Oct 04, 2022 City Council

[00:00:05]

>> SPEAKER: CALL TO ORDER TO NICE AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOROBER 4, 2022. WITH ROLL CALL, LINDSAY.

(ROLL CALL) >> SPEAKER: PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE (RECITAL OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE).

>> SPEAKER: >> SPEAKER: PLEDGE OF 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: PLEASE BE SEATED.

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS]

(VIDEO PLAYING) >> SPEAKER: THIS IS MAYOR RON ANDERS AND WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR AUBURN CITY MEMORANDUM FROM ERIC CARSON THE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR. IT IS MY HONOR TO NOMINATE JEREMIAH LOGAN WEBSTER AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER 2022. LOGAN JOINED THE WATER DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN MAY OF 2018 AS A UTILITY IN ITS WORKER. LOGAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSTALLATION AND REPAIR OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE WATER DISTRICT -- DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUCH AS WATER MAINS, FIRE HYDRANTS, VALVES, METERS AND SERVICE LINES.

LOGAN EXHIBITS A STRONG WORK ETHIC AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

HE EXPECTS CHALLENGES AND CONSISTENTLY EXCEEDS THE EXPECTATIONS OF HIS SUPERIORS AND PEERS.

IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SEVERAL WATER MAIN PROJECTS INCLUDING BIRD AVENUE, MERCER CIRCLE, SOUTH GAY ST., SAMFORD AVE., SOUTH COLLEGE ST. AND WEST GLENN AVENUE.

HE HAS PROVEN TO BE A RELIABLE AND DEDICATED EMPLOYEE WHO MAKES A POINT TO NOT ONLY CONSISTENTLY SHOW UP FOR WORK BUT ALSO BE ON TIME AND READY TO GO. OUTSIDE OF NORMAL WORKING HOURS HE IS READILY AVAILABLE TO HELP COWORKERS WITH EMERGENCY REPAIRS. THIS PAST CALENDAR YEAR LOGAN VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE ON THE PHONE CALL ROTATION FOR TEN OF THE 52 WEEKS. LOGAN PROMOTES TEAM UNITY BY TREATING COWORKERS WITH RESPECT AND WORKING TOGETHER TO RESOLVE ISSUES. FOR THESE REASONS AND MANY OTHERS I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE JEREMIAH LOGAN WEBSTER AS THE OCTOBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. CONGRATULATIONS.

(MUSIC PLAYING) >> SPEAKER: TODAY WE ARE PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THEM AS SENDING YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE BROUGHT HONOR AND ATTENTION IN A POSITIVE WAY TO OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVE A RESOLUTION HERE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO READ ON BEHALF OF THEM. WHERE IS THE CITY COUNCIL IS PLEASED TO HONOR LOCAL ATHLETIC TEAMS FOR THEIR SUCCESSES IF WE ARE REPRESENTING THE ARBOR COMMUNITY WELL ON THE LOCAL, THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. AND WHEREAS THE AUBURN ANGLERS A COMMUNITY COMPETITIVE BASS FISHING CLUB COMPETED AGAINST 216 TEAMS FROM HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE THIS SUMMER IN THE ALABAMA BASS NATION HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT LAKE BEFORE ELECTRIC WHEREAS FOR THE ANGLER'S TWO-PERSON TEAMS QUALIFIED TO COMPETE IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT INCLUDING MAX AUTRY AND WILL BRANTLEY, JACOB BAILEY AND DYLAN INGRAM, WILSON BENNETT, LENG WALTON, HUDSON GALLIMORE AND SPENCER GROOMS. WHEREAS EACH TEAM WAS ALLOWED TO REEL IN TEN TOTAL FISH OVER THE TWO-DAY TOURNAMENT AND HUDSON GALLIMORE AND SPENCER GROOMS TOOK HOME THE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A TOTAL FINAL WEIGHTS OF 34.77 POUNDS. AND WHEREAS GALLIMORE AND GROOMS ADVANCED TO THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS AND FINISHED 116TH OUT OF 314 TEAMS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN OUT THAT THE COUNCIL HEREBY RECOGNIZES AND FORMALLY CONGRATULATES THE AUBURN ANGLERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND THEIR EFFORTS IN REPRESENTING THE CITY OF AUBURN.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION BE SPREAD UPON THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING AND PRESENTED TO COACH ADAM GROOMS, ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN ALABAMA THIS FOURTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2022.

CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS. WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. >> SPEAKER: AGAIN, THANK YOU

[00:05:06]

MAIRS ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM OUR CITIZENS ACADEMY. THEY GAVE UP SEVEN DAYS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS TO LEARN ABOUT OUR CITY AND INVEST THEMSELVES AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THE CITY OF AUBURN WORKS AND OPERATES AND THEY WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE STAFF HERE AT THE CITY FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN AND GIVING YOUR TIME TO EDUCATE THOSE CITIZENS AND WHAT YOU DO AND HOW YOU GO ABOUT DOING IT.

I WANT TO THANK ALISON BLANKENSHIP FOR TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

SHE WAS RECOGNIZED BY HER STUDENTS THE OTHER NIGHT AS THEY WERE VERY THINK THANK YOU FOR THE TIME SHE INVESTED IN THIS.

THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE CITIZENS ACADEMY. WE HAVE JUST ENDED FIVE GAMES IN A ROW AND I CERTAINLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS PARTICULARLY FOR ENDURING DURING THAT TIME OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY THAT HAVE MADE A HUGE EFFORT, PUBLIC WORKS, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

WE CREATE A LOT OF TRASH WHEN THAT MANY PEOPLE COME TO TOWN BUT IT HAS BEEN A LONG FIVE WEEKS AND WE ARE GLAD FOR THE BALLGAMES BECAUSE THEY MEAN A LOT TO OUR COMMUNITY ECONOMICALLY. IT IS A LOT TO ENDURE THAT MANY IN A ROW. THERE WERE TWO HOMECOMING PARADES THROWN AND JUST FOR FUN. IT HAS BEEN A LONG FIVE WEEKS MR. REGISTER, I WOULD SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF AND I KNOW YOU ALL LOOK FORWARD TO A QUIETER WEEKEND THIS WEEKEND. THANK YOU TO YOUR MEN AND WOMEN FOR ALL THEY DO. TOMORROW AT 7 O'CLOCK THE NEW PUBLIX IN DOWNTOWN AUBURN WILL BE OPENING AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS IS A RETURN TO AUBURN'S PAST TO HAVE A GROCERY STORE IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN. THIS IS THE AUBURN I GREW UP IN AND I HAVEN'T -- NUMBER OF GROCERY STORES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING PUBLIX OPENED AT 7 O'CLOCK.

YESTERDAY WE HAD A VERY SPECIAL DEDICATION ACROSS THE STREET AT FELTON LITTLE PARK WHERE WE RECOGNIZE FELTON LITTLE PARK'S HISTORY PRICKED IT WAS THE FIRST MUNICIPAL PARK IN OUR CITY.

MR. FELT A LITTLE SOLD THAT PROPERTY TO THE CITY OF AUBURN FOR 1 DOLLAR AND 1948 AND IT HAS MEANT MANY THINGS TO OUR COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS AND WE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A NICE PLAQUE ON A ROCK THAT WILL CHRONICLE SOME OF ITS HISTORY.

WEEK THANK YOU MR. COSGROVE WHO IS HERE TONIGHT FOR YOUR PASSION AND INTEREST IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN TO THANK EVERYONE THAT JOINED US YESTERDAY IN RECOGNIZING THAT.

OCTOBER 25 WE WILL HOLD THE STATE OF THE CITY AT THE GOODS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT 5:30 PER THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO TELL YOU THE STORY OF WHAT IS BEEN GOING ON IN AUBURN OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND FORECASTS WILL BE HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE.

WE WILL ALSO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS FOR THE MAYOR'S LAMPLIGHTER AWARD THAT I ENCOURAGE YOU PICK THE EVENT WILL LAST ABOUT ON OCTOBER 25TH TUESDAY.

