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Citing the city’s ongoing housing shortage, the Andalusia City Council addressed two projects, including approving a project that will begin a first phase of housing at the current Packer Field. The second project discussed involved a proposed apartment project to be led by Conecuh Sausage for its employees.

Property developers addressed the council during its work session outlining their plans for a new development on Packer Field, between Packer Avenue and Snowden Drive.

In what was described as a first phase, the council voted in favor of contributing about one-quarter of the land at Packer Field to the developers for the construction of 20 cottage-style rental homes.

The first phase will include 20 cottages, including both two bedroom and three bedroom units. The two bedroom units will be about 1,200 square feet while the three bedroom will be 1,400 to 1,500 square feet.

The estimated investment for the project is $2.7 million. The city also agreed to pay for environmental studies that will be performed.

Representatives involved with the project said additional phases will follow, depending on the success of the first phase.

In separate discussion, the council heard and addressed some concerns that arose within the community after a first reading of a measure to surplus and provide property on Sutton Road, within an industrial park, to Conecuh Sausage for the purpose of construction a two-building, 20-unit apartment complex. Officials said the housing would be used by employees, including trainers leading up to the plant’s opening.

After the first reading at the previous council meeting to declare a specific piece of property surplus, the second reading was not on the past meeting’s agenda. Mayor Pro-Tem Terry Powell said the second reading was not included on the agenda as other properties are now being considered for the project.

Following the first reading, speculation grew — primarily through social media — that the apartments might be used to house illegal immigrant workers.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about the proposed ordinance to surplus this property. As everyone knows, and as discussed here tonight, the city has a housing shortage. Conecuh Sausage is planning to bring 20 of its employees to Andalusia, some of whom will still be staying (in the apartments) during the start-up and training for the plant. This complex will provide these people a place to stay and live while they are training. [Conecuh Sausage] is bringing 110 jobs. They will post job openings just like any other employer in the county. People will apply and will have to meet the same criteria — the state and federal labor laws — as the city, PowerSouth … there will be no special conditions given for anyone they hire. The city cannot dictate to them who they can, or cannot, hire. 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.

In other action:

• the council approved an operating and capital expense budget for Candyland. The operating budget was approved at $84,000. The capital budget, which will be used to replace damaged items and other improvements, was approved at $80,000.
• the council approved an annual agreement with Covington County for housing inmates at the jail.
• the council approved, upon request from the Andalusia Board of Education, to utilize $250,000 from education sales tax funds to reimburse the city for a sidewalk and lighting project around the Andalusia High School campus.

The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, with a work session at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting at 6 p.m.