[1. CALL TO ORDER.]
[00:00:09]
>>> WE'LL CALL TO ORDER TONIGHT'S AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR JUNE 3, 2025.
WE WELCOME THOSE THAT HAVE JOINED US HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. WE ALSOWELCOME THOSE THAT ARE LISTENING ON WANI OR THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING THROUGH OUR
STREAMING SERVICES. >> ROLE CALL?
>> 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.]
>> PLEASE BE SEATED. IT IS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE MONTH, AND SO AT THIS TIME, WE'RE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AS WELL AS OTHER OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR SERVICE AWARDS.
>> CITY OF AUBURN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, AND I HAVE A MEMORANDUM HERE FROM ALFRED DAVIS.
IT IS WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM THAT I NOMINATE TREVA -- FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. SHE'S ESSENTIAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES TEAM AND MADE A LASTING, POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. HER WORK ETHIC, COMPASSION, AND COMMITMENT TO ETHICS SET HER APART AS A TRULY OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE. HER APPROACH TO HER JOB IS NOTHING SHORT OF EXCEPTIONAL. SHE CONSISTENTLY GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND ENSURING THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL SHE ASSISTS FEELS HEARD, VALUED, AND SUPPORTED. WHETHER SHE IS COORDINATING COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS, ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS IN NEED, OR WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO IMPROVE SERVICES, SHE TACKLES EVERY TASK WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. HER ABILITY TO REMAIN PATIENT AND RESOURCEFUL EVEN IN CHALLENGING SITUATIONS SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT HER CHARACTER AND DEDICATION. BEYOND HER TECHNICAL SKILLS AND JOB PERFORMANCE, SHE BRINGS INSPIRING ENERGY TO THE WORKPLACE. SHE FOSTERS A SENSE OF TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION, ALWAYS WILLING TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO HER COLLEAGUES. HER PASSION MOTIVATES THOSE AROUND HER TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE AS WELL.
SHE EMBODIES THE VALUES OF OUR ORGANIZATION, AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR TEAM IN COUNTLESS WAYS. FOR ALL THESE REASONS AND MORE, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT TREVA IS MORE THAN DESERVING OF THIS RECOGNITION. SHE EXEMPLIFIES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DEDICATED AND COMPASSIONATE PUBLIC SERVANT, AND I CAN'T THINK OF A MORE FITTING RECIPIENT FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
CONGRATULATIONS. WE APPRECIATE YOU.
>>> THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES FOR YOUR GREAT WORK.
TREVA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FOR BEING OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR SERVICE AWARDS, AND CERTAINTY TO CANDYCANDY WE WISH HER THE BEST IN HER RETIREMENT. THE CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED WILLIAM HUGHES TO THE INDIAN PINES PUBLIC PARK AUTHORITY. AND THEN THE CITY MANAGER ALSO DISCUSSED AN UPCOMING PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT AND THAT SHORTENED TIMELINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE AVAILABLE, WHICH IS THROUGH THE 23RD OF THIS MONTH. UNDER ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR STAFF, IN PARTICULAR OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF FOR A GREAT MEMORIAL
[00:05:04]
DAY BREAKFAST A WEEK AGO MONDAY, YESTERDAY.IT WAS UNIQUE AND WELL PLANNED AND HAD SOME GREAT GENTLEMEN THAT WERE HONORED.
THE CEREMONY WAS ME ROBL AS WELL, AND I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT WENT INTO THAT. TOMORROW WE'RE EXCITED THAT THE NEW COCA- COLA SALES AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITY WILL HAVE ITS RIBBON CUTTING AT 9:00 IN THE MORNING, AND WE'RE PROUD TO BE THE HOME OF COCA-COLA.
IT'S A GREAT NAME AND GREAT BRAND TO HAVE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE GREAT JOBS THEY BRING TO AUBURN AND GREAT SERVICE THEY'LL BRING TO AUBURN. WE'LL REMIND EVERYONE THIS WEEKEND IS A BUSY WEEKEND STARTING FRIDAY NIGHT WITH SUMMER NIGHTS THAT WILL BEGIN DOWNTOWN AT 6:00.
WE CERTAINLY WANT TO REMIND OUR COMMUNITY THAT DOWNTOWN WILL BE CLOSING EARLY.
SO, IF YOU'VE GOT TO GET SOMEWHERE DOWNTOWN, MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT EARLY IN THE DAY FRIDAY.
IT'S ONE OF OUR SPECIAL NIGHTS WE HAVE DURING THE SUMMER WHERE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY CAN COME TOGETHER AND HANG OUT IN DOWNTOWN.
AND IF YOU HAVE BASEBALL TICKETS, YOU CAN PLAY IN THE PARK. WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT COACH THOMPSON AND THE TEAM HOSTING THE REGIONAL GAMES THIS WEEKEND. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THEY'VE INVITED MYSELF TO COME OVER AND ADDRESS THEIR WORK SESSION THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
AND IT'S AN HONOR TO BE PART OF THEIR MEETING.
I'M THANKFUL THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT GOES ON IN THE CITY THAT HOUSES THEIR UNIVERSITY AND THEIR STUDENTS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO TELLING THEM THE THINGS GOING ON IN AUBURN THE LAST YEAR.
ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO ADD? YES, SIR?
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW BETWEEN NOW AND OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT CELEBRATION, UNITED STATES ARMY WILL HAVE 250 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE NATION ON THE 14TH.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT SUPPORTS THE MILITARY, WHETHER IT WILL ARMY OR THE OTHER SERVICES, AS WELL AS THOSE THAT SUPPORT OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.
SO, PLEASE KEEP THEM ALL IN YOUR HOPES AND YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT THEM WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COLONEL GRISWOLD.
APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AS WELL? YES, MA'AM, MS. CONNIE?
>> I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE NEXT WEEKEND IS GOING TO BE A BUSY WEEKEND.
WE HAVE OUR HOLIDAY COMING UP FOR JUNETEENTH THURSDAY, AND WE'LL HAVE THE AUBURN JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION HERE.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE PARADE NEXT SATURDAY ON THE 14TH. AND WE'LL BE MARCHING FROM -- TO DRAKE SCHOOL. AND THE LINEUP BEGINS AT 8:30. THE PARADE WILL START EXACTLY AT 10:00 A.M. SO, I'M ASKING THE PUBLIC TO PLEASE COME OUT AND CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT THE PARADE THIS YEAR.
AND THEN THE EVENT WILL BE SUNDAY, THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND, AND IT WILL BE AT -- PARK AND IT STARTS FROM 2:00 TO 6:00 P.M. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED. EVERYBODY IS INVITED.
SO, COME OUT AND SUPPORT JUNETEENTH.
>> YES, MR. MAYOR. I WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT WE'RE TWO OR THREE DAYS INTO THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE.
YOU CAN SIGN UP AT THE CITY'S WEBSITE OR THROUGH THE FACEBOOK PAGE THAT WILL LINK YOU. YOU NEED TO READ 1,000 MINUTES BEFORE THE END OF JULY, I BELIEVE. AND THAT WILL EARN YOU A PRETTY COOL PIECE OF MERCH FROM THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY, A NICE T-SHIRT.
AND WHEN YOU BREAK IT DOWN, IT'S ONLY, LIKE, 30 MINUTES A DAY. IT'S EASILY DONE.
ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET OUT THERE AND READ. ALSO WANTED TO SHOUTOUT TO CHIEF CAIN. HE TOOK A TEAM OVER TO OPELIKA TO COMPETE AGAINST THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE BIG BITE CHALLENGE SATURDAY.
SO CLOSE, CHIEF, SO CLOSE. THOSE OPELIKA GUYS, WHAT IS IT? I DON'T KNOW. THANKS A
LOT. >> I THINK IT'S THE HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE, COUNCILMAN DAWSON.
>> THE CITIZENS OF AUBURN ARE NOT AWARE OF SUCH A CHALLENGE BECAUSE IT EXISTS IN OPELIKA.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, THE OPELIKA -- IT'S THE -- WE HAVE BURGER WARS OVER IN OPELIKA, AND THE BIG BITE CHALLENGE IS SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS, YOU'VE GRABBED THE TROPHY A COUPLE OF TIMES. VERY IMPRESSIVE.
IF YOU EVER WANT TO COME OUT AND WATCH FIREFIGHTERS TUCK INTO SOME FOOD, COME ON OVER TO
>> LAST SATURDAY MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 1:00 IN THE MORNING, A WOMAN HAD TO USE 911 TO CALL ASSISTANCE FOR MY
[00:10:01]
DADDY, TOOK A NASTY FALL.HE HAD A PRETTY GOOD CUT ON HIS HEAD.
I WAS PRETTY SURPRISED AS FAST AS THE AUBURN FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED.
THEY WERE THERE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, COMING FROM STATION 5. SO NICE AND VERY ATTENTIVE TO MY DAD. THEN ETS SHOWED UP A LITTLE LATER, AND THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL AS WELL.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, I THANK YOU, THANK THE FIREMEN FOR WHAT THEY DID. I COULDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING ANY BETTER. THEY HAD TO HELP ME GET BACK DOWN THE STEPS BEFORE THEY LEFT. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. MEGAN, I WANT TO THANK YOU PERSONALLY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT INTO THAT, GETTING US A LITTLE BETTER RESPONSE FROM PARAMEDICS AND THINGS.
AND IT REALLY -- WHEN IT HITS HOME IS WHEN YOU REALLY REALIZE WHAT YOU DO.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR THE THINGS YOU'VE ALLOWED US TO PURCHASE FOR OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHEN IT HITS HOME, YOU REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN SEEING YOUR DAD ON THE FLOOR AND YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING HIM UP. AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THERE'S FOUR OR FIVE BIG, STRONG, YOUNG FIREMEN READY TO LIFT THE HOUSE IF THEY HAD TO. SO, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT, AND IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT LIVING IN AUBURN.
THAT'S WHY AUBURN IS WHAT IT IS, BECAUSE THE WAY WE HANDLE OUR CITIZENS.
AND IT'S NOT US ON THIS COUNCIL.
WE DO PROVIDE THE FUNDING FOR IT, BUT IT'S ALL THE PEOPLE, ALL THE STAFF. , AND MEGAN, YOUR LEADERSHIP. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD ABOUT IT. SO, THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE
>> HE'S GOT A PRETTY HARD HEAD. HE'LL PROBABLY BE ALL RIGHT.
WE HAD TO GET HIM CHECKED OUT. HE TOOK AN AMBULANCE
[5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.]
RIDE. >> NOT SURPRISED TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT.
ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE AHEAD. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.
