City Council

APPROVED AS PRESENTED TO COUNCIL 09/16/25 WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES September 2, 2025 The members of the City Council of the City of Phenix City, Alabama met at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time for the regularly scheduled Work Session on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in the Council Chambers located within the Public Safety Building at 1111 Broad Street, Phenix City, Alabama 36867. Upon roll call, the following members were present: Councilmember Arthur L. Day, Jr., Councilmember Vickey Carter Green, Councilmember Steve Bailey, Councilmember R. Griff Gordy, and Mayor Eddie N. Lowe. Also present were City Manager Wallace Hunter, Assistant City Manager Chan Gamble, City Clerk Shannon Davis, and City Attorney Jimmy Graham. Department Heads in attendance: Chief Building Official Ray Rogers, Economic Development Manager Shaun Culligan, Director Engineering/Public Works Angel Moore, Finance Director Labrita King Copeland, Assistant Fire Chief Kerry Bragg, Golf Manager Mike Barber, Human Resources Director Stephanie Chastain, Library Director Tammy Henry, Municipal Court Clerk Ruby White, Parks and Recreation Director Todd Hughes, Police Chief George Staudinger and Utilities Director John Spraggins. City Professionals in attendance: Assistant Fire Chief Kerry Bragg, Licensed Engineer Chris Casey and Assistant Police Chief Joseph Weierick. Upon a quorum being established, Mayor Lowe called the meeting to order. Councilmember Gordy led the invocation. Mayor Lowe called upon Nimrod Stephens to address Council, as listed on the agenda. Mr. Stephens was not present at the appointed time. Mayor Lowe stated that if Mr. Stephens were to come in at a later time, he would allow him to address Council. Mayor Lowe called upon Director of Engineering/Public Works Angel Moore, to discuss the actions taken by the Planning Commission at their August 28, 2025 meeting. Ms. Moore informed council that Jimmie Davis with the Planning Commission passed away. Mayor Lowe called for a point of privilege. Mayor Lowe called upon Nimroad Stephens to address Council as listed on the agenda. Mr. Stephens stated that he wanted to thank the Council and Engineering Department for showing the citizens that live on Lonesome Pine Road, that the City hasn’t forgotten about them. Mr. Stephens also stated that the Citizens should not have to beg for City services. Mr. Stephens further stated that he wanted to make sure that the Council shows accountability when it comes to the citizens. Councilmember Day stated that he was on Lonesome Pine Road and Chatman Drive and stated that it is starting to look good. City Manager Wallace Hunter stated that the Engineering Department called the County to inform them of what is going on, on Lonesome Pine Road and Chatman Drive. Mr. Hunter encouraged Mr. Stephens to stay on top of the County to do their part. Mayor Lowe called upon City Clerk Shannon Davis who discussed the following with Mayor and Council: 1. Advised Council of a regular scheduled Council Meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the Public Safety Building. This meeting will be held on Wednesday morning due to Labor Day Holiday. 2. Advised Council that the Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 5:15 p.m.  3. Advised Council of a regular scheduled Work Session to be held on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. 4. Advised Council of a regular scheduled Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the 5th Street South Youth Center. 5. Advised Council that the Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals will meet on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. 6. Advised Council that the Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. 7. Advised Council of a regular scheduled Work Session to be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. 8. Advised Council of a regular scheduled Council Meeting to be held on Wednesday October 7, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the Public Safety Building. 9. Informed Council that the Phenix City and Russell County Library Board will be meeting on Friday, October 10, 2025. 10. Informed Council that the City offices will be closed on Monday, October 13, 2025 in observance of the Columbus Day Holiday. 11. Advised Council that the Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. 12. Advised Council that the Downtown Redevelopment Authority will meet on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. 13. Advised Council that the Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals will meet on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. 14. Advised Council that the Phenix City-Russell County Freedom fund luncheon will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Luke Ministry Central, in Columbus Georgia. 15. Advised Council that Parks and Recreation will hold the Developmental Basketball clinic for Phenix City – Russell County to be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at 1504 15th Street. 16. Advised Council of a regular scheduled Work Session to be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. 17. Advised Council that the South Girard High School Class of 1965 will have their 60th Class Reunion to be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Hampton Inn by Hilton in Phenix City. 18. Informed Council that Parks and Recreation will hold the 3rd Annual Sensory Friendly Truck or Treat on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Garrett- Harrison Stadium. 19. Reviewed upcoming Board Appointments. It was inadvertently placed on the City Clerk’s calendar that the Newly Elected Municipal Officials take office on October 3, 2025. City Clerk Shannon Davis verbally stated that said official date for Newly Elected Municipal Officials are to take office on Monday, November 3, 2025. Mayor Lowe asked that the correction for said dates be listed in the minutes to reflect the change. Councilmember Day stated that City needs help with the trash on Highway 431 and 7th street. Councilmember Bailey inquired about prison detail on cleaning up the Highway. Chief of Police George Staudinger stated that it will take a lot for the City to ensure that inmates do right and to make sure they don’t get any kind of drugs or anything legal back in the jails. Mr. Hunter also stated that the City has its own program where they are hiring inmates to clean up the roads in the City. Mr. Hunter also stated that if the City and Citizens come together it would help a lot with keeping the City clean. Councilmember Day stated that it is going to take the entire community to keep the City clean. Mayor Lowe went over the agenda items. Parks and Recreation Director Todd Hughes stated that the Idle Hour Park Moon Lake project has four different areas. Mr. Hughes also stated that they will add in steps from the parking lot to the park and that a retaining wall will be added on the lake. Mr. Hughes further stated that handicap rails would also be added to the park. Councilmember Gordy inquired about a timeline on the Moon Lake project. Mr. Hughes stated that there is no estimated date of completion at this time. Councilmember Day inquired if Austin Sumbry Park will it be able to accommodate 400 people. City Manager Wallace Hunter stated that it will be able to. Utilities Director John Spraggins stated that a portion on Summerville road, between the Waffle House and the Chevron Gas Station would be temporarily closed due to work having to be done on the sewer line. Councilmember Bailey inquired if the detour will be by the golf course. Director of Engineering/Public Work Angel Moore stated that the Citizens would be able to take the detour besides the golf course. Parks and Recreation Director Todd Hughes stated that the road would be closed next week. Mayor Lowe stated that there being no further business to address, the meeting thus adjourned until September 15, 2025.