Photo credit to the City of Opelika
The Opelika City Council convened for its regular meeting on Sept. 17, 2024. Neither Councilman George Allen nor Councilman Todd Rauch were present at the meeting.
During the meeting, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller recognized two city employees. Chef Judy Eldred, a culinary arts instructor at Opelika High School, was recognized by the city for being a 2024 Runner-up Green Award Recipient. This national award is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education. Fuller said Eldred was nominated for the award for her commitment to sustainability in culinary education. Additionally, Cornelius Pink, a service worker who maintains the city parks, received an “Attaboy Award” from Fuller. Pink was given the award for his efforts in keeping the city parks clean, particularly the municipal park over Labor Day weekend.
In other news:
A downtown street closure was approved for First Baptist Church of Opelika to hold its fall festival and fireworks show on Oct. 27, 2024.
A downtown street closure was also approved for the Lee County Life Chain Event on Oct. 6, 2024. Life Chain is an annual peaceful prayer event held in protest of abortion in the United States.
An alcohol license was approved for Sante Opelika.
The council approved waiving all building and construction permit fees for a new Habitat of Humanity home. The new home will be located at 205 Brannon Avenue.
The council also approved a $763,625.00 grant application with the Alabama State Industrial Development Site Evaluation and Economic Development (SEEDS) program. This is a 50% matching grant that could give the city $1,527,250.00 to improve a 125-acre site in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. Funds from the grant will also go to leveling an additional five-acre site for construction purposes. No word was given on what will be built on the site.