Jun 04, 2024 City Council

[00:00:01]

NONE, IS THERE A MOVE TO ADJOURN?

[1. CALL TO ORDER.]

>> SO MOVED. >> AT THIS TIME, CALLED TO ORDER TONIGHT AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR JUNE THE FOURTH, 2024. WE WELCOME YOU LOVE JOINED US HERE TONIGHT. AT THIS TIME, LINDSAY, WITH THE ROLL CALL?

>> ADAMES? >> HERE.

>> WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF 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.

>>

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS]

>> YOU TO OUR JUNE CITY OF AUBURN PLOY OF THE MONTH AND HAVE IT MEMORANDUM HEAR FROM JOHN WARD, INSPECTION SERVICES DIRECTOR AND CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL. I AM DELIGHTED TO NOMINATE CHRIS HALL FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. CHRIS HAS BEEN A DEDICATED AND LOYAL MEMBER OF OUR CITY FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS. STARTING AS A BUILDING INSPECTOR, CHRIS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND EFFICIENCY IN APPLYING BUILDING CODES AND CITY STANDARDS. HIS KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL AND COMMITMENT TO OUR CITY'S MISSION OF EXCELLENCE QUICKLY EARNED HIM RECOGNITION. LEADING TO HIS ADVANCEMENT OF THE POSITION OF FINAL INSPECTOR. CURRENTLY SERVING AS CHIEF BUILDING INSPECTOR, CHRIS OVERSEES THE INSPECTION PROCESS WITH ELEGANCE, EFFICIENCY, AND QUALITY. HIS COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF BUILDING CODES AND CITY STANDARDS ALLOWS HIM TO SEAMLESSLY MANAGE INSPECTIONS OF ANY MAGNITUDE.

CHRIS'S OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS ARE EVIDENT IN HIS DAILY INTERACTIONS WITH CITIZENS, CONTRACTORS, AND DEVELOPERS. HE CONSISTENTLY WORKS TO PREVENT AND RESOLVE ISSUES DURING CONSTRUCTION , IDENTIFYING THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS AND FINDING SOLUTIONS WITH REMARKABLE SPEED. HE HAS ELEVATED THE CITY'S BUILDING INSPECTION PROCESSES TO NEW HEIGHTS OF EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY. CHRIS PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE THAT GOES BEYOND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE. CHRIS IS INSTRUMENTAL IN ORGANIZING MEETING PROGRESS MEETINGS WITH THE CITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND CONTRACTORS FOR LARGE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. THIS COLLABORATION KEEPS EVERYONE INFORMED, ALLOW US TO COORDINATE EFFORTS EFFECTIVELY. HIS FRIENDLY AND PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE IS UNIVERSALLY VALUED , CREATING A POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT HIS LEADERSHIP AND SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE TEAM. IN AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE, UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE, I AM HONORED TO NOMINATE CHRIS FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ELEVATING THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR CITY'S BUILDING INSPECTION PROCESSES , MAKING HIM A TRULY DESERVING CANDIDATE FOR THIS RECOGNITION. THANK YOU, CHRIS. APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK.

>> YEP. >>

>> WE ARE PROUD TODAY TO INTRODUCE YOU TO A GROUP OF YOUNG LADIES WHO DID SOMETHING HISTORIC AT OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IN OUR CITY. THEY ARE THE STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AT AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL. THIS IS THE CLASS SEVEN A STATE CHAMPIONS AND HAVE A RESOLUTION HERE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL. IT READS, WHEREAS THE AUBURN CITY COUNCIL IS PLEASED TO HONOR AUBURN C SCHOOLS AND FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM AND WHEREAS THE 2024 AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER TEAM WAS CROWNED THE 2024 OLD MILL CHAMPIONS AT THE JON HORN PARK CHAMPIONSHIP AND WHEREAS THE TEAMS PROCURED THE WIN AGAINST HOOVER WITH A SCORE OF 1-0 , TAKING ON THE FIRST EVER TROPHY FOR THE SOCCER TEAM PROGRAM AT AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHEREAS THE LADY TIGERS

[00:05:02]

>> FOR THAT, GREG, AND SUDDENLY THANK YOU AND REGULATIONS FOR CHRIS HOLT FOR BEING RECOGNIZED OF OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AND TO RICK WILLMON DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF PUBLIC WORKS AND NORMAN PITTS, WHO WAS IT A REGULAR NIGHT WE WOULD CELEBRATE 30 YEARS WORKING FOR THE CITY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND NORMAN SAYS HE STILL HAS MORE GAS IN THE TANK SO HE WILL KEEP WORKING . AND MS. PHYLLIS REESE, 50 YEARS WORKING FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. OFTEN TESTED HOW FANTASTIC WAS THAT? WHAT A GREAT ATTITUDE SHE HAS AND A GREAT DESIRE AND PLEASURE AND HONOR IT IS FOR HER TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND SO I JUST APPRECIATE THE LAST 50 YEARS AS SOMETHING TO BE CELEBRATED. SO THANK YOU, PHYLLIS, IF YOU'RE WATCHING TONIGHT OR WATCHING TOMORROW, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AUBURN HIGH GIRLS SOCCER TEAM AGAIN.

DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SIDEWALK FROM OLD MILL TO MCKINLEY AVENUE. AFTER THAT DISCUSSION, WE ASKED THE CITY COUNCIL OR TO COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS RELATED TO A COUPLE OF HOUSES THAT ARE ALONG THE AREA THAT I'VE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH ACCIDENTS AS WELL AS TRY TO ANSWER SOME OTHER QUESTIONS FOR US SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO DIG IN ON THAT AND WE WILL LET THE COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC KNOW WHEN WE HAVE SOME ANSWERS AND WE WILL PROBABLY MORE THAN LIKELY BUT THAT ON A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ON THE FUTURE. A COUPLE THINGS. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYTHING THAT SUMMER NIGHTS IS THIS FRIDAY AND ONE OF OUR GREAT SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND DOWNTOWN AUBURN IS THAT OUR PARKS AND REC ORGANIZES. MANY OF OUR DEPARTMENTS WILL BE THERE AND SUPPORT THAT IF THE WEATHER IS PRETTY, IT WILL BE A FUN TIME AND I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO GO TO SUMMER NIGHTS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AND I WANT TO SAY AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO AUBURN'S MEN'S GOLF TEAM FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. WE HAD A GREAT TIME LAST FRIDAY NIGHT AT TOOMER'S CORNER. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FOR WORKING ON THE FLY. THAT WAS PLANNED REALLY QUICKLY AFTER THE MEN WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND WHAT A GREAT EVENING IT WAS CELEBRATING THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP.

DOES ANYBODY ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TONIGHT?

>> I HAVE A COUPLE. >> PLEASE. YES, MA'AM.

>> IF YOU HAVE BEEN DOWNTOWN AROUND AUBURN THE COUPLE OF DAYS, YOU HAVE SEEN HOSTED FFA STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IN TOWN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS FOR STATE COMPETITIONS IN DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIONS AND THEY ARE ALL HEADED TO THE STATE CONVENTION IN MONTGOMERY AND AUBURN BLOOM. FFA IS HEADED THERE AND HOPEFULLY WILL BRING HOME SOME ACCOLADES FOR THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN, ADDITIONALLY, I SPENT SOME TIME WITH A CONSTITUENT WHO IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AS IT RELATES TO DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE CITY AND I JUST FELT IT WAS NOTEWORTHY TO MENTION THAT WE DO SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF TIME WITH INDIVIDUALS ON A REGULAR BASIS HEARING THEIR CONCERNS AND WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND BRINGING THOSE BACK TO THE COUNCIL HOPEFULLY SOME

SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU. >> YEP. THANK YOU.

>> I ALSO HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT. IT IS A JUNETEENTH TIME. THE JUNETEENTH PARADE WILL BE JUNE 14TH AT 6:00 P.M. AND THE ROUTE IS GOING TO START AT BOYKIN COMMUNITY CENTER AND END AT DRAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND IT IS GOING TO START THE CLOCK P.M. .

[00:10:05]

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, MISS TAYLOR. APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK ON THAT. ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE? MR. MOORMAN?

>> TWO DAYS FROM NOW IS SIX JUNE AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY ON 6 JUNE 1944 . WHEN I WAS A BOY, THE POLICE CHIEF WAS CHIEF HAMMOCK . CHIEF HAMMOCK WAS THERE I AT NORMANDY BEACH ON JUNE 6TH 1944 AND HE WAS AWARDED A PURPLE HEART FOR HIS TROUBLE BUT HE SURVIVED AND HE BECAME THE CHIEF OF POLICE AT AUBURN, ALABAMA AND HAD THREE GREAT KIDS AND IT IS WANTED TO PAY HIM RESPECT TONIGHT FOR THAT. HE HAS OF COURSE PASSED ON BUT I JUST WANT TO HONOR HIS MEMORY AND ALSO, ON THE 15TH OF JUNE, AT CHOCOLATE STATE PARK , THE TOURS AND POKES ARE HOSTING THE USA CYCLING MARATHON MOUNTAIN BIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP , WHICH IS A MOUTHFUL, BUT IT IS A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF MOUNTAIN BIKE WRITERS AND THEY ARE EXPECTING 500 PEOPLE AT THE STATE PARK SO IT IS A BIG DEAL. AND I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD MENTION THAT AND I ASK KENT BOBO WHEN THAT WAS GOING TO BE AND SHE SAID ALL DAY. SO, IT IS A RUGGED TRAIL THAT THEY WILL BE TACKLING. THAT IS IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> LET ME JUST SAY SOMETHING.

