[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:14]
>>> WE'LL CALL TO ORDER TONIGHT AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MAY THE 21ST, 2024. WE WELCOME EVERYONE WHO HAS THE LATEST LIVE. WE WELCOME THOSE LISTENING ON WANI AND JOINING US ON YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK STREAMING SERVICES.
>> ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE. ROLL CALL, NANCY?
>> PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE 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, WITH INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS. ]
TONIGHT, DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, THERE WAS NO BUSINESS FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER. SUBSTITUTE CITY MANAGER CUMMINGS DID REMIND THE CITY COUNCIL THAT IN THE NEXT MEETING, JUNE 4TH DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, THERE WILL BE THE OLD MILLS SIDEWALK DISCUSSION BETWEEN OLD MILL AND MCKINLEY AVENUE, UNIVERSITY DRIVE. WE'LL CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION FROM TWO WEEKS AGO. THE PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSION IS WHETHER THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD ASK THE STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DESIGN OR NOT. SO, THAT WILL BE THE DISCUSSION THAT NIGHT. AT THAT POINT IN TIME, TAKING IT FURTHER, MR. CUMMINGS , IF THERE WERE TO BE AN EFFORT TO GO THROUGH THE DESIGN PROCESS, THEN THE STAFF WOULD COME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND GIVE US A NUMBER THAT WE WOULD NEED TO CONSIDER AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO APPROVE THE PROJECT.>> THAT IS CORRECT. YES. >> OKAY.
>> LIKELY SOMETHING WE WOULD ADD TO THE BUDGET .
>> IT IS CURRENTLY NOT BUDGETED RIGHT NOW?
>> NO. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE'LL BE DOING. AS FAR AS THE MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT, REMIND EVERYONE, THE MEMORIAL DAY BREAKFAST FOR THE MAYOR WILL BE THIS MONDAY MORNING AT THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER. INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ARE $25 . IF YOU WOULD LIKE A TABLE, 250. PLEASE CONTACT CITY HALL FOR THAT. THIS IS ALWAYS A VERY, VERY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE TIME AS WE RECOGNIZE, REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR OUR FREEDOMS AND OUR ABILITIES TO HAVE MEETINGS LIKE THIS TONIGHT. THE BREAKFAST WILL BE FOLLOWED WITH A BRIEF OVERHEARING AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL. ALWAYS A SPECIAL MORNING IF YOU WILL BE IN TOWN.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PARTICIPATE. THIS WEEK IS ALSO A BIG GRADUATION WEEK FOR MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ON A PRACTICAL LEVEL, WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THURSDAY NIGHT AT DUCKS EFFORT PARK, THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE UNDERGOING GRADUATION. IF YOU DON'T NEED TO BE IN THE AREA, I SUGGEST YOU NOT GOING TO THE AREA UNLESS YOU LIKE TO GET INTO A TRAFFIC JAM. HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF KIDS WILL BE THERE LIKE A BIG-TIME FOOTBALL GAME. WE'LL HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM AUBURN THAT GRADUATE AND NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THIS WEEK.
CERTAINLY, WE WISH ALL OF THEM THE BEST. WE'RE PROUD THEY'RE GRADUATING IN OUR COMMUNITY FROM SCHOOLS IN OUR TOWN. WE HOPE THAT THEIR DREAMS CONTINUE TO COME TRUE AS THEY MOVE FORWARD INTO COLLEGE, WHATEVER MIGHT BE NEXT FOR THEM. ALSO, THIS WEEK IS THE BEGINNING OF CAMP WAR EAGLE, WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT AUBURN AND IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ECONOMY DURING THE SUMMERTIME, THE FIRST SESSION OF CAMP WAR EAGLE STARTS TOMORROW OR THURSDAY, I BELIEVE, AND CERTAINLY, AS WE GO ABOUT OUR BUSINESS OVER THE SUMMER HERE, IF YOU SEE PARENTS THAT MAYBE DON'T LOOK LIKE THEY KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING I MIGHT HAVE A COUPLE OF BAGS IN THEIR HAND AND MIGHT BE A LITTLE HOT AND SWEATY, IF YOU CAN OFFER THEM SOME SUPPORT OR HELP, OR ASK HIM HOW THEY'RE DOING, I KNOW THEY WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
THEY'RE SIGNING THEIR KIDS UP TO SPEND THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS UP WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THEM. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY, THEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF 7A STATE. WE HAD A CHANCE TO PRESENT THEM WITH THE PROCLAMATION THE OTHER EVENING AND WHAT AN OUTSTANDING TEAM THAT WON A TIE GAME 2-0 OVER HOOVER. WE ARE PROUD OF THEM AND THE BOYS STAY CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AS WELL WHEN THEY LOST THREE-NOTION . VERY PROUD OF HOW THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL HAS REPRESENTED OUR COMMUNITY. ANYONE ELSE ON THE DAIS HAVE AN
ANNOUNCEMENT? >> I DO, MAYOR. A BIG WEEK IN THE WITTEN HOUSE. TODAY'S CAROLINE'S 16TH BIRTHDAY. SHE WILL BE ON THE ROAD SOON. IF YOU ARE IN THE ASTON PARKS LAKES AREA, PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF HER DRIVING. ALSO, KATE, MY OTHER DAUGHTER, IS GRADUATING AND WALKING ON THURSDAY. SO,
JUST A LOT HAPPENING. >> ANYONE ELSE?
[00:05:06]
>> MAYOR, WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE AAU FOOTBALL TEAM TO BE IN
OUR PRAYERS. >> MICROPHONE. THERE YOU GO.
>> ONE OF OUR PLAYERS WAS WOUNDED IN A SHOOTING IN A SENSELESS SHOOTING, FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM IN THE FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS. GIVE THEM OUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. ANYONE ELSE?
>> YES. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE ABOUT THE JUNETEENTH PARADE IS JUNE 14TH, FRIDAY EVENING. THE EVENT IS JUNE 15TH
AT KEYSER PARK . >> OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.
>> CONGRATULATIONS TO BRYSON MCCLELLAN WHO WON " MASTERCHEF JR. " ONE OF THE EPISODES, HE MENTIONED THAT HE WANTS TO TAKE HIS WINNINGS AND BUY A FOOD TRUCK . SO, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THOSE LICENSES IN ORDER , GET THEM ON THE ROAD. I AM ALWAYS UP FOR SOMETHING UNIQUE.
>> CAN WE GET ENACTED ? >> THAT'S RIGHT.
[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. AUBURN UNIVERSITY
COMMUNICATIONS? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, Y'ALL.
>> HEY . >> AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, CAMP WAR EAGLE IS COMING UP, REALLY BIG TIME FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FRESHMEN AND INCOMING STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS AS WELL . WE'LL HAVE REINSURANCE THAT THEY'RE SENDING THEIR KIDS TO A GREAT SCHOOL AND GREAT COMMUNITY FOR THE COMING YEARS.
I WANT TOUCH MUCH MORE ON THAT. SOME EXCITING NEWS, THOUGH, THE MARKET AT AG HERITAGE PARK OPENS THIS THURSDAY FROM 3:00 TO 6:00 P.M. AND WILL BE THERE EVERY THURSDAY THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SUMMER FROM 3:00 TO 6:00 P.M. THEY WILL HAVE A FARMERS MARKET. THEY WILL HAVE 30 DIFFERENT LOCAL VENDORS PROVIDING FRESH PRODUCE TO OUR COMMUNITY. BE SURE TO STOP BY THAT AND HERITAGE PARK FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, OVER BY THE STADIUM ON SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE BY RED BARN. BE SURE TO STOP BY THAT. FINAL THING I WANTED TO MENTION IS THE CITY BREAKFAST UPCOMING . I LEAVE FOR AN INTERNSHIP LATER, SO I WOULD HAVE A PLEASURE TO BE THERE. HAVE A TEST ON AS MUCH IN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. FOR THOSE LISTENING AND THOSE IT IS IN THE PLEASURE OF THE AUDIENCE FOR THE MAYOR TO HAVE US, AND HE PRACTICED AT THE CITY HALL AND HAVE CANDID CONVERSATIONS ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND DEEPEN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE AUBURN STUDENT BODY AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY IN GENERAL. WE'RE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. I KNOW THAT WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD
TO IT. THAT'S ALL FOR ME. >> THANK YOU, JACK. THIS TIME, CITIZENS CAN MEDICATION ON ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. I WILL POINT YOU THAT THERE ARE -- UNDER RESOLUTIONS -- A COUPLE OF CONDITIONAL USES THAT HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ATTACHED IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT EITHER ONE OF THOSE, I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WAIT UNTIL THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN, BUT IF YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT
[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.]
ANYTHING ELSE ON OUR AGENDA, NOW IS YOUR TIME TO COME FORWARD. THESE GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES. SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL MOVE AHEAD. CITY MANAGERS COMMUNICATIONS .>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE A BOARD VACANCY ANY COMMISSION. THREE POSITIONS. TERMS WILL BEGIN AUGUST 1ST , 2024 , AND LAST THROUGH JULY 31ST, 2030. APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE AS OF JULY 16TH, 2024 MEETING. THE SLIDE FOR THE APPLICATIONS WILL GO LIVE IN THE MORNING.
