Dothan City Commission approves entertainment-district sign exemption, backs workforce MOU and a $250,000 Byrne grant

The Dothan City Commission on April 21 approved an ordinance that exempts properties inside the city’s designated entertainment district from a signed-advertising requirement and voted to approve a slate of partnership agreements and appropriations intended to support workforce development, public safety and city services.

“We have a rather full and fun and great day of proclamations and recognitions this morning,” Mayor Mark Slabaugh said at the start of the meeting, which combined ceremonial recognitions with routine business and several staff-recommended agreements.

The commission voted to give immediate consideration to and adopt Ordinance 2026-96, which amends Chapter 6 of the City of Dothan code of ordinances to exempt properties located within the entertainment district from the signed-advertising requirement and to update exemption language. Commissioners approved the ordinance on a voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript.

In addition to the ordinance, the commission approved Resolution 2026-97, a memorandum of understanding with the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Tuskegee University to assist with the CARVER (career advancement, research vision and entrepreneur readiness) BioTrain internship program. Commissioners described the partnership as an important step for local workforce development and for programming at the new Wiregrass Innovation Center, which the city plans to open with a ribbon-cutting on May 4.

City Manager Randy Morris summarized changes to the redevelopment incentives program, saying the administration sought to "increase the boundary investment amount…from 25,000 to 50,000 and then we're also allowing, for interior improvements to be eligible." Morris said the city would continue to waive building permit fees, reduce landfill fees for demolition and reduce business license fees for the first two years for qualifying projects.

The body also approved a set of additional measures on the consent calendar, including: - Resolution 2026-102 to apply for and accept $250,000 under the Edward Byrne Memorial State Crisis Intervention Program grant to support crisis-intervention activities; - Resolution 2026-100, a reimbursement memorandum with the Drug Enforcement Administration to recover certain covert investigative equipment costs and overtime; and - Resolution 2026-104 to reimburse Houston County $42,738 to relocate overhead fiber lines as part of the City Hall and annex project to permit undergrounding and improve aesthetics.

The commission approved a three-year service agreement with Trane USA for scheduled HVAC maintenance in city facilities, a lease agreement with Camp ASCCA for May camper lodging and meals, and a $15,000 donation to the Grow Southeast Foundation in support of Flight Works demonstrations tied to Fort Rucker partnerships.

A proposal to waive sections of the code to permit use of a PA system at a May 1 event at the Houston County Courthouse received no motion and therefore died for lack of action.

On the business license front, an application for a lounge retail liquor class 2 license for The Last Call Spirits (1940 South Oak Street, Suite 5) was presented; Sharon Ford, who identified herself as the applicant, told commissioners, "My name is Sharon Ford, and I was just wanting to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to open the business if I get the license." The commission approved the license.

Community recognitions and proclamations preceded the business agenda. Rhonda Pasibi introduced the 2026 Dothan Queens and said, in partnership with local colleges, the program was able to "award $68,000 worth of scholarships to young ladies in the Wiregrass to continue their education." The commission also recognized Special Olympics teams for recent state and national competition results, proclaimed Lineman Appreciation Day for Dothan Utilities workers, and declared April 19–25 Library Week; Chris Warren, director of the Dothan Houston County Library System, told the commission, "But at our heart, we are a people driven operation."

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2026-96 (adopted); Resolutions 2026-97, 2026-98, 2026-99, 2026-100, 2026-101 (Trane service agreement), 2026-102 (Byrne grant acceptance), 2026-103 (fireworks permits), 2026-104 (Houston County reimbursement), 2026-105 (Grow Southeast donation), 2026-107 (redevelopment district amendment), 2026-108 (Fiserv agreement) and other consent items were approved by voice vote. Resolution 2026-106 (PA-system waiver) died for lack of motion.

The meeting adjourned after the business agenda and the administrative portion (approval of minutes and closing) was returned to the City Manager. The commission did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript for most items; action outcomes above follow the motions and voice votes captured on the record.