THIS PAST WEEK I WAS DIVORCED I WENT TO THE WESLEY FOUNDATION AND SAT WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA RULE OF MINISTRY THEY WERE RAISING MONEY IN THERE NO MORE SHACKS PROGRAM.

ALABAMA RURAL MINISTRIES IS A GREAT JOB ALL OVER ALABAMA PRIMARILY NOW AND EAST ALABAMA OF HELPING PEOPLE WITH HOME REPAIRS THAT CAN'T AFFAIR -- AFFORD TO MAKE THOSE REPAIRS THEMSELVES. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GREAT ORGANIZATION TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO, THE ALABAMA RURAL MINISTRIES THAT ORGANIZATION.

A NUMBER OF US UP HERE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING CALLS FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT SPEEDING IN NEIGHBORHOODS.

THIS HAPPENS IN AUBURN FROM TIME TO TIME, PARTICULARLY AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR. THIS IS JUST MY REQUEST OF OUR COMMUNITY TO PLAN WELL IN YOUR TRIPS IN AND AROUND THE CITY.

KNOW THAT THERE ARE MORE CARS HERE THIS YEAR THAN THERE WERE LAST YEAR AND AS YOU GET READY TO MAKE ALL OF YOUR APPOINTMENTS, GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE EXTRA TIME AND PLEASE SLOW DOWN. WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY AS WALKABLE AS POSSIBLE AND WE LOOK TO IMPROVE THAT EACH AND EVERY YEAR AND THAT MEANS THERE ARE PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO AREN'T IN CARS THAT ARE OUT AND ABOUT GOING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS ALSO CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE IMPATIENT AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THAT AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIFE.

TOMORROW OUR POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ACROSS THE STREET WITH A NEW PROGRAM CALLED COFFEE WITH A COP.

I COMMEND THEM FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF THEIR SCHEDULE TO OFFER THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITIZENS TO GO AND SPEND TIME AND HAVE A CASUAL CUP OF COFFEE WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT PROTECT US. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THIS PAST FRIDAY BEFORE THE LSU GAME AUBURN UNIVERSITY HELD A RIBBON-CUTTING GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION FOR THE PANHELLENIC MONUMENTS ON AUBURN'S CAMPUS AND I COMMEND AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND THE LEADERSHIP OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY FOR RECOGNIZING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES FOR WHAT THEY'VE MEANT TO AUBURN'S HISTORY AND IT WAS A GREAT TIME, A GREAT CELEBRATION, SOME GREAT WORDS OF WISDOM FROM MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT RELATED TO THE UNIVERSITY IN OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND STUDENTS INCLUDED. THOSE MONUMENTS IN THAT AREA IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY FROM HERE FORWARD IN OUR FORMER MAYOR JAN DEMPSEY BIRTHDAY TODAY I WANT TO WISH

[00:10:03]

I CERTAINLY WANT TO WISH MAYOR JAN DEMPSEY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

ANYBODY ELSE? >> SPEAKER: MAYOR I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER OFFICER MODLY A POLICE SERGEANT AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS GUNNED DOWN IN FRONT OF WALMART TRYING TO RESCUE SOME CHILDREN. THESE MURDERERS PURSUED IN AUBURN AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER STANDOFF.

ROGER WAS A GOOD POLICE OFFICER, EVEN BETTER MAN AND A WONDERFUL PERSON. ONCE YOU MET HIM YOU COULDN'T HELP BUT LIKE HIM I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS MEMORY TODAY AND I KNOW HIS WIFE AND FAMILY ARE THINKING ABOUT HIM STILL 29 YEARS LATER YOU JUST DON'T REPLACE A MAN LIKE ROGER SPECHT

THANK YOU, CHIEF. >> SPEAKER: AND ALSO ON A LIGHTER NOTE I GOT A COMPLIMENT FROM VISITS WITH LESS LIKE AFTER A DECEASED ANIMAL IN THE ROADWAY.

I CALLED THE AND SHE HAD SOMEONE BUT.

>> SPEAKER: ENVIRONMENT OF SERVICES, KATRINA COOK.