>> HEY, EVERYONE. HOPE Y'ALL ARE HAVING A GOOD WEEK. MY NAME IS -- AND SERVING AS THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF OUTREACH THIS YEAR ON AUBURN'S SGA. AUBURN UNIVERSITY WILL YES, MA'AM WELCOME IT'S LARGEST CLASS THIS FALL, COMPARED TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025, 5,246.
SO, A LARGE INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS. AUBURN RECEIVES CAMP WAR EAGLE SESSIONS BEGAN THIS PAST THURSDAY, AND ANOTHER SESSION WILL BE HELD MAY 5TH. AND SGA ENCOURAGES ALL INCOMING FRESHMEN TO APPLY.
AUBURN BASEBALL CAME OUT AS CHAMPIONS OF THE NCAA REGIONAL AND WILL HOST COASTAL CAROLINA IN THE SUPERREGIONALS THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND. COACH BUTCH THOMPSON HAS SET THE RECORD FOR MOST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN
[6. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS.]
PROGRAM HISTORY. WAR EAGLE.AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HAVE CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS ON THE ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
THIS WOULD ONLY BE ON ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL, THIS WOULD BE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD.
THERE'S ONE ITEM, ITEM 9 A THAT DOES HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ATTACHED TO THAT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN REGARDS TO THAT, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL THAT TIME. THIS WOULD BE YOUR TIME FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
>> MAYOR, IF I MAY, IT'S 9A, 9C, AND 10B ALL HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
I THOUGHT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A
POSTPONEMENT. >> THERE MAY BE. I'M JUST SAYING, YEAH.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES. OKAY. WE'LL MOVE AHEAD TO
MINUTE. >> WAS THERE SOMEBODY? OH, YES, MA'AM?
>> MY NAME IS -- AND I LIVE AT 1216 COMBS AVENUE.
AND MY CONCERN STILL IS WHEN YOU COME FROM COMBS AND MAKE A --
>> THAT WOULD BE AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
THIS IS JUST FOR ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
>> IT'S OKAY. IT'S OKAY. JUST HANG IN THERE A LITTLE LONGER AND WE'LL GET YOU UP THERE. YES, MA'AM? ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ABOUT ANY
[7. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.]
ITEM ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA? OKAY.WE'LL MOVE AHEAD WITH CITY MANAGER'S COMMUNICATIONS.
>> UNDER CITY MANAGERS COMMUNICATIONS, I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO KILL ME. WE HAVE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF CITY EMPLOYEES IN THE ROOM THIS EVENING.
I'M GOING TO ASK THEM ALL TO STAND UP THAT ARE PART OF OUR CITY ACADEMY. THIS IS PART OF THEIR TRAINING.
IT IS OFFICE OF CITY MANAGER MONTH FOR THEM AND THEY LOVE COMING TO COUNCIL MEETINGS BECAUSE YOU DON'T USUALLY SEE THEM. I'M GOING TO HAVE THEM STAND UP SO YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT. THEY'RE GOING TO START COMING TO COUNCIL MEETINGS ON A REGULAR, SO GET A GOOD LOOK AT
[00:15:01]
THEM. IT'S A BROAD CROSS SECTION OF OUR EMPLOYEES, AND THIS IS A CROSS-TRAINING THING THAT WE DO.IT'S A WONDERFUL PROGRAM. IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO OUR CITIZENS -- THANK YOU, GUYS. AND I'LL PROBABLY GET SOME LOVELY NOTES TOMORROW.
>> THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE. AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CITY, EVEN THOUGH YOU DO THAT FROM 8:00 TO 5:00 EVERY DAY AND PROBABLY SOMETIMES LONGER THAN THAT. WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOU MAKE AUBURN GREAT BY YOUR WORK EVERY
DAY. >> UNDER MY COMMUNICATIONS OTHERWISE, WE HAVE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF TWO VACANCIES ON THE AUBURN DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR TERMS THAT BEGIN JULY 19TH AND END JULY -- WILL BE MADE AT THE JULY 8TH MEETING.
WE HAVE ONE VACANCY ON THE BOARD OF -- UNEXPIRED TERM THAT BEGINS UPON APPOINTMENT AND WILL END JANUARY 20TH, 2028. THE APPOINTMENT WILL ALSO BE MADE AT THE JULY 8TH MEETING. WE HAVE THE ONE VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR AN UNEXPIRED TERM THAT BEGINS UPON
[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA. (Part 1 of 2)]
APPOINTMENT AND ENDS JULY 31, 2026.THAT WILL BE MADE AT THE JULY 22ND MEETING.
OUR FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
DOES ANY MEMBER OF COUNCIL WISH TO REMOVE IT FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND DEAL WITH THAT ITEM INDIVIDUALLY.
>> THANK YOU. I HATE TO SLOW THE PROCESS DOWN TONIGHT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ITEM 8 ECHO 3, 4, AND 5.
>> YES, MR. MAYOR. I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE 8 C CHARLIE, 8 D DELTA.
[8. c. State of Alabama Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Formal Amendment]
ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE AHEAD.>> 8C AUTHORIZES A FORMAL AMENDMENT TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA CORONAVIRUS APPLICATION FROM A WHILE AGO TO UP THE PROJECTED NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES FOR THE RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
>> I JUST WANTED TO HAVEHAVE PUBLIC GET A QUICK OVERVIEW OF WHAT ACTUALLY THIS ITEM IS SO THAT WE CAN JUST HEAR IT.
>> GLADLY. ONE THING WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS, I THINK THAT EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM IS LIKELY USED TO, THEY'RE VERY COMPLICATED AND VARIED.
SO, WE WILL HAVE OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR, AL DAVIS, GO OVER THE INS AND OUTS.
THE BROAD OVERVIEW IS WE RECEIVED EXTRA FUNDING DURING THE COVID PERIOD FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE APPLIED TO USE THOSE FUNDS FOR VARIOUS INSUNDRY THINGS, INCLUDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE ANDAND -- WELL, RENTAL ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING AND UTILITY ASSISTANCES.
ONE CHALLENGE IS WHEN YOU USE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR CORONAVIRUS-RELATED THINGS, THE BENEFICIARY COULD ONLY BENEFIT ONE TIME, NOT MULTIPLE TIMES FROM THOSE FUNDS.
SO, I'LL HAVE MR. DAVIS GIVE A BETTER EXPLANATION THAN THAT.
>> THIS ITEM IS A REQUEST FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UPDATE NUMBERS. THEY'RE PARTICULAR ABOUT THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES MUST MATCH EXACTLY THE NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES THAT RESULT FROM AN ACTIVITY. AND IN THIS CASE, WE DID NOT MEET THAT BENEFICIARY NUMBER, SO WE NEEDED TO GO BACK AND AMEND THE APPLICATION HROUGH FORMAL AMENDMENT. WE HAD PROJECTED THAT WE WERE GOING TO -- THAT 429 PEOPLE WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS UTILITY ASSISTANCE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT WE HAVE PROPOSED IN OUR APPLICATION.
HOWEVER, WE ALSO GOT OTHER FUNDING FROM HUD PRIOR TO GETTING THE $750,000 APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE.
SO, WE WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE OUR FUNDS THAT CAME DIRECTLY TO THE CITY FOR HUD TO ADDRESS RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
WE WERE ABLE TO ALLOCATE ABOUT $145,000, THE CITY RECEIVED DIRECTLY AND WAS ABLE TO HELP A LITTLE OVER 500 PEOPLE, 500 FAMILIES, WITH THOSE DOLLARS. BY THE TIME THE STATE FUNDS ARRIVED, WE WERE AT THE END OF THE COVID PROCESS, OR THE END OF COVID, PERIOD. SO, WE COULD NOT SPEND THOSE DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BE SPECIFIC TO COVID, THEREFORE, WE WERE NOT -- THOSE NUMBERS LOWER BECAUSE BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THE STATE DOLLARS, WE'D ALREADY HELPED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE WERE PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. THOSE FUNDS ALLOWED US TO HELP A LOT OF FAMILIES. BUT WE DO NEED
[00:20:04]
TO CORRECT THOSE NUMBERS SINCE WE WERE NOT ABLE TO MEET THEM. WE DIDN'T LOSE THOSE DOLLARS. THOSE DOLLARS JUST REAL KATED TO THE FOOD BANK AND FOOD PANTRY.>> BUT WE COULDN'T CONTINUE TO USE THE FUNDS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF ELIGIBILITY?
>> CORRECT. THOSE REQUIREMENTS ARE VERY STRAIGHT.
>> AND THAT'S SEPARATE FROM OUR ANNUAL ALLOCATION FROM HUD, WHICH DEALS WITH THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM THAT WE'LL GET TO IN A MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR FOLLOW- UP COMMENTS? WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
[8.d. Community Development Block Grant FY2023 Annual Action Plan Amendment]
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.>> ANY OPPOSED. 8D -- FISCAL YEAR 2023 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ACTION PLAN TO REASSIGN $316,794 ININ FUNDS NEW ACTIVITIES INCLUDING BOYKIN GYMNASIUM, LAVERNE AVENUE, JONES STREET, JULIE AVENUE, AND CROSBY AVENUE.
>> MOTION IS SECOND. MR. PARSONS?
>> AGAIN, JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> NO PROBLEM AT ALL. THIS IS ALSO A UNIQUE SITUATION.
EVERY APRIL, HUD WILL COME IN AND -- THEY DON'T ACTUALLY VISIT, BUT THEY LOOK AT OUR RECORDS TO SEE HOW WELL WE HAVE SPENT OUR FUNDING FOR THAT PERIOD. SO, EVERY APRIL, THEY HAVE A FORMULA THAT THEY LOOK AT TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT WHAT THEY CALL -- SPEND OUR FUNDS IN A TIMELY FASHION. WE REALLY GOT VERY FORTUNATE. WE WERE A LITTLE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THREE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, WAS ABLE TO SALE THEM AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
SO, WE ENDED UP WITH ABOUT $375,000 IN WHAT WE CALL PROGRAM INCOME, SO IS HOUSES SOLD.
THOSE DOLLARS RETURNED TO THE CITY.
WELL, WHEN THEY DID THE TIMELINESS TEST, PRIOR TO THE TIMELINESS TEST, WE REALIZED WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT. WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS DOWN ENOUGH TO SATISFY HUD. SO, WE HAD TO FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO REALLOCATE THOSE DOLLARS.
WE HAD TO MOVE THE FUNDS, OTHERWISE WE COULD RISK LOSING THE DOLLARS AND ALSO PUT US IN TROUBLE FOR FUTURE ALLOCATIONS FROM HUD.
SO, WE HAD TO FIND WAYS TO REALLOCATE THE DOLLARS. SO, REALLOCATE 200,000 OF THE 375 TO THE BOYKIN INSULATION PROJECT WHICH IS UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW. THEY'RE ACTUALLY INSULATING THE BOYKIN GYMNASIUM. SO, WAS ABLE TO MOVE DOLLARS THERE. WAS ALSO ABLE TO ALLOCATE DOLLARS TO NEW STREET RESURFACING PROJECTS THAT THE CITY MANAGER JUST MENTIONED.
