[{"_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",6061695,"mediaKeyId","3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639","parentId",3281124,"title","Athens City Council approves guardrail, drainage and park change orders totaling up to $134,674","audioSeconds",2471,"startMs",956000,"endMs",3427000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639&start=956&end=3427","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639/thumbnail_956000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6061695/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-City-Council-approves-guardrail-drainage-and-park-change-orders-totaling-up-to-134674","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061695-3b4d110f4ed8f43ebc5cfcc2940981e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184258&Signature=nRVxN5miFo0~eyrZZECqAk4kaEHmCj4hRBKNxY0lFVCUQLr6dM7IfR-dT8P~6P93rBQiSn5w9-ZCpQbxrDlyIx4RxwI9nvuiA6KponP9cItHupxd5CY29fQEPTxZbSrDoDuF~shKU0pKTGul2ViBfuPA8khGmvO3CZfi3vucgDFfHRr8H77oeQfXAUas1Vy9Rs4Sg3ffnP9uwLAmuCPn0YG8Gp55T-vT7hAFbF0YNYOmItDzo01NoHXAHXaZ8dRTXtKVCIYyBI87JU75hznHlUOQVeggJl1j069yzFJu9s2ozAulm2V1WPoiACc5-0bMbQklAwdUIQDG3pFcfOOlZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Athens City, AL","date","2025-05-13T09:59:14Z","article","The Athens City Council adopted several routine infrastructure measures and park contract change orders, voting unanimously on each item.

Council approved a payment to Alabama Guardrail not to exceed $4,750 to repair a guardrail on Nuclear Plant Road, with funds to come from the gas tax fund. The council also approved allowing the street department to repair and install drainage structures at 1601 West Hobbs Street in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to be funded from the gas tax fund.

On park work, the council authorized the mayor to issue a change order at Sunrise Park to Grayson Carter and Son for removal and replacement of poor subgrade materials in an amount not to exceed $50,000, funded by 2024 general obligation (G.O.) warrants. Separately, the council approved a change order to Hennessy Construction for bid package No. 4 (site electrical work) in the amount of $33,924, funded by the same 2024 G.O. warrants.

Each of the items was advanced by suspending the rules where required and passed on unanimous roll-call votes. Council members recorded yes votes by Mrs. Henry, Mr. Seibert, Mr. Harper and Mr. Lucas on the listed measures.

During public comment earlier in the meeting residents raised broader concerns about infrastructure investment priorities and neighborhood equity; those comments were part of the public-comment record but did not change the council’s approvals for these particular line items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting 5/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved multiple smaller infrastructure actions: a guardrail repair ($4,750), drainage work at 1601 West Hobbs Street (not to exceed $50,000, gas tax), a Sunrise Park subgrade removal/change order (not to exceed $50,000, 2024 GO warrants) and a site electrical change order ($33,924, 2024 GO warrants).","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},6061701,"Athens City Council backs new street linking Market and Elm near planned Food City",48,3243000,3291000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639&start=3243&end=3291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639/thumbnail_3243000.jpg","/articles/6061701/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-City-Council-backs-new-street-linking-Market-and-Elm-near-planned-Food-City","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061701-ee68810f6caec83b2b3aa1f04319a68c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184258&Signature=SeULbypzOK3vrs30gXr2kExhJkHJwF2y134gHi-R8noMti3yZpWzUcW9bInvyGIyAAL-FWUGar1J88Ie-M6iz9jhri1FmT89saC3NcBIwPSWtynA~XGF5u12HR0KnSVTnV021HExE9trSvlPSUpEo4Z1V2Utu3EINsIu-6UH3R98Q9mulqPSoTAZH9cm8ZHE5qv~uTzpQHIO~8B4LrDOj4lMGlUMgUAGpFFNokHIuE1V~HNcScCiBsUsZP0TY1laY6GyFxSiF-GRA4ytPwh5hCXbGkduc5eZJpJwKaW3jFGS8E7NQu7rIrqu1pjAq-uumsW739JOXCPvL9GXW2DV3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council adopted a resolution supporting construction of a new city street linking Market Street and Elm Street and authorizing roadway improvements at the intersection of Market, Elm and Lucasbury Road, voting 4-0 in favor.

During the meeting a resident identified as Judge Schulte of 1036 West Washington Street asked whether the resolution relates to the new Food City grocery and whether the improvements were limited to road work around that development; a council member confirmed the resolution \"has to deal with the improvements for the new Food City grocery store.\" The resolution reads that the council supports the new street and improvements to the Market/Elm/Lucasbury intersection.

Another commenter, Mark Wilson of North Jefferson Street, raised concerns about uneven investment across neighborhoods and questioned infrastructure priorities while pointing to specific houses and intersections in his neighborhood. The remarks were entered during the public-comment portion and were not tied to any change in the council action.

