MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES – WEEK OF SEPT. 29, 2008

MONDAY, SEPT. 29, 1:00 pm – ALABAMA WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION /special called meeting
Held at Bibb Graves Hall, Room 127, Troy University, Troy, AL. Ph: 334-242-5499.
Agenda includes:
(1)  Call to order. (2)  Nomination of Chairman. (3)  Nomination of Vice-Chairman. (4)  Adjourn.

MONDAY, SEPT. 29 — LEE COUNTY COMMISSION   www.leeco.us
4:00 pm — work session / 6:00 pm — regular session
Held in the commission chambers, Opelika Courthouse, 215 S. 9th Ave, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda includes:
3. Public Comment from Citizens: (limit of 3-minutes per speaker)
4. Establish Quorum and Open Regular Meeting:
5. Awards, Presentations, Proclamations or Other Recognitions:
6. Reports from Staff:
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting September 8, 2008
b. Ratify and Approve Claims
c. Bids #24-#28 and #30-#35 – Highway Department Maintenance Bids – Neal Hall
d. Retail Beer License for Kiser’s Backroad Grocery – D4
e. Announcement of Board Appointment Openings –Judge English
f. First Reading of Various Boards Appointments – Judge English
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. ESA Cost Proposal/Solid Waste Bid – Jack Marshall
b. Change Date of Organizational Meeting of Lee County Planning Commission-Judge English
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Resolution to Request ADEM Public Hearing on Quarry Permit–Judge English
b. Concerns about Lee Road 64/Quarry Permit – Rita Grub
c. Quarry Concerns – Maggie Lawrence
d. Residential Solid Waste Collection Service - Charles Linton
e. Accept Sweet Magnolia Subdivision for Maintenance – Neal Hall
f.  Approval for Recent Emergency Purchase of Fuel – Neal Hall
g. Lee County Park at Smiths Station Lease Agreement – Roger Rendleman
h. Adopt FY2009 Budget – Roger Rendleman
i. Amend Pay and Classification Plan for Cost-of-Living Adjustment–Roger Rendleman
j. Resolution on Coroner’s Salary – Roger Rendleman
k. Resolution on Retirees’ Lump Sum Payment – Roger Rendleman
l. Authorize Planning Agreement with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood – Roger Rendleman
m. Emergency Response, Rescue and Ambulance Service Agreement-Judge English
n. Amend Pay and Classification Plan for New Human Resource Technician-Roger Rendleman
o. Request Attorney General’s Opinion on Expense Allowance–Roger Rendleman
p. Service Agreement for Outdoor Warning Sirens & Generators–Deedie Matthews
q. Educational Reimbursement Request – Roger Rendleman
10. Discussion items.  11. Adjourn. 

TUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 6:00 pm – SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Speaker: Adele Balmer   –   Topic: Conservation issues in politics
Held in AU’s Rouse Life Sciences Bldg, Room 112.  Open to all; new members welcome.
This meeting will feature a presentation by Adele Balmer on conservation issues in politics, including a detailed analysis of the positions of current presidential candidates. In addition, there will be discussion and planning for upcoming activities at Coon Creek and the Forest Ecology Preserve, and updates on the Tigers for Tigers program. New members are always welcome. Please direct any questions to hodgeac@auburn.edu.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 7:00 – 9:00 PM –  ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SERIES  
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 450 E. Thach Ave (at Debardeleben), Auburn. Free & open to all.
Come enjoy this presentation of three short environmental films: FLIP FLOATSAM /  FOR THE PRICE OF A CUP OF COFFEE / SUNCOOKERS. Questions? More info at www.auuf.net,  email buschgi@auburn.edu or call 844-5468.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 9:30 am — ALABAMA ETHICS COMMISSION
Held in the 9th floor hearing room, RSA Union Building, 100 N. Union St, Mont. Ph: 334-242-2997. Open to all.
Agenda: In Open Session, to render Advisory Opinions requested by public officials/public employees.  An Executive Session will be held to discuss matters relating to complaints filed with the Ethics Commission and the results of those investigations.  These matters are covered by the Grand Jury Secrecy Act.  No matters will be discussed which are outside the scope of the State guidelines for the holding of Executive Sessions.  Matters discussed in Executive Session will be voted on in public.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1, 10:30 am – COSTA RICAN EDUCATION / Speaker:  Professor Ileana Vargas Jimenez
Held in AU’s new student center, room 2225. Open to the AU faculty & students, and the general public.
Professor Ileana Vargas Jimenez, dean of the College of Education at Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, will discuss the structure of Costa Rica’s educational system, as well as the factors that have led to the nation having one of the highest literacy rates in the world (94.9 %, according to the United Nations’ Development Programme Report of 2007-2008).  Jimenez will be joined on her visit by two fellow faculty members, Carlos Alvarez, director of International Affairs, and Jorge Salazar, professor of health. Jimenez’s visit stems from a collaborative academic and research partnership formed by the colleges last year for the purpose of faculty exchanges, doctoral program development, mutual program enrichment, joint research projects and the enhancement of Auburn’s outreach and research activities. While Auburn’s College of Education faculty members have formed a strong connection to Costa Rica, students have a similar opportunity. The college offers study abroad opportunities in Costa Rica in the form of semester-long teacher education international internships through the Consortium of Overseas Student Teaching and short-term, course-based service-learning placements. For more information on the study abroad opportunities, visit this link (http://education.auburn.edu/internatl/index.html ).

WEDNESDAY, OCT 1, 4:30 pm – AUBURN BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT / BZA
Held in the city council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda: www.auburnalabama.org/bza/agenda.asp
Agenda includes:
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Variance to Section 502.02A of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00635
Applicant: Anna B. Foran
General Location: 1755 VFW Road
Zoning District: Planned Development District (PDD)
Action Requested: A variance of 4-feet from the required 20-foot rear setback to allow a rear
setback of 16-feet for an elevated rear deck and stairs
OTHER BUSINESS. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION. ADJOURNMENT

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1 through 4 – AU THEATRE / PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE
Held at AU’s Telfair Peet Theatre, main stage. http://media.cla.auburn.edu/theatre/
Tickets: available at theatre box office weekdays, noon to 5:00 pm. Reservations: 844-4154.
Admission: Students – free with valid ID. Regular admission — $20. Seniors and faculty/staff — $15. Grade & high school students - $10. Group rates available.
Performances: Oct 1-4; 7:30 pm weeknights & Saturday
The award-winning comedy “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” leads off a set of five productions in the 2008-2009 season of AU Theatre on Telfair Peet Theatre’s main stage. The season begins Wednesday, Sept. 24, with “Picasso,” which depicts an imaginary meeting between two of the 20th century’s greatest minds: Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso. Written by Steve Martin, the comedy is set in a Paris bistro in 1904. Martin, best known as an actor and comedian, wrote “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” in the early 1990s and the play enjoyed commercial success in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where it opened in 1993 at the world-famous Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, noon & 4:00 pm – FILM SCREENING: PROCEED AND BE BOLD!
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.
In conjunction with an exhibit of his work, the museum will present a documentary, Proceed and Be Bold!, about the life and work of letterpress printer Amos Kennedy Jr and his socially and politically charged works of art.  Following the 4:00 p.m. screening, producer/director Laura Zinger will discuss the film.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free & open to all
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 6:00 – 7:30 pm — SUNDOWN AT KIESEL CONCERT SERIES / SQUAREBONE
Held under the pavilion at Kiesel Park, Auburn. Free & open to all.
The City of Auburn’s annual Sundown at Kiesel Concert Series kicks off this Thursday at Kiesel Park.  Bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs. Dog welcome. For additional information, please contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930.  Future concerts in this series:  October 9: Dave Potts; October 16: Noisy Deirdre.

FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 11:30 am – AUBURN TREE COMMISSION
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave. Open to all

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 7:00 pm – GNU’S ROOM / WORDS CAFÉ LIVE
Held at the Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street. Ph: 334-821-5550. Free & open to all.
Words Café Live offers an open-mic opportunity for anyone who would like to participate. You do not have to be published to share your thoughts and words with those in attendance.  Or simply be surrounded by words as you absorb what is shared by poets, literary artists, spoken word artists and storytellers from Auburn and beyond.
NOTE: The Gnu’s Room now offers a full line of coffee, expresso & teas.  www.thegnusroom.com

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 7:00 – 10:00 pm — Starry Nights! with the Forest Ecology Preserve
Held at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest, on Moore’s Mill Road (approx.1 mile past the Ogletree Shopping Village, on left).  Admission is $2 for members, $3 for non-members.
Join the Forest Ecology Preserve at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest for an astronomy program. The Auburn Astronomical Society  will have their high powered telescopes set up for your viewing pleasure. A constellation laser show  and a space movie with out-of-this-world snacks will  make this a great evening for star lovers. Not appropriate for children under age 5. Check our web-site at www.auburn.edu/preserve if weather is questionable.  Call Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 for more information.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 1:00 – 4:00 pm — ART MUSEUM/ JCSM 5th BIRTHDAY PARTY
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.  This event is free & open to the public.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the wonderful 5 years that the museum has been serving our community. Print artist and bookmaker, Amos Kennedy, former artist in residence at the Coleman Center of York, Ala., will headline this year’s events with printing and papermaking demonstrations. Activities include printmaking and papermaking in the paper recycling studio, scavenger hunts, children’s art activities, music by the Saugahatchee Ramblers and plenty of fun and games for the whole family. Visit www.jcsm.auburn.edu for more information.

== ==  ==  ==  ==  ==  ==

THROUGH SATURDAY, OCT. 4 — BANNED BOOKS WEEK – CELEBRATING THE FREEDOM TO READ   http://bannedbooksweek.org/
Banned Books Week (BBW): Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. This year, 2008, marks BBW’s 27th anniversary (September 27 through October 4). BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met. Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, American Library Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores, and is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT 5 — POSTERS FROM THE BLACK BELT: WORKS BY AMOS KENNEDY JR.
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, corridor gallery. http://jcsm.auburn.edu/index.php
Kennedy is an internationally recognized printing press artist, whose chipboard posters are socially, politically and racially charged, with quotes from Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks and phrases like “coffee makes you black.” Kennedy is a self-proclaimed “humble negro printer” who left his corporate, steady-income job with AT&T in order to move to rural Alabama and go wherever his art took him. He found his calling making posters and living a simpler life as a letterpress printing artist. He has served as the artist-in-residence at the Coleman Center in York, Alabama. The posters on display are for sale, which Kennedy chooses to sell at an inexpensive price so anyone can afford his art. Prints, $20 each, may be reserved at the Museum Shop and will be available for pickup Oct. 5 from 1-4 p.m. during the museum’s birthday party. Kennedy will be present at the event, demonstrating his printing and papermaking techniques. Participants will also have the chance to try their hand at papermaking.

THROUGH OCT. 10  – ART EXHIBIT / GLASS WORKS BY JIYONG LEE AND BRIAN FRUS
Held in AU’s Biggin Gallery, room 101 Biggin Hall. (Biggin Hall is located at Toomer’s Corner.)  Free & open to all.
The College of Liberal Arts Dept of Art’s Biggin Gallery announces an exhibition of glass art works by Jiyong Lee and Brian Frus. The exhibition gallery hours are 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or by appointment. Contact Barb Bondy, exhibitions and lectures coordinator at 844-3483 or bondybj@auburn.edu. The exhibition will run through October 10. Artist Talk by Jiyong Lee: Friday, October 10 at Noon in Room 005 Biggin; a closing reception will follow from 1:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m.. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

THROUGH SATURDAY, NOV. 8  – ART MUSEUM / NATIVE AMERICAN EXHIBITION
Held at the Chi-Omega Gallery, AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art (http://jcsm.auburn.edu/index.php). Open to the public.
The Indian Gallery of Henry Inman, an exhibition of paintings, prints and artifacts that focus on Southeastern Creek and Cherokee leaders and warriors of the early 19th century. The exhibit will present more than a dozen original oil paintings by artist Henry Inman (1801-1846), who gained renown as an exacting chronicler of American Western history, primarily through his replicas of a series of North American Indian portraits. The exhibition is made possible through the support of Tom and Ann Cousins. In conjunction with the exhibition, Auburn history professor Kathryn Braund will present the lecture, “Leading Men: The 1826 Treaty Delegates,” at 5 p.m. Oct. 16. Braund’s research focuses on the ethno-history of the Creek and Seminole Indians in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

== ==  ==  ==  ==  ==  ==

CITY OF AUBURN - BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES
Industrial Development Board — Two vacancies to be filled at the Oct. 7 city council meeting.
Tree Commission — Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 4 city council meeting.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 18 city council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact the City Council and/or the City Manager. Info about the Boards & Commissions available at www.auburnalabama.org/boards/.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

CITY OF AUBURN:  New Traffic Signal at South College Street and Woodfield Drive

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Thanks for your interest and support.

Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/

Sept. 29, 2008

Comments Off

Meetings, events & updates: Week of Sept. 22, 2008

COLUMN BY LISA BROUILLETTE / VOICE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT QUARRY
[first published in the Opelika-Auburn News, Friday, Sept 19, 2008]
http://placeforum.org/blog/2008/09/19/voice-your-concerns-about-quarry-column-by-lisa-brouillette-sept-19-2008/

Dean Road Work to Continue through November 7

City of Auburn Political Sign Regulations

POLITICAL DONATIONS
Check out this website of political donations from Auburn: http://www.city-data.com/elec2/08/elec-AUBURN-AL-08.html

WEEKLY / TUESDAYS, 5:30 – 7:00 pm: SUPPORT GROUP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOVED ONES AT WAR
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 1121. Free & open to all with loved ones involved in the war. Groups for adults and for children.
Auburn University Psychological Services Center is offering a support group for those who have loved ones at war. If you have a loved one who is currently at war or is set to deploy in the future, you are invited to attend. There is no charge to attend. A group for children also meets at the same time. For more information, contact Sarah Lyle at 844-4889 or aupsc@auburn.edu.

= = = = = =

TONIGHT — MONDAY, SEPT. 22, 6:00 pm – 2008 PEACE DINNER
Held in the new Student Center ballroom. Free & open to all.
Auburn University faculty, staff and students are invited to attend tonight’s 2008 annual Peace. The event, sponsored by International Student Life and the International Student Organization in the Office of Dean of Students and cosponsored by SGA and Chartwell’s Catering, will feature foods prepared by the Chinese Student Organization, Indian Student Association, Bangladesh Organization, Turkish Organization, African-Caribbean Alliance, Korean Student Association and Japanese Student Organization.
Please come and enjoy food from around the world.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 23, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info: Jennifer Lolley at
707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 23, 9:00 am – ALABAMA JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON WATER POLICY & MANAGEMENT
Held at the The Lodge (Ph: 256-571-5440), Guntersville State Park, Guntersville. Open to all.
Info: Pamela Averrett, Legislative Clerk/Assistant; (334) 242-7875 phone; (334) 353-8277 fax.
Committee members:
Sen. Kim S. Benefield, CHAIR
Rep. Greg Canfield, VICE CHAIR
Sen. Parker Griffith
Sen. T.D. “Ted” Little
Sen. “Walking” Wendell Mitchell
Sen. Arthur Orr
Sen. Quinton T. Ross, Jr.
Sen. Harri Anne Smith
Rep. Chad Fincher
Rep. Thomas E. Jackson
Rep. Richard J. Laird
Rep. Artis J. “A.J.” McCampbell
Rep. W.F. “Frank” McDaniel
Rep. Jeffrey McLaughlin
Water Stakeholders Meeting Agenda
9:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER
9:00 – 9:30 ROLL CALL, MINUTES, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
9:30 – 10:10 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
10:15 – 10:55 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
10:55 – 11:05 BREAK
11:05 – 11:45 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
11:50 – 12:30 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
12:30 P.M. ADJOURN
Stakeholder Presentations
Tourism/Recreation: Grey Brennan, Alabama Department of Tourism
Water Conservation: Charles Horn, Former Chief, Water Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Soil/Water Conservation: Noopie Cosby, Program Developer, Alabama Association of Conservation Districts
Environment: Pat Byington, Former Commissioner, Alabama Environmental Management Commission

TUESDAY, SEPT 23, 3:00 pm — OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all. www.opelika.org
Agenda includes:
A. PLATS (preliminary and prel. & final) – Public Hearing
1. Holk S/D, 3 lots, Highway 431, Randy Holk et al, P/F approval
2. Alonzo Jones S/D, 1 lot, Plum Avenue, Alonzo Jones, P/F approval
B. ADMINISTRATIVE PLATS (RATIFY)
3. Cannon Gate S/D, Parcel A, 3 lots, Live Oak Drive, Ratify
4. Lakewood S/D, 3 lots, Northgate Drive, Ratify
5. Tallakson S/D, 3 lots, Renfro Avenue, Ratify
C. CONDITIONAL USE
6. Pepperell Village LLC, 2100 block of Gateway Drive, C-3, GC-2, Restaurant
7. Fletcher Baldwin, 1003 Staley Drive, C-3, Mixed use-Townhomes & Single family homes
8. J. Newell Floyd, 1700 block Columbus Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Construction Equipment Rental
D. REZONING-PUBLIC HEARING
9. Village at Highland Hills, Highway 169, PUD, Amend a portion of PUD master plan from commercial to residential.
10. Four Seasons Federal Credit Union, 2915 Pepperell Pkwy, from VC to C-2, GC-2
E. AMENDMENTS TO SUBDIVSION REGULATIONS - Public Hearing
11. Section 4.4 Final Plat Approval, Paragraph D, Final Plat Requirements, Adding the following: #22 Certificate of Approval by the Public Works Director (Tabled at August 26^th PC meeting)
F. OTHER BUSINESS
12. Greg Mims, 3300 Pepperell Pkwy, C-3, GC-2, discuss existing recycling collection business
13. Pine Lake Property LLC, Anderson Road, amend PUD master plan from residential to commercial

TUESDAY, SEPT 23 , 7:00 pm – AUBURN BIKE COMMITTEE www.auburnalabama.org/cycle/
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24, 12:00 pm – GREEN LUNCH SERIES / Speaker: Jerrod Windham, Industrial Design — Sponsored by the AU SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
Held in AU’s new Student Center, room 2216. Bring your brown bag lunch. Free & open to all.
Jerrod Windham’s talk, “Breaking Down: The Story of Stuff,” will begin with a viewing of the short animation “The Story of Stuff,” and continue with an exploration of sustainable product design. Future speakers (same time & location): Oct 22 — Conner Bailey, AU Rural Sociology; Dec 3 –Gwen Thomas, AU Polymer and Fiber Engineering

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 24, 2:00 – 5:00 pm – JCSM FILM SERIES: FORTY YEARS LATER: 1968
Sept. 24 – MediumCool
Oct. 29– Under the Pavement Lies the Strand
Nov. 19 – 2001:A Space Odyssey
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, auditorium. Free & open to everyone.
This fall, faculty at Auburn University will present a fall film series, “Forty Years Later: 1968,” with three films that explore key political, scientific and artistic innovations of the year 1968. Sponsored by AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, College of Liberal Arts, College of Sciences and Mathematics and the Departments of English, Foreign Languages, History and Political Science. The organizing committee includes Aaron Rashotte, Biological Sciences; Sunny Stalter, English; Iulia Pittman, Foreign Languages; Ralph Kingston, History; and Kathleen Hale, Political Science.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24, 7:30 – 8:30 pm — PLAY / Platanos and Collardgreens
Held in AU’s Student Center Ballroom. Free & open to all.
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage month, the Multicultural Center will host the Between the Lines Production called “Platanos and Collardgreens”. Platanos and Collardgreens is an eloquently written play that motivates today’s youth to address issues of race, color and systematic injustices that affect minority communities. The play explores and analyzes race relations between Blacks and Latinos.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24 – AU THEATRE SEASON OPENS / PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE
Held at AU’s Telfair Peet Theatre, main stage. http://media.cla.auburn.edu/theatre/
Tickets: available at theatre box office weekdays, noon to 5:00 pm. Reservations: 844-4154.
Admission: Students – free with valid ID. Regular admission — $20. Seniors and faculty/staff — $15. Grade & high school students - $10. Group rates available.
Performances: Sept 24-26, & 28 and Oct 1-4; 7:30 pm weeknights & Saturday, 2:30 pm matinee Sunday
The award-winning comedy “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” leads off a set of five productions in the 2008-2009 season of AU Theatre on Telfair Peet Theatre’s main stage. The season begins Wednesday, Sept. 24, with “Picasso,” which depicts an imaginary meeting between two of the 20th century’s greatest minds: Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso. Written by Steve Martin, the comedy is set in a Paris bistro in 1904. Martin, best known as an actor and comedian, wrote “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” in the early 1990s and the play enjoyed commercial success in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where it opened in 1993 at the world-famous Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info: Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

THURSDAY,SEPT. 25, 10:00 am – ALABAMA HOME BUILDERS LICENSURE BOARD
Held at 445 Herron Street, Mont. Open to all. Ph: 334-242-2230
Agenda: The Board will meet to approve minutes from the previous month’s meeting, to approve applications for licensure, and to conduct the general business of the Board.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, 10:00 am – AUBURN LIBRARY BOARD
Held in the Library Board Room, Auburn Public Library. Open to all.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, 5:00 – 7:00 pm — 2008 Hispanic Film Series
FILM: El aura (The Aura) / Argentina, 2006 (subtitled) -thriller- Info: www.imdb.com/title/tt0112922/
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 3124. Free & open to all.
The Dept of Foreign Languages and Literatures, in AU’s College of Liberal Arts, presents THE 2008 HISPANIC FILM SERIES. Cine Auburn is back, with an amazing selection of films this semester. Check the calendar for more movies that will surprise you, move you, scare you… Come by, you will not regret it!

THURSDAY, SEPT 25, 6:00 – 7:30 pm — SUNDOWN AT KIESEL CONCERT SERIES / Country Road 12
Held under the pavilion at Kiesel Park, Auburn. Free & open to all.
The City of Auburn’s annual Sundown at Kiesel Concert Series kicks off this Thursday at Kiesel Park. Bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs. Dog welcome. For additional information, please contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930. Future concerts in this series: October 2: Auburn Road; October 9: Dave Potts; October 16: Noisy Deirdre.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25, 7:00 pm – GNU BREW / AUTHOR MELISSA DELBRIDGE – Book Reading & Signing
Held at the Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay St, Auburn. Free & open to all. www.thegnusroom.com
Book reading & signing by Melissa Delbridge, author of Family Bible.
NOTE: The Gnu’s Room now offers a full line of coffee, expresso & teas.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26, 7:30 pm – GNU BREW: Alabama Author Mary Carol Moran
Held at the Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street. Ph: 334-821-5550. Free & open to all. www.thegnusroom.com
Book reading and Q&A with Mary Carol Moran, author of Clear Soul.
NOTE: The Gnu’s Room now offers a full line of coffee, expresso & teas.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 — 6th Annual Johnny Ray Century Bicycle Ride
Starting from Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika. Registration begins at 7 am. Rides begin at 8 a.m.; rain or shine.
Registration fee: $40. Details: www.auburn.edu/lakwean; ph: 332-3440.
Join the Auburn Bicycle Committee and the East Alabama Cycling Club for the 6th Annual Johnny Ray Century Ride, a benefit for Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation. This ride is the fourth part of the Auburn Bike Challenge. Participants may choose from four ride distances: 20 miles, 34 miles, 62 miles, or 101 miles. More info: Brandy Ezelle, City of Auburn Bicycle Coordinator, at 501-3029.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 2:30 pm – AU HOME FOOTBALL GAME V. TENNESSEE

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28 – WORLD RIVERS DAY www.worldriversday.bcit.ca
With many of the world’s rivers facing severe and mounting threats associated with climate change, pollution, and industrial development, the British Columbia Institute of Technolog and the Canadian branch of the United Nations Water for Life Initiative are encouraging countries and conservation groups around the world to participate in this year’s 4th annual World Rivers Day. “Rivers are the arteries of our planet and yet many waterways continue to suffer from inadequate protection and inappropriate practices,” says Mark Angelo, program head of the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program at BCIT.
Angelo initially founded the Rivers Day event in British Columbia before lobbying numerous organizations and agencies of the UN to recognize World Rivers Day in 2005. The day marks a global response to the need to better manage and conserve river ecosystems and celebrates the many values of the world’s waterways while encouraging appropriate action to better protect rivers and streams. The event is also intended to compliment the UN’s world-wide Water for Life initiative. Endorsed in its inaugural year by UN agencies such as the United Nations University and the International Network of Water, Environment, and Health, World Rivers Day events can and will include river cleanups, fish enhancement projects, stream restoration initiatives, workshops, educational programs, and community riverside festivals. Last year, events took place in Canada, England, Poland, the United States, Taiwan, the Congo, Togo, West Africa, and Dominica. For more information, visit http://www.worldriversday.bcit.ca.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28, 10:00 am – REV. STEVE SHANKS / PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 450 E. Thach Ave. Open to all. Invited speaker: Reverend Steve Shanks, prisoner of conscience, will address Auburn at the Unitarian Fellowship, 450 E. Thatch Ave.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28, 3:00 pm – AUBURN COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free but reservations/tickets required – call 501-2963.
Music Director Howard Goldstein and AU Music faculty Bill Schaffer (horn) join the orchestra to present music of Handel, Haydn, and Mendelssohn. Support of the Auburn Community Orchestra is invited; all membership contributions are tax-deductible through the Auburn Arts Association.

