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VALLEY – On Monday, the Valley City Council approved a resolution terminating a tax abatement agreement with John Soules Foods that had been in place since August 2022. The original tax abatement agreement had been approved by the company, the city and the Chambers County Commission, and it covered the company’s plans to expand operations in phases 2 and 3.

The city and county have agreed to John Soules Foods’ request to terminate the 2022 agreement for the foreseeable future due to market conditions in the food and beverage sector. The company has purchased some equipment needed for expansion but has ceased doing this until the current market stabilizes.

The resolution approved on Monday authorizes Mayor Leonard Riley to sign any documents necessary to carry out the termination of the agreement.

Ansley Emfinger of the Chambers County Development Authority (CCDA) told the council that the Alabama Department of Revenue was aware of the termination of the tax abatement agreement. She added that John Soules Foods still has the opportunity to expand at a later date if it decides to do that.

In other action, the council approved another resolution waiving the right of refusal on four lots in a Crown Homes development in the city. The agreement is with Landkart LLC and involves four lots in a planned subdivision.

The council approved an alcohol license for the new Dollar General store on Fob James Drive, which is now open.

Approval was given to the purchase of a new dump truck for Public Works. The Daimler vehicle is being purchased for $206,335.

A 14-item consent agenda was unanimously approved. These items include confirming the cost of an abatement action on Gates Street ($4,000), imposing weed liens at sites on 21st Avenue, 24th Avenue, Church Street, 31st Street, 33rd Street, and 55th Street, accepting some dedicated land on 33rd Street (right of way for the Chick-fil-A project), and permission to consume alcohol at some upcoming events at the Community Center or Lakeview Cabin.

Former Valley Parks & Recreation Director Laurie Blount was there to thank the mayor and council for allowing her to work for the city for the past 15 years. “I want to thank you for the support that was given me in my time here,” Blount said. “I enjoyed my years with Valley Parks and Recreation, and I am pleased you all have hired a really good person to succeed me.”

Blount received a round of applause from the mayor, council members and guests present at the meeting. “It’s been good having you,” said Mayor Riley. “We appreciate the work you did. We will miss you.”

Each member of the council had good things to say about the job she did.

Her successor, Jon Neal, has been very busy. He told the council that his department has been cutting some brush around the Community Center and Sportsplex areas and will soon continue along Ram Stadium Drive. More than 50 trees and 20 bushes were trimmed.

City hall will be closed on Friday, July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. The city will have its annual Fourth of July fireworks show near the Sportsplex at around 9:45 p.m. EDT on July 4.

The next council meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 14.

Both June meetings took place in the Bobby Crowder Room at the Community Center. This was done due to the lack of air conditioning in the council chamber.

Planning & Development Director Reid Riley informed the council that work has begun on installing a new HVAC system at City Hall and should be completed in time for the next council meeting.