[1. CALL TO ORDER. ] [00:00:07] >>> OKAY. WE'LL CALL TO ORDER THE AUBURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR JULY 22, 2025. WE ALL OF YOU WHO JOINED US LIVE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND WHO ARE WATCHING THROUGH OUR STREAMING SERVICES. WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU. THE ROLL CALL? >> ADAMS GLOVE COMPARTMENT HERE. >> COBLENTZ? >> HERE. >> DAWSON? GRISWOLD? >> HERE. >> TAYLOR? >> HERE. >> WITTEN? >> ANDERS. >> HERE. WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE? >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> PLEASE BE SEATED. EARLIER [4. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS.] TONIGHT DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, THE CITY COUNCIL REAPPOINTED JAMIE BRADY TO THE GREEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD AND JOHN WHITWORTH AS A NEW MEMBER. ALSO VANESSA ECKLES TO SERVE AN EXPIRED TERM ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND JENNIFER LOVERN. UNDER ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY LAST WEEK TO GO TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND BE A PART OF A WELCOME TO AUBURN SOCIAL. THERE WERE 40-50 NEW FAMILIES, NEW COUPLES, NEW INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MOVED TO AUBURN IN RECENT MONTHS. IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR THE STORIES ABOUT HOW PEOPLE ARE ENDING UP IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THEY'RE REALLY ALL OVER THE PLACE. AND WE CERTAINLY WELCOME THOSE ENTHUSIASTIC NEW MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. LATER ON THAT EVENING, I WAS INVITED TO BE A PART OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE FUEL ALABAMA SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM THAT THE CITY OF AUBURN FACILITATED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF ADPA. THESE ARE YOUNG STUDENTS WHO ARE A YEAR AWAY FROM GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE WHO WERE SHOWN THINGS ABOUT ALABAMA AND WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. A GREAT GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AND YOUNG STUDENTS, AND WE APPRECIATE THEM TAKING TIME THIS SUMMER TO LEARN ABOUT THE CITIES OF AUBURN AND OKILIKA. >> OUR CHIEF OFFICER IS NOT HERE TONIGHT. WE SPOKE EARLIER. AND I HAVE SOME THINGS I WANTED TO SAY. HE ALSO ASKED ME TO CHIME IN ON SOME THINGS ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN APPRECIATION. AND PARTICULARLY THE SOLVING OF THE DOUBLE MURDER RECENTLY AND THE CHILD ABDUCTION, HOW QUICKLY THAT CAME TO FRUITION. YA'LL DID A FANTASTIC JOB ON THAT. IT WAS WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE FBI AND THE MARSHAL SERVICE. THAT COOPERATION FEEDS INTO THE NEXT THING I HAD TO SAY. THAT IS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE COOPERATION SHOWN BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE RECENT FEDERAL TASK FORCE THAT WAS ACTIVE ACROSS THE STATE. SO THANK YOU FOR DOING A FINE JOB ON KEEPING US SAFE. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> MR. MAYOR? >> PLEASE, YES. >> TONIGHT, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE A GROUP OF YOUNG ATHLETES THAT BROUGHT GREAT PRIDE AND EXCITEMENT TO OUR CITY. THE AUBURN 11-U ALL STAR BASEBALL TEAM, CROWNED THE USSA. MAYBE THERE'S ONE MORE S IN THERE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS. THESE YOUNG MEN COMPETED WITH GREAT DETERMINATION, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND A GREAT LEVEL OF TEAM WORK. WHILE THEIR PERFORMANCE ON THE TEAM WAS EXEMPLARY, WHAT IMPRESSED ME WAS THE WAY THEY CARRIED THEMSELVES OFF FIELD WITH HUMILITY, RESPECT, AND CLASS. AND THEY REPRESENTED THE BEST OF AUBURN. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE EACH OF THE PLAYERS THAT MADE THIS ACHIEVEMENT POSSIBLE. NUMBER 2, BANKS-MURPHY. OWEN-MCCAC, LUKE OLIVER, PARK MOORE, JOSEPH MILLER, RORY KEENE, MY NEPHEW BOWMAN MARSHALL, NATE KIMBRO, AND BENJAMIN SEAGALL. THE HEAD COACH ANDREW MCKAY AND THE PARENTS AND FAMILIES, SUPPORTERS. YOUR DEDICATION AND SACRIFICES ARE A HUGE PART OF THE TEAM'S SUCCESS. WE THANK YOU FOR THE ROLE YOU PLAYED IN MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF AUBURN, CONGRATS TO OUR CHAMPIONS. YOU DEFINITELY MADE US PROUD, AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR SUMMER. CONGRATS, GUYS. [00:05:05] >> THANKFUL THEIR PARENTS ALLOWING THEM TO BE A PART OF [5. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.] THAT. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. >> GOOD EVENING. >> I'M SERVING AS THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF OUTREACH THIS YEAR AT SGA. I'VE BEEN HERE A COUPLE TIMES NOW, SO I KNOW YOUR FACES, WHICH IS SO FUN. I'M HERE TO GIVE A REPORT. CAMP REGAL FINISHED UP WITH A TOTAL COMPLETION OF 12 SESSIONS FOR THE INCOMING FRESHMAN CLASS, WHICH IS PRETTY INCREDIBLE. AUBURN UNIVERSITY BEGAN CONSTRUCTION ON THE STUDENT CENTER PATIO, AND IT'S SET TO FINISH BY NOVEMBER 2025, SO IN TIME FOR THE IRON BOWL. THE NEW SPACE WILL INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF LOUNGE AREAS, TIERED SEATING, AND AUDIO-VISUAL ELEMENTS. WE'RE HOSTING AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING SESSION FROM NOON TO 4:00 P.M. ON JULY 29TH AND 30TH. SEVERAL ROADS INCLUDING PARTS OF DONAHUE WILL BE CLOSED DURING THESE HOURS FOR THE TRAINING. OUR ALTERNATE PARKING IN PC-4 AND PC-5 LOTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. [6. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS ON AGENDA ITEMS.] THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> AT THIS TIME, WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO COMMENT ON ITEMS ON TO NIGHT'S AGENDA. THIS WILL BE ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT. WE HAVE A COUPLE ITEMS IN THE RESOLUTIONS, CONDITIONAL USES THAT HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ATTACHED. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT THOSE ITEM, WAIT AND HOLD YOUR COMMENTS FOR THAT MOMENT. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO COME FORWARD. AND YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES. >> ONE OF THOSE ITEMS YOU MENTIONED IS NOT THE SALARY RAISES, IS IT? >> NO. >> MY NAME IS ROBERT WILKINS, AUBURN, ALABAMA. CITY COUNCIL AND MAY PRO TEMPORE SALARY INCREASE. CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHERE OUR MAYOR GOT HIS 188% SALARY INCREASE IN 2020 WHEN THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE LEFT OUT. WE BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCIL INSTEAD OF A MUCH-NEEDED INCREASE IN SALARY SHOULD BE CONSIDERING THE COUNCIL POSITION TO BE FULL TIME. MANY OF THE AUBURN CITIZENS BELIEVE THE STAFF HAVE TOO MUCH CONTROL OVER THE CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TIME NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY OF ITS GROWTH AND NEED OF THE AUBURN CITY. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE COUNCIL CONSIDERS FULL-TIME, THAT LIKELY ONLY PROBABLY FOUR OF YOU WOULD CONSIDER RUNNING AGAIN BECAUSE OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN YOUR CURRENT JOBS. I PUT UP TWO DIFFERENT SURVEYS, AND I MENTIONED THEM BEFORE ON NEXTDOOR.COM. 32 WEEKS AGO, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS SHOULD OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER GET A RAISE? WITH FOUR CHOICES I GAVE 'EM. ONE WAS TO INCREASE TO $24,000. 20% AGREED WITH THAT. INCREASE TO $18,000, 14% OF 'EM DID. AND THEN 15% INCREASED TO $12,000 PER YEAR. SO YA'LL ARE RIGHT IN THE RIGHT MIX OF IT. 50% SAID STAY AT $ 7,200 PER YEAR. BUT 30% SAID MAKE THE CITY COUNCIL FULL TIME. 17% SAID THEY DIDN'T CARE. AND THEN ANOTHER CHOICE WAS KEEP THE SALARY THE SAME WAS ONLY 21%. SO IN 16 WEEKS, IT WENT FROM 50% TO 21%. SO THE RAISE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. I APPRECIATE COUNCILMAN PARSON GETTING COUNCIL MEMBERS RAISES. JUST AS COUNCILMEMBER PARSONS STATED, THIS WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO MAY NEED SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME IN ORDER TO RUN. I BELIEVE COMPETITION CAN REDUCE EVEN BETTER CANDIDATES FOR THE CITY OF AUBURN. I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD FOR HIS MILITARY SERVICE AND COUNCILMEMBER DAWSON FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE AUBURN COMMUNITY. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND YOUR SELFISH APPROACH TO THE RAISE BY NOT CONSIDERING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS. IT REMINDS ME OF SHORT TERM RENTALS, WHICH IS SELFISH ALSO. YOU STATED JULY 8TH I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF A PAY RAISE. I RESPECT EVERYONE'S OPINION AND MAKE A COMPELLING ARGUMENT FOR IT. I DO IT FOR FREE. I LOVE WHAT AUBURN HAS DONE FOR ME AND IT'S MY [00:10:01] PLEASURE TO SERVE AND THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY ABOUT IT IF YOU DO IT FOR THE MONEY, YOU'RE DOING IT FOR THE WRONG REASONS. COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD STATED I AGREE WITH CHIEF DAWSON. I THINK AUBURN IS SPECIAL, AND WE'RE UNIQUE. AND LIKE CHIEF SAID, I'D BE DOING THIS FOR FREE. IN FACT, I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR FREE WHEN THE FIRST TIME I FIRST GOT ELECTED. BUT I DIDN'T REALLY WANT SOMEBODY REPRESENTING ME WHO GETS INCENTIVIZED BY MONEY. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS NECESSARY AT THIS POINT. I HOPE THAT COUNCILMEMBER DAWSON AND COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD EITHER TURN DOWN YOUR SALARIES OR GAVE THE $7,200 TO CHARITY. IF EITHER OF YOU TAKE THE SALARY, THEN YOUR WORDS TO ME HAVE VERY LITTLE MEANING. AS A COUNCIL, IF YOU SHOULD BE CONSIDERING YOUR POSITION FULL TIME, THIS WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE AUBURN THE SPECIAL PLACE THAT COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD SPOKE ABOUT AT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. VOTE YES ON 8F. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> SUZANNE BOLT, 1188 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE. I SPOKE BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IN JANUARY OF 2024 AND ASKED ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR MEMBERS TO GET A RAISE BECAUSE I BELIEVED IT WAS NEEDED THEN. SO A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, HERE WE ARE. I BELIEVED A RAISE WAS IN ORDER THEN, AND I STILL BELIEVE IT TODAY. I APPRECIATE THE TIME EACH OF YOU SPEND ON THE CITY BUSINESS AND SPEAKING WITH CITIZENS LIKE ME. WITH AN INCREASE IN PAY, THERE IS ALSO AN EXPECTATION OF MORE ACCESS AND MORE VALUE. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT THIS COUNCIL INSTRUCT THE CITY MANAGER AND HER STAFF TO TAKE MEASURES TO INFORM AUBURN CITIZENS, NOT ONLY OF THE RAISE FOR THE POSITION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, BUT ALSO THE EXPECTATIONS AND TIME OBLIGATIONS OF BEING A COUNCIL MEMBER. ADVERTISING THE VARIOUS CITY PUBLICATIONS SUCH AS OPEN LINES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND OTHER AVENUES ALREADY BEING USED. WITH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS GROWING CLOSER, A CAMPAIGN TO INFORM POTENTIAL CANDIDATES OF THEIR EXPECTATIONS MIGHT PROVE HELPFUL. FOR INSTANCE, THE MAYOR IS EXPECTED TO MEET WITH CITIZENS WHEN CITIZENS HAVE CONCERNS. THE MAYOR REFUSED TO MEET WITH ME BECAUSE HE SAYS I ATTACKED HIS CHARACTER. THAT JUST ISN'T A TRUE STATEMENT. I COME TO THE PODIUM WITH FACTS ABOUT EVENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED AND HOW ONE REACTS TO THE FACTS IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. ONE MIGHT ALSO JUSTIFY A PAY INCREASE RELATED TO TRAINING. TRAINING REQUIRES TIME AND SHOULD BE COMPENSATED. IN APRIL OF 2023 AND AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2024, I REQUESTED THAT THIS COUNCIL EXPAND THEIR TRAINING TOPICS AND I PROVIDED MY SUGGESTED. I WAS DISAPPOINTED MY IDEA WAS IGNORED. HOWEVER, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE RECENTLY SAW THE NEED AND PASSED THE ALABAMA OFFICIAL TRAINING ACT THAT BECAME LAW IN MAY OF 2024. I ENCOURAGE YOU NOW AS A COUNCIL TO TAKE MEASURES TO LIMIT THE EXPENSES THAT WILL BE INCURRED BY THIS ACT BY PASSING STANDARDS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND LIMITING TRAVEL EXPENSES. IN FACT, WHY DON'T YOU IMPLEMENT A NO-TRAVEL POLICY FOR TRAINING OR REQUIRE ONLINE TRAINING ONLY? TRAINING NOW WILL COST THE CITY MORE THAN IF YOU HAD IMPLEMENTED A TRAINING PROGRAM ON YOUR OWN. AND THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES WILL NOW DICTATE THE TRAINING REGIMENT GEARED MORE TO THE NEEDS OF THE CITY THAN THE NEEDS OF THE CITIZEN. ALSO, THIS ACT DOES NOT SANCTION THOSE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO DON'T COMPLETE TRAINING. NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO MAKE TRAINING MANDATORY AS WELL. THERE ARE STILL OTHER AREAS OF TRAINING TO BE ADDRESSED. TREATMENT OF SOME SPEAKERS AT CITY COUNCIL, PROPER USE OF ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, DECISIONS BEING BASED ON LAW, THE CONSTITUTION, AND FAIRNESS INSTEAD OF EMOTIONS, SOME EMOTIONAL OR INCONSISTENT DECISIONS THAT I HAVE SEEN ARE ORDINANCE 3288, WHICH WAS BASED ON EMOTION, DOUBLE STANDARDS, DISCRIMINATION, AND IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE CHERRY STREET ADDITION ALTERED THE ZONING CATEGORY, AND THEREFORE BUILDING HEIGHT AND SETBACKS. CHANGING THE APPEARANCE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, YET THE STR-5 FALSELY CLAIMED THE STR HOSTS WERE CHANGING THE APPEARANCE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. THE GROCERY STORE AND LIQUOR STORE AT DONAHUE AND HIGHWAY 14 WHERE YOU DIDN'T ALLOW A LIQUOR STORE BECAUSE THE DRINKERS AND REVELERS IN THE NEARBY CHURCH PARKING LOT, BUT NOW STEVEN'S STATION HAS PUT 25 RV PARKING LOTS FOR GAME DAY RIGHT NEXT [00:15:01] DOOR. WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WILL BE DOING NEXT TO THE CHURCH? CITIZENS LIKE ME HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF OUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. WHILE I DON'T AGREE WITH ALL OF YOUR DECISIONS, I DO BELIEVE THAT EACH COUNCIL MEMBER BRINGS A USEFUL PERSPECTIVE TO THE TABLE. WHILE SOME OF YOU WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM THIS INCREASE BECAUSE IT STARTS NEXT TERM, I HOPE IMPROVEMENTS CAN CONTINUALLY BE MADE TO THE PROCESS TO SERVE AUBURN CITIZENS. I AM IN FAVOR OF THE INCREASE AND WANT EACH COUNCIL MEMBER TO BE COMPENSATED FAIRLY FOR THEIR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? ANYONE? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE AHEAD WITH CITY MANAGER'S COMMUNICATIONS. >>> I DON'T HAVE ANY CITY [8. CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA.] MANAGER'S COMMUNICATIONS THIS EVENING. ARE YOU READY FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA? DOES ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CURRENT CONSENT AGENDA AND DEAL WITH THAT ITEM INDIVIDUALLY? >> YES, MA'AM. I'D LIKE TO REMOVE ITEM 8F, FOXTROT. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> I'D LIKE TO REMOVE ITEM 8C, 8 CHARLIE PLEASE. [8.c. Restructure Housing Rehabilitation Loan. Dorothy Conway. Property located at 1137 Wrights Mill Road. ] >> ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. 8C. >> ITEM 8C RESTRUCTURES A LOAN WITH DOROTHY CONWAY. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. MR. GRISWOLD? >> THANK YOU. THIS IS TO RESTRUCTURE A 20-YEAR, NO-INTEREST LOAN AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT NO PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TOWARD THIS LOAN SO FAR, IS THAT CORRECT? >> THIS IS A DEFERRED LOAN, NO PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS WERE PRIORED TO BE MADE. >> SO OVER A 20-YEAR PERIOD, NO ATTEMPT OR NO PAYMENTS EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT REQUIRED HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR OR OFFERED BY THE RECIPIENT. >> YEAH, THIS IS A LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME DEFERRED MORTGAGES FOR PEOPLE DEFINED AS ELDERLY OR DISABLED. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT. WHEN SOMEONE REPAYS ONE OF THESE LOANS, THAT IS MONEY THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO PUT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON WHO MIGHT BE. >> THAT GOES INTO OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM AND CAN GO BACK IN. THESE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WERE GIVEN TO THE CITY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM ONCE BECAME AN ENTITLEMENT CITY. >> THANK YOU. WHAT CONFIDENCE DO WE HAVE THAT EXTENSION OF A 20-YEAR NO-INTEREST LOAN FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS AT NO INTEREST, WHAT CONFIDENCE DO WE HAVE THAT WE'LL EVER SEE A RETURN? NOT A RETURN ON INVESTMENT BUT A RETURN ON THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE PUT INTO THIS PROGRAM THAT COULD BE USED FOR OTHER NEEDY PEOPLE IN THE NEAR TERM? >> IT'S SECURED BY THE PROPERTY ON WRIGHTS MILL ROAD THAT IS WORTH MORE THAN THE LOAN. AND SO IT ALSO IS IF THE PERSON THAT IS SIGNING THE NOTE CANNOT PAY IT, IT RUNS WITH THE LAND, THE HEIRS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY IT BACK. AND SO WE WILL RECOVER OUR FUNDS OVER TIME. >> YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR E-MAIL RESPONSE TO ME ABOUT THIS THAT THERE WOULD BE AN YOU EVER TO THE FAMILY TO MAKE PERIODIC PAYMENTS TOWARD THIS PRINCIPAL. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> IS THAT IN THE AGREEMENT? >> NO. THIS IS STILL A DEFERRED LOAN FOR 10 YEARS BECAUSE IT'S IN THE NAME OF THE LOANHOLDER. SO THE FAMILY HAS INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO REPAY, AND THE ACTUAL PROPERTY OWNER HERSELF HAS SENT US A LETTER TODAY IN WRITING STIPULATING SHE'S GOING TO START MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS, BUT IT IS NOT REQUIRED BY THIS DOCUMENTATION. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIMITED INCOME. IN THE EVENT THAT SHE CANNOT MAKE REGULAR MONTHLY PAYMENTS, IT'S MEANT TO BE A LIFE ESTATE. SO SHE COULD LIVE OUT HER LIFE IN HER HOME UNTIL SUCH TIME AS SHE CAN'T LIVE THERE. AND IF THE PROPERTY IS DEEDED TO SOMEBODY ELSE IN HER FAMILY, THEN IT WILL BE REPAID BY THEM. SO THERE ISN'T A MONTHLY LOAN PAYMENT, ALTHOUGH SHE IS REQUESTING OR HAS INDICATED IN E-MAIL SHE WOULD LIKE TO START MAKING SMALL PAYMENTS THAT ARE AFFORDABLE FOR HER ON THIS LOAN. >> WITHOUT SOME KIND OF ASSURANCE THAT THIS MONEY WILL EVENTUALLY BE PAID BACK TO THE CITY OR THE FEDERAL ACCOUNT, THE HOUSING PROGRAM, I'M RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT ANOTHER 10 YEARS ZERO INTEREST LOAN. WE'VE ALREADY HAD 20 YEARS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPAY THIS $52,000 LOAN. [00:20:01] AGAIN, ZERO INTEREST. >> THERE'S A MORTGAGE ON THE PROPERTY. SO THE PROPERTY WOULD BECOME THE CITY'S. THE CITY WILL RECOVER ITS MONEY. >> IT'S NOT APPRECIATED. >> OH. >> ANYWAY, THERE'S BEEN NO EFFORT OR NO ASSURANCE TO REPAY THIS, AND SO BY EXTENDING IT FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS, THAT $52,000 CONTINUES ON FOR A PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL WE HAVE SOMETHING IN WRITING, SOME ASSURANCE THERE WILL BE PAYMENTS TOWARD THE PRINCIPAL. I'M RELUCTANT TO AGREE TO A 10-YEAR EXTENSION ON SOMETHING THAT WE HAD 20 YEARS TO WORK ON. >> OKAY. I THINK THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NOT CLEAR IN THE PAPERWORK. THERE'S A MORTGAGE. THE PROPERTY IS WORTH MORE THAN THE $52,000 MORTGAGE. THE CITY'S MONEY IS SECURE. THERE IS NO OTHER DEBT ON THE PROPERTY. SO THE CITY WILL GET ITS FUNDS BACK. THESE ARE DEFERRED LOANS. PAYMENTS ARE NOT REQUIRED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER. PERIOD. PER THE DOCUMENTS. SO THE PROPERTY OWNER'S BEEN IN COMPLIANCE FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. AND AGAIN, THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO RECYCLE MONEY TO HELP OTHERS, BUT NOT TO GET SOMEBODY KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOME IN AN ELDERLY STATE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD PAYMENTS. THE GOAL WAS TO HAVE A NICE PLACE TO LIVE, AN ACCEPTABLE PLACE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR LIFE. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE FAMILY STEPPING UP TO TRY TO COVER THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT WE'RE NOT AT RISK OF KICKING SOMEONE OUT OF THEIR HOME. WE HAVE A FAMILY WILLING AND ABLE TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS INDIVIDUAL. >> MISS CROUCH, THE DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT? >> WE APPROVED THIS PROGRAM IN THE EARLY 2000S WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS REPLICATED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND IS VERY COMMON IN DEFERRED LOAN SITUATIONS. WHAT WE COULDN'T DO IS DRAFT A FULL LIFE ESTATE FOR SOMEBODY, WHICH IS WHAT WE WANTED TO DO. WE HAD TO HAVE A FINANCIAL TERM. BUT WE PLANNED AND SOME OF THESE ARE COMING EARLY THAT IT IS, THE WOMAN RESIDING IN THE HOME IS 89 YEARS OLD, AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT SHE'S STILL WITH US ON THIS EARTH. BUT WE FEEL STRONGLY AS A STAFF, IT'S UP TO THE COUNCIL, THAT IF SHE WANTS TO REMAIN IN HER HOME, WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO HELP HER DO THAT. WE'RE NOT AT RISK OF NOT GETTING OUR FUNDS. BELIEVE ME, LEGALLY, WE WILL WHEN SOMEBODY ELSE OWNS THE PROPERTY, FUNDS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE. MR. DAVIS? >> IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S KEPT SO MANY PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES. AND THIS HOME WAS NOT QUITE LIKE MOST OF OUR REHAB LOANS THAT RUN BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, $15 AND $20,000. THIS HOUSE WAS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE THAT WE LITERALLY HAD TO RECONSTRUCT THIS HOUSE. BASICALLY, WE REBUILT THE HOUSE. SO THE HOMEOWNER COULD REMAIN IN THE HOUSE. NOW, THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THIS HOUSE OVER 20 YEARS. WHY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PAYING THIS LOAN, THEY HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THIS HOUSE VERY WELL. THE ONE PLUS WE HAVE GOING FORWARD WITH THE 10-YEAR EXTENSION WE'RE REQUESTING IS THE FAMILY HAS COME TOGETHER. THEY REALIZE THEY WANT TO RETIRE THIS LOAN, SO THEY ARE ANXIOUS TO BEGIN TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO RETIRE IT. THEY CERTAINLY DON'T WANT IT TO GO PAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS, SO THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HELP MAKE REGULAR PAYMENTS ON THIS LOAN. BUT WE ARE THANKFUL THE HOMEOWNER IS STILL IN THE HOUSEHOLD. SHE'S STILL ABLE TO LIVE IN HER HOUSE AND HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO LIVE HER LIFE OUT IN HER HOUSE. THAT WAS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE DEFERRED LOAN PROGRAM IN THE FIRST PLACE. >> WITH THE FAMILY MAKING PAYMENTS, THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO, THAT'S SOMETHING THEY WANT TO DO. >> IT'S STILL IN DEFERRED STATUS. THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. BUT MOST INDIVIDUALS IN OUR PROGRAM DO MAKE STEPS TO TRY TO RETIRE THE LOANS, AND MOST OF THEM DON'T HAVE, ALL OF THEM DON'T HAVE INCOMES THAT WOULD HAVE AFFORDED THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY REGULAR MONTHLY PAYMENTS. BUT THEY DO, DO WHAT THEY CAN, AND THIS FAMILY IS WILLING TO DO THAT, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED. >> THANK YOU. >> CAN I ASK A CLARIFICATION QUESTION? DOES THE CITY HAVE ANY MONEY IN THIS LOAN? >> NO. IT'S COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT FUNDING MONEY ONLY. WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO USE GENERAL FUND FOR THIS PURPOSE. >> WHAT I'M ASKING IS, IS THIS FEDERAL MONEY OR CITY MONEY? >> IT'S FEDERAL MONEY. >> SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND? >> NO, SIR. AND WE MUST USE THIS FUND, THESE FUNDS TO IMPACT LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES IN AUBURN. >> THANK YOU. >> MISS HOLMES IS IN WARD 6, AND I'M GRATEFUL THERE'S SUCH A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE WITH LIMITED MEANS OF INCOME TO LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES IN DIGNITY. AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT THIS EXTENSION HAS HAPPENED. THANK [00:25:02] YOU. >> I DRIVE BY THIS HOUSE REGULARLY, AND I AGREE WITH MR. DAVIS. IT HAS BEEN KEPT UP VERY WELL. AND SECONDLY, AND LOOKING AT THIS TODAY, I DID A QUICK RESEARCH ON VALUATION OF THE HOMES IN THE AREA. I THINK IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY EASY COVER WHAT OUR MORTGAGE AMOUNT IS, THE $52,000. I FEEL LIKE FUNDS ARE VERY SECURE, AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE, THERE'S NO OBLIGATION FOR HER TO MAKE PAYMENTS PER THE PROMISORY NOTE SHE SIGNED. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM EXTENDING THIS FOR A LITTLE LONGER KNOWING OUR POSITION IN THE PROPERTY IS SECURED AND VALUED WELL OVER WHAT THE MORTGAGE AMOUNT IS. WE WILL RECOUP THE COSTS AT SOME POINT DOWN THE ROAD. >> YOU KNOW, WE LIVE IN A TOWN THAT HAS CITIZENS OF ALL AGES AND STAGES AND PLACES. AND I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US AS THE LEADERS OF THIS COMMUNITY TO INCREASE OUR TOOLBOX AS WE NEED TO, TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE POSSIBLE WHERE THEY ARE. I'M CERTAINLY GRATEFUL THERE'S THIS PROGRAM THAT WE CAN ACCESS THAT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT WE WOULD USE GENERAL FUND MONEY TO DO ON A NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS FOR THE CITY. BUT AS A MANNER THAT WE CAN ASSIST THOSE, THAT THERE'S ACCOUNTABILITY THERE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY GET INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM THERE'S GOING TO BE AN EXPECTATION THAT THIS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. BUT WE CAN ALLOW THEM TO RESPECTFULLY LIVE THERE AT THIS TIME OF THEIR LIFE. SO I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS, AND I ALSO KNOW MISS CONWAY AND GREW UP WITH SOME OF HER CHILDREN, AND I'M GLAD AT HER PLACE IN LIFE SHE CAN HAVE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. ANYONE ELSE? >> YEAH. AND I WANT TO SAY TOO THAT I'M THANKFUL FOR THE PROGRAM. REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM, IT'S BEEN AROUND A WHILE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE REALLY KNOW THAT IT DOES HELP PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD, ESPECIALLY WHEN PEOPLE GET OLDER, THEY'RE AN A FIXED INCOME, THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF DISABILITY, SO IT'S A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO HELP SOMEBODY. AND I'M GLAD THAT THIS FEDERAL PROGRAM ENABLES PEOPLE WITH THOSE TYPE OF CONDITIONS TO, YOU KNOW, CARRY ON AND BE ABLE TO LIVE. AND I KNOW, AND I'M THINKING THIS IS KENNY CONWAY? OKAY, OKAY. I'M THINKING THAT HIS MOM OR GRANDMOM. >> I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HIS MOM. >> OKAY. SO I'M JUST THANKFUL, AND I'M QUITE SURE THAT THE FAMILY IS ALSO SO THANKFUL. AND IT'S A BLESSING THAT THE OTHER FAMILY WANNA COME IN AND ASSUME THE LOAN, WHICH THEY DON'T HAVE. SO I'M IN FAVOR OF AGREEING WITH KEEPING THIS GOING. >> LET'S VOTE TO RESTRUCTURE MISS CONWAY'S LOAN. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> I STILL HAVE MORE DISCUSSION, PLEASE. >> OKAY. >> AND I HAVE NO QUALMS WITH THE PROGRAM. I THINK THE PROGRAM IS FANTASTIC. IT'S DONE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE PROPERTY WAS NOT BEING, THE LOAN WAS NOT BEING SECURED. AND I'VE BEEN CONVINCED FROM MY BANKER FRIEND DOWN THERE ON THE FAR END THAT IT IS SECURED, AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE FAMILY IS WILLING TO STEP UP AND MAKE SOME INTERIM PAYMENTS BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT 10 YEARS. SO HOPEFULLY THIS MONEY CAN BE REUSED TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED. THAT WAS MY OBJECTIVE, IS TO HOW THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR OTHER PEOPLE. SO OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION [8. f. City Council and Mayor Pro Tempore salary increase. Effective November 1, 2026.] CARRIES. >>> ITEM 8F AUTHORIZES A SALARY OF $1250 A MONTH FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND $1,500 FOR MAYOR PRO TEM. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. MR. PARSONS? >> YEAH. I WANTED TO PULL THIS OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA SO THE PUBLIC COULD HEAR THIS DISCUSSION ONGOING. DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, WE WEREN'T UNANIMOUS IN THIS DECISION. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC ARE AWARE OF HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE. THE LAST TIME [00:30:02] THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WAS COMPENSATED, THEIR COMPENSATION WAS RAISED IN 2006. IN 2026 WHEN THE INCOMING COUNCIL COMES INTO SEATED, THIS RAISE, THIS COMPENSATION RAISE WOULD TAKE PLACE MAKING IT 20 YEARS SINCE THEY LAST HAD ANY KIND OF COMPENSATION RAISE. WE WERE GIVEN A LOT OF COMPARATIVE DOCUMENTS ABOUT WHAT OTHER CITIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA COMPENSATE THEIR COUNCIL MEMBERS. AND A GENERAL, ROUGH AVERAGE OF COMPARABLE CITIES CAME IN AT AROUND $17,000 PER YEAR. THE BIG 10 CITIES, THE AVERAGE IS AROUND, OF WHICH AUBURN IS ONE OF THEM, THE AVERAGE CAME IN AT AROUND $24,000. SO IN KEEPING WITH GENERALLY CONSERVATIVE OUTLOOK IN THIS CITY, I SUGGESTED THE AMOUNT BE $15,000 PER YEAR, WHICH TRANSLATES TO $1,250 FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND AN $18,000 COMPENSATION FOR MAYOR PRO TEM BECAUSE THE PRO TEM ROLE TAKES UP SIGNIFICANTLY MORE TIME THAN REGULAR COUNCIL MEMBERS. AND THAT COMPENSATION BE $18,000, WHICH COMES TO AROUND $1,500 PER MONTH. >> YEAH. THANK YOU, BOB. ANYONE ELSE? YES, MR. GRISWOLD? >> YEAH. I'M ALWAYS THE ONE, RIGHT? YEAH, OKAY. THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER SAID SOMETHING ABOUT HOW THE COUNCIL WAS LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE MAYOR RECEIVED AN INCREASE. THAT'S NOT CORRECT. THE COUNCIL MADE A CONSCIOUS DECISION AT THAT TIME NOT TO GIVE THEMSELVES OR THE FOLLOWING ITERATION A RAISE. SO THAT WAS JUST A CLARIFICATION THERE. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MORE MONEY IS GONNA GIVE YOU MORE ACCESS TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY UP HERE IS LACKING OF AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE CITIZENRY AND ARE SLOW TO RESPOND. SO MORE MONEY DOESN'T EQUAL MORE ACCESS. SO I THINK THERE'S SOME FOLKS THAT THE DESIRE FOR FULL-TIME COUNCIL MEMBERS, I THINK THERE MIGHT BE ULTERIOR MOTIVES IN THERE. I'M NOT SURE. AS CHIEF DAWSON AND I SAID DURING THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE LAST TIME AROUND, NEITHER OF US SUPPORT A RAISE. WE BOTH THINK THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE, AND I DO NOT WANT SOMEONE REPRESENTING ME WHO IS MOTIVATED BY MONEY. I WANT PEOPLE UP HERE THAT ARE MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE TO SERVE THE CITY OF AUBURN. I KNOW THE CHIEF IS NOT HERE TONIGHT, BUT HE ASKED ME TO MENTION THAT IS HIS OPINION AS WELL. SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? YES? >> THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. I SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S PAY, BY THE WAY. I DON'T WANT HIS JOB. I'M THRILLED THAT HE DOES IT FOR WHAT WE PAY HIM. AND GOD BLESS HIM FOR THAT. I WOULD NOT SUPPORT FULL-TIME COUNCIL MEMBERS. THIS IS, I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THIS BEING A CAREER FOR SOMEBODY. A POLITICAL STEPPINGSTONE, MAYBE. BUT A FULL-TIME CAREER, I JUST CAN'T SEE IT. BUT I DO THINK SEVERAL OF OUR MEMBERS ARE SACRIFICING AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL BY GIVING UP TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, BY GIVING UP TIME AWAY FROM THEIR FULL-TIME JOB, AND I THINK THIS MIGHT BE MEANINGFUL FOR THAT PORTION OF OUR GROUP. SO I SUPPORT IT ON THAT LEVEL FOR THOSE REASONS. NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THIS. THAT'S WHY IT HAS GONE FOR 20 YEARS ROUGHLY WITH NO PAY INCREASE. BECAUSE IT HAS COME UP RELUCTANTLY, AND IT HAS BEEN VOTED DOWN SEVERAL TIMES. PEOPLE DON'T DO THIS FOR MONEY. PEOPLE DON'T EVEN WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. AND AS COUNCILMEMBER GRISWOLD SAID, MANY OF US DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THERE WAS A SALARY. SO I THINK THE MOTIVATION IS SOUND. I DON'T THINK THE PAY INCREASE PROPOSAL IS TOO FAR OUT OF LINE. I DON'T THINK IT'S GRANDIOSE. I THINK THAT IT'S A FAIR AMOUNT. IT'S NOT SOMETHING I REALLY LOSE SLEEP OVER. I DON'T CARE, BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL AND WARRANTED FOR SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAY WANT TO SERVE WHO HAVE SMALL CHILDREN, FULL-TIME JOBS, ETC., ETC. THANK YOU. >> YEP, THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? [00:35:02] >> WELL, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THE SALARY INCREASE FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL THAT COMING UP. BUT I DON'T THINK EVEN JUST SAY IF I RUN AGAIN AND MAKE IT, IT AIN'T LIKE IT'S ENOUGH MONEY FOR ME TO QUIT MY JOB. BUT I DO, I DO APPRECIATE IT. AND YOU KNOW, ANY LITTLE BIT HELP, EVEN THE $600 A MONTH HELPED. SO I JUST APPRECIATE THAT SOMEBODY WANTED TO CONSIDER OR THIS COUNCIL WANTED TO CONSIDER THE NEXT COUNCIL THAT COMES UP BECAUSE IT'S LONG PAY IS DUE. AND SERVING TWO TERMS AND DOING IT FOR THE AMOUNT THAT WE WAS GETTING, THE $7,200, I DON'T THINK IT WAS ABOUT THE MONEY. I TRULY DON'T. SO TO GET AN INCREASE IS NOT GONNA MAKE US OR BREAK US. IT'LL BREAK ME, REALLY, IF I QUIT MY JOB FOR $15,000 A YEAR. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT. >> THANK YOU, CONNIE. ANYONE ELSE? WELL, I'M CERTAINLY GRATEFUL FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO BE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I CAN TELL ALL OF YOU THAT ARE WITH US TONIGHT AND ALL THAT ARE LISTENING AND WATCHING, WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE, AS YOU'VE SEEN ALREADY. AND YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE LATER. BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT EVERYBODY UP HERE WORKS HARD, AND THEY'RE ATTENTIVE TO THE PEOPLE THAT THEY REPRESENT, WHICH IN TODAY'S AUBURN IS ABOUT 10,000 FOLKS. AND IT'S A BIG JOB. AND IT'S A BIGGER JOB THAN IT WAS IN 2006 JUST BECAUSE THERE'S MORE TO DO. THERE'S MORE PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO. SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE IS CERTAINLY MUCH GREATER AND DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO. THE EXPECTATIONS HAVE JUST BEEN CHANGED. AND SO THESE PEOPLE UP HERE WORK HARD, AND I'M PROUD TO SERVE WITH THEM. AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL EARN THIS INCREASE IF THIS WERE TO PASS TONIGHT. OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. WE'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? >> NAY. >> ONE NAY. >>> I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> SO MOVED. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. RESOLUTIONS? [10.a.1. Grand Junction Event Space. Commercial and entertainment use (event space as a component of a mixed-use development). Property located at 1027 East Glenn Avenue.] >> WE HAVE NO ORDINANCES THIS EVENING, SO RESOLUTIONS, A REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL FOR EVENT SPACE TO BE LOCATED AT 1027 EAST GLEN AVENUE IN THE CORRIDOR REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. THE PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS JULY 10TH MEETING AND INCLUDING A CONDITION THAT ANY EVENT THAT REQUIRES OVERFLOW PARKING REQUIRES A CONTRACT TO BE PRESENTED TO STAFF. A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. NORMALLY, WE WOULD GO STRAIGHT TO PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS POINT IN TIME. CITY MANAGER, I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS. >> COUNCIL MAY ASK QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING THEY WISH. >> MR. ADAMS, I KNOW YOU HAVE A FEW. >> I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE CONDITION THAT PLANNING COMMISSION PUT ON THIS RELATED TO OVERFLOW PARKING. READING THROUGH THIS, IT'S NOT CLEAR THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE PARKING. CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT? IS THERE ADEQUATE PARKING FOR THIS? >> YEAH, CERTAINLY. SO THERE ARE THREE USES ON SITE. SO THERE'S THE RESIDENTIAL USES, THERE'S THE RESTAURANT USES, AND WHAT'S BEFORE YA'LL IS THE EVENT SPACE USE. SO THE THREE USES CUMULATIVELY REQUIRE 164 PARKING SPACES. THERE ARE 187 PARKING SPACES ON SITE. BY ORDINANCE, IT IS OVERPARKED BY ABOUT 23 PARKING SPACES. SO TO BREAK THOSE DOWN, THERE ARE 92 PARKING SPACES REQUIRED FOR THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE, WHICH WAS APPROVED EARLIER THIS YEAR. 38 REQUIRED FOR THE EVENT SPACE. 