>> THANK YOU, MR. COMMENTS. I WANTED TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
ONE OF THE VACANCIES IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY MR. BOB WRIGHTENBAUGH, FIRST TERM ON THE COMMISSION, SEEKING A SECOND FULL TERM. I WILL BE COMING TO THE COUNCIL LATER AND ASKING THE COUNCIL TO SUSPEND THE RULES SO WE CAN GO AHEAD AND REAPPOINT HIM. THE OTHER TWO POSITIONS ARE VACATING THOSE POSITIONS, AND THOSE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHERS TO
SERVE. THE CONSENT AGENDA . >> CONSENT AGENDA, ANYBODY WISH TO REMOVE ANYTHING FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SPECIAL
CONSIDERATION? >> YES, SIR, MR. GRISWOLD?
>> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE EIGHT, BRAVO 1, 8 , B-1 .
>> OKAY, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DO 8, CAMP WAR EAGLE FOUR.
[8.b.(1) Auburn University. Memorandum of Understanding. Auburn University’s project 24‐211 Alumni Center‐Lower Plaza to New Road Elevation. $105,000. ]
>> ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE? CAMP WAR EAGLE THREE .
>> THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR AUBURN UNIVERSITY FOR THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF BRICK PAVERS ALONG THE PLAZA IN FRONT OF THE AUBURN ALUMNI CENTER.THIS IS LOCATED AT 317 SOUTH COLLEGE STREET. THE WORK IS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE SOUTH COLLEGE STREET IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE A PART OF THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT
[00:10:01]
SANFORD AVENUE AND GATE STREET. >> VOTE TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> MR. GRISWOLD? >> THANK YOU. IN THE MEMORANDUM, IT MENTIONS THAT THIS PROJECT WAS INITIALLY DONE UNDER THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. WHO ALL IS A
PARTY TO THAT ORGANIZATION? >> THE MPO? IT IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT WE ARE PARTNERS WITH THROUGH THE LEE
RUSSELL COUNCIL GOVERNMENT. >> WAS THERE A COST SHARING ON THE INITIAL PROJECT BETWEEN US AND ANY OTHER ENTITY FOR THE
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS? >> THE COSTS WERE SHARED BETWEEN THE CITY AND ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
>> THE UNIVERSITY DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TOWARD THE PROJECT
AT ALL? >> THEY DID NOT. THIS WAS INITIATED BY US. WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE FUNDING THROUGH OUR MPO FOR A LARGE PORTION OF THE PROJECT .
>> OKAY. THE EARLIER MOU DID NOT INVOLVE THE UNIVERSITY,
>> IS THERE A REASON WHY WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR A COST SHARING WITH THE UNIVERSITY FOR THIS EXPENSE?
>> WE INITIATED THE WORK THAT CAME TO NEED FOR THIS TO BE DONE. AS WE IDENTIFIED THE NEED AND WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY, WE WERE WELL INTO THE PROJECT. IT WAS NOT PRACTICAL AT THAT POINT TO NECESSARILY DO A CHANGE. THEY ACTUALLY ADMINISTERED THE CONTRACT, MANAGED THE PROJECT.
SO, THAT WAS REALLY NOT PRACTICAL. WE BEGAN LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS AND BEGAN SOLICITING QUOTES , AND ADMITTEDLY, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET SOMEONE TO QUOTE US FOR THE BRICK PAVERS AS A SPECIALTY WORK ITEM , AND THE FOLKS THAT DO IT ARE VERY BUSY. WE WERE ABLE TO FINALLY SECURE IT, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY FOR AT LEAST $50,000 MORE THAN WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE UNIVERSITY, AND FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, WE BEGAN DISCUSSING WITH THE UNIVERSITY, THEY ACTUALLY PROPOSED TO TAKE THE PROJECT AND MANAGE THE PROJECT IF THEY WOULD COMPENSATE THEM FOR THAT. THEY UTILIZED ONE OF THEIR CONTRACTS THAT THEY HAVE, WHICH IS THE JOB ORDER OF CONTRACTING AGREEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST HAS, AND WE WERE ABLE TO WORK AND SECURE A PRICE OF $105000 IN THE MEMORANDUM, AGAIN, $50,000 SAVINGS, THEY'RE MANAGING THE PROJECT , THEIR PROPERTY. NORMALLY, WHEN WE'RE DOING PROJECTS LIKE, MOST RECENTLY, ALL OF YOU HAVE SEEN THE MLK STREETSCAPE PROJECT, WE WORKED ON PEOPLE'S PROPERTY AND REPLACE SIDEWALKS , DEAL WITH DRIVEWAYS AND THINGS. A LOT OF TIMES, WE HAVE TO EXTEND WORK BE ON THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TO WORK ON THEIR PROPERTY. IT IS OUR PROJECT. WE END UP PAYING FOR THAT. SO, I LIKE IN THIS WORK TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IS WE ARE JUST CREATING -- HAVING TO PAY THEM TO JUST GO BACK AND CORRECT THAT GRADE SO THAT, YOU KNOW, ACCESSIBLE PEOPLE, EDA -- CAN GET TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE ALUMNI CENTER
THROUGH THIS PLAZA ENTRANCE. >> WAS THE GRADE A.D.A.
COMPLIANT? PRIOR TO US DOING THIS PROJECT LET US
>> YES, SIR . >> OUR PROJECT IS CAUSING, NOW,
TO BE NONCOMPLIANT? >> WE LOWERED A FOOT, MAYBE. WE LOWERED THE GRADE ABOUT A FOOT. IT DID CREATE THAT NONCOMPLIANCE , BECAUSE IT CREATED A STEP. NOT A SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR SOMEONE TO RIDE IN A WHEELCHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WE HAVE
[8.b.(4) Pound Construction Company, Inc. Boykin Community Center HVAC Replacement Project. $242,000. ]
A MOTION IN THE SECOND PREDOMINANT EVER, PLEASE SAY,>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THAT IS
APPROVED. ALL RIGHT, 8, B-4. >> A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH POUND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC. FOR THE PROVISION OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES TO INSTALL 8 ROOFTOP HVAC UNITS FOR THE BOYKIN COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $242,000. THE CITY AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT ON FEBRUARY 5TH , 2024.
>> APPROVE . >> MOTION AND A SECOND MS.
TAYLOR? >> I JUST WANTED TO ASK, WHEN THIS PROJECT IS APPROVED AND EVERYTHING THROUGH IT, FIRST OF ALL, DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF IT, IS IT GOING TO INTERRUPT WITH THE OPENING OR ACTIVITIES FOR THE DAY CARE CENTER ?
>> IT SHOULDN'T. THIS WORK WILL BE DONE SEPARATE FROM EXISTING UNITS. EXISTING UNITS WILL BE UP TO STAY IN SERVICE AS WE ARE DOING THIS WORK, SO IT SHOULD BE, AND VERY MINIMAL, IMPACT, IF ANY, ON THE DAY CARE.
>> OKAY. ONCE EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE AND APPROVED AND EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW ABOUT WHEN THIS CONSTRUCTION IS GOING TO
START? >> I WILL LOOK AT THE COURSE
[00:15:05]
DIRECTOR, SEE IF HE HAS ANY INPUT ON IT.>> YEAH. SO, THERE WE GO. CONTRACT REQUIRES THEM TO START JUNE 1 WITH SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE BY AUGUST 31ST.
>> JUNE 1, THIS YEAR? >> YES, MA'AM. ABLE TO EACH CLASSROOM CONSECUTIVELY. THEY WON'T DO ALL EIGHT UNITS AT THE SAME TIME. THEY WILL INSTALL ONE AT A TIME. IF THERE IS ANY DISRUPTION WITH CLASSROOM, IT WILL BE COORDINATED DIRECTLY WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICE'S DIRECTOR
AND THE DAYCARE ITSELF. >> TAKE YOU.
>> YUP. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> YES, SIR, MR. MAYOR?
>> YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU. I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THIS PLACEMENT TO THE HVAC AT BOYKIN . I UNDERSTAND, FROM CITY MANAGER AND HER STAFF, THAT THEY HAD IMPROVEMENTS SCHEDULED .THEY ALREADY SCHEDULED FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, I BELIEVE , AND WE RUN INTO SOME DIFFICULTY ON HOW TO MEET THAT SCHEDULE, BECAUSE OF ENGINEERING CHALLENGES, I THINK, IN THE BUILDING AND ALONG THE ROAD . IS THAT TRUE?
>> YES. YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT DEAN ROAD? ACTUALLY, AS YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE HVAC THERE, THE CONCERNS FOR THE ROOF, WE HAVE BEEN REEVALUATING THE ROOF . WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT SOME OF THE FLOOR PLANNING FOR THAT . I WAS LOOKING AT PUBLIC SERVICES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SEE IF HE HAS GOT ANY MORE INPUT ON WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE, BUT I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN SOME CHANGES. IT'S NOT JUST AS SIMPLE AS THE HVAC REPLACEMENT AND THE DUCT WORK .
