City of Anniston

The meeting commenced with an invocation focusing on seeking guidance, wisdom, unity, and integrity for decision-making, and specifically addressed offering comfort and support to residents displaced by the fire at the St. George Apartments in Golden Springs. Council members expressed gratitude to first responders for their quick action regarding the fire incident. Key actions included approving the minutes of the February 2nd special call session and the February 3rd council meeting. A resolution appointing Grant Jackson to the downtown development authority was added to and approved via the consent agenda. Council comments included recognizing the Mayor's birthday and emphasizing the need to support the families affected by the recent house fire, with a Council Member sharing a personal experience as a fire victim. Additionally, the City Manager's introduction of a new paid parental leave policy for city employees was acknowledged and passed. The session concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss matters concerning the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property and preliminary negotiations involving trade or commerce.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions included approving the minutes from the February 17, 2026 council meeting and the subsequent approval of the agenda. A public comment segment featured a prospective business owner, Lex Money, addressing concerns regarding the recent bar and tavern moratorium and its effect on the planned "Moneyov" blues lounge at 2210 Noble Street, which had development activities initiated in August 2025. The council agreed to review the situation with staff and schedule a follow-up decision. Council members provided updates, including scheduling a Ward One town hall meeting for March 25th at the Anderson Museum of Natural History Auditorium, and announcing a Ward Three cleanup event on March 21st. The Mayor concluded by commending the council members for their dedication and responsiveness to the city's needs before adjourning the session.

The agenda included a Public Hearing segment with defined speaking protocols for members of the public addressing items before the City Council. The Consent Agenda contained several resolutions, including electing a voting delegate for the Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention, amending the FY 2026 Budget to recognize donated funds for Longleaf Botanical Gardens Special Projects, and granting tax abatements to McWane Inc. (dba M&H Valve & Co. and Tyler Union) and Changer and Dresser Corp. Additionally, resolutions concerned the appointment of members to the Anniston Historic Preservation Commission and establishing the City of Anniston's Paid Parental Leave Policy. Under Motion, the Council was set to award the bid for the Michael Tucker Park TAP Project. The session concluded with a section for Public Comments and a motion to convene an executive session to discuss real property transactions and preliminary trade or commerce negotiations.

The primary discussion centered on acknowledging and accepting the resignation of City Manager Kenneth Free. In response to ensure operational continuity, the Anniston City Council appointed Anniston Police Department Captain Matthew Caballero to serve as the Interim City Manager. Captain Caballero possesses over two decades of public service experience, including supervisory roles within the police department. The Council affirmed its commitment to initiating a comprehensive process, utilizing a specialized municipal executive search firm, to identify and recruit a permanent City Manager in the upcoming weeks.

The agenda for this session included a Public Hearing section detailing protocols for public speaking, which limits speakers to three minutes unless otherwise permitted. The Consent Agenda comprised several financial and administrative resolutions, such as re-appropriating unused funds from the FY 2025 Budget, amending the FY2026 Budget to recognize grant funds and donations, authorizing an amendment to a Development Agreement with Blackwater Development Company LLC, declaring surplus property, and appointing/reappointing members to the Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board. Under Resolutions, the council planned to affirm its intent to provide economic development incentives for the McClellan Loft Community Project. The session also allocated time for general Public Comments and Council Comments.