33 SPACE REQUIRED FOR THE RESTAURANT SPACE. FOR THE RESTAURANT SPACE AND FOR THE EVENT SPACE, BOTH OF THOSE NUMBERS ARE DERIVED FROM THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF EACH SPACE, AND SO THE SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR THE RESTAURANT SPACE IS 5,000. THE SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR THE EVENT SPACE IS 15,000. AND SO LIKE I SAID, BASED ON THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF EACH SPACE IS WHAT THOSE PARKING NUMBERS WERE DERIVED FROM. >> IS THAT A 15,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING? 3,000? JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY. >> OH, YEAH, SORRY. >> SO THERE'S ROUGHLY 38 PARKING SPOTS THAT WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO THE EVENT SPACE? >> YEAH. CERTAINLY, YEAH. >> ALL RIGHT. WHAT WOULD BE THE [00:40:02] CAPACITY OF THE EVENT SPACE? >> I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE CAPACITY OF IT. THAT'S MORE OF A CODES THING. BUT FOR ME, I GUESS WHAT I LOOK AT IS THE SQUARE FOOTAGE, AND THAT'S HOW WE GET TO THE PARKING. I GUESS I DIDN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. IT'S KIND OF ABOUT THE CONDITION NECESSARILY. BUT I GUESS EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS ANY EVENT OVERFLOWING, WE HAVE OTHER STANDING AGREEMENTS IN OTHER PLACES IN TOWN WHERE IF THERE IS OVERFLOW PARKING OR PARKING THEY CANNOT SATISFY ON SITE, THEY DO GET A CONTRACT TO SATISFY UP TO THE NUMBER OF PARKING THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED. SO IT WOULD BE A BROAD PLACE WHERE THEY HAD A BROAD AGREEMENT THAT COVERED HEY, IF THERE EVER IS AN EVENT WHERE WE EXCEED OUR PARKING ON SITE, HERE'S WHERE OUR SHARED PARKING WOULD BE AT THIS LOCATION, THIS NUMBER OF PARKING SPOTS, ETC. THAT WOULD BE A STANDARD AGREEMENT THAT STAFF WOULD BE AWARE OF. I JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS WHAT THE CONDITION MEANT AND HOW IT WOULD OPERATE. >> OKAY. HOW WOULD THAT CONDITION BE ENFORCED? >> YEAH. SO CURRENTLY, THERE'S BUSINESS DOWNTOWN. THEY HAVE OFF-SITE PARKING, AND I GUESS CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW THEY'RE ACTUALLY DOING A RENOVATION WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE TWO PARKING SPACES. THE CONTRACT THAT IS IN PLACE WHERE THEY HAVE THE OFF-SITE PARKING HAS TO BE UPDATED, AND THEY NEED TO SHOW THEY HAVE AN INCREASE OF TWO PARKING SPACES IN THE SHARED LOCATION THAT ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO PARK EXTRA CARS THERE TO SATISFY THEIR PARKING REQUIREMENTS. AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE DO VERIFY, THAT WE DO CHECK WITH THOROUGH INSPECTIONS AND ETC.. LIKE I SAID, THEY PRESENT US THE AGREEMENT, WE SEE THE SITE PLAN WHERE THE PARKING SPACES ARE, AND WE VERIFY IF THEY HAVE ANY PARKING ISSUES, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE DO FALL BACK ON. >> PER EVENT? OR YOU SAY THIS IS ONE TIME? >> WITH THIS ONE, IT'S A SET NUMBER TO MEET THEIR PARKING MINIMUM THAT THEY NEED IN THIS CONTRACT. SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SEE THE ONE TIME, LIKE I SAID ON THIS ONE, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH A CURRENT RENOVATION THAT WILL REQUIRE THEM TO UPDATE THAT. WE NEED A NEW CONTRACT AND NEW SITE PLAN THAT WILL BE VERIFIED WITH STAFF. >> OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS, IF YOU'RE CONCERNED, YOU CAN CLARIFY THE CONDITION IF YOU WANT IT REDRAFTED AT ALL WHERE THE CONDITION ITSELF IS PROBABLY WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW IT WORKS IN ALL PRACTICALITY, THE ACTUAL CONDITION MAY CONFUSE PEOPLE. SO IF YOU NEED THAT DRAFTED DIFFERENTLY, WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL. >> I BELIEVE THAT'S THE ROUTE I WOULD LIKE TO GO, JUST FOR A CONCEPTUAL STANDPOINT I'M ON BOARD WITH GOING IN THAT DIRECTION. I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS POTENTIAL OVERFLOW PARKING. JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, IT LOOKS LIKE IF THEY HAVE AN EVENT, THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE, MORE VEHICLES THERE THAN THEY DO PARKING SPOTS AT THE TIME, AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T END UP HAVING FOLKS PARKING ON CHERRY STREET. >> CERTAINLY. THIS ZONING DISTRICT DOES HAVE A CAP ON THE AMOUNT OF PARKING THAT CAN BE SHARED ON ANOTHER PROPERTY. AND SO IN SECTION 513, MUST BE ON AN ADJACENT PROPERTY, AND THEY CAN REQUEST LESS, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT. THEY CAN ONLY SHARE 20% OF THEIR REQUIRED PARKING. WE CAN GET TO THAT NUMBER AND WHAT IT WOULD BE. IF THEY WANT IT TO EITHER USE PART OF KROGER'S OR PART OF THAT STRIP SHOPPING CENTER THAT IS FACING GLEN, THEY'D BE ABLE TO DO THAT. THOSE ARE THE ONLY LOCATIONS THAT WOULD BE VIABLE FOR A SHARED PARKING AGREEMENT. AND IT WOULD BE A 20% INCREASE OF WHAT THEIR NUMBER IS. >> I THINK THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP BACK FROM THIS AND HAVE STAFF CLARIFY THAT CONDITION. WE CAN PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE THAT MAY WORK A LITTLE BIT BETTER. I DO WANNA GO AHEAD AND SAY AS FAR AS THIS ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT GOES, IT'S ACTUALLY, IT'S A VERY EXCITING DEVELOPMENT. WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING IN A CARVELA'S PIZZA, A LOCAL BUSINESS WILL HAVE THEIR OFFICES ON THE SECOND FLOOR, IT WILL BE VERY WELL DONE. OVERALL, I'LL IN FAVOR OF IT. I SIMPLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE THE TIME TO GET THIS CONDITION RIGHT AND THEN MOVE FORWARD. >> COUNCILMEMBER ADAMS, ALSO TO YOUR POINT, OUR INSPECTION SERVICES DIRECTOR SAID BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE, WE NEED TO TALK TO THE APPLICANT. BUT BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE AND CONFIGURATION OF AN EVENT, IT COULD BE TWO TO 400 PEOPLE. THEY MAY BE INTENDING FOR LESS THAN THAT, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE MORE DIALOGUE WITH THE APPLICANT, AND WE CAN GET YOUR MORE ON THAT. THAT HELPS US DETERMINE MORE [00:45:03] ABOUT PARKING. >> ABSOLUTELY. SO PROCEDURALLY, WOULD I MAKE A MOTION NOW TO POSTPONE THIS, TO I GUESS A DATE CERTAIN LIKE THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE? >> WE CAN PROBABLY BE READY PER THE PLANNING DIRECTOR FASTER THAN THAT. >> YEAH, I'D SAY THE SECOND MEETING IN AUGUST. >> AUGUST, SORRY. SECOND MEETING IN AUGUST? >> SO THAT WOULD PUT YOU AT THE AUGUST 19TH MEETING. >> ALL RIGHT. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO POSTPONE IT TO THE AUGUST 19TH MEETING? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? >> AND WILL THE PUBLIC HEARING FOLLOW THAT? >> IF YOU DON'T OPEN IT TONIGHT, ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO MOVE THIS TO THE AUGUST 19TH MEETING. ALL IN [10.a.2. Interlude Auburn. Performance residential development (multiple-unit development). Property located at 1397 North Dean Road.] FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? WE'LL SEE THIS ON AUGUST 19TH. >>> A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, A MULTI-UNIT DEVELOPMENT LOCATED ON NORTH DEAN ROAD. THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST AT ITS JULY 10TH MEETING. A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. AND YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. SEEING NO ONE, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND I KNOW THAT THE DEVELOPER'S REP IS HERE IF THE WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. MISS CROUCH, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO APPROVE A DEVELOPMENT AT THIS LOCATION, CORRECT? >> I BELIEVE SO. I'LL HAVE OUR PLANNING DIRECTOR SPEAK TO THAT. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY. >> EXTENSIONS HERE AND THERE, YES. >> AND SO THE DENSITY IS NOT INCREASED FROM THE FIRST ITERATION TO NOW THE THIRD ITERATION, IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. THERE'S BEEN SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN THE DESIGN. THE DESIGN IS SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT'S BEEN APPROVED BEFORE. >> AS FAR AS THE AREA THERE, HOW MANY YEARS HAS THIS BEEN, THREE OR FOUR YEARS? >> THREE OR FOUR YEARS. >> I KNOW THERE'S BEEN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERSECTION THERE WITH UNIVERSITY AND DEAN ROAD. ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF AS FAR AS THAT AREA THERE? >> IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING. >> OKAY, ALL RIGHT. >> SO IF YOU'LL NOTICE, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE FLOODPLAIN. WE UPDATED IT FOR 2025, SO THE LAST ITERATION OF THE PLAN, THEY CARVED OUT THE MOST NORTHERN PART OF THE PROPERTY TO KIND OF AVOID THE FLOODPLAIN. SO THIS ONE, THEY RECENTLY HAD TO REDO THE SITE PLAN AND THE CONFIGURATION OF THE BUILDINGS DO ACCOMMODATE THE UPDATED FLOODPLAIN. I WOULD SAY THAT IS THE ONLY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE OUTSIDE OF THE ACTUAL STRUCTURES THEY PLAN TO BUILD. >> MARY, YOU WERE ASKING, WE HAVE MADE IMPROVEMENTS TO NORTH DEAN ROAD AND EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE THAT ARE SLATED. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THERE'S DOUBLE LEFT TURNS ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT INTERSECTION. NORTH DEAN ROAD JUST PAST THIS DOES TERMINATE. IT'S PLANNED TO BE EXTENDED, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL? >> IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BUILD TO RENT COMPLEX VERSUS A BUILD TO SELL COMPLEX? ONLY REASON I ASK THAT IS THE MAP SPECIFICALLY SAYS THIS IS A BUILD TO RENT CONCEPTUAL PLAN. >> YEAH. CERTAINLY. SO I GUESS KIND OF WHAT YOU WOULD SEE WOULD BE PUBLIC STREETS, AND THEY'D BE FEE SIMPLE TOWN HOMES OR FEE SIMPLE STRUCTURES. ALL OF THESE BUILDINGS ARE ON ONE LOT, AND THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE SOLD THAT WAY. ALL THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE IS ON PAPER, IT WOULD BE FEE SIMPLE, AND SOMEONE WOULD BE ABLE TO OWN A PIECE OF LAND ESSENTIALLY. >> AND THE INTERNAL ROAD STRUCTURES, KIND OF THE CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO SERVICE ALL OF THESE HOMES? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE CITY WOULD EVENTUALLY TAKE CHARGE OF? >> NO, SIR. >> THIS IS PRIVATE. SO PRETTY MUCH, THIS IS A MASSIVE PARKING LOT. LOOKING AT IT AS CONCRETE, IT'S A MASSIVE PARKING LOT. >> IT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION. THE PRIVATE ROADS ARE NOT THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY. SOMETIMES THE COUNCIL ASKS AND YOU HAVE ON TOWN HOME DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE, IT CONFUSES THE PUBLIC BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A PUBLIC STREET, BUT WE DON'T MAINTAIN IT. AND YOU HAVE SOME INTERESTING ONES IN YOUR WARD THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH. >> THANK YOU. >> IS TRASH SERVICE COLLECTED IN ONE LOCATION ON THIS PROPERTY? [00:50:03] OR WILL WE BE REQUIRED TO GO IN AND CORRECT AT INDIVIDUAL UNITS? >> IT WOULD BE A DRT SITUATION. >> I WOULD IMAGINE ON SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, WE DON'T COLLECT. IT WOULD BE A PRIVATE COLLECTOR. >> I DON'T BELIEVE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT THE CONDITIONAL USE LEVEL HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW, CORRECT, KATRINA? IT'S NOT OUR DESIRE IN THESE TIGHT SPACES TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES. SO WE WOULD PUSH THEM HEAVILY FOR THE LARGER COMMERCIAL SERVICE. >> YEAH. THERE ARE THREE COMPACTORS ON THE CURRENT SITE PLAN. BUT YEAH, THAT WOULD BE A PRIVATE COLLECTOR, AND THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT TRASH COMPACTORS. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPER'S REPRESENTATIVE? HE'S HERE IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR HIM. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE. [10.b. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan/2025 Annual Action Plan] >> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION CARRIES. >>> ITEM 10B ADOPTS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 2025-2029 CONSOLIDATED PLAN, THE 2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, AND THE 2025-2029 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? THERE'S NO PUBLIC HEARING ATTACHED TO THIS. >> THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD WORK THAT GOES ON IN THIS PROGRAM. COULD WE HAVE MR. DAVIS JUST SPEAK TO IT AND GIVE US A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING, WHERE IT COMES FROM, AND WHERE IT'S GOING? >> I CERTAINLY WILL. WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO BE A GRANTEE OF HUD, WHICH MEANS WE GET ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS. SO WE DON'T HAVE TO COMPETE FOR THE FUNDING. WE RECEIVE AN ANNUAL ALLOCATION FROM HUD. WE DO HAVE TO COMPLETE AN ANNUAL ACTION PLAN. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO HAVE TO DO, TO DETAIL HOW WE'RE GOING TO SPEND OUR ANNUAL APPROPRIATION. THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN, WHICH THE ITEM WE'RE PRESENTING TONIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT AS PART OF THIS PROCESS BECAUSE EVERY FIVE YEARS, THE CITY MUST COMPLETE A CONSOLIDATED PLAN. THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN WILL LAY OUT FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE LAYOUT IS DEFINED FOR US WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITIES WE PLAN TO OFFER OVER THAT FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. WE LOOK AT MARKET ANALYSIS. WE LOOK AT NEEDS ANALYSIS. THAT PLAN MUST BE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH PUBLIC INPUT. THIS TIME, THIS PLAN WAS A YEAR IN THE MAKING. SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. IT'S RECEIVED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PUBLIC INPUT. WE HAD TWO STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS WHERE THE COMMUNITY WAS ABLE TO COME IN AND GIVE THEIR INPUT ON NOT ONLY THE PROCESS BUT THE PRIORITIES THAT WE ESTABLISHED. WE HAD SIX PUBLIC HEARINGS. HUD ONLY REQUIRES THREE, BUT WE ALWAYS DO MORE. WE MET WITH 20 AGENCIES, LOCAL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO GET THEIR INPUT ON THE PLAN. WE'VE MET WITH SOME SIX OF OUR FAITH-BASED PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY, MET WITH VARIOUS CITY DEPARTMENTS, HAD A COMMUNITY SURVEY. SO THERE'S A LOT OF INPUT THAT GOES INTO THE PLANNING FOR THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN. AND ALSO FOR THE ACTION PLAN. WE ALSO HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE ACTION PLAN. WE TAKE APPLICATIONS, AND WE THEN MAKE ALLOCATIONS BASED ON THE APPLICATIONS WE RECEIVED. THE FIRST YEAR AND EACH YEAR, LIKE I SAID YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ACTION PLAN, THEY DO REQUIRE THE FIRST ACTION PLAN TO BE PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN SUBMISSION. SO WHEN WE SUBMIT THIS CONSOLIDATED PLAN TO HUD, WE WILL ALSO SUBMIT THE 2025 ACTION PLAN. WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR FUNDING ALLOCATION FOR HUD FOR FY '25. AND I DO WANT TO REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT OUR CBDG PROGRAM WAS DIFFERENT FISCAL YEAR FROM OURS. OUR FISCAL YEAR RUNS FROM JUNE 1ST S TO MAY 31ST. SO IT'S AN UNUSUAL FISCAL YEAR. IT DON'T LINE UP WITH OURS. WE RECEIVED OUR ALLOCATION FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS NEW CONSOLIDATED PLAN, $702,799 IS WHAT WE RECEIVED THIS TIME. WE REALLY SPREAD OUR DOLLARS OUT. WE HAVE DONE THIS EVEN WHEN THIS PROGRAM WAS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IT WAS ALWAYS GOOD ABOUT SPREADING OUR DOLLARS OUT SO WE CAN REACH AS MANY ENTITIES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN THAT SUPPORT OUR LOW-MOD COMMUNITY. AND THIS ACTION PLAN FOR THE '25, WE HAVE FUNDING SET ASIDE FOR OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM. WE CAN EITHER BUILD A HOUSE OR FIND SOME PROPERTY OR LOOK AT DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THIS TIME, DOING SOME SECOND [00:55:09] MORTGAGE FIRST-TIME, LOW-MOD HOMEOWNERS. WE HAVE FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION. WHILE WE DON'T DO HOUSING REHABILITATION IN-HOUSE ANYMORE, WE DO HAVE TWO WONDERFUL PARTNERS, PCM AND ALABAMA RURAL MINISTRY. WE PROVIDE FUNDING THROUGH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE THE HOUSING REHABILITATION. YOU WILL NOTICE IN THIS YEAR'S FY '25 BUDGET, WE HAVE ALLOCATED SOME $50,000 TO PCM. THEY DO GREAT REHABILITATION WORK, AND THEY TAKE THESE FUNDS, STRETCH 'EM A LONG WAY. BECAUSE THEY COMBINE THEM WITH THEIR DOLLARS. ALABAMA MINISTRY PULL IN ALL OF THEIR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO DO A WHOLE LOT WITH A LITTLE BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO USE SO MANY VOLUNTEERS. THE HOUSING REHAB HAS SHIFTED FROM THE CITY TO OUR PARTNERS. AND THEN WE FUND A NUMBER OF PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES. NOW, HUD LIMITS HOW MANY DOLLARS THAT WE CAN PUT INTO PUBLIC SERVICE. WE CAN ONLY ALLOCATE 15% OF THE HUD ALLOCATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES, AND THAT RANGE FROM UTILITY AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WE HAVE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY FIND THEMSELVES HOMELESS AND NEED SOME TEMPORARY HOUSING, TO CHILDCARE SUPPORT SERVICES WHERE WE SUPPORT AUBURN DAYCARE AND OTHERS. I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER AND STREW DELIVERANCE AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, SPORTS VOUCHERS, FOOD BANK, ALL OF THOSE ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC SERVICES. WE'RE LIMITED ON THE DOLLARS WE CAN SPEND ON THAT, BUT WE SUPPORT A LOT OF AGENCIES. WE ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR PUBLIC INFROM STRUCTURE PROJECTS. THIS FY '25 PROJECT, WE HAVE FUNDS SET ASIDE TO RESURFACE PLEASANT AVENUE. IT HAS TO BE IN A LOW-MOD AREA. THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE ON RESURFACING PLEASANT AVENUE. FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. WE WORK WITH PHILLIP'S OFFICE ON THAT IN THE SECTION 108 PROGRAM. AND FINALLY, WE DO ALLOCATE SOME DOLLARS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM. AGAIN, HUD PUTS A CAP ON THAT. WE CAN'T EXCEED 20%. SO WE FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT OUR CDBG PROGRAM AND WHAT IT DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY IN AUBURN. WE REALIZE THAT WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE. AND WHAT WE HAVE IS SOME WONDERFUL COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT JOIN WITH US TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR OUR LOW-MOD INCOME COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, MR. DAVIS. GREAT REPORT. >> I WANT TO, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. YOU SAID THIS YEAR, UH, YA'LL RECEIVED $702,000 PLUS. >> YES. >> IS THIS THE ANNUAL AMOUNT EVERY YEAR? OR IT CAN VARY? >> IT VARIES. >> IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN GOING DOWN. >> IT'S GOING DOWN. IT'S GONE DOWN A LOT OVER THE YEARS. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GONNA ASK. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE MONEY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS, BUT WHY DO THE MONEY GO DOWN? BECAUSE THERE'S NEED, THERE'S A GREAT NEED. >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION TO ASK YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. [LAUGHTER] >> THERE'S FUNDING THROUGH CONGRESS. SO THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION NEXT TIME YOU TALK TO 'EM. >> IT'S PUSHED A MILLION DOLLARS, CLOSE TO IT, AND GOING DOWN TO HERE. AND SO IT IS CHALLENGING. WE GET WHAT WE GET, AND WE DON'T GET A TON OF NOTIFICATION. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT WE GET, AND WE MAKE THE MOST OF IT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN USE THIS FOR THINGS WE CANNOT USE GENERAL FUND FOR, ESPECIALLY RELATIVE TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, AND THOSE THINGS. EVEN THOUGH IT'S LESS THAN WE'D LIKE TO GET, WE'RE GRATEFUL. >> YEAH. WELL, THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE. IT GOES BEYOND YOU. SO ONCE YA'LL SUBMIT THE APPLICATIONS, THEY DETERMINE, WHOEVER DETERMINES THE AMOUNT? >> WE DON'T HAVE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR OUR FUNDING. THAT'S DETERMINED AT THE HUD LEVEL. AND OF COURSE WHAT CONGRESS APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROGRAM. >> ONCE OUR POPULATION EXCEEDED 50,000 PEOPLE IS WHEN WE STARTED GETTING ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS. WE OPERATED IN THE MANY YEARS PRIOR TO THAT, WE USED A LOT OF THESE FUNDS TO PAVE ROADS IN NORTHWEST AUBURN THAT WEREN'T PAVED. THAT CAME FROM ALLOCATIONS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GAVE THE STATE THAT WE APPLIED FOR. NOW WE'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE UNLESS IT'S AN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE LIKE COVID. WE ONLY [01:00:03] GET OUR ALLOCATION AS AN ENTITLEMENT CITY. >> I SEE YA'LL GONNA BE RESURFACING PLEASANT AVENUE. DO YOU KNOW WHEN THAT'S GONNA START? >> NOT YET. WE WORK WITH ENGINEERING ON THAT PHASE OF THE PROJECT. BUT WE CAN LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT. >> OTHER QUESTION. THE HOMELESS, YOU SAY YOU SET ASIDE MONEY FOR THE HOMELESS. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT DO YOU SET ASIDE FOR HOMELESS? AND WHEN YOU SAY HOMELESS, HOW IS THAT CLASSIFIED? >> WELL, OUR APPROACH FOR MANY YEARS HAS BEEN TO FOCUS ON HOMELESS PREVENTION. AND THAT MEANS THAT'S WHY YOU SEE SO MANY DOLLARS SET ASIDE FOR UTILITY, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE. WE FIGURE IF WE CAN KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES, WE CAN KEEP THEM OFF THE STREETS. WE ALLOCATE QUITE A FEW DOLLARS FOR THAT. NOW, INDIVIDUALS THAT DO FIND THEMSELVES IN THE STATE OF HOMELESSNESS, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAPPENS TO. THERE'S A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE HOUSEHOLD, THERE'S A FAMILY DISPUTE, OR SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TEEM COME TO THIS COMMUNITY. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WE DO HAVE FUNDS SET ASIDE. NOT NECESSARILY PERCENTAGE BUT A DOLLAR AMOUNT YOU SEE LISTED THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING AT ONE OF THE LOCAL HOTELS FOR SEVERAL NIGHTS. THAT'S WHEN WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS. SOMETIMES WE WORK WITH SEVERAL CHURCHES IF IT'S A FAMILY WITH CHILDREN THAT NEEDS HOUSING FOR A WEEK. WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS, THEY DO SO MANY DAYS, SO WE WORK TOGETHER, AND TRY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS. AGAIN, NO ONE ENTITY CAN DEAL WITH THAT, SO IT REQUIRES A COMMUNITY EFFORT, AND WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION OF HOMELESSNESS. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE HAVE A QUESTION, COMMENT? >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT. IN PREPARING FOR THIS TOPIC TONIGHT, I LEARNED A LOT, AND I'M SURE WE ALL HAVE. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMPREHENSIVE ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS. MY GOING IN OPINION WAS IT WAS JUST A LOAN PROGRAM, LIKE THE TAUPIC THAT WE COVERED EARLIER ABOUT WRIGHTS MILL ROAD. AND THIS IS SO MUCH WIDER RANGING AND COMPLEX AND AFTER WE'VE GOTTEN INTO IT THAN I COULD HAVE IMAGINED. SO THANK YOU FOR DOING A GREAT JOB ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM AND FOR BREAKING DOWN HOW MUCH OF IT IS PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES, WHICH I GUESS ARE GRANTS. IT'S MONEY YOU DON'T EXPECT BACK. AND RESURFACING, WE DIDN'T GET A PERCENT ON THAT, BUT THAT'S EXPENSIVE. SO IT MAKES UP A REASONABLE PERCENTAGE OF THE DOLLARS. AND THE REASON THAT IT'S CALLED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT IS BECAUSE IT COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF THINGS. IT'S A BLOCK OF THINGS OR TOPICS, AND THE MONEY IS GRANTED TO THIS CITY BASED ON POPULATION AND OTHER FACTORS. AND THEN SOME OF IT WE LOAN OUT, SOME OF IT WE USE AS CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND SOME OF IT WE GIFT IN A PHILANTHROPIC WAY. AND WHAT A GOOD PROGRAM. I'VE LEARNED TO APPRECIATE THAT BASED ON YOUR ANSWER AND THE THINGS THAT WE'VE LEARNED HERE TONIGHT. SO THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN [10.c. Tax Abatement. Korea Fuel Tech America, Inc. 272 Technology Parkway.] FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES. 6789 ITEM 8C, 272 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF NEW EQUIPMENT. THE COMPANY PLANS TO INVEST APPROXIMATELY $4 MILLION AND ANTICIPATES HIRING 17 NEW EMPLOYEES. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. MEGAN, I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GURU OVER HERE A QUESTION. IS THAT OKAY? >> ABSOLUTELY. MR. DUNLAP CAN APPROACH THE MICROPHONE. HE WANTS TO GET OUT OF HIS CHAIR. LOOK AT HIM. I APPRECIATE THAT. HE NEEDED TO STAND UP. >> MR. DUNLAP, IT'S ALMOST COMMON PLACE THAT ALMOST EVERY MEETING THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT'S EXPANDING AND DOING SOMETHING. AND IT DOESN'T RECEIVE THE SAME FANFARE AS A NEW COMPANY MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY. HOW MANY EXPANSIONS HAVE WE HAD THIS YEAR, AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE GOING FORWARD FOR THE REST OF THE CALENDAR YEAR? >> I BELIEVE THAT'S AROUND SEVEN SINCE YOU APPROVED THIS FISCAL YEAR SO FAR. WE TYPICALLY, WE WORK ON, WE HAVE A VERY EXTENSIVE BRNE PROGRAM. [01:05:05] WHAT THAT IS, IS BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION. WE VISIT THESE COMPANIES ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. WE CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL BASE SO WHEN THEY WANT TO DO AN EXPANSION, THEY CALL US, TALK TO US. WE LOOK AT HOW CAN WE ASSIST THEM? AND CAN WE PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE TO HELP THEM DO AN EXPANSION? TAX ABATEMENT IS A GREAT INCENTIVE. WHY? BECAUSE IT IS AN INCENTIVE YOU PROVIDE OF FUNDS YOU DON'T CURRENTLY RECEIVE AND YOU WON'T GET UNLESS THEY MAKE THE EXPANSION. SO YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT. YOU'RE NOT GIVING AWAY ANYTHING. WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS SIMPLY ALLOWING THEM TO UTILIZE INSTEAD OF PAYING A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE TO TAKE THAT AND SAVE IT AND INVEST IT IN EQUIPMENT TO CREATE JOBS. SCHOOLS DON'T GET ABATED. THE HOSPITAL DOESN'T GET ABATED. THE CHILDREN'S HOME DOESN'T GET ABATED. SO I THINK THAT'S A GREAT PROGRAM, AND WE'VE CONSISTENTLY DONE THAT OVER THE YEARS. SO IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM. SO YES. FANFARE, WE ALWAYS GET A LOT OF PUBLICITY WHEN WE HAVE A RIBBON CUTTING AND ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT REALLY THE TRUE BREAD AND BUTTER OF A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ARE THE EXPANSIONS. WE NOW HAVE OVER 50 COMPANIES IN OUR INDUSTRIAL PARKS, OUR TECH PARKS. AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE ON A CONSISTENT BASIS SOMEBODY EXPANDING. ONCE YOU RECRUIT THAT KIND OF BASE, YOU'RE GONNA CONTINUALLY HAVE THAT SUPPORT. YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT EXPANSION. IN EFFECT, YOU BUILD IN YOUR OWN GROWTH IN THESE COMPANIES. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. >> SURE. >> ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS? ALL RIGHT. GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION CARRIES. >>> MAYOR, WE HAVE NO OTHER [12. CITIZENS' OPEN FORUM.] BUSINESS, SO THEREFORE THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS EVENING. >> OKAY. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL OPEN CITIZEN'S OPEN FORUM. IF YOU'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT ANYTHING, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS REGINA, AND I STAY AT 601 LEE ROAD, 202. BUT I USED TO RESIDE IN AUBURN OFF OF NORTH ROSS STREET, BUT I LOST, ME AND MY FAMILY LOST OUR APARTMENT. WE WAS HOMELESS FOR LIKE TWO YEARS. NO, SIX MONTHS. I'M SORRY, FOR SIXTH MONTHS. AND IN THE MIDST OF THAT, A LOT OF STUFF HAD HAPPENED. WE WAS LIVING IN DIFFERENT HOTELS. SO MR. JOE OVER HERE AT THE CHURCH, I WENT TO HIM, AND HE HELPED ME AND MY FAMILY, GOT OUR PLACE TO STAY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. IT WAS NICE, AND NOW WE'RE CURRENTLY LIVING IN SALEM. I LOVE AUBURN. MY GRANDSON, HE STAYED WITH MY COUSIN. HE WOULD BE ATTENDING SCHOOL IN AUBURN, BUT LIKE I SAID, I DID USED TO LIVE HERE, AND I HOPE THAT THE GRANT THAT HE CAN GET WILL HELP THE PEOPLE LIKE ME BECAUSE AS ME LIVING IN A HOTEL, I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE HOMELESS LIKE WHEN I WAS THERE. SO MY BILL WAS LIKE $1,000 FOR TWO WEEKS, AND I STAYED AT THE STAY DOWN HERE ON SOUTH COLLEGE. THE GRANT WILL HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WITH CHILDREN. AND SO ALONG WITH THAT, I HAD TRAGEDY IN MY HOME WHERE MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS KILLED OVER [INDISCERNIBLE]. SHE WAS JUST A YEAR OLD, AND HER DADDY SHOT AND KILLED HER. THAT KIND OF PUT ME IN A PLACE OF HOMELESS BECAUSE WE HAD TO PAY FOR TWO DOUBLE FUNERALS AT ONE TIME. SO THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD TO KIND OF CONSIDER GETTING HELP. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> YES, MA'AM. SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING TO US TONIGHT. WHO WOULD BE NEXT? YES, SIR. >> >> JOE DAVIS, 311 LANCASTER AVENUE, AUBURN. I WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MISS REGINA FOR SHARING A LITTLE BIT OF HER STORY. THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IN TONIGHT'S CDBG REPORT STATES AUBURN'S HOMELESS POPULATION IS DRIVEN BY CRISIS EVENTS. MISS WAIR'S EXPERIENCE SHOWS HOW [01:10:05] DEVASTATING THEY CAN BE AND HOW COMMON THEY CAN BE. THANK YOU TO MISS WAIR AND FOLKS LIKE THE ALABAMA RURAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS WHO SUPPORTED HER DURING THAT TIME OF CRISIS. HER STORY PUTS A HUMAN FACE ON AUBURN'S GROWING HOUSING CHALLENGES. I WANT TO THANK MR. AL DAVIS AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF FOR INCLUDING DATA IN THAT REPORT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, DATA THAT WE OVER AT AUBURN UNITED METHODIST SUBMITTED AT ONE OF THE HEARINGS. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE DATA POINTS. THE HOT LINE RECEIVED 146 HOMELESS CALLS FROM AUBURN IN A RECENT 12-MONTH PERIOD. THAT'S ABOUT 12 PER MONTH. ARCH RECEIVED 378 LEE COUNTY REFERRALS. ABLE TO HELP 24 HOUSEHOLDS BUT FOUR MORE REACHED OUT IN THAT SAME TIMEFRAME. THE ONE VOICE TRANSITIONAL HOME AND ELIZABETH'S PLACE TRANSITIONAL HOME HOUSED 23 AUBURN WOMEN AND CHILDREN OVER THAT TIMEFRAME. SO FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THIS GROWING NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY, AUBURN UNITED METHODIST PARTNERED WITH ARCH IN 2024 TO APPLY FOR HUD'S CONTINUUM OF CARE FUNDS. I'M THRILLED TO SHARE TONIGHT WE'RE BEING AWARDED $143,000 TO LAUNCH THE GOOD NEWS RAPID REHOUSING MINISTRY AT AUBURN UNITED METHODIST THIS FALL. WE'LL BE ABLE TO HIRE TWO NEW STAFF AND SERVE ABOUT 20 LEE COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS, WE'LL PROVIDE CASENINGMENT, HOUSING SEARCH, AND FINANCIAL HELP WITH RENT AND DEPOSITS. WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM. MORE DETAILS ABOUT THAT ARE AT AMC.NET/HOUSING. IT DOESN'T FUND HOTEL VOUCHERS FOR FAMILIES WHILE THEY WAIT OR PAY APARTMENT APPLICATION FEES. I T WON'T BE EASY. WE NEED LANDLORDS WILLING TO WORK WITH US AND PARTNER WITH US. I WANT TO END WITH THREE REQUESTS. IS THERE ANY WAY THE CITY CAN SUPPORT EFFORTS LIKE THESE? NUMBER TWO, I WANT TO SAY THAT CDBG AS GREAT AS IT IS, IS NOT ENOUGH FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AUBURN ALSO NEEDS HUD'S EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT FUNDS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO WORK WITH MR. AL DAVIS AND HIS STAFF TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS SO THEY CAN APPLY FOR THOSE FUNDS NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M CATHY. I LIVE AT 2080 ESTATE DRIVE. IT'S A STORY I'VE HEARD TOO MANY TIMES LATELY IN MY WORK AT AUBURN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. I WANT TO THANK JOE FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY AT THE CHURCH TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED. AND I WANT TO THANK AL DAVIS FOR HIS WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORTED THE EFFORTS WITH MISS CONWAY. TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STAY IN THEIR HOME IN A SAFE AND PROTECTED PLACE IS SO IMPORTANT. AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE LIKE HER THAT COULD USE THAT TYPE OF ASSISTANCE. LAST WEEK AT OUR FOOD PANTRY, I HELPED TALK CALLS, AND WE OPEN UP THE FIRST DAY OF EACH MONTH. WE EXPAND ALL OF OUR FUNDS TO HELP THE UTILITY AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND HOTEL VOUCHERS WITHIN A MATTER OF A FEW HOURS. AND I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HELP THOSE. A LADY CAME IN TO OUR FOOD PANTRY, AND SHE LIVES AT THE WEBSTER CROSSING MOBILE PARK. SHE HAS A DOUBLE WIDE THAT SHE OWNS. SHE'S LIVED THERE SINCE 2008, AND THE REALITY IS THAT SHE DOESN'T KNOW IF SHE CAN CONTINUE TO AFFORD TO STAY THERE. THERE'S A REQUIREMENT FOR HER TO RESIDE HER DOUBLE WIDE WITH VINYL SIDING. THE FEES HAVE GONE UP 400%, AND HERE'S A LADY AND IN THAT SAME AGE CATEGORY AS MISS CONWAY WHO DOESN'T KNOW IF SHE CAN AFFORD TO STAY AND DOESN'T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO GO. I HAVE A FEW PROPOSALS I'D LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE FROM MY YEARS OF WORK. I'VE BEEN IN AUBURN ALMOST 50 YEARS NOW. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT PARTNERS WE WORK WITH. MANY WILL BE AT THE ONE VOICE COALITION MEETING TOMORROW. AND THANK YOU, MAX, FOR GOING TO THAT MEETING. AND THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF THOSE, AND I KNOW SOME AL DAVIS KNOWS. I KNOW I NEED TO HURRY. I'M WATCHING MY TIME. I'D LOVE FOR US TO WORK WITH THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT. I DID A TRAINING WITH. I [01:15:03] KNOW THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT. I BELIEVE AS PARTNERS WITH THE CHURCHES AND ALL THE OTHER AGENCIES, THAT WE CAN HELP TO GET THOSE GRANTS TO MAKE UP THE UTILITY RENTAL ASSISTANCE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR. WE CAN TALK LATER ABOUT THAT, MR. DAVIS. IF WE COULD CONSIDER WORKING TO TRY TO GET THE LANDLORDS IN OUR AREA TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WORK WITH A NEW DIRECTOR WITH THE AUBURN HOUSING AUTHORITY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS, HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS OF THINGS WE CAN DO WITH THAT, AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER AND SEEING IF WE CAN PROVIDE THE KIND OF SAFE HOUSES THAT WE ALL EXPECT AND WANT TO HAVE AND CALL HOME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING. I LIVE AT 1216 COMBS AVENUE, AND MY NAME IS JOHNNI. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF AUBURN FOR MAKING IT VISIBLE FOR US TO MAKE THAT TURN OFF OF JOY STREET ON TO MARTIN LUTHER KING. THAT'S A GOOD HELP, AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT. AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY FOR CUTTING THE GRASS OVER THERE IN THAT AREA. IT LOOKS MUCH NICER. AND THEY TOLD ME THAT HIGHER UP, THE STATE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. SO IF THERE'S ANYBODY HERE FROM THE STATE, I THANK YOU AS WELL. IT LOOKS REALLY NICE THERE. AND I'M GLAD I'M LIVING IN THE LOVELIEST VILLAGE ON THE PLAINS. >> THANK YOU, MISS JOHNNI. WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES, MA'AM. >> SUZANNE BOLT, 1188 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? I'VE STOOD BEFORE THIS COUNCIL FOR YEARS PRESENTING FACTS ABOUT ORDINANCE 3288 THAT STRIPS CONSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS FROM SOME CITIZENS WHILE PRESERVING THEM FOR OTHERS. NEIGHBORS LIVING SIDE BY SIDE ARE TREATED DIFFERENTLY. ONE CAN OFFER SHORT-TERM RENTALS, THE OTHER CANNOT. THAT'S NOT FAIRNESS, THAT'S DISCRIMINATION. I'VE SHOWN THAT THE ZONING IN THIS ORDINANCE WAS ARBITRARY. I'VE DEMONSTRATED THERE WAS NO WIDESPREAD ISSUE BEFORE 3288 WAS PASSED, MEANING THIS ORDINANCE WAS NOT NECESSARY. I'VE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION HOW IN DIXON VERSUS THE CITY OF AUBURN, JUSTICE BRIAN PROVES 3288 IS UNLAWFUL. I'VE SHARED LEGAL OPINIONS LIKE THAT OF CITY ATTORNEY RICK DAVIDSON CONFIRMING THAT SHORT-TERM RENTALS DO NOT VIOLATE NC ZONING AND THE NO MORE THAN TWO UNRELATED RULE. SO I ASK AGAIN, WHY HASN'T THIS COUNCIL DONE THE RIGHT THING AND REPEALED ORDINANCE 3288? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? ONE COUNCIL MEMBER STATED THERE IS NOT AN APPETITE TO REVISIT ORDINANCE 3288. THAT MEANS THIS COUNCIL DOESN'T HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. WHAT EXCUSE WILL YOU USE TO JUSTIFY YOUR ACTIONS? WHAT STORY WILL YOU TELL YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ABOUT YOUR LEGACY AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER? WILL YOU TELL THEM YOU FOUGHT TO PROTECT CITIZENS AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OR THAT YOU TRAMPLED ON THEM? WILL YOU SAY THAT YOU STOOD FOR JUSTICE OR THAT IT WAS JUST TOO HARD? SO YOU SAT IDLY BY AND DID NOTHING WHILE THEIR RIGHTS AND YOUR RIGHTS WERE WHITTLED AWAY. MANY OF YOU WILL NOT RETURN AFTER THE AUGUST 2026 ELECTION. YOU HAVE UNTIL THEN TO DEFINE YOUR LEGACY. WILL YOU CHOOSE HONOR AND FAIRNESS, OR WILL YOU HOLD TIGHTLY TO AN EMOTIONAL DISCRIMINATORY VOTE IGNORING THE FACTS? IF IT'S ME THAT STANDS IN YOUR WAY, IF MY PERSISTENCE IS THE OBSTACLE OR EXCUSE YOU USE, THEN BE MAD AT ME AND PUT THE BLAME ON ME AND MOVE ON AND DO THE RIGHT THING. I'LL BARE THE BURDEN OF YOUR IRE. BUT DON'T LET YOUR FEELINGS TOWARD THE MESSENGER DISTRACT YOU FROM THE TRUTH OF THE MESSAGE. ORDINANCE 3288 IS WRONG. YOU SWORE AND OATH NOT TO EMOTION, TOT TO CONVENIENCE, BUT TO THE CONSTITUTION AND TO THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE. SO I ASK AGAIN, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? DO THE RIGHT THING AND RESCIND ORDINANCE 3288. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES, MA'AM. HOLD ON JUST ONE SECOND. YES, MA'AM. YEAH, THIS IS YOUR SECOND TIME TO STAND UP. >> HI. I'M LINDA DEWITT, 1139 [01:20:07] EAST MAGNOLIA AVENUE. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS OR MAYBE ONE QUESTION THAT'S TWO-FOLD. IT'S RELATED TO THE RECENT I.C.E. ACTION HERE. MY FIRST QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE AUBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ROLE WITH THE RECENT I.C.E. RAIDS, AND DOES A MUNICIPALITY HAVE THE OPTION NOT TO PARTICIPATE WITH SUCH AS AN I.C.E. RAID? >> THANK YOU. >> I'M ASKING. >> WELL, THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS NOT FOR US TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT WE'LL GET TO IT A LITTLE BIT LATER. >> THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES, MA'AM. >> I'M DORIS SPINX. HOW ARE YOU? I LIVE ON 400 RICHLAND ROAD. I'M ABOUT THE THIRD HOUSE WHEN YOU TURN OFF. I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION TO ASK. WILL YOU ALL BE ABLE TO PUT SPEED BUMPS THERE? IS THE STREET TOO SHORT? IS IT TOO SHORT A STREET? I'M TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. >> YEAH. THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS IN THAT, MISS SPINX. WHEN WE GET THROUGH WITH EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO APPROACH THE CITY COUNCIL TONIGHT, WE CAN GET YOU SOME INFORMATION. IS THAT OKAY? >> THAT'S FINE. >> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> ROBERT WILKINS. