The City of Auburn continues to satisfy its citizens through the city government and its programs. This year, 92 percent of Auburn’s residents were satisfied with city services, 90 percent were satisfied with the public school system, 90 percent were satisfied with police, fire and ambulance services, 88 percent were satisfied with library services and 81 percent were satisfied with the quality of city parks. One of Auburn’s greatest areas of dissatisfaction over the last two years of citizen survey has been traffic flow, and although it remains an area the city must focus on, the ease of both car and bicycle travel in Auburn has improved. Also needing additional attention according to the survey results is the maintenance of city streets and facilities. “Despite the touch times the nation has had, Auburn is exceptionally well known for continuing to make improvements and satisfying it’s residents,” said Chris Tatham, a representative from the ETC institute who presented the survey results to the city council. The citizen survey is conducted annually by ETC, an external consulting firm, which randomly selected 1500 households to survey this year, receiving results from 778 of those surveys. During the mayor’s communications, Mayor Bill Ham recognized Earline Cobb as the employee of the month. Cobb has worked for the City of Auburn for more than 36 years and is now serving as the deputy city clerk. She was nominated for this award for the fourth time because of her work coordinating the luncheon banquet for the city’s 2009 employees of the month. “I think it very appropriate that Earline be an honoree instead of an organizer at next
year’s employee of the month luncheon,” said Ham. Ham also presented an employee achievement award to Nell Greer for earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Troy University. Greer served as a human resources assistant for the city while obtaining this degree and the title Magna Cum Laude for Troy University. Also recognized during the meeting for their service to the city were Todd White, who has worked in the Economic Development Department for five years, Ralph Hovey, who has worked for the Public Works Department in construction and maintenance for 20 years, and David Ponder, who has worked for the Public Works Department in the inspection division for 20 years. During the meeting, the council: Approved liquor licenses for Baja Burrito Company, to be located at 1651 S. College St., previously Flip Flops, and Rose Chinese Restaurant, located inside the Lexington Hotel. Announced a vacancy on the Board of Education. The current board member’s term expires May 30 and the City Council will appoint a new member at their May 4 meeting. Amended a typographical error in the city code concerning occupation license fees. Approved the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association and Auburn Arts Association’s requests to close College Street between Thatch Avenue and Tichenor Avenue and Magnolia Avenue between Wright Street and Gay Street on June 18, 2010 for the Summer Night Art Walk and to hold a sidewalk sale during the event. If it rains on June 18, the event will be held on June 19. Designated the week of May 2428 as Trash Amnesty Week, during which all fees associated
with the disposal of solid waste will be waived for residents. Accepted the dedication of drainage and utility easements from Auburn University for the Bent Creek West Sewer. Appointed Bill Sherling to the library board for a four year term. Appointed Joel Tremaine and Charlie Hendrix to the historic preservation commission, each for a three year term. Approved the Consolidated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Plan, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to serve as the comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development plan for Auburn and details the use of CDBG funds. Granted revolving loan funds to Hamilton Place, LLC for $66,687.90 and KD Bearings, Inc. and KD Industries of Alabama for $150,000 to fund economic development. Granted revolving loan funds and a package of incentives to Hoerbiger Automotive Comfort Systems and Pyongsan America, Inc. to promote industrial development in Auburn Technology Park South. Authorized contracts with: •
Glass Grading LLC to construct sanitary sewers on the Longleaf Drive extension to Cox Road project for $37,400.
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Stone Martin Builders to construct sidewalks in the Ellington Place Subdivision for $25,947.64.
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CSRNationwide, Inc. to perform maintenance on the downtown parking deck for $89,094.
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Motorola, Inc. to provide technical assistance, overnight parts delivery, 24 hour remote equipment diagnostics and software support for twelve months for $18,413.04.
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Ben Atkinson Motors, Inc. for two 2010 Ford F150 extended cab pickup trucks for the Parks and Recreation Department for $36,456.
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Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. to complete inspection and contract administration services required to complete the construction of the Choctafaula interceptor sewer for $14,615.
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Rockwell Automation Control System Equipment to purchase four computers to provide to the H.C. Morgan Water Pollution Control Facility the ability to monitor the new Northside Pump Station remotely.