[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6259474,"mediaKeyId","3141118-a00d920a5073e281f771e19e20a429fe","parentId",3141118,"title","Athens council approves sewer change order, school security pact, sidewalk work and several safety purchases","audioSeconds",666,"startMs",2967000,"endMs",3633000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141118-a00d920a5073e281f771e19e20a429fe&start=2967&end=3633","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141118-a00d920a5073e281f771e19e20a429fe/thumbnail_2967000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259474/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-council-approves-sewer-change-order-school-security-pact-sidewalk-work-and-several-safety-purchases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259474-365f2115bd94b8050d591ef64e7970b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178695&Signature=euK4R2T0UPwkIVtyPxJy04A0th4CHwk~LSdmHJYVsihLjpUjm-9gZVG78Mt2tTrAVpmAK5h1VyimhozM9eXh4a3FLVRfvMhR06DNDJn34m6Gmb7Q-zqGTSLAYkjrtCiO74BlOBVObAoCQtxUpbo9RiK9d2N-zkxQS6PnqpaIRtKPnocm0~t8R32jG2iv7dzEICwCLZFvquhGf~eOs-bx147tG~F4cuLTMGgbDrB8FCySK5Hzw86zuh6VcB4A1IKf3-Vm1ty1RSKeV3Hc9Wv239qa1xP8g483vPYZvKCqkgC2T-4ZNOpw2z926CtTLEtBI9DumZkhgQzSYvPuM3HVXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Athens City, AL","date","2025-04-29T00:39:54.467Z","article","The Athens City Council on April 28 approved a series of resolutions and one ordinance addressing infrastructure, public safety and routine procurement.

Key approvals included a final additive change order for the Lower Swan Creek Sewer Phase 1 project, authorization for the mayor to enter a school security agreement with Athens City Schools, a right‑of‑way maintenance and TAP sidewalk agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for U.S. 31, and purchases of crowd and traffic‑control equipment and pedestrian safety beacons. Most measures passed unanimously by recorded roll call votes.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar (items A–L): approved, 5‑0. The consent calendar included routine items such as rescheduling the May 26 meeting to May 19, travel and training reimbursements for several departments, reappointments and appointments to boards and commissions, declaration of police vehicles as surplus, and purchases including a Kubota tractor ($34,589) and a 16‑foot trailer ($2,750). Funding sources were cited in each item as appropriate.

- Item N (ordinance exempting certain items from municipal sales and use tax during July 2025 tax holiday): ordinance approved after rule suspension, 5‑0. The ordinance cited state sales tax holiday legislation (Act 2006‑574 as amended by Act 2017‑120) as the authorization for the local exemption.

- Crowd and traffic control equipment purchase (Uline and Crowd Control Company): resolution approved, 5‑0. Total purchase $25,635.88; funding sources: $20,600 from a homeland security grant and $5,035.88 from the police department’s capital account.

- Lower Swan Creek Sewer Phase 1 final change order (Cleary Construction Inc.): resolution approved, 5‑0. Additive change order amount: $136,057.73, bringing the contract total from $11,414,717.40 to $11,550,775.13; the water services director was authorized to execute the change order.

- School security agreement with Athens City Schools: resolution approved, 5‑0. The agreement formalizes existing practices for school security coordination between the city and the school board and appears in the record as substantially the same form shown in the resolution’s attachment.

- ALDOT TAP sidewalk project along U.S. 31 (project TAP AATA‑24908): resolution approved, 5‑0. The project includes a sidewalk on the west side of U.S. 31 from Elm Street to Juniper Circle, a pedestrian bridge over Swan Creek, traffic signal improvements and an added turn lane at U.S. 31 and Elm Street; the resolution authorized the mayor to enter maintenance agreements with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

- Rectangular rapid flashing beacons for the Market Street crosswalk (in front of Athens‑Limestone Hospital): resolution approved, 5‑0; amount not to exceed $12,000 from the gas tax.

- Municipal pollution prevention report for calendar year 2024 (Water Services Department): resolution approved, 5‑0. The council authorized Water Services to submit the report to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management in accordance with Athens Utility WWTP NPDES discharge permit AL0020206.

