[{"_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",6189478,"mediaKeyId","5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a","parentId",5057045,"title","Madison City advances first readings for Toyota Field expansion, lodging-tax code changes amid public concern","audioSeconds",2860,"startMs",628000,"endMs",3488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a&start=628&end=3488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a/thumbnail_628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189478/Madison-City/Madison-County/Alabama/Madison-City-advances-first-readings-for-Toyota-Field-expansion-lodging-tax-code-changes-amid-public-concern","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189478-daa72a66dc31047cc9ff80f92f0d7269/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198741&Signature=ki5QfS803otv8bRDKPkH5qcqyjtSvGmuu52ViswI2ayFMspwOt6BJ-f2S43Ya-K8Ce7kisGrcsSLbGCV87Q~NFRwjYWHOSF8HGqZQ3czFw1QJat7sJ7RCl60j60QUOEmjSL~WHAdXvwO~RHWS~NyaplClZ5Xn-u7fwKxQeNWIRGK3uu7Z48JRr3fBd3dkZxh9BfYzj2gMpk0ulgZAqcGRyzEdhKwh4aPfKEhQo5JyIyiiHPq2wn-m0T99B8hyFB5OhwmVahHJJvaMB5xUdfitIwVWsIF~rd8hYm3IaJ1ZYl6b4u9PLVw9Z~Df-uUzR8wLcxB6pgJo7WyRGa~kLZT5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Madison City, AL","date","2025-06-24T17:09:00.1Z","article","The Madison City Council on Monday moved forward with first readings of two ordinances that would reshape how future lodging-tax revenue and a management agreement with BallCorp LLC would support a proposed left-field addition at Toyota Field.

The ordinances — one to amend the city lodging-tax code and another to adopt an amended and restated lease, license and management agreement with BallCorp — were introduced at the council meeting and described by legal staff as steps to document the council’s intentions for dedicating certain lodging-tax proceeds and for structuring collaboration on a roughly $30 million left-field project.

The measures matter because lodging taxes, which the council raised in 2017, are already pledged in part to venue-related debt and to interchange improvements in the Town Madison area. Mayor Paul Finley told the council that the city’s venue funding structure \"generated 3,600,000 last year, and the bond payment is 3.1,\" and that the lodging-tax plan was a deliberate element of the city’s financing strategy.

Public commenters pressed the council to slow down and release more data before further commitments. James Lake, a District 1 resident, urged transparency: \"I don't want is to have another $30,000,000 bond that we may have to pay with an increase in taxes\" and asked that the city publish the stadium revenue and expense data used in presentations. Jocelyn Brower, speaking from District 4, told the council, \"This seems like a money pit for taxpayers,\" urging a phased approach and suggesting smaller, immediate upgrades instead of a larger expansion.

Other speakers raised related concerns. Jennifer Coe (District 5) questioned whether lodging taxes from hotels outside the cooperative district should be reallocated and asked why a new management agreement would be postdated to 2026. Margie Daley (District 7) noted the length of the associated bond and questioned long-term viability, and several commenters asked the council to prioritize infrastructure such as roads and traffic safety over stadium spending.

City legal staff said the ordinance revising the lodging-tax code removes an earmark originally set aside for a Margaritaville project that did not proceed and that staff will circulate an updated draft to council and the public. Megan (staff, legal) said Major League Baseball has rules the city must address in the agreements and that staff are working with BallCorp to refine exhibits, maintenance plans and signage language. The city indicated it will publish revised drafts ahead of the council’s Dec. 4 special call meeting; staff said the short packet would be published by Wednesday of the week following the meeting.

No final vote was taken Monday. Councilmembers and staff emphasized they intend to keep the project schedule but to provide additional documentation so council and the public can review revised drafts before a second reading and potential adoption.

