Sep 03, 2024 City Council

[00:00:01]

COUNCIL . IT IS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS. SO, NOBODY'S

[1. CALL TO ORDER.]

MOVE TO ADJOURN? >> SO MOVED.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ADJOURNED WITH COMMITTEE OF A WHOLE. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE MEETING FOR CITY COUNCIL, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2024. THE ROLL CALL, LINDSAY?

>> ADAMS? COUNCILMEMBER MOREMAN? COUNCILMEMBER WITTEN? COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR? COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS? COUNCILMEMBER MOREMAN? COUNCILMEMBER PARSONS?

>> HERE. WE PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE THAN 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. PLEASE BE SEATED. GREG, DO

[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS.]

THE CITY OF AUBURN. ♪ >> WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR SEPTEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. I HAVE A MEMORANDUM FROM DAN BALLARD, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE BRANDT PRINCE AS SEPTEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH PUBLIC WORKS IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 AS A FACILITIES MAINTENANCE WORKER. HE WAS PROMOTED TO FACILITY MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR IN JANUARY OF 2022. SINCE THEN, HE HAS OVERSEEN 1000 SERVICE REQUESTS FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF CITY FACILITIES. HIS HARD WORK, DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE, AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE ARE DESERVING OF PRAISE AND RECOGNITION. AS TESTIMONY TO HIS WORK ETHIC, I PRESENT THE FOLLOWING FROM HIS SUPERVISOR, PATRICK. BEFORE BEGINNING MY JOB IN PUBLIC WORKS, I ONLY INTERACTED WITH HIM IN PASSING. IT WASN'T UNTIL I BEGAN WORKING WITH BRANDT PRINCE THAT I BECAME AWARE OF THE MOUNTAIN OF WORK HE HANDLES DAY TODAY. BRANDT PRINCE COORDINATOR THE DAILY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ACTIVITIES AT 24 OF THE CITY'S 46 BUILDINGS. THIS INCLUDES WORK ON PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS, CUSTODIAL CLEANING, AND SUPPLY MANAGEMENT, AND REPAIRS OF ALL SIZES. AT A MINIMUM, BRANDT PRINCE RECEIVES 3 TO 5 SERVICE REQUEST A DAY, INVOLVING TASKS LIKE CLEANING OUT DRYER VENTS, CHANGING LIGHTBULBS, PREPARING WATERLINES, AND MUCH MORE. OTHER STAFF HAVE RECOGNIZED HIS SEEMINGLY DAUNTING NATURES OF HIS DUTIES, AND PRAISED HIS WORK AND ATTITUDE. BRANDT PRINCE NEVER COMPLAINS NOR HAS A DISCOURAGING WORD TO SAY ABOUT HIS TASK. FOR EXAMPLE, BRANDT PRINCE WAS CALLED TO DEAL WITH A SEWAGE BACKUP IN ONE OF OUR CITY BUILDINGS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLEAR THE OBSTRUCTION, HE WAS SPRAYED WITH WATER FROM HEAD TO TOE AS THE LINE CONTINUED TO BACKUP. ONCE FINISHED, HE CLEANED HIMSELF OFF AND WENT BACK TO HIS DAILY DUTIES. EVEN IN RECOUNTING THE STORY TO COWORKERS, BRANDT PRINCE WORE A SMILE AND SPOKE OF IT AS JUST PART OF THE JOB. HE IS AN INCREDIBLY INVALUABLE ASSET TO THE CITY OF AUBURN. TRENT 21 LEADS BY EXAMPLE AND REPRESENTS CORE VALUES THROUGH HIS ATTITUDE, EFFORT AND ENERGY. FOR THESE REASONS, I NOMINATE BRANDT PRINCE FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. ♪ ♪

>> OKAY, THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO BRANDT PRINCE, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR OTHER GREAT EMPLOYEES WHO SERVED OUR COMMUNITY FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. ALSO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR 25 YEARS, AND IF YOU WILL TELL CHIEF LANGFORD THANK YOU FOR HIS 30 YEARS, WE APPRECIATE ALL THEIR EFFORTS. THROUGH THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TONIGHT, THE CITY COUNCIL HAD DISCUSSION RELATED TO RECENT LEGISLATIVE SALES TAX DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE IN MONTGOMERY WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE. COUNCIL MEMBER GRISWOLD HAS BROUGHT THIS FORWARD ULTIMATELY AFTER DISCUSSION, CITY COUNCIL DECIDED NOT TO MOVE OR TAKE ACTION ON THIS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. THE MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT, I WANT

[00:05:01]

I WILL TELL YOU I GOT IT OVER THE NET. IT WENT OUT OF BOUNDS, BUT NOBODY GAVE ME TOO HARD OF A TIME ABOUT THAT. THEY ARE HAVING A GREAT YEAR. IT'S A VERY EXCITING TIME. HE WILL DO SOME EXCITING THINGS WITH THAT PROGRAM. THIS FRIDAY NIGHT IS THE AUBURN GAME, THE BIG RIVALRY IN EAST ALABAMA. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO ON FRIDAY NIGHT, DOUG SAMPER PARK, IT WILL BE A GREAT GAME BETWEEN TWO UNDEFEATED TEAMS. AND I WANT TO THANK NEELY CALDWELL WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S JOB CORPS FOR INVITING ME TO THEIR ANNUAL LUNCHEON. AUBURN DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR CHARLES KELLY WAS A SPEAKER, AND HE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. IT WAS AN EXCELLENT LUNCH AND A GREAT ORGANIZATION. ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