SO, WE'RE ABLE TO UTILIZE THOSE DOLLARS, KEEP OUR CVG FUNDING, JUST REALLOCATE THEM TO PROGRAM LINE ITEM.
SO, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING TONIGHT, TO REALLOCATE THOSE
>> OKAY. I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION.
>> OKAY. ON BOYKIN, I SEE THEY'RE -- THEY'RE DOING THAT NOW, RIGHT?
>> ARE THEY GOING TO DO THE WHOLE STRIP --
>> ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE RESURFACING OR THE BOYKIN GYM
INSULATION? >> I'M TALKING ABOUT THE RESURFACING.
>> I THOUGHT YOU SAID THEY REALLOCATED SOME OF THE FUNDS FOR RESURFACING.
>> RESURFACING COMES, THAT WILL BE FOR NEW PROJECTS.
DARDEN, VERN, JONES STREET, AVENUE, AND CROSBY AVENUE COME AT A SEPARATE DEAL. THE BOYKIN WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IS THE INSULATION PROJECT BECAUSE OF THE AIREN
OKAY. I THOUGHT YOU SAID THAT BOYKIN -- WHEN YOU SAID BOYKIN, I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE STREET.
>> OKAY. BUT CAN I ASK THAT QUESTION THOUGH?
>> MR. DAVIS WOULDN'T BE AWARE OF RESURFACING OF BOYKIN STREET FROM A SCHEDULING STANDPOINT. MR. CUMMINS, DO YOU HAVE --
>> THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING OVER
THERE. >> I WOULD HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK THE SCHEDULE. I KNOW WE'RE UP TO DATE ON THAT AREA, AND I THINK WE'D HAVE TO LOOK BACK AT IF ANY OTHER WORK IS PLANNED ONON BOYKIN.
I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN
FRONT OF ME. >> WE'LL GET BACK TO YOU.
>> CITY MANAGER, WE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED THIS CONTRACT FOR THE BOYKIN INSULATION.
>> SO, THE FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED NOW, AS A RULE, THE DELTA WILL BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE CITY FOR OTHER
USE. >> WE HAD STATED WITH THAT AGENDA ITEM THAT WE WOULD BE USING BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR
AVAILABLE. >> WE KNEW THEY WERE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. WE JUST HAD A TIMING THING.
THEORETICALLY, IT'S DRAWN DOWN FROM BLOCK GRANT DIRECTLY OR IS IT PAID BY THE GENERAL FUND AND
REIMBURSED. >> SO, YEAH, THE GENERAL FUND WOULD -- GETS REIMBURSED. YES, ALL ALONG THAT WAS
[00:25:02]
THE PLAN.>> ANYONE ELSE? WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
[8.e.3. Interstate Electrical. Holophane poles and lights.]
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? AND THAT MOTION CARRIES.
>> -- ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH OPTION TO RENEW FOR PURCHASE OF STREET LIGHTS, POLES, AND COMPONENTS RELATED TO REPLACING DAMAGE. THE CONTRACT ESTABLISHES A UNIT PRICE FOR EACH COMPONENT THAT MAY BE NEEDED.
THERE ISN'T THE NUMBER IN THE AGGREGATE DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING. IT'S JUST ESTABLISHING A UNIT PRICE WHERE WE CAN GO AND PURCHASE THESE ITEMS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO APPROVE.
>> THE MOTION HAS SECOND. MR. MOREMAN?
THANK YOU. THESE ARE METAL POLES GENERALLY?
>> NOT 100% SURE WHAT THEY'RE MADE OF. I THINK THEY'RE COMPOSITE.
>> YEAH. THEY'RE MOSTLY COMPOSITE.
SOME COULD BE -- DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF POLE AND WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD THESE PARTICULAR ONES, A COMPOSITE, MORE OF A DECORATIVE ONE YOU SEE.
>> YEAH. WE'RE NOT BUYING THAT FROMFROM ELECTRICAL. YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY STREET LIGHTS GET DAMAGED FROM
ROAD VEHICLES. >> GOSH, I ALMOST HATE TO ASK THIS, BUT DOES IT WITHSTAND THE DAMAGE MORE? IS THAT PART OF THE REASON THAT WE WOULD BUY THESE POLES?
WE USE -- >> -- STANDARD POLE, WHAT WE PURCHASED TO HAVE THESE DECORATIVE LIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
SO, IT'S -- AND DEPENDING ON THE IMPACT IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE DAMAGE IT WILL INCUR.
>> A LOT OF THESE ARE REFUNDED. WHEN THEY'RE DAMAGED, IT'S OFTEN INSURANCE REPLACING THEM. BUT THE GOAL IS TO ACCOMPLISH A PRICE TO REPLACE THEM
EXPEDITIOUSLY. >> THESE ARE THE DECORATIVE POLES SUCH AS MARTIN LUTHER KING
AREA. >> THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.
I APOLOGIZE, OUR CITY MANAGER IS OUT SICK AND WENT ON TO A CONFERENCE. I DON'T KNOW IF MR. CROUCH IF THAT IS ONE YOU CAN ANSWER ABOUT THESE POLES?
>> COMPOSITE ONES PLUS THE OTHER DECORATIVE KIND. WE HAVE MULTIPLE KINDS.
>> OKAY. >> WHAT IS A -- POLE? I WASN'T FAMILIAR WITH THAT TERM. WHAT IS THAT? IS THAT A BRAND NAME OR A TYPE OF POLE OR A TYPE OF COMPOSITE STRUCTURE?
WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
[8.e.4. SHI International Corp. Absolute Secure Access software renewal. $72,151.75.]
AND THE MOTION CARRIES. >> ALL RIGHT.
ITEM 8E-4 AUTHORIZES A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH SHI INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION FOR SOFTWARE RENEWAL AT A TOTAL COST OF $72,151.71.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
IS THIS A NEW VENDOR? COULD WE CHANGE VENDORS HERE OR DID WE RENEW?
>> AS FAR AS THE SECURE ACCESS NAME, THEY WERE -- THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL NAME OF -- THEY WERE PART OF YEARS AGO BY ABSOLUTE. SO, THERE IS NO CHANGE IN TERMINOLOGY THERE. BUT THIS IS --
>> SO, THIS IS A VENDOR THAT WE'VE USED BEFORE --
>> YEAH. AND THIS IS -- THIS IS COMMON SOFTWARE -- OR SECURE ASSET SOFTWARE USED BY A LOT OF OUR STAFF. ALL OF US THAT WE WOULD LIKE SOMETIMES TO DO WORK FROM HOME OR NEED TO DO WORK FROM HOME AT NIGHT OR ON THE WEEKENDS, THIS LETS US INTO THE NETWORK.
POLICE HEAVILY USE IT. OTHERS DO TOO.
ALL OF OUR PEOPLE OUT IN THE FIELD HAVE TO USE IT TO GET IN THE PERMITTING SYSTEMS AND SOSO ON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANYONE ELSE? MOTION TO SECOND.
[8.e.5. Toland Realty Co., Inc. East Glenn Townhomes development agreement.]
>> ANY OPPOSED. AND THAT MOTION CARRIES.
>> ITEM 5 AUTHORIZES THE EXECUTION OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH REALTY INCORPORATED FOR THE EAST GLEN TOWN HOMES. -- REALLY WILL BE PAYING THE CITY $45,000 FOR FUTURE -- ONCE WE DETERMINE AN ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR EAST GLEN
>> MOTION TO SECOND. MR. MOREMAN?
>> THANK YOU, AGAIN. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT YOU WONDER HOW IT'S GOING TO TURN OUT. AND I'D LIKE TO SAY IT'S SHAPING UP REAL GOOD. THE TOWN HOME'S LOOKING GOOD. I WAS CONFUSED ON WHAT WE WERE ACCEPTING TONIGHT. I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE ACCEPTING A TURN LANE, LIKE PUSHING THE CURB IN OR
[00:30:02]
SOMETHING. AND I COULDN'T VISUALIZE THAT ON GLEN AVENUE.BUT THE CITY MANAGER TOLD ME RIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING THAT THIS IS A TURN LANE IN THE MIDDLE THAT WE'RE JUST THINKING ABOUT.
>> WELL, THEY'RE ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTING A SMALL RIGHT TURN LANE RIGHT NOW. THE RIGHT LANE'S BEEN BLOCKED IN THE VICINITY OF THIS. THEY'RE PAYING FOR THAT. BUT IT'S SHORTER THAN IT NEEDS TO BE. SO, THIS IS -- IN THE FUTURE, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN GLEN AVENUE, WE'RE HAVING CHALLENGES WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE IN THE LEFT LANE AND LIKE TO RUN INTO THEM BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE TO MAKE LEFT TURNS WITHOUT A LEFT TURN LANE.
THERE ISN'T A LOT OF CHOICE IN WIDENING GLEN AVENUE IN THIS VICINITY, BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT ADDRESSING.
AND WE EVENTUALLY MAY NEED TO DEAL WITH ACQUISITION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY TO GET A CENTER TURN LANE IN. THIS CONTRIBUTION WILL GO INTO A CITY ACCOUNT. IT CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON GLEN AVENUE FOR THAT PURPOSE. AND THE PURPOSE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS TO ACTUALLY EXECUTE THIS, REQUIRE THAT THEY GIVE US MONEY PER OUR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT THE MANUALS TO MAKE THE PRO RAT AT A CONTRIBUTION TO
IT. >> JUST TO RECAP THAT, WE'RE GETTING $45,000, OR POTENTIAL $45,000, TO -- WE COULD WIDEN THE ROAD, BUT THE IDEA IS A LEFT TURN LANE HEADINGHEADING TOWN.
>> THE IDEA IS A TURN LANE POSSIBLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ONCE WE'VE STUDIED FULL ACCESS MANAGEMENT. SO, IT COULD ALSO GO TOWARD THE EXTENSION OF THE RIGHT TURN LANE. WE DON'T KNOW YET UNTIL WE STUDY IT.
SO, WE'RE CHALLENGED BY REDEVELOPMENTS ON GLEN AVENUE.
AND OUR PREDECESSORS DID US NO FAVORS WHEN THEY WIDENED THE ROAD AND DID NOT GET A FULL CENTER TURN LANE DOWN EAST GLEN. THAT WAS LIKELY DUE TO RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE TIME. THEY HAVE TO PAY US $45,000 FOR THIS AGREEMENT. THEY CAN'T GET THEIR CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY WITHOUT THIS MONEY, AND IT WILL SIT IN THE ACCOUNT OF THE CITIES AND CAN ONLY BE USED ON GLEN AVENUE FOR THE BROAD PURPOSES OF WHICH IT IS ESTABLISHED FOR IN PERPETUITY.
