Votes at a glance: Gadsden council approves licenses, contracts and appointments

Gadsden — The Gadsden City Council adopted multiple resolutions and contract awards during its April meeting, approving business licenses, awarding infrastructure and maintenance contracts and making appointments.

Key votes and actions adopted by the council (voice votes unless otherwise noted):

1) Alcoholic beverage license: The council adopted a resolution approving an off-premises retail beer and table wine license for Bama Kwik Shop LLC at 1000 Tuscaloosa Avenue in District 3. The chair called for the vote and announced the motion carries.

2) Twin Bridges golf course bunkers: The council awarded bid No. 3596 for renovation of the golf course sand bunkers to Eagle Golf & Athletics Inc. for $449,734. The engineering recommendation notes the project covers 17 bunkers and includes concrete bases and complex drainage to reduce ongoing sand replacement costs; funding will be split between fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

3) Alabama League of Municipalities delegates: The council designated Council President Pro Tem Steve Smith as the city’s voting delegate for the Alabama League of Municipalities annual business meeting in Huntsville on May 15, and named Councilwoman Tanya Latham and Councilwoman Dixie Menacher as alternates. The resolution was adopted.

4) Museum board appointment: The council appointed Donna Russell to the Gadsden Museum of Fine Arts Inc. board to replace Mario Gallardo; the term expires Dec. 31, 2026.

5) Legal engagement: The council adopted a resolution authorizing legal engagement with Han Amerindall Harrison Sale (as named in the meeting record) for representation on general business licensing matters. The resolution notes hourly rates presented in the discussion — $245 per hour for partners and $110 per hour for paralegals — and a budgeting figure discussed in the meeting of approximately $20,000 as an estimated retainer budget; the transcript records these as staff clarifications.

6) South Eleventh Street right-of-way services: The council authorized an agreement with Tillman Consulting LLC for right-of-way acquisition services for the South Eleventh Street partial realignment and resurfacing project (bridge over Black Creek to Randall Street) in the amount of $51,750. Council members discussed the project’s long planning history and said the work will help straighten a blind curve and complete a sidewalk connection between Gadsden City High School and downtown.

7) Coosa Harbor permit submission: The council also adopted a resolution to submit a Phase 1 nonresidential permit application to Alabama Power for the Coosa Harbor development; that item is covered in a separate article with additional details.

Votes at this meeting were recorded by voice; the chair announced motions carry for the listed items. The meeting record does not include roll-call tallies for these actions in the transcript provided.