>> YES SIR. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. YEAH, I RECENTLY MET WITH THE OFFICE OF THE STUDENT VETERANS ASSOCIATION. AND THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF PLANNING WHAT THEY CALL OPERATION IYER ROCK. I'M TALKING ABOUT CARRYING A BACKPACK FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER. AND THE AUBURN STUDENT ASSOCIATION WORKS ALONGSIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, EQUIVALENT TO THAT ORGANIZATION WHICH IS AN UNUSUAL THING TO START WITH THAT WE COOPERATE A LITTLE BIT. BUT THEIR INTENTION IS TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR VETERAN SUICIDE. THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS AND WHATNOT. DURING THE PREPARATION FOR THE IRON BOWL, THEY MOVED THE GAME FROM ONE CAMPUS TO ANOTHER. THEY BRING IT TO THE STADIUM AND PRESENT IT TO THE OFFICIALS BEFORE THE GAME. ANY PROCEEDS THAT COME OUT OF THAT GO TO THE EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VETERAN SUICIDES. AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, WHEN THEY WERE PLANNING THIS, WE HAD 22 SUICIDES A DAY FOR VETERANS. AND WE ARE DOWN NOW TO 17. SO, IT'S GOOD NEWS WE HAD A REDUCTION, BUT IT'S TERRIBLE NEWS WE STILL HAD 17 VETERANS TAKING THEIR LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS. SO, I WANT TO SAY IF YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW A VETERAN WHO IS HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY, PLEASE GET INVOLVED IN THEIR LIFE. GET HELP. THERE'S LOTS OF PLACES I CAN REACH OUT AND HELP. THE STUDENT VETERANS ASSOCIATION IS ONE OF THEM. BUT THAT IS JUST ONE OF MANY. SO, PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR VETERANS WHO MIGHT

BE HAVING SOME PROBLEMS. >> THANK YOU. KELLY?

>> ANYONE ELSE? FUNNY? >> AS WE CONTINUE TO WASH OUR STREETS, GET PAID, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING. I TURNED ONTO MITCHUM AVENUE, AND THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE, I HAD TO SEARCH FOR THE STRIPES. I COULDN'T TELL IF I WAS IN A LANE OR NOT. THIS IS THE ROAD THAT RUNS ALONG THE OLD TRAIN DEPOT. IT'S NOT A LONG ROAD, BUT IT'S REALLY A TRANSFORMATION. IT'S NICE TO SEE AUBURN GET A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL. SO, THANK YOU FOR THE CITY STAFF, WHATEVER PART WAS PLAYED IN THAT. AND WE APPRECIATE THE FUNDS, I GUESS,

FROM ALABAMA. >> I'VE MET A LOT OF FOLKS IN MY CAREER THAT COULDN'T SEE LINES IN THE ROAD.

>> EVEN WHEN THEY WERE THERE. ANYONE ELSE? YES, SIR.

>> YES, MA'AM? >> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE STAFF , THE DIRECTORS AND THE STAFF, THE BOYS AND GIRLS, AND THE NEWLY PLAYED AREA. I WAS ABLE TO GO OVER. I THINK THE MAYOR WENT ALSO OVER TO TWO OF THE BUILDINGS. AND I WAS JUST SO HAPPY , YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE WAYS THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT. AND I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IS REALLY AN ASSET TO THAT COMMUNITY. AND SO, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, WE PROVIDE THE BOYS AND

[00:10:09]

IT LOOKS REALLY, REALLY GOOD. IF YOU HAVE TIME, GO BY. MAKE ACCESS TO GET IN. CHECK IT OUT. IT IS REALLY NICE.

[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]

>> THANK YOU, CONNIE. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WE WILL MOVE AHEAD WITH AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, Y'ALL. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE THE AUBURN FAMILY BACK IN TOWN FOR GAME DAY. WE WILL HAVE FOUR MORE HOME GAMES IN A ROW, INCLUDING THE HOMECOMING GAME ON SEPTEMBER 14TH. IN THE MEANTIME, CAMPAIGNS OF BEEN KICKING OFF AROUND THE CONCOURSE. WE HAVE UPDATES ON THE CANDIDATES AND PLATFORMS IN THE NEXT MEETING. TOMORROW, THE JEWEL COLIN SMITH MUSEUM OF FINE ART IS HOSTING THEIR CREATIVE CUBS EVENT. IT WILL BE FREE FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 5, AS WELL AS PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. EACH SESSION INCLUDES A GUIDED TOUR MUSEUM, A RELATED STORY TIME, AND HANDS-ON ART ACTIVITY. SO, IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, YOU CAN SIGN UP ON THE UNIVERSITY'S WEBSITE FOR FREE. AND I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME STATISTICS REAL QUICK. FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE EMPLOYMENT OR ENROLLMENT, RATHER, IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH SHORT OF 25,000. THIS YEAR, OVER 62% OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN AUBURN UNIVERSITY ARE FROM THE STATE OF ALABAMA. SO, THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT. THAT IS ALL FOR ME THIS WEEK. THANK YOU .