JUNE 19 IS EXIT THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY BUT 500 PEOPLE WILL BE AT THAT BUT THE OTHER 500 WILL BE --

>> >>

>> STUDENT: I ALSO WANTED TO INTRODUCE SOME PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT . THE CHURCH FAMILY. AME ZION CHURCH IS HERE TONIGHT AND ALSO HAVE MY YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS YOUTH THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT. IF THEY WOULD STAND.

>> BUT WE HAVE A ROLE OF ABOUT 50. SO, I AM GLAD TO SEE THEM HERE

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]

TONIGHT. >> ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. ON

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS. >> NOT MUCH FROM US. WHAT YOU SAID, MEN'S GOLF TEAM BEAT FLORIDA STATE LAST WEEK TO WIN THE PROGRAM THERE FOR THE FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. THAT WAS AWESOME. WE REALLY ENJOYED GETTING TO CELEBRITY LAST WEEK AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOMETHING PRETTY COOL GOING ON AT THE END OF THE MONTH. IT IS THE HUNDRED SOLUTIONS INSTITUTE. THEY ARE HOSTING THE NATIONAL RURAL GROCERY SUMMIT IN MONTGOMERY AND THEY ARE HOSTING IT WITH KANSAS STATE. IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR THE UNIVERSITY BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS EVENT IS BEING HOSTED OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF KANSAS SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THE HUNDRED SOLUTIONS INSTITUTE WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES. SO, YEAH. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT A BIT.

[6. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS.]

>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, CITIZENS, NEGATION ON THE AGENDA ITEMS. I WANT ANYBODY WHO WAS WITH US TONIGHT THAT HAS SOMETHING YOU WOULD TO TALK ABOUT HERE -- THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING THAT IS ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT, THIS WOULD BE THE TIME TO COME FORWARD AND ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL. WE ASKED THAT YOU COME FORWARD AND ADDRESS THE NAME FOR THE RECORD AND YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TALK TO US ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS ON

THE AGENDA TONIGHT. >> GOOD EVENING.

>> GOOD EVENING. >> MY NAME IS STEPHEN FAULK SERVICE ACTOR . PRESIDING OVER THE OPELIKA DISTRICT 576 MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE HERE IN THE GREAT CITY OF AUBURN, ALABAMA.

I AM HERE TO FIRST THINK THE CITY FOR THE PROGRESS WITH THE BEAUTIFICATION ON MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND I HOPE, TONIGHT, THAT WE WOULD NOT DIGRESS IN OUR ADVANCEMENTS FORWARD. I AM ALSO HERE TO

[00:15:01]

I REALLY WISH AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED THAT SOMETHING ELSE CAN BE DONE BESIDES A LIQUOR STORE AND WE ARE HOPING THAT YOU WOULD THINK MORE OF THIS COMMUNITY, AN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, THEN TO PUT THREE LIQUOR STORES IN THAT COMMUNITY WHEN THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T GET THAT PRIVILEGE. WE ARE LOOKING AT -- AND WE ARE VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE SO OFTEN, PEOPLE COME IN OUR PARKING LOT AND THEY DRINK. MANY OF THEM, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW. AND I DON'T WANT US TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO HAVE CONFRONTATIONS WITH THESE PEOPLE AND THEN, IF THERE BE NATIONAL ATTENTION BROUGHT ON BECAUSE OF IT TO A CONFRONTATION WITH SOMEBODY DRINKING AND THROWING ALCOHOL CONTAINERS AND BOTTLES, DISRESPECTING OUR CHURCH PROPERTY. IT IS ALSO A CONCERN BECAUSE OF HOW IT LEADS TO OTHER PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, WE WOULD REALLY ASK THAT YOU WOULD DENY THIS LIQUOR STORE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YES, MA'AM, YOU ARE COMING UP HERE WHEN HE WALKED FORWARD? YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU. I LISTENED WITH MUCH INTEREST TO THE DISCUSSION AT THE LAST MEETING ABOUT THIS CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED LIQUOR STORE AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE GOAL POST OWNER'S POSITION OF NOT WANTING OTHER COMPETITION SO CLOSE TO HIS BUSINESS, BUT THAT IS NOT YOUR PURPOSE HERE. YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS. MS. WHITTEN, I APPRECIATE YOUR CORRECT REASONING THAT THE MARKET SHOULD DICTATE THE NUMBER OF COMPETITORS, I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT TARGET DOWNS DOWN TOWN SELLS BEER AND WINE AND I DON'T REMEMBER ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT IT BEING A SAFETY OR MORAL ISSUE. THEY ALSO SELL GROCERIES AND OTHER ITEMS. THE DISCUSSION THEN MOVED TO TALKING ABOUT HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE AS A REASON

[00:20:02]

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THIS SAME HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE ARGUMENT WAS USED IN OPPOSITION TO THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS, WHICH LED TO THE PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE 32-88. IT WAS ARGUED BY THE ATTORNEY NO STATISTICAL EVIDENCE WAS PROVIDED DURING HIS ARGUMENTS AS WITH A LIQUOR STORE . SHORT-TERM RENTALS DID NOT AND DO NOT RISE TO THE BAR OF EXCLUSION. THERE WAS A CONCERN MENTIONED ABOUT PEOPLE STUMBLING ONTO THE RAILROAD TRACKS AS ONE OF THE REASONS TO DISALLOW THIS CONDITIONAL USE.

DURING MY SITE VISIT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE OPPOSITION TO THIS CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL, I NOTED THAT THE RAILROAD TRACKS ARE ADJACENT TO LEGAL AND ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE POLLS LIQUOR STORE SO PROXIMITY TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS IS NOT A VALID ARGUMENT. I ALSO FOUND THAT WHILE I WAS ON PROPERTY THAT WIGGLE DELIVERS ALCOHOL, SO, -- SORRY. SO PROXIMITY DOES NOT MATTER. YOU CAN WRITE ENOUGH LAWS, CONTROLS, OR RULES TO CONTROL BEHAVIOR BUT NONE OF YOU ON MY PROPERTY TALKING ABOUT TRASH AND TRAFFIC AND HAVE NOTE STATISTICAL EVIDENCE TO BACK UP YOUR DECISION. I FOUND MYSELF INTERESTED IN THIS DECISION ABOUT THE LIQUOR STORE BECAUSE LISTENING TO THE DISCUSSION AND THE REASONING, IT MIRRORED THE DISCUSSION ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND ZONING OUT OF OCEAN OF THE CITY, WHICH INCLUDED ME IN MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. THERE WAS NO STATISTICAL EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO JUSTIFY THE EXCLUSION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT DECISION WAS BASED ON MOTIONS. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I WAS SCHOOLED AND TAUGHT THAT YOU DON'T MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON A MOTION. I WAS TAUGHT THAT YOU FEEL WITH YOUR HEART AND YOU THINK WITH YOUR HEAD. THAT LIFE LESSON HAS SERVED ME WELL . I DON'T HAVE A DOG IN THE FIGHT CONCERNING THIS LIQUOR STORE BUT WHAT I DO HAVE INTEREST IN IS THE WAY THIS COUNSEL GOES ABOUT MAKING DECISIONS. I LOVE THE CITY OF AUBURN. I LOVE LIVING HERE, BUT AS YOU KNOW, FIVE OF YOU TOOK MY PROPERTY RIGHTS AND IT HAS LEFT A BITTER TASTE. WHEN MAKING DECISIONS, THIS BODY SHOULD BE FAIR. YOU SHOULD BE EQUITABLE. YOU SHOULD BE CONSTITUTIONAL . YOUR DECISIONS SHOULD BE LEGAL. I AM ASKING YOU TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS DECISION AND ALL DECISIONS YOU MAKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CRITERIA ARE MET BECAUSE YOUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL DECISION DID NOT MEET ANY OF THOSE CRITERIA.

NO VALID ARGUMENTS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO EXCLUDE THE CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSED LIQUOR STORE. AND SINCE I HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THIS COUNSEL. I KNOW IT IS NOT AN EASY ENDEAVOR AND I KNOW I BRING IT TO YOU PRETTY HARD ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS, THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALLS, FOR TAKING MY EMAILS AND RESPONDING AND FOR RETURNING MY PHONE CALLS. THANK

YOU AGAIN . >> THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR? >> SO, MY NAME IS MASRENI . I AM NOT REPRESENTING ANYONE. JUST BASED ON THE PAST COMMENTS AND PREVIOUS COMMENTS. WITH EXPERIENCE MOVING GOAL POSTS AS A LANDLORD FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SO MANY GROUPS COMING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, KNOCKING THE DOORS AND BREAKING THE DOORS. STEALING LIQUORS FROM THE LIQUOR STORES. SO THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS. THE ONE LOST GOAL POST FOR EXAMPLE THEN NEXT TO THE GAS STATION LIQUOR STORE AND I SEE, MY OWN EYES, PEOPLE COMING ALL THE WAY FOR LIQUOR. THE HOLES PART OF AUBURN CITY BECAUSE NOT MUCH LIGHTING AROUND THESE LIQUOR STORES. NUMBER ONE ISSUE. AND THEY GO, THEY BUY, THEY STEAL AND GO BEHIND THE CHURCH BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN'T SEE .

