[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6068863,"mediaKeyId","3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a","parentId",3088019,"title","Lee County Commission approves operating-hours change, plats and several proclamations; multiple items tabled","audioSeconds",1330,"startMs",2638000,"endMs",3968000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a&start=2638&end=3968","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a/thumbnail_2638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6068863/Lee-County/Alabama/Lee-County-Commission-approves-operating-hours-change-plats-and-several-proclamations-multiple-items-tabled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068863-90a24a122bbeaffd2bf9569cd2b84879/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163033&Signature=b2oZu5IW9NtxP5PlhNihbCp5XwiqZCkufWjk64Xw4KA3z8M5ZhiXYdNerDeIWn7IGg6AwHcGn7BMKQN9l2wm1qT3RlHOa~xyPN9v5yz9xsegkyBenTNZ9mw6tTfaubpto-ksOqDlw5y6mJi2KvMSdGjldavtgooSKT1yBnv6ZnegWPN1STVB7GDOrhM74P769k41oStSoQZgDnTBOTRiSk69fkx1pM4n7GiLSyHF86HqS3dFGt0aLUCxczXRSVxfd03JZgiz0ObIZ-C8b530Nquum-n4fGH~oBcgRaiNBPh5Vft-FwTgsKnZF86tI5Ieiy1UvNcz4IHkBepPxKZMBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lee County, AL","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Lee County Commissioners held a meeting April 15 in Opelika and approved a slate of administrative items, including a change to highway department operating hours, a final subdivision plat, a ceremonial proclamation, a one-day alcohol license and a conditional agreement to accept a private road for county maintenance.

The commission voted to: adopt a new operating schedule for the highway department to ensure the office is open and operational on Fridays (effective April 28); approve the final plat for Magnolia Estates Phase 1, creating 11 lots (smallest 2 acres) along Lee Road 175; designate May 2, 2025, as Lee County Relay for Life campaign day; authorize the placement of a Memorial Day wreath at the Lee County Justice Center war memorial; approve a one-day special-event retail ABC license for a private event at “21 Acres” on April 25; and approve a resolution to accept maintenance of a road off U.S. Highway 280 contingent on the developer completing agreed repairs.

The meeting also approved routine consent items, including minutes, claims and travel requests, and ratified procurement card activity. Commissioners moved to table discussion of a parcel in Loca Poca that had been on the agenda for further review.

The highway-department hours motion was made during new business and seconded; commissioners voted in favor. The Magnolia Estates final plat was approved after staff described it as creating 11 lots using existing road frontage (no new roads). The Relay for Life proclamation was read, motioned and approved; commissioners signed the proclamation and agreed to provide a wreath at the county memorial for Memorial Day. The special-event ABC permit for a private, one-day event at 21 Acres was approved without objection.

On the road acceptance, the county approved a resolution directing county staff to assume maintenance of a private road off U.S. 280 once the developer, Warr Development Company Inc., brings the roadway to county standards; commissioners requested and received documentation of the developer’s proposed repairs and accepted the contingency arrangement.

Votes at a glance
- Highway department operating hours: Motion to require the highway department be open and operational on Fridays (effective April 28). Outcome: approved. Mover/second: not specified in record. (See actions entry below.)
- Magnolia Estates Phase 1 final plat: Motion to approve final plat creating 11 lots (smallest 2 acres) along Lee Road 175. Outcome: approved. Mover/second: motion and second recorded; names not specified in transcript excerpt.
- Relay for Life proclamation: Motion to proclaim May 2, 2025, Lee County Relay for Life Campaign Day. Outcome: approved; proclamation to be signed.
- Memorial wreath at Lee County Justice Center: Motion to place a wreath for Memorial Day. Outcome: approved.
- Special-event ABC license (Premium Pours): Motion to approve one-day special-event retail ABC license for April 25 at 21 Acres. Outcome: approved.
- Road acceptance off U.S. Highway 280 (Warr Development): Motion to accept resolution to take over maintenance once roadway is brought to county specifications. Outcome: approved; signatures to be obtained.
- Consent agenda (minutes, claims, travel, planning commission vacancies): Motion to approve. Outcome: approved.
- Tabling of Loca Poca land item: Motion to table. Outcome: tabled.

What the votes mean
Commissioners approved both policy-level housekeeping (consent agenda, proclamations, event permits) and one operational policy change affecting public access to the highway department (Friday office hours). The conditional acceptance of a private road establishes a procedure for the county to take over maintenance once repairs meet county standards and documentation is provided.