Councilmember roll-call votes were recorded as Mrs. Henry, Mr. Seibert, Mr. Harper and Mr. Lucas — all voting yes. The resolution does not include a detailed funding breakdown in the text read into the record; staff and council indicated the item was a city-supported public-improvement resolution tied to the Food City development site.","Council adopted a resolution supporting construction of a new city street linking Market Street and Elm Street and roadway improvements at the Market/Elm/Lucasbury intersection; the resolution relates to a new Food City grocery project.",{"_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},6061705,"Athens City Council approves lease for wireless carrier to build tower near wastewater plant",69,3142000,3211000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639&start=3142&end=3211","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639/thumbnail_3142000.jpg","/articles/6061705/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-City-Council-approves-lease-for-wireless-carrier-to-build-tower-near-wastewater-plant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061705-37a9e46f8f5806984f32d22d01aef68d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184258&Signature=imZ014Yz9yDKJhFhld7SAnt8SKaVnEKkYZUKlCqGmYYlPLtxSPh3LkMpe7bFaLW3082R7sKKpwsWGbphru9EFp3HOdLbFwx7BCITFp~FITW9pFmR58G2X5Ua6JJigEQqy~q8z2gwzeXbfj3iuAP5vJjTvEg4LDsnLMMhsEbnzl~qqvs2XiXkcyJPcaU7dRpwbD0eiJV3zN74smckprowhePOKlDlguiH3YuXtdF5sy6Ls4QkU6lGYQpcxpr5WKeEzsslE3tNIlTxO5XZgpyuoW4ED7KpdVba5p80GwuZ47zf9~OdZw1letPtbiFicq83hlJTEaPWya4ald4RNOdHTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council voted 4-0 to authorize a lease of a 60-by-60 parcel along the north side of the city wastewater treatment plant to New Singular Wireless PCS LLC for the construction of a new wireless telecommunications tower.

The ordinance—adopted after the council suspended the rules—says the lease is intended to meet growing telecommunications needs for the city’s residents and that an existing tower is located nearby at the same facility. The ordinance authorizes the mayor to execute a written lease agreement under the terms described on the record.

Council members voted to suspend the rules and then passed the ordinance by unanimous roll call. Roll-call votes recorded were: Mrs. Henry, Mr. Seibert, Mr. Harper and Mr. Lucas — all voting yes.

No public comments opposing the lease were entered into the record during the meeting. The ordinance as read describes the site as a municipally owned parcel adjacent to the sewer treatment plant and identifies New Singular Wireless PCS LLC working in tandem with AT&T as the intended tenant; the ordinance text states the measure is to address “the growing needs of the city's residents.”","Council approved an ordinance authorizing a lease of a 60-by-60 parcel adjacent to the city wastewater treatment facility to New Singular Wireless PCS LLC (working with AT&T) for construction of a new telecommunications tower.",{"_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},6061710,"Athens City Council approves one-time equity salary adjustment for full-time employees",82,3053000,3135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639&start=3053&end=3135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281124-c64242d2c1caccdba1056a43c4a82639/thumbnail_3053000.jpg","/articles/6061710/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-City-Council-approves-one-time-equity-salary-adjustment-for-full-time-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061710-e133f4c66b527a855321b92c6cbb985b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184258&Signature=jwh0TEKXQoA0Z07pA-lYiN6RcOqSGA8W~kM4r9S8Fs6pv~xDFJpM7IluYMvsFvlIGKqGQhvBHa9gb5Mwzg1LrjCGR20Lyqu9XCIpRiCH9I62Xx4jsZgJkV88sUKtsNjXCEGUEZEu1hjYzLnLXSRcZYagCgA8lo9CzDfrkKHW9ZBQBQn5rF-sWx66p1vBgCfMXQ01IFp3A2bEDcXmFZFJ6RPP2zA9k2ACaz422OLUJaodw5SG1Wrg7jLwx~3VIEhIRIlcKIJBg0N68mt-bNqYHP60qTGDgcNEk5~d0YxJbbwj-9~UVwEoKfJusinquCd~r9~rV2cmcEe8z5kf7PLaGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council approved a one-time equity salary adjustment for all full-time city employees, voting 4-0 to implement step increases based on years of service that will take effect in the June 2025 payroll period.

Council members approved a resolution that grants a three-step increase for employees with 15 or more years of service, a two-step increase for those with 10 to 14 years, and a one-step increase for employees with five to nine years. The city will determine years of service using a measurement date of May 1, 2025. The step adjustments are capped by each employee’s pay grade and will not exceed 18 steps.

The adjustment was described to the council as a corrective follow-up to a prior pay-plan change. A city staff member said the earlier change raised entry pay and expanded the plan from 12 to 18 steps, “and what we found out later was that we did not carry this all the way through” for longer-tenured employees. The staff member said the city employs 454 people and that “almost 50% of them have under 5 years of service.” The staff member also told the council, “The money is there. It's available.”

Council suspended the rules to consider the resolution and approved it by unanimous roll call. Roll-call votes recorded were: Mrs. Henry, Mr. Seibert, Mr. Harper and Mr. Lucas — all voting yes.

The resolution states the adjustment will be effective for the payroll period ending June 14, 2025, with pay to be issued in June 2025. It limits step increases to the maximum number of steps in an employee’s pay grade and will not push any employee past 18 steps. The resolution does not specify additional line-item budget appropriations beyond the staff statement that funding is available.

City officials said the adjustment is intended to correct internal pay compression that emerged after the earlier pay-plan changes and to better position Athens City to be competitive with surrounding municipalities as growth continues.","The Athens City Council approved a one-time step adjustment for full-time employees based on years of service; the change will take effect in June 2025 and is limited by existing step maximums.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Athens City Council approves guardrail, drainage and park change orders totaling up to $134,674

Athens City Council backs new street linking Market and Elm near planned Food City

Athens City Council approves lease for wireless carrier to build tower near wastewater plant

Athens City Council approves one-time equity salary adjustment for full-time employees