALL CONTRIBUTE TO THE SECURITY OF THE LIBERTIES OF AMERICA. GEORGE WASHINGTON, IF THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS TAKEN AWAY FROM DUMB IN SILENCE WE MAY BE LEAD LIKE SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER.

OUR LIBERTY CAN NEVER BE SAFE BUT IN THE HANDS FOR THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES. [INAUDIBLE] WORTH DEFENDING AGAINST ALL HAZARDS AND IT IS OUR DUTY TO DEFEND THEM AGAINST ALL ATTACKS. LIBERTY, THERE'S CERTAIN ENTHUSIASM AND LIBERTY THAT MAKES HUMAN RISE ABOVE ITSELF.

PATRICK HENRY SAID LIFE SO DEAR AND PEACE SO SWEET [INAUDIBLE] FORBID IT ALMIGHTY GOD. I KNOW WHAT CAUSES OTHERS MAY TAKE. BUT FOR ME, GIVE ME LIBERTY OR

GIVE ME DEATH. >> THANK YOU, MR. WILKINS.

>> YES, SIR? >> THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO MATTERS DIRECTLY RELATED TO Y'ALL.

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE MR. HOVEY ON HIS WINNING THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY. I MUST CAUTION YOU THAT MR. HOVEY DOES HAVE OPPOSITION IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

SHEILA REESE IS RUNNING AGAINST HIM, SO I KNOW Y'ALL WILL WISH BOTH OF THEM THE BEST OF LUCK. EARLIER, CONCERNING THE WARD 4 INTERIM POSITION, I WAS APPROACHED BAY COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT APPLYING FOR THAT POSITION, BUT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I LIVE IN ANOTHER WARD, THE WARD OF KELLEY GRISWOLD SO I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE ON CONGRATULATING YOU, MS. STEVENS.

I THOUGHT IT WASSTEPHENS. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY FAIR FOR ME TO DO THAT AND I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE IN IRE WARD. IN THE EARLIER COMMENTS IT WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THE CITIZENS ACADEMY.

I'M ONE OF THE STUDENTS AND I HOPE TO FINISH IT.

ANYONE OUT THERE INTERESTED, SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT ONE.

IT WILL HELP YOU A LOT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE CITY

FUNCTIONS, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR, COUNCILMEN AND WOMEN. I'M HONORED TO BE BACK BEFORE

[00:55:04]

MY MOTHER AT 88 YEARS OF AGE HAS HAD TO ENCOMPLAIN TO THE CODE ENFOORE COMPLAIN TO THE CODE ENFONFORCET OFFICER AND WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH WATER RUNNING ON OUR PROPERTY.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE PROPER PROTOCOL TO GO TO OUR CITY MANAGER AND OUR CODE OFFICIAL AND I DID AND I ASKED FOR RECORDS AND I NOTICED THAT IN THE RECORDS OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT IT SAYS WITHIN THREE WEEKS IF THERE'S NOTHING HAPPENING BUT THREE MONTHS WENT BY AND NOTHING HAPPENED SO I COMPLAINTED ABOUT THE WATER COMING INTO OUR GUEST APARTMENT.

THIS PROPERTY IS BOUNDED BY WOODS, STREET, AND EVERYTHING SO WHEN I COMPLAIN, WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS I GOT A COMPLAINT SAYING THAT MY GRASS WASN'T CUT AND THIS IS IN MY REAR YARD THAT YOU CAN'T SEE. MY PROPERTY IS 400 SOMETHING FEET DEEP. WHEN I APPEARED TO OUR CITY MANAGER WHAT I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED AT AND WENT INTO HER CHAMBERS IN HER CONFERENCE ROOM.

SHE SAID TO ME AND I HATE TO LEAVE YOU THIS ON NATE.

I WANT TO SAY THIS TO MEGAN. YOU HAVE NOT A CLUE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE PICKED ON UNTIL TONIGHT BUT SHE ADDRESSED ME BY SAYING I'M GOING TO END IT RIGHT HERE, GIVE ME ONE FINAL WORD.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP, SIT DOWN. >> MY CONFERENCE ROOM --

>> PLEASE SIT DOWN. THANK YOU.

>> WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> SUSAN BOLT, 1188, JUST FOR THE RECORD I SPOKE TO NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE COUNCILMEN THAT GAVE ME THE INFORMATION THAT THEY DID NOT GET ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT GRANTED STATE NOT FEDERAL SO I ACCEPT THAT PART SO SPEAKING OF A BULLY PULPIT, I SPOKE AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND MS. WITTEN YOU AND MR. DAWSON CAME FOR ME. I MADE NO REFERENCE TO ANYONE'S CHARACTER. I MERELY ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT THE CITY GOVERNMENT'S DEVIATION AND CITATION PROTOCOL WITH REGARDS TO THE SHORT TERM RENTALS AND IF THERE'S A TWO TERM JUSTICE SYSTEM IN AUBURN. I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT YOU, SIR, FELT COMPELLED TO DEFEND THE MAYOR'S CHARACTER OVER THIS ISSUE. AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN I HAVE THE RIGHT IN THIS FORUM TO POSE MY QUESTION.

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER TO MY QUESTION ABOUT WHY CITATION PROTOCOL WAS NOT FOLLOWED? WILL YOU COMMIT TO GETTING ME AN ANSWER ON THAT? IT WAS ALSO STATE THAT HAD PEOPLE COME UP HERE AND SPEAK WITHOUT HAVING ANY DOCUMENTATION.

I HAVE IN MY PRESENCE AND STATED THAT I HAD SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE CITY OF AUBURN THROUGH A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST. I BROUGHT YOU A COPY TONIGHT.

COUNCILMAN DAWSON YOU ALSO STATED THIS IS NOT THE TIME AND PLACE TO ASK SUCH QUESTIONS. I DISAGREE.

IT'S MY RIGHT AS A CITIZEN TO QUESTION ACTION OF THE CITY

[01:00:04]

YES, THE AWE TURN CITIZENS HAVE RECEIVED NO ANSWERS BUT THE CITATION DEVIATION, ONLY CRICKETS.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FORMAL REQUEST TO HAVE MY QUESTION ENTERED INTO THE MEETING MINUTES.

WHY WAS THERE A DEVIATION IN CITATION PROTOCOL FOR SHORT TERM RENTALS WITH REGARDS TO THE PROPERTY AT 210 VIRGINIA AVENUE THAT HAPPENS TO BE OWNED BY THE MAYOR'S CAMPAIGN MANAGER.

MR. DAWSON YOU SAID YOU KNEW HOW TO INVESTIGATE THINGS, PERHAPS NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO INVESTIGATE.

THE SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE AND THE OVERREACH AND MISUSE OF THIS CITY GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME YOUR LEGACY.

WHILE I DON'T SPEAK OF ANYONE'S CHARACTER, I DIDN'T SPEAK OF ANYONE'S CHARACTER IN THE LAST MEETING I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO DO SO TONIGHT. COUNCIL DIXON, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS, MY RIGHTS AND OTHER AUBURN CITIZEN'S PROPERTY RIGHTS.

SOME ATTACKS HAVE EVEN COME FROM FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS INWILLING TO DEFEND THEIR OWN RIGHTS YOUR COME POE SURE --

>> YOU'RE DONE. MS. BOLT, YOU'RE DONE.

MS. BOLT YOU ARE DONE! THANK YOU.

PLEASE BE SEATED. >> WHAT IS THIS?

>> THAT'S THE DOCUMENT. >> ANYONE ELSE?

>> WAIT JUST A MINUTE. WHAT ARE YOU GIVING ME?

>> THAT'S THE DOCUMENTATION. >> LET ME ADDRESS YOU WITH

SOMETHING, OKAY? >> HOLD ON JUST ONE SECOND, CHIEF. YEAH.

ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? OKAY. CITIZENS OPEN FORUM IS NOW CLOSED. MS. CROUCH CAN YOU ELABORATE --

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU CHOSE TO JUMP ON ME TONIGHT BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING. IF YOU COME IN HERE OR ANYBODY ELSE COMES IN HERE AND ATTACKS THESE PEOPLE ON THE DAIS, I'M GOING TO DEFEND THEM BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY ARE FAIR AND HONEST PEOPLE. YEAH, I KNOW HOW TO INVESTIGATE, I HAD SEVERAL CASES IN CORRUPTION BUT I'M RETIRED FOR THAT. GO AND MEET WITH YOU'RE DISTRICT ATTORNEY I HAVE AS AND FILE YOUR COMPLAINT WITH HER AND SHE WILL GET IT INVESTIGATED AND THEN GO TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE IN ALABAMA AND IF THAT DON'T WORK, GO TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND GET THEM TO WORK THE CASE FOR YOU. THAT'S ALL YOU GOT TO DO.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DEAL IS WITH ME.

I SIMPLY SPEAK FROM WHAT MY HEART AND I WILL ALWAYS DEFEND THESE FOLKS. THIS IS MY 35TH YEAR SERVING THIS CITY AND MY INTEGRITY HAS NEVER BEEN PUT INTO QUESTION.

YOU THINK IT'S FUNNY. IT'S NOT FUNNY WHEN YOU MAKE ACCUSATIONS ABOUT PEOPLE BEG DISHONEST.

THERE'S NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT THAT.

I'M SO TIRED SOMEONE [INAUDIBLE] I GET SO IRRITATED OF PEOPLE WANTING TO ACCUSE PEOPLE MAKING MONEY OR GETTING SOMETHING FROM SOMEWHERE. THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED.

SO BEFORE YOU COME UP HERE AND ATTACK FOLKS, WORDS MEAN A LOT.

WORDS COULD BE MORE THAN A GUN. >> CAN YOU GO THROUGH WHAT

HAPPENS WITH CITATION? >> FIRST OF ALL, IN MARCH, ON MARCH 16, 2021, YOU PASS ADD SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE.

FROM THERE IT LEFT THE COUNCIL'S HAND AND HASN'T COME BACK.

IT'S NOT BEEN BACK BEFORE YOU. YOU MAKE POLICY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, YOU MAKE LAWS AND YOU MAKE DECISIONS IN THE BIG PICTURE.

FROM THERE FORWARD. IT COMES TO THE STAFF AND IT'S MY ROLE TO BE SURE THAT THE LAWS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

THE CITY ATTORNEY REMINDS ME WE CAN'T JUST PASS A LAW AND NOT IMPLEMENT IT SO EVERYTHING TO DO WITH SHORT TERM RENTAL ENFORCEMENT OTHER THAN WHAT FEW OF YOU HAVE ASKED ME INDIVIDUALLY OR ASKED IN THE PUBLIC RECORD, THAT'S THE END OF IT. THERE'S BEEN NO OTHER FURTHER DISCUSSION OTHER THAN HEY, ARE WE ISSUING CITATIONS? YOU HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE WHEN YOU ASK.

YOU'RE NOT GETTING MONTHLY REPORTS FROM ME OR OTHER ZONING VIOLATIONS OR OTHER THINGS. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

SO SPECIFICALLY, MAYOR, WHEN THINGS LEAVE YOUR HAND YOU'RE THE BIG PICTURE FOLKS THEY COME TO ME AND I'M THE DETAIL PERSON AND THAT'S WHAT I HANDLE. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE

[01:05:01]

I DON'T EVEN SIT IN THOSE MEETINGS.

I'M AWARE AND PEOPLE MAKE REPORTS HOW WE'RE GOING TO ENFORCE AND GO ABOUT THINGS TRYING TO BE VERY FAIR AND EQUAL IN HOW WE'RE ADMINISTERING THIS ORDINANCE, MR. DAVIDSON?

>> I WILL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

YOU ASKED ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE AND THROUGH A LENGTHY PLANNING AND PREPARATION PROCESS WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WITH OUR CODES OFFICIALS WE BUILT A PROTOCOL THAT WE HAVE FOLLOWED FROM DAY ONE AND IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS HOW WE DO IT OR WHO WE'RE LOOKING AT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT OUR POLICE CHIEF COMES UP HERE AND TELLS YOU WHO IS UNDER SURVEILLANCE. THAT'S NOT YOUR JOB.