>> SPEAKER: THEY CAME OUT AND THAT IS COMING -- GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND AND I APPRECIATE THAT TO KNOW THAT YOU CARE TO SEND SOMEONE. THE CITIZEN WAS VERY PLEASED SO GREAT JOB FOR BUT THAT IS WHAT MAKES AUBURN SPECIAL WITH THESE LIKE THAT SO THANK YOU SPECHT THANK YOU, CHIEF.

THANK YOU, KATRINA SPECHT AND THANK OUR ON-CALL PERSON.

SOMEBODY GOT A NICE PHONE CALL AND WENT OUT AND PICKED IT UP.

>> SPEAKER: WE WILL GIVE PEOPLE CREDIT BUT WHEN I HEAR A COUNCILMEMBER I'M OFTEN IF IT'S AFTER HOURS AND NOT POLICE RELATED -- TALKING TO THE UP DEPARTMENT HEAD WHO WILL CALL IT IN AND SO ON AND THEY WILL ALSO DECIDE BASED ON THE MAGNITUDE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WHAT TO DO. I APPRECIATE MY DEPARTMENT HEADS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ALSO HAVE A VERY NICE PERSON WHO IS ON CALL WHO WENT AND DID THEIR JOB TO PICK UP THE ANIMAL.

>> SPEAKER: ANYONE ELSE? WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH AUBURN

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS]

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS TO. >> SPEAKER: HI EVERYONE.

PRETTY SHORT REPORT FROM ME TODAY.

AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED WE HAVE CONCLUDED OUR FIVE HOME GAMES IN A ROW STRETCH. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH THAT. WE KNOW THAT IT WAS NOT EASY AT TIMES TO STAY AND SUPPORT EVERY WEEKEND BUT WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE STADIUM SO FULL AGAIN BUT ENJOY SOME REST AS WE TAKE A BREAK FROM THAT.

STUDENTS WILL BE RESTING A LITTLE EXTRA THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE FALL BREAK STARTING ON THURSDAY SO ALSO ENJOY THE PEACE AND QUIET AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND.

NEXT OUR SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN NAMED THE HORSE SHOWS SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT AFTER ONE OF THE COFOUNDERS OF THE RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL LINE.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PROGRAM OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS OR SO THAT WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE SUCH A BIG NAME ATTACHED TO THE PROGRAM AND WE THINK THAT'S A BIG DEAL. LASTLY THE MAYOR TOUCHED ON THIS AS WELL, AUBURN UNVEILED THE NATIONAL PANHELLENIC COUNCIL LEGACY PLAZA ON FRIDAY. I REALLY DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK IT OUT IF YOU GET A CHANCE.

IT IS BEAUTIFULLY DONE AND IT IS LOCATED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE NEW ACADEMIC CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY COMPLEX OVER THERE BY THE BASEBALL FIELDS AND THE EDGE DINING HALL.

IT IS THE FIRST PHYSICAL LANDMARK ON AUBURN'S CANCEL -- CAMPUS HONORING THE BLACK LOCATION -- ORGANIZATION AND I DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT IT IF YOU HAVEN'T.

THAT IS ALL FOR ME. WAR EAGLE.

>> SPEAKER: HAVE A GREAT BREAK. THIS OPPORTUNITY NOW FOR CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS ON ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA PICK IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO DO THAT. SEEING NO ONE WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH CITY MANAGERS TO MEDICATIONS.

>> SPEAKER: MAYOR, I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMUNICATIONS THIS EVENING PICK IF YOU ARE READY WE CAN MOVE INTO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ANY COUNCILMEMBER WAS TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND DEAL WITH THAT ITEM INDIVIDUALLY?

[8.d.6. Postal Products, ICM. Purchase two (2) columbariums for Town Creek and one (1) columbarium for Westview Cemetery. $41,900.]

>> SPEAKER: 8D6. >> SPEAKER: 8D6.

ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.