THAT'S IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER FURTHER QUESTIONS? HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
[8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA. (Part 2 of 2)]
>> OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIES.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
[9.a. Amend city code. Chapter 20, Article II, Section 20-47 and Section 20-53. Solid Waste Collection Services Charges. Public hearing recommended. Second reading.]
>> ANY OPPOSED AND THE CONTENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
ORDINANCES. >> 9A, ARTICLE 2, 20-53 OF CITY CODE BY INCREASING -- RATE STUDY THAT WAS COMPLETED IN 2023. RATES HAVE NOT BEEN INCREASED SINCE 2014. THIS ITEM WAS POSTPONED FROM THE MAY 6 MEETING WHERE FIRST READING TOOK PLACE.
A MOTION IS NEEDED AND A PUBLIC HEARING IS RECOMMENDED.
>> MOTION IS SECOND. AT THIS TIME WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS TOPIC, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YOU'LL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.
>> ROBERT WILKINS, 261 -- DRIVE, AUBURN.
I WANT TO THANK DAVID DARDEN. I ASKED FOR SOME INFORMATION.
WE LED ME TO THE RIGHT PLACE TO GET DATA. I'VE GATHERED THE INFORMATION FROM 2009 TO 2024.
IT'S CONCERNING THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ENTERPRISE FUND, WHICH I THINK IS GREAT TO HAVE ENTERPRISE FUND FOR THAT AND THE SEWER. I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL BECAUSE IT'S TREATED SEPARATELY. YOU KIND OF KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. THE CITY -- THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGERS PARTICIPATED, I BELIEVE, IN THREE WORK SESSIONS.
AND I HOPE -- I ASSUME Y'ALL KNOW A LOT MORE THAN I DO. ALL I DO IS SOME NUMBERS THAT I LOOKED AT. AND I JUST HAD SOME CONCERNS IN GENERAL. I NOTICE WE ALSO HIRED A CONSULTING FIRM, 2023, ON THE SUBJECT. AND IT'S SOMETHING -- ALWAYS HIRE CONSULTING FIRMS IF YOU'RE IN THE BUREAUCRATIC WORLD. I'M GLAD THE CITY SET UP THIS FUND, BUT HERE'S A RUNDOWN ON THE SOLID WASTE.
2009 TO 2013, WE LOST ABOUT $1. 1 MILLION.
2014 TO 2017 WAS A POSITIVE INCOME OF 942,000.
IN 2018 TO 2021 SEEMED TO BE KIND OF ABOUT A $4,500 A YEAR THING, BUT IT WAS POSITIVE 176,000.
THEN WE LOST 94,000 IN 2022. WHAT REALLY STRANGE TO ME IS WE LOST 2023/'24, WE LOST 1.4 MILLION ON THIS FUND.
AND THE STRANGE THING ABOUT IT IS DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, THOSE TWO YEARS, THE
[00:35:03]
SALARY, WAGES, AND BENEFITS INCREASED BY $1 MILLION. SO, THERE'S A LOSS OF 1.4 MILLION, AND 1 MILLION OF THAT WAS INCREASED AND THAT HAD NOT HAPPENED BEFORE WHERE THERE WAS MUCH OF AN INCREASE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY Y'ALL HAD SUCH AN INCREASE. YOU KNOW, MAYBE I CAN GET THAT ANSWERED. BUT THAT SEEMS EXCESSIVE. I KNOW GRISWOLD, COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT MONEY, AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE MONEY.POINT ONE, IT TOOK 13 YEARS, 2009 TO '22 TO INCREASE THE YEARLY SALARY AND WAGES FROM 1.5 MILLION TO 2 MILLION.
IT TOOK ONE YEAR IN '23 TO GO FROM 2. 5 -- I MEAN 2 MILLION TO 2.5 MILLION. SO, THERE WAS A $500,000 INCREASE, BASICALLY, IN 13 YEARS AND A $500,000 INCREASE IN ONE YEAR. BUT IT ALSO TOOK ONE ONE 2023, TO GO FROM -- SORRY. IT TOOK 13 YEARS FROM 2009 TO 2022 FOR THE YEARLY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT LINE TO GROW FROM 418,000 TO 666,000.
BUT IT TOOK ONE YEAR TO GO FROM 666 TO 852. ABOUT 80-SOMETHING PERCENTPERCENT OF INCREASE THAT TOOK 13 YEARS TO GO. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ALL THIS MONEY IS GOING. DID WE HIRE A HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE? PAY MORE PEOPLE MONEY LIKE WE DO OUR CITY MANAGER? OR WHAT'S GOING ON? ALSO THE -- FOR THE 12,560 THAT WAS IN YOUR MEMORANDUM, IT SAID THERE WAS -- THAT TOTALLED $3.5 MILLION. BUT BECAUSE YOU HAVE INCREASE OF PEOPLE, IT WENT TO 19,504. SO, 3.5 MILLION WITH THE -- ANYWAY, IT WOULD GO TO 7.5 MILLION WITH THE INCREASE.
POINT THREE, THE SAMPLE UTILITY BILL THAT WAS SENT OUT.
I NOTICED IT HAD THE WATER, SEWER, AND GARBAGE. AND THE GARBAGE FROM '20 TO '26 WOULD GO TO 32, WHICH IS $8.
50, WHICH WAS MENTIONED AT THE LAST TWO MEETINGS AGO. POINT FOUR IS THAT THE SEWER FUND, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE STUFF WITH THE MANAGEMENT, YOU ALSO SEE THE SEWER FUND. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY OUR FUND HAS GROWN FROM 24 MILLION IN 20092009 84 MILLION, NEARLY QUADRUPLED. THAT IS AN AWFUL LOT OF MONEY.
ARE WE JUST SAVING MONEY OR ARE WE DOING LIKE UNIVERSITY AND HAVING A ENDOWMENT FUND OR SOMETHING? WHY ARE WE HAVING SO MUCH MONEY AND WHY DO WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY IN THAT FUND? SEEMS LIKE WE JUST NEED TO DECREASE SOME OF THE PAYMENTS THAT WE'RE DOING AND MAYBE PROPOSE THE -- AND SEWER GO DOWN TO $8. I JUST HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS AND WANTED TO BRING THEM UP.
THANK YOU. >> WHO IS NEXT? OKAY. WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> I'LL KICK IT OFF. WE HAD A LOT OF MEETINGS OONTS AND THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ASKED AND ONE OF THEM I FAILED TO ASK IS THE 4% UTILITY TAX.
>> I'LL HAVE OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR
ANSWER. >> THAT'S PART OF THE WATER BILL.
>> SO, IT'S PART OF THE AGGREGATE BILL --
>> AND IF CITIZENS HAD LOOKED AT THAT, THEY WOULD SAY, WELL, YOU'RE TAXING US AND YOU'RE CHARGING US. SO -- A STATE TAX.
>> I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THAT IS A STATE TAX.
THAT WAS MY PURPOSE FOR BRINGING IT UP.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE THE SHORTFALL. AND EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND INTO THE SOLID WASTE FUND IS A DOLLAR WE LOSE FOR OTHER THINGS THAT THE CITIZENS OF AUBURN EXPECT AND DESERVE, WHETHER IT BE PARKS AND RECREATION OR RESURFACING OR POLICE AND FIRE OR WHATEVER. EVERY DOLLAR WE TRANSFER INTO THIS FUND, THE REST OF US LOSE.
SO, THIS IS A YOUR WAY AS YOU GO TYPE OF FUND.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR ITSELF.
[00:40:03]
SO, IT'S JUST NOT FAIR TO THE CITIZENS OF AUBURN TO LOSE YOUR GENERAL FUND ASSETS TO AUGMENT A FUND THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BESELF-SUSTAINING. >> I WOULD LIKE TO PUG IGGY BANK ON THAT IF I MAY.
>> SOME THINGS CANNOT BE SET UP ON A PAY AS YOU GO SYSTEM, SUCH AS A POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT, AS WAS POINTED OUT IN THE LITERATURE.
SO, THINGS THAT MAKE SENSE, I THINK ARE LIKE THIS, GARBAGE. IT CAN BE SET UP AND THE TERMINOLOGY IS -- I FORGET --
>> -- ENTERPRISE FUND IS THE TERM THAT WE PUT ON THAT. BUT IF SOME CITIZENS SAY, WELL, I CAN'T DON'T WE JUST PAY EVERYTHING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, THEN I THINK THAT WAS WELL SPOKEN BY COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD, THAT WE'RE TAKING FROM THINGS THAT CAN BE SET UP -- I'M SORRY, CANNOT BE SET UP, ASSIGNED TO PLACES THAT CAN BE.
>> YEAH. WHO WILL BE NEXT? ANYBODY?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I THINK COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD WAS SPOT ON. I AGREE WITH WHAT HE SAID.
HE MAKES A GOOD POINT. THAT TOTAL OF FUNDS -- WE SPENT 3.1, AND THEN OVER THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS, ANOTHER 5. 5 OR SO.
SO, WE'RE TALKING -- IF I REMEMBER, IT'S, LIKE, 8 TO $9 MILLION WE WOULD HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT IF WE LEFT THINGS --
>> A LITTLE OVER 5 MILLION IN THE NEXT BUDGETING PERIOD. SO, FOR '26/'27, THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD ASK FOR FOR THE GENERAL FUND. IT WOULD BE NEARLY 9 MILLION FOR THE --
>> WE CAN GIVE YOU $1 MILLION WILL FUND 13 MILLION IN DEBT ISSUE FOR PROJECTS.
THAT'S A FIRE TRUCK, 23 POLICE CARS, YOU NAME IT.
$1 MILLION IS A LOT IN THE GENERAL FUND, TO COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD'S POINT, TO WHAT YOU MAY BE FUNDING FROM A COMMUNITY SERVICE STANDPOINT. AND THE STORY YOU HEARD FROM COUNCILMAN DAWSON IS THE CITIZENS EXPECT WE SHOW UP, WE'VE INVESTED MUCH IN OUR EMS CAPABILITIES AND OUR ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AND I ASK YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER THAT FROM THE WHOLE REASON THAT THAT'S WHAT OUR CITIZENS EXPECT.
AND WE'RE NOT THERE ASKING FOR YOUR INSURANCE CARD.
WE'RE THERE TO HELP YOU AND GET YOU BETTER OR IMPROVED OR GET YOU THE SITUATION WHERE SOMEBODY ELSE CAN HELP YOU. AND THAT SERVICE IS INCLUDED IN YOUR TAXES, PERIOD.
