[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6251660,"mediaKeyId","3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84","parentId",3193794,"title","Council approves Daniels Road substation bid, seasonal ice rink and liquor license; routine reports given","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",1805000,"endMs",1868000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84&start=1805&end=1868","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84/thumbnail_1805000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251660/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Council-approves-Daniels-Road-substation-bid-seasonal-ice-rink-and-liquor-license-routine-reports-given","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251660-e08d9f313aace7698913e24d80d5eb1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436925&Signature=g0VVHRs8G5NQYqflxhCwwTAeZ30POvtZJNSvfpRtVbV~JozV1Mx4Lo8YkrXDY0ulAmuncolq~RQ8M9vG-oV~PxWQdYFxElLZ8MACTemNkSLMDS-dfgPD6Bvr7IsgcFN8W~1TmUMRK-RJgRFzJwWye8-UuhNED5hgB925dD0L9dRRv9gcacN4GinmtGLKQ-ofPYxoOxSwXdO4ti7YBdnMHaFYmgQCQm4TuF-itBWoozzDj3rLVMu6rr0yH86Xb5gYJaj1YPX1mS2ThLoz4Vc1ATQAL7XQ0qrmaTSGuAnIS0uaYtcAQCpv7nggrtXLPh2cQ6sHt0Gg5JxACs9Nqu1DQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alexander City, AL","date","2025-05-06T03:49:47.783Z","article","At its May 5 meeting Alexander City Council approved several routine items and heard department reports.

The council awarded bid number 25-15 for materials for the Daniels Road substation to Irving Utilities and Resco for an amount not to exceed $231,245.86. Council members said work at the site looked well done and the area had been cleaned up following earlier issues; the resolution authorizing the award passed on a roll-call vote.

The council also authorized the mayor to enter an agreement with Artificial Ice Fence LLC to provide an ice rink during the city’s Christmas-in-the-Park event in December. Parks and Recreation staff said the rink would be set up on the SportsPlex concrete slab used in prior years and that there would likely be a small admission charge of about $1–$2 per skater. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote.

Council approved a transfer/issuance of a Class I lounge retail liquor license to Adam Ruth and Craigie Alton doing business as Vinals Negrosive Lounge. Staff confirmed the action represented a change in ownership/name; the motion carried.

During reports, councilors and staff provided updates: utilities work included installation of about 2,350 feet of gravity sewer, completion of a new sewer pump at the airport, and installation of additional AMI water meters (219 installed at the time, bringing total to 419). Parks and Recreation announced pool pass sales, upcoming playground installation at Sixth Street and other seasonal preparations. The recycling center was reported closed for a three-week transition to a new facility; staff said commercial landfill accounts will be able to pay online beginning July 1.

The nut graf: the meeting advanced several operational projects and routine approvals that support city infrastructure, recreation programming and local businesses; none of the actions required additional appropriations at the May 5 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monday, May 5, 2025 Regular Meeting- City Council","oneSentenceSummary","On May 5 the Alexander City Council approved awarding a materials bid for Daniels Road substation not to exceed $231,245.86, authorized an artificial ice rink for Christmas in the Park, and approved a Class I lounge retail liquor license transfer. Staff and committee reports covered utilities, parks, recycling and library events.","taxTitle","Alexander City, Tallapoosa County, Alabama","taxId",56010,"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},6251665,"Council declines to adopt amended property-maintenance ordinance after members raise lien, cost and retroactivity concerns",619,1913000,2532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84&start=1913&end=2532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84/thumbnail_1913000.jpg","/articles/6251665/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Council-declines-to-adopt-amended-property-maintenance-ordinance-after-members-raise-lien-cost-and-retroactivity-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251665-fdf2cad1994e3ce08b926121c886868a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436925&Signature=Elfe5ZCZgV2RDUo1TcvpowjaZt3uuARMfdMwgX0l0Fo4SP9aRo46YfkbSYY3PJd0u3qyZuecs9YYWsOXA~VcSHQCy2aI9E7Tjsug1xSB9R5Kdw9K-0Ce3KICLvcfqer0o1PE5GEXB8~8sbeRoBDkx~~FSiyvFJycbV6VUgIzg1TuxFFbuV53tvL4J0DIfoHyJfS7uiAHUPK~HGpYXH0vOFFS9A1nPWlg6SKur0FNuvc4oHF4yiVeDbNTWtwVcUg2TSGUK~hza6aX7124dtlh-3-q9yL2LH6xzGqIgePbQZPqC~7vPp0dNaaKwTNhP6PDo7fnggk2dAe7EeC6oTj8CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alexander City Council on May 5 voted not to adopt a proposed amendment to Alexander City Code (chapter 18, buildings and building regulations) that would have clarified the city’s authority to condemn unsafe structures and place liens to recover abatement costs.

