[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6500464,"mediaKeyId","5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b","parentId",5753474,"title","Votes at a glance: Gadsden council approves licenses, appointments, grants, permits and contract change order","audioSeconds",67,"startMs",2194000,"endMs",2261000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b&start=2194&end=2261","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b/thumbnail_2194000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6500464/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-Gadsden-council-approves-licenses-appointments-grants-permits-and-contract-change-order","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500464-f46c66b32944d0ad399d17d9d1607e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116133&Signature=O8H-x3wwVZugm25j6sLR8Dm3-cdvP9uZcX7INiBhNaVmqtoXtd0dUcmQmdv6PtUGnQE5eZW8JqsGrOtd5ATl95iDDzHNRM7oqn7X5UI4jDTKAl-VElgvECwLcphniu01usiZFek0z0y~f1s66aFApDZne~LOcEmkAZsHb2HxxGJMquFRe7yeOqLldy6EVaCJ7gFhCTUeIINQtUMqXxdJAtGIF3scoTBLKCZa9PGxfE69Ts7CfMJM5UUIB2I3m~zdhktVHFNorN6lWCkXD8wcc~ZEyonqiPbxPtQoR8WC7f0gA0qURqDdGLSHtl~m9LdhQobiQ8C2jJTG2WllgLjw7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gadsden City, AL","date","2025-09-05T00:00:00Z","article","GADSDEN CITY — The Gadsden City Council took several brief actions by voice vote Sept. 9, adopting a set of resolutions and routine items. The clerk recorded motions and voice votes; no roll-call tallies were provided in the meeting transcript for these items. The actions below are summarized from the public record of the meeting.

Summary of actions (each approved by voice vote)

- Alcohol license — Fairfield Inn & Suites (Shiva LLC doing business as Fairfield Inn & Suites), 116 Walker Street, District 6: Council adopted a resolution approving an on- or off-premises retail beer and table wine license. (Agenda item 9; motion: adopted by voice vote.)

- Alcohol license — Tentacion Cantina LLC, 221 South Third Street, District 4: Council adopted a resolution approving a lounge retail liquor license (class 1). (Agenda item 10; motion: adopted by voice vote.)

- Appointment — Gadsden Arts Council: Council adopted a resolution appointing Katrina Hooks to replace Angie Campbell for a term expiring May 31, 2026. (Agenda item 14; motion: adopted by voice vote.)

- Reappointments — Gadsden City Youth Council (2025–2026): Council reappointed Caitlin Callaway, Erin Pitts, Baylor Wilburn, Angela Connolly, Cameron McElrath and Jamieson Mullenax. (Agenda item 15; motion: adopted by voice vote.)

- Grant acceptance — Thriving Communities Grant: Council adopted a resolution authorizing acceptance of a $50,000 Thriving Communities grant for installation of fabric sun sails over seating at Mort Gloucester Amphitheater. (Agenda item 17; motion: adopted by voice vote.)

- Special use permit — Verizon Wireless: Council adopted a resolution approving equipment modifications at the existing wireless telecommunications facility at 1624 Forest Avenue. (Agenda item 18; motion: adopted by voice vote.)

- Agreement — Carousel Digital Signage: Council adopted a resolution authorizing an $8,000 per year contract for 30 licenses to implement digital sign displays in city facilities. (Agenda item 19; motion: adopted by voice vote.)

- Change order — Landscape maintenance contract (Thrive Outdoor Inc.): Council approved change order No. 1 to the 2025 landscape maintenance contract for $15,962 for completion of phase 4 (sports park work). The contract total becomes $563,519.08. (New business / item 21; motion: approved by unanimous consent to consider as new business and adopted.)

Votes and procedural notes

Most items were moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; the transcript records \"aye\" responses and the clerk announcing that motions carried. For the landscape change order the council voted to consider the item as new business by unanimous consent and then adopted it. Several items had brief staff presentations or recognition but no extended debate.

Why it matters: these routine approvals permit businesses to operate with required licenses, authorize small capital or operating changes (digital signage, amphitheater shade), advance park maintenance work and confirm community and youth appointments without extended deliberation.