= = = = = = = =

CITY OF AUBURN - BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES
Industrial Development Board — Two vacancies to be filled at the Oct. 7 city council meeting.
Tree Commission — Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 4 city council meeting.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 18 city council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact the City Council and/or the City Manager. Info about the Boards & Commissions available at www.auburnalabama.org/boards/.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Thanks for your interest and support.

Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/

Monday, Sept. 22, 2008

Comments Off

Voice your concerns about quarry

COLUMN BY Lisa Brouillette
[first published in the Opelika-Auburn News: Friday, September 19, 2008]

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the watershed — Martin Marietta is requesting an ADEM permit for yet another quarry in Loachapoka. Yes, another quarry, near to the existing one, dumping into a tributary of Saugahatchee Creek.

Concerned about the negative impacts of this proposed quarry? Request an ADEM public hearing on the air and water quality issues involved. Ask your local and state officials to do the same.

Send your requests before Oct. 2. Contact info and other details are online at http://www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/Sept08/npdes/9martin.pdf and http://placeforum.org.

* * *

The Auburn city council has twice postponed its decision on whether to annex part of Tom Hayley’s residential Donahue Ridge subdivision. Council members cited concerns that the bulk of the project wasn’t included in the annexation request.

That is important because land not annexed remains in the county’s jurisdiction and isn’t subject to Auburn’s zoning and use regulations. Relatively unregulated commercial development could occur on the unannexed sections, adjacent to residential subdivisions that are within the city limits.

Hayley’s West Pace project also appears stalled. The new tax improvement district for the project was approved months ago, but hasn’t yet been created.

Perhaps one reason is the ongoing West Pace LLC lawsuit against the state. The suit is an attempt to force the state to grant the project three access points via state park land, on the access-restricted Shell Toomer Parkway.

A recent failed proposal to settle that lawsuit included a requirement for the city of Auburn to agree to take ownership of the Parkway. It’s unclear if the state had even agreed to the settlement terms, as no state signatures were on the document presented to the city. And the city didn’t approve the idea before the proposal’s deadline.

Considering the current economic slowdown, and the unresolved question of access to the property, one has to wonder about the fate of the West Pace project and the Lynch auto dealership locations there.

Also important, though, is the fate of Shell Toomer Parkway itself. It’s not just a road. It’s something special and unique in Auburn — a legally-designated parkway, a 300-foot wide section of Chewacla State Park, created to protect that area’s natural rural environment.

* * *

Concerned readers asked which subdivisions the city has identified as needing the sewer backflow devices I wrote about last month. Two recent examples are the Clevelands’ Mimms Trail project on Shell Toomer Parkway and Tom Hayley’s Donahue Ridge project on N. Donahue. For info on others, check with the city’s planning staff.

Lisa Brouillette is a community activist, editor, and writer. Contact her at placeforum@gmail.com or visit her website http://placeforum.org.

Comments Off

CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEW QUARRY PROPOSED FOR LOACHAPOKA?  READ THE INFOMATION BELOW AND TAKE ACTION TODAY.

New Loachapoka quarry proposed by Martin Marietta.
ADEM permit application online at www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/Sept08/npdes/9martin.pdf.
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., 4400 River Green Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096, Loachapoka Quarry, NPDES Permit Number AL0079359, State Highway 14, Loachapoka, AL, for issuance of a permit for proposed discharges resulting from treated drainage from a crushed stone mine, wet preparation, and associated areas to an unnamed tributary to Sougahatchee Creek, classified for Fish & Wildlife, in the Tallapoosa River Basin.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Contact Brian Marshall at ADEM to request a PUBLIC HEARING (NOT MEETING) regarding the Martin Marietta quarry in Loachapoka due to concerns about air quality and the water quality of Saugahatchee Creek.  (a public meeting is not a legal proceeding, whereas a PUBLIC HEARING is).

Brian Marshall:  e-mail:   bmarshall@adem.state.al.us

snail mail:    ADEM  ATTN: Mr. Brian Marshall, 1400 Coliseum Blvd., P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, AL 36130-1463

phone: 334-271-7895

It is best to have this request in writing so that it will be part of the public record.

If you can only make a phone call, ask that the phone call be entered into the file associated with the permit application. (reference NPDES Permit Number AL0079359)

2. Contact as many of the following elected and public officials as possible, requesting that they also contact ADEM for a Public HEARING on this issue; ask them to copy you when they make the request of ADEM.  Politely request a response from them and provide your contact information.     State officials:

     Ted Little  tedlittle@mindspring.com 334-887-3472 (work). 334-242-7865 (State House)

Myron Penn  myronpenn28@hotmail.com  334-775-9778 (work), 334-242-7868 (State House)

Mike Hubbard   hubbard@mikehubbard.com  334-826-9946 (work), 334-242-7739 (State House)

Lee County Commissioners

Mathan Holt  jmathanholt@bellsouth.net     334-319-1492 (cell)   334-821-4544 (work)

John Andrew Harris  johnhr50@aol.com    334-749-5100 (Hm)

Johnny Lawrence  jmlawrence@mindspring.com    334-750-5091 (cell), 334-745-5091(Hm)

    Harry Ennis     ennishb@aol.co  334-480-0634 (work), 334-298-4371 (Hm)

    Annell Smith    annellsmith@bellsouth.net   334-749-1002 (Hm)

Governor Riley  State Capitol, 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Al 36130

Phone:  334-242-7100

Email:      http://www.alabamainteractive.org/alabamainteractive_shell/Welcome.do?url=http://governor.alabama.gov/

Comments Off

WEEK OF SEPT. 15 — MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES:
Wrights Mill Road Construction September 12 - 16

Dean Road Work Continues September 15 - 19

MONDAY, SEPT. 15 — ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ALABAMA LAUNCH
The Encyclopedia of Alabama, a new online reference resource on Alabama’s history, culture, geography and environment developed through a partnership between Auburn University and the Alabama Humanities Foundation, will launch Monday, Sept. 15. Gov. Bob Riley is scheduled to officially present the Encyclopedia of Alabama to the state during the annual Alabama Humanities Awards Luncheon in Birmingham. The Encyclopedia of Alabama (www.EncyclopediaofAlabama.org) is like a traditional print encyclopedia with its emphasis on authoritative content based on sound scholarship; the edited entries are written by scholars and experts from across the globe. But the online format makes it a modern reference tool offering video, audio, graphics and hyperlinks. More than 40 Alabama organizations, including archives, museums and businesses, have provided multimedia content for the project. The site launches with more than 500 articles, 2,000 images and four hours of video clips. New content will be added on a weekly basis–more than 5,000 potential articles have been identified and that list continues to grow.