YOU SET THE POLICIES AND ALLOW THE CITY MANAGER TO CARRY THEM OUT SO I WILL GIVE YOU STATISTICS ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN DONE. THERE ARE 24,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE CITY OF AUBURN AND SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR, 106 HAVING UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR VIOLATING THIS ORDINANCE.

WE MONITORED THE INFORMATION WE HAVE ACCESS TO THROUGH VARIOUS VENDORS AND SOURCES TO SEE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE VIOLATING THE SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE. 71 ADDRESSES HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED IN AREAS WHERE USE OF SHORT TERM RENTALS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND THERE HAVE BEEN 33 CITATIONS ISSUED IN THOSE AREAS. THE BALANCE OF THOSE EITHER QUIT DOING IT OR WEREN'T DOING IT SO OF THE 24,000 HOUSEHOLDS, 33 IN PROHIBITED ZONES HAVE BEEN GRADUATED TO THE NEXT STEP OF OUR INVESTIGATION. IN THOSE 33 CASES, CITATIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. OF THOSE 33 CASES, 29 HAVE COME THROUGH COURT AND BEEN ADJUDICATED INCLUDING ONE TRIAL WHICH IS NOW IN APPEAL TO CIRCUIT COURT.

THERE ARE FOUR CASES CURRENTLY PENDING AND TWO ABSENTEE OWNERS WHO ARE DODGING SERVICE OF THEIR CITATIONS BUT WHEN OUR STAFF AND RESOURCES ALLOW OR CATCH THEM IN THE CITY OF AUBURN THEY WILL BE CITED AS WELL, INCLUDING POSSIBLY SOMEONE'S DISCUSSED HERE TONIGHT AND ONE OTHER ADDRESS IN TOWN BUT REST ASSURED IF PEOPLE USING THOSE RESIDENCES UNDER A RENTAL AGREEMENT ARE FOUND TO BE THERE, THEY WILL BE CITED AS WELL UNTIL WE CAN CITE THE OWNER. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE 35 ADDRESSES WE ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THAT ARE ADDRESSES IN ZONES WHERE A SHORT TERM RENTAL WOULD BE ALLOWED BUT LICENSES HAVE NOT BEEN OBTAINED INITIALLY. SINCE WE BEGAN THE INVESTIGATION IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR, FOUR HAVE OBTAINED LICENSES. THREE HAVE STOPPED ADVERTISING THAT THEY'RE AVAILABLE. THERE ARE 28 OTHER ADDRESSES THAT WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP IN OUR INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I MIGHT ANSWER FOR THIS COUNCIL?

>> ANYBODY HAVE A QUESTION? INFORM TED OF THE WORK YOU HAVE

BEEN DOING? >> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

QUITE FRANKLY IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS UNLESS I'M ASKED TO REPORT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS RELATED TO

THIS TOPIC? >> I HAVE A COMMENT, IF I MAY.

>> PLEASE. >> THIS IS A DEMOCRACY AND THIS ORDINANCE I THINK ITS CREATION REFLECTED DEMOCRACY AT ITS BEST, I THOUGHT. I THOUGHT WE CONDUCTED PUBLIC HEARINGS, WE GOT CITIZENS INVOLVED, WE HAD STAFF INVOLVED, WE HALLD COUNCIL MEMBERS INVOLV. I THINK THE PUBLIC CLEARLY AN ASSISTED US WITH THE CREATION OF THIS ORDINANCE.

THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY MOST DEFINITELY ASSISTED US IN FINDING -- IT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU WOULD LEAVE WHEN I GET TO SPEAK ABOUT YOUR COMPLAINTS. THE ZONING ORDINANCE IS A VERY STANDARD DOCUMENT THAT YOU WILL FIND IN MUNICIPALITIES.

IT LETS PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY AND

[01:10:01]

I CAN'T HAVE A SHOOTING RANGE AT MY HOUSE ON WOODFIELD DRIVE.

