Valley City Council discusses sign ordinance concerns
BY JOHN BRICE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — Valley resident Travanique Sellars addressed the Valley City Council at its meeting on Monday, April 13, in regards to a business sign being removed from her property without notice by the city.
“I had a business sign placed in my yard,” she said. “I looked at my ring camera. It showed that the city of Valley picked it up. I don’t know what the ordinance is about the signs, I am not trying to change the ordinance. The fact that I had no notice that I violated, I should have gotten a notice on my door. If I had a junk car in my yard you would put a notice on my door. If I moved and I didn’t have a trash can you would put a notice on my door. So I had a sign in my yard, why not put a notice and give me a certain amount of time to get it before you just take it out of my yard? And then when I call about it you get an attitude about my sign.”
Sellars went on to clarify where she feels the city failed her as a citizen in their enforcement of the ordinance.
“I just feel like something needs to be put into place where you give me an opportunity to correct my wrong,” she said. “Because I don’t work for the city. I don’t know the ordinance, just let me know when I am wrong. The fact that I wasn’t notified and then the way I was talked to about it. That was totally disrespectful.”
Council Member for District 1 Jim Clark commented on the concerns raised by Sellars.
“This lady lives in my district and she has been a good citizen for the whole time she has lived there,” he said. “I have worked with her on several problems that she has had with neighbors, trash and what have you. She complimented Reid on the conversation she had with him about how polite he was but maybe not so much everybody else. This is not the first time we have had an issue about signs disappearing. I understand what she is saying. She would just like some notice, and I don’t see why we can’t do that.”
Planning and Development Director Reid Riley provided context on the matter in his own remarks.
“The planning commission has been reviewing the sign ordinance on making some changes,” he said. “At this current moment, if it is out by the road on a right of way, we do not have to give any notice. There are some signs that can be placed at a home, but you have to have a home occupancy license to do so.”
Later in the meeting, Clark read a proclamation to declare April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
“This proclamation concerns Sexual Assault Awareness Month for April 2026,” he said. “Whereas April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is time to honor 25 years of progress and recommit to creating safer communities for all. This year’s theme is 25 years strong, looking back and moving forward. It celebrates the resilience of survivors.”
Rape Counselors of East Alabama Executive Director Vickie Dearing joined Clark by expressing her appreciation for the city and the support they have provided regarding awareness efforts in this matter.
“This sends a powerful message to survivors in your community,” she said. “You guys allow us to come into Valley events but also into your school system to provide a lot of information to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. We just appreciate your support in allowing us to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”
In other business
• Council Member for District 3 Randall Maddux was joined by Police Chief Stacy Shirey for a proclamation of Hike-Bike-Run Week for Valley Haven School this April 26 through May 2.
• Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carrie Wood briefed the council on her organization’s recent efforts and upcoming events that they are working on.
• The Valley Local Director Sara Crutchfield briefed the council with a progress report on her Valley Fest event scheduled for next month.
