Gadsden City Council approves multiple drainage, construction and maintenance agreements and authorizes land acquisitions

Gadsden City Council adopted a series of resolutions at its meeting to award and amend contracts for drainage and concrete work, approve supplemental engineering and appraisal services, revise a traffic-signal maintenance agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation and authorize land acquisitions for a phase‑2 drainage project.

The council voted to award Bid No. 3594 for the 2025 City of Gadsden annual drainage and concrete work contract to Bob Smith Construction, Inc., and approved supplemental preliminary engineering and appraisal agreements that together modify several project contracts. The council also approved a revised traffic signal maintenance agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation adding improvements at the Highway 411 and Horton Bend Road intersection.

Katie Wisswall, with the Alabama Forestry Commission, presented the city’s new Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation during the meeting; she said, “for the first time ever, are getting recognized as a Tree City USA.” Council members also approved a change order for campground work at Nokalulu Falls and authorized purchase of 21 tracts for drainage improvements on West Meagan Boulevard, North 11th Street and Tuscaloosa Avenue.

Mayor Ford noted a delay in a $6.3 million congressional line item for the fire department because of a continuing resolution but said the city will continue planning the second fire station, “we're not putting the brakes on. We're going full steam ahead.”

Votes at a glance

- Resolution to award Bid No. 3594 (2025 annual drainage and concrete work) to Bob Smith Construction, Inc., amount $98,461 — adopted (voice vote announced “aye”). - Resolution authorizing supplemental agreement with TTL, Inc. for Greenwood/Arrowhead/Hayden drainage preliminary engineering, additional $61,438, contract total $97,538 — adopted (voice vote announced “aye”). - Resolution authorizing supplemental agreement with Tillman Consulting, LLC for revised appraisal services for Agricola Phase 2 right‑of‑way acquisition, additional $3,750, contract total $143,000 — adopted (voice vote announced “aye”). - Resolution revising traffic signal maintenance agreement with Alabama Department of Transportation to add equipment/maintenance at Highway 411 and Horton Bend Road — adopted (voice vote announced “aye”). - Consideration and adoption of Change Order No. 1 with Lambert Construction LLC for Nokalulu Falls campground construction — adopted (voice vote announced “aye”). The meeting transcript lists conflicting budget numbers for this item and does not clearly state the change‑order amount; see clarifying details. - Resolution 2025‑151 authorizing acquisition of 21 tracts for Phase 2 drainage improvements (West Meagan Blvd, N. 11th St., Tuscaloosa Ave.) — adopted (voice vote announced “aye”).

Context and next steps

The supplemental engineering and appraisal agreements are described in the meeting as necessary steps to advance planned drainage projects in multiple neighborhoods. Council members and staff framed the package of actions as part of an ongoing emphasis on drainage infrastructure; the mayor and several council members described large, multi‑project drainage work as a core use of federal ARP and capital funds.

Staff indicated the Nokalulu Falls campground work has required additional excavation in rock, which city officials said produced cost increases when work began. Councilman Robinson described the campground at opening day as “a very nice… top notch, something we can be proud of.” The precise dollar amount for Change Order No. 1 was not clearly read on the record; the meeting materials that were summarized in the public remarks included inconsistent figures (see clarifying details).