Greensboro City Council members voted to proceed with a proposal for a Highway 69/Smith Park renovation project during their July 22 meeting. The Council had previously put the project up for bidding, but as of the July 17 deadline no bids had been received. Due to the lack of bids, and in accordance with State law, the Council had the option to move ahead with Force Account Work, choosing to handle the work in-house. Under the city’s plan, Auburn University Rural Studio will provide labor for the renovation and the City will only have to pay for supplies. Councilmember Kyser motioned to go ahead with this plan. Councilmember Bragg seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Alabama Fiber Network has proposed a ground lease agreement with the City of Greensboro in which AFN will pay the City $14,000 over ten years in exchange for the installation of a shelter. Councilmember Shepherd made a motion to accept the ground lease agreement. Councilmember Kyser seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.
In a non-exclusive franchise agreement, AFN made an offer to pay the City 5% of its gross each quarter and a lower flat fee if they don’t make a profit. The fiber network also offered a surety bond and will pay the labor costs for construction of the shelter. Councilmember Kyser made a motion to vote on the ordinance immediately. Councilmember Curtis seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. A roll-call vote was taken on the ordinance, and it was unanimously accepted.
The Council voted unanimously to give $1,000 in support of the Back-to-School Annual Give-Away to be held on August 22 at the courthouse.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Marjorie Davis, a former city employee who worked in the courthouse for 19 years, addressed the Council and others present on what she sees as a gradual deterioration of the city’s roads. “I think we need to redo the streets. I think we can get grants for the streets. Our streets have never been this bad,” said Davis. Davis also said the city’s sanitation workers deserve a raise for all their hard work.
Betsy Rogers of the Hale County Animal Shelter asked the Council and public to support the Shelter. Rogers asked the City for a budget appropriation of $5,000 for 2026, a $1,400 increase from this year. She said she would be asking for $2,000 from the City of Moundville. Rogers said the HCAS took in about 250 animals in the last year and one of their biggest donors recently passed away.
“Pet food has gone up. Ideally, adoption fees cover the basic supplies of the shelter. But that hasn’t been the case lately.” Rogers also said she would like to secure a one dollar raise for all shelter employees, whose pay has remained the same for years, and a two dollar raise for a new manager. She added that $2,400 was needed for maintenance and repairs of the facility.