Records and follow-up

The transcript does not include roll-call vote tallies for these items. The city clerk's official minutes and resolution documents will contain the formal record, including any written motions, ordinances or resolution numbers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gadsden City Council meeting 2025-09-02","oneSentenceSummary","The Gadsden City Council adopted a set of routine resolutions and approvals Sept. 9, including alcohol licenses, appointments, a $50,000 amphitheater grant, a Verizon special-use permit, a digital-signage agreement and a landscape maintenance change order.","taxTitle","Gadsden City, Etowah County, Alabama","taxId",53910,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500474,"Gadsden City accepts $3 million federal greenway grant; city to provide matching funds",354,2428000,2782000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b&start=2428&end=2782","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b/thumbnail_2428000.jpg","/articles/6500474/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-City-accepts-3-million-federal-greenway-grant-city-to-provide-matching-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500474-0d5c6b1c0bfb8e32c6cd360526269fa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116133&Signature=KGOYpMlfoSpmuv2jkmiSA63wfQr53Qt8Un7blNUd0THcS6WVGZJVZWx8FVJe9CkiQIWxvewOaICbR2kJ3iAelO9CO0wnkCmgNOCIajtYq8Xs6dclefgoFhmjJbF5HrQnY-rKiyxN2A~PqNlkPNTp6jDy0wXx3HsDljJ9Fb6chKxSzBQo7ozechbCrhFA8wwC0mL7mKt7CuYiYoKIuV6RRrImsxcunB2zTZGLzhAs6oaxm-oV6I98XowlbhtqscyWUhtYcJ54Q5kxapOZeHQe728PqDUaFNbOtp5ySSWUiKJLRTy2M-XeGIr1JdkQFCLiV~t0MSsLLJ9RhL5EbS9z1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GADSDEN CITY — The Gadsden City Council on Sept. 9 adopted a resolution accepting a $3,000,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Outdoor Legacy Partnership Program grant to build a multiuse greenway that follows an existing rail bed and connects the Mill Village area near Cabin Avenue east to the North Third Street intersection.

The resolution clarifies the city’s commitment to the required local match for the federal grant. During council discussion, staff explained the next steps: the city will issue a request for proposals for design firms, select a firm via an internal committee and proceed to design and construction documents. \"Once we get to that state, we'll have designs, we'll have renderings if you wish,\" a staff member said.

Trail route and design details

Staff described the trail as roughly an 8-foot-wide asphalt path with concrete sidewalks at intersections where sidewalks exist. The route generally follows a rail bed and will intersect the Black Creek trail system and run between Tuscaloosa Avenue and Mahan Boulevard (described in the hearing as the parallel corridor). The plan calls for two trailheads, overlook and rest areas, and pedestrian-level lighting.

Safety features discussed include high-resolution cameras, emergency call stations similar to those used on college campuses, and additional patrols by officers on bikes and e-bikes. \"There'll be stations that have security cameras … and an ability to call police if you feel unsafe at any time,\" the staff member said.

Funding and local match

Council discussion clarified that the grant award is $3,000,000 from the federal program administered through the National Park Service and that the city must provide a local match of approximately $3,000,000 (amounts in the staff discussion referenced a precise match figure submitted in grant documents). The staff member said the resolution was a clarification requested by the granting agencies to confirm the city’s awareness of and commitment to the local match requirement.

Why it matters: the greenway is intended to expand active-transportation options, link neighborhoods to city destinations and form part of the broader Gadsden Greenway network. Council members called the grant a significant achievement.