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THIS IS CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS ON ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. WE ASK YOU ONLY SPEAK TO US ABOUT ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA TONIGHT. THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS TONIGHT. SO, IF THERE'S ANYTHING ON OUR

[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.]

>> MAYOR, CITY MANAGERS COMMUNICATIONS, WE HAVE THE ANNOUNCEMENT. I ANNOUNCED THIS AT THE LAST MEETING THAT WE DID NOT GET ANY APPLICANTS. ONE ON THE WEST PACE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR A TERM THAT WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY UPON APPOINTMENT AND WILL END SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2030, I BELIEVE OUR ASSISTANT CITY CLERK WILL CORRECT ME THAT WE ARE GOING TO EXTEND THAT INTO YOUR FIRST MEETING IN OCTOBER TO GET PEOPLE ADEQUATE TIME INSTEAD OF BRINGING IT IMMEDIATELY BACK

[8.d. Easements. GAAL Owner, LLC (Graduate Hotel). Accept public sanitary sewer and sidewalk easements. Anders Bookstore Subdivision, First Addition and Revision of Lot 1. Property located at 212 West Magnolia Avenue.]

UP. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> ARE YOU READY FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> PLEASE. >> IS ANY COUNCIL MEMBER HAVE AN ITEM THEY WANT TO REMOVE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND DEAL WITH THAT ITEM INDIVIDUALLY?

>> 8 D. 8 D. >> ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE?

>> ITEM 8D, SIDEWALK EASEMENTS FROM GA LLC WHICH IS PART OF THE ENDERS BOOKS OR SUBDIVISION, REVISION OF LOT 1 FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 212 WEST MAGNOLIA AVENUE.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I WILL BE ABSTAINING ON THIS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR THOUGHTS? ALL

[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]

>> >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE BALANCE AND NOT TO ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?

[9.a. Amend mid‐biennial budget. Fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023, and ending September 30, 2024. Unanimous consent necessary. ]

IS APPROVED. ORDINANCES? >> UNDER ORDINANCES, ITEM 9A, UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY.

>> I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASK FOR UNANIMOUS

CONSENT. >> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. DOES ANYONE HAVE PROBLEMS MOVING FORWARD ? SEE NONE, ANY COMMENTS OR

QUESTIONS? >> I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING AND LISTENING TO KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO DIFFERENTIATE , WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, AND HOW IT'S GOING TO DIFFERENTIATE FOR ONE TO FOLLOW. WHY ARE WE VOTING ON THIS?

>> SO, EVERY YEAR BEFORE WE ADOPT A BUDGET, WE HAVE TO AMEND THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WE ARE IN FOR ADJUSTMENTS, TYPICALLY THINGS YOU HAVE ALREADY HANDLED, SUCH AS A RESCUE TRUCK PURCHASE OF SEVERAL MEETINGS AGO THAT YOU APPROVED THAT EXPENDITURE, HOWEVER, WE NEED TO FORMALLY ADJUST THE BUDGET TO ADDRESS THAT EXPENDITURE. THIS HAS TO DO A LOT WITH ADJUSTED REVENUES. ALSO, WE ADJUST OUR REVENUES IN THIS CASE TYPICALLY, UP, NOT DOWN. SO, YOU HAVE TO ADJUST OUT FOR LEGAL REASONS TO BALANCE OUT

[00:15:04]

THE VAST MAJORITY OF EVERYTHING IN HERE IS THINGS YOU'VE SEEN, SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO ADJUST SALARIES BASED ON DEGREES OR OTHER THINGS THAT COME UP. THERE ARE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE DO EACH AND EVERY TIME. DID I MISS

ANYTHING? >> IS IT SAFE TO SAY THE MAIN ADJUSTMENT WE ARE SEEING IS THE ARPA FUNDS?

>> IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT BIG TICKET ITEMS, THAT IS REALLY JUST MOVING THEM. YOU ARE MOVING THEM AROUND IN THE NEXT BUDGET, YEAH. AND SO, I MEAN, OTHER THAN THAT, YOU WILL SEE EXTRA THINGS SUCH AS, YOU KNOW, SOME FEES WE WERE GOING TO COLLECT THE INCOME AND AS ANTICIPATED, YOU SEE THINGS CALLED CARRYFORWARD, CARRYFORWARD IS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ABLE FROM ONE FISCAL YEAR, WE GET RIGHT UP TO THE END, AND THAT WILL HAPPEN THIS MONTH WHERE WE WILL ASK YOU GUYS TO ADJUST NEXT SUMMER FOR THINGS THAT DIDN'T GET FINISHED IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER THAT HAVE TO CARRY INTO THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, BRIDGING PHYSICAL YEARS. VERY

COMMON, WE DO IT EVERY YEAR. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY,

LINDSAY WITH THE ROLL CALL? >> COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR? COUNCILMEMBER WITTEN? DAWSON? GRISWOLD? COUNCILMEMBER

[9.b. FY2025 Budget. Unanimous consent necessary.]