>> CORRECT. PARKS RECREATION IS CURRENTLY IN CONVERSATION WITH CONSTRUCTIONAL ENGINEERS AS FAR AS THE HVAC ENGINEERS FOR THE ROOF'S ABILITY TO HANDLE THE HVAC UNITS. AS SOON AS WE GET
[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]
THE ANSWERS, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A 2ND.ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALLOT S
[9.a.(1) Chapman Annexation. 375 Lee Road 51 (Chadwick Lane). Annexation of approximately 1.43 acres. ]
OF THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. ORDINANCES?
>> UNDER ORDINANCES, ITEM 9, A-1, APPROXIMATELY 1.43 ACRES AT LEE ROAD AND CHADWICK LANE. VOTE OF 8-0 AT THE MAY 9TH 2024 MEETING UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY.
>> UNANIMOUS CONSENT? >> SECOND.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANYONE, COUCNIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING AND HEARING ON, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? FROM THE COUNCIL?
[9.a.(2) East Gold Hill Annexation. Lee Road 93 (Ensminger Road). Annexation of approximately 5.1 acres.]
>> YES >> ITEM 9, CAMP WAR EAGLE SIX, EAST GOLD HILL ANNEXATION, ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY FIVE THIS.1 ACRES ON LEE ROAD 93, AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF THE REQUEST BY A VOTE OF 9-0 AT THE MINUTES, 2024 MEETING FOR ENSMINGER ROAD. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT. >> I GIUDICE THE ORDINANCE AND
ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION ANY SECOND ANYONE, CANCEL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING AND HEARING ON, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO JUST STATE THAT THIS IS PART OF A LARGER LOT THAT WE HAD LOOKED AT BACK IN, I THINK, 2020. THAT WE DETERMINED , AT THAT TIME, BECAUSE THE PROPERTY SITS OUTSIDE THE OPTIMAL BOUNDARY, AND THAT , FOR THE SAKE OF CITY SERVICES AND SCHOOL SERVICES, IT WOULD BE A VERY DIFFICULT AREA TO SERVICE APPROPRIATELY , AND SO, FOR THOSE REASONS, I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST THIS ANNEXATION.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE STAFF FOR THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT THE OPTIMAL BOUNDARY WHEN IT WAS DELINEATED . YOU WENT ALONG ENSMINGER ROAD EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A RECTANGULAR PORTION OF LEE COUNTY ABOVE IT.
WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE FOR NOT INCLUDING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE COUNTY IN THE OPTIMAL BOUNDARY?
>> THE OPTIMAL BOUNDARY AT THAT TIME EXTENDED TO THE EXISTING CITY LIMITS .THAT WAS ALREADY IN THE CITY LIMITS. SO, WE ELIMINATED AND STOPPED THERE. WE MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED
[00:20:15]
GOING FURTHER NORTH AT THAT POINT. CITY LIMITS WAS NOT THATFAR. >> I CAN CERTAINLY SEE NOT WANTING TO ANNEX ANYTHING IN CHAMBERS COUNTY. I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. HAVE WE ANNEXED ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE OPTIMAL BOUNDARY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS?
>> I'M PRETTY SURE WE HAVE. >> SO, IT IS NOT A HARD, FAST ONE? OKAY. WITH THE LIMITATION OF SERVICES, COULD YOU TELL US WHAT THEY WILL HAVE, WHAT THEY COULD NOT HAVE? UNDERWATER ONLY GOES AS FAR AS PART WAY UP HEATH ROAD .
>> RIGHT. WE'RE PROBABLY ABOUT 2 1/2 OR 3 MILES AWAY WITH ANY KIND OF WATER SERVICE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE . WE'RE NOT AWARE THAT ANYBODY HAS ANY KIND OF WATER SERVICE UP THERE. NOT LIKE A SITUATION WHERE THEY CAN GO THERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE. IT WOULD BE WELL SERVICE OR SEPTIC TANKS. AS FAR AS OTHER SERVICES GO, WE PROVIDE GARBAGE COLLECTION , SCHOOLS WOULD PROVIDE SERVICE THROUGH THERE, BUT THEN AGAIN, YOU ARE HAVING SCHOOL BUSES POTENTIALLY HAVING TO GO MAKE THAT JOURNEY.
>> OKAY. THIS RURAL SECTION, TO THE OPUS ADJACENT TO THIS PROPERTY -- IS ALREADY IN THE CITY. DOES IT SAY, LIMITATION
>> IT IS SERVICED BY THE SANITATION FOLKS UP THERE?
>> YES, SIR . >> THEY GO TO THE AUBURN CITY
SCHOOLS AS FAR AS YOU KNOW? >> YES, SIR . AS FAR AS I KNOW.
>> ALL RIGHT. IQ. >> ANYONE ELSE HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT? OKAY. NANCY, ROLL CALL.
[9.a.(3) Pinewood Place Annexation. 2428 Pinewood Place. Annexation of approximately 1.18 acres.]
>> ITEM 9, A-3, ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1.18 ACRES LOCATED AT 2428 I WOULD PLACE . PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS VOTE BY 8-0 BY THE MAY 9TH 2024 MEETING.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY. >> I WOULD INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
>> SECOND. >> ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MOVING FORWARD FOR A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? OKAY, SEEING AND HEARING ON, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM COUCNIL? OKAY. LINDSAY, THE ROLL CALL?
[10.a.(1) Caliber Collision. Road service use (auto repair, paint/body work). Property located immediately west of 1646 South College Street. ]
>> RESOLUTIONS , ITEM 10 CAMP WAR EAGLE FIVE, CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL FOR ROAD SERVICES, AUTOMOBILE REPAIR AND PAINT BODYWORK. SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED IMMEDIATELY WEST OF 1646 SOUTH COLLEGE STREET IN THE SOUTH COLLEGE CORRIDOR DISTRICT ZONING DISTRICT FOR SACD. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED A VOTE BY 9-0 ON THE MAY 9TH, 2024 MEETING.
PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED . >> OH FOR APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND PART THIS TIME, A PUBLIC HEARING? LIKE TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL? REGARDING THIS TOPIC, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. OKAY. SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY
[10.a.(2) University Wine and Spirits. Commercial and entertainment use (package store). Property located at 316 North Donahue Drive. ]
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 10 , A-2, UNIVERSITY ONE AND SPEARS COMMERCIAL AND ENTERTAINMENT USE PACKAGE WITH THE SUBJECT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 316 NORTH DONAHUE DRIVE IN THE CORRIDOR REDEVELOPING DISTRICT WEST, AND CIARDI ZONING DISTRICT. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS APPLICATION BY A VOTE OF 70-2 ON THE MAY 9TH , 2024 . PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> VOTE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND .
>> WE HAVE A MOTION ANY SECOND. AND THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC COUCNIL, GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD WITH 5 MINUTES FOR THE RECORD. YES, SIR?
>> GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME.
>> YOU ARE DOING GOOD . >> I AM NERVOUS. I HAVE A FEW BUSINESS UNIVERSITY -- LIKE FOUR BUSINESS, CIGARETTE, WINE AND SPIRITS, B-LINE GAS STATION , AND THE NEWPORT STORE .
[00:25:09]
REGARDING THIS POINT, I JUST KNOW THAT I AM OPPOSED. I'M SAYING, LIKE, GOALPOST IS VERY CLOSE TO THIS PROPERTY , AND ON THEIR CORNER, THEY ALREADY HAVE A TWO-PICKET STORE, WHEN IS LEGAL GAS STATION. THEY ALREADY HAVE THE PERMIT AND EVERYTHING.GOALPOST ALSO HAVE A PERMIT FOR THE BACKYARD STORE. THIS GOALPOST, WE ARE DOING THIS BUSINESS FROM 20 YEARS. I AM RUNNING THAT BUSINESS FROM LAST FIVE YEARS, AND SO, LIKE, I THINK FOR A BACKYARD STAR IN THE ONE QUARTER, THEY WOULD HAVE A TWO PACKAGE STORE AND THE THIRD ONE IS GOING TO KILL EVERYBODY BUSINESS, BUT THAT'S I JUST WANT TO SAY, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE, BUT I JUST WANT TO COME AND TALK
ABOUT IT. >> SURE. THANK YOU FOR COMING FORWARD. YOU STILL HAVE 3 MINUTES AND 45 SECONDS IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY. IF NOT, WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE MIGHT ASK YOU TO, FORWARD AND SAY, OKAY.
THANK YOU. >> HE NEEDS TO STAY HIS NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. DIDN'T DO THAT.
>> DID YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS? OKAY. PLEASE.
WOULD YOU PLEASE COME BACK? MICROPHONE, GIVE US YOUR NAME
AND ADDRESS. >> MY NAME IS JAY DISAI, ADDRESS 825 WILLINGTON STREET, AUBURN, ALABAMA, 638.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL? WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? >> WELL, I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING. I REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING. SO, I DO KNOW THAT HE STATED THAT THERE IS ALREADY THREE OTHER PACKAGE STORES IN THE AREA. OKAY, SO THIS WILL MAKE THE FOURTH ONE. SO, THE OTHER THREE --
>> ONE GOES TO WIGGLE. >> THIS WILL MAKE A THIRD ONE.
>> CORRECT. >> OKAY. SO, ARE THEY OWNED BY HIM? IS THAT ONE OF THEM? WHICH ONE IS THAT? THE GOALPOST? ONE
OF THE GOALPOST? >> CORRECT. THE GOALPOST. YES.
