Athens annexes property for future hospital

Christy Bailey, The News Courier, Athens, Ala.
·4 min read

Oct. 10—At its Oct. 9 Athens City Council meeting, the council approved the annexation of property owned by Huntsville Hospital Health System. The property of approximately 112 acres is located on the west side of US Highway 31 S, and north of Tanner Crossroads.

"Some months ago, we began working with the executive officers of Huntsville Hospital," Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said. "Huntsville Hospital actually acquired the property back in May, when it became official."

One of the challenges the city will face is extending sewer to the newly annexed property.

"(This is) a great opportunity for the City of Athens and Limestone County. Hopefully, the new hospital will be built as soon as they can make all the financial arrangements work. Our challenge, with the City of Athens, is trying to annex the property and then trying to get the services provided to make them whole," Marks said prior to the Council's 5-0 vote to annex the property.

The News Courier reached out to Huntsville Hospital for a statement regarding the annexation of the property and when work might begin on a new hospital but did not receive a reply by press time.

Consent calendar

—Travel/education expenses for personnel of the Cemetery, Parks and Recreation Department.

—Travel/education expenses for personnel of the Water Services Department.

—Travel/education expenses for personnel of the Information Technology Department.

—Authorized the Planning Department to enter into a professional services agreement between Orion Planning + Design and the City of Athens for an update to the City's Zoning Ordinance.

—Purchase of ten MSA 30 minute bottles for SCBA's (airpacks) from Sunbelt Fire for the Fire Department.

—Purchase of replacement furniture for the day rooms at Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 3 from Barnett & Swann Home Furnishings.

—Approve the purchase of three swings for Parks and Recreation Department from Playworld Preferred, under the City of Athens purchasing contract, Sourcewell #43269.

—Approve the purchase of a John Deere backhoe, Model 320 P-TIER, for the Water Services Department.

—Purchase of a Trimble Model R12 GPS Survey unit for asset management and regulatory compliance purposes for the Water Services Department.

—A consulting agreement with CSL Services, Inc. to conduct FY2023 monthly support for flow monitoring in the wastewater collection system for the Water Services Department.

—A general services agreement with Barge Design Solutions (Barge) to provide hydrant flow documentation and water distribution hydraulic model updates as needed for the Water Services Department.

—Purchase of one 10" Scarifier with Carbides for the Street Department from Sunbelt Rentals.

—Purchase of a 2023 John Deere PA30B Planetary Drive Auger for the Street Department from Trigreen Equipment.

Regular meeting

—Designate additional holidays for FY2024.

—Approve a 5 percent cost of living (COLA) salary increase for all full-time employees, effective October 22, 2023, and to approve revising the City's official pay scale to reflect the change in pay rates.

—Ordinance granting a franchise to Crown Castle Fiber LLC relating to a small cell network within the City of Athens.

—Resolution concerning the renewal of the jail contract.

—Resolution concerning a contract with Dr. Jorge Acosta & Dr. Elisabeth O'Connor regarding professional veterinary services for $200,000 a year.

—Resolution to renew the Bituminous Paving Contract with Grayson Carter & Sons.

—Resolution to issue a task order for the Bituminous Paving Contract to pave Elkton Road (Pryor Street to Elm Street) and shall be funded from the Rebuild Alabama Act Funds.

—Resolution to issue a task order for the Bituminous Paving Contract to pave Line Road (Pepper Road to 500' North of US 72).

—Adopt a revised organizational chart for the Fire Department.

—Resolution to adopt the job description of Deputy Fire Chief for the Fire Department.

—Ordinance amending Ordinance Number 888 to add the job description of Deputy Fire Chief for the Fire Department.

—Resolution to adopt an organizational chart for the Customer Accounts Department.

—Resolution to adopt the job description of Customer Accounts Coordinator for the Customer Accounts Department.

—Ordinance amending Ordinance Number 888 to add the job description of Customer Accounts Coordinator for the Customer Accounts Department.

—Resolution to move the positions of Chief Building Official, Building Permit Coordinator (2), and Build Inspector (4) to the Building Department Organizational Chart.

—Ordinance amending Ordinance Number 888 to add the job titles of Chief Building Official, Building Permit Coordinator, Building Inspector I, and Building Inspector II to the list of positions for the Building Department.

—Resolution to add the position of Facilities Services Crew to the Public Works Department Organizational Chart.

—Resolution to adopt the job description of Facilities Services Crew Leader for the Public Works Department.

—Ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 888 to add the job title of facilities Services Crew Leader to the list of positions for the Public Works Department.

—Resolution to move the positions of City Planner, Planner, GIS Coordinator, and Administrative Coordinator to the Planning Department Organizational Chart.

—Ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 888 to add the positions of City Planner, Planner, Senior Planner, GIS Coordinator, and Administrative Coordinator to the list of positions for the Planning Department.