MONDAY, SEPT. 15, 7:00 pm – LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF EAST ALABAMA
Held at the East Alabama Health Resource Center. Open to all.
Topic: the future of Auburn and Opelika.  The LWV has invited members of the Auburn and Opelika Planning Commissions to discuss plans for new development and how they will be carried out. Presentations Carl Morgan, Assistant Director of Planning for Auburn and Jerry Kelley, Director  of Planning for Opelika.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 16, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 16. 5:30 – 6:30 pm — Department of Art Artist Talk: Luca Cruzat, Printmaker
Held in AU’s Biggin Hall, room 005.  Free & open to all.
Cruzat, currently exhibiting at AU Montgomery, exhibited collograph prints at Biggin Gallery in 2007. At that time, her prints addressed the political upheaval she experienced in Chile and describes in her biography (click here to read bio).  Presented by AU’s College of Liberal Arts Dept of Art Biggin Gallery, in partnership with AU Montgomery Department of Art. More info: Barb Bondy, exhibitions and lectures coordinator at 844-3483.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 16, 6:00 – 9:00 pm – ART MUSUEM / DINNER & A MOVIE
Dinner: 6 – 7:15 pm / $15 per person (plus tax & tip). Cash bar available
Movie: 7:30 pm / Free of charge
FILM: Ripe for Change with Jed Riffe, producer (Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers)
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.  Reservations requested: Museum Café 334.844.7016
Invite a friend, your spouse or a co-worker for a date at the museum! The Museum Cafe is offering a delicious buffet before each film from the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent films. For $15 per person (plus tax and tip), enjoy fabulous specialties from the museum’s exclusive caterer Ursula Higgins.  The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers presents this documentary that explores the intersection of food and politics in California over the last 30 years, highlighting debates over agriculture and sustainability that have profound implications for all of America.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 16  – OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
5:30 pm – work session / 7:00 PM – regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika.  Open to all.
Agenda: www.opelika.org/  
Work session agenda includes:
(1) -  a.  Presentation about new LETA system by LRCOG
(2) -  a.  Presentation by LaserCraft, Inc., red light solutions
(3) -  a.  Modify annual appropriation agreement and reserve agreement for OIDA;  Series 1998 A&B revenue bonds    (4) -  a.  2009 City Budget review
(5) -  a.  Resolution, create new positions – OFD & Library
b.  Resolution, create new positions and re-reclassify current positions in the P&R Dept/Sportsplex
(6) -  a.  Resolution, Celebrate Ala. project, assessment of land and improvements - Bond Issue (Tom Francis from  Balch & Bingham, Birmingham will be present to answer any questions)
        b.  General updates
(7) -  Discuss/review CM agenda items of 9/16/08
Remarks by Mayor; General business; Bids; Resolutions; Ordinances; Board Appointments
 (8) -  Discussion
          a.   New / Old Business
          b.   Board appointments
          c.   Other City business.
Regular session agenda includes:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7)   REMARKS BY THE MAYOR -  Gary Fuller
a.  Re-appoint John Pruitt to the Opelika Housing Authority.
b.  Police Officer of the month – John Belk.
c.  Building Inspection report for August 2008.
d.  Financial summary for August 2008.
8)   CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS - (Limit comments to five minutes or less)
9)   REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
11) GENERAL BUSINESS –   Bob Shuman
1.  Notice Public Hearing, amend zoning ordinance for certain property on
  First Ave. Seventh St. and N. Railroad Ave., from C2 to C1.
2.  Notice Public Hearing, amend zoning ordinance for certain property in
  Ray-Ward subdivision, from R5M, M1 and I1 to C3.
3.  Notice Public Hearing, amend zoning ordinance for certain property on
  Third Ave. and Second St., from C2 to C3.
4.  Public hearing – Celebrate Alabama project, assessment of land and
  improvements and bond issue.
5.  Request by P&R to hang banner for their annual “Haunted Hayride”.
12) AWARDING OF BIDS - (By Resolution) -  Shirley Washington
1.  Oral recommendation, emergency generator for UPS system for the IT dept.
2.  Oral recommendation, IBM printers for various depts.
3.  One new heavy duty bulk trash trailer for the SW dept.
4.  Thirty-nine shotguns for the OPD.
13)  RESOLUTIONS -  Guy Gunter
1.  Travel advance for the OPD.
2.  Annual actuarial evaluation of the City’s self-insured Health Insurance program.
3.  Contract thru J. Smith Lanier for the City’s annual insurance coverage.
4.  Contract thru Unmerica Ins. Co. for the City’s excess loss insurance coverage.
5.  Contract for radio advertising for the L&P dept.
6.  Authorize pay rate for a meter reader position in the L&P dept.
7.  Budget adjustment, moving funds from HR to Municipal Court.
8.  Set public hearing date, fixing/assessing cost of demolition at 1813 Ridge Street.
9.  Set public hearing date, fixing/assessing cost of demolition at 308 Brannon Ave.
10.  Set public hearing date, fixing/assessing cost of demolition at 315 South 2nd Street.
11.  Set public hearing date, fixing/assessing cost of demolition at 1402 West Street.
12.  Set public hearing date, fixing/assessing cost of demolition at 1602 4th Avenue.
13.  Contract for actuarial services for GASB 43/45.
14.  Transfer current year Council discretionary balances to discretionary reserve funds.
15.  Application to DOT for transportation enhancement funds for the Streetscape project.
16.  Approve 2009 City Budget
14)  ORDINANCES –    Guy Gunter
1.   Amend zoning ordinance for certain property, from C2 to C1. – 1st Reading.
2.   Amend zoning ordinance for certain property, from R5M, M1, I1 to C3. – 1st Reading.
3.   Amend zoning ordinance for certain property, from C2 to C3. – 1st Reading.
4.   Amend City’s Personnel Policy & Procedure Manual, Section 11.13 – Other Pay
Supplements for eligible Police and Fire employees. – H/R –1st Reading.
15)  APPOINTMENTS.  16)  ADJOURN.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 16 – AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
Committee of the Whole:  6:55  pm / Regular meeting: 7:00 pm 
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St.. Open to all. Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/agenda/
Committee of the Whole agenda includes:
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. Nominations.
a. Historic Preservation Commission. One Vacancy.Incumbent: Ken Thomas (resignation). Unexpired Term Ends April 20, 2011.
b. Lee County Youth Development Center. One Vacancy. Incumbent: Fran Cronenberg (has served one partial term-3 years and one full term). Four Year Term Ends September 30, 2012.
Regular meeting agenda includes:
7. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS.
8. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS. City Manager Duggan.
a. Alcoholic Beverage Licenses. Consideration.
(1) 010 – Lounge Retail Liquor – Class I Licenses.
(a) The Fourth Quarter, Inc. dba/Sky Bar Café.136 West Magnolia Avenue.
(b) Fat Daddy’s Bar, One LLC dba/Fat Daddy’s. 577 & 579 Lee Road. Outside City Limits in Police Jurisdiction.
(c) Brad Foods, Inc. dba/Bodega. 101 North College Street.
(d) Slyco, Inc. dba/Rooster’s. 203 Opelika Road.
(e) Divya Inc. dba/The Lounge. 1577 South College Street.
(2) 020 - Restaurant Retail Liquor Licenses.
(a) H. G. Acquisitions, LLC dba/Quixotes. 129 North College Street.
(b) Divya Inc. dba/The Restaurant. 1577 South College Street.
(3) 060 – Retail Table Wine (On or Off Premises) and 040 – Retail Beer (On or Off Premises) Licenses. Four Paisane dba/Little Italy. 129 East Magnolia Avenue.
b. Industrial Development Board. Announcement of one Position. Term Expires October 9, 2013. Resignation. Appointment at the October 21, 2008 Meeting.
9. ORDINANCES.
a. Annexation. Donahue Land, LLC. Tom Hayley (Authorized Representative). Donahue Ridge. Property Located off North Donahue Drive, east of Camden Ridge Subdivision and south of West Farmville Road. 13.61 Acres. SECOND READING.
b. Zoning. Planning Commissions Recommendations. Public Hearings Required. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
(1) Donahue Land, LLC. Terry Holdridge (Authorized Representative). Donahue Ridge. Property Located off North Donahue Drive, east of Camden Ridge Subdivision and south of West Farmville Road. Rezone from Rural (R) to Development District Housing (DDH). 13.61 Acres
(2) Charter Bank. Brent Gladden (Authorized Representative). Hamilton Place. Property Located at the Northeast Corner of the Intersection of Hamilton Road and Moores Mill Road. Rezone from Limited Development District (LDD) with a portion in the Conservation Overlay District (COD) to LDD and COD with an overlay of the Planned Development District (PDD) designation. 11.775 Acres.
c. Sewer Connection Fee. Revise Method of Collection. Multi-family and Mastermetered Residential Development. Amend Ordinance 2284. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
10. RESOLUTIONS.
a. Conditional Use Approvals. Planning Commission Recommendations. Public Hearings Required.
(1) Commercial and Entertainment Use (Lounge).
(a) Oak Tree Investments, LLC. Ben Barley (Authorized Representative). Bodega. Property Located in the Urban Core
(UC) Zoning District with an Overlay of the College Edge Overlay District (CEOD) at 101 North College Street.
(b) Keith and Scott Pridgen, LLP. Melissa Earnhart (Authorized Representative). Roosters. Property Located in the
Redevelopment District (RDD) Zoning District at 203 Opelika Road, Suite C.
(c) Arvind K. Patel. The Lounge. Property Located in the Comprehensive Development District (CDD) Zoning District at
1577 South College Street.
(2) Charter Bank. Brent Gladden (Authorized Representative). Hamilton Place. Neighborhood Shopping Center Use, Indoor Recreational Use, and Road Service Use in the Limited Development District (LDD) with a portion in the Conservation Overlay District (COD) pending an overlay of the Planned Development District (PDD) designation. Property Located on the Northeast Corner of the Intersection of Hamilton Road and Moores Mill Road. 11.775 Acres.
b. Development Agreements, Lease Agreements, Contracts, and Agreements. Authorize Mayor and City Manager to Sign.
(1) Agreements.
(a) Donahue Ridge, LLC. Donahue Ridge. East Side of North Donahue Drive, south of intersection of Farmville Road. Development Agreement.
(b) Boykin Community Center Tenants. Lease Agreements.
Auburn Day Care Center, Inc., Joyland Child Development Center, Lee Russell Council of Governments – Senior Citizens Center, East Alabama Services for the Elderly (EASE), Alabama Council on Human Relations (Head Start), and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County.
(2) Contracts.
(a) Public Works Department.
(1) East Samford Avenue Extension Project. D & J Enterprises, Inc. $2,453,220.54.
(2) Samford Pool Renovations Project. Hudmon Construction Company, Inc. $307,819.
(3) Boykin Community Center HVAC Renovations Project. Engineering Services. Conway & Owen. $17,250.
(b) Public Safety Department. Assorted Rescue Tools. North America Fire Equipment Company (NAFECO). $29,669.
(c) Human Resources Department. 2009 Safety Award Program. Junior Davis & Associates. $20,000.
(d) Alabama Department of Transportation. FY09 Transportation Enhancement Projects. Authorize Grant Applications. South College Street Sidewalk, Wire Road Bikeway, Harper Avenue Bike Lanes, Annalue Drive/Saugahatchee Road/Country Club Drive Bike Lanes, North Donahue Drive Bike Lanes, Exit 51, Interstate-85 Landscaping Improvements, and Exit 57, Interstate-85 Landscaping Improvements.
c. Sidewalk Easement, Warranty Deed, and Temporary Construction Easement. Acceptance.
(1) The View at Auburn L.L.C. Property Located on Bragg Avenue at Intersection of Donahue Drive. Bragg Avenue Sidewalk Project. Sidewalk Easement.
(2) Jim Parker Properties L.L.C. Property Located on Lake Street. Additional Right-of-Way for Lake Street. Warranty Deed.
(3) Richard C. and Lanette M. Fargason. Property Located at 359 Jockish Street. East Samford Avenue Extension Project. Temporary Construction Easement.
d. Boards and Commissions. Appointments.
(1) Historic Preservation Commission. One Position. Unexpired Term Ends April 20, 2011. Nominated by Mayor for Appointment by Council.
(2) Lee County Youth Development Center. One Position. Four Year Term Ends September 30, 2012.
11. OTHER BUSINESS. 12. ADJOURNMENT

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 9:00 – 10:30 am — COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
Held in the LRCOG Conference Room, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Ph: 334-749-5264. Open to all. More info: Erin.Mangum@adss.alabama.gov. www.lrcog.com/mpo.html

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 11:30 am – AUBURN BEAUTIFICATION COUNCIL
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave.  Lunch provided. Open to members and non-members.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 3:00 – 4:00 pm – DISCOVER AUBURN LECTURE / ART SLOTKIN:  EARLY ENGINEERING AT AUBURN
Held at AU’s RBD Library, Special Collections & Archives. Free & open to all.
Discover Auburn Lecture Series sponsored by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities and the AU Libraries.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 4:00 – 5:00 pm — Constitution Day Program
Held in AU’s Broun Hall. Free & open to all.
Speaker: Dr. Steve Wilson  /  Topic: “Living the Constitution: Foundations, Fractures, and Future”

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 6:00 pm  –  LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Held at the Elks Club, 1944 Opelika Road.
6:00 pm — buffet dinner ($9.00; tax and tip included)
6:50 pm – Program:  Lucy Baxley, Candidate for President of the Public Service Commission
Lucy Baxley started public service as an employee in city government.  She went on to hold county government jobs in the offices of the probate judge and the district attorney’s office.  State level public service was launched with a six-year tenure as executive assistant to the attorney general of the State of Alabama followed by an administrative position in the transportation department.  In Birmingham, Lucy built a successful career in real estate.  In 1994, she made her first run for public office, winning her campaign for Treasurer.  In 1998, she was re-elected for a second term by an overwhelming majority.  In 2002, after an extraordinarily successful term as State Treasurer, Lucy ran for the office of Lieutenant Governor and her victory was the first time a woman had been elected to that position.  She was known as a no-nonsense presiding officer in the Senate and improved its decorum noticeably.  After an unsuccessful run for Governor in 2006, Lucy suffered a serious stroke, but has worked diligently to recover and is now physically fit for her run for President of the Public Service Commission.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info:  Jennifer Lolley at
707-6512. The Preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 4:00 pm — OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all. www.opelika.org
Agenda includes:
A.        PLATS (preliminary and prel. & final) – Public Hearing
1.           Holk S/D, 3 lots, Highway 431, Randy Holk et al, P/F approval
2.         Alonzo Jones S/D, 1 lot, Plum Avenue, Alonzo Jones, P/F approval
B.        ADMINISTRATIVE PLATS  (RATIFY)
3.           Cannon Gate S/D, Parcel A, 3 lots, Live Oak Drive, Ratify
4.           Lakewood S/D, 3 lots, Northgate Drive, Ratify
5.           Tallakson S/D, 3 lots, Renfro Avenue, Ratify
C.       CONDITIONAL USE
6.          Pepperell Village LLC, 2100 block of Gateway Drive, C-3, GC-2, Restaurant
7.          Fletcher Baldwin, 1003 Staley Drive, C-3, Mixed use-Townhomes & Single family homes.          J. Newell Floyd, 1700 block Columbus Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Construction Equipment Rental
D.       REZONING-PUBLIC HEARING
9.        Village at Highland Hills, Highway 169, PUD, Amend a portion of PUD master plan from commercial to residential.
10.      Four Seasons Federal Credit Union, 2915 Pepperell Pkwy, from VC to C-2, GC-2 
E.       AMENDMENTS TO SUBDIVSION REGULATIONS - Public Hearing
11.      Section 4.4 Final Plat Approval, Paragraph D, Final Plat Requirements, Adding the following: #22 Certificate of Approval by the Public Works Director (Tabled at August 26th PC meeting)
F.       OTHER BUSINESS
12.      Greg Mims, 3300 Pepperell Pkwy, C-3, GC-2, discuss existing recycling  collection business
13.      Pine Lake Property LLC, Anderson Road, amend PUD master plan from residential to commercial

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 6:00 – 8:00 pm – SEGALL FOR CONGRESS / LEE COUNTY OFFICE GRAND OPENING & RALLY
Held at 1220 Fox Run Ave (in the USA Town Center, next to Enterprise Rent-a-Car). Open to all.
NOTE: Lucie Amberg, a Josh Segall donor who is from Montgomery and whose family has lived there for more than 100 years, wrote the letter below to the Montgomery Advertiser deriding a recent Mike Rogers TV ad.  [The ad claims that Segall is funded by "Hollywood liberals." ]
‘Hollywood friend’ supports Segall
My husband and I currently live in California, and we made a modest contribution to Josh Segall’s campaign.  We don’t think of ourselves as Hollywood types. We still introduce ourselves as “from Alabama.”
Last week, I told my book club that my favorite supper is a bowl of grits and a Miller Lite. Like Josh, I have deep roots in Alabama, and I never knew I’d end up here, but as one of our vice presidential candidates recently said, “Life happens.”
So when people told us that Josh is being attacked as having “liberal Hollywood friends,” it took us a minute to realize that just might mean us. Really? We don’t have the privilege of living in Alabama right now, but we still love the state.
I know Josh Segall, and he’s incredibly energetic, generous, down-to-earth and smart as a whip. He’s a great friend, which is why he has so many of them. Alabama raises good people, so these qualities describe many of my friends back home.
But what makes Josh ideally suited for serving in Congress are his scrappiness and determination. I can’t think of anyone more able to wrestle good jobs and opportunities back to Alabama.
So when I say I’m supporting Josh Segall, it’s not from my Hollywood zip code, but my Alabama heart.
–  Lucie McLemore Amberg / Hollywood, Calif.

