[00:00:01]
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE? IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE
[1. CALL TO ORDER.]
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. >> WE ADJOURN.
>> WE MOVE INTO OUR REGULAR AGENDA. CERTAINLY WELCOME THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WITH US TONIGHT FOR THE MARCH 18TH AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING. WELCOME THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING TO US ON WANI RADIO AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING THROUGH OUR STREAMING
>> HERE. >> WOULD YOU RISE FOR THE PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE PUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> THANK YOU, PLEASE BE SEATED.
[4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS. ]
>> EARLIER TONIGHT DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE THE CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED KAITLIN ALLEN TO A LIBRARY BOARD WHICH IS RIGHT AT THE YEAR. WE APPRECIATE MR. CERTAINING AND WISH HIM WELL AS MOVING FORWARD. WE ALSO HAD INFORMATION ABOUT PROTOCOL THAT WILL BE TAKEN UP SOON. THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9. THEN COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD ASKED FOR TIME TO PRESENT THOSE PROJECTS IN AND OUT OF THE NEXT HEARING WHICH I BELIEVE IS APRIL 1ST. IN TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENTS I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT A GREAT GREAT PROGRAM. THE EMPTY BOWLS PROGRAM IS FRIDAY NIGHT. WE ARE HOSTING IT HERE THIS YEAR IN AUBURN. AND THERE'LL BE SOME BEAUTIFUL CERAMIC BOWLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY FOLKS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALL THE MONEY THAT YOU PAID FOR THOSE BOWLS WILL GO STRAIGHT TO OUR FOOD BANK AND IT'S A GREAT FUNDRAISER AND A FUN TIME AND I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE. BARK IN THE PARK IS ALSO COMING UP THIS SATURDAY FROM 9:00 TO 2:00. ALYSSON WHERE IS THAT BEING HELD AT? KIESEL, KIESEL PARK AND THERE WILL BE ADOPTIONS AVAILABLE. AND WE ASK YOU TO PUT OUT THE TRASH THAT YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT OUT. AND I FUMBLED TALKING ABOUT THE LAKE MOORE OPENING, I WANT TO SAY I'M SORRY. AND I ASKED OUR PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR IF SHE WOULD JUST GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING UP IN LAKE MOORE SO WE GET IT ON RECORD.
>> GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING.
>> YES, WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY WE OPENED YESTERDAY FOR THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD FOR LAKE WILMORE SO LAKE WILMORE IS OPEN, THE WALKING TRACK, THE POOL. WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE COME THROUGH THE DOORS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, WE'VE BEEN EXCITED TO SEE THEM.
WE'VE BEEN GIVING TOURS, ANSWERS QUESTIONS AND THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND CHECK OUT THE FACILITY.
SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED. >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> SORRY FOR THE SURPRISE.
>> THAT'S OKAY. >> ANYONE ELSE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE? YES, SIR MR.
GRISWOLD. >> I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ONE OF OUR YOUNG CITIZENS. JACK PARSONS, THE SON OF OUR COUNCILMAN BOB PARSONS HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO AND ACCEPTED BY THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY. AND SO, WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR HIM. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH JACK AND TO YOU BOB FOR RAISING A FINE
YOUNG MAN. >> APPRECIATE THAT. VERY PROUD.
>> CONGRATULATIONS BOB, THAT'S AWESOME.
>> I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY OF THE COMMUNITY WARD 1 MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT MARCH 24TH AT THE BARKLAND COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE PUBLIC IS INVITED. OUR SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER WILL BE MAYOR RON ANDERS.
>> YOU'LL HAVE TO BRING EXTRA CHAIRS FOR THAT ONE.
>> THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. >> I WAS DRIVING HERE TONIGHT AND I SAW FOUR SIGNS POPPING UP ON OLD MILL ROAD. THE NATURE OF THE SIGNS WAS TO ADVERTISE A CAMPAIGN CALLED LOVE MY BLOCK.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY STAFF FOR UNDER TAKING AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ANNUAL TIMES THIS HAS BEEN DONE, BUT IT USED TO BE KNOWN FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP PROJECT. AND WE'LL RUN THIS YEAR FROM 31 MARCH UNTIL 4 APRIL. AND EACH YEAR A DIFFERENT SECTION OF THE CITY IS CHOSEN
[00:05:03]
AND THIS YEAR THE AREA IS THE NORTHEAST PORTION OF WARD 5.WHICH INCLUDES LAKE VIEW DRIVE, EAST MAGNOLIA, NORTH GREEN STREET, MCKINLEY AVENUE AND OLD MILL ROAD. THE CITY WILL BE WORKING IN SEVERAL DISCIPLINED OR AREAS THAT MAY BE AND MAY BE STARRING THEIR WORK PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE FOCUS DATES AND LETTERS WILL BE MAILED TO RESIDENTS AND I UNDERSTAND DOOR TAGS WILL BE PUT UP AND SIGNS WILL BE ADVERTISING THE EVENT.
THEY'LL BE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING FROM POTHOLES TO STREET SIGNS TO DEAD TREES TO STREET MARKINGS AND THE PAINTING OF FIRE HYDRANTS. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US AS A NEIGHBORHOOD TO PLEASE ASSIST THE CITY IN ANY WAY YOU CAN IN THIS EFFORT AND THANKS TO THE CITY STAFF FOR WORKING ON THIS. AND THE SPRING CLEANING EFFORT OF THE VILLAGE OF THE PLAIN KNOWN AS LOVE MY BLOCK. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO WHOEVER IS DRIVING THIS I
[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]
APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU, SONNY. ANYONE ELSE. OKAY. UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.
>> HEY GOOD AFTERNOON. THERE'S NOT MUCH GOING ON RIGHT NOW AT AUBURN AS WE COME BACK FROM SPRING BREAK. A LOT OF LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ARE STILL TRANSITIONING. BUT FOR SGA, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT POSITIONS WERE ANNOUNCED RIGHT BEFORE SPRING BREAK AND THEN DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITIONS WILL HAVE INTERVIEWS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK AND THOSE POSITIONS WILL BE FINALIZED NEXT WEEK. THAT WILL BE REAL EXCITED BECAUSE SGA TERMS AND POSITIONS WILL ALL BE FILLED FOR THE 2025-2026 YEAR AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO START ON PROJECTS AND WHAT NOT FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR.
AND THEN SGA IS HOSTING AN OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT FOR ANY STUDENT TO JUST COME ON IN AND ASK QUESTIONS AND EXPRESS THEIR INTEREST AND MAYBE APPLYING FOR DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITIONINGS. THANK YOU, AND GO EAGLE.
>> GO EAGLE. AT THIS TIME WE'LL OPEN UP FOR CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS FOR ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. THIS IS ONLY ON ITEMS FOR TONIGHT'S AGENDA. I WILL SAY SPEAK TO THE ITEM NUMBER 9 THE ORDNANCE DOES HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ATTACHED IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT THAT PLEASE HOLD YOUR COMMENTS UNTIL THAT TIME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA NOW WOULD BE THE TIME. I ASK THAT YOU COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME
[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS. ]
AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES. OKAY[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.]
SEEING NO ONE. WE'LL MOVE AHEAD. CITY MANAGERSCOMMUNICATION. >> I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO COMMUNICATE AT THIS TIME. WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROCEED TO THE
>> ITEM 8 IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. WOULD ANYONE WANT TO REMOVE ANY ITEM AND CONSIDER THAT SEPARATELY. SEEING NO ONE, IS
THERE MOTION TO CONCEDE. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
[9.a. Zoning Ordinance text amendment. Amend Article III, Section 304 Planned Unit Development & Article V, Section 504 Planned Unit Developments. Planning Commission recommendation. Unanimous consent necessary. Public hearing required. Postponed from January 23, 2025.]
>> AYE. >> ANY POSED AND THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. ORDNANCES, UNDER ORDNANCES ITEM 9A IS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ORDNANCE TO ARTICLE 3, SECTION 504 AND 505 FOR PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS. RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AND IT IS DECEMBER 12, 2024 MEETING. THIS ITEM WAS POSTPONED FROM THE CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 23RD MEETING. A VOTE ON THE MOTION FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY FOR OUR PROCEEDING AND THEN A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> ORDNANCE AND ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. DOES ANYONE IN THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM ON THE VOTE THIS EVENING? OKAY. DO WE NEED TO TAKE A ROLE CALL ON THAT, SCOTT. OKAY. HEARING NONE. WE'LL MOVE AHEAD. MR. COMINGS.
