Auburn council approves multiple contracts, delays comp plan and zoning votes; announces MPO advisory vacancies

Mayor Ron Anders summarized actions taken at the Auburn City Council meeting of Jan. 23, 2025, saying the council approved a set of contracts for public works and equipment, approved a tax abatement tied to a local expansion, postponed parts of the comprehensive plan and zoning code work and announced five vacancies on the Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee.

The vacancies apply to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Citizens Advisory Committee; Mayor Ron Anders said five seats are open, terms begin March 9, 2025, and are four‑year terms through 2029. “I strongly encourage you to, go to the city's website and look up what that group does, the kind of decisions that they make,” Anders said, and noted the MPO function is in partnership with the Lee‑Russell Council of Governments.

Under the consent agenda the council approved multiple contract awards: a $30,000 contract with Ace Tree Service for tree removal and pruning; a $77,000 contract with Alabama Power Company for removal of utility poles and installation of underground power on Toomer Street; a $114,000 task order with Barge Design Solutions for a stormwater condition assessment; a contract with In Line Electric Supply to buy four traffic signal poles and mast arms for the North College Street and Drake Avenue intersection improvement (described as “a little over $100,000”); a contract with ProLogic to upfit equipment and install equipment in 12 police vehicles (amount not specified in the minutes); and a contract with Williams Blackstock Architects for design work on city hall modifications related to safety, ADA and customer service (amount not specified).

The council also approved a tax abatement for Sohon USA, which the minutes say is investing $5,000,000 in a local facility and creating eight new jobs. Separately, the council approved a sanitary‑sewer rehabilitation contract with Vietnam National Corporation for the Mall and Tacoma Basin project; the minutes list that contract at $864,000 and say it covers survey, inspection and assessment of more than 6,000 feet of storm‑sewer pipe and related structures.

On ordinances and resolutions, the council recorded several pauses or withdrawals: an applicant withdrew annexation and rezoning items related to Greenwood Village; action on zoning ordinance amendments related to planned unit development was postponed and scheduled to return at the council's second March meeting (March 18) after a work session on plan unit developments; the Comprehensive Plan 2035 update was postponed (the council made one amendment to change two map designations tied to a labeled set of “growth changes 56”) and is scheduled to return on April 15; and a conditional‑use agenda item for a Christian Brothers Automotive road service use at 2860 East University Drive was postponed to Feb. 18.

Mayor Anders closed his minutes with community remarks: he thanked volunteers who participated in a polar plunge benefiting Lee County Special Olympics, congratulated former Auburn assistant coach Larry Blakeney and former Auburn All‑American Greg Carr on College Football Hall of Fame recognition, and noted the deaths of community figures Francis Sanda and John Wild. He also reminded residents that the city’s Public Safety Academy is accepting applications.

Residents seeking documents or additional details were directed in the minutes to the city website or to contact their city council representative or the mayor’s office.