Gadsden meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Gadsden Council Agendas: Nuisance Abatement, Alcohol License, and Property Conveyance Up for Consideration

The Gadsden City Council has three meetings on the books for early August, with agendas covering property enforcement, a new alcohol license, and a website contract. Because minutes have not yet been published, none of these items have been officially decided; all remain pending council action.

Nuisance Abatement Hearings

At a special called meeting on August 4, the council is scheduled to hold public hearings on 47 nuisance abatement orders and liens. The agenda includes:

• 16 orders to abate unsafe structures at addresses including 213 North 16th Street, 238 S. 9th Street, and 1534 4th Avenue
• 2 orders to abate trash and debris at 406 North Hood Avenue and 3606 Walnut Street
• 9 public hearings for abatement of nuisances on properties such as 1129 Bretwood Drive and 5 Cabot Avenue
• 20 public hearings for abatement of trash and debris at locations including 207 South 9th Street and 1500 Fourth Avenue
• 6 hearings to assess nuisance abatement liens totaling between $2,395.30 and $3,252.31 for cleanup costs

These hearings are part of the council's enforcement process for properties that have been cited for unsafe structures or accumulated trash and debris.

Alcohol License and Property Conveyance

Also on August 4, the regular council meeting includes a public hearing on issuing an alcoholic beverage license to M3 Bar and Grill at 706 E. Broad Street. The council will also vote on an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of property at 924 Avenue A.

Other items on that agenda include:

• A resolution approving the FY 2027 transportation plan (Rebuild Alabama Act Funds)
• A resolution approving a supplemental agreement with Williams Blackstock Architects for Merrill Lynch building renovations
• A resolution amending an economic development agreement with Varish, LLC (Home2 Suites – 101 John Moore Way) and a change order with Clements Dean Building Company for the Gadsden City Hall Project

Website Contract and Routine Business

At the August 11 meeting, the council is set to consider Resolution R-532-26, which would authorize an agreement with SF Web Services, LLC for website development for the Gadsden Athletic Center. The agenda also includes ratifying payment of accounts for the week of July 31 – August 6, 2026, and a citizen request by Terri Gibbs-Samuel regarding Overdose Awareness Month.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for future agendas and minutes.

Gadsden City Council Agendas Include Dutch Bros Drive-Thru, Nuisance Abatements, Alcohol Licenses

The Gadsden City Council held three meetings in the past two weeks, with agendas covering a proposed Dutch Bros Coffee drive-thru, dozens of nuisance abatement orders, alcohol license hearings, and property conveyances. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings, so no official votes or decisions are confirmed at this time.

July 28 Meeting

The council’s July 28 agenda included a public hearing on an alcoholic beverage license for Cielo Bar, LLC at 416 Broad Street. Resolutions up for consideration included:

• Property acquisition for drainage improvements at Tabor Circle/Tabor Road.
• Renewal of an agreement with the Etowah County Board of Education for dirt to cover the city inert landfill.
• A supplemental architectural contract with Chambless King Architects for a sun deck addition at the Gadsden Athletics Center.
• An economic development agreement with Gad City Partners for a Dutch Bros Coffee Shop drive-thru at 300 N. Hood Avenue.

The council also held the first reading of an ordinance to convey property at 924 Avenue A.

August 4 Special Called Meeting

A special called meeting on August 4 focused entirely on nuisance enforcement. The agenda included:

• 16 orders to abate unsafe structures at addresses including 213 North 16th Street, 238 S. 9th Street, and 1534 4th Avenue.
• 2 orders to abate trash and debris at 406 North Hood Avenue and 3606 Walnut Street.
• 9 public hearings for abatement of nuisances on properties such as 1129 Bretwood Drive and 5 Cabot Avenue.
• 20 public hearings for abatement of trash and debris at locations including 207 South 9th Street and 1500 Fourth Avenue.
• 6 hearings to assess nuisance abatement liens totaling between $2,395.30 and $3,252.31 for cleanup costs.

