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Gadsden City Council approves licenses, voting-place changes and multiple contracts
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Gadsden City Council unanimously adopted resolutions approving two retail alcohol/tobacco licenses, an ordinance changing several polling locations, multiple contract awards (drainage work, vehicle purchase, engineering for Coosa Harbor connector) and a $400,000 internal budget transfer.
The Gadsden City Council on May 12 adopted a slate of routine but consequential measures, approving retail alcohol and tobacco licenses, changing several voting locations, awarding public-works and engineering contracts, and authorizing a budget transfer within the fiscal year 2026 budget.
The council approved licenses for Sanderi Investments LLC d/b/a Tiger Mart (936 Rainbow Drive, District 4) and Sanderi Investments LLC d/b/a Exxon Tiger Mart (901 East Megan Boulevard, District 2) after the advertised public hearings; the clerk announced the motions carried on voice vote. President Beck led the proceedings and the clerk recorded that the motions carried with council members responding ‘aye.’
Council adopted an ordinance amending Section 34-33 of the city code to change several polling places, including moving District 3A from the former Gadsden High School lunchroom to Abundant Life Church gym and moving Districts 6A and 7A from Dwight Baptist Church to the Senior Wellness Center. Councilman Avery read the updated list of district voting locations for public notice.
On procurement, the council awarded the 2026 annual drainage and concrete work contract (bid 3641) to Alabama Grading and Excavation LLC for $82,997.82, and it awarded bid 3644 for a 2025 Ford super cab with service body to Southland International Trucks for $197,838. Mayor Ford explained the truck purchase was prompted after a specialized city vehicle was seriously damaged in a collision and insurance from the at-fault carrier covered “about $60,000,” leaving the city to make up the difference for a custom replacement. "We only got about $60,000 in insurance from the other carrier that was at fault," Mayor Ford said, describing the operational need for the vehicle.
The council also authorized an agreement with TTL Incorporated for engineering plans for the Highway 411 ingress/egress connector to the Coosa Harbor mixed-use development for $215,300; Mayor Ford described that project as advancing, saying the work on Coosa Harbor is "a step in the right direction" and that he was excited the city is moving dirt for the development.
Other adopted items included: a revised agreement with AECOM Technical Services ($12,000) to prepare and submit a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application; a supplemental architectural-services agreement with Thomas M. McElrath ($24,000) related to the Mortglosser Amphitheater stage canopy; an ordinance authorizing a $400,000 intra-fund budget transfer requested by finance (not new funds); delegation of signatory authority to the director of engineering; and a discretionary-funds expenditure supporting Mailman's Mutts for discounted spay/neuter services in May.
Most items passed by voice vote with the clerk announcing motions carried; the meeting record provides no detailed roll-call tallies in the spoken record beyond unanimous “aye” responses for the listed actions. Where dollar amounts were read in the meeting, the council adopted those recommendations as presented by staff.
The council closed the meeting with standard department reports and community remarks and adjourned to its next regular meeting.