What’s next

Staff will issue an RFP for design firms, convene an internal selection committee, and — if the council requests — produce renderings before moving to construction documents. The resolution was adopted by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tally in the transcript.","The Gadsden City Council adopted a resolution accepting a $3 million federal greenway grant and clarified the city's commitment to the required local match, with staff outlining a design and procurement process for the trail.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500479,"Gadsden officials present FY2026 budget; finance director projects 10% revenue growth since FY2022",1573,628000,2201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b&start=628&end=2201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b/thumbnail_628000.jpg","/articles/6500479/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-officials-present-FY2026-budget-finance-director-projects-10-revenue-growth-since-FY2022","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500479-4c89b15f9abdc771b864592e1abeac6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116133&Signature=j5y-KgeQM3wcvP3WT2pGgRqRjjS-1gGicxbEIGfVM-N9eAfNtMEGqVT8uk9HOBsROwQenjQS~wxw2yl~6YKkqP4TsSQ9vlfEzHt-~kfF3vH0oMu-v-S6OvDFtzaq2fNaCU1~cwVzx-BNiHx2kovRYtRJmW7HbY4fIovkGOxAuRGlLkJAA6l07dLRpuyUAyUAqh4HFi2h7NYv51TvKCyowVYDVd~2y8Sq05PH8UYOP5EjsAW0gTRnr0HgI~G-B-~DQJ01hwNHDZT~i35ySCiaJyU8LvXcI1l-X4sF1u5~Nq8xRmjXfGvKILNPMPWi9Xz2OLBm34fGwKJdmGqD1TYhig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GADSDEN CITY — Finance Director Brandon Phillips told the Gadsden City Council during a public hearing Sept. 9 that audited revenues have averaged about 10% annual growth since fiscal 2022 as the city finalizes its proposed fiscal year 2026 budgets.

The FY2026 ordinance presented at the hearing lists the following budgets: general fund, $80,947,000; special revenue funds, $9,961,869; debt service funds, $11,566,517; enterprise and internal service funds, $16,558,556; Capital Projects Fund, $9,540,930; and Capital Projects Fund 2, $8,338,045. The ordinance also adopts the city employee pay scale. Copies of the budget were made available in the finance and city clerk offices.

Phillips said the 10% growth figure is based on audited numbers. \"When we say revenues have tracked and grown at 10%, that is not an estimate ... These are audited numbers right here,\" he said. He identified several revenue drivers for FY2026, including the anticipated economic impact of a planned Gadsden Athletic Center — estimated at $190,000,000 — new events at the falls area, bond-issue earnings during drawdown and new revenue projects such as Top Tracer and night golf at the municipal golf course.

Why it matters: the revenue growth, if sustained, allows the city to expand capital and operating investments while maintaining the pay plan and addressing personnel costs. Phillips told the council that, as of the July 25 reporting date, most departments were under budget and that the city is operating its first full year in new financial software (Tyler).

Key budget details and trade-offs

- Personnel: the proposed pay plan provides a 2% raise to employees with satisfactory evaluations and raises part-time wages from $11 to $12 per hour. Personnel costs now account for roughly 54% of the general fund budget, Phillips said, down from the roughly 70% level reported several years earlier. \"That's a huge deal,\" he said.

- Cost increases: FY2026 personnel costs are projected to increase by about $2.3 million. Phillips attributed much of that increase to the scheduled 3.2% rise in the state retirement (RSA) rate and an approximately $800,000 increase in insurance costs.

- Fund balance and capital: Phillips noted an effort to reduce use of an \"unassigned fund balance\" that has previously been tapped for capital projects, such as City Hall, and said the city hopes to eliminate that reliance in coming budgets.

- Debt service: the city expects to finish paying several earlier obligations in 2025 and 2026 and is preparing for a new debt issuance tied to multiple capital projects. Phillips summarized that, after paying down current warrants, the new debt service will return the city to debt-service levels similar to FY2020–FY2021 once fully in place.

Council discussion and public comment

Council members praised the fiscal presentation and management. \"To go from 70% to 54% [personnel] is just amazing,\" Councilman Back said, noting the importance of retaining employees while keeping personnel costs manageable. Councilman Wilson and others highlighted the municipal golf course's turnaround and the expected revenue contribution from new golf offerings.

Multiple members and several speakers from the public — including residents who identified themselves as city constituents — voiced support for the budget and thanked staff. No formal amendments were adopted during the hearing; the ordinance was presented for first reading and the council scheduled a final vote for the following week.

