Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Gadsden City Council approves package of contracts, land conveyance for Eastern Connector, airport purchase and other measures
Loading...
Summary
On Jan. 13 the council unanimously adopted a series of resolutions including a demolition change order, an engineering amendment for a bridge project, eight furniture contracts for new City Hall, sale of a right-of-way parcel for the Eastern Connector, purchase of airport authority property ($463,000) with a companion budget amendment, an agreement with Chick‑fil‑A for a city parcel, support for House Bill 22 on auditor rotation, and a $115,000 (total) performance agreement with Celebrity Talent International (down payment $65,035).
The Gadsden City Council on Jan. 13 approved a slate of resolutions advancing public works contracts, real-estate transactions and event planning for the city.
Votes and package items: The council unanimously adopted Change Order No. 1 for Bid No. 3607 (Gadsden Athletic Center demolition), reducing the Engel Demolition and Salvage Inc. contract by $600 to a new total of $221,711, and authorized an amendment with 3 Notch Group for engineering services on the Hickory Street bridge replacement project in the amount of $120,273. The council also approved a first-reading ordinance to amend City Code section 130-33 addressing stormwater connections to the sanitary sewer, which will return for formal vote at the next meeting.
The council approved, as a single package, eight furniture and equipment contracts for the new Gadsden City Hall executed under Alabama master contracts; Councilman Wilson stressed these purchases were previously budgeted and not new spending.
Land and property actions: Council approved conveying Track No. 43 (right-of-way) for the Eastern Connector (the I‑759 extension) to the State of Alabama for $81,747. Council members described the Eastern Connector as a multi-decade project and said the transaction represented state investment in a major regional roadway.
Council also authorized acquisition of airport authority property for $463,000 and passed a companion ordinance amending the FY2026 budget to allow the purchase; staff clarified funding will come from the city's 1.6 (3% rental) land fund rather than the TIF fund.
Economic development and events: Council approved an agreement with Chick‑fil‑A for a portion of a roughly three‑acre city-owned parcel on Highway 77 near the I‑59 interchange, which council members said is expected to generate sales-tax revenue. The council also adopted a resolution supporting House Bill 22 to permit municipalities to use an independent audit firm for more than three years; the resolution referenced Representative Butler as the bill sponsor. Finally, the council authorized a performance agreement with Celebrity Talent International that requires a $65,035 down payment toward a total $115,000 artist compensation for a ticketed event; officials said the artist cannot be named until Feb. 23, 2026.
Council comments and next steps: Councilman Wilson described the Eastern Connector conveyance as a significant win, noting state investment in a multimillion-dollar road through the city. The measures were adopted by voice votes with unanimous 'aye' on each recorded motion. Several items (including the stormwater ordinance) will require a future reading or additional administrative steps.
What's next: The ordinance amending city code section 130-33 will be on the council agenda for a vote next week; other adopted resolutions move to implementation and procurement as appropriate.