>> THAT PROJECTED SHORTFALL WAS CALCULATED BASED OFF OF INCREASED SERVICE CALLS AND HAVING TO UPDATE
EQUIPMENT OR -- >> CAPITAL EQUIPMENT IS A BIG PART OF THAT.
>> -- ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT COST, AS OUR CURRENT EQUIPMENT AGES OUT AND AS WE BRING ON NEW CUSTOMERS AND HAVE TO ADD ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. AND WE WENT MANY YEARS -- KATRINA WILL KNOW OFF THE TOP OF HER HEAD, AND AL DAVIS LED THAT DEPARTMENT AT A POINT IN HIS CAREER.
WE WENT MANY YEARS WITHOUT ADDING ANY PERSONNEL TO YOUR DEPARTMENT, KATRINA, 22 YEARS BECAUSE WE GAINED EFFICIENCY AND EQUIPMENT.
SO, THE ONLY TIME WE ADD PERSONNEL IS WHEN WE NEED TO ADD
EQUIPMENT. >> ANYONE ELSE? MS. CROUCH, I APPRECIATE THE STAFF'S PATIENCE WITH THE COUNCIL AS WE METHODICALLY WORK THROUGH THIS. WE DID HAVE A NUMBER OF WORK SESSIONS, AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT WAS INVESTED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE COUNCIL. WE DELAYED TAKING ACTION ON THIS FOR A MONTH TO GIVE OUR CITIZENS THAT EXTRA TIME TO ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAD. AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN INCREASE IN WHAT YOU'RE USED TO PAYING. SO, WE WANTED TO BE AS METHODICAL AS WE POSSIBLY COULD TO GIVE THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THE TIME THEY NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND THIS.
KELLEY DID A GREAT JOB EXPLAINING THIS.
EVERY CHILD THAT -- EVERY PARENT THAT SIGNS THEIR CHILD UP FOR A SPORT EXPECTS US TO PERFORM WELL AND HAVE A GREAT PLACE FOR THEM TO PLAY. EVERY TIME WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY, WE EXPECT THAT BLACK AND WHITE OR THAT WHITE FIRE TRUCK TO SHOW UP AND TAKE CARE OF OUR NEEDS IN A CRISIS.
OUR CITIZENS ARE CLAMORING FOR US TO IMPROVE EVERY ROADWAY AS FAST AS WE POSSIBLY CAN IN THIS TOWN.
THE MONEY THAT GOES INTO UNDERWRITING THIS IS TAKEN AWAY FROM ALL THOSE THINGS. AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS GET TO PAR SO WE CAN PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT Y'ALL WANT AND YOU EXPECT OUT OF YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS DECISION IS ABOUT TONIGHT.
[00:45:06]
OKAY. WE'LL CLOSE THE DISCUSSION.[9.b. Annexation. Mar-El Webster property. IDB City of Auburn. Approximately 211.45 acres. Property located at 430 Lee Road 0053 (Webster Road). Planning Commission recommendation. Unanimous consent necessary.]
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 9B IS A REQUEST FROM THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO ANNEX APPROXIMATELY 211. 45 ACRES OF PROPERTY, ALSO KNOWN AS WEBSTER ROAD. THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST. UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY.
>> I'LL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE AND ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONSIDER IT ON THE FIRST READING.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND. COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING OR HEARING NONE, THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ONE.
SO, ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> I'M JUST CURIOUS HOW MUCH SPACE THE IDB HAS THAT IS NOT OCCUPIED AND WHAT OUR PROJECTIONS ARE. IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE APPROVING THINGS PRETTY REGULARLY BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF GOOD INDUSTRY PRETTY REGULARLY. DO WE HAVE AN IDENTIFYING NEED FOR THIS FOR A PARTICULAR CUSTOMER WITHOUT GOING INTO WHO IT MIGHT BE?
>> I CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> HOLD ON A MINUTE, MR. DUNN LAP, PLEASE TO THE MIKE MICROPHONE. WE'RE BROADCASTING
LIVE. >> I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION WOULD BE YES AND NO. WE HAVE, THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF PROPERTY, WE DO HAVE SOME IDENTIFIED PROJECT THAT MIGHT OCCUPY PART OF THIS.
BUT SOME OF THIS PROPERTY, WE'RE EVALUATING OTHER POTENTIAL USES THAT MAY ACTUALLY SERVE THE CITY IN SOME FUTURE DATE. SO, WE'RE NOT 100% SURE WHAT THE ULTIMATE USE OF THIS PARCEL WILL BE. BUT WE BOUGHT THIS WITH THOSE IDEAS IN MIND BECAUSEBECAUSE DIFFICULT IS IT TO FIND 211 ACRES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY? VERY DIFFICULT. SO, IT MADE SENSE FOR US TO ACQUIRE THIS, HAVE IT IN HAND TO GIVE US THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO MANY THINGS.
>> FOR INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY IN GENERAL, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DOES AN ABSORPTION STUDY TO LOOK AT THEIR RATE OF ABSORPTION PROPERTY HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE, USED TO DO THOSE FOR PHILLIP.
AND WE LOOK AT THE RATE OF USE OF PROPERTY.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU, THE DOOR IS BEING KNOCKED DOWN BY NEW INDUSTRIES. BUT CHANGES IN TARIFFS, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND WE HAVE EQUIPMENT THAT IS UTILIZED BY COMPANIES THAT CAN ONLY BE HAD OVERSEAS, PROVIDES SOME CHALLENGES FOR US RIGHT NOW. BUT THE ACTIVITY IS ROBUST ON OUR PROPERTY. THE INDUSTRIAL BOARD IS VERY SELECTIVE AS TO WHAT IS ALLOWED TO LOCATE ON THEIR PROPERTY.
>> I'LL ANSWER THIS ONE MORE THING WHICH MAY PROVE USEFUL TO YOU. TYPICALLY THE WAY WE DO PARKS, WE BUY ACREAGE AROUND 180 TO 230, 240 -- THE -- WAS A LITTLE LARGER. OUR IDEA IS THAT WE WANT TO HAVE DEVELOPMENTS THAT CAN BE BUILT OUT BETWEEN 7 TO 1010 12 YEARS.
AT PRESENT, ALMOST EVERY LOT WITHIN THE WEST STATE PARK, THE NORTH, AND THE SOUTH ARE OCCUPIED. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SMALL LOTS. SO, OUR INVENTORY IS SUCH, THAT'S WHY WE'RE EMBARKING ON NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE CITY. THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY BECAME AVAILABLE. IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE COULD SECURE THIS FOR OTHER POTENTIAL USES, OTHER POTENTIAL PROJECTS, AND ALSO ADDRESS SOME OF THE NEEDS THAT THE IDB NEEDS.
THAT'S WHY WE EMBARKED ON BUYING THIS DIRT. MEGAN IS EXACTLY RIGHT.
WE DO COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS, ABSORPTION STUDIES. I CAN EVEN TELL YOU HOW MANY JOBS PER ACRE WE CREATE.
APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL DO TO BRING BUSINESS TO THE CITY AS WELL.
>> ANY COMMENTS/QUESTIONS? LINDSEY?
[9.c. Rezoning. Mar-El Webster property. IDB City of Auburn. Approximately 130.40 acres from Rural (R) to Industrial (I). Property located at 430 Lee Road 0053 (Webster Road). Planning Commission recommendation. Unanimous consent necessary. Public hearing required.]
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 9 C IS REQUEST TO REACH APPROXIMATELY 130. 40 ACRES OF THE PROPERTY THAT WAS JUST ANNEXED LOCATED AT 420 LEE ROAD, IT SHOULD BE WEBSTER ROAD BECAUSE IT'S IN THE CITY LIMITS, RURAL TO THE INDUSTRIAL. APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST IN THE APRIL 10TH MEETING. UNANIMOUS CONSENT IS NECESSARY AND A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> I'LL INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE
[00:50:02]
AND ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT.>> MOTION IS SECOND. ANYONE IN THE COUNCIL HAVE A PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WITH A VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? SEEING AND HEARING NONE, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT THIS TOPIC, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.
SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> WE DID JUST RECENTLY APPROVE A COMP PLAN UPDATE WITH THE FUTURE LAND USE TO IDENTIFY THIS AREA AS INDUSTRIAL, CORRECT?
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS?
>> THIS, I THINK, PIGGYBACKS ON COUNCILMAN WITTEN'S QUESTION.
IS THE IDB BEING CAUTIOUS WITH THE REZONING FROM RURAL TO INDUSTRIAL HERE BY DOING JUST A PORTION OF THE LAND.
>> THIS PROPERTY HAS LONG BEEN OF INTEREST TO THE CITY ITSELF, AND THERE MAY BE OTHER USES THAT ARE NOT INDUSTRIAL IN NATURE THAT MAY NEED TO LOOK AT THIS PROPERTY DEPENDING ON WHAT'S GOING ON.
SO, THE BOARD IS BEING VERY FLEXIBLE TO JUST DO A PORTION OF IT INDUSTRIAL, WHICH IS PART OF THE PIECE THAT ABUTS THE EXISTING INDUSTRIAL PARK, PLUS ANOTHER LARGER PARCEL THAT'S SUBJECT OF CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST LATER. THEY'RE LEAVING A PIECE OF IT AS RURAL UNTIL THE CITY CAN DETERMINE IF WE MIGHT HAVE SOME NEEDS FOR THAT PROPERTY.
AND SOME OF THAT PROPERTY DOES ABUT EXISTING RESIDENTIAL.
SO, PART OF THAT IS INTENTIONAL TO CREATE A BUFFER ZONE, NOT THAT OUR INDUSTRY, WE DON'T ALLOW LOUD NOISE MAKERS. BUT AT TIMES, THEY GET DELIVERIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
THEY WILL DUMP SCRAP METAL AND OTHER THINGS.
SO, WE DO TRY TO KEEP SOME DISTANCE FROM EXISTING
RESIDENCES. >> COMMENTS/QUESTIONS? OKAY.
[10.a. Tax abatement. Briggs & Stratton, LLC. 150 Technology Parkway.]
>> LOCATED AT 150 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF NEW EQUIPMENT THE COMPANY PLANS TO -- 35 NEW EMPLOYEES.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAVE A COMMENT OR QUESTION? YES?
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIGS AND STRAN TON FOR THE GROWTH THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.
MOST OF US ARE USERS OF THEIR PRODUCTS.
IT'S GREAT TO HAVE THEM AS PART OF THE AUBURN COMMUNITY, AND I THINK WE'RE ALL PROUD OF THEM.
THEY'VE BEEN OUT THERE A WHILE AND THEY'RE
DOING GREAT. >> -- THANK PHILLIP YEARS AGO.
IT WAS A BIG DEAL BACK THEN AND IT MEANT A LOT MORE MONEY FOR THE CITY. AND JUST WONDERFUL -- IT WAS KIND OF UNHEARD OF COMING TO AUBURN.
