Andy Koehler, a downtown business owner who identified himself during public comment, told the Anniston City Council on Oct. 21 that he has been the target of repeated harassment from another downtown property owner, named in his remarks as Justin Hall.

Koehler said the most recent incident occurred on Sept. 23 at approximately 10:43 p.m., when someone he alleged to be Hall sprayed a urine-like liquid mixed with a potentially toxic substance on his store's doors and sidewalk. "The police video shows him going back and forth to his building over to mine twice, carrying a cup filled with the toxic matter that he threw on my doors," Koehler said. Koehler told the council a police report was filed and that a magistrate denied an arrest warrant because "there was no actual damage to our building," and that his business lost income because the opening was delayed to protect customers.

Koehler said the harassment included false social-media accusations and prior incidents of threats and harassment toward staff; he said one prior arrest and conviction for harassment related to a separate incident were matters of public record. He urged the council to take some action, saying it would be "appropriate at the very least to issue a final warning of some kind with the ultimate result being the revocation of his business license if he engages in any further harassment or vandalism of any kind." Koehler said merchants have "the right to operate our businesses in peace and safety."

Mayor Smith acknowledged Koehler's right to be heard and told him the council could not resolve the matter immediately in the meeting; the mayor asked Koehler to remain after the meeting to speak with the city attorney and the city manager. The minutes show no formal council action arising from the public comment during the Oct. 21 meeting.

The speaker identified himself as Andy Koehler at the start of his remarks; the meeting minutes and transcript show an inconsistent reference to his name later in the session. The council did not record a formal finding, and no motion or referral related to the allegations appears in the meeting excerpt.