>> SPEAKER: ITEM 8D6 AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF TWO COLUMBARIUMS AND ONE COLUMBARIAS OR WESTVIEW CEMETERY FROM POSTAL PART ICM IN

THE AMOUNT OF $41,900. >> SPEAKER: MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

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

MS. TAYLOR? >> SPEAKER: I JUST HAD TWO SIMPLE QUESTIONS I NEEDED TO ASK.

FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK THE CEMETERY BOARD FOR ALLOWING SOME PUBLIC THINGS TO BE IN THE CEMETERY.

THE FIRST QUESTION IS THE ONE IN TOWN CREEK, ARE THOSE ADDITIONAL

[00:15:07]

COLUMBARIUMS? >> SPEAKER: WE WILL HAVE OUR PARKS & RECREATION BECKY RICHARDSON APPROACH THE PODIUM

PLEASE. >> SPEAKER: THE COLUMBARIUMS IN TOWN CREEK CEMETERY ARE CLOSE TO BEING FILLED UP, EXCEPT FOR THE BOTTOM ROW WHICH NOBODY SEEMS TO WANT TO PURCHASE.

AND SO WE ARE ADDING TO THERE AND THEN WE HAD TO REQUEST FOR ANOTHER COLUMBARIUMS -- A COLUMBARIUM AT WESTVIEW, AND SO WE WILL PUT ONE THERE. AND ALSO IT WOULD BE INSTALLED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IF THEY ARE POPULAR AT WESTVIEW, WE WILL BE

ABLE TO ADD ADDITIONAL ONES. >> SPEAKER: I JUST WANTED TO KNOW, THE ONE AT WESTVIEW, WHERE WILL THAT BE LOCATED?

>> SPEAKER: >> SPEAKER: AS YOU ENTER THE CEMETERY, WHERE THE HANDICAP PARKING IS AND THE BENCH, RIGHT

BEHIND THAT. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKER: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS RELATED TO THIS ITEM? MOTION AND SECOND.

SPIT ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA]

MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> SPEAKER: SOME OF. >> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED?

[9. ORDINANCES]

>> SPEAKER: UNDER ORGANS IS THIS EVENING ITEM NINE A AUTHORIZES SMALL CELL FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH VERIZON WIRELESS OF THE EAST LP DOING BUSINESS AS VERIZON WIRELESS.

UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY IN A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.

>> SPEAKER: I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASK UNANIMOUS

CONSENT. >> SPEAKER: SECOND.

>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING AND HEARING NONE I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? LINDSAY, ROLL CALL.

(ROLL CALL VOTE) >> SPEAKER: I WILL APOLOGIZE TO

[10. RESOLUTIONS]

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

>> SPEAKER: MOTION AND SECOND. I WILL OVER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

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

WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY DISCUSSION OF QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL IN FAVOR ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES.

>> SPEAKER: THOSE ARE ALL THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE HAVE FOR

[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM]

YOU THIS EVENING. >> SPEAKER: AT THIS TIME OF OVER THE CITIZENS OPEN FORM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TO ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVES GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLEASE MAKE ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS

TO THE CITY COUNCIL. >> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING.

SUSAN BOLT 1188 EACH UNIVERSITY DRIVE.

COUNCILMAN DIXON, AS YOUR TERM AS COUNCILMAN NEARS THE END OF HIS TERM, I WANTED TO THANK YOU PUBLICLY FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY AND -- IN THIS CAPACITY.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGEOUS STAND TO DEFEND YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, MY RIGHTS, AND OTHER AUBURN CITIZENS PROPERTY RIGHTS. I KNOW IT IS NOT BEEN EASY TO WHETHER ALL OF THE EVIL ATTACKS THAT HAVE COME YOUR WAY, SOME EVEN COMING FROM YOUR FELLER -- FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS.

YOUR COMPOSURE WHILE UNDER SUCH TAX IS ADMIRABLE.

WHILE FIVE OF YOUR FELLOW COUNCILMAN DIDN'T CARE TO PROTECT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT MANY AUBURN CITIZENS APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING A STRONG VOICE FOR WORD FIVE.

YOU ARE A FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF COURAGE, DETERMINATION AND LEADERSHIP. YOU HAVE INDEED BEEN AN ASSET TO THIS COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF AUBURN.