Details and next steps
County staff will collect signatures where required and follow up on the conditional roadway acceptance and the logistics of placing the Memorial Day wreath. Staff also will provide requested details that commissioners asked for during the consent discussion (for example, the confidential legal-fee line item referenced in claims).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Commission Meeting - April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lee County Commissioners held a meeting April 15 in Opelika and approved a slate of administrative items, including a change to highway department operating hours, a final subdivision plat, a ceremonial proclamation, a one-day alcohol license and a conditional agreement to accept a private road for county maintenance.","taxTitle","Lee County, Alabama","taxId",4269,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068850,"County staff: ISPs have until end of 2026 to complete ARPA broadband projects; Salem project complete",84,1041000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a&start=1041&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a/thumbnail_1041000.jpg","/articles/6068850/Lee-County/Alabama/County-staff-ISPs-have-until-end-of-2026-to-complete-ARPA-broadband-projects-Salem-project-complete","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068850-f803f6fc792eb5d2ec2e9d846fc21db8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163033&Signature=JLn9WQGRdRqVi2~PVB017BYmkQd2uYlk9S2dzHz7Zqu~b~UoGSXSCrUaCjBHVOi4R6CvDsKeCFPP9-fO7KPuTbksIzzjZC7XCM7mTLpzpDqFTBwZt0HxBtATipAKW3U2QmsG6dsUsdkHK8~yGrWXvbebBSq6PYoI7xZxsIGDY2JsIc4-apPXR7W6R9MqEpPbcX4Eua4j5AbXgb5Dfa7s17ZTVVOnWAx49CIYFgCnIsL7ClfpWDNlmzwV8cCUrQ0eSI0YEiyxvkj0YJPAybcSMYqvu-cfN3JYY-wxVPRG-5EXuEo4WOOTeut4SGCtp9xur~r-51ClsgxSqESC9rjwPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, Lakisha Young Hicks asked the commission for a broadband update for Locapulco and Beauregard. County staff responded that the contracts for the ARPA-funded broadband projects give ISPs until the end of 2026 to finish work and that the Salem project has already been completed.

A county staff member told the commission that the projects submitted to the county were constructed as 12-month projects and that the county is in regular quarterly monitoring contact with vendors because the county must report progress to ARPA. The staff member said there are clawback clauses in the agreements that limit an ISP’s ability to withdraw from a project but noted bankruptcy or business failure would be outside normal remedies.

The staff member agreed to gather and provide more specific start-date information for Locapulco and Beauregard and said the county had been pushing ISPs for quarterly monitoring reports to track progress and reimbursements. Commissioners and the public asked staff to keep the projects prioritized and asked that the commission be informed of start dates at future meetings.

Why it matters
ARPA-funded broadband projects affect internet access in underserved parts of Lee County. Deadlines and monitoring clauses will determine whether projects proceed promptly and whether the county can seek remedies for missed performance.

Next steps
County staff will contact contract ISPs, request updated start dates and provide a detailed status report at an upcoming commission meeting.","County staff told the commission that internet service providers awarded ARPA-funded projects have until the end of 2026 to complete work; Salem is reported complete and staff said they are in regular contact with ISPs and will report start dates for Locapulco and Beauregard at a future meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068854,"EMA provides fact packet outlining calls, trainings and grant-funded equipment; lists 149 actions and $460,000 in recent grant awards",347,2943000,3290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a&start=2943&end=3290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a/thumbnail_2943000.jpg","/articles/6068854/Lee-County/Alabama/EMA-provides-fact-packet-outlining-calls-trainings-and-grant-funded-equipment-lists-149-actions-and-460000-in-recent-grant-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068854-0c58ecef48112f04d85da1140366e628/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163033&Signature=S5csUYXNfPCWcGesJvdgyxA-2M0jE5J8sM5X2t6qlOMYZFG9LcloSKlQBk8heib6oou1U8zbZaS-g3SUKNLhzTlyaUMTbaiUNPrsA4Z-GUzBVVRG1ewgNUw2BAImmMFTxF36Xf99mZdT-zZzVVwlnveW4E6zLH2-nXW6IweiV~zU2KqpPWELbg4Ze8fYZs3kSQRu3hwg8Yqit0vuTswROmkH--dOWFNL1IWLSwy8j6yNUUxTiCZK72uRp5QjgZBtxco3gg-A50EbBRgj~AzoB4uISQI3eD8UyhqQ-ISXprWzUNUWEIV7xSQOFNSrGQ7S3gS5jsI5u0XQlx3M1gi1xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Jones, an Emergency Management official, briefed the Lee County Commission on a new fact packet intended to outline the agency’s activities and capabilities in plain terms.

Jones said the packet includes definitions of emergency management functions — prepare, mitigate, respond and recover — and details on staging locations, equipment inventories and interjurisdictional support. He told commissioners the packet lists 149 actions for support, 11 preplanned events, 10 activations of the county Emergency Operations Center and 39 training engagements, and that the EMA has secured approximately $460,000 in grant dollars so far in fiscal year 2025.