The measure — described by staff as grounded in the International Property Maintenance Code language (section referenced as sec. 18-72) — prompted extended discussion among council members about the program’s costs, collection rates, and alternatives. One councilor said recent experiences show tax liens can be difficult to collect in practice: several lots with liens totaling about $7,000–$9,000, the councilor said, were unlikely to sell for enough to recover those amounts because market values were lower (example cited: lots with resale value near $5,000). Councilors noted that liens typically “roll off” after 10 years, which reduces the city’s ability to recoup expenses long-term.

Staff described the ordinance as a tool of last resort, intended to exhaust voluntary compliance and local abatement options first. Staff said the ordinance would allow the revenue commissioner to place liens on properties (a practice referenced to an earlier resolution discussed in prior years) and that the city could refile liens if needed. Staff also explained that demolition can be expensive, especially when asbestos abatement or specialty contractors are required, and that an internal demolition program had been used previously for training and operational efficiencies.

Council members asked whether the ordinance should be made retroactive to cover properties recently taken down; staff replied that because liens had not yet been filed in those cases they could not be retroactively placed without further procedural steps, and suggested returning the ordinance with clear effective dates. Following questions and debate, a motion to approve the ordinance as written was voted down; the council indicated the item would return to a future agenda with clarified dates and implementation details.

The nut graf: the vote reflects council concern about the financial practicality of relying on tax liens and attorney fees to recover abatement costs, and a preference among some members to explore demolition through internal crews or different funding/contracting arrangements before imposing liens that may be costly to pursue.

No new appropriation was approved at the May 5 meeting. Staff and council agreed to revisit the proposal at a subsequent meeting with more detailed language on effective dates and collection procedures.","Alexander City Council on May 5 declined to approve an ordinance amending the city's building and property-maintenance provisions (chapter 18) after councilors questioned the effectiveness and cost of placing tax liens, demolition costs, and whether the ordinance should be applied retroactively to recently demolished properties.",{"_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},6251670,"Council approves beautification board ordinance; members, funding and maintenance raised during discussion",129,1568000,1697000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84&start=1568&end=1697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84/thumbnail_1568000.jpg","/articles/6251670/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Council-approves-beautification-board-ordinance-members-funding-and-maintenance-raised-during-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251670-62546cb8a32512d7402e64c492b87d74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436925&Signature=WK69lijC5CvHfbhSk3FJE6rjMlxJya~7vY1qKjLgZTChqE3F1pJEE8MXsbEnNCgfYYMNS0B20zkjlKD25so-h9zbL2cXX5CB2uru9SVEjHgITDYSbkLUi4vtZy~t0wXw5Ye4U1JEVFAUGXtnZii0MDqQNs9WdYzGjQ3nU6Fi-UA6fqz5uCuGKj5K9q-G7mi3FVRTLDQDHTQVioYLr2czTFQDewvwug9lAoOc-pdYjgzIRQ3cB4FkGpYdLoDv0rwKi1QlYMgI-6-tELA0FTo6~T2Lnr5iCFVGJ53VT1SvYrB25z7zK08ET34MJnpOMSm2ffzRAoJuoSoYhsl0w~LYuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alexander City Council on May 5 approved an ordinance to amend Alexander City Code to create a Beautification Board (chapter 2, article 5, division 2) and set parameters for membership and projects.

During discussion council members asked whether the city would appropriate funds for the board’s activities and who would maintain plantings, hanging baskets and other projects. City staff said the program’s success would require seed funding: the city would likely provide some operational funds (for example, buying plants) while also encouraging fundraising by the board for special projects. Staff emphasized that feasibility and sustainability reviews would occur before the city accepted projects so long-term maintenance would not impose undue operational burdens on city departments.

The nut graf: the ordinance aims to restore a volunteer-led beautification effort while protecting city operations by requiring staff review of proposed projects and limiting board size (the ordinance sets a minimum of five and a maximum of ten members and allows for special projects that can include students completing community service hours).

Council members noted past problems with low participation and maintenance responsibilities; staff said the ordinance was written to require review of sustainability and to avoid adding an operational burden. The council adopted the ordinance following a roll-call vote; members voted in favor.","Alexander City Council approved an amendment creating a Beautification Board. Council members asked how projects would be funded and who would maintain plantings; staff said the city would likely fund many startup costs but would include feasibility and sustainability checks before accepting projects.",{"_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},6251674,"Alexander City council approves rezoning along Highway 63 South for mixed business and higher-density housing",199,1355000,1554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84&start=1355&end=1554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84/thumbnail_1355000.jpg","/articles/6251674/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Alexander-City-council-approves-rezoning-along-Highway-63-South-for-mixed-business-and-higher-density-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251674-898a918c37a090a8b4f1c64bbab5ebc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436925&Signature=aAVxciVVUfoA~tEBN~MoCehVhgvxirIjw-Cz9ydyOSVcA28oE7EbBiHHaDfDMCVVplt6jnxc7oA8fHe~AzXOoKCg7eqYWOrbXHAEgyVZwr1toDxOfskJe-6BQYvFYY-xtX7VcVRC6FchydRTyJ0z~lhPJMfUMifYEmBesq~w2OVSYlpOKS4JVnOqW5u2DQYO20ZLriu610qTpqc59yb9QlTzMzh6wQuxdMnSQat2x50UStO4VRA5QXdMaSIWHmVXp13ePjGUQDk3ci50egDjQ4ED5eLq4VFdHr9OkXZXB1ovdgup4nBFiL35r7M6qiwy7NANVcxK3cbnRt2V-qujCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alexander City Council voted on May 5 to rezone two contiguous parcels along Alabama Highway 63 South: 23.34 acres were rezoned from Reserve Residential (RR) to B-2 General Business, and 31.17 acres from RR to R-3 High-Density Residential.

