Auburn OKs electronic signs on W. Magnolia

The Auburn City Council approved a plan to purchase electronic message signs as part of an ongoing effort to improve pedestrian safety along West Magnolia Avenue.

The two signs, to be installed near West Magnolia’s intersections with Wright Street and North Donahue Drive, would warn motorists of pedestrian traffic along the roadway, which borders the north side of Auburn University’s campus.

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, the council approved a low bid of $103,500 from Floyd Services Co. Inc. for the signs.

Installation is expected to begin within a few months following the renovation of the seven crosswalks along the stretch of road, a project that began last week. City engineer Jeff Ramsey said the signs would likely be installed by the beginning of 2012.

The council approved an amendment to the city code on bicycle lanes to make it illegal to park vehicles in the lanes adjacent to major arterial or collector streets during any time of the day. The code formerly prohibited parking in the lanes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The council approved a conditional use request with requirements for hours of operations and soundproofing for the Avondale Bar and Tap Room, a proposed second-floor bar on North College Street. The council delayed the vote at its June 21 meeting to hear from owners of property adjacent to the proposed bar, which would share a common wall with apartments.

Bar owner, Reginald Gilbert, said he intended the business to serve wine and cocktails for a more adult crowd.

“This is not a typical bar in the downtown area,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said he planned to soundproof the shared wall and would not have live music at the bar. Gilbert said he would be willing to work with the neighboring property owners to fix any problems.

The property owner next door said he was concerned because the bedrooms of his tenants shared a wall with the bar.

Council members voted to authorize the use of the remaining balance of $105,000 from a 2006 series of general obligation bonds meant to fund construction of the Auburn Research Park to pay for infrastructure improvements on Longleaf Drive.

The council approved a proposal to reimburse the city for any funds spent on capital projects ahead of issuing a series of bonds. The agreement will also cover reimbursements for expenses within the last 60 days ahead of the issuance of the bonds.

City Manager Charlie Duggan said the bonds, which are not to exceed $25 million, will help pay for capital projects such as a new elementary school and improvements in the city’s west technology park and will likely be issued within the next year.

The council increased the city sales tax to 4 percent at its June 21 meeting, saying the revenue was needed to help pay for the new projects, including the debt service.

The council also approved and modified tax abatements for companies in the city’s industrial parks that plan expansions of their operations.

Jewelry maker Initial Outfitters Inc. received a 10-year tax abatement of non-educational, hospital or children’s home ad valorem sales and uses taxes ahead of a planned expansion at its existing facility, which is predicted to create 22 jobs.

The council modified a tax abatement for Arkal Plastic North America Inc. to reflect $114,000 in unforeseen costs that were not reported in the company’s abatement application. The company has purchased new equipment to be used at the Weidman Plastics Technology North America Inc. facility in the south technology park, according to the council meeting packet.

In other business

The council also:

» denied a request by Edgewood Terrace LTD to waive $1,399.53 in penalties for failing to pay its 2011 business license fee;

» approved a restaurant retail liquor license for The Oaks at South College;

» approved installation of two stop signs in the Brooks subdivision on Morgan Drive;

» approved no-parking zones in front of the Beta Zeta fraternity house in the 800 block of West Magnolia Avenue and the Theta Xi fraternity house in the 100 block of Reese Avenue;

» approved a low bid of $92,590 from Truck Services Equipment Sales Inc. for a 2011 Isuzu truck with an 8-yard body for the Environmental Services Department;

» approved a low bid of $18,709.92 from CJM Ventures DBA/Fire Rescue Help Group for fire hose;

» accepted utility easements in the city’s west technology park and in the Lundy Chase subdivision; and

» recognized employees.