Jones described the resource inventories (light towers, generators, LED signs and other equipment) and said the county stores equipment at multiple locations. He said the EMA is updating the county’s emergency operations plan on a two-year cycle and is sharing point-of-contact information and source references in the packet so commissioners can verify items.

Commissioners asked for a list of preplanned events and for further breakdowns of grants and reimbursements for detail; Jones agreed to provide those lists and spreadsheets on request. Jones also explained that many preplanned event details are reimbursable expenses for county staff who support large events and that the packet shows when the EMA acts in a reimbursed capacity versus a county-supported mission.

Why it matters
The fact packet provides commissioners with a compact operational summary and a basis for decisions about preparedness funding, staging sites and interagency work. The grant totals and inventory listings may inform future budget allocations.

Next steps
EMA staff will provide the list of preplanned events and a grants spreadsheet to commissioners and make the full fact packet available for review.","Lee County Emergency Management presented a 29-page fact packet summarizing preparedness, mitigation and response activities, including 149 calls for support, 11 preplanned events, 10 emergency operations center activations, 39 training engagements and $460,000 in grant funds secured year to date.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6068859,"Hospital says new freestanding psychiatric facility ahead of schedule, will add adult and geriatric beds",153,1307000,1460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a&start=1307&end=1460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088019-327a3bd79e4cc8137d512df07f4f6f1a/thumbnail_1307000.jpg","/articles/6068859/Lee-County/Alabama/Hospital-says-new-freestanding-psychiatric-facility-ahead-of-schedule-will-add-adult-and-geriatric-beds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068859-bf4790dfb0be3aae9cf7481d0566c7c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163033&Signature=CnJ97-Jde-2zqhsaLeJINdoENH3BUZpwZzsXEcZ3jo28mh6jomkhzn6eY4ntUMhGZ~9yHwD9-UdT7VbCPcDMsu8s0tYsJO97Bd2qyllFF9I-W8Kzms5X5Xv26HgdIHbKeKh46JhKQ25SeaZYmgZ~YFV6-YP7K-V72UKDWtFxUNA~cbn7MMdd0WglNQDdw0B8575drDvN4CH~V~xfUxMhx5ZfsOrocR~ohPC9RYoBgv7HFerqVFMrM6a3DGi5Z01i4JikACCrVd9r9awKGhwuhunzL725VdESNUpr1YbJhrabjyUSyeZ1iH9Ibxs-dKmrQCMhY7Rr4swtp0JkkJG5Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Nichols, a hospital representative, updated the Lee County Commission on construction progress for a new freestanding psychiatric facility that the hospital expects to complete in September 2025.

\"We began construction last June,\" Nichols said during his presentation, and he described current occupancy pressures at the existing 28-bed unit, noting many days above 80% occupancy and some days above 100% when patients are held in the emergency department awaiting beds. Nichols said the new facility will provide a 40-bed inpatient unit, expanded space for group therapy and an accredited school for adolescents.

Nichols told the commission the project is ahead of schedule and that interior work is underway; the hospital expects to finish construction in September 2025 and to complete surveys and move toward opening in late 2025 or early 2026. He also said the hospital presented to the Certificate of Need board in Montgomery and received approval to convert the current 28-bed unit into geriatric psychiatric beds. \"Those will be moved here,\" Nichols said, adding minor renovations are planned to serve geriatric patients and that the county will have an additional 20 geriatric psych beds when the move occurs.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about patient placement and capacity; staff noted that geriatric patients with aggressive behavior sometimes are transferred to locked facilities or retained in emergency departments, underscoring the hospital’s rationale for adding a geriatric unit locally. The hospital included photographs and architectural renderings in its packet and offered to return with further updates if requested.

Why it matters
Commissioners were presented with capacity figures and a timeline that indicate expanded local inpatient psychiatric capacity for adults, adolescents and older adults. The project’s schedule and Certificate of Need approval were cited as milestones toward improving access to behavioral health care in the county.

Next steps
Hospital staff will complete construction, undergo required state life-safety and clinical surveys, and provide the commission with updates as the facility nears licensing and patient intake.","A hospital representative told the Lee County Commission that construction of a 40-bed freestanding psychiatric facility is ahead of schedule and expected to be completed in September 2025; the current 28-bed unit will be renovated for geriatric psychiatric patients, adding 20 geriatric psych beds locally.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lee County Commission approves operating-hours change, plats and several proclamations; multiple items tabled

County staff: ISPs have until end of 2026 to complete ARPA broadband projects; Salem project complete

EMA provides fact packet outlining calls, trainings and grant-funded equipment; lists 149 actions and $460,000 in recent grant awards

Hospital says new freestanding psychiatric facility ahead of schedule, will add adult and geriatric beds