What happens next: Council and staff said they will circulate redline drafts of the amended lodging-tax ordinance and the amended lease/management agreement in advance of the Dec. 4 meeting. A final vote is anticipated at that special call meeting, currently scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with a brief intermission and a subsequent work session on the comprehensive plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Madison City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Madison City Council moved forward with first readings of ordinances to amend the lodging-tax code and to adopt an amended lease and management agreement with BallCorp for a proposed left-field expansion at Toyota Field.","taxTitle","Madison City, Madison County, Alabama","taxId",12439,"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},6189465,"Council approves up to $6,000 for Dublin Park butterfly-garden irrigation",58,1745000,1803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a&start=1745&end=1803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a/thumbnail_1745000.jpg","/articles/6189465/Madison-City/Madison-County/Alabama/Council-approves-up-to-6000-for-Dublin-Park-butterfly-garden-irrigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189465-9424534eb2c1a5dacf0dc999d8f62a10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198741&Signature=DVxDMC3Yok5zQqy29KYNfLxJYs0Xjz-ADW1ufQpLI~O1YPEVPKUSUy6qTcNTE5RTwuKgk3oVTcBMYvCgl1Es0HR220CaecrILhLbNHgDg-YlvN7bBO0xpddaYhTuzRegbFcaejUu8G9Yisw96bxvJ0Zu8iJBBqDxPgvisZoT-ayDt5VYFgDzqMvkP3L9gh8j2K9qM-U68k0d5s62boYOGf6KTaQpFuKwwrxvoldKSFJ27bQqnP9t5IKeReAgulMPmv497qTgbipfWIfD5WhtqrK9QBrtco8BUzkrqqRuFeCmVgMO0E-EzoEwv1RoXhIBy6kNrtNvWbbvb555~G5~HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madison City Council approved a resolution authorizing up to $6,000 to install irrigation at a butterfly garden in Dublin Park.

Council discussion was brief. The councilmember who brought the item described two quotes for irrigation and asked for council approval of Resolution 2024-386-R, not to exceed $6,000. A motion and second were recorded and the council voted unanimously \"aye.\" The councilmember and supporters said the upgrade will assist volunteers caring for the garden and help sustain plantings that support pollinators.

The council recorded the vote and the resolution will be implemented by Parks and Recreation, with facilities staff soliciting quotes and awarding a contract consistent with the amount authorized.","Council authorized resolution 2024-386-R to fund irrigation for a butterfly garden at Dublin Park, not to exceed $6,000; the motion passed unanimously.",{"_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},6189468,"Council approves public-safety equipment and personnel measures: HVAC, grant-writing, pay adjustments and FBI MOU",540,2478000,3018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a&start=2478&end=3018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a/thumbnail_2478000.jpg","/articles/6189468/Madison-City/Madison-County/Alabama/Council-approves-public-safety-equipment-and-personnel-measures-HVAC-grant-writing-pay-adjustments-and-FBI-MOU","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189468-4a256c52166c9db5393046cc03bcf7ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198741&Signature=ht0x4ad7IQV4TF0Q4g9sRSnL8upJIV~Vnj2-GFF3LYxmsvs2kCRIA9QI2jEtxY5E31n3srQ6iYsKL2wb~B3Yywe7mIt~KqNhz-JvZ0MWA69cVJIi6W1dgDdB1tySziu3O9uLuZw8sqX9e-B00jWI9Ca1OWjzBoMeus7xpt3BF2pd-vo~70kT9YsoNO3wmdEpOoHA5QmGsVWN-8dfrCJSTFd~cmmaBQ1~Tjn-Mgq8NYLFRTGFtusvea7OaS7TNJbz4uK9O6JIk4~ttho5eFe9ULVXPWRFca90OUDvAtpP1NcCHvQlbOMQXqLqyofuUT9BES0JF3qjjo~4sRE4n07UlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madison City Council on Monday approved several measures affecting public-safety operations: a facilities HVAC purchase for the new combined public-safety building, continued pursuit of a FEMA Assistant to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for radios, pay-scale adjustments for firefighters and an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the FBI's Tennessee Valley Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory.

Facilities and grounds presented Resolution 2024-403-R to accept a proposal to purchase HVAC equipment for the city's new public-safety annex (Fire Station 4 and additional police space) through the OMNI cooperative for $373,674. The council approved the purchase by roll-call vote. Facilities staff emphasized the building's role as a 38,000-square-foot public-safety facility that also adds roughly 20,000 square feet for police operations.

The fire department requested a professional-services agreement with Vickers Consulting Services to write an AFG application targeting replacement radios; the agreement would be reimbursed from the fire department budget for an initial $1,500 professional fee. The chief said the city's radios are aging (\"Our radios are 2010\"), and parts support is becoming difficult; council approved the agreement.

