OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - September 17, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, September 17, 2024
BodyBirmingham, Alabama
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:58

Good morning, Birmingham.

1:02

So our intro music this morning is a tribute to Frankie Beverly who passed away last week.

1:11

So we just wanted to recognize and paid tribute to his contributions.

1:29

All right.

1:30

This is the regular meeting of the Council, City Council.

1:35

Today is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

1:40

This morning, our invocation will be delivered by Reverend Dr.

1:44

David Craig, pastor of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Bearfield, Alabama, and our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Carol Clark.

1:55

If you're willing and able, please rise.

2:19

Father, we come now in the name of Jesus.

2:21

We honor you and we praise you for who you are.

2:24

First of all, Lord, I want to thank you for the city of Birmingham.

2:28

Thank you, dear God, for how you bless this city and you continue to bless us.

2:33

Lord, out of all the things that we're going through our eyes are still on you.

2:38

We pray now, Lord, for our deliberations this morning.

2:42

Give our counselors and our mayor wisdom, knowledge, understanding how to make wise decisions for our city.

2:49

Thank you, dear God, for all that you are doing.

2:52

Our future is in your hand, and we trust you with it.

2:56

We ask you to bless us in the name of Jesus I pray.

2:59

Amen.

3:25

Councilmember Abbott.

3:27

Present.

3:28

Councilmember Clark.

3:29

Present.

3:34

Councilmember Tate.

3:36

Councilmember Williams.

3:41

Council President Brooke Alexander.

3:43

Good morning, President.

3:44

Council President O'Quinn.

3:47

Good morning.

3:49

Okay.

3:50

Council, before us, we have the minutes from the August 6th, 2024 and August 13th, 2024 meetings.

4:02

If there are no additions or corrections, we'll entertain a motion to approve those minutes as written.

4:13

All in favor of that saying aye.

4:16

All opposed.

4:49

Literally very brief this morning.

4:57

Today is National Voter Registration Day.

5:01

If you were unaware, today is National Voter Registration Today.

5:06

So with that in mind, there's actual a day block party to acknowledge and honor what today means for our Americans across our country.

5:17

So the Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity has partnered with the Omicron Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

5:26

As well as in partnership with Birmingham Parks and Recreation, as well as Greater Greater Birmingham Ministries and a host of others, organised a host of other organizations for National Voter Registration Day.

5:39

They will be hosting an event at Legion Field today from 6 p.m.

5:44

to 8 p.m.

5:46

They'll be on the 400 Greymont Avenue side.

5:59

And much more.

6:02

Some social activity will include food trucks, games, giveaways, and including special cats.

6:07

So again, I want to encourage residents.

6:10

Whether you are registered to vote, don't know your status as it relates to registration, or need to restore your rights.

6:18

We want you to attend tonight's event at Legion Field.

6:21

Again, that address is 400 Greymont Avenue.

6:27

As a reminder, recycling pickup takes place the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

6:33

That means there will be no pickup on tomorrow, September 18th.

6:37

And for more information, you can go to Birmingham AL.gov slash recycle.

6:46

PagePows.

6:48

Let me start with thanking you for your continued support of Page Bows over the last few years.

6:55

We are excited to continue continually publicly praise the school system, the board, the superintendent, the principals, but a major special thank you to two groups.

7:09

That is our third grade teacherslash parents, as well as our volunteers, because our reading scores went from for third graders 50, I forgot the actual number, 50 something percent to the 80 plus percentile.

7:24

That is a major massive improvement over one year's time.

7:29

And we want to thank all our PageFAS volunteers for everything they did and lending a hand in an effort last year to support our third graders.

