Decatur City Council approves series of licenses, contracts, grants and a street-rename ordinance

Decatur City Council voted to approve multiple resolutions and one ordinance during its meeting, including a beer-and-wine permit, a utility contractor award, several grants and construction change orders.

The most significant financial action was approval of a Municipal Utilities Board (MUB) expenditure to fund a FY-2026 boring and trenching contract in the amount of $2,810,612. Jimmy Evans of Decatur Utilities described the contract as annual work covering installation and repair of underground gas, water and electric lines; the council approved the award to Farmers Contracting by a 4-0 vote.

The council accepted an Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) grant of $375,000 to purchase a recycling truck. Wanda Tyler of Landfill and Recycling briefed the council on the award and requested acceptance. The resolution passed on roll call.

City staff asked the council to approve a CID (Criminal Investigations Division) HVAC replacement for the police department. Kurt Johnson with building maintenance said funds were available and described the item as a non-budgeted request for 2025; the council approved the resolution.

On parks and trails, the council approved submission of a Recreational Trails Program application to extend the Densmore Slough Trail. Staff described a $330,880 grant with an $82,720 local match and additional non-reimbursable expenses of $240,000; staff said the action before the council was the application only and any commitment would follow if the grant is awarded.

The council adopted the city’s annual transportation plan related to Rebuild Alabama Act revenues; Dawn Roneiger in finance said the forecasted revenue for the ordinance was $425,000 and that state law requires the city to adopt and publish a plan for use of those funds.

Two construction-related approvals were on the agenda. The council approved a change order for work at the Point Mallard Event Center totaling roughly $38,666 to repair feeders damaged during demolition; staff said the feeders run from about 280 to 450 feet and that work had paused pending the repairs. That resolution passed 3-1. The council also approved Change Order No. 3 on the Decatur Recreation Center project, which added $294,806 across multiple items; staff said the increase remains within the contract contingency and cited $127,000 tied to schedule impacts from unsuitable soils. The change-order package includes 21 individual change items and some credits tied to entrance revisions with ALDOT; the council approved the item after staff explanation.

The council approved a one-year subscription to Dash by DaySmart recreation software at $10,536, describing the platform as a registration, reservation and point-of-sale system for city recreation facilities and events.

On first reading, the council approved an ordinance to rename Ryan Drive Southwest after petitioning residents met the city’s street-name-policy threshold (the staff report said 75% required; petitioners reached about 76%). The planning department said the planning commission unanimously approved the request; council members voted for immediate consideration and passed the ordinance on a 4-0 vote.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-02-11 — On- and off-premise beer and wine permit for the business listed in the meeting record as variants of Yalufa LLC / Jallupa 68 LLC doing business as Noria / Noriah at 2027 Beltline Road SW; public hearing closed with no speakers; approved (vote recorded as unanimous). - Resolution 25-02-12 — MUB expenditure, FY-26 boring and trenching contract, $2,810,612; award recommended to Farmers Contracting; approved 4-0. - Resolution 25-02-13 — Accept ADEM grant, $375,000 for recycling truck; presenter Wanda Tyler; approved (roll call recorded). - Resolution 25-02-14 — CID HVAC replacement for police department; presenter Kurt Johnson; approved 4-0. - Resolution 25-02-15 — Recreational Trails Program application for Densmore Slough Trail Extension (grant application only; local match and non-reimbursable costs discussed); motion to apply approved. - Resolution 25-02-16 — Adopt annual transportation plan for Rebuild Alabama Act funds (revenues forecasted at $425,000); approved on roll call. - Resolution 25-02-17 — Approve change order for Point Mallard Event Center repairs (quote cited at $38,666 to replace feeders); approved 3-1. - Resolution 25-02-18 — Decatur Recreation Center Change Order No. 3; total change-order sum cited as $294,806 across 21 items (includes credits and $127,000 for unsuitable soils); staff said work remains within contingency; approved on motion. - Resolution 25-21-9 (Dash by DaySmart) — Recreation software subscription, $10,536 for one year; approved on motion. - Ordinance 25-46-12 (first reading and immediate consideration) — Rename Ryan Drive Southwest; planning commission had approved with conditions and petitioners met the city’s signature threshold; immediate consideration and ordinance action approved 4-0.

What the votes do and what they do not do Several items approved at the meeting were approvals to apply for grants or to accept grant awards (the trails grant application and the ADEM recycling truck grant). The trails action was an application only; staff said any financial commitment would follow only if the grant is awarded. Staff described some construction increases as covered within existing contingencies rather than adding unbudgeted contract amounts.

Documentation and attachments noted by council During the meeting council members and the public referenced attachments and a 284-page change-order/coordination packet for the recreation center project and related facilities. One council member and a public commenter asked for clearer attachments to be available with resolutions (a missing attachment was referenced for the Point Mallard change order). The council voted on the items after staff explanation and roll-call votes recorded outcomes.

Next meetings City staff announced the next council work session (09/08/2025, 5 p.m.) and the next regular council meeting (09/15/2025, 10 a.m.).