Under human resources, council approved two related items: additions to the job classification plan for parks and recreation (a part-time receptionist and a transportation coordinator) and changes to the fire-department pay scale recommended after the city's compensation study. The fire-department changes include a proposed 14% promotional increase for firefighters promoted to driver (up from an earlier recommended 7% promotional bump) and an 18% percentage increase between battalion chief and deputy chief. City staff estimated the total cost of the fire pay changes at about $139,000 to be added to the fire salary budget; staff said the budget amendment could be made at midyear.

The council also approved Resolution 2024-407-R to reauthorize an MOU with the FBI's Tennessee Valley Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory; Madison Police said the partnership helps investigate computer-related crimes such as child-exploitation cases and noted the city's unique canine unit that detects electronic media.

All four items passed on council votes during the meeting. Staff described the HVAC and pay-scale items as investments in public safety and retention; the chief and HR staff said the pay adjustments are intended to improve retention and parity within the fire department.","Council approved a $373,674 HVAC purchase for the new public-safety facility, authorized a grant-writing services agreement for radios, approved HR pay-scale changes for firefighters and adopted an MOU with the FBI regional computer-forensics laboratory; council said total recurring cost of the pay changes is estimated at about $139,000 annually.",{"_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},6189473,"Council annexes 0.63-acre lot at Cardinal Drive and Powell Road, zones it R‑1",312,2176000,2488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a&start=2176&end=2488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057045-fde27c69789f7096fd7d2d403542cb4a/thumbnail_2176000.jpg","/articles/6189473/Madison-City/Madison-County/Alabama/Council-annexes-063-acre-lot-at-Cardinal-Drive-and-Powell-Road-zones-it-R1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189473-10acc852db5beeb1ba623ce21a9124ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198741&Signature=kh6TFdJt6Z0yQil-6CBnxqLXgwyf3jJkfnqLFit9WP65VqqM850m842ruThFBsI854zui3h6jAA9qaNcWHmNz0Q~yIIJv4l-Cq-DDEzsLleHxwSnfQH0Fgllo2Btn33U~chHV~Sp~mGQjMgJnIdx894BzLLUgXS6wLuWewKevvr~n4Z61bgFbtpSQb6GvYhMU~Hun5kvE1jlJrD-T1uOIib5qD4ctJc6ygXH0IMVagHW4pfQXNgo7P7yTnuSsyHDwxofC1aFEqrQ-7mEmWTIeVLDp4zX7Eiz1-VWwmvVf18kIpxWIX0J~DhSuCIcIkrvjTha2cFR1jqT33pdT0X4xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison City Council voted unanimously Monday to annex a 0.63-acre vacant lot at the northwest corner of Cardinal Drive and Powell Road and to zone the property R‑1 (low-density residential).

Planning staff presented the ordinance for a public hearing and said the lot is part of the Morris Estate subdivision and that the area already contains homes on most lots. Marybeth (planning staff) told the council the city was not aware of flooding issues at that location and that the lot is not located in a flood zone.

A resident, Margie Daley (District 6), asked whether the property would increase flooding in adjacent subdivisions and whether any drainage study had been completed. Marybeth responded that building permits will be reviewed by engineering at the permit stage and reiterated that the lot is not in a flood zone.

Council approved annexation by roll-call vote. Councilmembers recorded \"aye\" votes during the motion to annex and zone the property; the council then approved a separate ordinance to complete the formal annexation.

The annexation allows a single detached house to be built on the lot under the city's R‑1 standards; staff said one dwelling can be constructed on the lot if and when a building permit is applied for.","Council approved annexation and R‑1 zoning for a 0.63-acre vacant lot at the northwest corner of Cardinal Drive and Powell Road after a public hearing; staff said the lot is part of an existing subdivision and is not in a flood zone.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Madison City advances first readings for Toyota Field expansion, lodging-tax code changes amid public concern

Council approves up to $6,000 for Dublin Park butterfly-garden irrigation

Council approves public-safety equipment and personnel measures: HVAC, grant-writing, pay adjustments and FBI MOU

Council annexes 0.63-acre lot at Cardinal Drive and Powell Road, zones it R‑1