7:38

With that in mind, the city of Birmingham is once again teaming up with Birmingham City Schools and the community with a shared goal, and that is to enhance student reading skills.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Community Engagement██████████████████18%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Mental Health Awareness████████8%
Education██████6%
Public Works█████5%
Gun Control███3%
Affordable Housing███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - September 17, 2024

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The pre-council meeting scheduled for 9:00 a.m. was not held due to lack of a quorum. The regular meeting was called to order with invocation by Rev. Dr. David W. Craig and Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Carol E. Clarke. Councilors Tate and Woods were absent; Councilor Moore and Williams arrived later. The meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 1-18, 35-36, 39-42, 43-50, 53-92, 93 (as amended), 94, 96, 98-102, 105: Approved by one motion. These included routine approvals such as liquor licenses, transportation permits, nuisance abatement, grants, agreements, and assessments. Councilor Moore removed Item 39 (AG Gaston Boys & Girls Club agreement) for separate discussion. Councilor Williams removed Items 36 (BJA Byrne grant for Real Time Crime Center) and 40 (Birmingham Bowl agreement). Councilor Abbott removed Items 95 (Linn Park masonry repairs) and 97 (IBM mainframe repair). Item 44 (Swarco McCain software maintenance) was also removed for discussion but remained on consent after clarification. Item 93 (amendment to Legion Field seating contract) was removed for explanation.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Nadia Johnson and Shandra Cook (Black Women's Mental Health Institute): Reported that since its founding, the organization has provided over 3,000 hours of free mental health counseling across Alabama, reaching more than 50% of the state's counties. They thanked Councilors Smitherman and Tate for district funding. They highlighted September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and noted the recent suicides of two Birmingham teenagers (one on August 27, 2024, and another on September 16, 2024). They invited council to a photo exhibit at Canary Gallery on September 27, 2024.
  • Pastor Will: Announced upcoming events and requested prayers for church members. He also noted his 70th birthday and his role as Santa Claus.