>> SO, ARE YOU SAYING THAT -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR -- ARE YOU SAYING THAT THIS IS OKAY WITH YOU? OR YOU DON'T THINK IT IS OKAY? IT'S NOT OKAY? BRINGING THIS THIRD ONE -- THIS IS NOT YOUR UNIVERSITY OF WINE AND SPIRITS? THIS IS ANOTHER CONTRACTOR. OKAY.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> ANYBODY HEAR FROM THE
UNIVERSITY? >> WINE AND SPIRITS?
>> IS THERE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY THAT IS LOOKING FOR
THIS CONDITIONAL USE ? >> APPARENTLY NOT.
>> PERSONALLY, I DON'T THINK THIS IS A GOOD FIT . BE INTERESTED WHAT MS. TAYLOR THINKS ABOUT IT . ALREADY GOT TWO IN THERE. DON'T KNOW THAT WE NEED A THIRD ONE. IF IT WILL BE A GROCERY STORE PART OF IT IS UNDERSTOOD LAST TIME MS. TAYLOR ASKED, THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP A GROCERY STORE IN THE OTHER HALF OF IT IF THEY DON'T WANT TO. SO, I JUST CAN'T SLEEP WITH A 4000 SQUARE-FOOT LIQUOR STORE ON
BRAGG AVENUE, PERSONALLY. >> FOR CLARIFICATION, WAS IT -- THE WHOLE BUILDING -- 8000 SQUARE FEET?
>> THAT IS CORRECT >> WE'RE PROVING 4000 SQUARE
FEET FOR A LIQUOR STORE? >> THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION. PLANNING COMMISSION CARRIED FORTH THE RECOMMENDATION TO LIMIT THE SQUARE FOOTAGE FLOOR AREA FOR THE PACKAGE STORE TO BE 4000
MAXIMUM . >> MS. TAYLOR ASKED LAST MEETING IF THEY HAD TO PUT THE GROCERY STORE IN. THEY DON'T
HAVE TO DO THAT. >> NOT UP ON THIS APPROVAL, THEY WERE NOT THEN, BUT THEY COULD ALSO, YOU KNOW, USE A NUMBER OF OTHER PERMITTED USES THAT COULD PUT IN THAT ADDITIONAL SPACE AS WELL. OR COME BACK AND ASK FOR A CONDITIONAL USE FOR THE OTHER SPACE.
>> BUT THEY CAN DO THE GROCERY STORE.
>> THEY CAN . >> WE WILL, TONIGHT, TRY TO
APPROVE THE PACKAGE STORE. >> CORRECT. GROCERY STORE IS A
PERMITTED USE. >> OKAY. SO, THEY HAVE A CONSIDERATION MAYBE FOR THE WHOLE AREA? OBVIOUSLY, THE WHOLE 8002 BEING A GROCERY STORE? I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WANT TO INCLUDED -- WHICH IS A GOOD POINT THAT WE ARTY HAVE THE LIQUOR STORES IN THAT AREA. I MEAN, WE JUST WANT TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE , RIGHT
[00:30:01]
NOW, AT THE RAILROAD TRACK, TO GET INTOXICATED AND TAKE A CHANCE AT GETTING HIT BY A TRAIN , BECAUSE IT ALL ALREADY GOT TWO LIQUOR STORES THERE. I'M JUST THINKING OUT LOUD.>> THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. >> YEAH. I HAVE LIVED IN THAT AREA . I DON'T THINK THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT I COULD -- I
ACTUALLY COULD APPROVE. >> SO, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR ABILITY TO DENY A CONDITIONAL USE AS THE FALL UPON HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE, NOT COMPETITION. THE GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE BEFORE WAS SPEAKING BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT COMPETITION, BECAUSE HE ALREADY HAS A BUSINESS THAT SERVES AS A PACKAGE STORE. IT WOULD BE NO DIFFERENT -- AND I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE FROM AN ALCOHOL USE -- BUT FROM A COMPETITION PERSPECTIVE, IT WOULD BE NO DIFFERENT THAN ANOTHER CHICKEN FINGER PLACE GOING INSIDE TWO OTHER CHICKEN FINGER PLACES. THE MARKET WILL DICTATE WHO THRIVES AND WHO DOESN'T. THAT IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE WHAT THE MARKET WILL DICTATE, BUT FROM A HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE , IF THERE'S TWO OTHER ONES IN THE AREA , IS THE THIRD ONE A TIPPING POINT, OR IS IT JUST COMPETITION, YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD -- SATURATION -- AND THOSE TWO THINGS ARE VERY DIFFERENT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WE'RE MAKING THIS DECISION. JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.
>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN COMPARE CHICKEN FINGERS TO
ALCOHOL. >> I'M NOT COMPARING THE TWO.
>> HOLD ON JUST A SECOND. >> I STATED, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME, BUT IT IS, COMPETITION PERSPECTIVE , IT WOULD BE THE SAME SCENARIO IF YOU HAD TWO CHICKEN FINGER PLACES AND A THIRD ONE WANTED TO COME IN, THEN THE TWO OTHER CHICKEN FINGER RESTAURANT OWNERS WOULDN'T WANT A THIRD ONE TO COME IN. I DID NOT SAY COMPARING ALCOHOL TO CHICKEN FINGERS. BUT IF WE ARTY HAVE TWO PACKAGE STORES AND WE FIND IT IS OKAY TO HAVE TWO IN THE AREA, THEN FROM A HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE, THIS DOESN'T MEET THE MEASUREMENT OF DENYING IT UNLESS IF SOMEONE CAN EXPLAIN TO ME THE SATURATION AND TIPPING POINT CHANGES HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE FOR
>> YOU OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T HAVE IT?
>> I'M GIVING YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND.
>> I'M NOT MAKING A STATEMENT. I DON'T TAKE IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE AREA. I THINK IT IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE SEEN IT TOO MANY TIMES IN 40 YEARS OF SERVING THIS COMMUNITY. I DON'T THINK YOU CAN COMPARE IT TO A CHICKEN FINGER PLACE GOING OUT TO EAT CHICKEN FINGERS. I HAVE SEEN SOME VERY BAD ACCIDENTS THERE BECAUSE OF ALCOHOL RELATED. I WANT MS. TAYLOR ON THIS ONE TO UNDERSTAND I AM WITH HER. I DON'T SEE THAT. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, I DON'T THINK THAT AREA NEEDS ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE. AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROFITS OR ANYTHING. I COULD CARE LESS WHAT THEY MAKE. I'M DOING IT FOR MY MAIN CONCERN, MY EXPERIENCE , LAW ENFORCEMENT. I DON'T THINK WE NEED A 4000 SQUARE-FOOT LIQUOR STORE ON BRAGG AVENUE.
>> I'M NOT LOOKING AT IT AS A COMPETITION. THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WANTED HIM TO CLARIFY. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE COMPETITION OF IT. PRETTY MUCH ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AREA AND THE PEOPLE THERE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE AREA . I LIVE ON THE WESTSIDE. I JUST THINK WE JUST DON'T NEED ANOTHER LIQUOR
STORE IN THE AREA. >> I AM IN FULL AGREEMENT, MS.
>> JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS. THE 4000-SQUARE-FOOT GROCERY STORE PORTION, WHOSE IDEA WAS THAT ? DEVELOPERS OF
THE CITY? >> IT WAS THEIR REQUEST.
>> IT WAS JUST TO STAY WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO MAKE THE RENT , OR WAS THERE ANY OTHER BENEFIT TO THAT?
>> THE ASSISTANT PLANNING DIRECTOR HAS ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT? HE WORKED WITH THEM ON THE APPLICATION.
>> IT WAS A VOLUNTARY -- THEY CAME IN AND IT WAS THEIR PROPOSAL. THEY SAID THAT THEY WANTED TO DO HALF OF THE 8000 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING AS A LIQUOR STORE AND THE OTHER HALF AS A LIQUOR STORE. THEY COMPLETELY BROUGHT UP
UNSOLICITED FROM STAFF. >> ALL RIGHT.
>> IT IS NOT CALLED UNIVERSITY GROCERIES AND SPIRITS, IT IS CALLED UNIVERSITY WINE AND SPIRITS. I JUST WONDER IF THAT WAS NOT REALLY PART OF THEIR IDEA, OR IF NOT A BIG PART OF THEIR IDEA, IT WAS JUST KIND OF AN AFTERTHOUGHT . IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THEIR PRIMARY MOTIVE FOR OPENING A BUSINESS, IN
OTHER WORDS. >> I GUESS, FOR THE CLARITY FOR
[00:35:02]
THE APPLICATION, THE CONDITIONAL USE IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR THE PACKAGE. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE GROCERY STORE. THE GROCERY STORE WOULD BE OMITTED FROM THE NAME OF THE APPLICATION FOR THAT REASON.>> THEY WOULD LIKELY SET UP TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES, EVEN IF THEY HADN'T HAD THE GROCERY STORES .
>> I THINK IT IS THE APPLICATION.
>> YEAH. THAT IS CORRECT. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SEPARATED BY A PARTITION. NOT JUST A BUILDING WHERE THERE WOULD BE -- THE LIQUOR STORE FROM THE BUILDING -- YOU COULD ACCESS BOTH SIDES.
YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE TWO SEPARATE ENTRANCES, ONE FOR THE GROCERY STORE, ONE FOR THE LIQUOR STORE. THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A PARTITION BETWEEN THE TWO.
>> I THINK MOST OF US WERE AWARE THAT THERE WERE ALREADY TWO PACKAGE STORES. I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DIDN'T KNOW WEIGLE HAD A PACKAGE STORE, AND I REALLY APOLOGIZE, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE GOALPOST WAS A PACKAGE STORE. I COULD HAVE READ THE SIGN. I REMEMBER NOW THAT IT IS. WITHIN 300 FEET,
>> NOT ONE. >> SCOTT, I KNOW, FOR EVERYDAY LIVING MAYBE IN MORAL QUESTIONS THAT HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE, BASED ON THE TOPIC OF ALCOHOL, CAN BE QUANTIFIED, BUT FROM APPROVING A USE, COULD THE SALE OF ALCOHOL BE SOMETHING THAT'S CONSIDERED FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE ?
>> JUST THE SALE OF ALCOHOL? UNFORTUNATE --
>> THE LOCATION AND SALE OF ALCOHOL .
>> UNFORTUNATE, I HAVE OUR CITY ATTORNEY -- I WILL UPDATE YOU
-- IF YOU DON'T MIND, SIR . >> IN AND OF ITSELF, THE SALE OF LIQUOR IS NOT A HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE CONCERN.
GENERALLY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF LIQUOR STORES, GENERALLY, UNDER HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE, YOU USUALLY ARE LOOKING FOR STATISTICAL EVIDENCE OF INCREASED CRIME RATES, INCREASED ACCIDENT RATES, INCREASED TRAFFIC , ANYTHING THAT WOULD AFFECT THE SAFETY AND HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE STORE ITSELF, SUPPORTED BY STATISTICAL EVIDENCE.
>> TO THE FAMILY DOLLAR THAT WAS THERE BEFORE THIS THAT WENT OUT OF BUSINESS, DID IT SERVE OUR SALE OF ALCOHOL?
>> I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. >> BEER, WINE? WE DON'T KNOW?
>> I AM NOT AWARE IF THEY DID IT.
>> NO? I JUST DIDN'T -- >> I AM NOT AWARE THAT THEY
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS?
>> I'M NOT TRYING TO BE DIFFICULT WITH THIS. I KNOW, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES, I THINK IT THROUGH, BUT I DON'T MEAN TO BE RUDE ABOUT IT, BUT I'M JUST TELLING YOU, I SPENT 40 YEARS SO FAR IN THIS TOWN TRYING TO KEEP CRIME DOWN AND KEEP THINGS SAFE. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIFE BECAUSE THEY GET INTOXICATED AND WALK IN FRONT OF A TRAIN IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA. SOMETHING I'M VERY FOND OF RIGHT THERE, KILLED BY A TRAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEM. IT IS NOT BECAUSE I AM A COMPETITION THERE. I GENUINELY CARE ABOUT LOSING ANOTHER PERSON THROUGH ALL THAT ACCIDENT RIGHT ON THE CORNER . I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD LIST FOR ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE .
>> MR. CUMMINS, FOR THE WEIGLE GAS STATION AND THE GOALPOST, WHERE THOSE CONDITIONAL USES FOR THE ENTITIES? I KNOW THAT IS NOT THE PREMIER PURPOSE. THE GOALPOST, AT ONE TIME, WAS A GROCERY STORE WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE. I CAN REMEMBER ALCOHOL BEING SERVED IN THERE, MAYBE NOT LIQUOR, BUT BEER, THEN WEIGLE WAS SET UP WITH A LIQUOR STORE SINCE THEY OPENED THEIR DOORS. SAD, BUT I BELIEVE THAT. SO --
>> THE SERVICE STATION WAS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE SAME ZONE. IT WOULD REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE ON ITSELF. AS FAR AS THE GOALPOST GOES, I WOULD HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK . I THINK THE PLANNING DIRECTOR WOULD ACTUALLY DOUBLE CHECK FOR THE ZONING BEFORE THAT TO SEE IF IT WAS A CONDITIONAL, BECAUSE PACKAGED DOORS ARE PERMITTED USES IN SOME ZONING.
THAT IS A NEW SEPARATE ZONE. >> THAT IS GOAL POST, SEPARATE
>> AS FAR AS SOME OF THE OTHER USES THAT SOLD ALCOHOL WERE CONDITIONAL USES IN THE ZONE. I CAN DOUBLE CHECK, SEE IF HE IS
DOUBLE CHECKING IT. >> ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL
HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? >> YEAH. I WOULD LIKE A COMMENT I MADE ABOUT MS. WHITTEN COMPARING CHICKEN FINGERS TO LIQUOR. I SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE THAT COMMENT. SO, I REGRET SAYING THAT, BUT I'M STILL AGAINST THE LIQUOR STORE.
>> I ACCEPT THAT. IT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE A COMPARISON. I MAY
[00:40:03]
HAVE BEEN A POOR COMPARISON, BUT IT WAS MEANT TO COMPARE COMPETITION -RELATED ITEMS AND TO STATE THAT -- ANYWAY -- WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE TWO PACKAGE STORES IN THE AREA. IF THOSE WERE OKAY TO HAVE IN THE AREA, THEN WHY IS THIS ONE NOT OKAY TO HAVE IN THE AREA? THIS IS A QUESTION I HAVE.>> THE POINT IS WELL TAKEN. I AM A MAN -- WHY SAY SOMETHING
-- >> YOU ARE GOOD, CHIEF. YOU ARE
GOOD. >> Y'ALL GOOD. OKAY. YES, SIR?
>> YES.SO, PACKAGE STORE TO THE SOUTH IS IN A DIFFERENT ZONING DISTRICT AND CONDITIONAL USE. ALL WOULD HAVE TO GET CONDITIONAL USES TO BE APPROVED.
>> DO WE KNOW WHEN THE CONDITIONAL USES TOOK PLACE, AND WHAT THE VOTES WERE FOR THIS? WE DON'T KNOW?
>> NO. >> WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO TABLE THIS TO A FUTURE DATE SO WE COULD HAVE MORE HISTORY OF THE AREA AND WHAT HAS BEEN APPROVED, CONDITIONALLY, FOR A PACKAGE OF STORES? IS THAT SOMETHING, OR ARE WE GOOD WITH
THE INFORMATION WE HAVE? >> IS THE COUNCIL -- MS. $49,677.90 -- ASK US TO TABLE THIS FOR THE FUTURE -- WOULD THAT BE THE WISH FOR US FOR THIS BODY, OR DOES EVERYBODY HAVE ENOUGH THAT THEY CAN CAST A VOTE THIS EVENING?
>> BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT STATISTICS SHOW FOR ALCOHOL-RELATED ACCIDENTS IN
THAT PARTICULAR AREA. >> WE CAN DEFINITELY PULL IT UP
TOGETHER. >> COULD WE DO IT IN RELATION TO WHEN THE OTHER PACKAGE STORES WERE -- OR SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN THERE -- TO SEE IF THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE SINCE THOSE CONDITIONAL USES WERE APPROVED?
>> YES. >> GOAL POST HAS BEEN THERE A
LONG TIME. >> THE MOST RECENT NOW WOULD BE
EAGLE? >> YES.MR. GRISWOLD? ALL GOOD
WITH TABLING IT? >> I JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, THE TWO LIQUOR STORES THAT'S ALREADY IN THE AREA, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THERE. I JUST DON'T SEE THE INCREASE OF HAVING NONE IN THAT AREA. THAT'S MY THOUGHT ON THAT , YOU KNOW. I DON'T CARE IF WE GET OTHER INFORMATION OR NOT, I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE NEED TO BE A THIRD LIQUOR STORE
IN THE AREA. >> WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, YOU ARE GOOD WITH WHERE YOU ARE? NOTHING WILL CHANGE? I
UNDERSTAND. OKAY. >> IS THERE A MOTION TO
POSTPONE? >> THERE IS NOT. TAKING THE PULSE OF THE COUNCIL RIGHT NOW.
>> I MOVED TO POSTPONE TO A DATE CERTAIN FOR THE FIRST
MEETING IN JUNE. >> I SECOND THAT.
>> JUNE 4TH. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND TO POSTPONE TO JUNE 4TH. THE CORRECT WAY OF DOING THIS, WE'LL HAVE DISCUSSION ON THAT FIRST, THEN WE'LL TAKE A VOTE.
SO, YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION? >> I WONDERED IF THAT WOULD GIVE THE CITY MANAGER ENOUGH TIME TO DO THE REQUEST AND
PONDER THE REQUEST. >> WE CAN PULL THAT INFORMATION FROM THE TRAFFIC REPORTS THERE.
>> YOUR ESTIMATION, TWO WEEKS IS ENOUGH TIME?
>> YES. >> ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR RUSSIANS ON THE TABLE TO JUNE 4TH? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR OF TABLING UNTIL JUNE 4TH, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
>> MAY. >> THAT WILL BE 7 -- TWO NAVE -- I BELIEVE WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION NOW.
CORRECT? AM I CORRECT HERE? WE HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE UNTIL JUNE 4TH. WE NEED TO CLEAN UP THE ENTIRE ORDER HERE. WE'RE
GOOD? >> NO. NOT AFTER YOU POSTPONE.