THOSE DAYS, NOT MUCH LIGHTING IN THOSE AREAS. NOW, THE GAS

[00:25:02]

WHATEVER HAS THE MONEY CAN OPEN UP THEIR BUSINESSES. THAT IS NOT MY POINT. THAT PARTICULAR CORNER IS A VERY DANGEROUS SPOT , PARTICULARLY THAT BUILDING IS HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC . REALLY NOT MUCH LIGHTING THERE. SO, IN MY OPINION, IF I WALK PAST MIDNIGHT IN THAT AREA, YOU CAN SEE CROWDS OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR LIQUOR BOTTLES IN THEIR POCKETS. SOME OF THEM STOLEN.

SOME OF THEM THEY BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THEY KNEW IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA IS EASILY AVAILABLE. THEY CAN HIDE IN THEIR POCKETS, GO OUT AFTER MIDNIGHT, ONE AROUND THOSE RESIDENCES HOUSES , THE HIGH-RISE STUDENT HOUSING CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEM. THE MORE LIQUOR STAIRS AVAILABLE IN THE VICINITY, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC. SO, I SAID THERE'S NO STATISTICAL DATA TO SAY THEY DON'T ALLOW IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT OPENED YET. AFTER OPENING THREE OR FOUR, THEY ONLY COLLECTED THE STATISTICAL DATA TO PROVE THAT IT IS NOT RIGHT SO, RIGHT NOW WE DO NOT HAVE INVESTMENT NOW THE COUNCIL HAS THEIR RIGHT TO EXPRESS AT THIS TIME, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO APPROVE A CONDITIONAL PACKAGE FOR A LIQUOR STORE OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE. YOU CAN APPROVE A RESTAURANT. LIKE A RESTAURANT WITH BEER AND WINE AND LIQUOR NOT TO SELL TO THE PUBLIC. THAT IS MY OPINION. I APPRECIATE YOU OPINION AFTER THIS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO PROTECT THAT PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE STUDENTS LIVING IN THE HIGH-RISE STUDENT HOUSING IS EASY, ACCESSIBLE THAT CAN BE OPEN UNTIL 2 A.M.

FOR EXAMPLE. IT IS MY OPINION AS A PROFESSOR TEACHING AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY, IS NOT THE RATE TO APPROVE IT UNCONDITIONALLY. THANK YOU, ALL.

>> DR. RETY , DID WE GET YOUR ADDRESS?

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? YES, MA'AM?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS DORIS HUTCHERSON. I LIVE 60 SET 606 AVENUE. AUBURN. AND I AM A MEMBER OF AUBURN A AND E ZION CHURCH. I HEARD FIRST ABOUT THE LIQUOR STORE BUT ALSO THAT SOMEBODY WANTED TO PUT A GROCERY STORE THERE.

THE GROCERY STORE IS FAVORABLE. WE WOULD REALLY SUPPORT A GROCERY STORE. IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY RACE, WE LOVE TO COOK AND EAT AND TO SERVE FOOD, SO WE DO A LOT OF COOKING AT OUR CHURCH TO TOO AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A GROCERY STORE THERE BUT WE HAVE LIQUOR BEING SOLD OUT OF WEAGLES AND AT THE GOAL POST AND WE THINK THAT IS ENOUGH LIQUOR ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN SO WE WOULD LOVE THE GROCERY STORE. OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS POSITIVE. WE WOULD BE GLAD TO SUPPORT IT. TAKE YOU

FOR YOUR TIME. >> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.

>>

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS HD STEEL. I AM A MEMBER

OF THE AME ZION CHURCH PEER >> ADDRESS.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING US.OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH

YOU TONIGHT. >> WE NEED A STORE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED A STORE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE NEED A STORE WHERE WE CAN GO IN AND BUY FRESH ROOTS AND VEGETABLES.

FRESH-CUT MEETS. AND EVEN SOME HOUSEHOLD ITEMS . WE NEED A STORE THAT WOULD GIVE SOME OF THE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYMENT TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION AND JOB SKILLS. WE NEED THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS ANOTHER WHISKEY STORE. WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER WHISKEY STORE. THANK YOU, MAYOR ANDERS, AND I WISH YOU GUYS WOULD REALLY CONSIDER THIS. THANK YOU.

[00:30:02]

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU. >> SOMEONE IN THE BACK? YES,

SIR? >>

>> OKAY. THAT IS FINE. >>

>> AT THE TIME, I REMEMBER ONLY ALCOHOL COULD ONLY BE SERVED BY MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. BREAKING ANOTHER ONE IN WOULD CAUSE MORE CRIME TO THE COMMUNITY AND PLUS, WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE. AS A MEMBER OF THE AUBURN AME ZION CHURCH , I WISH YOU ALL WILL CONSIDER NOT PUTTING A LIQUOR STORE THERE.

WE ARE THERE TO WORSHIP GOD AND TO PLEASE GOD. WE ARE THERE AND WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR CHURCH, YOU DON'T WANT TO WALK AMONGST LIQUOR WALKERS. YOU WANT TO SEE SOMEONE COMING DOWN TO YOUR CHURCH OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO AS A MEMBER, I AM BEGGING YOU TO NOT LET ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE COME TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>

>> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR, REALLY QUICK, WE WILL HAVE A MICROPHONE FOR INSTANCES LIKE THIS.

>> I'M SORRY. IN THE FUTURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING A MICROPHONE TO YOU SO THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT. IN THE BACK?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR. MY NAME IS STEPHEN . I ALSO HAVE A PROPERTY AT 849 SLAUGHTER. MY REASON FOR BEING HERE TODAY ACTUALLY STARTED WITH A PHONE CALL FROM THE CITY. THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO THE SHORT-TERM LEASING AND I WILL GET TO THAT LATER BECAUSE -- THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE GOTTEN A PHONE CALL. I WAS ACTUALLY IN ATLANTA ON BUSINESS DOES NOT

>> MR. SAWYER, DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO US ABOUT ANYTHING ON

THE AGENDA TONIGHT? >> -- I'M HERE ABOUT THE LIQUOR STORE. I DON'T THINK WE NEED ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE.

BEING A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF AUBURN I REMEMBER BACK IN THE 90S WHEN MYSELF AND A GROUP OF PARTNERS, WE WANTED TO DO A LIQUOR STORE . WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME THAT WE COULD DO ONE IN THE CITY OF AUBURN WITH THE PROXIMITY OF THE CHURCH AND ALL OF THAT AND NOW, HERE WE ARE SOME 30 YEARS LATER. THERE ARE THREE JUST AS THEY STATED WITHIN 15 AND SOMEONE MENTIONED THIS ABOUT PETITION. YOU CAN'T STOP COMPETITION. IT IS NOT ABOUT COMPETITION. IF THAT IS THE CASE, I WONDER HOW THEY WOULD FEEL IF WE HAD THREE LIQUOR STORES IN THE PROXIMITY OF A, LET'S SAY, TERRACE ACRES ON MOORES MILL ROAD. I'M SURE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THAT TOO. BUT I THINK THE GENTLEMAN THAT SPOKE EARLIER, THOSE CONCERNS MIGHT BE HERE OR THERE, I JUST FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANOTHER LIQUOR STORE , LIKE A SAID, INGALLS PROXIMATELY OF THE CHURCH AND WE AS A COMMUNITY AND BE MYSELF AND THE REST OF THE RESIDENCE HERE IN AUBURN, WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AT LEAST HAVE THE COUNCIL TO AT LEAST GO ALONG WITH US AND NOT DENY A

LIQUOR STORE. >> OKAY. THANK YOU, MR.

SLAUGHTER. >> AND I SEE SOMETHING REALLY

QUICK? >> WHEN WE CLOSE THIS PART OF

IT. >> HE WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND ONE OF THE OTHER LADIES. AND I THINK HE WAS BASICALLY GOING TO COMBINE WHAT HE SAID AS TO WHAT SHE ALSO MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS. SO, YOU KNOW, --

>>

>> THE ONLY REASON I BROUGHT IT UP IS BECAUSE SHE BROUGHT IT

UP. >> ABSOLUTELY FINE IF YOU WISH AT THE END OF THE MEETING, THERE IS ANOTHER THREE MINUTES AVAILABLE OR WHATEVER YOU WISH. IF YOU WOULD LIKE -- HOWEVER WITH THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL YOU WOULD LIKE TO

HANDLE THAT. >> MY MISTAKE ON THIS INTERPRETATION. I APOLOGIZE. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT HALF OF THE COUNCIL? ANYONE? OKAY. WE WILL MOVE

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]

>> MAYOR, I DO NOT HAVE ANY CITY MANAGER, PATIENT THIS EVENING. ARE YOU READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONSENT

AGENDA? >> PLEASE.