>> SO AT THIS TIME THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> SO WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK
TO THE CITY COUNCIL. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
>> SEEING NO ONE WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO, OKAY. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE COUNCIL CONSIDER TWO AMENDMENTS. THE FIRST AMENDMENT THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT I WILL READ STRAIGHT FROM OUR MEMORANDUM HERE. THIS AMENDMENT TO ITEM 505.05 AND THIS IS TO CODIFY
[00:10:03]
PUDS AS REZONING THAT RUN WITH THE LAND AND THIS AMENDMENTS ALSO PROVIDE PUD. THIS AMENDMENT READS AS THE FOLLOWING, APPROVED PUD SUBSEQUENT TRANSACTION AND SALES THAT TAKE PLACE ON LAND WITHIN AN APPROVED PUD ARE STILL BOUND BY THE PUD. MEANS TO TERMINATE AND APPROVE PUD ARE OUTLINED IN SECTION 505.08 OF>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. OKAY. DO WE NEED TO DO A ROLE CALL ON THIS.
>> YES. >> AT THIS TIME WE WILL HAVE A
ROLE CALL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT. >> MOREMAN.
>> YES. >> THE SECONDS AMENDMENT I WILL READ AS THE FOLLOWING ADD PUD TO ACCOMPANY PDD CONCERNING EXPIRATION OF THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN. AND INSERT AT THE END OF THE PARAGRAPH IN QUOTES ANYONE WHO PURCHASES PROPERTY SUBJECT TO A PUD MAY PETITION THE CITY TO TERMINATE THE PUD. THE PETITION SHALL INCLUDE A REQUEST TO REZONE PROPERTY. SUCH PETITION SHALL BE HEARD BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL CONCERNING THE REQUEST. SUCH PETITIONS SHALL BE EVALUATED UNDER THE CITY'S REZONING CRITERIA, END QUOTE.
>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT, HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
>> IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM HOW WE HANDLE PDDS? I KNOW IT'S PDD IS AN OVERLAY AND THIS IS A ZONING SITUATION. SO IS THAT WHY THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN THOSE TWO THINGS.
>> YES. AND SO, WITH THE REZONING TO PUD THAT WOULD RUN FOR YOU KNOW 24 MONTHS AND IT COULD EXPIRE AT THAT POINT.
HOWEVER SOMEONE MADE A PURCHASE ON THE LAND BEFORE THAT TIME EXPIRED THEY WANTED TO TAKE ACTION TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND NOT CONTINUE THE PUD. THEY COULD GO AHEAD AND PETITION BEFORE THAT TIME OR THEY COULD LET IT EXPIRE.
>> IF THE PUD WAS SATISFIED. LIKE THEY HANDLED ALL THE TRANSACTIONS AND SAY IT'S THREE YEARS LATER AND SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THE LAND. IS THERE A REASON TO TWO AND CANCEL THE PUD OR THERE'S NO REASON TO DO THAT, RIGHT.
>> THERE WOULD NOT BE, NO. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY, WE'LL HAVE A VOICE VOTE ON THIS
AMENDMENT. ALYSSON. >> ARSONS.
>> YES. >> SO AT THIS TIME, YOU CAN ENTERTAIN ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION OR AMENDMENTS AND THEN YOU PROCEED BACK TO VOTING FOR THE ORDNANCE AS A WHOLE.
>> AS A WHOLE. >> AS AMENDED WITH THESE TWO
ACTIONS. >> I GOT YOU. THANK YOU SCOTT.
ANY OTHER FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING WHERE WE STAND WITH THE PUD BEFORE WE VOTE?
>> MR. MAYOR, IF I MAY ASK A QUESTION EXCLUSIONS OF RURAL AND NC. I WOULD LIKE TO GET A LITTLE FURTHER CLARIFICATION OR PUT THAT ON THE PUBLIC RECORD WHY WE'RE EXCLUDING THOSE AT THIS TIME. AND IF THERE'S CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO INCLUDING THOSE AT SOME OTHER TIME AS WE SEE HOW THIS GOES
WITH THE PUD ORDNANCE. >> I CAN ASK OUR PLANNING
DIRECTOR COTTON TO ADDRESS THAT. >> THANK YOU. SO THE THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND EXCLUDING TO SHOW THE PUD TO SHOW AND PROVE THEY CAN BE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY AND THEY WILL NOT BE USED TO CANNIBALIZE. REALLY GIVE THEM A TEST RUN AND KIND OF SEE HOW THEY PLAY OUT. ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY WAS THAT THIS WAS, THAT THIS ORDNANCE ISN'T GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE IN STONE. SOMETHING THAT CAN IDENTIFY PLACES WHERE THINKS NEED TO BE CLEANED UP. IF WE REVIEW IT AND Y'ALL ARE COMFORTABLE OPENING IT UP TO NC RULE AT ANOTHER LATER DATE.
