Opelika council approves pickleball court contract, Meraki camera purchase and land deal; hears flooding complaints

Opelika’s City Council on April 15 approved a series of contracts, resolutions and ordinances including a $300,000 contract for Pickleball Courts Facility No. 3 and a $184,287.43 purchase of security cameras for parks and recreation, and voted to acquire land for the Thomason Drive extension. The council also heard public comments about flooding and siltation at Jackson Lake.

The most consequential votes came in the council’s consent and resolutions sections. Lily Finley, a city staff member who presented the bid results, said the bid opening had been mailed to nine vendors and three bids were received. “Recommend the contract we award to Lower Brothers on their low bid, meeting specifications in the amount of $300,000,” Finley told the council. The council moved and seconded the motion and the award was approved by roll call.

Joey Motley, the city administrator, reported building permit activity for March and said construction continues to drive local valuation. "We had 31 new single-family homes driving this report again at $8,803,640 with a total of $15,058,644 for the month," Motley said, reporting a year-to-date total of $110,339,086.

In separate action the council authorized the information technology department to buy 20 Cisco Meraki cameras with related hardware and software for the parks and recreation department from CDW Government at a total cost of $184,287.43. The council also approved a right-of-way acquisition and development agreement for the Thomason Drive extension: the city will purchase approximately 8.66 acres for $450,000 and will extend 345 linear feet of drainage pipe as part of the project.

Among other items the council approved tax abatements and exemptions for Oatbiry Spirits LLC, a proposed distillery at 1200 First Avenue that would reportedly invest about $1,145,000 and create roughly 20 new jobs; approved a change order to the City Hall basement renovation project extending the completion date to June 15, 2025 so a new electrical switch can be installed over the Memorial Day weekend; and passed a second-reading ordinance amending portions of Chapter 10 of the city code relating to solid waste management. The council also adopted an ordinance rezoning a lot at 513 Ermine Street from M-1 (industrial) to R-5 (high-density residential) following a positive recommendation from the Opelika Planning Commission.

During the public hearing on a zoning footnote for temporary structures, Lucinda Cannon of 1104 Live Oak spoke in support of the planning commission’s approach and urged council members to consider the citywide impacts of temporary-structure rules rather than narrow local interests. “We look at the whole city. Not just one project,” Cannon said. In general public comment, Walker Hicks of Ward 3 described repeated flooding near Burrell Park and expressed concern about silt filling Jackson Lake. “It is an outrage that Jackson Lake is being filled with silt,” Hicks said, urging the council to act.

Council members also approved several routine downtown street closures for events; reappointed members to boards and commissions including the library board and the Water Works Board; and approved modest special appropriations for local sports travel and a community event. Several resolutions—travel expense reports, surplus property disposal and appropriations—were approved as presented.

The council closed the meeting after scheduling follow-up on neighborhood lake and drainage issues; officials said the flooding matter will be returned to the agenda and introduced at the first May meeting for consideration as an ordinance or administrative action if required.

Votes at a glance

- Pickleball Courts Facility No. 3 contract award to Lower Brothers — approved (motion, second; roll call: ayes recorded; contract amount $300,000). Presented by Lily Finley. - Resolution: travel expense reports for two Parks & Recreation employees — approved. - Resolution: surplus property (bucket truck and 2011 Ford pickup) disposal — approved. - Resolution: IT purchase of 20 Cisco Meraki cameras (CDW Government) — approved; total $184,287.43. - Resolution: tax abatements/exemptions for Oatbiry Spirits LLC (new distillery at 1200 First Avenue) — approved; stated investment ~$1,145,000 and ~20 new jobs. - Resolution: change order No. 1 to Whatley Construction LLC for City Hall basement renovation — approved; time extension to 06/15/2025 (motion carries with recorded dissent noted in the minutes). - Resolution: right-of-way acquisition and development agreement for Thomason Drive Extension — approved; city to purchase ~8.66 acres for $450,000 and extend 345 linear feet of drainage pipe. - Special appropriations: $2,500 to Opelika Parks & Recreation for regional travel; $1,000 to local community event — approved. - Ordinance (second reading): amendments to Chapter 10 (solid waste management) — adopted on second reading. - Ordinance (second reading): rezoning of 513 Ermine Street from M-1 to R-5 — adopted. - Appointments and reappointments to library board, public parks and recreation board, Water Works Board and the Lee-Russell Council of Governments MPO citizen advisory committee — approved.

What the council did not decide tonight: staff and council indicated follow-up work is required on stormwater and lake silt issues raised by residents; those items will be added to a future agenda for more detailed review.