>> DOES ANYONE WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA

AND THAT ITEM VISUALLY? >> YES, SIR. MR. GRISWOLD?

[00:35:03]

>> I LIKE TO REMOVE THREE-D ONE AND FOUR.

>> LETTER EIGHT D1 AND FOUR AND A DEEP .

[8.d.(1) Auburn Game Day Law Enforcement Corporation and area public safety agencies. Supplemental law enforcement services. Auburn University sporting events. August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025. ]

>> OKAY. 8 D1. >> FOR THE TIME PERIOD OF AUGUST 1ST, 2024 TO THE PERIOD OF JULY 31ST, 2025.

>> I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS WHATSOEVER BUT WANT TO MAKE CLEAR TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THE ADDITIONAL COST OF THIS IS FULLY REIMBURSED BY THE UNIVERSITY. SO WE PAY OVERTIME.

WE PAY ALL THESE VARIOUS AGENCIES TO COME IN AND HELP ON THIS CROWDED BALL GAME WEEKENDS AND CITY MANAGER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ANSWER MY QUESTION EARLIER IN THE WEEK, BUT DON'T THINK IT WAS OBVIOUS TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT IT FROM CONSTITUENTS SO I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR. THIS IS NOT AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE FOR THE CITY BUT THE UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY ARE PARTNERS AND UNIVERSITY DOES REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR ADDITIONAL EXPENSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE FORM THAT GAINED THE CORPORATION FOR LIABILITY PURPOSES BUT ULTIMATELY WE FUNDED, BUILT UNIVERSITY AND THEY REIMBURSED THE CITY. THAT INCLUDES WHAT NUMBER SAID, SOME OF OUR OWN EXPENSES RELATIVE TO -- THE ONE THING IT IS NOT COVER IS AND IT IS A MISNOMER ON GAME DAY, THE ENTIRE CITY OF AUBURN WOULD COVER US WITH OUR REGULAR BEAT CONTROLS AS ANY GIVEN DAY. OUR REGULAR POLICE CONTROLS BUT EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH GAME DAY BEYOND A CERTAIN POINT, YES. IT ALSO INCLUDES SOME EXTRA FIRE DEPARTMENT WORK AND

MANY OTHER THINGS. >> OKAY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE EFFORT THAT GOES INTO KEEPING US SAFE. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME NOT JUST FOR THE GAME BUT FOR THE EVENTS IN THE FUN AND FELLOWSHIP AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE WITH THEIR FOUR WEAKENS HERE WITH AUBURN AND WE ARE GLAD THAT THIS THESE MEN AND WOMEN KEEP US SAFE. THANK

YOU. >> SOMETIMES, MAYOR, WE DID IT FOR BRANDON BUT THERE IS A BIG ENDEAVOR TO DO WHAT THEY DO AND I COMPLEMENT THE DIRECTOR MATTHEWS. THEY DO A WONDERFUL

JOB . WE APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF. YOU WOULD

KNOW. >> I SURE WOULD.

>>

[8.d.(2) Auburn University. Supplemental law enforcement services. Auburn University sporting events. August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025. ]

PLEASE THE AYE. >> AYE. ANY OPPOSED AND THE

MOTION CARRIES. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> WERE REMOVED FOR APPROVAL.

MR. GRISWOLD? >> ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE AN.

[8.d.(4) Stryker Medical. Purchase one (1) Life Pak 15 heart monitor. $51,612.68. ]

>> AYE. >> ITEM LETTER EIGHT THIS PURCHASE WILL BE FUNDED OUT OF THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. OF EMOTION IN A

SECOND. MR. GRISWOLD? >> THANK YOU AGAIN. I LOOK AT IT LINE ITEMS FOR THE VARIOUS ITEMS I CAME ACROSS THIS. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT TRAINING. HAS THE COMPANY DIVIDED TRAINING AS A PART OF THIS PURCHASE?

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MATTHEW RESPONDED THAT WE ALREADY HAVE

SOME THESE DEVICES. >> STUDENT: WE DO. WE HAVE FREQUENTLY AND THIS WILL BE OUR FOURTH SO THE STAFF IS ALREADY

TRAINED ON THIS DEVICE. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL . ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE

THE AYE. >> AYE. NO POST AND THAT MOTION CARRIES. TO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE

CONSENT AGENDA. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> I'VE EMOTION A SECOND. ON

[9.a. "Back to School" sales tax holiday. Exempt certain items from city sales taxes. Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21, 2024. Unanimous consent necessary. ]

FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> IN MS. CONSENT IS NECESSARY.

>> I INTRODUCED THE ORDINANCE AND ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

>> SECOND. >> IS ANYONE IN THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? HEARING NONE, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY.

NANCY WITH THE ROLLCALL. >> WAS IN.

>> YES. >> ITEMS.

>> YES. MOREMAN. >> YES, MA'AM. PARSONS.

[9.b. Traffic Control Signs and Devices. Establish one (1) stop sign, one (1) 25 MPH sign, four (4) one‐way signs, four (4) regulatory roundabout yield/circulation signs and four (4) roundabout circulation signs. Northgate Subdivision, Phase 1. Unanimous consent necessary.]

>> YES. >> TAILORS.

>> STUDENT: YES. >> STUDENT: WHICH IS A DIFFERENT THAN THE YIELD OF THE SECLUSION SIGN FOR NORTHGATE SUBDIVISION PHASE ONE. UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY.

>> I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE ASKED FOR UNANIMOUS

[00:40:02]

CONSENT. >> SECOND. I'VE A MOTION IN A SECOND. DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MOVING FORWARD THIS MEETING. HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. LINDSAY?

>> ITEMS. COBLENTZ, -- >> FOR ANYONE'S CONSUMPTION, STATE LAW REQUIRES OF THE COUNCIL APPROVE ALL OF THESE

[10.a. Conditional use approval. University Wine and Spirits. Commercial and entertainment use (package store). Property located at 316 North Donahue Drive. Planning Commission recommendation. Postponed from May 21, 2024, City Council meeting]

>> I HAVE A PROCEDURAL QUESTION.

>> YES? >> SHOULD NOT DECIDE TO TAKE UP

THE TABLE, WHAT HAPPENS? >> YOUR LANGUAGE THAT NIGHT, YOU ACTUALLY POSTPONED IT. AND SO POSTPONEMENT CERTAIN OF TODAY, THERE WAS DISCUSSION THAT WAS USED INTERCHANGEABLY TABLE AND POSTPONE WHEN POSTPONEMENT YOU DO A DATE IS TODAY. YOU DO HAVE A RIGHT TO LAY SOMETHING ON THE TABLE. I DO NEED TO TRY TO CHECK WITH THE PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR ADDITIONAL USES IF THE CITY MANAGER HAS LIMITED TIME THAT THEY CAN ACCESS THE SUBDIVISION RELATION ITEM.

>> HOW LONG IS A RULE OF SIX, I'M SORRY?

>> WE HAVE RUN INTO THIS ONE TIME BEFORE WHEN THERE WAS A CELL TOWER ON HIGHWAY 14 AND THE CITY ATTORNEY HAD ADVISED THAT YOU NEEDED TO GO AHEAD AND ACT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WILL WE ARE TONIGHT IS WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS -- YOU CAN MOVE STRAIGHT TO A VOTE. AS A REMINDER FOR EVERYONE HERE, THE CITY COUNCIL SIMPLY DOES NOT MAKE NEGATIVE MOTIONS. THAT IS USUALLY FROWNED UPON ON ROBERT'S RULES SO THE VOTE TO APPROVE WAS TO MOVE THE BUSINESS ONTO THE TABLE. IT IS THE COUNCIL'S CHOICE FROM THERE HOW YOU CHOOSE TO ACT.

>> SO IF WE APPROVE THE MOTION, THAT MOVES IT?

>> MOVE YES IF YOU'RE MOVING TOWARDS A VOTE. IF YOU GUYS DECIDE THERE IS NO DISCUSSION WERE IN FAVOR FOR THE CONDITIONAL USE AND IF YOU VOTE NO, THAT MEANS YOU ARE NOT IN

FAVOR. >> OKAY. IT IS STRAIGHT UP VOTE

YES OR NO ON THIS. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WAS EARLIER. YEAH. OKAY. WE DO HAVE A MOTION. IS THE COUNCIL

READY TO VOTE? >> NO. WE ARE ACTUALLY EITHER APPROVING OR DISAPPROVING THE CONDITIONAL USE OF THIS?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> CORRECT. AN IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE GROCERY STORE THAT YOU ESTABLISHED IN YOUR LAST MEETING. WE HAD DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT. THE GROCERY STORE IS PERMITTED BY RIGHT. THIS ABOUT A PACKAGE STORE CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST THAT WENT BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND IS NOW BEFORE YOU.

