City Council

January 24, 2022 STATE OF ALABAMA, LIMESTONE COUNTY, CITY OF ATHENS. The City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama met in regular session at the Athens Municipal Building, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama, on January 24, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Councilman Chris Seibert, President of the City Council. Upon roll call, the following were found to be present: Councilmembers Chris Seibert, Dana Henry, Harold Wales and Frank Travis. Councilmember Wayne Harper and Mayor Ronnie Marks were absent. Annette Barnes-Threet, City Clerk, was present and recorded the minutes of the meeting. Chris Seibert offered the invocation. Councilman Chris Seibert led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chairperson stated that a quorum was present and that the meeting was open for transaction of business. The Chairperson stated that the Minutes of the January 10, 2022 City Council Meeting had been submitted for approval. Councilwoman Henry moved that the reading of the Minutes be suspended and that the Minutes be approved as recorded. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. The Chairperson stated that the Minutes of the January 10, 2022 City Council Work Session Meeting had been submitted for approval. Councilwoman Henry moved that the reading of the Minutes be suspended and that the Minutes be approved as recorded. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilman Wales stated that he was proud to be back at the City Council meetings and that he was glad to see everyone. Councilman Travis announced that he was glad to be back as well and that he “wasn’t dying from cancer but living with cancer and that is how it’s going to be.” Mr. Travis also announced that on February 5th at 6pm and February 6th at 2pm the movie “Coming Through the Fire” will be held at Cinemagic Theatre and that it is free. Councilman Travis remarked that he was so pleased that the City of Athens had received a $500,000 grant for the Vine Street Project. Mr. Travis also noted that he wants the paving list that was presented at the January 24th meeting to be passed. Councilwoman Henry remarked that she was glad to see Councilman Wales and Councilman Travis in attendance. Mrs. Henry reminded everyone that tickets for the Chocolate Walk will be on sale starting January 25th and encouraged everyone to come out and eat chocolate while they watch “Coming Through the Fire.” Council President Seibert echoed the previous comments and that he hopes the grant will make a difference in the affected areas. PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO REZONE +/-31.7 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NW CORNER OF PRYOR STREET & BOARDWALK MAIN STREET, FROM T1 (TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL) & TN-3 (TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD 3 DISTRICT) TO T-PUD (TRADITIONAL PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT) AND TO ADOPT THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PRYOR PARK WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS Matt Davidson, City Planner, addressed the City Council regarding the proposed rezone and stated that the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval. Scott Marshall, 212 East Street, Athens, addressed the City Council concerning the rezone and stated that he wasn’t against it but would like some clarification regarding the public being able to voice their opinions during the phases of the project. Matt Davidson, City Planner, stated that any significant changes would have to go through the public hearing process. Councilman Wales addressed Mr. Davidson regarding the plat of the park and asked if he would be able to see if any changes had been made when it is presented. Mr. Davidson stated that there will be a lot of checks and balances before anything will be finalized. Milton Legg, 112 McArthur Drive, Athens, addressed the City Council regarding the rezone and stated that they would prefer single family housing and not multi-family housing. The public hearing was closed. Councilman Wales introduced the following ordinance: AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE +/- 31.7 ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NW CORNER OF PRYOR STREET & BOARDWALK MAIN STREET, FROM TI (TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL) & TN-3 (TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD 3 DISTRICT) TO T-PUD (TRADITIONAL PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT) AND TO ADOPT THE MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PRYOR PARK WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS. STATE OF ALABAMA LIMESTONE COUNTY, CITY OF ATHENS ORDINANCE NUMBER 2022 – 2204 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Athens, Alabama, has made a recommendation to the City Council of the City of Athens, Alabama, that hereinafter described areas should be rezoned from TI (Traditional Institutional) & TN-3 (Traditional Neighborhood 3 District) to T-PUD (Traditional Planned Unit Development) and to adopt the Master Development Plan for Pryor Park. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, as follows: 1. That all of the hereinafter described area or real estate is hereby zoned to T-PUD (Traditional Planned Unit Development) in accordance with and defined by “The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Athens, Alabama,” and that the area which is zoned as aforesaid is situated in Athens, Limestone County, Alabama, and is more particularly described as follows: Tract 1 of the Final Plat of Pryor Park Subdivision, as recorded at Plat Book J, Page 203 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Limestone County, Alabama. Tract 2 is that one lot on McArthur Drive. 