>> YES. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL TABLE
THIS. >> YOU WOULD MOVE RIGHT INTO
ACTING ON THAT MOTION. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THIS WILL
[10.b. Contract. JLD Enterprises, LLC. North Dean Road and East University Drive Intersection Improvements Project. $1,524,324.]
BE POSTPONED FOR TWO WEEKS. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. FINAL ITEM , WE HAVE , ITEM 10B, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, JAILED ENTERPRISES, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,524,324 FOR THE COST OF LABOR, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH DEAN ROAD AND EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT .CITY COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE OF FOUR TRAFFIC SIGNALS FOR THIS PROJECT IN -- ON APRIL 4TH, 2023.>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM.]
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> NO OTHER ITEMS FOR BUSINESS.
>> OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WE REOPEN CITIZENS' OPEN FORUM.
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE ON YOUR MIND. WE ASK FOR YOUR NAME AND
[00:45:02]
ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. ALSO WE WANT TO REMIND YOU TO HAVE YOUR COMMENTS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE COUNCIL AND NOT TO MENTION ANY PARTICULAR STAFF MEMBER OF -- YES? SURE.>>'S PETE COSGROVE, 1974 WATER CREST DRIVE. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS . I REALLY APPRECIATED YOUR TALKING ABOUT THE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE. THAT WAS SOMETHING I REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED BEING A PART OF. I WON'T BE THERE THIS YEAR. I WILL BE OUT OF STATE. I HAVE GOT TO VISIT MY SISTER UP IN ILLINOIS, AND HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS . THEY'RE WAITING , BUT I DEFINITELY WOULD BE THERE. I REALLY, REALLY ADMIRE THAT INITIATIVE. I WANTED TO THANK -- KELLY -- I BELIEVE YOU AND TYLER AND SONNY WERE ALL IN THE MILITARY. AM I CORRECT? AM I MISSING ANYBODY?
>> I WAS NOT. >> YOU WERE NOT. WELL, I JUST INSTALLED YOU. ANYBODY ELSE IN THE MILITARY? I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. THAT WAS MY POINT. THANKING YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> YOU ARE A LOT CLOSER TO THOSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN THAT ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, LIKE OUR MAYOR MENTIONED, AND A LOT OF US. I KNOW THAT. I HAVE THIS LITTLE BUTTON. THIS HAS KIND OF BEEN A THEME OF MINE, AND COACHING KIDS , AND WHAT I DO IN LIFE , WE ARE A STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE AS ALL OF US.
WANT TO REPEAT THAT AGAIN, NONE OF US IS AS SMART OR AS GOOD OR AS STRONG OR AS PRODUCTIVE AS ALL OF US. I REALLY, REALLY BELIEVE THAT. I ADMIRE WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING, BECAUSE YOU ARE WORKING IN A CONCERTED FASHION. WHAT I SHARED WITH YOU LAST WEEK, I REALLY APPRECIATE SOME OF THE HEARTFELT COMMENTS THAT I RECEIVED AND THE ENGAGING DIALOGUE . I REALLY, REALLY DO. MY ENTIRE INITIATIVE FOR THE SOLE PASSION WITH THE PARK HAD TO DO WITH THREE PRIMARY PURPOSES. NUMBER ONE, TO WRITE AND TELL, THEREFORE, PRESERVE AND CAPTURE THE STORY OF THE PARK. IT IS FASCINATING. IT IS FASCINATING. I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT IT. NUMBER TWO, TO REFLECT FAVORABLY ON THE CITY OF AUBURN, AND I THINK WE REALLY, REALLY HAVE DONE AS GOOD A JOB ON THAT AS WE COULD. NUMBER THREE, TO HONOR FELTON PARK. FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I CAN SEE THAT THERE'S ANY SORT OF DOWNSIDE ON ANY OF THAT, AND CERTAINLY NOTHING TO EVER IMPUGN OR EMBARRASS ANYONE OR ANYTHING ABOUT THE CITY. BULLET NUMBER FIVE, IN THE CITY'S VISION , THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS . THAT'S A BULLET NUMBER FIVE IN YOUR VISION STATEMENT. NUMBER EIGHT IN YOUR MISSION STATEMENT IS FACILITATING CITIZEN . IT IS INTERESTING THAT BOTH OF THOSE HAVE THE WORD CITIZEN, AND INVOLVEMENT IN IT, AND WHAT WE DID, I THINK, WAS RIGHT IN LINE
WITH THAT. >> THANK YOU, MR. COSGROVE .
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING ME SHARE THAT.
>> THANK YOU. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT?
>> ROBERT WILKINS, 261, DENTON DRIVE, AUBURN, ALABAMA. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. GOOD TO SEE Y'ALL. I'M GOING TO TAKE Y'ALL INTO AN IMAGINARY WORLD WHILE BRINGING HER BACK TO THE REAL WORLD. THE WIZARD OF AUBURN, THE CHARACTERS OF THE MYSTICAL, MAGICAL WORLD WHERE THE WIZARD IS PLAYED BY THE AUBURN BUREAUCRATS. DOROTHY, OUR CONSCIENCE , MUST TRAVEL TO THE LOVELIEST VILLAGE ON THE PLAINS TO ASK THE HELP OF THE WIZARD OF AUBURN. DOROTHY SETS OUT ON THE CHALLENGING JOURNEY PROTECTED BY A KISS FROM THE WITCH OF THE NORTH REPRESENTING THE BILL OF RIGHTS. DOROTHY DEVELOPED FRIENDSHIP WITH A LION, THE TIN MAN AND SCARECROW LOOKING FOR COURAGE, A HEART AND A BRAIN, WHICH ARE PLAYED BY THE AUBURN CITY COUNCIL AND ITS MAYOR IN FOLLOWING THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD THAT REPRESENTS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOMS. THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST IS THE GREEDY ELITES, COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE OWNERS, DEVELOPERS, HOTEL OWNERS WHO HAVE DESTROYED OUR VILLAGE. THE MUNCHKIN, OF COURSE, PLAYED BY US, THE CITIZENS. OUR OVERPAID BUREAUCRATIC WIZARDS SOMETIME PROVIDES USELESS OR EVEN NO DATA TO MAKE IMPROPER DECISIONS WITH SUCH ISSUES AS CHERRY STREET, BUSINESS WITH REVOCATION LICENSE, REDISTRICTING OF VOTING LINES TO ALLOW FOR REPRESENTATION, SHORT-TERM RENTAL AND MORE. THE
[00:50:09]
MAYOR TOOK NO LEADERSHIP ROLE IN RESOLVING THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ISSUE. INSTEAD, TOOK THE BUREAUCRATIC ROAD BY POINTING AT IMPOTENT TASK FORCE WITH THE HELP OF A COMMISSION AND A BOARD. LATER WOULD HAVE FOUND THE COMMON GROUND FOR BOTH GROUPS' SHORT-TERM RENTAL, AT A HOTEL IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, REALIZING THAT BOTH GROUPS WERE 100% IN AGREEMENT . THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT. THE ISSUE OF PAYNE STREET WAS NOT HOMEOWNERS ISSUE, BUT A MULTIPLE COMMERCIAL ISSUE. IN THE MEANTIME, ONE OF OUR BRAVE LITTLE MUNCHKINS, MS. SHEMP, FIGHTING TO GET ACCESS AWAY FROM OUR UNDERAGE KIDS IN THE AUBURN LIBRARY, BUT NO COURAGE -- BRAIN OR HEART -- SHOWN BY THE AUBURN CITY COUNCIL OR ITS MAYOR. THE WIZARD TRIED TO SNEAK IN ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THE BUSINESS REVOCATION LICENSE , WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE CITY OF AUBURN INCREDIBLE LEVERAGE ON BUSINESSES, BUT OUR MAYOR ATTEMPT , WITTEN, HAD THE COURAGE AND THE BRAIN WITH ANOTHER, FORCING REAL DISCUSSIONS. COUNCILWOMAN TAYLOR HAS SHOWN COURAGE AND HEART WITH HER CITIZENS SUPPORTING THE POLICE ISSUE IN WARD 1, WHILE NOT A SINGLE FELLOW COUNCILMEMBER, NORA, HAD THE COURAGE, HEART, OR BRAIN TO SPEAK OUT. YES, YOU, THE AUBURN CITY COUNCIL, AS YOU TRAVEL DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD OF LIFE, YOU CAN SHOW US MUNCHKINS THAT YOU HAVE THE COURAGE, THE HEART, AND THE BRAIN TO BE LIKE THE GOOD WITCH IN PROTECTINGOUR BILL OF RIGHTS . THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. HE WILL BE NEXT?
>> SUSAN BOULT, 1188 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE. TONIGHT, I WANT TO START OUT TALKING ABOUT CITY CODE SECTION 12 DASH CAM 14, B-5. QUOTE, ANY PERSON OFFERING PARKING SPACES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR RENTAL ON AUBURN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL HOME GAME DAYS SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN A BUSINESS LICENSE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH PERSON OWNS THE PRIVATE PROPERTY ON WHICH PARKING SPACE IS BEING OFFERED FOR RENT. THE CODE CONTINUES, BUT THIS IS THE PART I WAS TO DISCLOSE. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE CITY IS QUITE GLAD TO HAVE TRANSIENT PEOPLE IN THE CITY FOR GAME DAYS. THEY ALSO ARE HAPPY TO HAVE TRAFFIC AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR TRANSIENT VISITORS COMING TO AUBURN.