>> SO TO APPROVE WOULD BE A YAY AND TO DISAPPROVE WILL BE A NAY

? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> IS THE COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE DESIRE TO REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? OR NOT? HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> THAT IS UP TO YOU GUYS. PROCEDURALLY, YOU ALLOW DISCUSSION FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA THAT DO NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL.

>> STUDENT: I THINK WE HAVE HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT THE ORDINANCE RESOLUTION . I THINK IT IS THE BEST TIME NOW TO TAKE

A VOTE. >> ANYONE ELSE HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT? THOUGHT ON THAT? MR. GRISWOLD, YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY

BROUGHT IT FORWARD. >> JUST CHECKING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD A DESIRE TO YOUR ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.

>> BUT IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, YOU CAN DO A CITIZEN

COMMUNICATION, RIGHT? >> THAT WILL BE AFTER THE VOTE.

>> I KNOW IT WILL BE AFTER THE VOTE BUT IS NOT SOMETHING TO

SAY. >> STUDENT: NO QUESTION. NO QUESTION. YES. I JUST WANT TO MAKE EVERYBODY IS COMFORTABLE WHERE THEY ARE. EVERYBODY IS COMFORTABLE? WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE TO APPROVE, CORRECT? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED, PLEASE SAY NAY.

>> LET ME GET THE YESES AND -- >> ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

WOULD YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

>> 3. 3 TO 6. SO THE MOTION FAILS AND THE CONDITIONAL USE

WAS NOT APPROVED. >>

[10.b. Section 108 Loan. Friendship Foods, Inc. d/b/a Country's Barbecue.]

>> 10 B . >> ITEM LETTER TED BE OPERATES IN SECTION 1008 LOAN WITH COUNTRIES BARBECUE TO ASSIST

[00:45:03]

AT 1021 ROAD. >> STUDENT: MOVED TO APPROVAL.

>> STUDENT: SECOND. DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS? ANY COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

[10.c. Financial contribution. Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center Studio Theatre & Amphitheatre Build‐Out. ]

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION

CARRIES. >> ITEM 10 C OFFERS A FINANCIAL BUDGET INTO THE DAY AND SUSIE GOGUE FOR THE GOGUE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER STUDIO THEATRE AND AMPHITHEATER BUILDOUT.

>> MOVED TO APPROVAL. >> ANY MOVE TO PULL FROM THE

COUNCIL? >> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS TAKING THE PLACE OF WHAT IT WOULD COST THE CITY TO DEVELOP AND CONSTRUCT ITS OWN

AMBER THEATER, CORRECT? >> THIS IS FAR LESS. THIS CONTRIBUTION, AS YOUR MEMO STATES AND I THINK IT IS PART OF WHAT YOU ARE OUTLINING, IT IS $1 MILLION A YEAR FOR THEM TO UP RIGHT ASPECTS OF THIS, AND SO WE HAVE THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH AUBURN UNIVERSITY FOR AN THEATER THAT OUR NEW PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTLY WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU WE COULD NEVER AFFORD TO DELIVER A FACILITY OF THIS QUALITY OR THE STATURE. WE HAVE 80% OF THEIR SEASONED PATRONS LIST AUBURN Z.I.P. CODES AS THEIR ADDRESS SO IT IS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY VERY WELL WE CAN EVER HOPE TO BUILD A CENTER LIKE THIS AND FROM AN UP ORIGINAL STANDPOINT FOR US, AND A CITY STAFF, THIS WOULD BE HARD FOR US TO OPERATE. YOU SAW THAT BIRMINGHAM IS BREAKING GROUND ON THE NEW ONE IN A WHILE I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THEM I'M ALSO VERY EXCITED THAT AUBURN UNIVERSITY MANAGES THIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND THE WONDERFUL STAFF THERE AND WE ALSO HAVE IN YOUR MEMO, AN OUTLINE OF A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS ALWAYS BEEN ACCESSIBLE. THERE IS SOME PARTNERSHIP THINGS FOR VIRTUALLY NO FEES. WE HAVE GOT TO DO WITH SECURITY AND OTHER THINGS. AND LIST OTHER GROUPS AND THINGS A PROJECT THAT THE CITY DOES SO THIS WOULD BE A PARTNERSHIP ALSO TO REMIND YOU THAT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE SPENT OVER 24TH $200,000 AS A CONTRIBUTION. WE DID $1.5 MILLION TOWARDS THE INITIAL CONSTRUCTION TOWARD IT BUT THAT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO WHAT WE ARE GETTING OUT OF IT. WE ARE PLAYING A LARGE ECONOMIC IMPACT YOU SEE IN YOUR PACKET AND WE ARE GARNERING A LOT OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMING AND ALSO ACCESS FOR A LOT OF CHILDREN THAT WOULD NOT NORMALLY HAVE ACCESS THAT ARE GETTING OPPORTUNITIES . OUR $50,000 A YEAR PROGRAM DIVISION GOES AWAY WITH THIS ITEM SO THE WAY THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN WHILE IT IS NOT IN YOUR RESOLUTION, IT WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE BUDGET.

>> SURE. >> JUST FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW, THIS IS A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION FROM AUBURN? THE

AMOUNT? >> FROM WHO?

>> FROM AUBURN? >> THOUGH TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $15 MILLION AND WE ARE PAYING ROUGHLY A THIRD OF THAT. THE REST WOULD BE FUNDED OTHERWISE UNLESS THE TEAM CORRECTS ME. OKAY. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL ACTUALLY BE CONSIDERING AUTHORIZING EVERYTHING TO MOVE FORWARD LATER THIS WEEK ON THEIR AGENDA. MAYOR, YOU MAY

HAVE MORE. >> YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

EMPATHY OR CRISES AN OUTDOOR SETTING AND WE ARE CERTAINLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT BUT THERE IS ALSO A BUILDING TO TAKE THE STAGE AND TURN THAT INTO A 250 SEAT STUDIO THEATER SO IT IS ANOTHER ADDITIONAL TOOL THAT WE WILL HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ENJOY THE ARTS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE GIFTED AND TALENTED THAT EITHER AMONGST US HERE OR THAT COME TO OUR COMMUNITY. I AM CERTAINLY VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THIS AND WE ARE IN GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOGUE AND THE PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN POSITIVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THIS WILL BE ANOTHER GREAT ASSET FOR US WHEN WE CONSIDER WHAT WE DO AND WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET PAYMENT FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND WERE THE REASON PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY AND BEATRICE AND BE AMONGST US .

THIS IS GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS ASSET AS IT ALREADY HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET AND AS MEGAN SAID AND AS BETH SAID, WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THIS AND WE WILL NOT BE MANAGING THIS SO WE HAVE NO OVERHEAD EXPENSE. WE ARE NOT CHASING DOWN THE ADS OR THE PERFORMERS. THAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE GETTING TO ENJOY ALL THE EFFORTS OF THEM BY MAKING THIS INVESTMENT AND IT WILL GIVE OUR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AN INCREDIBLE STAGE TO PERFORM ON AND THOSE THAT SPEND TIME IN THE ARTS WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEND OF THE STAGES AND PERFORM AND THAT WILL BE AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CITIZENS AND MAYBE EVEN OUR CHILDREN AT

[00:50:01]

FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION CARRIES.

>>

[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM.]

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL OPEN THE CITIZENS OPEN FORM. THIS IS ONE YOU AS A CITIZEN CAN SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING ON YOUR MIND. WE ASK THAT YOU COME FORWARD AND SHARE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. WE ASK THAT YOU NOT CALL ANY OF OUR STAFF BY NAME AND THAT YOU MAKE YOUR COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE COUNCIL. WHO WILL BE FIRST? YES, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. STEVE COSGROVE. 1997 WATERCRESS DRIVE. I MISS THE MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVITIES HERE . LIKE I SAID, I WAS GOING TO INVESTMENT IT IS SOMETHING I DON'T LIKE MISSING. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HONORING AND REFLECTING ON THE PERSON THAT WAS LITERALLY AT NORMANDY JUNE 6TH , 1944. I THINK WE DON'T EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR OUR SERVICE PERSONNEL NEARLY ENOUGH PROTECTING THOSE IN THAT ERA AND GOING FORWARD. WE EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO EACH OF YOU. I FIND IT YOU REMARKABLY ASSESSABLE AND PERSONABLE AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE BETH WITTEN . WE REALLY ARE. BETH GOES OUT OF HER WAY.

LIKE I SAID, VERY RESPONSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE AND SO FORTH AND BETH, I HAD THE MAGAZINE. YOUR NEW EAST ALABAMA LIVING THAT YOU DID WITH THE GREAT JOB ON THIS YEAR DISPLAY OF THE LITTLE PARK . I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SEEN THEM.