2. The Master Development Plan for Pryor Park is hereby adopted. (A copy of the same is on file in the Public Works Department, and will also be attached to the minutes of this meeting.) ADOPTED and APPROVED this, the 24th day of January, 2022. /s/ Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA /s/ William R. Marks MAYOR, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA Councilmember Travis moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said ordinance, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, and Henry; NAYS: None. The President thereupon declared that the motion for unanimous consent for immediate consideration of and action on the said ordinance had been unanimously carried. Councilmember Wales thereupon moved that the ordinance be finally adopted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, and Henry; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said ordinance had been unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to appoint Einar Gudmundsson to the Athens Historic Preservation Commission for a three year term, expiring January 24, 2025. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS ALABAMA, to set a Public Hearing for the regular meeting at 5:30PM on February 14, 2022 to review the request of Chris Wood and Amanda Coffman to rezone +/- 2 acres of property located at 14286 & 14302 Cambridge Lane (Lots 5 & 6) of the Athens East Subdivision from B2 (General Business District) & R-1-1 (Low Density Single Family Residential District) to INST (Institutional District) WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA. (Journey Church) The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS ALABAMA, to set a Public Hearing for the regular meeting at 5:30PM on February 14, 2022 to review the request of Centerpointe Crossing Development, LLC to rezone +/- 13.96 acres of property, Parcel #: 44-10-05-15-2-000-020.000 (Tract 20, PBG PG 202), located at the intersection of Athens Limestone LN and Athens Limestone Blvd. from B2 (General Business District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District) and to adopt the Master Development Plan WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS ALABAMA, to set a Public Hearing for the regular meeting at 5:30PM on February 14, 2022 to review the request of Eugene Bedingfield and Corine Bedingfield to rezone +/- 9 acres located at 22201 US HWY 72 from R-1-1 (Low Density Single Family Residential District) & B-2 (General Business District) to B-2 (General Business District) WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS ALABAMA, to set a Public Hearing for the regular meeting at 5:30PM on February 14, 2022 to review the request of Gobble Fite Lumber Co. to rezone +/- 35.21 acres, property located at West Market Street & Lucas Ferry from R-1-2 (Medium Density Single Family Residential District) to R- 1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential District) WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA. The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilwoman Henry introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTON NUMBER 2022 – 1788 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALA., that the Mayor’s Office is authorized to apply for a FY 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to fund the purchase of P25-compliant communications equipment. If approved, the grant would fund 90 percent of the purchase cost: Federal grant portion: $130,746.55 Local match: $13,074.65 ADOPTED and APPROVED this, the 24th day of January, 2022. /s/ Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA /s/ William R. Marks MAYOR, CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA The motion was seconded by Councilman Wales and was unanimously carried. Councilman Travis introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve purchase from Tantalus Systems, Inc. for AMI system equipment, software, and project management for a total cost of $1,519,782.57 for the Electric Department. Councilmember Wales moved that unanimous consent be given for immediate consideration of and action on said resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry, and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, and Henry; NAYS: None. The President thereupon declared that the motion for unanimous consent for immediate consideration of and action on the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilmember Travis thereupon moved that the resolution be finally adopted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Wales and upon the said motion being put to vote the following vote was recorded: YEAS: Councilmembers Seibert, Wales, Travis, and Harper; NAYS: None. The President thereupon announced that the motion for the adoption of the said resolution had been unanimously carried. Councilman Wales introduced the following resolution: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to adopt the attached revised organizational chart for the Police Department to upgrade a Sergeant slot into a Lieutenant slot: (Attached) The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Henry and was unanimously carried.  * * * There being no further business to come before the meeting, Council President Seibert asked if there were any objections to adjourning the meeting. There being none, the meeting was duly and properly adjourned. /s/Chris Seibert PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: /s/ Annette Barnes CITY CLERK