[{"_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",6153313,"mediaKeyId","5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d","parentId",5493611,"title","Athens council approves consent calendar including equipment purchases, sets public hearing on 122-acre rezone","audioSeconds",2594,"startMs",347000,"endMs",2941000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d&start=347&end=2941","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d/thumbnail_347000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6153313/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-council-approves-consent-calendar-including-equipment-purchases-sets-public-hearing-on-122-acre-rezone","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153313-5b8ca486f711c94a06d60d673b738dca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491027&Signature=Z-Qdb09ue7yvvNIe0U2JSXh5lSEl~h97JuVYfjpGeh~FUFXAjM3YBdMfD~BU-bRE~UwatnOHQr1Ji7xSPQwI5lWlLU9wBU6E087B9vbZvfzyWUGqe8Zo3e4s2hO6WQqxkDGmGf5q6goGzjOAHzSbzqRBYi2BJj47aQyMgpwXhpCaIR9U7MSsHyxOQcjKIvE~2Ij0crpS7SQHZyUMJvRYoHN~L3XwG1nOajhHmFOPRdW9qsxOvePl5afFBI0QxFSeIqxBVROBfK71XH19c7jmhnuyWpWuHKS76sNYL2YjCUJ9LnY97g~XX895-t~VsD4WQigm78-LCvMGohtC9ttp9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Athens City, AL","date","2025-07-29T10:05:20Z","article","The Athens City Council on July 28 approved a consent calendar that included multiple equipment and vehicle purchases, a surplus declaration, a zoning-board reappointment and the setting of a Sept. 8 public hearing on a conditional rezone of roughly 122.02 acres near U.S. Highway 72 and Cambridge Lane.

The consent calendar passed by roll call vote, 5-0. Items approved included travel and education expenses for street-department staff ($631.86) and for water-services personnel ($5,007.50); the reappointment of Jim Earnest to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a three‑year term; declaring a 1997 Ford F‑700 wastewater collections truck surplus and authorizing its public auction; and several purchases of equipment and vehicles.

Why it matters: the purchases and the rezoning public hearing involve city capital budgets and land-use decisions that could affect traffic and development patterns near a busy stretch of U.S. Highway 72 and the Cambridge Lane intersection.

Most significant items approved included:
- A purchase not to exceed $7,000 for rescue rope and accessories for North Alabama Fire Equipment to be funded from the fire department's capital account.
- Purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet 1500 crew cab pickup from McSweeney Auto Group (Clanton) for $48,762.22.
- Purchase of 10 Surface Pro 11 computers for the police department (cost not to exceed $15,900) to be funded from the IT department capital account.
- A Dell PowerStore 500T data storage appliance and related equipment (including three years of pro support) at $59,686 through a NASPO contract to be funded from the IT capital account.
- A Cisco Catalyst 9300L network switch from C Spire at $8,651 from the IT capital account.
- A 2024 Ford F‑250 super cab 4x4 pickup with utility body for the gas services department from Stivers Ford Lincoln (Montgomery) at $58,044, funded from the gas services FY2025 capital budget.

The council also set a public hearing for the Sept. 8 regular meeting to consider a conditional rezoning request for approximately 122.02 acres west of Cambridge Lane and roughly 610 feet south of U.S. Highway 72 from EST (estate residential and agricultural) to R‑13C (high‑density single‑family residential district) with conditions.

During the public‑comment period, resident Kelly Range urged the council to address safety at the Cambridge Lane intersection and asked, “are we gonna put a light up there?” A councilmember said the city has been working with the Alabama Department of Transportation and federal representatives on options ranging from a J‑turn to a traffic signal and encouraged Range to raise the issue again at the Sept. 8 public hearing for the rezoning request.

A separate public commenter asked why some city vehicles were purchased from nonlocal vendors; a staff member explained that those vendors are on the state bid list and that local vendors may join that list to be eligible for sales from state contracts.

No ordinance or rezoning decision was taken at this meeting; the rezone will be considered at the public hearing on Sept. 8.

Less critical details: the consent calendar also authorized staff travel and training, and the surplus truck is to be sold on govdeals.com.

The council will revisit the rezoning request at the Sept. 8 meeting, where public testimony will be taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting 7/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Athens City Council on July 28 approved a consent calendar that included multiple equipment and vehicle purchases, declared a wastewater truck surplus, reappointed a zoning board member and set a Sept. 8 public hearing to consider a conditional rezoning of about 122 acres near U.S. Highway 72 and Cambridge Lane.","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},6153298,"Council approves travel and education expenses for Councilwoman Dana Henry; Henry abstains",39,3537000,3576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d&start=3537&end=3576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d/thumbnail_3537000.jpg","/articles/6153298/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Council-approves-travel-and-education-expenses-for-Councilwoman-Dana-Henry-Henry-abstains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153298-bd5291cd9fda141552454e4d928471dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491027&Signature=aIjapSYXCz3IKptAvvl5SJCKVEAFXZT69u0b0k2OLrFKiK0WlhkehPe~CXKYOxngRaDvCXPwMH7c9lLJPkKgJNqpLldTHWm7FCCWGgnNN6eAcYxQcIoePSW8wi7M3ii5dnBh039Pm02JKJUv4YFt6bcLnyqbDP9MJgk8LpDnkHhRZTP9AbXt8PkIO-PCMold7UARmfu-FA~NkncYWR8Pw5bHv3xZ5HQvjEFj6SYpFsqNV~Hlg5mpiqwqYDGC7boq7ksX5a-Pj1nD2Z3odnqXx7sPkv40A71w1lJrxeaVGb2oRnxuhoWVvqabo5R3RT4admXpIUDFhJVQwT60kZzB-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens City Council on July 28 approved a resolution authorizing travel and education expenses for Councilwoman Dana Henry. The resolution passed by roll call vote: four yes, one abstention.