IT'LL BE UNDER REVIEW BUT I THINK THE INTENTION WAS TO ALLOW THE FIRST YEAR TO SERVE AS A TEST ONE AND IMPROVE HOW THIS
WILL IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS.
>> YES, SIR MR. GRISWOLD. >> JUST A CLARIFICATION. WHEN YOU WERE READING THE ORDNANCE INTRODUCING ORDNANCE YOU SAID
[00:15:03]
SECTION 504 AND 505, I DON'T THINK THE ORIGINAL ORDNANCE INCLUDES SECTION 505. THE AMENDMENT ONE DOES. BUT JUST FOR THE RECORD. SINCE WE'RE ON TAPE AND EVERYTHING. MAKE SURE THATWE CORRECTLY STATE THE ORDNANCE. >> OKAY. YES, I WANTED TO INCLUDE THAT BECAUSE IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE AMENDMENTS. YES.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'VE DONE ON THIS DIRECTOR COTTON. I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO THE TOOL BOX FOR THIS CITY. IT OFFERS A LITTLE BIT OF FLEXIBILITY FROM THE CITY AND DIRECTORS. I THINK IT WAS, VERY PLEASED WITH THE WAY IT'S
COMING OUT. THANKS A LOT. >> I CONQUER WITH YOU MR. PARSONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR STAFF AND Y'ALL'S HARD WORK ON THIS AND CERTAINLY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND ALL THEIR EFFORTS. THE STAKE HOLDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT CAME AND PROVIDED SOME INPUT AS WELL.
HOPEFULLY THIS REFLECTS A GOOD. WE HAVE EXCELLENT IDEAS FLOATING AROUND THIS TOWN AND HOPEFULLY THIS GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE SOME OF THOSE IDEAS. SO, LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING IT GET TO WORK HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH BOB.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF, ANYONE ELSE.
>> AT THIS TIME WE'LL TAKE A ROLE CALL VOTE MR. COMINGS ON THE ZONING ORDNANCE TEXT AMENDMENT AS WELL AS THE AMENDS
THAT WE OFFER TONIGHT. >> WE NEED TO MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE WITH AMENDMENTS.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE WITH BOTH AMENDMENTS.
[10.a.1. Barge Design Solutions, Inc. Execute Task Order ENG 01-2025. East University Drive Culvert Replacement at Summertrees Drive. $315,000.]
>> YES. >> ON THE RESOLUTIONS ITEM 10-1 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO INTRODUCE A SPECIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR DESIGN AND INSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE CULVERT REPLACEMENT AT SUMMERS EVE DRIVE IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000. THE RESOLUTION FURTHER AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL 10% OF THE CONTRACT AMOUNT AT $35,400 FOR UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.
[10.a.2. Lee County Highway Department. Intergovernmental Funding Agreement. Roundabout construction at the intersection of Society Hill Road (Lee Rd 54) & Moores Mill Road (Lee Rd 146). $500,000.]
>> ANY QUESTIONS. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED. AND THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 10A2, A RESOLUTION TO FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH LEE COUNTY FOR A JOINT PROJECT AT SOCIETAL ROAD. THIS FUNDING WAS INTRODUCED TO CITY COUNCIL AT THE BUDGET DISCUSSION AND IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE FY2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. THIS AGREEMENT WAS APPROVED BY LEAGUE COUNTY COMMISSION AT HIS FEBRUARY 2425
MEETING. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY QUESTIONS. THOUGHTS, COMMENTS. LOOK FORWARD TO THIS PROJECT.
GETTING DONE. >> HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IS JUST OUR CONTRIBUTION, IT'S A GOOD DEAL MORE THAN THAT.
>> IT WILL BE CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN THAT AS OUR CONTRIBUTION,
SO. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
[12. CITIZENS' OPEN FORUM.]