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST. AS AN AUBURN CITIZEN, I NEED THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 2025 FOR TWO LINE ITEMS. SALARY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT. ALSO THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES ADDED EACH YEAR FROM '21, 2021 TO 2025 COB CERTAINING THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE EXCESSIVE, ACCELERATED EXPENSES FROM 2022 TO 2025. I HAVE THE DATA EXCEPT 2025. FROM '23 TO '24, SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND LOST $1.4 MILLION. WITH ONE MILLION OF THAT AND THE TWO ITEMS I'M ASKING FOR. WITH OUR EXPENSIVE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM, THIS SHOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES BY OUR COMPETENT MANAGEMENT TEAM. ONE COUNCIL MEMBER SAID TO ME I HAVE NO ACCESS TO THAT KIND OF INFORMATION. WELL, OUR CITY MANAGER HAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SAID SHE IS THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL. MAYBE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE TRAINING MATERIAL. AS A CITIZEN, I REQUESTED TO ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER THAT THE INFORMATION IS NOT IN THE SAME FORMAT AS THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE REPORT SO THAT I CAN COMPARE TO PASS NUMBERS. AFTER A LENGTHY DISCUSSION, IT WAS TOLD WE RECEIVED THE INFORMATION YOU RECEIVED IN THAT FORMAT. IT ISN'T GOING TO BE CHANGED. THEN I MADE THE STATEMENT YOU'RE THE COUNCIL, AND YOU CAN REQUEST IT IN ANY FORMAT YOU WANT. THEN THE COUNCIL MEMBER SAID I REALIZE I CAN REQUEST IT IN ANY FORMAT. I DON'T NEED IT IN ANY FORMAT. I UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS. I'M CONFIDENT IN THE NUMBERS. THEN I SAID I'M GLAD YOU'RE CONFIDENT, BUT I AS A CITIZEN, I AM NOT. THERE'S ONLY 10 EXCEPTIONS IN REQUESTING PUBLIC RECORDS THAT YOU CAN'T GET RECORDS, AND THAT'S PERSONAL PRIVACY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, TRADE SECRETS, NATIONAL SECURITY, DELIBERATIVE PROCESS, PENDING LITIGATIONS, MEDICAL AND PSYCH LODGE RECORDS, LEGISLATIVE DELIBERATION, SEALED COURT RECORDS, AND EDUCATIONAL RECORDS. NONE OF THESE APPLY TO MY REQUEST. THEN WHY CAN I NOT RECEIVE THE LIMITED INFORMATION ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND? OUR CITY MANAGER AND VARIOUS COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THAT THE AUBURN CITY FINANCES HAVE BEEN FULLY AUDITED. TAKE PAGE 25 THROUGH 28 FROM THE 2024 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT AUDIT STATEMENT FROM MANCHIN. TAKE THOSE FOUR PAGES TO YOUR CPA. THE AUDIT IS NOT WORTH THE PAPER IT'S WRITTEN ON. I WANT THE PUBLIC RECORD INFORMATION TO BE FULFILLED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN AND THE COUNCIL SUPPORT THAT REQUEST. THANK YOU. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? [01:25:09] >> MARTHA, 307 CAMILLA DRIVE. HERE IS GOOD NEWS. THE ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE, APLS, VOTED TO AMEND THE CODE OF ALABAMA TO INCLUDE CLEAR, ENFORCEABLE DEFINITIONS FOR WHAT CONSTITUTES INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL FOR MINORS. THIS MOVE EMPOWERS ALL LIBRARIES ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO USE A STRICTER AND MORE PRACTICAL STANDARD TO EVALUATE CONTENT IN CHILDREN'S AND TEEN SECTIONS. THANKS TO THE APLS' LEADERSHIP, BOOKS CONTAINING EXPLICIT WORDS OR THEMES CAN NOW BE REVIEWED AND RELOCATED. SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THOSE THEMES ARE EXPLICIT WORDS WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE EVALUATED AS A WHOLE. STATES YES, THEY DO HAVE THE RIGHT AND DUTY TO SHIELD CHILDREN FROM HARMFUL CONTENT. SO THANK YOU, APLS IN MONTGOMERY OVER THERE, THANK YOU HANNAH REESE FOR LEADING THE CHARGE. SEE HER WEBSITE CALLED CLEAN UP ALABAMA. SHE'S BEEN A LION IN THE FIGHT OF THIS WAR AGAINST REALLY HOMOSEXUAL ATTEMPTS TO PERVERT THE LITTLE CHILDREN'S READING MATERIAL AND THE VISUALS THEY'RE EXPOSED TO AND LEAD THEM INTO A DEGENERATE LIFESTYLE. AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY HAD UNTIL JUNE, THE MONTH PREVIOUS TO THIS TODAY, 2025 TO COMPLY WITH APLS' NEW GUIDELINES, TO MOVE HARMFUL, SEXUALLY GENDER-BENDING RADICAL MATERIAL AWAY FROM THE CHILDREN'S SECTION. AND I'LL BE WATCHING. I'LL BE OVER THERE WATCHING AND LOOKING AT THE BOOKS, AND I DO HOPE THAT OUR NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR WILL COMPLY OR HAS ALREADY AND WILL NOT BE A CARBON COPY OF THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR WHO FILLED OUR LIBRARY WITH SMUT. I'D LIKE TO THANK SONNY MOREMAN, CHIEF DAWSON, I WISH HE WAS HERE TONIGHT, MR. ADAMS, CONNIE FITCH TAYLOR, MR. GRISWOLD, AND ANY OF YOU WHO HELPED TO BLOCK THE TRAGIC SLIDE INTO DEGENERACY OF OUR LIBRARY IN RECENT YEARS. MR. PARSONS, WARD 6, AND MISS BETH WITTEN, I CAN'T THANK YOU. YOU BOTH WELCOMED PFLAG WITH OPEN ARMS IN THIS ROOM. THEY ARE A HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVIST GROUP. I WANT TO THANK MR. CHRIS HARDAMON WHO SPOKE A FEW WEEKS AGO, FOR STANDING UP FOR CHRISTIAN VALUES, PRO-FAMILY VALUES, AND THE THINGS WE SHOULD BE PROTECTING. THANK YOU. >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? >> MY NAME IS HARRIET HUGGINS, 631 SOUTH DEAN ROAD. THE LIBRARY CONTROVERSY HAS JUST GOTTEN ME TOTALLY NOT ONLY DISAPPOINTED BUT VERY, VERY ANGARIAS WELL. AND I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT THE BITTER SOUTHERNER HAS ABOUT WHAT A LIBRARY SHOULD BE, AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT INFORMATION IS GONNA CARRY OVER TO THE STATE. THE LESSON OUR LIBRARIES TEACH US IS NOT THAT ANY ONE SINGLE BOOK CAN EXPLAIN. TO UNDERSTAND A LIBRARY, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A STEP BACK FROM THE INDIVIDUAL BOOK AND LOOK AT THE SHELF ITSELF HOLDING DOZENS OF BOOKS, THEN TURN AROUND, AND LOOK AT THE ROOM. THE DOZENS OF BOOKS ON THAT SINGLE SHELF WILL DISAPPEAR INTO THE DOZENS OF SHELVES HOLDING THOUSANDS OF VOLUMES. FROM THIS DISTANCE, THE LIBRARY SHOWS US THAT A BOOK IS JUST ONE IDEA, ONE PERSPECTIVE, ONE LIFE, ONE WORK OF ART ON A SHELF OF SO MANY OTHERS. A LIBRARY DOESN'T SAY ANY SINGLE BOOK IS RIGHT OR WRONG. A BOOK ON A SHELF IN A LIBRARY SIMPLY TELLS US THIS IS ONE IDEA AMONG MANY. THE LIBRARY IS A MIRROR TO A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. IN THE SAME WAY WE DON'T COUNT THE VOTES WE AGREE WITH, LIBRARIES DON'T ONLY CONTAIN BOOKS THAT AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER. I COULD GO IN ANY LIBRARY IN THIS COUNTRY AND POINT OUT BOOKS THAT I THINK ARE WRONG HEADED OR INCORRECT OR SIMPLY BAD. BECAUSE THERE ARE PLENTY OF THEM. THIS EXERCISE SIMPLY MISUNDERSTANDS THE PURPOSE OF A LIBRARY. WHERE THE ADVOCATES OF BOOK BANNING, [01:30:08] WHICH IS WHAT'S BEING DONE, CONSIDER THAT ANY OF THAT, WHAT A LIBRARY IS, THEY MIGHT RECONSIDER THEIR EFFORTS. BUT THEY WON'T BECAUSE THEY DON'T ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT LIBRARIES. A BOOK BANNING ISN'T ABOUT BOOKS AND NEVER HAS BEEN. AGAIN AND AGAIN IN HISTORY, WE SEE THAT BOOKS ARE BANNED BY PEOPLE WHO SEEK TO DISCRIMINATE, TO ERODE THE RIGHTS OF A GROUP, TO DIMINISH THEIR PLACE IN SOCIETY. THE MOVEMENT TO BAN BOOKS TODAY IS ONE THAT SEEKS TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST LGBTQ+ FOLKS AND DIMINISH THEIR PLACE IN SOCIETY. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WITH US. THEY HAVE ALWAYS CONTRIBUTED TO THE COMMUNITY, AND NOW WE WANT TO PUNISH THEM. AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT FAIR. [APPLAUSE] >> HELLO, EVERYONE. I'M SARA COLLINS, 875 CAHABA DRIVE. I KNOW THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I'VE SPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE, AND I KNOW IT WON'T BE THE LAST, AND THAT MAKES ME INCREDIBLY SAD. MOSTLY, I WANT TO THANK OUR LIBRARIES AND OUR STAFF FOR MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY'S VOICE IS HEARD. LIKE MISS HUGGINS SAID, THE LIBRARY IS A MIRROR THAT REPRESENTS THE COMMUNITY THAT IT HOLDS. A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD IN OUR LITTLE TOWN IN AUBURN. AND THAT MAKES US STRONGER, AND THAT MAKES US BETTER PEOPLE. BEING ABLE TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES. BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T HOLD THE SAME POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AS ANOTHER PERSON, THAT WE CAN STILL SEE THEM AS PEOPLE CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE. THAT IS POWERFUL. THAT IS WHAT A LIBRARY ALLOWS US TO DO. IT ALLOWS US TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE AS PEOPLE. IT ALLOWS US TO SEE OURSELVES REFLECTED IN LITERATURE. IT ALLOWS OUR NEIGHBORS TO SEE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES REFLECTED IN LITERATURE. SO REALLY, I WANT TO THANK THE LIBRARY, THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR, THE LIBRARY STAFF, YOU ALL AS COUNCIL PEOPLE FOR UPHOLDING A PUBLIC SERVICE AND MAKING SURE THAT IT STAYS PUBLIC. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> WHO WILL BE NEXT? YES, MA'AM. >> YES. MY NAME IS KATHLEEN AND I LIVE AT 1203 HICKORY LANE. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THE QUESTIONS ABOUT LAST WEEK'S ACTIVITIES WITH FEDERAL FORCES IN TOWN. I REALIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A SETTING IN WHICH THIS CAN BE DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW, BUT I WOULD STRONGLY REQUEST THAT THE CITY GOVERNMENT DOES LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT ANY DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE HAD ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE POLICE, IN FEDERAL ACTIVITIES REGARDING IMMIGRATION. THAT YOU PRACTICE FULL TRANSPARENCY SO THAT THE CITIZENS OF THIS TOWN CAN BE AS PREPARED AS POSSIBLE AND TO KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE A COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES WHO ARE HERE LOCALLY AND RESIDE HERE, BUT WE'RE ALSO A UNIVERSITY TOWN, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD HERE. WE HAVE A LOT OF SCIENTISTS WHO ARE ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION. AND THAT MIGHT GIVE OUR TOWN AN EXTRA LEVEL OF VULNERABILITY ABOUT WHICH WE WANT TO BE INFORMED AND PREPARED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> YES. OKAY. THANK YOU. WHO WILL BE NEXT? OKAY. WE'LL CLOSE CITIZEN'S COMMUNICATIONS. MISS CROUCH, MISS SPINX WAS ASKING ABOUT SPEED BUMPS. IS THAT A BETTER TIME TO TALK ABOUT AFTER THE MEETING? >> COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR REACHED OUT ABOUT CONCERNS. I'M WORKING WITH THE CITY ENGINEER BASED ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF THAT ROAD. WE'RE LOOKING AT THINGS THAT BY [01:35:02] OUR OWN RULES DOES NOT ALLOW US TO DO SOME THINGS. WE LOOKED AT A RAISED CROSSWALK. THAT FAILED. WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS. IN THE INTERIM WHILE I'M DOING RESEARCH WITH THE CITY ENGINEER, POLICE CHIEF ANDERSON AND I HAVE COMMUNICATED TODAY AS A MATTER OF FACT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING SOME SPEED TRAILERS OUT. WE HAVE TWO POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THIS. HE'S GOING TO STOP ME IF I'M OFF BASE OR EITHER ONE OF THEM WILL STOP ME. WE DO THAT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, DEPENDS ON HOW LONG THEY FEEL IS NECESSARY. WE'RE GATHERING DATA, WARNING PEOPLE. THEN THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION FOLLOWS CLOSELY BEHIND. SO IF YOU'RE ON WHAT PEOPLE CALL OLD RICHLAND ROAD FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE TO JUDD AVENUE, DO NOT SPEED IN THAT AREA. WE HAVE RESIDENCES, PEOPLE WALKING AROUND. SO WE'RE GOING TO STEP UP ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS WHILE WE LOOK AT ANY TRAFFIC-CALMING THINGS THAT MAY BE POSSIBLE PER THE REQUESTS OF THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA. EVERYBODY CAN CONSIDER THEMSELVES THE SPEED TRAILER ISN'T A FRIENDLY WARNING, IT'S INITIALLY FRIENDLY WARNING, BUT AUBURN POLICE WILL BE BEHIND THAT AFTER A FEW WEEKS WITH FULL ENFORCEMENT. THAT WILL GET CLOSER TO THE START OF SCHOOL AND A LOT MORE ACTIVITY IN THE AREA. WE'LL BE OUT THERE IN FORCE. >> I NEED TO WRITE THAT DOWN. WHERE IS THAT AGAIN? >> IT'S RICHLAND ROAD FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE TO JUDD AVENUE. [LAUGHTER] >> AND WHAT IS THE SPEED LIMIT OVER THERE? >> 25. AND PEOPLE ARE GOING A LOT FASTER THAN THAT. AND WHENEVER WE DO THAT, JUST ANECDOTE ALLY, YOU CAN CALL THE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER. THIS GOES NOT JUST MAYOR ROADS BUT TO NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. THAT'S WHAT THE SPEED TRAILERS ARE FOR. >> I'M SURE IF YOU HAVE ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, IF YOU'LL COME UP HERE AFTER THE MEETING'S OVER WITH, THEY CAN PROBABLY ANSWER SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, OKAY? OKAY. MISS CROUCH, WE HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT LAST WEEK I KNOW CHIEF ANDERSON IS HERE TONIGHT. IS IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO? >> CHIEF ANDERSON CAN PROVIDE A BROAD OVERVIEW OF WHAT OUR INVOLVEMENT IS AND WHY THAT IS. THERE'S A LONG-TERM ONGOING INVESTIGATION, BUT I'LL HAVE HIM ADDRESS THAT. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF. >> GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING. >> THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE 15TH OF THIS MONTH, THAT WAS THE RESULT OF A LONG-TERM INVESTIGATION, A YEARS LONG INVESTIGATION THAT WAS ACTUALLY STARTED BY THE AUBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION BECAME SO LARGE, COVERING MULTI-JURISDICTIONS, MULTIPLE STATES THAT THE FBI EVENTUALLY ADOPTED THE CASE ITSELF, WHICH IS WHY THEY WERE THE ONES THAT WERE RUNNING THE OPERATION THAT CAME BACK TO AUBURN LAST TUESDAY. THE REQUEST WAS THAT WE ASSIST THEM IN EXECUTING SEARCH WARRANTS HERE IN AUBURN AT BUSINESSES AND HOMES THAT WERE UNDER THE CONTROL OF A TARGET OF THE INVESTIGATION. WE HAVE ALWAYS WORKED WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS. THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED WITH US. THERE'S A RELATIONSHIP THERE THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOREVER. WE DEPEND ON ONE ANOTHER. WE COULD NOT DO A NUMBER OF THE THINGS WE DO WITHOUT THEIR RESOURCES, AND WHEN THEY COME HERE, THEY DEPEND ON US TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID. WE CANNOT DICTATE WHAT THEY DO WHEN THEY SHOW UP TO DO CERTAIN THINGS. THIS FROM OUR LENS WAS AN ACTUAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. THE I.C.E. COMPONENT OF IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE INVESTIGATION BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO INTO EXECUTE A SEARCH WARRANT, YOU DON'T KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE THERE. BUT A STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WHOEVER IS AT A PREMISES OR A LOCATION WHERE A SEARCH WARRANT IS BEING EXECUTED, EVERYONE IS DETAINED UNTIL THEY'RE PROPERLY IDENTIFIED. THAT'S TO SEE IF THEY'RE A PART OF THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT'S BEING INVESTIGATED. SO THAT IS WHY WE WERE THERE, TO ASSIST. TO ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED A LITTLE WHILE AGO, DO WE HAVE THE OPTION TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE? WE COULD CERTAINLY SAY THAT, BUT I THINK THAT IT WOULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON ANY FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WE CONDUCTED THAT WOULD HAVE A FEDERAL NEXUS. WE, AGAIN, DEPEND ON THEM TO COME IN AND ASSIST US WHEN WE NEED IT AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES. THE OTHER PART OF THAT WOULD BE IF WE WERE TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO ASSIST, THEN WE'RE NOT THERE TO MAKE SURE [01:40:06] THINGS ARE DONE PROPERLY AND TO OUR STANDARDS. WE WANNA KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY. THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAYS A FEDERAL AGENCY HAS TO LET US KNOW THEY'RE COMING HERE TO DO ANYTHING. THEY CAN EXECUTE SEARCH WARRANTS OR DO RAIDS WITHOUT NOTIFYING US, AND I THINK THAT BASED ON THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH OUR PARTNERS, THEY'RE WILLING TO INCLUDE US AND LET US KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND THE GENERAL SCOPE OF WHY THEY'RE DOING IT. THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT I CAN'T GO INTO BECAUSE THIS IS STILL AN ONGOING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, BUT OUR FOLKS WERE THERE AT THESE VARIOUS SCENES IN A SUPPORT ROLE ONLY. >> OKAY. CHIEF, THE RECENT MURDER OF A MOM AND A DAUGHTER, DID THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HELP US CATCH THE PERPETRATOR? >> YES, SIR. WITHIN AN HOUR OF THAT INVESTIGATION BEING LAUNCHED, THERE WERE FEDERAL AGENTS, U.S. MARSHAL, FBI IN THIS BUILDING AND ACROSS THE STATE AND INTO TENNESSEE ASSISTING US TO BRING THAT CASE TO CLOSURE. >> AND THE SAME SITUATION WHEN BLANCHARD WAS TAKEN FROM US, WERE THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HELPFUL TO US AND EVENTUALLY CAUGHT THE MURDERER? >> VERY MUCH SO, YES. >> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. >> YES, SIR. >> ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO ADD? >> ON THIS TOPIC OR ON OTHER TOPICS? >> YOU CAN GO TO ANOTHER TOPIC. IT'S CLOSING. >> AGAIN, I WOULD REMIND MISS SCHAMP SHE LIVES IN A COMMUNITY OF CLOSE TO 100,000 PEOPLE AND A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE, VARIETY OF DIFFERENT CULTURES, A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FAITHS. THE CLAIM THAT READING A BOOK TURNS YOU ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, I CAN EASILY REFUTE BECAUSE I JUST RECENTLY BORROWED A BOOK ON PLUMBING. [LAUGHTER] >> I ALSO BORROWED A BOOK ON PIANO PLAYING. STILL NOT MUCH LUCK ON THAT FRONT. I THINK WE NEED TO STEP BACK AS MISS HARRIET SPOKE. DON'T JUST LOOK AT ONE BOOK IN THE SAME MANNER YOU DON'T JUST LOOK AT ONE PERSON. THIS IS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE. PEOPLE SHOULD BE FREE TO READ WHAT THEY WANT. PEOPLE SHOULD BE FREE TO PARENT IN THE MANNER THEY SEE FIT. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> YES. I'D LIKE TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT. I'M NOT A PLUMBER EITHER. BUT I DO WANNA PUT SOME OF THE SPEAKERS MINDS AT REST. THIS COUNCIL DOES NOT BAN BOOKS. I PERSONALLY DO THINK, THOUGH, THAT THERE IS SOME AGE APPROPRIATENESS ABOUT SOME BOOKS, AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE LIBRARY. AND IF I PERSUADE MY COLLEAGUES OF THAT, I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BUT THIS COUNCIL IS NOT IN THE BUSINESS, NOR DOES IT BAN BOOKS. SO REST EASY ON THAT ONE. I THOUGHT THE SPEAKERS WERE ELOQUENT TONIGHT, AND I THINK THAT MISS SCHAMP, IF I MAY, SPOKE IN THE SAME WAY. THERE'S SOME AGE APPROPRIATENESS TO SOME BOOKS. I WOULDN'T USE THE SAME LANGUAGE SHE USES, BUT I DID WANNA MAKE THAT POINT. AND THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY THERE. AND I MAY HAVE ANOTHER ITEM HERE IF YOU PASS ME OVER RIGHT NOW. >> MAY I JUST ADD TO THE CITY MANAGER, IN TERMS OF THE LATEST STATE LEGISLATION, DOES THAT HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE WAY THAT THE AUBURN CITY LIBRARY CONDUCTS ITSELF? >> WE HAVE OUR EXCELLENT NOT AS NEW AS SHE ONCE WAS LIBRARY DIRECTOR HERE. CYNTHIA WORKS HARD AND HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB FOR US. THERE'S A LOT TO NAVIGATE RIGHT NOW. I'LL CAUTION EVERYBODY SOME DIRECTIVES BEING PASSED DOWN HAS TO DO WITH THE HORSESHOE BEND LIBRARY. COMPLIANCE WITH THAT IS REQUIRED BEYOND THE COUNCIL NOT BANNING BOOKS, THERE'S PURVIEW OF A LIBRARY BOARD. I CAN HAVE CYNTHIA SPEAK TO WHAT HAS BEEN [01:45:02] GOING ON AND WHERE WE ARE GENERALLY AND BRIEFLY. BUT YES. >> RIGHT. SO RECENTLY, THE APLS, THE ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE, DID SET OUT SOME DEFINITIONS FOR SOME WORDING IN THE STATE CODE CHANGES THAT WERE BROUGHT ABOUT A LITTLE BIT AGO. AND THOSE DEFINITIONS DO AND THOSE STATE CODE CHANGES APPLY ONLY TO WHETHER YOU RECEIVE STATE AID OR NOT. EXCUSE ME. SO IF YOU ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE CODE, WHICH WE ARE, THEN YOU CONTINUE TO RECEIVE YOUR STATE AID, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN. APLS, THE EXECUTIVE BOARD DID SEND US A LETTER SAYING OUR POLICIES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT. AND SO WHAT WAS THE OTHER PART OF YOUR QUESTION? >> NO. JUST WHETHER OR NOT WHAT RECENT CHANGED MISS SCHAMP IS MENTIONING HAS ON YOU. >> THE RECENT DEFINITIONS, WE ARE DOING AN AUDIT OF OUR COLLECTIONS, OF ANYTHING IN OUR CHILDREN'S COLLECTIONS, ANYTHING THAT IS IN OUR TEEN COLLECTIONS TO SEE IF IT DOES, IN FACT, HAVE ANYTHING WITHIN THOSE DEFINITIONS. AND IF IT IS DOES, WE'RE JUST APPROACHING IT ACCORDINGLY. >> WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD TO COMPLY WITH THOSE THINGS AS THEY COME OUT. I'LL REMIND YOU ALSO BECAUSE DEFINITIONS HAVEN'T BEEN CLEAR ON THINGS, WE'RE VETTING WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND WE'RE MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH EVERY DIRECTIVE AS BEING SET DOWN RELATIVE TO THIS FUNDING. A LOT OF THAT MEANS NOT TAKING ANY BOOKS OUT OF THE LIBRARY. THEY MAY SHIFT IN THEIR LOCATION ONLY. AND THAT REALLY HAS TO DO WITH WHAT WE CALL YOUNG ADULT. THERE'S YOUNGER CHILDREN SECTION AND SOME OF THAT IS CLEARER. THE YOUNG ADULT IS WHERE IT GETS GRAYER. THE SOLUTION TO THAT IS YOU'RE NOT MOVING A BOOK OUT OF OF THE LIBRARY, YOU'RE JUST MOVING ITS LOCATION IN THE LIBRARY. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS UNDERTAKING, AND THEY'RE STILL SERVING OUR CITIZENS AT A SHY LEVEL OF SERVICE WHILE WE DO THIS BEHIND THE SCENES. TO EVERYBODY'S POINT, WE'RE SERVING AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THERE'S LOTS OF OPINIONS AND WE'RE DOING THE BEST TO NAVIGATE. >> APPRECIATE YOUR EXCELLENT WORK. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> I GOT ONE OTHER QUESTION ABOUT THE RICHLAND ROAD. UH, I KNOW THAT THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE I GUESS POLICE GONNA BE SITTING OUT THERE. AND ESPECIALLY WHEN SCHOOL STARTS AND EVERYTHING, SO WE GOT A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMING THERE. SO IS THE ENFORCEMENT, IS IT GONNA BE, ARE WE JUST TESTING SOMETHING RIGHT NOW? OR IS IT GONNA BE ONGOING? >> KIND OF DEPENDS ON WHAT THE BEHAVIOR OF DRIVERS ARE AFTER OUR INITIAL ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS. WE LEARN FROM THAT, AND POLICE MAKE DECISIONS. AND ESPECIALLY OUR MOTORCYCLE OFFICERS, THEY DO A LOT OF TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT. THEY DO A GOOD JOB. FOR THOSE ON ROADS, YOU WILL MEET AN AUBURN PD OFFICER, AND THAT IS A CONSISTENT CONCERN OF THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA. A LOT OF THAT IS COMPLAINT DRIVEN, SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE NEIGHBORS. ENFORCEMENT DEPENDS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF THE DRIVERS. >> YEAH. BECAUSE PEOPLE SEEM TO, WHEN THEY KNOW THE POLICE IS THERE OR SOME TYPE OF SPEED DEVICE IS PUT OUT, WELL IT'S GONNA REDUCE. BUT ONCE THAT GOES AWAY, THEN IT STARTS RIGHT BACK AGAIN. THAT'S THE REASON I WAS WONDERING. ESPECIALLY IT BEING A SCHOOL GOING IN THAT AREA AND THEN THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT'S COMING THERE ALONG WITH THE NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOREVER AND EVER. SO I JUST HOPE, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONGOING. >> THAT'S WHY I WOULD SAY DON'T JUST EXPECT ENFORCEMENT AROUND THIS TIME. IT'S ANY GIVEN DAY UP TO POLICE AND WHAT THEY DO FROM A TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT. BUT WE DO FOCUS EFFORTS IN AREAS WHERE WE'RE GETTING COMPLAINTS AS WELL. >> I JUST DON'T WANT MISS SPINX OR MISS DARIO BACK THERE, THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADIES, AND I DON'T WANT NOTHING TO HAPPEN TO THEM WHILE TRAFFIC IS GOING. SO LOOK OUT FOR 'EM, PLEASE. >> YES, MA'AM. >> YOU KNOW, CONNIE, IT'S A GOOD REMINDER AS WE GET READY FOR SCHOOL TO START BACK HERE IN A COUPLE WEEKS TO SLOW DOWN. WE MEAN BUSINESS WHEN YOU GET TO [01:50:01] THOSE SCHOOL ZONES. THERE'S ALWAYS SOME LESSONS THAT HAVE TO BE LEARNED THOSE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS. SO EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE READY NOW. IF NO ONE ELSE HAS ANYTHING, I JUST, YOU KNOW, I TRUST CHIEF ANDERSON'S LEADERSHIP AND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. I REALLY TRUST THAT THEY MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. AND YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANNA GET LOST IN ALL THIS THAT THERE WERE DRUGS TAKEN OUT OF OUR STREETS THAT ARE GONNA END UP IN OUR CHILDREN'S HANDS, THERE WAS MONEY LAUNDERING, GUNS THAT COULD HAVE HURT SOMEBODY, AND THAT WAS DONE AWAY WITH THROUGH THIS EFFORT. I KNOW THAT'S NOT WHY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED THE QUESTIONS THEY'VE ASKED TONIGHT, AND I AM CERTAINLY NOT BLIND TO THAT. BUT THOSE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WEAR THAT UNIFORM DO A GREAT JOB FOR US EACH DAY, AND I KNOW THEY MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF ALL 85,000 OF US, AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT. ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE? IS THERE A MOVE TO ADJOURN? >> SO MOVED. >> * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.