City Council – Highlights from the February 22, 2018 Meeting
Published on February 23, 2018
Annexation
The City Council unanimously approved the annexation of 659.10 acres of land lying east of U.S. Highway 231 South and on the north and south sides of River Loop Road, in Morgan County.
The annexation comes by request of the landowners and culminates some four years of study by various City departments regarding the feasibility.
Some Morgan County residents spoke in opposition to the annexation. Mayor Tommy Battle assured them that “we will make sure we are good stewards, good engineers and good neighbors as we move through the process.”
Council Member Jennie Robinson noted that park land from the development will complement Ditto Landing, helping to preserve the pristine riverfront and view.
The development will not be provided City of Huntsville sewer service but would be serviced by the City’s first responders. Both Huntsville Chief of Police Mark McMurray and Fire & Rescue Chief Howard McFarlen noted that both agencies have good working relationships with existing Morgan County agencies and a partnership could be established.
Board appointments
Shaquila Willie was appointed by Mayor Battle to the Huntsville Housing Authority.
Development
The Mayor was authorized to sign a plat entitled: MidCity Subdivision Phase 3. The signature is a routine step as developers begin sub dividing land on the property for additional development.
The Mayor was authorized to enter into an agreement between the City of Huntsville and Fuqua & Partners Architects, PC for architectural services for South Huntsville Public Library, which will be constructed on the site of the former Grissom High School.
City Administrator John Hamilton pointed out that a number of simultaneous projects will be taking place, conducted by various companies, on what is being called the Sandra Moon Complex. Council Member Robinson noted that a fund-raising effort has amassed some $6 million in the public-private partnership to build the library.
The Mayor was authorized to enter into an agreement with Matheny Goldmon Architecture + Interiors LLC for architectural services for a parking deck on the city-owned lot at the corner of Greene Street and Holmes Ave. The lot would be in accordance with the Downtown Master Plans and funding is already budgeted. The lot would likely be three stories and have some 350 spaces and a small retail space on the first-floor corner. There will be public discussion of the project after preliminary design work to hear feedback from residents.
The Mayor was authorized to enter an agreement with KPS Group, Inc. for architectural services for the renovation of the J.O. Johnson High gym. Council members were told the architects would be charged with making the gym a destination point and to keep alive the legacy of Johnson High, which closed in 2016.
License Bureau
The City will enter into a Sublease Agreement with Madison County for a driver’s license bureau in the Huntsville Police South Precinct building on Bailey Cove Road. Council Member Robinson praised her Madison County Commission counterpart Phil Riddick for initiating the move and creating “a great partnership.”
Upcoming
City Council Regular Meeting, Thursday, March 8, 6 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting, Thursday, March 22, 6 p.m.
For more information, including hyperlinked contracts, visit Council Agendas and Minutes
View video recordings of past Council Meetings in the HSV TV Video Library