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED. AND THAT MOTION
CARRIES. >> THAT'S ALL THE ITEMS WE HAVE
ON THE AGENDA. >> THIS TIME WE'LL OPEN UP CITIZEN'S OPEN FORUM. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING THAT MAYBE ON YOUR MIND. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE ADDRESS YOUR COMMENTS TO THE
COUNCIL. YES, SIR. >> GOOD EVENING STEVE CROSGROVE WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL DAY. WE WERE SPARED MOTHER NATURE SPARED US THIS PAST WEEKEND. BUT 52 OF THE 67 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WERE REALLY AFFECTED. SOME OF THEM, MORE SO THAN OTHERS. AND OTHERS, PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY TOO. IT'S JUST AMAZING HOW THAT HAPPENS. I WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE AND SAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. BEING AROUND TOWN CASUALLY AND ALSO BUSINESS WISE AND SO FORTH. JUST THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU
[00:20:02]
ALL HAVE ENGAGED AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTING AND YOU'RE CREATING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR TIME AND ALL THAT. I KNOW EVERY ONE OF YOU IS BUSY. EVERY ONE OF YOU IS BUSY.YOU HAVE PERSONAL LIVES, FAMILY LIVES. YOU HAVE WORK LIVES. AND I REAL REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF AUBURN. IT'S JUST AMAZING, EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON. REALLY, I WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON HOW CIVIL YOU HANDLE YOURSELF. MY FIRST CITY COUNCIL, I THINK JAY HAYGOOD WAS MAYOR. I THINK HE WAS. THEN JIM DEMPSEY. AND SEVERAL, BILL HAM AND SEVERAL WITH ANDERS. BUT OVERWHELMINGLY THE BODY OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND LEADERS HAVE JUST BEEN A REALLY EXCELLENT EXAMPLE FOR CIVILITY AND REALLY DECENCY. I WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU ALYSSON ON YOUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY. BUT BECKY HAS HANDED DOWN THE BATON AND YOU TOOK IT AND YOU HAVE REALLY GOOD THINGS GOING. GOOD JOB. I'M PROUD OF YOU. BUT I JUST WANTED TO BASICALLY TELL YOU THANKS. AND I DON'T NEED TO TAKE UP THE FULL THREE MINUTES BUT, IF EVER I CAN PITCH IN IN ANY WAY. I'M VERY PROUD OF MYSELF WHERE I LIVE JUST TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL BEING AND GOODNESS OF THAT COMMUNITY. ALL RIGHT. GIVE YOU A SPECIAL HUG. I ALWAYS DO THIS TO TOMMY, PUT HIM ON THE SPOT.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOLKS. REALLY
APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> ROBERT WILKINS DENSON DRIVE AUBURN, ALABAMA. BOB I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR SON. MAYBE IN ABOUT 20 YEARS HE WILL DO THE SAME THING. I JUST SAW THE ASTRONAUTS COME DOWN AND GET OUT OF THE CAB. SO IT WAS PRETTY COOL. AND I CONGRATULATE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT. >> OUR UNDER PAID COUNCIL. I THINK YOU'RE UNDER PAID. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LOVELIEST VILLAGE ON THE PLAIN. THE PRESENT AND PAST CITY MEMBERS OF AUBURN HAVE ALLOWED THE BUREAUCRATS, COMMERCIAL DEVELOPERS AND AUBURN UNIVERSITY GROWTH TO DESTROY THE CHARACTER OF THIS CITY WHILE IGNORING SERIOUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ADEQUATE NUMBER OF YOUTH FACILITIES, DESTRUCTION OF MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. DEVELOP MANUFACTURING JOBS FOR ALL SKILLS AND MUCH MORE. OUR DOWNTOWN IS BEING DESTROYED FOR OUR INNER WOVEN STUDENT HOUSING COMPLEX. THIS HOUSING COMPLEX REMINDS ME OF ASPEN TREES.
ASPENS CAN FORM LARGE GROVE WHERE IS THE INDIVIDUAL TREES ARE CONNECTED BY THEIR ROOTS CREATING A COMMUNITY OF CLONES.
AT THE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AND VARIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS MAYOR ANDERS SAYS THIS CITY HAS A 600 PLUS FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AND 300 PART TIME EMPLOYEES WITH OVER 870 VEHICLES IN ITS FLEET.