WE WERE ALL, KIND OF, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.
AND GLAD YOU DID A GOOD JOB ON IT.
>> TOMMY, YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. THAT WAS A BIG DAY IN AUBURN'S
>> SO, CONGRATULATIONS. ANYBODY ELSE? WE'VE GOT A MOTION TO SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
OPPOSED. >> AND THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR CONDITIONAL USE OF APPROVAL HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING CENTER TO BE LOCATED AT 430 WEBSTER ROAD.
APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS MAY 8TH MEETING.
HOWEVER THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING POSTPONEMENT OF THIS ITEM TO JULY 8TH. A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED.
>> I MOVE TO POSTPONE UNTIL JULY
>> MOTION TO SECOND POSTPONE UNTIL JULY 8TH.
>> SO, ALL IN FAVOR OF POSTPONING UNTIL JULY 8TH, PLEASE SAY AYE.
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? AND THAT MOTION CARRIES, AND WE'LL HEAR THIS AGAIN FIRST WEEK IN JULY.
>> WE HAVE NO ITEMS OF OTHER BUSINESS, AND THOSE ARE ALL THE
[12. CITIZENS' OPEN FORUM.]
ITEMS OF BUSINESS WE DO HAVE THISAT THIS TIME WE'LL OPEN CITIZENSCITIZENS OPEN FORUM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ANY TOPIC, THIS WOULD BE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. YES, MA'AM, MRS. JOHNNY. YOU ARE FIRST.
>> MY CONCERN STILL IS TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE VISIBILITY IS NOT THAT GOOD WHEN YOU'RE COMING OFF OF JORDAN AND MAKING A LEFT ONTO MARTIN LUTHER KING.
THE TREES ARE JUST -- YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT GOOD.
YOU CAN'T SEE UNLESS YOU CUT SOME OF THE UNDERGROWTH OR THE
[00:55:01]
BRANCHES. THEN YOU CAN SEE. BUT YOU HAVE TO GET ALL THE WAYWAY OUT IN ROAD, AND THAT'S KIND OF DANGEROUS TO MAKE THAT LEFT TURN.AND THEN IT'S A BLACK BOX TO THE RIGHT, AND YOU CAN'T REALLY HARDLY SEE TO THE RIGHT. SO, THE VISIBILITY -- THE SCENERY IS PRETTY, BUT IT'S NOT THAT GOOD TO SEE.
THE VISIBILITY IS NOT THAT GOOD. SO, I'M WONDERING IF SOMEBODY CAN COME AND JUST LOOK AT THAT.
>> WE HAVE MULTIPLE ENGINEERS RIGHT NOW LOOKING AT AERIAL PHOTOS AND TAKING NOTES AND THEY'LL BE OUT, YES, MA'AM.
>> THOSE TREES THAT SHE TALKED ABOUT, IS THAT ON SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY, OR SIT CITY PROPERTY?
>> I'LL HAVE TO ASK THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE LOOKING AT AERIAL PHOTOS RIGHT NOW. IS IT OUR STREETSCAPE OR IS IT EXISTING VEGETATION, DO YOU THINK?
>> MY EXPECTATION IS THAT IT'S RELATED TO THE STREETSCAPE.
>> SO, WE'LL GO OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
THE BLACK BOX DEFINITELY IS BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE TO DO WITH THE STREET LIGHTS. I'M JUST NOT SURE ABOUT THE LANDSCAPING BECAUSE A LOT OF LANDSCAPING -- NOT BE ON THE GROUND AT THE MOMENT. MR. BALLARD?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE WE'LL HAVE TO REMOVE THE TREE.
LOOKS LIKE WE CAN LIMB THEM UP TO MEET THE VERTICAL CLEARANCE.
>> SO, THEY'LL DO SOME PRUNING SO YOU SEE UNDER THE TREE INSTEAD OF IT BEING BUSHY TOWARD THE BOTTOM.
>> SO, THE BLACK BOX SHE'S TALKING ABOUT, IS IT REMOVABLE? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO DO DIFFERENT?
>> WE WILL MEASURE BASED ON CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.
YES, THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS IN WHAT WE CALL A SITE DISTANCE WHEN YOU PULL UP TO A STOP LIMIT LINE AND LOOK TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. WE'LL SEE IF -- IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SITE DISTANCE TRIANGLE, BUT WE WILL LOOK.
>> ELIZABETH WHITE, 637 FOREST HILL DRIVE. I'M HERE TONIGHT AWARE THAT YOU ARE A NON-PARTISAN BODY BUT ALSO AWARE THAT YOU ARE COMMUNITY LEADERS TASKED WITH ACTING IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF YOUR CITIZENRY. AS THE PRESIDENT'S BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL HAS MOVED TO THE SENATE, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL I FIND CONCERNING, THE PROPOSED CUTS TO S.N.A.P. AS THE CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES MOURNS THIS BILL, WOULD CUT NEARLY 300 BILLION FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, OR S.N.A.P., THROUGH 2034. AND WE WOULD WALK AWAY FROM THE 50- YEAR BIPARTISAN COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THAT LOW- INCOME CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND SENIORS GET THE HELP THEY NEED REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE. HUNGER, INCLUDING CHILDHOOD HUNGER, WHICH SOARED DESPITE THE WELL- DOCUMENTED DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS OF EVEN SHORT PERIODS OF FOOD INSECURITY ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT.
EVERY $1 INVESTED IN S.N.A.P. FOR CHILDREN RETURNS $62 IN VALUE OVER THE LONG-TERM. BUT CONCERNS DON'T END THERE, AS A RECENT "NEWS WEEK" EXPLAINS BECAUSE SCHOOL MEALS ARE OFTEN TIED TO S.N.A.P. , IT COULD LEAD TO FEWER CHILDREN QUALIFYING FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCHES AT SCHOOL. YOU ALL AS A BODY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING OF THE NEW COMMUNITY MARKET RUN BY THE FOOD BANK OF EAST ALABAMA.
SO, YOU OBVIOUSLY CARE ABOUT ADDRESSING HUNGER IN OUR AREA AND RECOGNIZE THAT A NEED EXISTS. BUT ACCORDING TO THE FOOD BANK'S DIRECTOR, MARTHA HANK, THE S.N.A.P. PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED TEN TIMES MORE FOOD THAN ALL FOOD BANKS COMBINED. THINK ABOUT THAT, TEN TIMES MORE. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE THE LEVEL OF HURT WE WOULD SEE AROUND US WITH THE PROPOSED CUTS TO S.N.A.P.? IN ADDITION, THIS BILL WOULD IMPOSE THOSE CHANGES IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2028 RATHER THAN OWNING THE CRUELTY OF THOSE CUTS DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION, THIS WOULD PLACE THEM AROUND THE NECK OF THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION, WITH AN ADDED PROVISION THAT MAKES THIS SEEMINGLY INTENTIONALLY CRUEL THAT IN THE RESTRICTION FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS TO INCREASE FOOD ASSISTANCE EVEN IN A TIME OF CRISIS LIKE A PANDEMIC OR NATURAL DISASTER. WHY WOULD PEOPLE VOTE TO TIE FUTURE LEADERS' HANDS TO PREVENT THEM FROM FEEDING THE HUNGRY IN A TIME OF CRISIS? THAT SEEMS LIKE A TOTAL PERVERSION OF THE GOSPEL.
I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, TO STAY INFORMED WITH THE CREDIBLE NEWS SOURCES, AND CALL OUR SENATORS TO VOICE OPPOSITION FOR THIS BILL AND ADVOCATE FOR YOUR
[01:00:01]
CONSTITUENTS, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE, THE LEAST OF THESE WHO OFTEN TIMES CANNOT ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.>> I'M DEBRA -- I APOLOGIZE FOR MY DRESS, BUT I WAS AT LAKELAKE WORKING OUT THIS MORNING AND THEN I HAD TO RUSH TO A HORSE SHOE BEND REGIONAL LIBRARY BOARD MEETING. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TODAY. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THE HORSE SHOE BEND REGIONAL LIBRARY IS.
I AM AUBURN'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD. I'M APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION -- SERVES FOUR COUNTIES, LEE, TALLAPOOSA, ELMORE, AND COOSA. AND WE ARE THE FLOW- THROUGH AGENCY FOR STATE FUNDS FOR ALL THE LIBRARIES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE REGIONAL LIBRARY.
NOBODY CAN WALK INTO THAT LIBRARY AND CHECK OUT BOOKS BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHY IT EXISTS. IT EXISTS TO GET BOOKS TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS ELSEWHERE.
OR, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO GET ACCESS.
THEY HAVE STOPS IN AUBURN WHERE THEY DO THE BOOK MOBILE. THEY TAKE BOOKS TO RETIREMENT HOMES AND -- FACILITIES, SOME IN AUBURN, SOME IN OTHER PARTS OF LEE COUNTY THAT HAVE NO ACCESS TO LIBRARIES, SOME OF THESE OTHER COUNTIES. WE INCREASINGLY -- WE ARE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STOPS.
SO, IF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO -- ONE OF THE THINGS THEY DO IS DELIVER BOXES OF BOOKS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE VORACIOUS READERS BUT CAN'T GET OUT. AND THEY DO THAT IN ALL FOUR COUNTIES. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT WOULD FIT THAT BILL, I KNOW AUBURN AT ONE POINT WAS MAILING BOOKS TO PEOPLE. THEY MAY STILL BE DOING THAT.
BUT HORSE SHOE BEND WILL DELIVER BOOKS TO PEOPLE, AND THEN GO BACK AND PICK THEM UP. AND WE ALSO -- I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT AUBURN PEOPLE CAN GO TO OPELIKA AND GETGET OPELIKA LIBRARY CARD AND USE OPELIKA RESOURCES. PEOPLE OUT IN THE COUNTY CAN GO TO AUBURN LIBRARIES AND OPELIKA LIBRARIES, ALEX CITY LIBRARIES, ANY LIBRARIES IN THOSE COUNTIES AND EXCHANGE THINGS WHERE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO GET A CARD AT ANY OF THOSE LIBRARIES AND USE THOSE RESOURCES. SO, SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN ELMORE COUNTY, WHO DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC BOOKS THROUGH THEIR LIBRARY CAN COME GET A CARD AND THEN SIT AT HOME AND CHECKBOOKS OUT FROM AUBURN OR OPELIKA'S LIBRARY AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE BOOKS THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS.
AND THAT'S A RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT THAT'S PART OF THE HORSE SHOE BEND LIBRARY.
I JUST WANTED TO REMIND YOU WHAT THAT WAS AND THAT IT EXISTS AND YOU ALL PARTICIPATE IN IT. AND I'M YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING.