THURSDAY, SEPT 18, 6:00 – 7:30 pm — SUNDOWN AT KIESEL CONCERT SERIES / SquareBone
Held under the pavilion at Kiesel Park, Auburn. Free & open to all.
The City of Auburn’s annual Sundown at Kiesel Concert Series kicks off this Thursday at Kiesel Park.  Bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs. Dog welcome. For additional information, please contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930.  Future concerts in this series: 
September 25: County Road 12
October 2: Auburn Road
October 9: Dave Potts
October 16: Noisy Deirdre

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 8:00 pm – SUN BELT READING SERIES
Held at the Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street. Ph: 334-821-5550. Free & open to all.
This first installment of this year’s Sun Belt Reading Series will feature four writers: Jordan Sanderson, Barbara Wiedemann, Joanna Grant & Marian Carcache.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 5:00 – 7:00 pm — AUBURN PRESERVATION LEAGUE / HISTORIC SITES PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AND AWARDS RECEPTION
Held at Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center.  Free & open to all. Refreshments served.
The Auburn Preservation League (APL), in partnership with the Auburn Arts Association and the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, is pleased to present its inaugural photography exhibition at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center September 15 - 28. The exhibit will be open to the public Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The exhibition is a result of entries from the APL’s first-ever photography contest and features juried photographs of historic sites in Auburn. Entries were received from artists and photographers across Lee County. More info: www.auburnpreservationleague.org or contact the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 501-2963.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 5:00 pm — IRAQ MORATORIUM VIGIL
Held at Toomer’s Corner. All are invited to participate.
Sponsored by Alliance for Peace and Justice. Bring candles, signs (some will be provided). Join thousands nationwide wearing black armbands or ribbons on the 3rd Friday of each month. See www.iraqmoratorium.com  and www.peaceeagle.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 6:45 pm — AU HOME FOOTBALL GAME V. LSU

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 – INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 – ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE  River Revival  / www.alabamarivers.org
Held at King’s Bend on the Locust Fork River, Cleveland, AL. All are welcome to attend.
Come celebrate rivers and those who protect them at this music festival benefiting the Alabama Rivers Alliance. Hosted by Friends of the Locust Fork.

= = = = = = = =

CITY OF AUBURN - BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES
Lee County Youth Development Center - One vacancy to be filled at the Sept 16 city council meeting.
Historic Preservation Commission — One vacancy will be filled at the Sept. 16 city council meeting.
Industrial Development Board — Two vacancies to be filled at the Oct. 7 city council meeting.
Tree Commission — Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 4 city council meeting.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 18 city council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact the City Council and/or the City Manager. Info about the Boards & Commissions available at www.auburnalabama.org/boards/.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Thanks for your interest and support.

Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/

Sept. 15, 2008

Comments Off

CANCELLED — AUBURN GREENSPACE ADVISORY BOARD
Today’s (Sept 9) Auburn Greenspace Advisory Board has been cancelled. There will be no September meeting.

REMINDER:  WATER CHEMISTRY WORKSHOP AT AU THIS SATURDAY, SEPT. 13  – REGISTER NOW!
SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm —- ALABAMA WATER WATCH CHEMISTRY MONITORING WORKSHOP
Held in room 246, Upchurch Hall, AU.  Contact Phone: 888-844-4785.  or more info, or to register, go to https://aww.auburn.edu/.
It’s not to late to sign up for this workshop!  The Basic Chemistry Workshop will meet in Upchurch Hall (on the side that’s closest to Comer Hall - there’s plenty of parking right outside our door.  Come to the door on that end of the “L” closest to Comer - our offices are located right there. ) Campus Map : https://oitapps.auburn.edu/campusmap/ .  The workshop will start in Labroom # 246, then we’ll probably go to the Arboretum to take water samples.  So please wear comfortable clothes, hat, and shoes okay for outside and in a little water. Bring a sack lunch.  The Barbecue House and Asian Fusion are located across College Street for those who don’t bring a lunch, but the lunch break will be short.
Info: Alabama Water Watch, 250 Upchurch Hall, Auburn University, AL  36849-5419
Phone:  888.844.4785 or 334.844.4785; FAX:  334.844.3666
email:  awwprog@auburn.edu /  website:  www.alabamawaterwatch.org

ADDITIONAL EVENT — SATURDAY, SEPT 13, 9:00 AM
SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 9:00 am –USED BOOK SALE / FRIENDS OF THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY BENEFIT
Held at the former Lowe’s Building, Pepperell Parkway (near the Hwy 280 intersection), Opelika. All are encouraged to participate.
In conjunction with the Opelika-Auburn News Newspapers-In-Education giant yard sale, a used book sale will be held to benefit the Friends of the Auburn Public Library. Most hardbacks will be $1; most paperbacks will be 25 or 50 cents. For more info on the event, contact billsherling@yahoo.com. To join and/or volunteer with the Friends, mail your contact info (name, address, phone, email) to The Friends of Auburn Public Library, P. O. Box 1854, Auburn, Alabama 36831-1854. (Monetary donations welcome, but not required for membership.)

ADDITIONAL EVENT - SUNDAY, SEPT 4, 4:00 PM
RE: CITY OF AUBURN’S PROPOSED FUTURE OWNERSHIP OF SHELL TOOMER PARKWAY
Citizens to meet with two Auburn City Council members
WHEN: 4:00 pm, this Sunday, Sept. 14th
WHERE:  Vest home, 2180 Canary Drive
WHO:  Anyone interested in preserving Shell Toomer Parkway
GUEST SPEAKERS: Auburn council members Gene Dulaney & Bob Norman
Questions/RSVP:  cpstp@chewacla.net
Come hear council members Gene Dulaney and Bob Norman discuss the recent proposal for the state (DCNR) to transfer ownership of the Shell Toomer Parkway to the City of Auburn. This idea is part of a proposed lawsuit settlement between Tom Hayley/West Pace LLC and DCNR re: granting three access points on the Parkway to West Pace for a major commercial development. The proposal was presented to the city council at their Sept. 4th meeting. It was set aside pending more information, but is scheduled to be discussed again at their Sept. 16th meeting.
Rumors and speculation abound. Let’s get together, listen to what our council members have to say, ask our questions of them, get as many facts as we can!
Hosted by CPSTP / Citizens for the Preservation of Shell Toomer Parkway.
[PLACE editorial note:  Dulaney & Norman are the city council representatives from the two wards in which Shell Toomer Parkway is located.]

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
THE COMMUNITY GARDEN NEEDS YOU!
The Community Garden on the AU campus depends on volunteers to grow fresh vegetables for the Community Market (part of East Alabama Food Bank). Mike Mulvaney, an AU agronomy grad student who is the volunteer manager of the Community Garden, is appealing for more hands to help weed, turn compost, harvest and otherwise care for the garden. You will be welcomed if you just show up at the garden this Wednesday afternoon at 5 pm (bring hat, sunscreen, and water; gloves are available but you might prefer your own). Or email Mike to get on his list for notification of other opportunities to help: mulvamj@auburn.edu.
More info: Food Bank of East Alabama (http://www.foodbankofeastalabama.com) Click on Community Market on left side of page. The Community Market page has a link (on the right hand side) to the Community Garden.
Info courtesy of Jim Allen, chair of AUUF’s Green Sanctuary.

 = = = = = = = =

Thanks for your interest and support.

Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/

Sept. 9, 2008

Comments Off

WEEK OF SEPT. 8 2008 — MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES

MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 9:00 – 11:00 am — AU WOMEN’S STUDIES OPEN HOUSE
Held at AU’s Haley Center, room 3227. All are invited to attend. Refreshments (coffee, pastries, juice) will be available.
Please come and meet our faculty, staff and our women’s studies minor students. Graduate students are especially encouraged to come and learn about the program and about the planned graduate minor in Women’s Studies. Questions? Contact WSP graduate assistant Laura Obert lco0001@auburn.edu.

MONDAY, SEPT. 8, noon– AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION PACKET MEETING (AGENDA DISCUSSION)
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.asp
Agenda includes:
CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATION
OLD BUSINESS
CONSENT AGENDA (items may be voted on as a group)
1. Blessing Annexation PL-2008-00528
Applicant: Ruth M. Blessing
General Location: 2696 Alabama Highway 147 North
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for annexation of approximately 3.67 acres
2. Hayley Annexation PL-2008-00590
Applicant: Thomas M. Hayley
General Location: 2082 South College Street (Lots 8 and 9, Edwards Court Subdivision)
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for annexation of approximately 1.01 acres
3. Claire Downs PL-2008-00581
Applicant: Dunlop Development, Inc.
General Location: At the southerly terminus of Letohatchee Drive
Zoning District: Neighborhood Conservation (NC-8)
Action Requested: Final plat approval for a 30-lot conventional subdivision
4. Tutton Hill Subdivision PL-2008-00588
Applicant: Dilworth Development, Inc.
General Location: 2326 Hamilton Road
Zoning District: Limited Development District (LDD)
Action Requested: Final plat approval for a 54-lot conventional subdivision
NEW BUSINESS
5. Edwards Court Rezoning PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00593
Applicant: Thomas M. Hayley
General Location: 2082 South College Street (Lots 8 and 9, Edwards Court Subdivision)
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits, pending Rural (R) [pending annexation into the City limits (Case PL-2008-00590)]
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council to rezone approximately 1.01 acres from Rural (R) to Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
6. Hotel Site PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00594
Applicant: Thomas M. Hayley and C&C Builders & Developers, Inc.
General Location: 2082 South College Street (Lots 8 and 9, Edwards Court Subdivision)
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits, pending Rural (R) (Case PL-2008-00590) and rezoning to Comprehensive Development District (CDD) (Case PL-2008-00593)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use (hotel)
7. Mimms Trail Subdivision, Phase 4 PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00503
Applicant: Cleveland Brothers, Inc.
General Location: South of Shell Toomer Parkway and east of Mill Creek Road
Zoning District: Planned Development District (PDD) with Limited Development District (LDD) underlying
Action Requested: Preliminary plat approval for a 21-lot performance subdivision with 2 open space lots
8. Magnolia Ridge PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00578
Applicant: Randall Goggans
General Location: Highway 147 adjacent to Asheton Park Subdivision, Second Addition
Zoning District: Neighborhood Conservation (NC-8)
Action Requested: Preliminary plat approval for a 13-lot conventional subdivision
9. The Preserve West PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00595
Applicant: The Preserve
General Location: At the intersection of Bud Black Road (Lee Road 80) and West Farmville Road (Lee Road 72)
Zoning District: Planned Development District (PDD) with Development District Housing (DDH) underlying
Action Requested: Preliminary plat approval for a 2-lot subdivision
10. The Preserve West PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00597
Applicant: The Preserve
General Location: At the intersection of Bud Black Road (Lee Road 80) and West Farmville Road (Lee Road 72)
Zoning District: Planned Development District (PDD) with Development District Housing (DDH) underlying
Action Requested: Final plat approval for a 2-lot subdivision
11. City Walk Plaza PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00584
Applicant: CPSW Investments, LLC
General Location: 230 East Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for amended conditional use approval for a mixed use development (multiple family and commercial and entertainment uses). This request also includes the submission of a Master Development Plan for review pursuant to Section 504 (c).
12. Grub Mart #22 PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00585
Applicant: Brian Young for Young Oil, Inc.
General Location: 186 North Gay Street
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use (package store)
13. Bodega PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00586
Applicant: Ben Barley for Oak Tree Investments, LLC
General Location: 101 North College Street
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC) with an overlay of the College Edge Overlay District (CEOD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use (lounge)
14. Bruno’s In Line Shops PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00589
Applicant: Dennis Korinke for DDK In Line, LLC and KGCG In Line, LLC
General Location: 1530 East Glenn Avenue (Bruno’s Shopping Center site)
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a road service use (fast food restaurant with drive-through)
15. Roosters PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00596
Applicant: Melissa Earnhart
General Location: 203 Opelika Road, Suite C
Zoning District: Redevelopment District (RDD) Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use (lounge)
16. Benji’s Lounge (Best Western) PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00601
Applicant: Arvind K. Patel for Radhika, Inc.
General Location: 1577 South College Street
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use (lounge)
17. Debardeleben Condos PUBLIC HEARING PL-2008-00587
Applicant: Russell Stephens
General Location: 105 North Debardeleben
Zoning District: University Service (US)
Action Requested: Waiver to reduce the required 885 square feet within a 15-foot wide bufferyard against a single-family residence to 285 square feet
OTHER BUSINESS. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION. STAFF COMMUNICATION. ADJOURNMENT.

MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 12:00 – 1:30 pm — SPEAKER: SARAH TUCKER / TECHNOLOGY & INTERNET SPECIALIST FROM SAFETY NET
Held in the new AU Student Center, Room 2222. RSVP requested, as seating is limited. Send RSVP to Angela Hollis at 844-4710 or Julia James at 844-4452 or jamesjb@auburn.edu.
[Note: Additional presentation on Sept. 9 at 9 a.m., at the Lee County Sheriff's Complex new training facility. RSVP required.]
Safe Harbor and the Women’s Resource Center will host a presentation on technology and Internet safety with Sarah Tucker, a
technology safety specialist with Safety Net: The National Safe and Strategic Technology Project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.. The presentation will be the kickoff event for National Campus Safety Awareness Month in September. Tucker will address all forms of technology that impact survivors of stalking, sexual violence and domestic violence. Tucker will cover evidence and text messaging, vehicle tracking devices, location tracking (social, phone, vehicle), spy maps, harassment, camera misuse and law, online gaming, online stalking, spyware, remote computer control and talk, online advocacy benefits and risks, and more. She is also an expert on how offenders are misusing technology to terrorize their victims and how survivors can use technology to access safety and support. Ms. Tucker draws from survivor experiences to illustrate the safety risks and benefits of phone, imaging, Internet, and computer technologies including webcams, GPS, email, TTY, computer histories, wireless networks, PDAs and Spyware.
—Visit Safe Harbor (http://www.auburn.edu/safeharbor ) and click on the “Upcoming Events”link for additional information and events in September.

MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 4:00 pm – AUBURN WATER WORKS BOARD
Held in the Water Resource Management Conference Room, 1501 West Samford Avenue (Shug Jordan and West Samford). Info: 501-3060.
Agenda includes:
III. Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Board Meeting Held on August 11, 2008
2. Special Board Meeting Held on September 2,2008
IV. Old Business
1. Loachapoka Water Authority — Laura Koon
A. Donahue Ridge Master Meter Request -LWA Letter Dated July 21, 2008
B. Camden Ridge 11 th & 13^th Additions, the Vista’s Phase I and Service Agreements -LWA Letter Dated August 26,2008
C. Draft Response Letter for Board Consideration
V. New Business
1. Financial Report -July 2008 — Andrea Jackson
2. 2009/2010 Budget — Andrea Jackson
A. Key Decisions
B. Approval of 2009/2010 Budget
3. Purchase of GPS Unit. — Eric Carson
4. Drought Management Plan -Phase I Drought Watch — Laura Koon
5. Red Flag Memorandum — Andrea Jackson
6. Liquid Assets -The Story of Water Infrastructure – Laura Koon
7. FY2009 General Services -CH2MHILL. — Eric Carson
VI. Staff Reports
1. Project Status Report — Eric Carson
2. Rainfall Data — Eric Carson
3. Water Supply Update — Laura Koon
VII. Other Business — Homer Turner
VIII. Adjournment

MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 4:00 pm — AUBURN CEMETERIES ADVISORY BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.

MONDAY, SEPT. 8 – LEE COUNTY COMMISSION www.leeco.us
4:00 pm – work session / 6:00 pm – regular session
Held in the commission chambers, historic courthouse building, 215 S. Ninth St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda includes:
3. Public Comment from Citizens: (limit of 3-minutes per speaker)
4. Establish Quorum and Open Regular Meeting:
5. Awards, Presentations, Proclamations or Other Recognitions:
6. Reports from Staff:
a. Survey Results - Roger Rendleman
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting August 25, 2008
b. Ratify and Approve Claims
c. Lounge Retail Liquor License for T-N-T’s Tiki Tavern (District 4)
d. Move November 10 meeting to November 12 – Judge English
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. 2nd Reading Appointment to Lee County Planning Commission-Judge English
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Right-of-way Encroachment/Lee Road 313 – Gary Duncan
b. Set Organizational Meeting/Lee County Planning Commission–Judge English
c. Board of Education Bond Issue Resolution – Judge English
d. Budget Amendment Requests - Roger Rendleman
e. Accept Yorktown Subdivision for Maintenance – Neal Hall
f. ESA Cost Proposal/Solid Waste Bid – Jack Marshall
10. Discussion Items
11. Executive Session
12. Adjourn

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info: Jennifer Lolley at
707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 8:30 am – ALABAMA HOME BUILDERS LICENSURE BOARD / Special Called Meeting
Held at 445 Herron Street, Mont. Open to all. Ph: 334-242-2230
Agenda: Investigative Committee Meeting.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 9:00 – 10:30 am —- SPEAKER: SARAH TUCKER / TECHNOLOGY & INTERNET SPECIALIST FROM SAFETY NET
Held at the Lee County Sheriff’s Complex, New Training Facility.
See speaker details above – Monday, 12:00 pm. An RSVP for your attendance is requested as seating is limited. R.S.V.P to: Angela Hollis @ 844-4710, or Julia James @ 844-4452 or by E-mail: jamesjb@auburn.edu. Visit the Safe Harbor website at WWW.auburn.edu/safeharbor and click on the Upcoming Events link for additional information and events occurring during National Campus Safety Awareness Month in September.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 10:00 – 11:00 am – AUBURN-OPELIKA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION / CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE www.lrcog.com/mpo.html
Held in the LRCOG Conference Room, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Ph: 334-749-5264. More info: Keith.Bryan@adss.alabama.gov.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 11:30 am – AUBURN GREENSPACE ADVISORY BOARD
Held in the city of Auburn meeting room, 122 Tichenor Ave. Open to all.

TUESDAY, SEPT 9, 1:30 – 3:00 pm — AUBURN-OPELIKA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION / TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Held in the LRCOG Conference Room, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Ph: 334-749-5264. Open to all. More info: Keith.Bryan@adss.alabama.gov. www.lrcog.com/mpo.html
TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 2:30 pm – LEE COUNTY COMMISSION / FY2009 BUDGET WORK SESSION
Held in the Commission Chambers, Opelika Courthouse, 205 S. Fifth St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda: discuss budget for the FY 2009. Additional work sessions to be held, at the same time & location, on Sept. 16-18.

TUESDAY, SEPT 9, 4:00 pm – AUBURN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 6:00 pm – AUBURN BOARD OF EDUCATION / Regular meeting + budget public hearing
Held in the Auburn High School multi-media room, 405 S. Dean Rd. Open to all. www.auburnschools.org
Agenda: includes public hearing on FY2009 budget.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9, 7:30 – 9:30 pm — GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS
Held in AU’s Student Activities Center. Free & open to all
UPC Presents the Golden Dragon Acrobats, who represent the best of a time honored tradition that began more than twenty seven centuries ago. Direct from Hebei, China, this company has traveled around the world to all 50 states and to over 65 countries on five continents. Students, faculty, staff and the community are welcome to attend this free event. For more information about the Golden Dragon Acrobats please visit www.goldendragonacrobats.com . For information about this event please contact the UPC office at 844-5292.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 9:00 – 10:30 am – AUBURN-OPELIKA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION / BOARD MEETING
Held in the LRCOG Conference Room, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Ph: 334-749-5264. Open to all. More info: Keith.Bryan@adss.alabama.gov. www.lrcog.com/mpo.html

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10 – Biofuel Issues: Energy, Environment and Economics
Reception: 3:00 pm / Held in 3206 Shelby Center, McCartney Suite, AU.
Lecture: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm / Held in 113 Shelby Center, AU.
Free & open to all.
Speaker: Dr. David Pimentel; Professor, Ecology and Argricultural Studies, Cornell University
What is the real potential of biofuels to power our nation? It is estimated that U.S. crops, forests and grasslands combined collect 32 quads of sunlight energy per year. Learn whether this energy source is large enough to meet current and projected demands for energy, and how it compares in cost per BTU to fossil fuels and other sources of energy. Dr. Pimentel has published more than 600 scientific papers and 25 books, and has served on many national and government committees including those for the National Academy of Sciences; President’s Science Advisory Council; U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress; and the U.S. State Department.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT.10, 4:30 pm – AUBURN BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT / BZA
Held in the city council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda: www.auburnalabama.org/bza/agenda.asp
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Variance to Table 5-2 of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00492
Applicant: Lon Harris
General Location: 743 Foster Street
Zoning District: Neighborhood Conservation District (NC-8)
Action Requested: A variance of 9 feet 6 7/8-inches from the required 30 foot rear setback to allow a rear setback of 20 feet 5 1/8 inches for an elevated rear deck and stairs
Variance to Section 507.03H of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00529
Applicant: Marcia and Byron Merrick
General Location: 117 Bridle Court
Zoning District: Limited Development District (LDD)
Action Requested: A variance of 2 feet 7 inches from the required 5 foot setback to allow an accessory structure (storage shed) to be placed 2 feet 5 inches from the property line
Section 402.02(I)(1)(a)(2) of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00569
Applicant: William C. Starr
General Location: 582 Webster Road
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: A variance to the requirement that the development site of a recreational vehicle park have at least 50 feet of frontage on an arterial street in order to allow the park to front on a collector street
Variance to Section 402.02(I)(1)(d) of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00570
Applicant: William C. Starr
General Location: 582 Webster Road
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: A variance of 0.20 to the maximum ISR of 0.25 to allow a recreational rental use (RV park) to be constructed with an ISR of 0.45
Variance to Section 509C of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00571
Applicant: James and Lisalyn Parker
General Location: 3365 Skyway Drive
Zoning District: Industrial (I)
Action Requested: A variance to allow 14 of the required 71 parking spaces to remain unpaved with a gravel surface
Variances to Section 436.01 of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00572
Applicant: Charter Bank
General Location: Northeast corner of Hamilton Road and Moores Mill Road
Zoning District: Limited Development District (LDD) (pending an overlay of the Planned Development District) with a portion in the Conservation Overlay District (COD)
Action Requested: Variances of 81.70 feet and 107.56 feet to the required 300 feet between curb cuts along an arterial street to allow three curb cuts east of the intersection of Hamilton Road and Moores Mill Road, along Moores Mill Road.
Variances to Section 436.01 of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2008-00573
Applicant: Michael Shannon and Van Hampton Capital
General Location: Southwest corner of Opelika Road and East University Drive
Zoning District: Commercial Conservation (CC)
Action Requested: A variance of 228 feet to the required 300 feet between curb cuts along an arterial street to allow a curb cut on Opelika Road that is 72 feet from the adjacent curb cut to the west. The second request is for a variance of 235 feet to the required 300 feet between curb cuts along an arterial street to allow a curb cut on East University Drive that is 65 feet from the adjacent curb cut to the south.
OTHER BUSINESS. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION. ADJOURNMENT .