IF WE CAN PAY OUR CITY MANAGER NEARLY $21,000 PER MONTH WITH 800 MONTHLY CAR ALLOWANCE, WHILE 60 OF THE CITY HIERARCHY ARE GETTING PAID 16, 1,800 SURELY WE CAN PAY OUR CITY COUNCIL MORE THAN $600 PER MONTH. THE CITY COUNCIL HAS MORE RESPONSIBILITIES THAN TURNING OPEN LAND INTO HOUSES AND BUILDINGS, PAVING NEW ROADS, PASSING ORDNANCE, IMPROVING NEW NEIGHBORHOODS. AUBURN IS NO LONGER A VILLAGE BUT A GREWING CITY THAT NEEDS CREATIVE VISION TO ITS NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL. WE ARE NOT PROPERTLY UTILIZING THE ENORMOUS GIFT OF FUNDING OF THIS CITY AND THE TALENT. CITY MANAGERS IS SUPPOSED TO CONTROL THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES. BUT YOU THE CITY COUNCIL NEED TO BECOME FULLY, FULL TIME NOT PART TIME, IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VISION AND FUTURE OF AUBURN WITH THE BACKING OF ITS CITIZENS.
THIS WOULD CREATE BETTER COMPETITION DURING THE ELECTION PROCESS. WHILE GIVING BETTER ATTENTION TO THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF
AUBURN CITIZENS. THANK YOU. >> NEXT. ANYONE?
[11. OTHER BUSINESS.]
[00:25:08]
>> OKAY WE'LL CLOSE THE CITIZENS OPEN FORUM. ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAVE FINAL COMMENT. ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE TO SAY.
>> IN WARD ONE THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION GOING ON ON BREY AVENUE, RICHARDLAND ROAD, WHEN I COME THROUGH IN THE MORNING TIMES TRAFFIC IS REALLY, REALLY HEAVY. AND VERY CONGESTED IN THAT AREA. SO I'M JUST, WHAT I'M JUST ASKING EVERYBODY TO DO IS JUST BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU'RE TRAVELING ALONG WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION GOING ON, BECAUSE YOU MAY GET UP ONE MORNING AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DIGGING A HOLE IN THE ROAD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. TRY TO LEAVE HOME EARLY ENOUGH TO GET TO WORK ON TIME. IF YOU WORK AT TUSKEGEE DON'T BE LATE TO WORK. I APPRECIATE THE WORK BECAUSE IT'S LOOKING A WHOLE LOT BETTER.
>> IMPROVEMENT IS MESSY SOMETIMES.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S THE RESULTS ARE WORTH IT.
>> IN TODAY'S MARKET YOU HAVE TO PAY TO BE COMPETITIVE AND HAVE THE BEST WORKING FOR YOUR CITY. I THINK WE DO HAVE A FINE BUNCH OF PEOPLE WORKING FOR US. AUBURN IS ONE OF THE RARE PLACES THAT IS GROWING LIKE IT'S GROWING BUT THE CRIME IS TRENDING DOWNWARD. THAT'S NOT ACCIDENTAL. EVERYBODY PLAYS A ROLE ON THAT. I WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE WHAT OUR CITY STAFF DOES. ALONG WITH OUR CITY MANAGER. I WISH WE COULD PAY HIM
MORE. >> CHIEF THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF ARTICLES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT UP ABOUT GROWTH IN THE STATE.
AND WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IN EAST ALABAMA IS NOT A SURPRISE TO US BUT THE DATA SHOWS WE'RE IN THE TOP TWO OR THREE FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN ALABAMA. PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE FOR A REASON.
ONE OF THE REASONS IS I THINK THE EXCELLENT JOB OF OUR STAFF.
WHAT WE DO FOR OUR CITIZENS AND HOW HARD WE WORK. JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE COORDINATION AND PREPARATION TO HANDLE WHATEVER MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN OVER THE WEEKEND, WAS TOPNOTCH.
AND THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMUNICATION GOING ON AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN READY FOR THE WORSE IF IT HAD HAPPENED. THANK
GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN THAT WAY. >> EXACTLY.
>> BUT I AM THANKFUL FOR THE WORK THAT OCCURS IN THIS TOWN EVERY DAY. I'M THANKFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.