Discussion Items

  • Item 36 (BJA Byrne Grant - Real Time Crime Center): Ordinance to appropriate $4,200,000 from BJA-Byrne Discretionary Grants to Police for the Real Time Crime Center. Councilor Williams thanked federal partners, especially Senator Britt, for securing the grant. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 37 (Graymont School Ground Lease): Ordinance to amend a ground lease for the former Graymont School property to create 101 affordable senior housing units and an early learning center. The lease term was extended from 30 to 75 years, and the lessee changed. Councilor O'Quinn voted no, preventing unanimous consent on first reading. The item was held over to the next regular meeting on September 24, 2024.
  • Item 38 (ALEA Drug Enforcement Task Force Agreement): Ordinance authorizing the Chief of Police to enter a one-year agreement with ALEA for participation in the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force (ADETF) and receipt of forfeited funds. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 39 (AG Gaston Boys & Girls Club): Resolution to provide $50,000 over one year for educational enrichment services for youth ages 12-18, using ARPA District 1 funds. Councilor Moore abstained; approved with 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention.
  • Item 40 (Birmingham Bowl): Resolution to authorize incentives not to exceed $250,000 plus in-kind services for ESPN to host the Birmingham Bowl. Councilor Williams moved to refer the item to the Economic Development and Tourism Committee; motion passed.
  • Item 44 (Swarco McCain Software Maintenance): Resolution for $44,850 over three years for software maintenance for up to 803 traffic signal controllers. Discussion included the loss of connectivity to many signals and estimated $60-100 million to rebuild the system. Mayor noted a $5 million grant application is pending. Approved.
  • Item 51 (Planning Commission Appointment): Resolution appointing Bryan King to the Birmingham Planning Commission to fill an unexpired term expiring October 6, 2028. Approved.
  • Item 52 (Zoning Board of Adjustment Appointment): Resolution appointing LaDara S. Lee as a supernumerary member for a term expiring November 25, 2028. Approved.
  • Item 93 (Legion Field Seating Contract Amendment): Resolution amending previous contract to correct vendor name to D12 Consulting, LLC for $204,244.44 for equipment and installation services at Legion Field. Approved.
  • Item 95 (Linn Park Masonry Repairs): Resolution accepting the sole proposal from VADD, Inc. ($67,818.91) for masonry repairs at Linn Park. Councilor Abbott questioned why only one bid was received; the city explained the work is specialized. Approved.
  • Item 97 (IBM Mainframe Repair): Resolution for $9,647 to repair the mainframe to extract remaining data before decommissioning. Councilor Abbott expressed frustration over delays. Approved.
  • Item 103 (Sign Ordinance Amendment): Resolution setting a public hearing on October 15, 2024, to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 7: Signs). Approved.
  • Item 104 (Museum of Art Board Appointments): Resolution confirming seven appointments to the Birmingham Museum of Art Board for various terms. Approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Budget Items Withdrawn: Items 19-34 (various fund budgets for FY 2024-2025) were withdrawn by the administration.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (all items not removed).
  • Item 37 Held Over: Due to lack of unanimous consent (Councilor O'Quinn voted no), the Graymont School lease ordinance will be considered again on September 24, 2024.
  • Item 40 Referred: Birmingham Bowl agreement sent to Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
  • Voter Registration Day: Mayor announced that September 17, 2024, is National Voter Registration Day, with an event at Legion Field from 6-8 p.m.
  • Teen Suicide Awareness: Mayor and Council discussed recent suicides of two Birmingham teenagers (ages 14-15) involving firearms, emphasizing mental health and safe gun storage.
  • Page Pals Program: Returned on September 16, 2024; aims to improve third-grade reading scores (33% increase last year). Sign-ups available at bhamyouthfirst.org.
  • Recycling Pickup: No pickup on September 18, 2024; occurs first and third Wednesdays.
  • Public Comments: Black Women's Mental Health Institute reported providing 3,000+ free counseling hours and highlighted suicide prevention resources.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, Birmingham. So our intro music this morning is a tribute to Frankie Beverly who passed away last week. So we just wanted to recognize and paid tribute to his contributions. All right. This is the regular meeting of the Council, City Council. Today is Tuesday, September 17, 2024. This morning, our invocation will be delivered by Reverend Dr. David Craig, pastor of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Bearfield, Alabama, and our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Carol Clark. If you're willing and able, please rise. Father, we come now in the name of Jesus. We honor you and we praise you for who you are. First of all, Lord, I want to thank you for the city of Birmingham. Thank you, dear God, for how you bless this city and you continue to bless us. Lord, out of all the things that we're going through our eyes are still on you. We pray now, Lord, for our deliberations this morning. Give our counselors and our mayor wisdom, knowledge, understanding how to make wise decisions for our city. Thank you, dear God, for all that you are doing. Our future is in your hand, and we trust you with it. We ask you to bless us in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Councilmember Abbott. Present. Councilmember Clark. Present. Councilmember Tate. Councilmember Williams. Council President Brooke Alexander. Good morning, President. Council President O'Quinn. Good morning. Okay. Council, before us, we have the minutes from the August 6th, 2024 and August 13th, 2024 meetings. If there are no additions or corrections, we'll entertain a motion to approve those minutes as written. All in favor of that saying aye. All opposed. Literally very brief this morning. Today is National Voter Registration Day. If you were unaware, today is National Voter Registration Today. So with that in mind, there's actual a day block party to acknowledge and honor what today means for our Americans across our country. So the Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity has partnered with the Omicron Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. As well as in partnership with Birmingham Parks and Recreation, as well as Greater Greater Birmingham Ministries and a host of others, organised a host of other organizations for National Voter Registration Day. They will be hosting an event at Legion Field today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. They'll be on the 400 Greymont Avenue side. And much more. Some social activity will include food trucks, games, giveaways, and including special cats. So again, I want to encourage residents. Whether you are registered to vote, don't know your status as it relates to registration, or need to restore your rights. We want you to attend tonight's event at Legion Field. Again, that address is 400 Greymont Avenue.

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