>> YES. >> UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS

NECESSARY. >> I WILL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING AND HEARING NONE, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK -- I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO AMEND PAGE TWO, 3A, OUTSIDE AGENCIES. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT NUMBER TO 2,224,790. THIS NUMBER RIGHT NOW CURRENTLY READS 2,130,493. THIS IS A DIFFERENCE OF

$181,947. >>

>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. YES, I PAINTED THOSE OUT TO THE COUNCIL. YES. SO, I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AND A SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL ON

THAT? >> SO, THE DIFFERENCE OF THIS IS, INSTEAD OF LEVEL FUNDING, THERE'S A COUPLE AGENCIES THAT ASK FOR AN INCREASE. AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, THIS IS THE INCREASE REQUESTED FROM SEVERAL AGENCIES, CORRECT?

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT. >> AND JUST TO REMIND, THIS IS A ONE-YEAR BUDGET WE ARE APPROVING --

>> YES. >> THIS IS THE ONE YOUR BUDGET,

STARTS OCTOBER 1, GOES TO -- >> CHANGES ARE BEING IMPOSED ON FOLKS WITH IMPACTS TO RESOLUTIONS, TOURISM AND OTHER THINGS, CALCULATE AIRPORT, OTHER THINGS THAT CALCULATE OTHERWISE, THIS IS JUST STRAIGHTFORWARD, KIND OF OPERATING OF OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. MEGAN, THIS TIME DO WE TAKE A VOICE

VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT? >> IT'S ON THE AMENDMENT.

THAT'S FINE. >> LINDSAY, ROLL CALL ON THE

AMENDMENT? >> ADAMS? COUNCILMEMBER COBLENTZ? DAWSON? COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD? COUNCILMEMBER MOREMAN? COUNCILMEMBER PARSONS? COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR? COUNCILMEMBER WITTEN? MAYOR ANDERS?

>> YES. >> NOW DO WE REVERT BACK TO DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET AS AMENDED?

>> DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET AS AMENDED? ANY

THOUGHTS OR DISCUSSION? >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY MY GRATITUDE FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND EFFORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER AND HER STAFF IN PUTTING TOGETHER A VERY COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET, A VERY ROBUST BUDGET THAT SHOWS THE CITY IS OPERATING WITH A VERY SOUND FIDUCIARY PHILOSOPHY. -- AND EXECUTION. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR THOUGHTS?

>> I WOULD SECOND THAT AS WELL. I AGREE, GREAT WORK IN THE BUDGET. THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS.

>> AS I MENTIONED IN THE PAST, I WOULD APPRECIATE ONE MORE LEVEL OF DETAIL FOR THE BUDGET. I RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING IT APPROVED QUICKLY SO THE CITY CAN GET ON WITH DOING THEIR WORK. I WOULD PREFER MORE DETAIL , SO I WILL BE

ABSTAINING. >> OKAY. OKAY. WE WILL HAVE THE

[00:20:02]

>> COUNCILMEMBER WITTEN? ADAMS? COUNCILMEMBER COBLENTZ? DAWSON? GRISWOLD? COUNCILMEMBER MOREMAN? PARSONS, TAYLOR?

[10.a. Development agreement. CoBek Development LLC. The Vintage Expansion.]

>> YES. YES. >> RESOLUTIONS.

>> RESOLUTION 10 A1 AUTHORIZES AN AGREEMENT WITH COUNCILMEMBER COBLENTZ.

INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT UNIVERSITY DRIVE AND

STOKER STREET. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION SECONDED, ANY COMMENTS OR THOUGHTS? QUESTIONS?

>> HOW -- HOW IS THE VANTAGE EXPANDING? I COULDN'T FIND ANY DETAIL, NOT THAT IT'S RELEVANT --

>> THE MEMBER IN YOUR PACKET, THERE'S AN EXPANSION. THAT'S THE NAME OF THE DEVELOPMENT. IF YOU ARE ON UNIVERSITY DRIVE, AND YOU ARE STANDING AT THE PRIVATE DRIVEWAY THAT GOES TO THE APARTMENT COMPLEX, THE RESTAURANT AND ASSOCIATED OFFICES ARE ON YOUR LEFT. ON YOUR RIGHT, THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF USES THAT WERE APPROVED FROM TOWNHOUSES TO A BANQUET DRIVE-THROUGH. AND ANOTHER COMMERCIAL BUILDING THAT WILL SIT THERE. IT KIND OF RUNS FROM THERE TOWARD ROOSTERS. SO, IT'S ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT YOU APPROVED FROM THE MIXED-USE PERSPECTIVE. THIS IS NOW THE EXPANSION PIECE . TO THE CREDIT OF THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM, THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH STAFF FOR SOME TIME TO GET THIS DONE WHEN THE ORIGINAL VINTAGE BUILDINGS WERE DONE. THERE WAS A DESIRE TO GET A TRAFFIC SIGNAL HERE, BUT THE PROPERTY OWNER OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEX SITS WAY BACK OFF UNIVERSITY DRIVE, WAS NOT ALLOWING ACCESS TO DEVELOPMENT OFF THE PRIVATE DRIVEWAY. THAT HAS SINCE CHANGED. I WILL REMIND YOU WE HAVE FIRE STATION 4 ACROSS THE STREET ON STOKER STREET, AND OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEERS HERE, WE DO HAVE MORE ACCIDENTS THAN WE WOULD EVER WANT TO SEE AT THAT INTERSECTION. WE NEED THIS CORRECTED. AND IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE LONG BEEN WAITING FOR.