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 8:30 am — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE AUTUMN WALKS
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve (North College Street just past the Auburn fish ponds on the right). Meet at the Pavilion. Free & open to all; no reservations required. Cancelled if rain.
Autumn walks will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve at 8:30 a.m. Walks are geared toward exercise and enjoying the preserve’s fall beauty. Walks will last approximately one hour. Info: Jennifer Lolley at
707-6512. The preserve is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, noon — LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF EAST ALABAMA / Brown Bag lunch meeting
Held in the Bruno’s community room. Agenda: brainstorming on items of local concern.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 3:30 pm – DR. DAVID BASSETT / A SCIENTIFIC HISTORY OF PHYSICAL INACTIVITY: HOW WE EVOLVED TO DOING NOTHING
Held in Room 2370, Haley Center, AU. Free & open to all.
Dr. David R. Bassett, Professor of Exercise Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will present his findings on why humans have evolved from hunters and gathers to sedentary beings. While focusing on the use of pedometers as a means of measuring walking activity in different population groups, Bassett has collected data from such distinct groups as Amish farmers, school children and middle-aged adults. He is currently exploring the relationship between the pedometer-determined value of ‘’steps per day” to cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure and body weight. Bassett, who teaches courses in exercise physiology, exercise prescription, fitness testing and clinical exercise physiology in the University of Tennessee’s Department of Exercise, Sport and Leisure Studies, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Physiology and the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Bassett has also written a book—”Pedometer Walking: Stepping Your Way to Health, Weight Loss and Fitness”—and has been published in a number of scientific journals. His work has been highlighted by the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and other national publications.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 4:30 PM — OPELIKA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the Planning Chambers, Opelika Public Works Bldg, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika. Open to all.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 5:00 pm – AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.asp (See details above, Monday, noon, Sept. 8, PC packet meeting)

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 6:00 pm — FILM: Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath
Held at AU’s Student Center ballroom. Free & open to all.
AU’s Multicultural Center and Access and Community Initiatives will show the documentary, “Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath,” An audience discussion will follow. The film is about the effects of 9/11 on the United States. Valarie Kaur was a 20-year-old college student when she set out across America in the aftermath of 9/11, camera in hand, to document hate violence against her community. From the still-shocked streets of Ground Zero to the desert towns of the American West, her epic journey confronts the forces unleashed in a time of national crisis - racism and religion, fear and forgiveness - until she finds the heart
of America, halfway around the world. For more information, call 844-2976 or e-mail MCC@auburn.edu.

THURSDAY, SEPT 11, 6:00 – 7:30 pm — SUNDOWN AT KIESEL CONCERT SERIES / SATIN SOUL
Held under the pavilion at Kiesel Park, Auburn. Free & open to all.
The City of Auburn’s annual Sundown at Kiesel Concert Series kicks off this Thursday at Kiesel Park. Bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs. Dog welcome. For additional information, please contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930. Future concerts in this series:
September 18: SquareBone
September 25: County Road 12
October 2: Auburn Road
October 9: Dave Potts
October 16: Noisy Deirdre

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11, 7:00 pm — East Alabama Cycling Club /EACC
Held at the Health Resource Center, 2027 Pepperell Parkway, in Opelika, diagonally across from EAMC.
Agenda: Bike Detailing: Beyond the Hose: Bill Felkey will talk about and demonstrate the art of cleaning your bike. More info to come on what to bring. This will be the last club meeting before the Century so there will be a major meeting of those involved in the planning. EACC meetings are held at 7 pm on the second Thursday of the month at the For more information about EACC, please visit their website at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/groups/EACycling.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12, 7:00 – 9:00 pm – GUITARIST / RICARDO GARCIA http://jcsm.auburn.edu
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. JCSM members $5, Non-members $10. Info: 334.844.1484
Jule Collins Smith Museum is pleased to welcome Ricardo Garcia, an award winning, chart-topping guitarist who is currently a professor at the University of Extremadura in Spain and at University Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Garcia will perform at JCSM for the first time. He studied guitar and ancient music at the Universities of Salzburg (Mozarteum) and Munich where he graduated in 1999 in the Master Class from the Hochschule fur Musik in Munich, Germany with Joaquin Clerch. He has given recitals and played in concerts under the direction of well-known conductors such as Maximiano Valdes, Juan Jose Mena, Monica Huggett and Seirgiu Comisiona in more than 30 countries throughout Europe and America.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12, 7:00 pm – GNU’S ROOM / SCIENCE CAFÉ: DR. ANTHONY MOSS – MICROBES, JELLIES & GLOBAL WARMING: WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?
Held at the Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street. Ph: 334-821-5550. Free & open to all.

FRIDAY, SEPT 12, 7:30 pm – SUNDILLA CONCERT FEATURING TRACY GRAMMER
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall (AUUF), 450 E. Thach. www.sundilla.org
Admission: $15 at the door ($12 in advance); $12 with student ID; children under 12 free (and welcomed; play area provided).
Light refreshments provided free of charge; you may also bring your own food or beverage (beer/wine allowed).
Be sure to get there early to see Tracy Grammer this Friday. Advance tickets can be purchased at Taylor’s Bakery on N. College St., The Guitar Shoppe in the Glendean Shopping Center, and Toomer’s Coffee on S. College St. Advance tickets can also be ordered via the Sundilla website. For more info, and to hear music clips of Tracy Grammer, go to www.sundilla.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm —- ALABAMA WATER WATCH CHEMISTRY MONITORING WORKSHOP
Held in room 246, Upchurch Hall, AU. Contact Phone: 888-844-4785
For more info, or to register, go to https://aww.auburn.edu/.

= = = = = = = =

CITY OF AUBURN — DELAY FOR FEMA FLOODPLAIN MAPS & FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY UPDATE MEETING
Currently, Lee County is in the process of updating its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Floodplain Maps & Flood Insurance Study. The City of Auburn’s FEMA Floodplain Maps & Flood Insurance Study will also be updated as part of the countywide map modernization project. The preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) community coordination meeting for the City of Auburn, originally scheduled for this month, has been postponed until a later date to be determined by State officials. The meeting will be open to the public. Additional information regarding the study & the public meeting will be available in an upcoming issue of the city’s Open Line newsletter. For more info, contact the Auburn Public Works Dept at 501-3000.

CITY OF AUBURN - BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES
Lee County Youth Development Center - One vacancy to be filled at the Sept 16 city council meeting.
Historic Preservation Commission — One vacancy will be filled at the Sept. 16 city council meeting.
Industrial Development Board — Two vacancies to be filled at the Oct. 7 city council meeting.
Tree Commission — Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 4 city council meeting.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 18 city council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact the City Council and/or the City Manager. Info about the Boards & Commissions available at www.auburnalabama.org/boards/.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Thanks for your interest and support.

Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/

Sept. 8, 2008

Comments Off

UPDATE: SEPT. 3, 2008  — ADDITIONAL EVENTS
TODAY, THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm — STATE SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES / DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE
Held at the Health Resource Center, Pepperell Parkway, Opelika. Refreshments served. All are invited to join this informal gathering in support of Senator Figures.

TODAY, THURSDAY, SEPT 4, 6:00 – 7:30 pm — SUNDOWN AT KIESEL CONCERT / RAY GOSS & FRIENDS
Held under the pavilion at Kiesel Park, Auburn. Free & open to all.
The City of Auburn’s annual Sundown at Kiesel Concert Series kicks off this Thursday at Kiesel Park.  Bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs. Dog welcome. For additional information, please contact the Dean Road Recreation Center at 501-2930.  Future concerts in this series:  
September 11: Satin Soul
September 18: SquareBone
September 25: County Road 12
October 2: Auburn Road
October 9: Dave Potts
October 16: Noisy Deirdre

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5, 1:00 pm – NATURALIST PAUL HARTFIELD / A BIRD, A FISH AND A MUSSEL: ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Held in AU’s Swingle Hall, room 303/301. 
Paul Hartfield, of the U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service, Jackson, MS,  is a legendary naturalist in the Southeast U.S.  A reception for Hartfield will be held at 5:00 pm, at the Fish Biodiversity Lab (corner of Woodfield and S. College, across from the AU Art Museum).

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Thanks for your interest and support.

Email: placeforum@gmail.com

Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/

Comments Off

WEEK OF SEPT. 1, 2008

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – LEE COUNTY RED CROSS
The Lee County Red Cross has evacuees from Gustav and expects more. They have put out a call for volunteers–anything from doing paperwork to helping set up the shelters. Also, they are in need of the following items: board games, playing cards, puzzles, books, coloring books, crayons and markers. If you want to volunteer, call or go by the Red Cross Center on 26th Street in Opelika (just past the Opelika Wal-mart, on the left). If you’re able, they are in need of people who can work 8 hour shifts: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., 4 p.m. - midnight, midnight - 8 a.m. You can just show up prior to a shift change to register.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 10:00 am — AUBURN BOARD OF EDUCATION / FY09 BUDGET Public Hearing
Held in the Multi-Media Room at Auburn High School. Open to all.
Agenda: Public Hearing for the FY 09 Auburn City Schools Budget. (A second public hearing will be held at the same location on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, at 6:00 p.m..)

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 4:00 pm – LITTLETON-FRANKLIN LECTURE: KENNETH MILLER / Darwin, God and Design: Evolution and the Battle for America’s Soul
Held in AU’s Science Center Auditorium. Free & open to all.
Kenneth Miller, a professor of biology at Brown University, is the author of “Finding Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution” and a textbook that is said to be the most widely used high school biology text in America. He has written major articles for numerous scientific journals and magazines, including Nature, Scientific American, Cell, and Discover, as well as having appeared on PBS as a scientific commentator. His most recent book is titled Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America’s Soul. Miller, a believer in evolution and God, was the lead witness in 2005 in a Pennsylvania intelligent design case involving the first direct challenge brought in the U.S. federal courts against a public school district that required creationism as an alternative to evolution to explain the origin of life. Advocates of intelligent design lost that battle in court. http://www.auburn.edu/littleton-franklin

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 5:15 pm – AUBURN PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2 — OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
6:00 pm – work session / 7:00 pm – regular meeting
Held at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda: www.opelika.org
Work session agenda includes:
(1) - a. 2009 City Budget presentation
(2) - a. Resolution, temporary easement agreement; b. Resolution, contract with GMC, phase II of the South RR Streetscape project
(3) - a. Resolution, agreement with A/O airport, Lee County & the City of Auburn for the construction of a new terminal; b. General updates
(4) - Discuss/review CM agenda items of 9/02/08 / a. Remarks by Mayor; b. General business; c. Bids; d. Resolutions; e. Ordinances; f. Board Appointments
(5) - Discussion: a. New / Old Business; b. Board appointments; c. Other City business.
Regular session agenda includes:
6) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7) REMARKS BY THE MAYOR - Gary Fuller / a. City financial summary for July 2008.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS - (Limit comments to five minutes or less)
9) REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
11) GENERAL BUSINESS – Bob Shuman
1. Request from Opelika Mainstreet for their annual “On the Tracks” event.
12) AWARDING OF BIDS - (By Resolution) - Shirley Washington
1. Two new pickup trucks for P/W.
2. Fitness equipment, Sportsplex & Aquatic Center.
3. Change Order, Sportsplex & Aquatic Center.
13) RESOLUTIONS - Guy Gunter
1. Designate certain City personal property as surplus and authorize disposal.
14) ORDINANCES – Guy Gunter
1. Amend text of zoning ordinance, funeral homes – Planning – 2nd reading - TABLED
15) APPOINTMENTS. 16) EXECUTIVE SESSION. 17) ADJOURN.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 7:00 – 8:30 pm — ALLIANCE FOR PEACE & JUSTICE (APF) www.peaceeagle.org
Held at the Busch Center, behind the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 450 E. Thatch Ave. Open to all.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 3 - FRIDAY, SEPT. 5 — 22ND ANNUAL ALABAMA WATER RESOURCES CONFERENCE & SYMPOSIUM
The 22nd Annual Alabama Water Resources Conference and Symposium are Sept. 3-5 at the Perdido Beach Resort.
Visit the web site now to register. All attendees must register for the conference. Registration details at http://auei.auburn.edu/conference/reg.php.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 3. – NEW DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO AUBURN PRESERVATION LEAGUE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
The Auburn Preservation League—in partnership with the Auburn Arts Association and the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center—is sponsoring a photography contest with subjects featuring Auburn’s historic sites and structures.
· Open to all 18 years of age and older
Focus: historic structures and sites inside Auburn city limits [excepting Auburn University]
· Subjects to include existing, endangered, and no-longer-existing historical sites and structures
· 3-judge panel: Ingrid Brown [Villager Framing and Gallery]; Bob Sanders [Image House]; Michael Robinson [AU Architecture]
· 3 prize categories; 4 purchase awards
· New Deadline: September 2
· Exhibition Reception: Friday, September 19, Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center
More info: www.auburnpreservationleague.org

