Discussion focused primarily on the 400, 500 and 600 blocks of Main Street. Board members did not direct Planning and Zoning to recommend that rentals be allowed throughout the larger C2A commercial zoning district. 

Aldermen discussed the distinction between traditional bed-and-breakfasts, which generally have an owner or manager on site, and short-term rentals operated without an on-site resident or manager. 

Some board members raised concerns about the effect of owner-absent rentals on residential neighborhoods, parking, fire safety and enforcement. Others pointed to the potential economic benefit of providing more overnight accommodations downtown, where guests could patronize local restaurants, shops and other businesses. 

The vote did not authorize additional short-term rentals or change the city’s current ordinances. Planning and Zoning must return its recommendations to the Board of Aldermen, which would consider any proposed ordinance changes at a future meeting. 

In other business, aldermen approved three water plant projects totaling $167,491.50. The projects will be paid for through water improvement funds. 

The board accepted a $77,532.75 bid from Carbon Enterprise Inc. to remove and replace filter media in filters three and four. 

Aldermen also accepted a $50,800 proposal from Brockley Well & Pump Inc. for work on wells one and three. City officials said the accompanying agreement would be corrected because it mistakenly referenced well two. 

A $39,158.75 bid from Shane Newland Repair LLC was accepted for upgrades to the water plant’s chlorine room. Each bid was approved subject to the associated contract, and aldermen later passed the bills authorizing the agreements. 

The board took a different approach to proposed laboratory upgrades after neither submission complied fully with the city’s bidding requirements. Both companies failed to use the required city bid form, and one submission was received 24 hours after the deadline. 

Aldermen voted 3-1 to advertise the laboratory project again and extend the bidding period. Alderman Joyce Burch cast the dissenting vote. Revised bids are due at City Hall by 3 p.m. Aug. 21. Consideration of the related contract was postponed until Aug. 31.

The board also unanimously approved O’Malley’s request to host Friday movie nights in its new amphitheater from Sept. 4 through Oct. 30. 

Alcohol may be delivered to moviegoers under the exception provided in Section 600.160 of the city code. Beverages must remain unopened during delivery, and recipients must be checked to ensure they are at least 21 and not intoxicated. 

Aldermen adopted Resolution 2026-012, updating holiday, overnight, on-call and call-in compensation for city employees. 

Under the revised policy, part-time employees working an approved holiday will receive double pay. Full-time employees will receive time-and-a-half for hours worked in addition to eight hours of holiday pay.

The policy also establishes additional compensation for qualifying overnight work, on-call assignments and unscheduled call-ins. Employees called in for unscheduled work will receive a minimum of two hours at time-and-a-half. The changes took effect immediately. 

Proposed sick leave revisions were postponed until a future meeting. A separate pay resolution covering new employees and position changes was approved 4-0. 

The board also passed an ordinance authorizing a master services agreement with Atlas Land Consulting. The agreement will allow the city to request surveying, engineering, planning and construction-related services through individual task orders. 

The agreement does not require the city to use the firm or automatically approve the cost of future projects. The board also approved its consent agenda 4-0.