I APPRECIATE YOUR STRENGTH, PERSEVERANCE AND COMPOSURE DURING THIS VERY PUBLIC FIGHT FOR PROPERTY RIGHTS.

YOU ARE A MIGHTY WARRIOR AND GOD LOVES HIS WARRIORS.

AGAIN, THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE GETTING TO KNOW YOU AND I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU MY FRIEND.

MAYER, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU AND ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THIS COUNCIL AS WELL.

EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE.

AS A NEW COUNCIL TERM IS ABOUT TO BEGIN, I WANTED TO INQUIRE AS

[00:20:06]

BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN CITIZENS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND 14TH IN EMMETT RIGHTS SPECIFICALLY VIOLATED BY THIS COUNCIL. I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY GUIDANCE OR TRAINING SPECIFICALLY REGARDING THE STATE AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS.

I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MENTION THAT HILLSDALE COLLEGE HAS A FREE ONLINE COURSE ON OUR U.S.

CONSTITUTION AND I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS COURSE BECOMING A PART OF COUNCIL TRAINING.

I ALSO HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY TO PROVIDE YOU EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE CITY MANAGER A POCKET CONSTITUTION AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH IT.

I HAVE A FEW EXTRA COPIES IF ANYONE IN THE CHAMBER HERE WOULD LIKE ONE. AGAIN, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT TRAINING IS PROVIDED FOR THE COUNCIL.

>> SPEAKER: MS. BOLD, THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF ORIENTATION/TRAINING THAT WILL PRIMARILY BE FOCUSED WITH THE THREE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS. THE CITY MANAGER IS NOT COMMUNICATED EXACTLY THE TIME AND DATES FOR THAT TRAINING.

MY GUESS WOULD BE IT WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEXT 60 TO 90 DAYS.

YES, MA'AM? JUST PLEASE DROP THAT OFF WITH

HER. >> SPEAKER: THAT'S FINE.

>> SPEAKER: WHO WILL BE NEXT? SIR?

>> SPEAKER: MAYER AND IS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL HERBERT WHAT ARE 412 OPELIKA RD. APARTMENT 111.

ONE OF THE GRADUATES OF THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF THE CITIZENS ACADEMY, I SAY THAT WITH PRIDE AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. I THINK IT WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T THANK YOU ALL FOR THE POLITICAL SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED TO ALLOW SUCH AN ACADEMY TO TAKE PLACE.

I DON'T KNOW OF VERY MANY CITIES OR JURISDICTIONS THAT WOULD ALLOW SUCH A CITIZENS ACADEMY. I DIDN'T DO ANY RESEARCH ON IT PRIOR TO IT BUT I WENT AHEAD AND TOOK IT BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE DON'T KNOW WHAT GOES ON HERE IN A CITY OR IN A JURISDICTION UNTIL WE GET A CLOSE-UP LOOK. WE LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING THAT CLOSE UP LOOK. I THINK THE MAYOR IN HIS COMMENTS AT THE OCCASION LAST WEEK TALKED ABOUT BEING BEHIND THE CURTAIN. WELL WE GOT A CHANCE TO BE BEHIND THAT CURTAIN AND THERE IS A LOT INVOLVED.

AND ALSO I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER AND ALSO MS. BLANKENSHIP FOR SORT OF BEING THE SHEPHERD MOTHER OF US ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GOT TO EVERYPLACE, THAT WE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

I WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE ANY CITIZENS LISTENING TO THIS MEETING, I KNOW IT IS BEING SEEN AND BEING HEARD, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WHEN THIS COMES UP NEXT YEAR.

I AM VERY HAPPY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND FINALLY, I KNOW ABOUT THE AUBURN 2040.

I URGE YOU ALSO LET US KNOW AND LET US TRY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT TOO SO THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES SUCH AS THE LADY ADDRESS WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT -- THE CITIZENS CAN COME AND MAYBE SOME OTHER NEW IDEAS. AND ALSO ABOUT FELTON LITTLE PARK AFTER I HAD A CHANCE TO GO THERE YESTERDAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR KEEPING THE PARK OPEN AS THE BEGINNING OF THE PARKS & RECREATION ERA AT AUBURN.