STEVE COSGROVE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY HELLO. IT'S REALLY NEAT WHO YOU RUN INTO IN THE COMMUNITY.
I RUN INTO ONE OF YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER'S FAMILIES TODAY.
REALLY NEAT. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.
IT'S REALLY NEAT BEING ABLE TO HAVE NORMAL CIVIL DISCOURSE WITH EVERYONE. I REALLY APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. REALLY DO.
AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. A SPECIAL OUTREACH TO YOU, BETH.
YOU DO A GREAT JOB OF ENGAGING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND I'M SURE EVERYONE DOES THAT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS. BUT REALLY APPRECIATE YOU A LOT.
OH. I WAS LOOKING AT THE -- I GOT HERE A LITTLE BIT LATE FOR THE SERVICE AWARD. I'D REALLY LIKE TO GET HERE.
I JUST MISSED THAT. OF THE 12 PEOPLE THAT WERE RECOGNIZED, ONE OF WHOM FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, MS. HADLEY. BUT THE 11 COMBINE 212 YEARS -- 212 YEARS -- FOR RECOGNITION. AND ONE OF THEM, I COACHED HER SON IN TEE BALL AND COACH PITCH. BUT THAT GOES WAY BACK.
SHE WAS PROBABLY -- THAT WAS PROBABLY IN THE EARLY PART OF THAT 27 YEARS. BUT I KNOW SHE WAS ONE OF THE FACES YOU'D MEET COMING IN TOTO THE POLICE DIVISION AND SO FORTH.
[01:05:09]
IT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AT THE POINT THEY ARE.IT'S THE FIRST TIME EVER HOSTING NCAA DIVISION I REGIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT. 321 I THINK B1 BASEBALL TEAMS, THEY'RE DOWN TO 16 RIGHT NOW.
AND WHOEVER WINS ININ SUPERREGIONALS, WHOEVER WINS TWO GAMES IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE EIGHT TEAMS REMAINING THAT GETS TO GO TO OMAHA.
I MEAN, THAT'S THE ZENITH OF COLLEGE BASEBALL, THE ASYMPTOTEASYMPTOTE SO TO SPEAK.
IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT, WHETHER THEY WIN IT OR NOT. MY UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL, WE WERE RUNNER-UP TWICE WHILE IT WAS THERE TO UNIVERSITY -- JUST GETTING THERE IS AMAZING. BUT RUNNER- UP TWICE TO MIGHTY USC TEAM THAT WON FIVE YEARS THE IN A ROW, BY THE WAY. THEY WON '70, '71, '72, '73, '74. NOBODY HAS EVER DONE THAT EXCEPT JOHN WOODEN IN BASKETBALL. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU. I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
BUT I'M JUST A REGULAR SEASON THAT REALLY APPRECIATES Y'ALL A
>> I HAD A SPEECH ABOUT SHORT- TERM RENTAL, BUT I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO WHAT I MENTIONED EARLIER. SOMEHOW I DIDN'T GET ACROSS WHAT WAS THE POINT OF IT. OKAY.
FIRST OF ALL, I THINK IT'S TERRIBLE TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE A FUND THAT'S SELF-SUPPORTING.
IT HASN'T BEEN SELF- SUPPORTING, BUT IT HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE. IT'S BEEN DOING PRETTY WELL.
AND IT HAD A BALANCE IN THERE, 1.
1 MILLION. THIS YEAR Y'ALL GONE LOSE -- WE'RE GOING TO LOSE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS I FIGURE BECAUSE YOU LOST $813,000 LAST YEAR, OKAY? SO, THE FUND, I LOVE.
WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY IN '23 AND '24, THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND THE EMPLOYEE SALARIES AND WAGES WENT ASTRONOMICALLY UP.
WHAT HAPPENED? SHE HASN'T SAID A WORD.
NONE OF YOU EVEN RESPONDED. I DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND.
YOU CAN JUST ALLOW A MILLION DOLLARS JUST TO DISAPPEAR BECAUSE A MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE FROM '22 TO NOW, '24, NOT '25 BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT WILL BE. SO, THERE HAS TO BE AN ANSWER.
SECOND THING IS, WHY DO WE HAVE $84 MILLION IN THE SEWER FUND? ARE WE BUILDING ANOTHER SEWER PLAN OR SOMETHING? WHY DO WE HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY? NO ANSWER? NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO ANSWER ANYTHING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A -- WE ARE GIFTED WITH LOTS OF MONEY. WE HAVE GREAT REVENUE.
AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE SPEND TOO MUCH OF IT DOING JUST HERE AND THERE INSTEAD OF HELPING PEOPLE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY WE CAN KEEP IN HOUSE JUST LIKE -- I MENTION YOU AGAIN COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD -- YOU TALK ABOUT THE VEHICLES AND SO FORTH. IF YOU GATHER ENOUGH INFORMATION AND DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, YOU COULD ADVANCE THIS WHOLE GROUP TO QUIT PURCHASES SO MANY THINGS.
870+ UNITS IS WAY TOO MANY FOR THIS. I KNOW SOME OF THEM ARE FRONT- END LOADERS, SOME OF THEM ARE BOBCATS YOU BOUGHT AND ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS. I BELIEVE THAT MONEY IS NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY.
BUT HOW CAN WE SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS MORE IN BENEFITS AND EMPLOYEES ON A FUND THAT HAS $7.5 MILLION THAT IT OPERATES ON AND A MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE IN TWO YEARS? TWO YEARS. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT 2009 ALL THE WAY TO 2022 WAS THE 200-SOMETHING-THOUSAND-DOLLA R INCREASE.
NOW WE GOT A MILLION DOLLARS. DO Y'ALL NOT UNDERSTAND THAT? HAVE I DONE A POOR JOB OF EXPLAINING? I WENT THROUGH ALL THIS STUFF FROM 2009 UNTIL NOW, AND IT WAS EMBARRASSING. I WAS LIKE, WHAT IS GOING ON? BUT NOBODY'S GOING TO ANSWER ANYTHING. NOBODY'S GOING TO SAY ANYTHING.
I HAD TO WASTE MY SPEECH TO DO THIS AGAIN BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE QUIT WASTING
MONEY. >> IT WOULDN'T MATTER WHAT WE SAID, IT AIN'T GOING TO SATISFY
YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, MR. WILKINS.
SAY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
HE'S JUST GOING TO SAY SOMETHING
ELSE. >> HE HAS THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.
PLEASE SIT DOWN. WHO WILL BE NEXT?
[01:10:06]
>> SUDAN BOLT. A WEEK AGO WE CELEBRATED MEMORIAL DAY. SOME WERE OFF WORK.
SOME HAD CELEBRATIONS. SOME ATTENDED WREATH LAYING CEREMONIES. MEMORIAL DAY IS A SACRED DAY, A DAY WHEN WE REMEMBER THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR ONE REASON, FREEDOM, NOT COMFORT, NOT CONVENIENCE, BUT FREEDOM. MEMORIAL DAY ISN'T JUST ABOUT FLAGS AND FLOWERS. IT'S ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY.
IT'S ABOUT REMEMBERING THAT EVERY CROSS IN ARLINGTON REPRESENTS SOMEONE WHO BELIEVED THAT AMERICAN FREEDOM, TRUE FREEDOM, WAS WORTH DYING FOR.
THAT FREEDOM THAT OUR FALLEN HEROES FOUGHT FOR INCLUDES PROPERTY RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO USE, ENJOY, AND FREELY MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OUR OWN LAND. THOSE RIGHTS ARE NOT TRIVIAL.
THEY'RE NOT NEGOTIABLE. THEY'RE FOUNDATIONAL.
THEY'RE EMBEDDED IN OUR CONSTITUTION.
AND PROPERTY RIGHTS ARE AMONG THE RIGHTS OUR FALLEN HEROES DIED TO PROTECT. YET RIGHT NOW, HERE IN AUBURN, THAT SACRED FREEDOM IS BEING DISHONORED. THE STR- 5 ON THIS COUNCIL HAS PASSED ARBITRARY ZONING LAWS THAT DIVIDE NEIGHBOR FROM NEIGHBOR, TWO HOMES SIDE BY SIDE, ONE ALLOWED TO DO SHORT- TERM RENTALS, THE OTHER BANNED, SAME STREET, SIMILAR DWELLINGS AND APPEARANCE, BUT DIFFERENT REALITIES. THAT'S NOT LAW.
THAT'S FAVORITISM. THAT'S AN OVERREACHING GOVERNMENT PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS, AND OUR FALLEN HEROES DID NOT LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR THIS NONSENSE.
AND WHAT'S WORSE, TWO OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WORE THE UNIFORM OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY.
TWO OF YOU TOOK AN OATH TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. THE OATH DID NOT HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE. AND VIOLATING THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR CONSTITUTION HERE AT HOME MAKES A MOCKERY OF THE SACRIFICES OF THOSE WE REMEMBER ON MEMORIAL DAY.
MEANWHILE, WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILLING TO FILE FOR SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES BUT NOT FOR A HOMEOWNERS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
WE HAVE A RETIRED POLICE CHIEF ON THE COUNCIL WHO ONCE READ PEOPLE THEIR MIRANDA RIGHTS BUT WON'T STAND UP FOR CONSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS HE SWORE TO PROTECT.
LET'S BE CLEAR. FREEDOM INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY, TO USE IT, TO CONTROL IT, NOT JUST WHEN THE CITY SAYS YOU CAN AND NOT ONLY IF YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF AN ARBITRARY ZONING LINE.
A COLUMNIST IN THE AUBURN VILLAGER RECENTLY WROTE, EVERY DAY SHOULD BE MEMORIAL DAY. I AGREE.
I'M ASKING ALL OF YOU ON THIS COUNCIL, LET'S HONOR THE FALLEN BY DOING MORE THAN REMEMBERING THEM. STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY DIED FOR.
DEFEND FREEDOM NOT JUST WITH WORDS BUT WITH ACTIONS.
RESEND ORDINANCE 3288 BECAUSE PROTECTING FREEDOM IS HOW WE TRULY HONOR THEIR SACRIFICE.
>> WHO WILL BE NEXT? CLOSE THIS TIME.
ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO
ADD. >> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS IF I MAY OF THE CITY MANAGER. FOR CLARIFICATION, THE SEWER AND WATER FUNDS ARE SEPARATE FROM SOLID WASTE AND NOT WHAT WE WERE CONSIDERING THIS EVENING?
>> CORRECT. THE AUBURN WATER WORKS BOARD IS AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY AND YOU HAVE A SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM THE SOLID WASTE
FUND. >> WE WERE NOT DISCUSSING SEWER AND WATER THIS EVENING.
>> JUST SOLID WASTE. WE DID PUT OUT WHAT AN AVERAGE UTILITY BILL WOULD BE IN YOUR PACKET SO YOU KNOW WHAT A CITIZEN WOULD SEE IN THEIR BILL.