WITHOUT IT BEING A TRUE INTERSECTION WHERE WE HAVE PERMISSION, IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT HARD.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY, IS NOT THE RESTAURANT THAT'S EXPANDING?

>> CORRECT. IT'S JUST THE NAME OF THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT, MOTION AND SECOND, ALL

[12. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM.]

>> MAYOR, THOSE ARE ALL THE ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE HAVE FOR

YOU THIS EVENING. >> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD INTO CITIZENS OPEN FOR HIM. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS ON YOUR MIND. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL COME FORWARD. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. WE ASK THAT MR. WILKINS, YOU JUST WAIT ONE SECOND. I WILL LET YOU GO FIRST. WE ASK YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. BEFORE WE GET STARTED TONIGHT, I DO HAVE A STATEMENT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE AND TO READ. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ADDRESS THE OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY LAST NIGHT. WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE AND PROTECT THE CITY OF AUBURN. OFTEN THEY DO THAT AT GREAT PERSONAL RISK IN CIRCUMSTANCES MANY OF US CAN EVER IMAGINE. AS A STANDARD PROCEDURE, THE INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MANNER HAS BEEN TURNED OVER TO THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. OUR OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE COOPERATIVE WITH THAT INVESTIGATION. IT IS ALWAYS A GRAVE MATTER WHEN A LIFE IS LOST. AND SO, WE ARE VERY MINDFUL OF THE PAIN THE FAMILIES OF THOSE INVOLVED ARE FEELING IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, WE ARE WITH THEM. BASED ON THE ADVICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, IT HAS BEEN OUR LONG-STANDING PROCEDURE. WE WILL NOT COMMENT DIRECTLY ON THE FACTS OF THIS INCIDENT. BUT WE WILL ALLOW THE FACTS TO BE DEVELOPED AND REVIEWED AS PART OF A FORMAL INVESTIGATION. MR. WILKINS?

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ROBERT WILKINS, 261 DUSTIN DRIVE, AUBURN, ALABAMA. TONIGHT, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, NO PROPERTY TAX WOULD BE GREAT. OKAY. TONIGHT, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AND FELLOW ALABAMIANS SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRISIS IN ALABAMA, PHARMACY AND IF IT MANAGERS, KNOWN AS PBM'S. THEY ARE THE MIDDLEMAN IN THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG INDUSTRY.

THEY DON'T PRODUCE ANYTHING, THEY DON'T BUILD ANYTHING, THEY JUST DICTATE TO LOCAL PHARMACIES HOW MUCH THEY WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR FILLING A PRESCRIPTION FOR PHARMACY CUSTOMERS. YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIES ARE MORE THAN THE ONES FILLING THE PRESCRIPTION. THEY OFFER ADVICE. THEY ANSWER

[00:25:02]

APPROXIMATELY 300 INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES HAVE CLOSED WITHIN THE LAST SIX YEARS IN ALABAMA, CURRENTLY ABOUT 500 INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES REMAIN IN ALABAMA. THEIR ABILITY TO OPERATE IS AT RISK BECAUSE THE PBM'S FORCE THEM TO SIGN OPPRESSIVE OR DISSIPATION CONTRACTS TO BE ALLOWED INTO THE REIMBURSEMENT NETWORKS. PHARMACIES -- PHARMACIES HAVE GAG ORDERS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM DISCUSSING REASONS THEY CAN FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTION OR PRICING UNLESS THE CUSTOMER INITIATES THE CONVERSATION. AND EVEN THEN, THEY FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PBM THROWING THEM OUT OF THE NETWORK ANYWAY. SPREAD PRICING IS A PRACTICE WHERE PBM'S CHARGE THE INSURER A HIGHER PRICE -- I'M SORRY. I WILL GO BACK. IT CHARGES THE INSURER A HIGHER PRICE THAN IS REIMBURSED TO THE PHARMACY. SO THE PBM'S KEEP THE SPREAD DIFFERENCE. THEY ALSO HAVE CLAWBACKS. THAT IS WHERE THE PBM'S CAN COME BACK MONTHS AFTER THE FACT, AND THEY SAY THEY OVERPAID THE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE PHARMACY, THEY CLAWBACK AND EVEN TAKE MONEY BACK. A LOCAL PHARMACIST RECENTLY HAD SHARED THIS PBM NETWORK DID $150,000 CLAWBACK NINE MONTHS AFTER THE FACT. CAN YOU IMAGINE PAYING BACK SOMEBODY $150,000 SAYING YOU WERE OVERPAID? YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF SOME PBM'S LIKE CAREMARK WITH CBS, OR EXPRESS SCRIPTS, AND OPTIMUM AND ARE ASKED TO NAME A FEW.