Several items were tabled or moved: item T (traffic‑signal/stop‑sign changes) was moved to a future meeting after extended discussion and public comment. Council members and downtown residents offered contrasting views on whether removing signals and adding four‑way stops would slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety or would create congestion; the council agreed to revisit the matter after additional review by staff and stakeholders.

Funding and procurement notes: the crowd control equipment purchase is largely grant‑funded; several vehicle and equipment purchases in the consent calendar are funded from departmental FY2025 capital budgets or through cooperative purchasing contracts (Sourcewell; State of Alabama Division of Purchasing vehicle contract).

Outcome and next steps: Most measures took effect per the language in their resolutions or ordinances; implementation steps (for example, execution of the sewer change order and ALDOT right‑of‑way agreements) were assigned to the relevant department directors or the mayor as authorized in the resolutions.

No legal challenges, appeals or litigation were discussed on the record during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting 4/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Athens City Council on April 28 approved a series of infrastructure, safety and procurement measures, including a $136,057.73 change order to the Lower Swan Creek sewer project and a school security agreement with Athens City Schools.","taxTitle","Athens City, Limestone County, Alabama","taxId",65000,"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},6259480,"Athens council approves retail electric rate adjustment 4‑1; change effective Oct. 1 pending TVA approval",2095,1083000,3178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141118-a00d920a5073e281f771e19e20a429fe&start=1083&end=3178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141118-a00d920a5073e281f771e19e20a429fe/thumbnail_1083000.jpg","/articles/6259480/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-council-approves-retail-electric-rate-adjustment-41-change-effective-Oct-1-pending-TVA-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259480-0992d19d28c1277342fb12dbde0dee5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178695&Signature=CcvrTMkwm4K1amvw~tZFWgY3SBIz7LfrVeMakBHthGbGN53G9TiEdj66kWh9jcsFe0wg0ikfe3yugFo9o81RDmQgrLww5MxT9KHOM6xRzh3tUXaDGu1CKAedEC43cQ0R54l46rzSyi9cTSfwzS6bE~TGpWKxwwDRDWPcBBbwaUtg2O98CBa1RiTEEjlHneuwwFkdKEzeRaW9XvGxmNNL32CGcYXEewDfYVKf7XLwnzjVFEWS0TZKgGWA4YS7R4nRFitmxwvtST5BvnDAtcafj8~inv5nsQJbTAPDYwytsnUhHsv0IQpqxZdVPyvCNr0Tt3GgHJuYGox3CshkTVNNMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council voted 4‑1 on April 28 to approve a retail rate adjustment for the city electric utility that the city said would become effective for bills based on meter readings on or after Oct. 1, pending Tennessee Valley Authority approval.

City staff described the change as revenue‑neutral in presentations to the council. Council discussion was brief; one council member stated before the vote that he would not vote in favor. The council recorded four yeas and one nay. The council did not specify individual vote attributions in the roll call summary that was entered into the record.

City officials said the change will take effect only after TVA approval and that implementation timing would follow standard billing cycles. The electric department manager told the council the adjustment is intended to be revenue neutral, and no immediate change to city budgeting was described during the meeting.

No ordinance number or additional tariff text was provided in the meeting transcript; the resolution on the agenda described the effective date tied to meter readings after Oct. 1 and TVA approval. The council did not direct additional study or amendments during the session.