August 4 Regular Meeting

Also on August 4, the council held a regular meeting with the following agenda items:

• Public hearing for an alcohol license for M3 Bar and Grill at 706 E. Broad Street.
• Ordinance authorizing conveyance of property at 924 Avenue A.
• Resolution approving the FY 2027 transportation plan (Rebuild Alabama Act Funds).
• Resolution approving a supplemental agreement with Williams Blackstock Architects for Merrill Lynch building renovations.
• Resolution amending an economic development agreement with Varish, LLC (Home2 Suites – 101 John Moore Way) and a change order with Clements Dean Building Company for the Gadsden City Hall Project.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents should check the city’s official meeting calendar for future agendas and minutes.

Gadsden council approves alcohol license for M3 Bar and Grill; rezoning and landfill bids ahead

The Gadsden City Council unanimously approved an alcoholic beverage license for M3 Bar and Grill at 716 East Broad Street during its July 7 meeting, adopting Resolution R-443-126 with all members in favor.

July 7 regular meeting

The council approved minutes from its June 30 meeting by unanimous vote and ratified payment for the Tyler System accounts for the week of June 26–July 2, also unanimously. The only substantive action was adoption of Resolution R-443-126, granting the alcohol license to M3 Bar and Grill. All three items passed unanimously.

July 7 special called meeting — nuisance abatement

A special called meeting focused entirely on nuisance abatement, with no other business on the agenda. The council was set to vote on orders to abate unsafe structures at 25 properties and trash/debris at 26 properties. Specific abatement orders listed include structures at 213 North 16th Street, 1534 4th Avenue, and 1701 E Broad Street (commercial), and trash/debris at 318 E. Broad Street, 1555 Litchfield Avenue, and 1211 Alabama Avenue.

Public hearings were scheduled to assess liens for prior abatement work:

• Demolition lien of $6,078.80 at 1018 Chestnut Street
• Trash/debris lien of $3,127.82 at 808 Miller Avenue
• Grass cutting lien of $309.00 at 1412 Alabama Street

Minutes for this special called meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

July 14 meeting — rezoning proposals

The council was scheduled to approve weekly accounts for the week of July 3–9, hear proclamations, and consider the first reading of an ordinance that would rezone multiple parcels from TR to NC districts along Forrest Avenue, Railroad Avenue, and Hoke Street. Guest speakers from The Voice & Value Health Foundation and the Dead Wrong Comedic Stageplay were to be recognized. Minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes are confirmed.

Coming up

July 21 — City Council: The council will consider a resolution to award bid No. 3646 for the 2026 Landfill Cover Dirt project. It will also consider a resolution authorizing an agreement with EE Group, Inc. for a parking lot expansion at the Gadsden Sports Park. A citizen request titled "Saving our Sons" from Ceandra James will be heard.

Gadsden Council Approves $4.5M Hotel Incentive, Doubles Lodging Tax

The Gadsden City Council unanimously approved a $4.5 million incentive payment for a new hotel project and doubled the city's lodging tax rate from 5% to 10%, according to minutes from the June 30 meeting.

Hotel Incentive and Lodging Tax

The council voted unanimously to approve a project agreement with Galactic Hospitality Group, LLC to build a hotel with at least 90 rooms. The $4.5 million incentive payment was approved on the same vote.

In a separate unanimous vote, the council increased the lodging tax rate from 5% to 10%. The minutes do not specify how the additional revenue will be used.

Alcohol Licenses and Code Changes

The council approved an alcoholic beverage license for Gah Gah's Bar N Grill by unanimous vote. It also amended the City Code to remove the Police Department review requirement for alcohol license applications, also unanimous.

Parking and Personnel

Parking restrictions were updated on First Street and at the police building under a unanimous vote. The council also capped annual sick leave sell-back at 40, 53, or 56 hours, approved unanimously. The minutes do not specify which employee categories correspond to each cap.

Elections Certified

Unopposed elections were certified by unanimous vote for City Council District 2 (Steve Smith) and District 4 (Kent Back). Five School Board members' unopposed elections were also certified unanimously. The minutes do not name the School Board members.