The council opened a public hearing on the measure and closed it after noting no one had signed up to speak. The ordinance had been properly introduced on April 7; the council then took a roll-call vote and the ordinance carried with affirmative votes from Councilor Chris Brown, Councilor Phillips, Councilor Tapley and the presiding chair.

Why it matters: the rezoning changes the allowable uses on more than 54 acres along a key state route, shifting portions from reserve residential to commercial and higher-density residential designations. That can affect future development proposals, site planning, and infrastructure needs along Highway 63 South.

City staff and the sponsoring council member did not record a council order to attach new conditions, and no amendments were offered at the May 5 meeting. The ordinance will be applied according to the city’s zoning map and development permitting process; the council did not set funding or infrastructure commitments at the meeting.

The council moved forward with other items after the vote, including committee reports and proclamations.","Council voted May 5 to rezone 23.34 acres from Reserve Residential to B-2 General Business and 31.17 acres from Reserve Residential to R-3 High-Density Residential along Alabama Highway 63 South; no public speakers signed up during the hearing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6251676,"Alexander City honors five Benjamin Russell seniors who earned associate degrees through LEAP program",114,365000,479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84&start=365&end=479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193794-df01ced72462de8895597100ab094c84/thumbnail_365000.jpg","/articles/6251676/Alexander-City/Tallapoosa-County/Alabama/Alexander-City-honors-five-Benjamin-Russell-seniors-who-earned-associate-degrees-through-LEAP-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251676-e27738e14c4c245d13db0f307c2227eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436926&Signature=nXmsCrDPvAJAUQvoWOx6axEyaVG3EK1CiT2B9IXDrBkpILIUc2fqSlgUv4ujU5OQ~pX1L0FZ-xNdOZJLJoB~MJmVhLd-W2E~45WoLlvnqaigKgSFexm0kEcPdx56NvXIvBs7vzPRQTpICdSYIXXoC-qt8ak3~kZd7ZHMht5QfbXyZ7lp1ss2H1Tq7mFdV7XnN1Yy4EZhsWMe8ac5NbeONJfS-KJSmgbKaOxc9BaMpsVlryC1NWWixeKMs0JTJoYvPFiMM6cgZWxRstnEyi~AcPc76yptcOFWY9dqrlSmx27EKPtsNgFpigN0pw8wClS1ivN5EcPiHcpR8624jvwV6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alexander City Council on May 5 issued a proclamation recognizing five Benjamin Russell High School seniors who will graduate with associate degrees from Central Alabama Community College.

The proclamation, read by Mayor Curtis W. Baird, named the students — Olivia Booker, Sarah Grace Jackson, Annabelle Gordon, Anna Michelle McCaleb and Kennedy Coy — and described the Leaders Excelling in Academic Pathways (LEAP) Fellows Program as an initiative that admits motivated students before high school and requires a rigorous academic commitment through their high school years.

The nut graf: the council framed the recognition as a celebration of academic achievement and local partnerships that allow students to graduate high school with college credit, which council and mayor said benefits both students and the community.

Mayor Baird read language crediting former Alexander Stephens Schools superintendent Dr. Keith Lankford and former director of career technical education Dr. Michelle Edwards with developing the LEAP Fellows Program. The proclamation lists the colleges the students plan to attend: Booker and Gordon to Auburn University; Jackson to the University of Mississippi; McCaleb and Coy to the University of Alabama.

City officials did not propose a legislative action tied to the proclamation; the item was ceremonial and no vote beyond adoption of the proclamation text was required. Council members offered congratulations during the meeting; the mayor noted the program as a point of pride and encouraged more similar opportunities for local students.

The council moved on after the recognition to routine business and committee reports. The proclamation contains no funding commitments or program changes; it serves as a formal commendation from the city.","Alexander City Council on May 5 issued a proclamation recognizing five Benjamin Russell High School seniors who will graduate with associate degrees from Central Alabama Community College through the LEAP Fellows program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Daniels Road substation bid, seasonal ice rink and liquor license; routine reports given

Council declines to adopt amended property-maintenance ordinance after members raise lien, cost and retroactivity concerns

Council approves beautification board ordinance; members, funding and maintenance raised during discussion

Alexander City council approves rezoning along Highway 63 South for mixed business and higher-density housing

Alexander City honors five Benjamin Russell seniors who earned associate degrees through LEAP program