I ACCEPT THOSE CONDITIONS. I CAN'T HAVE A BILLIARD HALL OR A SNACK SHOP. I ACCEPT THOSE CONDITIONS AND, IN FACT, THE MAJORITY OF NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION RESIDENTS ACCEPT THOSE CONDITIONS AND LOOK FOR THOSE CONDITIONS BEFORE THEY MAKE A PURCHASE.

THEY ARE SEEKING A RESTRICTIVE ZONE WITHIN THE CITY THAT THE CITY PROVIDES FOR THEM. THE CITY COUNCIL, IN CREATING POLICY FOR A POPULATION OF 70,000 PEOPLE, I THINK HAVE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB GIVEN THE UNFORTUNATE DISSATISFACTION WITH JUST A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN OUR CITY, JUST A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN OUR CITY ARE NOT HAPPY AND I'M SORRY THAT YOU'RE NOT HAPPY.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS A DEMOCRACY AND THE VOTES ARE IN.

WE HAVE DONE THE JOB OVER A YEAR AGO AND WE HAVE MOVED ON.

COMING TO COUNCIL IN PUBLIC COMMENTS AND AIRING YOUR GRIEVANCE WEEK AFTER WEEK IS YOUR RIGHT TO DO THAT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THE POLICY.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU MIGHT FIND A -- YOU'RE STILL WELCOME, I'M NOT SAYING DON'T COME BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO CHANGE THE POLICY, THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO FIND ALLEGIANCE AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE AWFULLY ALONE OUT THERE, THERE'S NOT A BIG PUBLIC GROUND SWELL OF SUPPORT FOR THIS.

WE COULD SEE THE EVIDENCE OF THAT IN MR. DIXON'S GOFUNDME ACCOUNT THAT'S A LITTLE ETHICALLY SHAKY BUT HE ASKED FOR THE PUBLIC TO ASSIST WITH HIS LAWSUIT ASKING FOR $25,000 AND TO DATE HE'S RECEIVED $300 OF A 25K REQUEST DOES NOT REPRESENT A RESOUNDING SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE.

I WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE AS IT STANDS. I WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE IN MY CAMPAIGN TO PUT MY NAME ON THAT ORDINANCE.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> THANK YOU MR. PARSONS.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR MOVE TO ADD JOIRN.

>> MOVEJOURN. >> MOVE TO ADJOURN.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ONE MORE TIME.

I GET HEATED WHEN PEOPLE COME UP HERE AND HAVE THREE MINUTES TO TALK AND ATTACK YOU PERSONALLY. FOLKS, I HAVE WORKED FOR THIS CITY FOR 35 YEARS. I DEEPLY CARE THAT'S WHY I'M SITTING UP HERE NOT FOR THE MONEY OR THE FAME OR ANYTHING ELSE. I WANT TO MAKE AUBURN A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. I HAVE A GRANDSON GROWING UP IN AUBURN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE CITIZENS ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND GET THE MOST BANG FOR THEIR BUCK AS FAR AS YOUR TAXES GO SO THE BIBLE SAYS A TONGUE IS MIGHTIER THAN A TWO EDGED SWORD SO A TONGUE CAN HURT YOU MORE THAN A FIREARM CAN HELP YOU. I'M A RETIRED POLICE CHIEF LIVING OFF A POLICE OFFICER'S PENSION AND I EARNED EVERY BIT OF IT, BUT I DO IT FOR THE RIGHT REASON AND I DO NOT APPRECIATE BEING ATTACKED. IN THREE MINUTESIC STAND UP THERE AND DESTROY A MAN'S REPUTATION.

I WAS BORNE WITH IT, MY GRANDDADDY AND MY DADDY HAD IT.

YOU CAN SAY SOME THINGS IN THREE MINUTES THAT STAY WITH SOMEBODY FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE. UNLESS YOU HAVE PROOF, YOU SHOULD NOT EVEN HINT THAT SOME MALFEASANCE ARE GOING ON.

IF YOU HAVE PROOF, TAKE THE PROPER CHANNELS.

ATTACKING SOMEBODY FOR THREE MINUTES IS NOT GOING TO DO IT.

THANK YOU. >> MOVE TO ADJOURN.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.