YOU'VE ALSO PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT SOME PHARMACIES GOING OUT OF BUSINESS LIKE WINN-DIXIE, RITE AID, AND WALGREENS IS ACTUALLY STRUGGLING. PBM'S FAVOR SOME CHAIN STORES AND MAIL-ORDER SERVICES. A REAL LIKE -- REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE IS A CANCER DRUG THAT COSTS $50 AT A LOCAL PHARMACY LIKE COSTCO.

THEY COULD REIMBURSED $97. A LOCAL DRUGSTORE IN THE NETWORK LIKE CBS WOULD BE REIMBURSED $9000 WHILE THE MAIL-ORDER SERVICES WOULD BE REIMBURSED 19,000 --

>> THANK YOU, MR. WILKINS. >> CHANGE TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

>> SUSAN BOLT, 1188, UNIVERSITY DRIVE. THAT IS JUST RECAPPING WHAT ROBERT WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT WHERE THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES GET REIMBURSED $97. THE PREFERRED PROVIDER BY THE PBM'S GETS REIMBURSED 9000, THEN THE MAIL-ORDER PREFERRED BY THE PBM GETS $19,200. SO, THEY ARE EFFECTIVELY PUTTING THAT MONEY BACK IN THEIR POCKETS.

PHARMACIES ALSO -- NEXT . PHARMACIES ARE ALSO SCORED FOR REIMBURSEMENTS. PBM'S RIGHT IN THE PHARMACIES BASED ON HOW WELL THE CUSTOMERS TAKE THEIR MEDICINE. SO, IF A CUSTOMER IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY I STRETCHING THEIR PRESCRIPTION, THE PHARMACY MAY GET A LOWER RATING, AND THEREFORE, A LOWER PERCENTAGE REIMBURSEMENT, SO THEY ARE TASKED WITH ALSO POLICING THE CUSTOMERS TO TAKE THEIR MEDICINE AS PRESCRIBED.

CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY OF DRUG PRICING OR FAIR REIMBURSEMENTS. AND EMPLOYERS SUCH AS THE CITY OF AUBURN MAY RECEIVE A REBATE. BUT THE PBM'S DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION TO JUSTIFY THE COST OR THE REBATES. SO, THE PBM'S CAN KEEP PART OF THE REIMBURSEMENT WITHOUT HAVING TO SHOW ANY FINANCIAL DATA. JUST AN FYI, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD IS CONSIDERED A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE FINANCIALS EVEN WHEN REQUESTED. HOUSE BILL 238 WOULD HAVE CORRECTED MANY OF THESE ISSUES FOR THE LOCAL PHARMACIES, BUT IT WAS INDEFINITELY POSTPONED MAY 7TH OF THIS YEAR. IN THE MEANTIME, LOCAL PHARMACIES ARE HURTING FINANCIALLY WITH SOME BEING REIMBURSABLE WITH ACQUISITION COSTS, AND SOME ONLY MAKING $10 PER PRESCRIPTION FILLED. THIS ALL WHILE THE PREFERRED PBM PHARMACIES ARE FAVORED WITH HUGE REIMBURSEMENTS. A STUDY GROUP WAS MEETING AT THE STATEHOUSE THIS PAST THURSDAY TO DISCUSS THE TOPIC. FIVE PHARMACISTS FROM AROUND THE STATE SHOWED UP TO SIT IN AND LISTEN. THEY WERE MADE TO LEAVE THE ROOM. WHO WAS ALLOWED TO STAY, YOU ASK ? LOBBYISTS FROM BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA, CVS, ALABAMA FARMERS ASSOCIATION, AND OUR VERY OWN JOE LA VERNE. WHY THE SECRECY? WHY WAS THE PUBLIC REMOVED FROM THE ROOM? IN JULY OF 2024, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION RELEASED AN INTERIM STAFF REPORT THAT FOUND AND I QUOTE, THE PBM'S HOLD SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENCE OVER THE INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES BY IMPOSING UNFAIR, ARBITRARY AND HARMFUL

[00:30:01]

SO, WE ARE ASKING YOU TO TAKE ACTION, CALL YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES, THIS COULD AFFECT YOU, AND YOU BEING ABLE TO FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTION. WE ASK YOU TO CALL THE GOVERNOR, WE ASK FOR SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, ARKANSAS AND FIVE OTHER STATES HAVE ALREADY PASSED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES AND THEIR CUSTOMERS. I CHALLENGE YOU TO SPEAK TO YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST, AND ASK HOW THE PBM'S ARE AFFECTING THEM, BECAUSE IT WILL ULTIMATELY AFFECT YOU. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WHO WOULD BE NEXT?

