Decatur City Council approves contracts, grants and infrastructure work; schedules three rezoning hearings

The Decatur City Council approved a package of resolutions and scheduled three rezoning public hearings during its evening meeting.

In the meeting’s most substantive actions, the council voted 4–0 to approve Resolution 26095, a special‑use permit for Verizon Wireless to install a temporary cellular facility at 3536 Gordon Terry Parkway to support the Rock the South concert. Jeff Bass of CMS told the council the unit would be delivered May 29 and removed June 26 and described it as "a temporary telecommunications tower" with a generator to boost signal.

The council also awarded several contracts and approved related change orders and procurements. It awarded bid 26003 to Hood Contracting for Bunny Lane widening (Resolution 26098) and bid 26016 to BCA for renovations at the Carrie Matthews Recreation Center (Resolution 26100); the renovation was described with an estimated 150‑day completion timeline. Council approved Resolution 26106 to accept Change Order No. 8 for the Wilson Morgan Recreation Center, which staff said provides a small credit.

Traffic and right‑of‑way items included two ALDOT permits: Resolution 26096 approved removal and replacement of the turnout into Wilson Morgan Park from Alabama 67 to add turn lanes, and Resolution 26097 approved landscaping tied to removal of the Beltline Frontage Road between Sandlin Road and Central Parkway. The council also approved Resolution 26099 to remove traffic signals at 4th & Grant and 4th & Johnson after staff and consultants said a traffic study determined the signals were not warranted and recommended replacing them with stop signs.

On finance and technology, the council approved Resolution 26094 (yield‑reduction payment related to Decatur Utility Series 2021 nontaxable bonds) after a staff explanation of bond tax‑status mechanics, and Resolution 26101 to amend the budget to purchase audio and video equipment for the council chambers from CIVA Media Group. The clerk’s office software procurement (Resolution 26108) will consolidate agenda/minutes/records functions under CivicPlus.

Council accepted a donation from the Community Foundation of Greater Decatur to support an animal services brick memorial (Resolution 26103) and declared certain information services items surplus for recycling (Resolution 26102). The council also approved application for a Safe Streets grant with consultant Kimley‑Horn (Resolution 26104) and accepted additional funding tied to a Department of Conservation grant for the Highway 67 bike trail project (Resolution 26105); speakers referenced an additional $500,000 to a prior $1,000,000 allocation, described in the meeting as bringing a referenced total to $1.5 million.

Ordinance 26‑46‑43, the annual ad valorem tax levy reaffirmation required by state law, was read into the record and approved with no tax increase. The council appointed Kelly Terry to the Animal Services Board with a term expiring Oct. 31, 2030.

The meeting concluded with the council approving a motion to move into executive session to discuss a property interest; the record states the body will not reconvene after the executive session and will adjourn once it concludes.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 26094 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26095 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26096 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26097 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26098 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26099 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26100 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26101 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26102 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26103 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26104 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26105 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26106 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26107 (approved 4–0); Resolution 26108 (approved 4–0); Ordinance 26‑46‑43 (approved 4–0); appointment of Kelly Terry (approved 4–0).

Next steps: the council set the three rezoning public hearings for June 1, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., and announced the next work session (May 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.) and next regular meeting (May 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.).