Summary

Opelika City Council approves development amendments, major road/vehicle purchases, and ordinance changes (Apr 21, 2026)

OpelikaApr 21, 20262 min read

At a glance

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Council met April 21, 2026 (6:00–6:30 PM). All members and the mayor were present. Council approved the agenda and prior minutes, recognized citizens and public safety personnel, held four public hearings with no speakers, approved a broad consent agenda including a $3,052,473.84 bid for the Northpark Drive extension and bridge over Halawakee Creek, and passed two ordinance items (Pre‑Trial Diversion Program amendment and Cedar Creek PUD amendment). Two project development agreement amendments were approved. Public commenters raised concerns about the Northpark Drive extension, a potential data center, local water quality, and protection of historic cemeteries.

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Project Development Frederick Rd Intersection Improvement Project

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City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerce

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Key decisions

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Adopted meeting agenda and approved minutes from April 7, 2026.
Approved consent agenda (unanimous), including: alcohol licenses for 1854 Rare Wines And Gifts and Banditos; purchase of one Turret Trailer ($70,939); Scott Vision C5 facepieces for OFD ($182,590); one Altec AT37G outrigger F550 truck ($183,827); Crowdstrike subscription upgrades for IT ($186,411.63); Byrne JAG grant application ($26,229); contract for fireworks ($25,000); geotechnical boring professional services ($133,854); ALDOT construction invoice for Gateway Dr/Frederick Rd intersection improvements ($523,604.74); and an amended FY2026 appropriation contract with The Arts Association of East Alabama ($75,000).
Awarded bid for Northpark Drive Extension & Bridge over Halawakee Creek — $3,052,473.84 (consent agenda).
Approved Resolution No. 099-26: First Amendment to Project Development Agreement with MAB American Management, LLC.
Approved Resolution No. 100-26: Second Amendment to Project Development Agreement with Broad Metro, LLC.
Ordinances: Adopted (2nd reading) amendment to Chapter 17, Article 5 (Pre‑Trial Diversion Program) — Ordinance No. 018-26; adopted (2nd reading) amendment to the Cedar Creek PUD — Ordinance No. 019-26; introduced (1st reading) rezoning of 1502 Spring Drive (R-5 to C-3).

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Meeting information

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Opelika City Council Regular Meeting

Apr 21, 2026, 6:00 PM300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Opelika, AL 36801completed

Agenda

1. A CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
1. George Allen, Janataka Hughley-Holmes, Leigh Whatley, Chuck Beams, Todd Rauch
Decision: ROLL CALL
3. INVOCATION
1. Craig Lee from Oak Hill Church.
Decision: INVOCATION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
1. Allie Hill and Joshua Allen from Opelika Middle School.
Decision: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Motion to Adopt the CM Agenda for 04-21-26.
Decision: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
1. Minutes from the 04-07-26 council meeting.
attachments=1
Decision: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
1. City's Financial Summary Report for March 2026.
attachments=1
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
2. March 2026 Monthly Building Summary Report.
attachments=1
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
3. Recognize Character Council Citizen of Excellent Character.
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
4. Recognize Officer Cody Barr with a Lifesaver Award.
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
5. Recognize OPS/Energy Southeast Scholarship Recipients.
Decision: MAYOR COMMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
(Limit comments to 3 minutes or less)
1. Public Hearing - First Amendment to the Project Development Agreement with MAB American Management, LLC.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Public Hearing - Second Amendment to the Project Development Agreement with Broad Metro, LLC.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. Public Hearing - Amend the Development Plan for the Cedar Creek PUD.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Public Hearing - Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 1502 Spring Drive, 1.5 Acres, from R-5 to C-3.
attachments=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. AGENDA-RELATED PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Limit comments to 3 minutes or less)
11. CONSENT AGENDA
1. General Business: Request Alcohol License - 1854 Rare Wines And Gifts DBA 1854 Rare Wines And Gifts LLC, Retail Wine and Beer On And Off Premise.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
2. General Business: Request Alcohol License - Eat Banditos, LLC DBA Banditos - Restaurant Retail Liquor and Beer on Premise.
attachments=1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
3. Bid: One (1) Turret Trailer - OPS ($70,939).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
4. Bid: Northpark Drive Extension & Bridge Over Halawakee Creek - ENG ($3,052,473.84).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
5. Resolution: Expense Reports from Various Departments.
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
6. Resolution: Purchase - Scott Vision C5 Facepieces - OFD ($182,590).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
7. Resolution: Purchase - One (1) Altec AT37G Outrigger F550 Truck - OPS ($183,827).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
8. Resolution: Purchase - Crowdstrike Subscription Licenses and Services Upgrades - IT ($186,411.63).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
9. Resolution: Approve 2025 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Application - OPD ($26,229).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
10. Resolution: Approve Contract with Casey Chambley DBA Chambley's Display Fireworks - P&R ($25,000).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
11. Resolution: Approve Professional Services Agreement with Barge Design Solutions, Inc. for Geotechnical Boring - ENG ($133,854).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
12. Resolution: Approve ALDOT Construction Invoice for Gateway Dr and Frederick Rd Intersection Improvement Project - ENG ($523,604.74).
attachments=4
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
13. Resolution: (Amended) Annual Appropriation Contract FY2026 with The Arts Association of East Alabama ($75,000).
attachments=2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
12. GENERAL BUSINESS
13. AWARDING OF BIDS
14. RESOLUTIONS
1. Approve First Amendment to the Project Development Agreement with MAB American Management, LLC - ED.
attachments=2
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
2. Approve Second Amendment to the Project Development Agreement with Broad Metro, LLC - ED.
attachments=2
Decision: RESOLUTIONS
15. ORDINANCES
1. Amend Chapter 17, Article 5 of the City Code of Ordinances: Pre-Trial Diversion Program - 2nd Reading.
attachments=1
Decision: ORDINANCES
2. Amend the Development Plan for the Cedar Creek PUD - 2nd Reading.
attachments=2
Decision: ORDINANCES
3. Amend Zoning Ordinance & Map: 1502 Spring Drive, 1.5 Acres, from R-5 to C-3 - 1st Reading.
attachments=2
Decision: ORDINANCES
16. APPOINTMENTS
17. SECOND ROSTER OF PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Limit comments to 3 minutes or less)
18. ADJOURN
1. Character Trait of the Month - Kindness, the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Decision: ADJOURN
2. Motion to Adjourn.
Decision: ADJOURN