HOWEVER, THESE ARE TWO OF THE OTTOMANS USED TO ZONE OUT PROPERTIES LIKE MINE. TRAFFIC AND TRANSIENTS, I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THE HYPOCRISY. AND OTHER ADVOCACY HAPPENED ON 319 /24 WITH ONE OF THE MORE VOCAL HOTEL NEIGHBORHOOD PEOPLE CAME TO THE PODIUM TO THANK YOU FOR NOT SUPPORTING SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, YET SHE OWNS A SHORT-TERM RENTAL IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION AND IT IS MANAGED BY HER DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. THESE ARE THE HYPOCRITES THAT AS TR-5 LISTENED TO WHEN PASSING THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE. MR. DAWSON, YOU STATED THAT YOU MADE A PROMISE TO SOMEONE TO NOT ALLOW SHORT-TERM RENTALS. I HOPE IT WASN'T ONE OF THESE PEOPLE THAT FOOL YOU INTO YOUR POSITION. UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO HONOR IN KEEPING A PROMISE WHEN IT TRAMPLES ON OUR CONSTITUTION. MR. GRISWOLD, AS A RETIRED ARMY COLONEL, YOU TOOK AN OATH WHICH WAS FOR LIFE THAT DISHONORED OUR CONSTITUTION BY VOTING FOR ORDINANCE 32 -88, BUT I BET YOU STILL CASH THE RETIREMENT CHECKS. TWO OF THE SDR-5 VOTED AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND ADMITTED TO USING SHORT-TERM RENTALS WHEN YOU TRAVEL, PURE HYPOCRISY. YOU STILL HAVE A TWO-TIME TIER JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF AUBURN. I POINTED THIS OUT OVER A YEAR AGO, YET IT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS ORDINANCE IS STATED TO BE COMPLAINT-DRIVEN. IF THAT WERE THE TRUTH, WE WOULDN'T NEED SOFTWARE TO SPY ON AUBURN CITIZENS. A REOCCURRING HYPOCRISY OCCURS EVERY TIME THE AS TR-5 SAYS THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRIOR TO THE MEETING. IN THE PAST, I HAVE PROVIDED YOU WITH FACTS TO REFLECT THE UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF ORDINANCE 3288 FOR TONIGHT, I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED ONLY SOME OF THE HYPOCRISIES SURROUNDING THIS ORDINANCE. YOU CAN HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR ADDITION AND YOUR VOTE, BUT DO NOT CORRECT THE INJUSTICE OF THIS ORDINANCE NOW THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THE FACTS ABSOLUTELY DOES REFLECT ON YOUR CHARACTER AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. ONE FINAL THOUGHT, MAYOR, BECAUSE MEMORIAL DAY IS FOR THOSE IMMEDIATE HONORABLE SACRIFICE TO DEFEND OUR FREEDOMS, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO YOU ALLOW MAYOR PRO TEM WITTEN STATE IN VIEW AT ANY MEMORIAL DAY ACTIVITIES. IT WOULD BE DISINGENUOUS AND HAVE A CRITICAL FOR YOU TO PRETEND TO HONOR THEIR SACRIFICE WHEN YOU VOTED FREEDOM AWAY SO
[00:55:01]
>> WAS A REAL JOY TO SEE SO MANY CUTE MOMS WITH THEIR PRECIOUS CHILDREN AND I PRAYED THE BLOOD OF JESUS FOREVER CHILD THAT WALK TO THOSE DOORS THAT THEY NOT FALL INTO THE MORALS OF ENEMAS SNAKES AND SOME THE FILTHY BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY.
YES THE SNAKES ARE STILL THERE. THE COUNCIL HAS NOT REMOVED THEM BUT THE CHILDREN ARE STILL IN DANGER, I SAW SEVERAL DIAMONDBACK RATTLERS. EYESIGHT BLACK MAMA, I SAW A GREEN MAMA, I SAW A DANGEROUS COBRA AND THERE WAS A DEADLY CORAL SNAKE, VERY PRETTY TO LOOK AT, VERY DECEPTIVE. IN THE YOUTH SECTION YOUNG ADULT I SPOTTED TWO PYTHONS. JANAI NORMAN'S. OH, SAYS THE PERSON WHO RUNS THE LIBRARY. SOME PATRONS LIKE THEM. THE PARENTS WILL JUST HAVE TO FIGHT THESE SNAKES THE BEST THEY CAN, IT'S UP TO THEM WE JUST GET SNAKES IN HERE. IN THE GRAPHIC BOOKS SECTION I SAW THREE TIMBER RATTLERS. IN THE CHILDREN'S WING FOUR WATER MOCCASINS. BY THE FRONT DESK A FEW PYGMY RATTLERS AND IN ALL THE TEENAGE SECTIONS I SAW TWO DEADLY ANACONDAS, EACH WAITING FOR HIS TRAP HIS COIL AROUND THE LITTLE ONES AND SQUEEZE THE LIFE OUT OF THEM. I ASKED THIS COUNCIL MANY MONTHS AGO WHO WILL KILL THE ANACONDA? WHO WILL KILL THE ANACONDA? THE LITTLE ANIMALS THAT COME DOWN TO THE RIVER TO DRINK KNOWLEDGE , UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE WHAT'S RIGHT AND WRONG , THEY ARE AT RISK BY SOME OF THE BOOKS THAT ARE BOUGHT BY YOU ALL, BUT THEIR MOMS ARE CRYING OUT WHO WILL KILL THE ANACONDA? THEY ARE STILL CRYING OUT TO THIS
DAY. THANK YOU. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT?
>> INFORMATION REGARDING A SUPREME COURT DECISION IN PICO VERSUS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. ALTHOUGH THIS CASE WAS ABOUT CENSORSHIP IN A SCHOOL LIBRARY THERE ARE BROAD IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES. IN THIS CASE STUDENTS BROUGHT SUIT AGAINST THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR REMOVAL OF BOOKS FROM THE SCHOOL LIBRARY. STUDENTS CLAIM THE REMOVAL OF THE BOOKS AFFECTED A FORM OF POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL THOUGHT CONTROL WHICH IS TOTALLY ANTITHETICAL TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION. JUSTICE BRENNAN WROTE THE FOLLOWING IN THE CONCURRING OPINION. THE CONSTITUTION PROTECTS NOT JUST THE RIGHT TO SPEAK AND WRITE, BUT TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AND IDEAS, THE FIRST AMENDMENT PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN AFFORDING THE PUBLIC ACCESS OF DISCUSSION AND IDEAS. THE SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF BOOKS FROM A SCHOOL LIBRARY BECAUSE SOMEONE CONSIDERS THE CONTENT OFFENSIVE DIRECTLY AND SHARPLY IMPLICATES FREE SPEECH AND THOUGHT. IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES THE REGIME OF VOLUNTARY INQUIRY HOLDS SWAY. THE ANSWER TO BOOKS WHOSE CONTENT OR VIEWPOINT OF WHICH YOU OPPOSE OR EVEN DEPLORE IS NOT TO READ THEM OR WRITE A NEGATIVE REVIEW OR EVEN SHAPES OF ALTAR, IT IS TO WRITE YOUR OWN BOOK AND ANSWER. HE FURTHER SAID, STUDENTS DO NOT SHED THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR EXPRESSION AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE GATE. SUCH RIGHTS MAY BE DIRECTLY AND SHARPLY IMPLICATED BY THE REMOVAL OF BOOKS FROM THE SHELVES OF A SCHOOL LIBRARY. LIKEWISE, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT PATRONS DO NOT SHED THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR EXPRESSION AT THE DOORS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CLOSE AND SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR A LIBRARY STAFF IN AUBURN WHO MAKE SURE THAT THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THIS CITY IS REPRESENTED IN THEIR MATERIALS AND IN THE
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PROGRAMS THAT THEY PRESENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> THANK YOU, WHO WILL BE NEXT?
