The Gadsden City Council met on Tuesday, July 21, for a regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall.
Councilman Steve Smith for District 2, Councilman Larry Avery for District 3 and Councilman Jason Wilson for District 5 were all absent. With Councilwoman Tonya Latham for District 1, Councilman Kent Back for District 4, Councilwoman Dixie Minatra for District 6 and Councilman Chris Robinson for District 7 in attendance, a quorum was barely met.
Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford was also absent.
In the 45-minute-long meeting, the council approved two items on the regular agenda:
- Resolution R-487-26 which awards bid No. 3646 for the 2026 Landfill Cover Dirt project to Bedwell Whorton Excavating, LLC.
- Resolution R-488-26 which authorizes an agreement with EE Group, Inc. for electrical and lighting for a parking lot expansion project at the Gadsden Sports Park for the amount of $9,500.
The council also approved three items of new business brought to the council during the work session.
- Resolution R-489-26 which amends Resolution No. R -348-26 in relation to a tax abatement agreement with Inteva Products, LLC. for an expansion project at their Gadsden facility. The amendment removes the name “Renco Group, Inc.” from the party agreement.
- Resolution R-490-26 which authorizes an agreement with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC. to provide sports lighting for three ballfields at the Gadsden Athletic Center for the amount of $569,900.
- Resolution R-491-26 which authorizes an agreement with Urban Slide, LLC. for the Slide the City event on July 25-26 for the amount of $65,000. The city has raised $48,000 from sponsors and the rest of the estimated $17,000 will be made up in ticket sales.
During the council work session, councilmembers reviewed:
- A liquor license application for Cielo Bar.
- An ordinance regarding the sale of property to a private citizen.
- An economic development opportunity for a Dutch Brothers Coffee shop.
- An acquisition of property for easement regarding a drainage project impacting Tabor Rd.
- A resolution regarding construction plans with Chambliss King for the amount of $129,000 for a sun deck add-on to the Gadsden Athletic Center.An agreement with the Etowah County Board of Education for purchase of dirt to cover an inert landfill for the amount of $15.01 per cubic yard of dirt.
The council heard public comments from Ceandra James, the executive director of Saving our Sons, a gun violence awareness advocacy non-profit in Gadsden. James spoke on behalf of the organization and thanked the city for their recent support. She also advertised a current shoe drive the organization is leading.
During department and committee reports, City Clerk Jennifer Smith reminded Gadsden citizens wishing to vote by absentee ballot of upcoming deadlines and encouraged voters to visit www.cityofgadsden.com or call or visit the clerk’s office on the 4th floor of City Hall.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Gadsden City Council will be held Tuesday, July 28 at 10 a.m. in council chambers on the 1st floor of Gadsden City Hall.