>> HAD TALKED TO SAYS A LOT. I WILL PROBABLY NEED TO GET ANOTHER BOX. BUT THEY WERE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT YOU DID AND PUT FORTH AN ATTRACTIVE AND APPEALING, COMPELLING -- THAT IS THE WORD I AM THINKING OF -- DESCRIPTION. THAT IS REALLY NEAT. THE PROJECT THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IS EXTENDED TO THAT. IT REALLY IS A POSITIVE SURPRISE GIFT AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT IN DOING THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME INVESTMENT TO INVITE AND ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO HAS ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS OF HOW THAT CAN BE, YOU KNOW, ACTUALIZE AND SO FORTH , I AM COMPLETELY WIDE OPEN TO THAT AND WHATEVER WAY CAN BE SENSIBLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, IT IS COMPLETELY REFLECTIVE POSITIVELY OF THE CITY OF AUBURN AND IN HONOR OF THE PARK AND WE ACTIVELY AND SIGNIFICANTLY ENCOURAGE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT. I AM REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF THAT. AND IT IS ALSO TAKEN CARE OF . THE PAVEMENT FOR THE DISPLAY WAS REALLY TAKEN CARE OF AND IT COULD BE CREDITED ONE AFTERNOON AND MOUNTED THE NEXT MORNING AT

NO COST TO THE CITY. >> STUDENT: THANK YOU, MR. COSGROVE. AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. YES, SIR. >> GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL.

MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN SANGHADI . I AM THE SUPPOSED NEW OWNER OF THE UNIVERSITY ONE IS HAS BEEN REJECTED. THANK YOU AND SORRY TO THE COUNCIL FOR STANDING UP AND SPEAKING DURING THE MEETING. I'M SORRY FOR THAT. THE CONCERNED THAT I SAW WERE MAINLY ABOUT SAFETY . NUMBER TWO, THE CHURCH. AND NUMBER THREE, THEFT. TO THIS, I CAME UP WITH A FEW THINGS IN MY HEAD THAT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT AS AN EXPERIENCED BUSINESS OWNER FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS ALSO RUNNING LIQUOR STORES WITHIN THE AUBURN CITY LIMITS. THE FIRST THING IS, THERE ARE PLENTY OF LIQUOR STORES ALONG THE RAILROAD . PEOPLE ARE STUMBLING AND DRINKING AND MAKING THEIR WAY ACROSS THE RAILROAD, YOU COULD EASILY SAY THAT AUBURN PD HAS FAILED, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE SO. I BELIEVE AUBURN PD IS DOING A GREAT JOB AT KEEPING OUR STREETS CLEAN AND SAFETY IS JUST FINE. ACTUALLY, WHEN PEOPLE STILL AT MY CURRENT

[00:55:05]

THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE , WHICH I CAN ARGUE THAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE SUPPORTED LOCAL BRANDS SUCH AS JOHN EMERALD DISTILLING COMPANY TO GET THESE PROJECTS INTO AUBURN. WOULD REQUIRE A LARGER LIQUOR STORE TH WITH A DIFFERENT BUSINESS MODEL. AND THE LAST THING COMES TO SAFETY. ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND IT BEING DARK AND PEOPLE BANGING ON WINDOWS OF BUSINESSES. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO INVEST MONEY TO MAKE SURE THIS PLACE IS PRESENTABLE AND FOLLOWS WHAT AUBURN'S VISION IS AS FAR AS BUSINESSES. I KNOW YOU GUYS ALREADY VOTED BUT IF THERE IS ANY WAY YOU COULD RECONSIDER AFTER ME MAKING THESE POINTS, I HAVE 30 SECONDS AND THE MAIN REASON I DIDN'T SPEAK OR GET UP AND DROP IS BECAUSE I WANTED TO HEAR EVERYONE OUT BEFORE I CAME UP TO BUT MY POINT. WITHIN THE 30 SECONDS I WOULD TELL YOU WHO WE ARE, WHAT OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS WHAT WE AIM TO ACHIEVE. WE AIM TO PUT THE CUSTOMER BEFORE ANYONE. AND I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THAT EACH BUSINESS, THAT EACH MODEL YOU SET FOR YOUR BUSINESS TYPE THOSE TYPES OF CUSTOMERS THE SECOND THING IS WE BELIEVE IN SAFETY. YOU CAN ASK AUBURN PD. WORK WITH THEM A LOT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SAFE IN THE NUMBER THREE IS THAT WE BELIEVE WE COULD CHANGE THE GAME IN AUBURN.

>> THANK YOU. >> TO ASK A QUESTION? IS THAT

APPROPRIATE NOW? >> YOU ARE WELCOME TO ASK QUESTIONS . IT WOULD TAKE SOMEBODY FOR MY REVEALING SIDE

RECONSIDERATION. >> STUDENT: IT WASN'T A QUESTION ABOUT RECONSIDERATION, IT WAS A QUESTION TO HIM ABOUT THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS A GROCERY STORE.

>> YES, SIR. >> SOME OF THE CHURCH MEMBERS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS AT A DESIRE TO SEE A GROCERY STORE IN THE AREA THAT DID SELL MEATS AND FRESH FRUITS AND THAT.

COULD YOU BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE TYPE OF STORE THAT YOU ARE PLANNING TO ALSO PUT HERE? IS IT GOING TO BE MORE OF A COMPLETE CONVENIENCE STORE OR A MORE THE GROCERY STORE MIGHT

PROVIDE SOME OF THESE ITEMS? >> THAT IS ACTUALLY A REALLY

GOOD QUESTION. >> YES. ONE FAMILY DOLLAR CLOSED DOWN WE SAW THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPURPOSE ON THE WE CAN DO THINGS RIGHT. WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. WE FOUND SUCCESS IN DIFFERENT AREAS. AND, YES, WE WERE PLANNING TO MAKE ACTUALLY A GROCERY STORE ON ONE SIDE AND A LIQUOR STORE ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE GROCERY STORE YOU WERE TO FIND -- WE ACTUALLY STARTED WITH C STORE MEETING THAT THIS IS ALL HONESTY.

CONVENIENCE STORE. WE WERE THINKING ABOUT A CONVENIENCE STORE. SELLING STUFF JUST AS SODAS, CANDIES, CHIPS, BREAD, MILK, FROZEN MEALS. STUFF WHICH PEOPLE CAN COME AND WHAT IS CONVENIENT AND EASY FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD MAINTAIN GOOD STOCK. FRESH STOCK. RIGHT? THEN WE STARTED RECONSIDERING FRESH GROCERIES , FRESH FRUIT , BREAKFAST . WE STARTED RECONSIDERING STUFF LIKE LUNCH AS WELL AS OTHER FOODS OPPORTUNITIES WHICH ARE STILL IN CONDITION ABOUT AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. BUT THAT IS SOMETHING ALSO WANTED TO BRING. THAT IS WHY WE KIND OF DIDN'T PROPOSE FOR AN 8000 SQUARE-FOOT LIQUOR STORE BECAUSE IT IS NOT NECESSARY. WE FELT LIKE WE COULD ACHIEVE THAT WITH HALF THE BUILDING AND WITH THE OTHER HALF WE COULD'VE DONE THE REST WITH GROCERIES. SO. THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES, SIR.

>> REASON I CAME DOWN . I WAS UP IN ATLANTA AND GOT A PHONE CALL FROM MR. TANNER WITH THE CITY OF AUBURN. I RENTAL PROPERTY I HAVE IN AUBURN ABOUT IT BEING IN AN AIRBNB PROPERTY. HE CONTACTED ME A COUPLE MONTHS AGO REFERENCING THE SAME THING.

FIRST OF ALL, THE FAMILY THAT I HAVE HERE IS A TENANT THERE ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WHAT DO I HAVE TO

[01:00:04]

>> THAT IS SOMETHING I AM PREPARED TO ANSWER AT THIS TIME. WE CAN GET WITH MR. SLAUGHTER. SCOTT CUMMINGS IS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE INSPECTION SERVICES CAN TALK TO MR. SLAUGHTER RIGHT NOW. POST MEETING.

>> I HAVE SECURITY AND I -- >> IT IS ALL RIGHT. AFTER WE GET THROUGH HERE WITH THE MEETING --

>> SCOTT CUMMINGS WILL TALK WITH YOU.

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK AND CLARIFYING.

WILL BE NEXT? YES, MA'AM? >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR ENDERS, AND COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS MARY MOORE. I RESIDE AT 425 WEBSTER ROAD. I ALSO HAVE PROPERTY AT 9:14 WATER STREET.