Councilmembers Mister Seibert, Mister Harper, Mister Wailes and Mister Lucas voted yes; Councilwoman Dana Henry recorded an abstention. The city clerk confirmed the vote tally as four yeas and one abstention.

Why it matters: the item authorizes use of city funds for an individual councilmember's travel and education and the member whose expenses were approved abstained from the final vote.

No dollar amount was stated in the public reading of the resolution during the meeting minutes provided.

The council moved on to other business after the vote.","The Athens City Council approved by 4‑1 vote a resolution authorizing travel and education expenses for Councilwoman Dana Henry; Henry abstained from the vote.",{"_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},6153303,"Athens council holds closed executive session on real‑property; no resolution expected",560,2961000,3521000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d&start=2961&end=3521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d/thumbnail_2961000.jpg","/articles/6153303/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-council-holds-closed-executive-session-on-realproperty-no-resolution-expected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153303-1cfd8ecfdb9e26bdf4a33e0c64539338/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491027&Signature=aCOxX-UdPbPp1-PD8oSNiHOVmOH6XW5SkLdduL7v~41yiYJrz3B7XokYjy17hMCQht1MfREwwxmZUH0X-Guq9XSPFcLNB~Kt9UJFepJcV4-oFcudE8~iJdCKHjFGozF3Xl4sL~Fdo~hVskxXw5dDC9oIgKByz6q~k08utn31U9qUGoKZ1IYodXqvmLLoVimXmptKoILtsY1~RaLmUZ2RKMpjkHGYUkvbwYXFmuDQmlX55mHr5-7~-y~ngw~M~Y~KNGRu707iyMkfBuUo2bfGauLRa2uX4YkU4mj3Haruy3tJfnzPFrGzER9ji7tkVawxWcRKr6N2z9GgN~pWXdm4WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council of Athens entered executive session on July 28 to discuss the sale or purchase of real property. The city attorney advised the council that the executive‑session purpose was limited to real‑property matters and that no resolution would follow the closed meeting.

Council voted to enter executive session by roll call (5‑0). The mayor and attorney indicated the discussion was for sale or purchase of real property; the attorney stated there would be no action following the executive session.

After the executive session the council reconvened in open session; no resolution or vote on the underlying real‑property matter was recorded in the public minutes at that time.

Why it matters: executive sessions addressing real‑property transactions commonly precede negotiations or direction to staff, and the lack of a public resolution indicates the matter remains under negotiation or for staff follow‑up.

The council estimated the executive session would last about 10–15 minutes and then resumed the public meeting.","Council entered an executive session on July 28 to discuss the sale or purchase of real property and announced there would be no resolution following the closed session.",{"_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},6153308,"Athens council appoints election officers, sets pay and training dates for Aug. municipal election",123,3600000,3723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d&start=3600&end=3723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493611-818ecbca2668734cdbd5f5f1c1b1138d/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6153308/Athens-City/Limestone-County/Alabama/Athens-council-appoints-election-officers-sets-pay-and-training-dates-for-Aug-municipal-election","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153308-153aa975188edb949d0cc5e2b16ec236/orig.mp4?Expires=1775491027&Signature=NJh9O1ICeUApkE5bSgKpf-7TneNBB3GDg8ws8Cm2YVeMXKKLVx3D-C1yp1WD7kCzIyBxy-udkCe4jYVGfbi7pVQ0Ms5g7FfuhwJ6UVj4qJ2Qp1dFhzzPQs4E7X3zIF2XxgwDSVJ1WljL2ioKclMGEONpdCWtxbGemS-Xlvhpt5yrH~G9iUUHDZ3mTlaJvO8h9wRohwljrYp4ggMcb5RgJPMkP7vHpZD~S-fb3H3pgzwq2pi8tuAcMmX-VkmuVbY3ogyDqjw~4MN7d~2tiMNMF20bzCl6B2TTNIMLqXM4riaVInEAV55aRpRKXyYfDz3JD~IGBsE2q3Fmj79dvIvgzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council of Athens on July 28 approved a resolution appointing election officers for the municipal election to be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, and for a runoff, if necessary, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025.

Under the resolution, chief inspectors will be paid $225 for working election day plus $25 for attendance at election school (total $250). All other election officers will be paid $175 for working election day plus $25 for election school (total $200). The council directed the clerk to give each appointed officer at least 48 hours' notice of the election‑school time and place.

The council also set election‑school dates for Aug. 9 and Aug. 21 and identified polling locations by district: District 1 — Athens Recreation Center; District 2 — Lindsay Lane Baptist Church; District 3 — Pendulum Lincoln Center; District 4 — Friendship United Methodist Church; District 5 — Athens Activity Center; absentee voting at City Hall.

The resolution passed by roll call vote, 5‑0.

Why it matters: setting officers, pay and training ensures the city meets statutory timelines for administering municipal elections and makes logistics clear for poll workers and voters.

No additional discussion or amendments were recorded; the council adopted the appointments as presented.","The Athens City Council on July 28 appointed election officers for the municipal election Aug. 26, 2025 (and a Sept. 23 runoff, if needed), set inspector pay and scheduled election training on Aug. 9 and Aug. 21.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Athens council approves consent calendar including equipment purchases, sets public hearing on 122-acre rezone

Council approves travel and education expenses for Councilwoman Dana Henry; Henry abstains

Athens council holds closed executive session on real‑property; no resolution expected

Athens council appoints election officers, sets pay and training dates for Aug. municipal election