Andalusia Council moves forward with first reading of property surplus ordinance for Conecuh Sausage housing plan

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The property outlined in red on the west side of Sutton Road is the proposed site on which Conecuh Sausage plans to build employee housing. The property outlined in blue is the site of the plant. (MAP PROVIDED)

The Andalusia City Council held a first reading on a measure that will declare a plot of land surplus in order to provide it to Conecuh Sausage for employee housing.

The 15-acre property, which moved from the initial proposal presented in September, is now located at the corner of Sutton Road and Progress Drive inside the city’s industrial park, adjacent to the future Conecuh Sausage plant.

According to the council’s discussion, Conecuh Sausage intends to construct a two-building, 20-unit apartment complex for employees, including those involved in the initial training leading up to the plant’s opening. The plant is expecting to hire 110 employees.

“This is the largest economic development project we’ve had in a long time,” said City Clerk John Thompson. “These apartments will be 2 or 3 bedroom units built to market standards and expect it to be a quiet, working environment.”

The council opened the floor to residents who had comments and questions.

Jacob Erwin asked the council about the possibility that the land will be sold in the future and the payrate of the Conecuh Sausage employees.

“Regarding just giving it away, there are other plans. We could set some terms because if they go to sell it, who gets the money for that? What is the minimum pay rate of these employees who are going to be putting money back into the local economy? I’ve seen this all before. It always ends up on the back of the taxpayers down the road. I think we can do this to our advantage,” Erwin said.

Another resident, Emma Gosby, asked the council whether the city’s infrastructure, including schools, is prepared for the additional workers, including if those workers are here from other counties on work permits.

“I’ve seen where people come in and schools aren’t prepared if the children don’t speak English. The public needs to be prepared to begin planning for those things. I would like to know about their plans for filling those jobs,” she said.

Councilman Terry Powell said at the previous meeting that Conecuh Sausage is bound by state laws in regard to hiring practices.

“They will have to meet labor laws, meaning the person hired will have to be a citizen or be here on an approved work permit. If they do not do that, they will be subject to the same punishment that any employer of 50 or more people would face,” Powell said.

A second reading of the ordinance will take place at the next meeting after which the council can vote on the measure.

Other items discussed by the council included:

• approving to finance $215,000 for the purchase of a limb, debris and trash loader for the Public Works Department. The loan will be through CCB Bank at 5.6 percent interest over 60 months.
• approving the purchase of four police vehicles at a total state bid price of $209,000, which also includes installing the necessary equipment.
• approving to finance the purchase of two garbage trucks at a total price of $484,000. Replacing garbage trucks is done on a rotation basis and was included in the city’s budget.
• approving to surplus one hand-held radio held by the Andalusia Police Department. Police Chief Paul Hudson said the city is not using the equipment and that the Opp Police Department is interested in purchasing it.
• approving to renew a contract with UniFirst Uniforms to provide uniforms for city employees. UniFirst was the lowest of two bids presented.

Mayor Pro Tem for the meeting was Kennith Mount who provided an update on Mayor Earl Johnson. The mayor has missed several meetings due to a health matter, but Mount said he is doing much better and expects to return soon.