I LEARNED A LOT. I AM NOT A GENERATIONAL CITIZEN OF AUBURN, I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE SINCE 2006, BUT I LEARNED A LOT JUST BY LOOKING AT WHAT WAS GOING ON.

MR. COSGROVE NEEDS TO GET ALL OF THE THINGS IN THE WORLD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PLANS IN THE FUTURE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE THOSE HOPEFULLY WE WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT IT DURING THE AUBURN WENTE 40 PROCESS.

I THINK YOU. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU.

GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD EXPERIENCE. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE A CONSTITUTION TRICK I GUESS -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW ME MY NAME IS ROBERT WILKINS.

I AM A 261 DENSON DRIVE, AUBURN, ALABAMA.

I LIKE TO TITLE MYSELF AND I HAVE A TITLE I SAW THE LIGHT.

I SAW THE LIGHT BY HANK WILLIAMSPORT THE LAST FIVE WEEKENDS, MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN VERY QUIET.

[00:25:01]

THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND I GUESS IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU ALL MAYBE.

ALSO THERE WERE NO SCUMMY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT. LIKE TWO AND THREE GENERATIONS OF AUBURN ALUMNUS COMING FROM A YOU FOOTBALL, FAMILIES VISITING THE AU CAMPUS OR FAMILIES SHARING THE JOYS OF A WEDDING OR SADNESS OF A FUNERAL. OR AN OLDER COUPLE PLAYING IN A GOLF TOURNAMENT OR SHARING AN EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION WITH A YOUNG DAUGHTER TRICK OR A GROUP OF YOUNG MEN FROM FORGETTING WANTING TO JUST ENJOY THE NIGHTLIFE IN AUBURN.

I SAW THE LIGHT. I THINK THAT IS HOW THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR SPENT 29 LONG MONTHS WORKING ON ORDINANCE 3288. ALL OF YOU SPENT SO MANY HOURS PER WEEK STUDYING OTHER CITIES SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE, MAKING DIRECT CONTACTS WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT LIVE NEAR A AIRBNB OR THE RBL, ETC. GOING IN SOME SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND TALKING WITH THE HOST. GATHERED ALL KINDS OF DATA FROM THE CITY. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS, THE KIND OF COMPLAINTS, TRAFFIC ISSUES, NOISE COMPLAINTS, TRASH COMPLAINTS, WHAT KIND OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BECAUSE THE MOST ISSUES. THANK YOU, COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR FOR SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT.

I SAW THE LIGHT. I WOULD HAVE MADE OVER $12,000 THESE PAST FIVE HOME GAMES BUT I REALIZE THAT THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR WERE LOOKING AFTER US. I DO NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THAT MONEY. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? NOR DO THE OTHER 150 FAMILIES. I SAW THE LIGHT THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO DEAL WITH NOW IS THE BILLS THAT I MIGHT JUST DO WHAT I THOUGHT I WOULD TALK WITH A SELF-PROCLAIMED CEO OVER HERE AND GET THE LADY IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

>> SPEAKER: THAT IS UNNECESSARY COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY.

>> SPEAKER: AND THE CITY ENTRAPMENT PROGRAM THEY USE FAKE NAMES. I HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING FALSE.

MAYBE WE CAN CALL THE CREDITORS AND USE THE NAMES TO PAY MY BILLS. I SAW THE LIGHT COUNCILMAN WRITTEN BECAME A REBEL OF THIS COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY OF 2021 MAKING AMENDMENT FOR ORDINANCE 3288 WHERE THEY WOULD BE NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANY OF HER CONSTITUENTS JUST SOME RULES AND STRUCTURES. BUT OUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, THE MAYOR ANDERS CAME TO THE RESCUE AND WE WERE LIKE LANCELOT THE MAYOR AMENDED A BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE 3288 AND A

PAST. >> SPEAKER: WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> SPEAKER: MAYOR, IF I MAY, SOME THINGS I WANTED TO SPEAK UP ON. I DON'T MIND BEING ATTACKED ON THIS COUNCIL I GOT ELECTED FOR THAT.