>> MARTHA SHALE, 307 2 MILLION DRIVE. A CHRISTIAN HAS OBLIGATIONS TO GOVERNMENT, ST. PAUL TEACHES US IN ROMANS CHAPTER 13 THAT GOVERNMENT HAS LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY. , QUOTE, LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES. FOR THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD , AND THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY GOD. ST. PAUL SAYS, THE JOB OF GOVERNMENT IS TO PUNISH AND DETER EVILDOERS. HE SAYS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE GOD'S MINISTER. SO, Y'ALL ARE GOD'S MINISTER. Y'ALL ARE PART OF GOVERNMENT. CITY GOVERNMENT OF AUBURN, ALABAMA. THEY ARE AN AVENGER TO EXECUTE WRATH ON HIM WHO PRACTICES EVIL. IT IS THROUGH THE JUST PUNISHMENT OF EVIL THAT GOVERNMENT SERVES ITS FUNCTION. IT IS GOD'S PLAN OF HOLDING MAN IN CHECK. THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD.

THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY GOD. SO, WE AS CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THEM. JUSTIN WRITES, WE PRAY THAT YOU WITH YOUR OFFICIAL POWER AS MAYOR AND COUNCIL, YOU MAY BE FOUND TO ALSO POSSESS SOUND JUDGMENT. THIS MAYOR AND COUNCIL WERE APPOINTED BY GOD. I PLEAD WITH YOU TO USE YOUR RIGHTFUL POSITION. USE YOUR INFLUENCE. END-USER AUTHORITY FOR GOOD, TO HELP THE CHILDREN OF AUBURN. I APPEAL TO THE VIRTUES THAT YOU POSSESS. I BEG YOU TO USE IT FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS. CONSIDER TENDERLY THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, AND WHAT THEY SHOULD BE SEEING AT THE LIBRARY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> MY NAME IS ANOTHER MAC AND I LIVE AT 213 LEE DRIVE. LAST MONTH, I CAME UP HERE AND MENTIONED THE SITUATION WITH AND TO WHO IS THE CHOIR TEACHER AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. I WANTED TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION A LITTLE FURTHER TO THE COUNCIL, JUST SO YOU KNEW HOW IT UNFOLDED. A MOTHER WHO HAD A SON IN THE CHOIR CLASS LEARNED THEY WERE DOING AN ACTIVITY DURING SCHOOL THAT SHE FOUND INAPPROPRIATE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AGED STUDENTS. AND SO, SHE DECIDED TO LOOK INTO SETH, AND KIND OF SAY, WHO IS THIS GUY? WHO IS THIS PERSON? AND SHE FOUND WHERE HE MENTIONED IN A PODCAST THAT HE HAD NO ISSUE WITH PEOPLE TALKING TO CHILDREN BEHIND PARENTS BACKS ABOUT ISSUES OF SEXUALITY AND IDENTITY. HE EVEN WENT AS FAR TO SAY HE HAD NO ISSUE WITH STATE, WITH TELLING PEOPLE -- SOMEONE TELLING CHILDREN THAT THEY SHOULD ABANDON RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PARENTS IF THE DESIRED OUTCOME WAS NOT ENOUGH. AND PARENTS RAISED THE ISSUE TO THE SCHOOL BOARD OVER THIS. THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS TOTALLY SILENT. AND I THINK THEY SPOKE TO THEM FOR TWO MONTHS OVER THIS. ON THE SECOND MONTH, WHICH THE SCHOOL BOARD ATTENDED, THERE WAS A MALE TEACHER SUSPENDED FOR SPEAKING TOO LOUDLY AT YOUNGER MALE STUDENTS WHO ARE IN DOUBT -- ABOUT TO ENGAGE IN A FIGHT.

HE WAS SUSPENDED OVER HIS VOICE VOLUME. HOWEVER, THE SCHOOL BOARD ONCE AGAIN WAS SILENT ON THE ISSUE MANY PARENTS WERE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT. THAT IS JUST SOMETHING EVERYONE IS KIND OF NOTING. FURTHERMORE, THE SITUATION BEGS THE QUESTION OVER THE VETTING PROCESS FOR ANY SCHOOL, STAFF THAT HAS DIRECT CONTACT OR INFLUENCE OVER CHILDREN. WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM PREDATORS OR PREDATOR ENABLERS, A PERSON -- A PERSON'S PERSONAL LIFE IS JUST AS OPEN TO SCRUTINY AS WHAT IS IN THEIR PUBLIC RECORDS. ANY -- ANY

[00:35:07]

AND WHATEVER HIS PROFILE MAY BE IS EITHER -- IT EITHER WASN'T EVER THERE, OR IT WAS REMOVED. I FIND THIS CONCERNING BECAUSE TO ME, IT SHOWS A CONCERTED EFFORT TO EITHER, YOU KNOW, KIND OF COVER -- PUT UNDER THE RUG WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND

INAUDIBLE ] IS >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THEY WERE RECORDING THE MEETING.

>> SORRY. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT?

>> MY NAME IS HARRIET HUGGINS. I LIVE AT 631 SOUTH DEAN ROAD.

