The Opelika City Council on Dec. 2 approved a bundle of resolutions and an ordinance on second reading, including an annual appropriation contract with the Opelika Chamber of Commerce and a zoning amendment for Speedway Drive.

What passed: The council approved a settlement and release in a class-action matter involving Discover card accounts, accepted first amendments to a broad metro development agreement and to the Mila manufacturing project agreement (the latter noted as resulting in a delay), and approved a $115,000 annual appropriation contract for fiscal year 2026 with the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.

Ethics disclosure and vote: Council member Mister Roe announced he would abstain from the Chamber appropriation vote “due to my relationship with the president of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.” The roll call recorded four 'Aye' votes and one abstention; the motion carried.

Zoning and ordinances: On second reading council approved an amendment to the zoning map for 1401 Speedway Drive (1.933 acres) to reclassify the property from R-5M to C-2. Council also introduced, for first reading, a zoning-map amendment for 2051 Alabama Highway 169 (48.06 acres) from R-1 to C-3; that item will return for future consideration.

Procedure and context: Several items were presented as public hearings that drew no speakers; the council opened and closed each hearing before taking the roll-call votes. For the resolutions and amendments the council recorded roll-call 'Aye' votes and carried the motions without further public debate.

Next steps: The Highway 169 rezoning will proceed through the required readings and hearings; the Mila manufacturing amendment and broad metro development amendment will be implemented per the terms approved by the council and staff.