I WOULD LIKE TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SHARED TONIGHT ABOUT THE GROCERY STORE AND THE LIQUOR STORE. WHICH I CALL THE BOOZE CENTER. BUT ANYWAY, I FEEL COMPELLED TO SAY INVESTMENT I USE MY ICON ON MY PHONE TO LOOK WHERE 316 NORTH COLLEGE IS. DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THAT WAS REPRESENTED. SO I FOUND OUT THAT IS WHERE THE FAMILY DOLLAR USED TO BE. THAT BUILDING IS VERY MUCH ESSENTIAL FOR SOMETHING LIKE AN CONVENIENT PLACE LIKE DOLLAR GENERAL. OR FAMILY DOLLAR STORE. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

FAMILY DOLLAR IS GONE BUT DOLLAR GENERAL WOULD BE ESSENTIAL. WE ONLY HAVE TWO HERE IN AUBURN. IT WOULD SERVE SO MUCH BETTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE LOCATED ON JUST THAT SIDE OF TOWN ON ANOTHER TIDE OF TOWN OR WHATEVER BUT WE ONLY HAVE TWO AND I WOULD LIKE THE IDEA OF DOLLAR GENERAL GOING THERE. IT IS SO CONVENIENT. I AM SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE STUDENTS IN THE AREA, YOU KNOW? STUMBLING -- THAT RAILROAD TRACK HAS TAKEN LIVES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DRUNK OR CONSUMED ALCOHOL MANY TIMES. THERE ARE LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN. YOU MIGHT NOT REMEMBER THOSE TIMES. I AM ONE OF THE OLD TIME SO , ANYWAY, LIVES WERE TAKEN. I KNEW 24 FACT. AND A CITY WORKER. LIFE WAS TAKEN. SO, TO KNOW THAT WHAT THE GENTLEMAN IS WANTING TO DO WITH THAT BUILDING SOMETIME LATER COMING BACK WITH GROCERY BUT STARTING OUT WITH ALCOHOL OR WHAT HAVE YOU, I DON'T SEE THAT THAT IS SERVING ANYTHING FOR A FAMILY THAT MIGHT NEED SOME RESOURCES, SOMETHING THAT IS VERY ESSENTIAL FOR THEIR FAMILY, YOU KNOW? BECAUSE IT WOULD HELP ME AS WELL. I CAN'T GO UP THERE AND GET ALCOHOL EVERY DAY, BUT I CAN GO GET PROJECTS FOR MY HOME. FOR MY PERSONAL USE. OR WHAT HAVE YOU. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. IT WILL SERVE GOOD FOR CHILDREN. HELP A WHOLE LOT. IT IS MY IDEA AND I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT BEING -- ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE VOTED AND NOT APPROVED BUT IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER THE RESOURCES THAT WOULD BE USED FOR THAT BUILDING, IT IS MORE BETTER USED FOR SOMETHING LIKE DOLLAR GENERAL OR WHAT HAVE YOU. WERE COSTCO CAN EVEN COME HERE.

WHATEVER. SO, LET'S CONSIDER THAT IF YOU WILL. THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> MY NAME IS RETI PATEL . I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS A LANDLORD . I REPRESENT THE EAGLE MENTORING GROUP WHICH IS THE OWNER OF THE LOCATION, 36 NORTH . I WOULD JUST LIKE TO RESPOND TO THE CONCERN ABOUT LEASING THE PROPERTY TO DOLLAR GENERAL AND DOLLAR TREE. SO WE DID REACH OUT TO THEM BUT THEY DECLINED OUR OFFER BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM, INVESTMENT ACCORDING TO THE NEW MODEL THEY HAVE BEEN OBJECTING, THE PROPERTY IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO COME IN AND DO BUSINESS .

DOLLAR TREE, AND WE ALSO REACH OUT TO DOLLAR GENERAL AND THEY DECLINED OUR OFFER. THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

[01:05:20]

>> MY NAME IS ROBERT WILKINS. 261 DENSON DRIVE , AUBURN, ALABAMA. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. IS THE CITY HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? WE, THE AUBURN CITIZENS ARE GIVEN 180 SECONDS TWICE A MONTH WITH CONTROLLED DECORUM GUIDELINES WHICH INCLUDE LIMITING OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS BY TELLING US WHO WE CAN TALK ABOUT AND WHAT WORDS ARE ACCEPTABLE. AT THE SAME TIME, OUR CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR ARE UNCHECKED. OUR MAYOR SAYS THINGS THAT IS THIS MAN . IN THE WEBSTER DICTIONARY, IS A SLAYING EXPERTS AND USED TO HIGHLIGHT WHEN SOMEBODY HAS DONE SOMETHING STUPID OR UNBELIEVABLE. BUT THE COMMENT DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

WHY DID YOU NOT RECUSE YOURSELF ON ORDINANCE 3288? A POLL WAS PUT UP WITH 500 VIEWS, 11 REACTIONS, 60 COMMENTS AND 114 PARTICIPATED IN THE POLL ANNA SAID, IT IS A GOOD IMAGE FOR AUBURN PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO DEGRADE AN AUBURN CITIZEN A PUBLIC FORM? 16% SAID YES , WHICH IS A SURPRISE. 35% SAID UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND 49% SAID NO. MAYOR ANDERS AND MY COUNCILMAN COUNCILMEMBER MOREMAN CAN GO TO THE HIGH SCHOOL TO CUT THE NUMBER OF KIDS ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY DRIVE WERE PASSING A SIDEWALK HOWEVER THE MAYOR CANNOT ATTEND A AWARD ONE MEETING AND BRING THE CITY MANAGER AND CHIEF OF POLICE TO LISTEN TO CONCERNS ABOUT POLICE ISSUES . ANOTHER POLL WAS PUT UP WITH 1400 VIEWS TWO REACTIONS, SIX COMMENTS.

ONLY 28 PARTICIPATED IN THAT POLL. THE POLL QUESTION WAS, IF THERE IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ESPECIALLY IN WARD 1, SHOULD THEY DO THE FOLLOWING? CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM? 14% SAID YES. FIGURE 9%, DEVELOP A VARIED TASK FORCE CHAIRED BY COUNCILWOMAN TAYLOR. 46% SAID PUT TOGETHER A MEETING IN WARD ONE. WE ARE CITIZENS OF AUBURN.

ARE TIRED OF BEING CONTROLLED BY THE ELITES AND BUREAUCRATS.

WE ARE TIRED OF BEING IN THE DARK. THE CITY BUREAUCRATS ONLY FEED THIS COUNCIL AND ITS CITIZENS SELECTIVE INFORMATION WHILE "GULP IT UP AS THE GOSPEL TRUTH. WE ARE TIRED OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR ANDERS SELECTING VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSION MEMBERS WHO ARE FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES INSTEAD OF USING THE ABUNDANCE OF TALENT AND EXPERIENCE IN THIS WONDERFUL CITY. IT WAS EMBARRASSING WHEN THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL SELECTED A NEPHEW AND UNCLE FROM THE SAME FAMILY FOR THE POSITION, INCLUDING A COUNCILMAN WHO HAD TO RECUSE BECAUSE OF A RELATIONSHIP. I GUESS IT IS LIKE A TRIFECTA. WE EXPECT TRANSPARENCY. THE CITY BUREAUCRATS AND COUNCIL PROFESS , HOWEVER WE ARE NEVER TOLD WHO APPLIED FOR THE VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. WE CITIZENS ARE JUST TOLD MANY GREAT CANDIDATES. WE ARE TOLD TO GET INVOLVED, BUT WE CITIZENS FEEL LIKE A CREATIVE CITIZEN CANNOT. THANK YOU.

>> WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> SUSAN VAULT. 1188. EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE. IF A PERSON RENTS A CAR FROM ENTERPRISE AND SPEED, DO YOU SHUT ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL DOWN? IF YOUR NEIGHBOR GET A SPEEDING TICKET, DO YOU REVOKE THE LICENSES OF ALL HIS NEIGHBORS? IF A PERSON UNKNOWN TO YOU STEALS FROM A STORE, DO YOU LOCK UP EVERYONE WHO SHOPS AT THAT STORE? IF A DOG IN THE WRONG YARD, DO YOU BAN ALL DOGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD? IF SOMEONE LEAVES THEIR TRASH CAN BY THE STREET, TOO MANY DAYS AFTER SCHEDULE TRASH PICKUP, DO YOU BAN TRASH PICKUP IN THAT WARD? IF ALL OF THESE SCENARIOS SOUNDS RIDICULOUS TO YOU, YOU WOULD BE RIGHT. SO LET ME ASK HIM A IF A SHORT-TERM RENTAL HOST HAS A PROBLEM GUEST THAT IS TOO LOUD, DO YOU BAN ALL SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THAT WARD? OH, WAIT.

YES. FIVE OF YOU DID THAT. THIS TOO IS RIDICULOUS. PLEASE TELL ME THAT YOU COULDN'T SEE THAT. I PRESUME YOU WOULD NEVER CONSIDER BANNING DOGS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION NEVER HURTS IF THEY BARKED TOO MUCH. BUT YOU BAN SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND TRAMPLE PROPERTY RIGHTS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE BARKED TOO MUCH. YOU CAN REVERSE YOUR ACTIONS ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS ON ORDINANCE 3288 SINCE YOU ARE THE POLICYMAKERS. UNLESS YOU BELIEVE AS MR. PARSONS DOES, HE STATED IN A MEETING IN 2020

[01:10:01]

SHE WILL TELL YOU, HER HANDS ARE CLEAN AND THAT YOU ARE THE POLICYMAKERS. WHAT ACTION WILL YOU TAKE BEFORE YOU TENURE ON THIS COUNCIL EXPIRES? WHERE WILL ORDINANCE 3288 BE YOUR LEGACY? ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY HOW OTHERS HAVE ABUSED OUR CONSTITUTION WITH L'AFFAIRE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS BASED ON EMOTIONS, I MIGHT ADD. WHAT PART WILL EACH OF YOU AND THE ASK TRR FIVE STR-5 HAVE IN THIS GREAT REPUBLIC THAT WE ARE TRYING TO HOLD ONTO?

>> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES, MA'AM.

>> MARTHA SCHELL, 307, CAMELLIA DRIVE. IT IS JUNE. THIS IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART SO I WILL THINK ABOUT JESUS ' SACRED HEART A MINUTE. CERTAINLY BETTER THAN MOST THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. IT IS GREAT TO SEE AUBURN'S GOOD CHURCHES. I DRIVE AROUND AND SEE THEM. THEY HAVE THE SIGNS OUT ADVERTISING CERTIFICATION BIBLE SCHOOL RIGHT NOW AND THE PARKWAY BAPTIST SIGN SAID GOT'S WERE NEVER CHANGES. SO WHAT ARE THEY TEACHING THE KIDS? THAT GOD IS HOLY , GOD CREATED THEM , HE WILL HELP THEM. GOD LOVES THEM. GOD IS FAITHFUL TO THEM. HE IS GRACIOUS SLOW TO ANGER ABOUND IN MERCY. HE IS KIND. HE IS FORGIVING. BUT GOD HAS RULES AND SIN BRINGS SORROW. GOD'S WAYS ARE BEST AND HE DESERVES HONOR AND RESPECT. THEY LEARN ABOUT SAMSON , MOSES, NOAH, JOSHUA, KING DAVID , JOSEPH -- THE PRINCE OF EGYPT -- SOLOMON, DANIEL AND THE LION'S DEN , ELISHA AND ALL THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS. SO, THE CERTIFICATION BIBLE SCHOOL SERVES THEM CUTE REFRESHMENTS LIKE GUMMY WORMS AND POPSICLES AND COOKIES. YUM YUM AND IT LETS THEM DO THE ART. THEY LOVE THE ART THE MOST, I THINK AND THEY ALSO SING SONGS ABOUT GOD'S GRACE. AND HIS LOVE. AND HOW HE SENT HIS ONLY SON TO POUR OUT A BLOOD SACRIFICE TO COVER THEIR SINS IN ALL OF OUR SINS , IF WE WANT THE COVERING.

JESUS CHRIST IS THEIR SAVIOR. THEIR DOORWAY TO HEAVEN. JESUS CALLS THEM HIS LITTLE SHEEP. HE SAYS, NO MAN WILL PLUCK THEM OUT OF HIS HAND OR IS ABLE TO. NO MAN. THESE GOOD CHURCHES HEAL CHILDREN AND THEY GUIDE THE CHILDREN. INTO ALL TRUTH.

THEY LEARN GOD'S 10 COMMANDMENTS AND THAT GOD DEMANDS RIGHTEOUSNESS. HIS WORD NEVER CHANGES. WHAT GOD SAYS IS ALWAYS TRUE. HE WILL DELIVER THEM FROM EVIL. HE WILL PROTECT THEM FROM TEMPTATION AND IT IS GREAT TO SEE AUBURN'S CHURCH IS THE GOOD CHURCHES. SAVING CHILDREN FROM THIS EVIL AND CORRUPT WORLD AND FROM EVIL LIBRARY BOOKS -- YES, I DENOUNCE THEM CONTINUALLY. EVIL LIBRARY BOOKS AND FROM APOSTATE CHURCHES THAT HANG A DISGUSTING PRIDE FLAG ON THEIR WALLS.

LEAVE THOSE APOSTATE CHURCHES. ALL YOU TRUE BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST, LEAVE THOSE APOSTATE CHURCHES. FLEE THOSE APOSTATE CHURCHES. AND THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD CHURCHES THAT ARE TEACHING CHILDREN TRUTH AND HELPING CHILDREN INTO HEAVEN. THANK

YOU. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES.

>> GRAYBILL DUNHAM. 210 EACH DUST AVENUE. OUR ORGANIZATION AND MANY OTHERS MARCHED IN THE PARADE ON MAY 31ST AND THEN ON JUNE 1ST PRIDE IN THE PLANE IS HELD AT SIX ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL IN AUBURN. PRIDE ON THE PLANES ESTIMATES THAT 3000 PEOPLE ATTENDED. A PROXIMATE OVER 70 VENDORS ATTENDED THIS YEAR INCREASING FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. IT WAS GREAT BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE . PRIDE FEST IS ALWAYS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT, WHICH MANY FAMILIES ENJOY.

CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO PLAY OUTSIDE EVERY DAY AND THEY ALSO ENJOYED A LARGE INFLATABLE SLIDE. PEOPLE ABLE TO LEARN

[01:15:01]

THERE WERE ALSO GREAT BOOTHS WITH BOOKS AND OTHER THINGS FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY. MANY PEOPLE ALSO ENJOYED HOLDING THE SNAKES AND OTHER THINGS . IT WAS GREAT HAVING THIS FESTIVAL AT THE PARK FOR THE AUBURN COMMITTEE TO HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL EVENTS LIKE THE UPCOMING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION ON JUNE 15. PFLAG AUBURN BELIEVES THAT PRIDE IN THE PLANES CARRIES OUT ITS MISSION STATE THIS WE COULD OFFER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY THROUGH CELEBRATION, EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT AND INCLUSION AMONG ALABAMA'S LGBTQ+ MEMBERS AND ALLIES. HAPPY PRIDE MONTH. THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS BILLY . I CAME OUT BEFORE YOU WITH A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS ON MY MIND. ONE IS HAPPY PRIDE MONTH. I WAS LISTENING IN ON YOU TO BEFORE I ARRIVED TONIGHT IN HER DOLL DEALING WITH THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I KNOW Y'ALL DEAL WITH A LOT OF TOUGH BALANCING ACTS AND TOUGH DECISIONS. I KNOW THAT NO ONE GETS IT RIGHT ALL OF THE TIME AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF TOUGH THINGS TO DECIDE WHEN YOU ARE DOING THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY AND I APPRECIATE THAT. BALANCING THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE OPINIONS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS IS A TRICKY TASK. I ALSO WENT TO PRIDE ON THE PLANES AS A CELEBRATION OF BOTH THE PARADE AND THE FESTIVAL. I HAD A VERY GOOD TIME AND A FACEBOOK GROUP I DID NOTICE THAT AMONG THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WERE OUT THERE, SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE NOT SO KIND, NOT SO CHRISTLIKE IN THEIR COMMENTS. AND ONE REFRAIN I SAW SEVERAL TIME IS WHY DO WE EVEN HAVE A RIDE MONTH? AND SO IN CASE ANY OF OUR WONDERING, I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE MY TWO CENTS ON THE ISSUE. THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY HAS OFTEN BEEN SUBJECT TO ATTACK BOTH VERBAL AND PHYSICAL . THE QUEER COMMUNITY IS ONE THAT SOME PEOPLE WILL PUBLICLY CALL BLASPHEMOUS, PERVERTS , AND GROOMERS . ABOMINATIONS. I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN MYSELF, THOUGH I DO POWERFULLY RESPECT PEOPLE WHO PRACTICE THEIR FAITH WELL. I AM A PROUD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST WHO BELIEVE IN THAT PROUD INHERENTLY WORTH OF ALL PEOPLE AND PART OF OUR FAITH TRADITION IS INFLUENCED BY CHRISTIANITY AND JUDAISM AS WELL AS PAGANISM AND MANY OTHER SOURCES AND SO I AM A LITTLE BIT FAMILIAR AND I HAVE HEARD, JUDGE NOT LEST YOU BE JUDGED. LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE AND LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. FULL STOP. DURING THIS MONTH, A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY FIND THEMSELVES UNCOMFORTABLE AND CONFUSED . TO MANY I KNOW, I MIGHT LOOK LIKE A RANDO WEARING ADDRESS, BUT I AM ALWAYS OPEN TO CONVERSATION AND IF YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, THAT YOU TALK TO ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WHO WILL BE NEXT? OKAY. WE WILL CLOSE CITIZENS OPEN FORM.

ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING?

>> IF I MAY . ANYTIME SOMEONE SPEAKS , I AM CERTAINLY GOING TO SPEAK UP. I PERSONALLY KNOW THAT THE POLICE HERE IN AUBURN HAVE WORKING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND I HAVE CERTAINLY DOUBT YOU CAN FIND ANYWHERE THAT HE HAS REFUSED TO COME TO A MEETING ON ANY SIDE OF TOWN IN AUBURN. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POLICE THAT THEY ARE NOT PERFECT AND I NEVER SAID THAT, BUT IF YOU SHOULD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH POLICE, I RECOMMEND YOU CONTACT THE POLICE CHIEF AND HAVE A MEETING WITH HIM AND I THINK HE WILL GO TO HELP YOU OUT. IF NOT, YOU CAN TALK TO THE CITY MANAGER BUT TO ATTACK THE POLICE -- THEY HAVE A TOUGH JOB. IT IS A TOUGH JOB. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ME OR SOMETHING I DID OR ALL DOES NOT COMPARE TO THE WIZARD OF OZ AND ALL THAT CRAP, . BUT

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THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.