Malden council adopts first-reading amendments to rezoning and annexation dates after executive session

The Malden City Council voted in favor on April 2026 of first-reading amendments to two land-use ordinances following an executive session. Councilmember Mattingly moved to amend ordinance 10-65 to rezone a roughly 25.8-acre tract at Fort Shoals Road and Ashmore Bridge Road and to adjust the effective/closing date to July 31, 2026; the motion passed on first reading by voice vote recorded as 4-3. The transcript records the three opposed councilmembers as Kraline, Allgood and Steinbeck.

Mattingly then moved to adopt on first reading an amendment to ordinance 10-66 to annex a roughly 7.2-acre tract at 1330 Fort Shoals Road and similarly adjust the closing date to July 31, 2026. That motion passed on first reading by a recorded tally of 5-2. Both items were taken up after an executive session in which the council received legal advice; Mattingly reported to the body afterward that no votes or final decisions were made during the closed session.

During discussion before the first vote, Councilmember Steinbeck expressed concern about transparency and said he had asked a question earlier that he felt had not been answered. The council proceeded to vote despite the objection and finalized the first-reading approvals with the tallies shown. The amendments were adopted on first reading and will return for subsequent readings and any required administrative steps.

The council also approved a Public Works request to use sewer-division funds to install a voltage regulator at the Adam Lehi pump station; the motion was made by a councilmember and seconded, and the body approved the authorization by voice vote.

What happens next: these ordinance changes were adopted on first reading and will follow the city's normal ordinance-adoption process, including subsequent readings and any required public notice. The council adjourned at approximately 10:14 p.m.