Outcome: motion approved, 4 yeas, 1 nay. There were no abstentions or recusals recorded.","At the April 28 meeting the Athens City Council approved a retail rate adjustment for the city’s electric utility to take effect for meter readings on or after Oct. 1, pending approval from the Tennessee Valley Authority; the motion passed 4‑1 after brief debate about impacts.",{"_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},6259483,"Local nonprofit PALS seeks building, $450,000 to open low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Athens-Limestone",729,189000,918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141118-a00d920a5073e281f771e19e20a429fe&start=189&end=918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141118-a00d920a5073e281f771e19e20a429fe/thumbnail_189000.jpg","/articles/6259483/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Local-nonprofit-PALS-seeks-building-450000-to-open-low-cost-spayneuter-clinic-in-Athens-Limestone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259483-348f43abe4d1b7074066437ac569f6f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178695&Signature=MaqG~NNfe8PW3v6Z7CZZxKQo7ouventEmf3BQpfuhHsP5uZwkcmZS8WgrBQTwny7dgIOz-EyK689qoBDM0P~A1R8iDDUUjthpN8fNL4wuAhtphSDNFAXt5X2lJOhzUf8aPszg~5ui9Cv3oF0LitFJVmdIbDwU3NCZJVaF1LCrDlT4SsxsSUGEcyM2N2PpkPMCouYaKpt-Kdh2NdsiCvxe1dJYf9g8fOqdKn2W8ETz7fZnToY02FqYTPWY8pTbRCcqHcMb2760RCjImfS3wOdN0FOf1xP56lKDEweMf4ssLBzwqPsWYYx75-lkpMO1WUNzFrDw~FmPdiepDBhZWJxWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spencer Bachelor, CEO of the Greater Huntsville Humane Society and a board member of Partnership for Animals in Athens‑Limestone (PALS), told the Athens City Council work session on April 28 that the group plans to open a low‑cost spay and neuter clinic to serve underprivileged pet owners, local rescues and municipal shelters in North Alabama. “Our goal is to open a low cost spay and neuter clinic to serve the underprivileged and the shelters and rescues in the North Alabama area,” Bachelor said.

PALS leaders said the clinic would focus narrowly on high‑volume spay/neuter surgeries rather than full‑service veterinary care, keep average client fees low and run a separate hardship fund to cover procedures for the poorest households. “We would appreciate any support that you guys can give us now or in the future,” Treasurer Carol Cruz said.

The group presented a basic business plan and several financial and operational targets. PALS said it expects to start with one veterinarian and grow to two; it plans high‑speed, assembly‑line workflows that require roughly 30–35 surgeries per vet per day. The organization said its budget for start‑up is about $450,000, with roughly $250,000 sought for medical equipment and building updates. PALS leaders said a donated building would be ideal but that they plan to lease if necessary; they said a site of about 3,000 square feet (3,500 preferred) is their target.

PALS estimated average client fees at about $100, with cat surgeries starting near $60 and dog surgeries higher depending on size; PALS also expects to run a separate grant‑funded program to pay for surgeries for very low‑income households and for barn cats and certain pit‑bull placements. Beverly Ashton, vice president of PALS, said the group has “made relationships with ASPCA and Best Friends” and intends to pursue grant funding rather than request a direct city appropriation.

PALS cited data from other cities showing steep reductions in shelter intakes after targeted spay/neuter efforts; the presenters said roughly 900–950 surgeries per year, sustained over multiple years, is the scale that has been associated with a roughly 50 percent reduction in shelter intake in comparable cases. They did not request specific funding from the council during the presentation.

Council members asked about how the clinic would interact with existing city or county spay/neuter funds; PALS said the clinic would be separate from the SNP/spay‑neuter funding the city supports and that the clinic’s own hardship fund would target the lowest‑income households. No formal action, appropriation or vote on city support was taken during the work session.

PALS said it hopes to open by the end of 2025 but gave no definitive timeline. The group invited council members, city staff and residents to share leads on suitable buildings or potential local partners.

Next steps: PALS will continue fundraising and site searches; council members and staff offered to share information but recorded no commitment to city funding.","Partnership for Animals in Athens-Limestone (PALS) presented a plan April 28 to open a low‑cost spay/neuter clinic serving underprivileged pet owners, shelters and rescues. The nonprofit is seeking a roughly $450,000 startup budget, a 3,000–3,500 sq. ft. site and grant funding; no city appropriation was requested.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Athens council approves sewer change order, school security pact, sidewalk work and several safety purchases

Athens council approves retail electric rate adjustment 4‑1; change effective Oct. 1 pending TVA approval

Local nonprofit PALS seeks building, $450,000 to open low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Athens-Limestone