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3, 10:00 am — LEE & RUSSELL COUNTY RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION / CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Held in the conference room, Lee-Russell Council of Governments (LRCOG), 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Open to the public.
Rural transportation safety concerns, changes to public transportation in the region, and the United We Ride Transportation Coordination efforts will be discussed. For more info, to share your transportation safety concerns, or to be placed on a mailing list to receive notice of future meeting, contact Barbara Scott, LRCOG, 334-749-5264 ext. 237 or barbara.scott@adss.alabama.gov.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3 — AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
6:45 pm — Committee of the Whole / 7:00 pm – Regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/agenda
Committee of the Whole agenda includes:
SAMFORD AVENUE EXTENSION. Bike Lanes/Multi-Use Paths. Discussion. City Manager Duggan and Public Works
Director/City Engineer Jeff Ramsey.
Regular session agenda includes:
AUBURN UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS.
7. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS.
8. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS. City Manager Duggan.
a. Cuban Delights Café, Inc. dba/Cuban Delights Café. 726 East Glenn Avenue. Restaurant Retail Liquor Alcoholic Beverage License. Consideration.
b. Industrial Development Board. Two Positions. Six Year Terms Expire October 10, 2014. Appointments at the October 7, 2008 Meeting.
9. ORDINANCES.
a. Annexations. Planning Commission Recommendations. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
(1) Joan S. Keene. Property Located at 6862 Alabama Highway 147 North, 1.01 Acres.
(2) City of Auburn. Charles M. Duggan, Jr. (Authorized Representative). Property Located at 137 East Veterans Boulevard. 0.55 Acres.
(3) Donahue Land, LLC. Tom Hayley (Authorized Representative). Donahue Ridge. Property Located off North Donahue Drive, east of Camden Ridge Subdivision and south of West Farmville Road. 13.61 Acres.
b. Zoning. Planning Commission Recommendations.
(1) C & S Investments, L.L.C./Sigma Pi Club of Auburn. Rob Selby and David Crum (Authorized Representatives). Property Located east of Moton Street, west of Hemlock Drive, north of West Magnolia Avenue, and south of West Glenn Avenue. Rezone from Holding District (HD) to University Services District (US). Lots 27-30, Lots 35-40, and Lots 45-49 of Block E, Lincoln Heights 1st Addition Subdivision. 0.97 Acres. SECOND READING.
(2) Donahue Land, LLC. Terry Holdridge (Authorized Representative). Donahue Ridge. Property Located off North Donahue Drive, east of Camden Ridge Subdivision and south of West Farmville Road. Rezone from Rural (R) to Development District Housing (DDH).13.61 Acres. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
c. FY2009 and FY2010 Biennial Budget. SECOND READING.
d. FY2008 Budget. End of Fiscal Year Adjustments. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
10. RESOLUTIONS.
a. Conditional Use Approvals. Planning Commission Recommendations. Public Hearings Required.
(1) William C. Starr. Recreational Rental Use (Webster Road RV Park) in the Comprehensive Development District (CDD). Property Located at 582 Webster Road.
(2) Ward Theater Group, LLC/Pat Grider (Authorized Representative). Commercial and Entertainment Use (Lounge-Sky Bar Café) in the Urban Core District (UC) with an overlay of the College Edge Overlay District (CEOD). Property Located at 136 West Magnolia Avenue.
b. North Auburn Housing Development Corporation. Housing Construction Loan. Northwest Village Subdivision. $100,000.
c. Development Agreement, Contracts, and Agreements. Authorize Mayor and City Manager to Sign.
(1) Agreements.
(a) East Alabama Healthcare Authority. 2009 Emergency Response, Rescue and Ambulance Service. $289,476.
(b) South Alabama Mutual Assistance Compact. Mutual Assistance Disaster Aid Agreement.
(2) Information Technology Department. Installation of Fiber Optic Cable Ervin Cable Construction, LLC. Auburn Tennis Center to Fire Station Number 2. Not to Exceed $44,000.
(3) Public Works Department. Bent Creek Road (aka Twin City Court) Extension to Airport Property Improvements Project. Cardwell Corporation. $1,114,303.65.
(4) Water Resource Management Department. Task Order 5: Northeast Outfall Capacity Analysis & Upgrade Design Project. Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc. Not to Exceed $84,000.
(5) Donahue Ridge, LLC. Donahue Ridge. East Side of North Donahue Drive, south of intersection of Farmville Drive. Development Agreement.
d. Drainage and Utility Easements, Rights-of-Way, Sidewalk Easement, Statutory Warranty Deed. Acceptance, Vacation, and Settlement for Value Lost.
(1) Drainage and Utility Easements.
(a) West Auburn, LLC/Sigma Pi Club of Auburn/C&S Investments, LLC. Lincoln Heights Subdivision, Redivision of Blocks D, E, F, H & G. Property Located east of Moton Street, south of West Glenn Avenue, and west of Hemlock Drive. Acceptance.
(b) Cleveland Real Estate Investment Partnership. Bent Creek Commercial Park, Redivision of Lots 1-C1 and 1-C2. Property Located at the corner of Hilton Garden Drive and East Glenn Avenue. Vacation and Acceptance.
(c) Donahue Land, LLC. Property Located west of North Donahue Drive and south of Farmville Road. North Donahue Outfall Sewer Phase I & Phase III Projects. Acceptance.
(d) EFACO II, Inc. Property Located east of North Donahue Drive South of Farmville Road. North Donahue Outfall Sewer Phase II Project. Acceptance.
(2) Cleveland Brothers, Inc. Mimms Trail Subdivision, Second Revision to Lot 1. Property Located south of Shell Toomer Parkway, east of Mill Creek Road. Drainage and Utility Easements and Rights-of-Way.
(3) Norman Family Limited Partnership. Property Located at 410 Bragg Avenue. Bragg Avenue Sidewalk Relocation. Sidewalk Easement. Settlement of $600 for Value Lost.
(4) North Auburn Housing Development Corporation. Property Located at Lots 2, 11, 13, 14, and 24, Northwest Village Subdivision. Settlement of $4,000/Lot. Convey Statutory Warranty Deed.
e. Auburn Hills/Gold Hill Plantation Improvement District. Board of Directors. Appoint Three Members. Staggered Terms.
11.OTHER BUSINESS. 12. ADJOURN.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, noon – 1:00 pm — AU ART MUSEUM: A LITTLE LUNCH MUSIC
Held in the café of AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts. Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in JCSM’s Café while the lovely sounds of Auburn Chamber Music Society sponsored local musicians echo through the museum. Visit www.jcsm.auburn.edu for the menu, updated weekly.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, 3:00 pm — LEE & RUSSELL COUNTY RURAL PLANNING ORGANIZATION / JOINT MEETING OF THE POLICY & TECHNICAL COMMITTEES
Held in the conference room, Lee-Russell Council of Governments (LRCOG), 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Open to the public.
Rural transportation safety concerns, changes to public transportation in the region, and the United We Ride Transportation Coordination efforts will be discussed. For more info, to share your transportation safety concerns, or to be placed on a mailing list to receive notice of future meeting, contact Barbara Scott, LRCOG, 334-749-5264 ext. 237 or barbara.scott@adss.alabama.gov.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5, 11:30 am – AUBURN TREE COMMISSION
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave. Open to all.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm – DISASTER RESPONSE TRAINING CLASS
Held at the Lee County Chapter of the Red Cross, 206 26th St, Opelika. More info/reservations: 334-749-9981 or www.leeredcross.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6, 11:30 am — AU home football game v. Southern Miss

= = = = = = = = = =

Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy & Management
State legislators made water the central focus of political discussion July 28th when the Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management held their second meeting. Economic stakeholders such as Manufacture Alabama, the Birmingham Water Works, Alabama Power, and Alfa made presentations on their industries needs for water. Also, four subcommittees were created: agriculture, industry, transportation, and recreation; water management mechanisms and policy; conservation, efficiency, water quality, and drought management; and water resource assessment studies, data collection and storage. Any member of the public can participate in the subcommittees. To sign up, contact committee liaison Pamela Averrett via email or phone at (334) 242-7875.
The next full committee meeting will be September 23 at Guntersville State Park where the focus of the discussion will be conservation.

AU Research News - August edition www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/communications/resnews/index.html
This e-newsletter features Charlene LeBleu and rain garden research, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station research news, Research Compliance announcements, and Technology Transfer announcements including the Alabama Launchpad business competition. For submissions and more information about AU Research News, contact Heather Finch at finchhm@auburn.edu or 844-4784.

COMMENTS ACCEPTED THROUGH SEPT 12 ON CLEVELAND ROCK LLC’S PROPOSED GRANITE QUARRY IN WADLEY
(Cleveland Rock LLC members: Jim W Cleveland III, William A Cleveland, John C Cleveland)
AUG. 13 PUBLIC NOTICE - 210/330 — ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT — COMBINED NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT AND AIR PERMIT - REQUEST FOR COMMENTS / RANDOLPH COUNTY.
Cleveland Rock, LLC, has submitted air and water permit applications for a proposed granite quarry, with associated processing equipment, located on Randolph County Road 838, 0.8 miles east of the intersection of State Highway 77 and County Road 838, north of Wadley, in Randolph County.
Cleveland Rock, LLC, P.O. Box 27, Wadley, AL 36276, Wadley Quarry, NPDES Permit Number AL0079456, located in Wadley, AL, for issuance of a permit for proposed discharges of treated drainage from a crushed stone mine, wet preparation, and associated areas to an unnamed tributary to the Tallapoosa River and the Tallapoosa River, both classified for Fish & Wildlife, in the Tallapoosa River Basin. The Department has tentatively determined that the proposed actions described in this notice are consistent with the Water Quality Rules including the Department’s Anti-degradation Rules.
Cleveland Rock, LLC has also applied for an Air Permit, Facility No. 308-0029, which would authorize the construction and operation of a granite crushing, screening, and conveying operation. Emissions of particulate matter would be minimized by the use of wet suppression. The Department has also tentatively determined that the limitations proposed by the company would properly limit air emissions and would satisfy the requirements of the Department’s Air Pollution Control Rules.
Copies of the draft permits, conditions, and limitations as applicable are available for public inspection electronically via http://www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/PublicNotice.htm.

CITY OF AUBURN - BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES
Lee County Youth Development Center - One vacancy to be filled at the Sept 16 city council meeting.
Industrial Development Board — Two vacancies to be filled at the Oct. 7 city council meeting.
Historic Preservation Commission — One vacancy will be filled at the Sept. 16 city council meeting.
Tree Commission — Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 4 city council meeting.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board — Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 18 city council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact the City Council and/or the City Manager. Info about the Boards & Commissions available at www.auburnalabama.org/boards/.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Thanks for your interest and support.

Email: placeforum@gmail.com

Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/

Sept. 1, 2008

Comments Off