THIS IS -- SEPTEMBER IS LIBRARY MONTH. AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND COMMEND THE LIBRARY STAFF AT THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE RICH DIVERSITY OF NOT ONLY THEIR COLLECTION, BUT REFLECTING THE RICH DIVERSITY OF THIS COMMUNITY. I APPRECIATE IT ALL. IN ADDITION, I APPRECIATE THE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY. PARTICIPATED IN THE LOCAL AUTHORS PROGRAMS, AND IT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO MEET PEOPLE LIVING IN AUBURN AND DOING WELL IN THE LITERARY REALM. SO, THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THE FOLKS AT THE LIBRARY FOR THEIR HOSPITALITY AND WELCOMING, AND PROVIDING FOR US

A GREAT COLLECTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> HI. I AM DEBORAH BEALE, 802 TULLAHOMA DRIVE. I WANTED TO PARTICULARLY THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP THE MARCH. IT MEANS A LOT TO MY FAMILY. I HAVE A VETERAN WHO IS ON 100% DISABILITY. AND THAT ISSUE COMES UP WITH THOSE STRESSES, AS WELL AS WITH THE STRESSES CAUSED IN OTHER AREAS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS I'M INVOLVED IN. AND AS YOU HAVE WITNESSED TONIGHT, ALSO, THE LIBRARY, I WAS HERE TWO MONTHS AGO. NOW IT IS SEPTEMBER THROUGH OCTOBER LEARNING CHALLENGE WHERE YOU CAN READ AGAIN, LOG YOUR 1000 MINUTES, AND NOW THE WEATHER EVENTUALLY WILL START GETTING COOLER, COOLER, AND YOU CAN GET YOUR LITTLE HOODIE. AND SO, I WANTED TO REMIND YOU ALL OF THAT. BUT TODAY, I'M REALLY HERE TO TALK ABOUT PICKLE BALL IN THE CITY OF AUBURN. I USED TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT. AND I THOUGHT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN IT WERE IN A CULT. BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU ALL AGREE. AND THEN I STARTED PLAYING, YES, IT IS A CULT, AND I AM A MEMBER NOW. SO -- AND -- AND I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR THREE YEARS. AND WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING ON THOSE PACKED COURTS, AND OUT IN THE SUN. AND WE ARE SO EXCITED. WE KNOW IT'S STILL GOING TO BE A COUPLE MONTHS UNTIL WE CAN GET ON THE COURTS.

BUT THIS WEEKEND, THERE WERE 33 PEOPLE OUT THERE FROM 7:30 UNTIL 10:00 TO PLAY ON THE 20 AVAILABLE SPOTS ON THE COURTS WE HAVE NOW THAT ARE ALL CRACKED UP. AND LABOR DAY, AGAIN, 7:30 UNTIL 10:00, THERE WERE 33 PEOPLE OUT THERE TO PLAY. SO THAT IS FIVE COURTS, FOUR SPOTS, 20 SPOTS, AND THERE'S ALL THESE PEOPLE WAITING TO PLAY. AND WE ARE THERE THAT EARLY BECAUSE IT IS HOT. IN THE COVERED COURTS WILL MAKE OUR LIVES SO MUCH BETTER NEXT YEAR. WE APPRECIATE THE MONEY YOU GAVE TOWARDS THAT. -- AND ALLOCATED ARE FUNDS THAT WAY. AND THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY.

>> THANK YOU. >> IT SEEMS LIKE THE PART -- THE PARTS WILL HAVE A SIGN UP. WHO WILL BE NEXT? OKAY, WE WILL CLOSE THESE COMMUNICATIONS. ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO ADD BEFORE WE ADJOURN?

>> YES, MR. MAYOR. I WANTED TO RESPOND TO MR. TIMBERLAKE WHEN HE APPEARED BEFORE THIS BODY TWO WEEKS AGO. HE -- I BELIEVE HE STATED SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT HE FELT THERE WERE 25% LGBTQ PLUS CONTENT IN THE TEENS NONFICTION SECTION OF THE LIBRARY. AND IT PROMPTED ME TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONTENT. AND I KNOW THAT IN 2023, THIS COUNSEL, ALL OF US

[00:40:01]

WITH REGARDS TO THE NONFICTION TEEN SECTION, THERE ARE SOME TITLES THAT HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE TEEN SECTION FROM YOUNGER READERS. -- I BELIEVE AT THE REQUEST OF THE PUBLIC. SO, THAT CONTENT DOES NOT MAKE 3% IN THE TEEN SECTION. I WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY OF THAT -- THE DEGREE OF CONTENT IN OUR LIBRARY IS REFLECTED ON OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE? MR. BOLT? MR. WILKINS? I APPRECIATE YOUR BRINGING UP THE ISSUE ABOUT PBM'S. I THINK IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF. WE HAVE THREE WONDERFUL INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. I KNOW ALL THREE OF THEM ARE STRUGGLING GREATLY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. IT IS SOMETHING I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT , AND CONSIDER CALLING A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, AND EXPRESSING YOUR VIEWS ON THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING UP THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> ELSE?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.