What’s next

This ordinance was presented for first reading on Sept. 9; the council will hold a vote at the next meeting. Council members asked staff for follow-up materials and Phillips offered to provide further detail on specific line items to individual council members.","Finance Director Brandon Phillips presented the proposed FY2026 budgets at a Sept. 9 public hearing in Gadsden, saying audited revenues have averaged about 10% annual growth since FY2022 and outlining personnel changes, debt-service timing and expected revenue from planned projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500469,"Gadsden council authorizes immediate consideration and adoption of ordinance to set parameters for Series 2025A general obligation warrants",184,2918000,3102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b&start=2918&end=3102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5753474-b2fe3079e18a6e810e218b38b454b42b/thumbnail_2918000.jpg","/articles/6500469/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-council-authorizes-immediate-consideration-and-adoption-of-ordinance-to-set-parameters-for-Series-2025A-general-obligation-warrants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500469-ab1b9f15816b9fb38da27acb1f6dc13c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116133&Signature=pA8YSy3FF4hfZ8Ygguj5WYfJCZhMW3loDC26GAn7dSv4sLKfpsjsG-NUBPbTruRvrCGQJMP3tKqXHs-sJQzcaAdqZlbsGCrTkIlWS89LSRJjUwdxm1~bgGA~tifgybEydOO2UGxJYD5xyTsb8thgHQdvTtdYs831qBI8hKWX~O859t60bhueJ9fHrBp48nRMwHYbkVwwuDcZyBa9BJ0HdxStcO~0YRcCTv7dXWwyD6TrFlROaoShekcbp7LPi6wGa991igQ4td5VuONznfz7UFVgksj4oXnUuCLt5TrRRSFA3dK0E7KCMwOma6-31C9~-p8lNgj7Xr7XAimJPC1q6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","GADSDEN CITY — The Gadsden City Council voted Sept. 9 to adopt an ordinance that sets parameters for the issuance of general obligation warrants, series 2025A, and authorizes the mayor to proceed with bond-market preparations.

The ordinance names Maynard Nexon PC as bond counsel and \"Stifle, Nicholas and Company, Incorporated\" as underwriter in the text presented to the council. Council took the measure up for immediate consideration and, after discussion about preparation of the disclosure materials, moved to adopt the ordinance on the same day. The clerk recorded one abstention; the motion carried.

What the ordinance does — and does not — do

Council members and staff emphasized that the action authorizes preparatory steps to pursue bond financing; it does not itself finalize borrowing terms or obligate the city to a specific loan amount. Staff and council members described the required borrower documentation prepared for underwriters and rating agencies, which includes demographic and fiscal information, project lists and payoff schedules for existing debt.

Council comments and rationale

Several councilmembers urged moving the matter forward so staff and consultants could meet with bond-market participants in New York and obtain rate and structure information. \"You can't just call a bank up in New York City and say, how much will you charge me for a $130,000,000? ... they want to see documents that show you're an actual viable entity,\" one council member said during debate. Another member noted the vote was not an authorization to borrow the full notional amount; rather, it authorizes officials to complete documentation and market the offering.

Why it matters: establishing parameters and authorizing bond counsel and underwriter are standard steps when a city seeks to access the municipal-bond market for capital projects. The documentation and underwriting process enables the city to obtain firm interest-rate and structure proposals.

Implementation and next steps

City staff and the named consultants will prepare and update the required disclosure package, meet with potential underwriters and return to the council with financing offers, amounts and proposed final documents for approval. The council vote on Sept. 9 authorized staff to proceed with those market and preparatory steps; any final borrowing will require subsequent council action.","The council moved to consider and adopted an ordinance establishing parameters for issuance of general obligation warrants series 2025A and authorized bond counsel and an underwriter. The measure passed by voice vote with one abstention; councilmembers said the step is preparatory and does not finalize borrowing amounts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Gadsden council approves licenses, appointments, grants, permits and contract change order

Gadsden City accepts $3 million federal greenway grant; city to provide matching funds

Gadsden officials present FY2026 budget; finance director projects 10% revenue growth since FY2022

Gadsden council authorizes immediate consideration and adoption of ordinance to set parameters for Series 2025A general obligation warrants