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Pelham council approves Comfort Suites ABC license, hears staff funding update and first reading of fiber franchise
Summary
Council approved an ABC license for a Comfort Suites hotel, took first reading of a franchise agreement for MCI Metro Access Transmission Services LLC to use city rights-of-way for fiber, and heard staff updates on congressional funding requests and a public comment about single‑day event business licenses.
The Pelham City Council on Aug. 4 approved an alcohol-beverage control (ABC) license for Comfort Suites at 2235 Pelham Parkway and took the first reading of an ordinance to grant a nonexclusive right-of-way franchise to MCI Metro Access Transmission Services LLC to install fiber in city rights of way.
The council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2025080403, which grants retail beer and retail table-wine licenses (on- or off-premises) to the applicant listed as Radhamadanan LLC doing business as Comfort Suites, located at 2235 Pelham Parkway. Council members said the applicant had answered questions during the prior work session and the request was consistent with other area hotels.
On first reading the council heard Ordinance 5-25, described as granting a nonexclusive right-of-way use agreement to MCI Metro Access Transmission Services LLC for construction and maintenance of a fiber-based communications system. The ordinance text on the record names the company as a Delaware entity with an address listed as 1 Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The item was presented as a first reading only; no final adoption vote occurred at the Aug. 4 meeting.
City Manager Gretchen Defonte updated the council on staff work to secure congressional appropriations. Assistant City Manager Justin Smith prepared requests this year that targeted specific committees; the record lists these requests and their amounts: Highway 31 lighting, $2,300,000; public-safety upgrades, $1,370,000; and $2,000,000 for water-main replacement. The council was informed that only the lighting request advanced to the appropriations committee this cycle but was not approved. Defonte said staff will continue pursuing funding and noted that some offices encouraged resubmission next year.
During public comments Tabitha Robinson, foster coordinator and acting director for 2 by 2 Rescue, asked the council to consider creating a single-day or short-term special-business license for vendors and artisans to reduce barriers to participation in events. Robinson said event organizers typically expect 50 to 60 vendors and historically have drawn 3,000–5,000 attendees; she said the lack of a single-day license may reduce vendor participation. Assistant City Manager Justin Smith was invited by staff to follow up with Robinson after the meeting.
Other business and notices: the council approved its consent agenda (including minutes from the July 21 meeting and Resolution 2025080401); city staff announced election and absentee-ballot deadlines and a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 18 on an Eagle Cove homeowners association special-assessment request for a sewer lift-station rehabilitation project.
Ending: The franchise ordinance will return for a subsequent reading before final action. Staff will continue federal and congressional outreach on grant and appropriation opportunities, and city staff will follow up with event organizers on special-license options.