July 7: Rezoning Hearings Scheduled

The July 7 City Council meeting agenda includes public hearings on rezoning multiple parcels along Forrest Avenue and surrounding streets from Traditional Residential to Neighborhood Center districts. The listed parcels span 3619-3101 Forrest Ave, 3600-3204 blocks Forrest Ave, 2400-2200 Railroad Ave, 2417-2000 Forrest Ave, 1500-1200 blocks Forrest Ave, and parts near South 9th-11th Sts, 3rd Ave, Chestnut St, Walnut St, College St, South 7th-8th Sts, Berea Ave, and 430/425 Hoke St, 1104 Litchfield Ave, and 921 Wilson St.

A public hearing is also scheduled for an alcoholic beverage license for M3 Bar and Grill at 716 East Broad Street. Routine business includes approving minutes and ratifying payments for June 26-July 2, 2026.

Minutes for the July 7 meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet known.

July 7: Nuisance Abatement Special Called Meeting

A special called meeting on July 7 focuses on nuisance abatement. The agenda lists orders to abate structures at 213 North 16th Street, 1534 4th Avenue, and 1701 E Broad Street (commercial). Public hearings are scheduled to assess liens for prior abatement work:

• Demolition lien of $6,078.80 at 1018 Chestnut Street
• Trash/debris lien of $3,127.82 at 808 Miller Avenue
• Grass cutting lien of $309.00 at 1412 Alabama Street

Additional orders to abate trash and debris are listed for 318 E. Broad Street, 1555 Litchfield Avenue, and 1211 Alabama Avenue. The agenda states votes are planned on abatement orders for 25 structures and 26 trash/debris properties, plus liens for prior work. No other business is on the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Gadsden council approves athletic center change order; hotel project, lodging tax changes proposed

The Gadsden City Council approved a change order for the Gadsden Athletic Center and authorized an electrical design agreement for the Senior Wellness Center at its June 23 meeting. The council also introduced but did not act on ordinances related to alcohol license reviews and parking restrictions on First Street.

Recent decisions

At the June 23 meeting, the council voted unanimously on two resolutions:

• **Gadsden Athletic Center change order** – Approved a change order for the facility. No dollar amount was specified in the meeting minutes.
• **Senior Wellness Center lighting** – Authorized an agreement with EE Group for electrical plans for the Senior Wellness Center at the facility. The vote was unanimous.

The council also introduced two ordinances that received first readings but no subsequent action:

• An ordinance to amend the city’s alcoholic beverage license review process.
• An ordinance to restrict parking on First Street.

On the agenda: June 30 council meeting

The council met again on June 30 but minutes have not yet been published. According to the agenda, members considered several items:

• **Hotel project agreement** – A project agreement with Galactic Hospitality Group, LLC for the construction and operation of a hotel was on the agenda for a vote. The outcome is not yet recorded.
• **Lodging tax amendments** – Proposed ordinances to amend Chapter 74 and Chapter 2 of the city code regarding the lodging tax were introduced.
• **Restricted parking** – A second reading of the ordinance to restrict parking on First Street and the police building parking lot was scheduled.
• **Alcohol license** – An application for an alcoholic beverage license for Gah Gah’s Bar N Grill at 1617 Forrest Avenue was listed for consideration.
• **HR policy** – A change to the city’s human resources policy on the annual selling of sick leave time was on the agenda.

Coming up

The City Council will hold a public hearing and take up rezoning and an alcohol license at its July 7 meeting. Items include:

• **Rezoning** – Public hearings on rezoning multiple parcels along Forrest Avenue, Railroad Avenue, and surrounding streets from Traditional Residential to Neighborhood Center districts. The affected areas include the 3619-3101 block of Forrest Avenue, the 3600-3204 blocks of Forrest Avenue, the 2400-2200 blocks of Railroad Avenue, the 2417-2000 block of Forrest Avenue, the 1500-1200 blocks of Forrest Avenue, parts near South 9th–11th Streets, 3rd Avenue, Chestnut Street, Walnut Street, College Street, South 7th–8th Streets, Berea Avenue, and properties at 430/425 Hoke Street, 1104 Litchfield Avenue, and 921 Wilson Street.
• **Alcohol license** – A public hearing and vote on an alcoholic beverage license for M3 Bar and Grill at 716 East Broad Street.
• **Routine business** – Approval of minutes and ratification of payments for June 26 to July 2, 2026.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Gadsden City Hall.