David M. Brown

The primary discussion revolved around an ordinance referred by the City Council concerning a zoning change to create a specific category for data centers. The Commission determined that scheduling a public hearing would require setting it for April 15th, 2026, as the fastest option available, given the need for 30 days' notice before the hearing and another 30 days before returning the matter to the council. This measure is intended to address potential legal exposure related to current code interpretations.

The agenda for this meeting of the Alliance City Council includes receiving the Mayor's Report and memoranda detailing collected receipts for December 2025 and January 2026, along with the January 2026 Statement of Cash Position. Key legislative actions scheduled for discussion and potential passage involve third readings for resolutions authorizing the sale of obsolete city property and ordinances related to installing a "Children at Play" sign, accepting NOPEC grant funds, amending zoning codes, making appropriations and fund transfers for 2026 expenses, and ratifying contracts with several employee associations (AAFEA, WPCEA, AWWWWSEA). Administrative and standing committee reports will also be presented.

The Board of Zoning Appeals addressed several matters. Key discussions included an appeal for a width and depth variance for a private garage at 2541 Blenheim Ave. The applicant sought approval for a 30 by 40 pole barn, requiring variances of 4 feet by 6 feet due to existing zoning code limitations for private garages. The applicant confirmed that the lots were successfully removed from the FEMA flood zone. The Board also reviewed a request for a Use Variance for a Barber Shop in an R-1 Single Family Residential zone at 916 East Patterson St., which previously operated as a commercial building. The Board approved the use variance for the barber shop, contingent on future planning commission and site plan review regarding parking and facilities. Finally, the meeting concluded with the election of officers, where Brent Barnes was confirmed as Chairman and Mike Aeling as Vice Chairman.

The agenda for the City Council meeting included reviewing several communications, such as the 2025 General Fund Report and January 2026 Income Tax recap. Key legislative actions involved the second reading of a resolution authorizing the sale of obsolete city property via internet auction. Several ordinances were introduced, including the transfer of specified permanent parcels to the Greater Alliance Development Corporation, waiving city fees for water and sewer taps for new residential construction on those parcels, and appropriating $100,000 for the construction on those parcels. Further business involved directing the installation of a "Children at Play" sign, accepting NOPEC grant funds, and accepting loan agreements funded by Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG) for projects by Dudbites Downtown, LLC, and Trad1tion Investments, LLC. Additionally, the council addressed authorizing contracts for stream mitigation monitoring and the design/installation of a new blower control cabinet for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, as well as appropriating funds for traffic signal upgrades along US62/East State Street, and establishing weather emergency pay for city employees.

The City Council meeting agenda included the review of minutes from previous meetings in December 2025. Communications involved memoranda from the Mayor regarding receipts collected for October and November 2025, an Income Tax Recap for December 2025, and a summary for 2025, along with street and alley minutes and notice of online Sunshine Laws training. Administrative reports were given by the Mayor, Safety Service Director, Law Director, and Auditor. Reports were also heard from standing committees. Key legislative actions included the third reading of an ordinance accepting and approving a replat of lots on West Harrison Street, and second readings for ordinances authorizing contracts for the 2026 Comprehensive Road Resurfacing and Overlay Program (not to exceed $1,400,000) and the South Liberty Avenue Street Resurfacing Project (not to exceed $220,000). New business focused on three ordinances, including authorizing a contract with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for dam inspections at Walborn Reservoir ($250,000), entering a two-year contract for legal counsel for indigent persons in municipal court, and making necessary appropriations and transfers for 2026.