WHEN YOU ATTACKED ME DAY IN AND DAY OUT AS LONG AS YOU LIKE IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME. BUT WHEN YOU STEP OVER THE LINE AND TALK ABOUT MS. CROUCH AND HER STAFF, I THINK THAT'S INAPPROPRIATE. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

JUST SAY WHAT YOU WANT WITHOUT ATTACKING EMPLOYEES.

IS FINE FOR YOU TO ATTACK A COUNCIL THAT WILL BE GET ELECTED FOR TRICK I RESPECT YOUR OPINION.

BUT I WOULD ASK YOU TO REFRAIN FROM IMPLYING THAT THE STAFF IS NOT DOING SOMETHING RIGHT OR MISSES CROUCH.

>> SPEAKER: ESTHER? YES, SIR?

>> SPEAKER: I'M STEVE COSGROVE AND I LIVE -- WE LIVE AT 1927 WATERCRESS DRIVE IN. I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE OR SO AND LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU PICK I REALLY DO.

I HAVE SAID THAT MORE THAN ONCE BUT I REALLY MEAN IT.

I LOOK AT EACH OF YOU AND I THINK OF THE TIME AND THE WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND HEART THAT YOU DEDICATE TO YOUR POSITION AND FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE CITY OF AUBURN.

I HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS FOR ABOUT 47 AND A HALF YEARS JUST FROM THE BACK ROW AND THAT IS WHERE I PREFER TO BE.

YESTERDAY'S RECOGNITION OF FELTON LITTLE PARK REALLY WAS A NEAT CULMINATION, OF A LOT OF EFFORT AND TIME AND IT INVOLVED A LOT OF YOUR CONSIDERATION AND YOUR LEADERSHIP, RON, MEGAN, BECKY CERTAINLY ENTER STAFF. AND OTHERS.

I DON'T WANT TO BE TO TO BE OFFENDED IF I LEAVE SOMEBODY OUT. I GREW UP IN A LARGE FAMILY AND THERE'S NEVER GOING TO BE ANYBODY LEFT OUT I ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT THAT. I FELT GOOD ABOUT THE PARTICIPATION WE HAD YESTERDAY AND I THOUGHT IT WAS HANDLED IN A FIRST CLASS FASHION. MEGAN AND BECKY AND AGAIN MAYOR -- YOU DID A GREAT JOB OF PULLING ALL THAT TOGETHER AND IN A CLASS FASHION. IT IS JUST ANOTHER STEP ALONG

[00:30:01]

THEY REALLY ARE TRICK THE MEMORY OF SOME PEOPLE -- MEMORY OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS AND SO FORTH AND PLACES AND YESTERDAY'S WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOT OF CITIZENS.

THERE WAS A LADY THAT CAME THERE , ELIZABETH LIPSCOMB.

SHE IS 94 YEARS OLD AND SHE'S IN THAT PICTURE WITH MY WIFE SHERRI AND I PURCHASED AT A SWEET LADY. SHE GREW UP IN OPELIKA.

SHE JUST WANTED TO BE THERE AND BE A PART OF THAT.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF PARTICIPATION AND A LOT OF SMILES AND SO FORTH BUT THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THE SORT OF OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU CREATE. YOU ARE THE LEADERSHIP AND THE MANAGERS. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGERS AND YOU SET THE TONE AND THE STANDARDS FOR THESE SORTS OF THINGS TO HAPPEN. YES, I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT BUT I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE. THIS IS JUST ONE SMALL CHAPTER IN THAT BOOK. BUT AGAIN I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL PERSONALLY AND EACH ONE OF YOU AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

>> SPEAKER: ANCHIA, MR. BECAUSE COSGROVE AND FOR ALL YOUR HARD

WORK. >> SPEAKER: AND HELLO TO YOUR

SWEET MOTHER, CHIEF TOMMY. >> SPEAKER: WHO WILL BE NEXT?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.