BECAUSE I KNOW IN TWO WEEKS THERE IS GOING TO BE THE ISSUE OF NEW SIDEWALKS OUT NEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL. A NEIGHBOR OF MINE TOLD ME ABOUT THAT AND MY THOUGHT IS EVEN THOUGH THE EXPENSE IS PRETTY HIGH WHEN YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF KIDS WALKING AROUND THE AREA OVER THE NEXT DECADES THAT WILL BE A GOOD INVESTMENT TO KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO COME APPEAR WAS TO SHARE A REVIEW OF THE BOOK CALLED WHO'S AFRAID OF GENDER BY JUDITH BUTLER. SOME OF THE DESCRIPTION I FOUND OF IT. AN ACCOUNT OF HOW FEAR OF GENDER IS FUELING REACTIONARY POLITICS AROUND THE WORLD. JUDITH BUTLER THE GROUNDBREAKING THINKER WHOSE BOOK GENDER TROUBLE REDEFINED HOW WE THINK ABOUT GENDER AND SEXUALITY CONFRONTS ATTACKS ON GENDER THAT A BECOME CENTRAL TO THE RIGHT-WING OFFENSIVE TODAY. GLOBAL NETWORKS HAVE FORM ANTI-GENDER IDEOLOGY MOVEMENTS DEDICATED TO CIRCULATING FANTASY THAT GENDER IS DANGEROUS PERHAPS DIABOLICAL, A THREAT TO FAMILY, LOCAL CULTURE, CIVILIZATION AND EVEN MAN HIMSELF. INFLAMED BY RHETORIC OF PUBLIC FIGURES THE MOVEMENT HAS SOUGHT TO NULLIFY REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE UNDER MY PROTECTION AGAINST SEXUAL AND GENDER VIOLENCE AND STRIP PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHTS TO PURSUE A LIFE WITHOUT FEAR OF VIOLENCE. THE AIM OF WHO'S AFRAID OF GENDER IS NOT TO OFFER A NEW THEORY OF GENDER, BUT TO EXAMINE HOW GENDER HAS BECOME A PHANTASM FOR EMERGING AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES , FASCIST FORMATIONS AND EXCLUSIONARY FEMINISTS. IN THE VITAL NEW BOOK BUTLER ILLUMINATES THE CONCRETE WAYS THAT THIS PHANTASM OF GENDER COLLECTS DISPLACED ANXIETY AND FEARS OF DESTRUCTION. OPERATING IN TANDEM WITH DECEPTIVE ACCOUNTS OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND XENOPHOBIC PANICS ABOUT MIGRATION THE ANTI-GENDER MOVEMENT DEMONIZES STRUGGLES FOR EQUALITY, FUELS AGGRESSIVE NATIONALISM, LEAVES MY LANDS VULNERABLE TO SUBJUGATION.
WHO'S AFRAID OF GENDER IS A CALL TO REFUSE THE ALLIANCE WITH AUTHORITATIVE MOVEMENTS TWO ROUTE COALITIONS WITH ALL THOSE WHO STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY. IMAGINE NEW POSSIBILITY , IMAGINING THE POSSIBILITIES FOR BOTH FREEDOM AND SOLIDARITY BUTLER OFFERS WORK OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS AS TIMELY AND TIMELESS. OF WHOSE RIGOR ONLY THEY COULD DELIVER, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT?
>> HI SOME EXCITING THINGS ARE GOING ON. REMINDING YOU OF THE SEA LIBRARY THAT WAS HERE A FEW MONTHS AGO NOW OPENED AND YOU CAN CHECK OUT SEEDS AND PLANT THEM AND THEY EVEN HAVE BOOKS TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO THOSE THINGS. AND MAKE THEM GROW.
SOMEBODY QUESTION WHAT IF YOU KILL YOUR PLANS? SO IF YOU'RE INTO PLANTING THINGS CHECK OUT SEEDS AND EXPERIMENT. THEY ARE ALSO GETTING READY FOR SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE. TODAY I WAS ABLE TO LOGIN TO THE BEAN STACK APPLICATION AND GET READY TO START LOGGING MY HOURS OF READING JUNE 1. IF I WORK AT THE LIBRARY THAT GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY NO BUT I GOT THIS T-SHIRT BY READING AND DOING IT SO THIS IS A GREAT ADVERTISING TOOL FOR THE CITY AND I DO IT THING PICKLEBALL WITH 60 OTHER OLD PEOPLE AND EXPLAINING TO THEM ALL OF THE WAYS YOU CAN LOG HOURS. YOU CAN LOG HOURS WITH AUDIBLE BOOKS, WITH READING NEWSPAPERS, YOU CAN LOG READING BOOKS, ELECTRONIC BOOKS AND EVEN READING YOUR DAILY BIBLE SCRIPTURES. YOU JUST GO AND LOG YOUR TIME. IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT. I AM ALSO HERE TODAY IS A CHRISTIAN AND CITIZEN OF AUBURN AND A SOMEBODY WHO SERVED AS A PRESIDENT OF A CHURCH COUNCIL IN A LOCAL CONGREGATION. I WANT
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TO REMIND YOU HOW MANY DIFFERENT CHURCHES THERE ARE IN THIS LOCATION. HOW MANY DIFFERENT CONGREGATIONS. I GOOGLED TODAY AND THERE ARE 193 RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES IN THE AUBURN METRO AREA. THAT INCLUDES , BUT THAT IS A LOT OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES AND FAMILIES NOT EVEN INCLUDING JUST CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, BUT CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS OF OTHER FAITHS. OVER HALF OF THOSE ARE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. OVER HAVE, THEY ALL EXIST BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE. EVERYONE IN THOSE CHURCHES HAS DIFFERENT VIEWS OF SCRIPTURE, IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH YOU KNOW DIFFERENT PEOPLE INSIDE OF THAT CONGREGATION HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF HOW TO INTERPRET THE SCRIPTURE. I WOULD REMIND YOU THAT YOU SERVE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT HAS DIFFERING VIEWS ON WHAT GOD IS, WHO GOD IS AND HOW TO INTERPRETTHE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES. >> THANK YOU. HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU HAVE TO LOG TO GET A T-SHIRT?
>> 1000 HOURS. >> VERY IMPRESSED.
>> I INCLUDE AUDIOBOOKS SO WHEN I'M DRIVING I AM LOGGING IN
ITS. >> WHO WOULD BE NEXT? YES.
>> DIVERSITY. THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS A GREAT DIVERSITY OF BOOKS TO REFLECT DIVERSE COMMUNITY. SOME MEMBERS CONTINUE TO USE ANTI-LGBTQ HATE SPEECH AND RELIGION ON MORAL BELIEFS TO DICTATE WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE REPRESENTING THE LIBRARY. NOT EVERY BOOK IN THE LIBRARY IS FOR EVERY READER BUT IT NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE. BENDING LGBTQ BOOKS LIMITS RIGHTS AND REPRESENTATION OF LGBTQ AMERICANS. PULLING THESE BOOKS FROM THE SHELVES DEPRIVE READERS OF CENTRAL AFFIRMING REPRESENTATION OF THE AUBURN LGBTQ COMMUNITY LIVES IN HISTORY. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WHO WE ARE AS PEOPLE AT A COMMUNITY AND ERASES OUR VOICES, LIBRARIES LIKE THE CITY SERVE ALL WHO COME THROUGH IT STORES. FREE SPEECH CANNOT BE SUPPRESSED BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS FIND IDEAS AND BELIEFS DIFFERENT FROM THEIR OWN. LET ALL INDIVIDUALS BE REPRESENTED,
THANK YOU. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES.
>> COMPLEMENT THE LIBRARY AND THANK OUR CITY FOR SUPPORT OF THAT COMMUNITY RESOURCE. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GOOD LIBRARY HERE. I HAVE FELT WELCOME EVERY TIME I WALK IN THE DOORS BECAUSE EMPLOYEES AT THE DESK ALWAYS GREET PEOPLE WITH A SMILE WHEN WE WALK IN. AMONG THE DIFFERENT PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN MY LIFE WHICH HAS BEEN QUITE A FEW THIS STUFF IS EXCEPTIONALLY FRIENDLY AND PROFESSIONAL. FOLKS IN CHARGE OF ENGAGEMENT RUN GREAT PROGRAMMING LIKE THE QUARTERLY READING CHALLENGES WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT. AND I CAN SAY FOR MYSELF THEY GOT ME READING FOR FUN AGAIN AFTER YEARS OF READING SO MUCH FOR SCHOOL HAD ME QUITE BURNED OUT ON IT. THEY OFFER GREAT EVENTS THAT BRING KIDS AND FAMILIES INTO THE LIBRARY LIKE THIS RECENT PARTY THEY HAD THAT HAD THE PLACE PACKED OUT. IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT KIDS RIGHT NOW, LOUIS IS HUGE. THE PLACE WAS FULL OF KIDS AND FAMILIES AND PARENTS WHO WERE SO COMFORTABLE HAVING THEIR KIDS IN THE LIBRARY PLAYING WITH OTHER CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE EVERYONE WHO LIVES IN OUR TOWN.
FINALLY I LOVE THE DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE AND LARGE COLLECTIONS THAT EMPLOYEES HAVE THOUGHTFULLY CARRIED AND BASED ON CIRCULATION STATS SHARED AT LIBRARY BOARD MEETINGS I KNOW I'M FAR FROM BEING ALONE IN THAT. SO, YEAH I WANT TO SAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HAVING SUCH A HEALTHY WELL SUPPORTED LIBRARY IS A CREDIT TO THE CITY AND MAKES ME PROUD TO LIVE IN AUBURN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT?
>> OKAY WILL CLOSE THE CITIZEN OPEN FORUM . WITH THE COUNCIL
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HAVE ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE TO ADD?>> I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND VENUE AGAIN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE HERE TALKING ABOUT SNAKES AND ALL THE REST OF IT. THIS BODY HAS NO PURVIEW OVER DECISIONS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
>> ANYONE ELSE? YES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THE RECENT PASSING OF WILLIAM DEAN. LOVED MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY.
WILLIAM WAS INVOLVED IN CITY GOVERNMENT, SUPPORTIVE OF A BETTER AUBURN FOR EVERYBODY. A FINE INDIVIDUAL, HE WILL BE MISSED AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE DEAN FAMILY. ANYONE ELSE? MOVE TO ADJOURN. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.