>> AND DOES A WATER WORKS BOARD HAVE MEETINGS CITIZENS CAN COME TO?
>> ABSOLUTELY, MONTHLY MEETINGS.
>> TO THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE THAT WE HAVE NOT ADDRESSED CERTAIN THINGS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT WHEN A CITIZEN COMES UP AND RATTLES NUMBERS AND LOCATIONS AND FOR US TO RESPOND WITHOUT HAVING DONE OUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE AND OUR OWN HOMEWORK OF WHAT THOSE NUMBERS AND VISIT SITES MAY BE.
IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF US TO SPEAK TO THOSE THINGS AS A REACTION TO A QUESTION. SO, I HAVE MADE COMMENTS IN MYMY NOTEBOOK AND JOTTED DOWN THE THINGS THAT WERE STATED. SO, IT IS MY INTENT TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT THOSE COMMENTS WERE AND THE ACTUALITY AND THE FACTS BEHIND THOSE.
AND IF IT PAINTS THE PICTURE THAT WAS STATED OR NOT.
AND I WILL GLADLY REACH OUT TO THAT CONSTITUENT AND HAVE A FOLLOW- UP CONVERSATION. BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN RESPONSIBLY DO FROM THE DAIS WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH A BUNCH OF INFORMATION IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
>> THANK YOU, MS. WITTEN. YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.
[01:15:01]
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU FIND, HE'S NOT GOING TO BELIEVE IT.>> THREE -- THREE WORK SESSIONS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
THEY WERE BROUGHT UP LAST -- TWO WEEKS AGO -- NOT TWO WEEKS AGO. WE BROUGHT UP THE 1ST OF MAY.
WE PUT AN ABUNDANCE OF INFORMATION OUT ONLINE, AND THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ANYONE TO REACH OUT TO ANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH QUESTIONS.
AND WE'D BE MORE THAN WILLING TO GET AN ANSWER FOR YOU.
YOU CAN ALSO DO THAT AFTER THE FACT AS WELL.
>> I APPRECIATE MR. WILKINS, THAT YOU PAY SUCH ATTENTION TO THE WORKINGS OF YOUR CITY.
I JUST -- I SHARE THE SAME OPINIONS AS MY COLLEAGUES HERE. IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO JUST START RESPONDING TO YOU IN REALTIME.
IT FELT A LITTLE BIT IN THE MOMENT THAT CLEARLY YOU DEMONSTRATED YOUR PASSION ABOUT IT, BUT WE'RE NOT PREPPED IN THAT MANNER THAT WE CAN JUST RESPOND IN THAT WAY.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO US IN WRITING.
I THINK WRITING IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO -- IF YOU'VE GOT PARTICULAR QUESTIONS THAT YOU CAN REFERENCE SOME OF THE RESEARCH MATERIAL THAT YOU'VE COME UPON, AND THEN JUST WRITE US. AND I DON'T THINK YOU'LL FIND ANY OF US UNWILLING TO HELP YOU.
>> MEGAN, WHAT ARE OUR PERSONNEL COUNTS? 50%?
>> WE DO. BUT THERE'S A COMPLICATED FORMULA THAT GOES WITH.
THERE'S GENERAL FUND VERSUS THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS AMONG OTHER THINGS. WE KEEP GENERALLY EMPLOYMENT COSTS COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES ARE KEPT BELOW THE 50% NUMBERS OF GENERAL FUND EXPENSES WE TALK ABOUT WITH OR WITHOUT CAPITAL -- IN THERE. WE RUN VERY LEAN, AND MY STAFF CAN TELL YOU IT'S NOT EASY TO GET POSITIONS PAST ME.
FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU WANT RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS, SETH IS ALSO AWARE OF THE QUESTIONS RECEIVED TONIGHT. THOSE ARE FULLY AUDITED FINANCIALS, THINGS THAT WE WERE COMFORTABLE WITH, BUDGETS THAT WERE PASSED.
THE STAFF CAN RESPOND TO THOSE QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHEN WE'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK THEM UP. I DO THINK OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR IS READY TO RESPOND TO ONE SPECIFIC QUESTION RIGHT NOW FOR
CLARIFICATION PURPOSES. >> THE REFERENCE TO $84 MILLIONMILLION IN SEWER FUND. THE SEWER FUND HAS A NET POSITION OF $84 MILLION. NET POSITION CONSISTS OF NUMBER ONE, CAPITAL ASSETS.
EVERYTHING THAT WE OWN IN THE SEWER FUND IS MADE UP OF SEWER LINES, SEWER PLANTS, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT GO INTO THAT. OF THAT $84 MILLION POSITION, 66 MILLION OF IT IS OUR CAPITAL ASSETS.
WE HAVE ABOUT 12 MILLION. AT THE END OF 2024, WE HAD $12 MILLION IN UNRESTRICTED NET POSITION IN THE SEWER FUND. THAT'S CASH, NOT 84 MILLION.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. THAT'S A BIG DISCREPANCY THERE.
>> THE SEWER TREATMENT PLANS, ALL THE SEWER LINES, ALL THE EQUIPMENT --
>> YEAH. >> AND THAT CASH ON HAND, IS THAT TO -- FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT? IS THAT -- WHAT IS THAT CASH ON HAND ON HAND FOR?
>> IT'S USED FOR ANNUAL OPERATIONS. IT'S USED FOR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASES. ONE THING THAT HAPPENS IN SOMETHING LIKE THE SEWER FUND IS YOU MAY HAVE MANY, MANY YEARS OF VERY EXPENSIVE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND YOU MAY HAVE A FEW YEARS WHERE YOU DON'T SEE AS MUCH.
AND YOU WILL KNOW THAT WE HAVE NOT RAISED SEWER RATES IN A LONG TIME EITHER BECAUSE THE FUND IS IN A GOOD POSITION. WE IN THE NEXT PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE YEARS WILL SEE, AGAIN, ANOTHER RAMP- UP OF SEWER PROJECTS.
AND SO WHEN YOU PLAN FOR SEWER AND WHEN YOU RAISE RATE, YOU DO IT FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE. WE HAVE TO PROVIDE SEWER SERVICE FROM NOW ON. AND SO WHEN YOU PLAN FOR THINGS LIKE THAT, IT'S WELL INTO THE FUTURE.
WHILE IT MAY LOOK LIKE WE HAVE A LOT OF SURPLUS RIGHT NOW, THAT CAN CHANGE VERY QUICKLY DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF THE SEWER SYSTEM AND HOW MUCH REHAB WE NEED TO DO OR NEW LINES OR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PLANTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO, WATER, SEWER, SOLID WASTE IS LIKE A BUSINESS. YOU DON'T PLAN FOR TOMORROW.
YOU PLAN, YOU KNOW, NOT JUST TOMORROW. YOU HAVE PLAN FOR A LONG WAYS OUT BECAUSE THAT IS A SERVICE THAT HAS TO CONTINUE.
>> NOW, REMEMBER, WE DO FIVE-YEAR WATER AND SEWER MASTER PLANS. WE UPDATE THEM EVERY FIVE YEARS VERY CONSISTENTLY. AND THAT IS HOW WE
[01:20:02]
PLAN FOR GROWTH.THAT'S HOW WE PLAN FOR MAINTENANCE.
THAT'S HOW WE PLAN FOR ALL OF IT, AND ALL THAT PLAYS A ROLE BACK TO THIS. SO, I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, AS A LOT OF YOU SAID, A LOT OF THIS IS IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENT, IT TALKS ABOUT FUNDS AND HOW THEY WORK, DEFINITIONS AND THINGS. WE'LL HAVE BUDGET MEETINGS THIS SUMMER THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. WE'LL TALK THROUGH THIS WITH YOU AND WE'LL GLADLY DO SO AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. >> YOU KNOW, THE REALITY IS GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETS LOOK DIFFERENT THAN SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING, SMALL BUSINESS BUDGETS. AND IT TAKES TIME TO REALLY SIT DOWN AND UNDERSTAND AND STUDYSTUDY DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE AND HOW THEY'RE PUT TOGETHER. AND WE WILL BE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS. AGAIN, I'LL USE THE WORD METHODICAL, A VERY METHODICAL PROCESS LATER ON THIS SUMMER, AS WE LOOK AT APPROVING THE EXPENSES THAT WILL COUNCIL WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS WITH THE MONEY THEY HAVE CREATED TO GIVE THIS CITY TO OPERATE. AND IT -- WE TAKE A LOT OF TIME DOING THAT, AND THOSE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
AND ANYONE IS CERTAINLY WELCOME TO COME AND WATCH THOSE BUDGET HEARINGS TAKE PLACE. SO, I APPRECIATE STAFF'S TIME.
I GET PROBABLY A CLOSER VIEW OF THIS BECAUSE I'M IN THE BUILDING MUCH OF THE TIME WHILE MEGAN IS MEETING WITH HER STAFF. BUT THERE IS HOURS AFTER HOURS AFTER HOURS THAT ARE GONE THROUGH WITH OUR FINANCE STAFF AND OUR BUDGET ANALYSTS AND THE LEADERS OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE CITY MANAGER TO PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER.
IT IS NOT CALLOUSLY DONE. IT IS CAREFULLY DONE WITH A LOT OF PROFESSIONALISM AND A LOT OF INPUT. AND I'M GRATEFUL WE HAVE THE STAFF THAT DOES THAT.
>> I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY I APPRECIATE COUNCILMAN GRISWOLD AND MOREMAN'S SERVICE IN THE MILITARY.
THAT TO EVEN BE BROUGHT UP IS RIDICULOUS.
>> AND YOURS AS WELL, CHIEF. ANYONE ELSE?
>> I JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS, IT'S NOT JUST THE TWO -- UP HERE, BUT ALL OF US TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.
AND I THINK WE'VE DONE THE BEST THAT WE CAN ON THIS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH T CASES AND COURT CASES AND EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE SHORT- TERM RENTAL THING, AND WE'LL NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT.
IT IS TRULY INSULTING TO EVEN MENTION MEMORIAL DAY WHEN ARGUING FOR A FEW FOLKS TO MAKE MONEY OFF THEIR PROPERTY.
THAT'S JUST INSULTING. AND OTHER THING IS CITIZENS ARE FREE TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT THEY CHOOSE, BUT AS A REMINDER, THIS IS A NON- PARTISAN BODY.
AND THERE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT ARE SIMPLY OUTSIDE OF OUR LOCAL DELIBERATION CONSIDERATION. SO, JUST NEED TO REMIND EVERYBODY ABOUT THAT.
>> THANK YOU, KELLEY. ALL RIGHT.
>> ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A MOVE TO ADJOURN.
>> SO MOVED. >> WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.