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Record of Proceedings

Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, October 15, 2024
BodyBirmingham, Alabama
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 15, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:33:50

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:29

Today's a new chapter.

0:30

Right supply and make it in with the wind.

0:32

Keep it all you can.

0:34

First, you gotta rise with the lurk.

0:36

The dirt from your eyes and work on the prize.

0:39

We ain't even trying to lose.

0:40

Let's go, man.

0:41

Don't we get snooze?

0:44

It's time to wake up.

0:46

It's time to wake up.

0:53

Take them off.

0:54

Take that.

0:57

Take the top.

0:58

Take them off.

0:59

Take it.

1:01

Can't wait around for someone to fool.

1:04

Now is the moment to begin your renewable.

1:06

Man, feel alive with the vibe in the eyes of the folks.

1:09

So you come in by the white in your eyes.

1:11

Hey, another day might waste the way.

1:13

Come on, let's get to go and don't make delay.

1:15

So bring me along and lift your own mind like Georgia.

1:18

We can get a piece of the power.

1:20

Begin it with the second.

1:21

You get in and in the second winning like you never did it when you always slept for right this minute.

1:26

Give my winning.

1:27

What's happening?

1:28

It's time to wait up.

1:34

Good morning, Birmingham.

1:36

This is a regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council.

1:39

Today is Tuesday, October 15th.

1:43

This morning, our invitation will be delivered by Pastor Doug Taylor, senior pastor of Rebirth Christian Fellowship.

1:52

And our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Hunter Williams.

1:57

If you're willing and able, please stand.

2:14

Father, we pray today that you'll continue to uh bless uh the city of Birmingham, bless its leaders, bless its residents, Father.

2:22

Bless the mission and the vision.

2:23

We ask today that as uh the city council convenes that you'll be here.

2:28

You said in your work will two or three be gathered together, your name, you be in the midst.

2:32

So thank you for being here.

2:33

And so we just pray today that the ideas, the plans, the strategies that you sent forth, uh that they be met with favor with clarity and wisdom, Father.

2:40

Bless our mayor and uh bless uh his team and bless all of these incredible uh city council leaders, father.

2:47

And we just pray right now that your hand be on our city to bring wholeness, bring peace, bring protection, and bring us into a future that only you can perform in Jesus' name.

2:56

Amen.

3:05

What we just say under God's liberty and justice for all, Mr.

3:19

Clerk.

3:22

Council member Abbott.

3:24

Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Moore.

3:28

Council Member Smithman.

3:30

Good morning, Councilmember Tate.

3:32

Good morning, Councilmember Williams.

3:34

Good morning.

3:34

Good morning, sir.

3:35

Councilmember Woods.

3:36

Morning.

3:37

Council President Protein Alexander.

3:40

Council President O'Quinn.

3:41

Good morning.

3:45

Council, at this time, the minutes for the September 3rd through October 8th, 2024.

3:51

Council meetings are not ready.

3:54

At this time, we'll have communications from Mayor Whip and Good see you here.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety███████████████████████23%
Community Engagement████████████████████20%
Procedural██████████████14%
Business Licensing██████████████14%
Zoning Regulation██████████████14%
Racial Equity█████5%
Transportation Safety███3%
Public Engagement███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - October 15, 2024

The Birmingham City Council convened at 9:30 AM on October 15, 2024, with eight members present (Moore absent) after a pre-council meeting was canceled due to lack of quorum. The meeting featured a crime reduction announcement by Mayor Woodfin, an appeal hearing for a car wash, adoption of a new sign ordinance, and approval of multiple consent and discussion items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 28 consent items, including resolutions for liquor licenses (Avondale Mini Mart, Boutwell Auditorium, Crossplex, East Side Lounge, Hotshot Package Store, Magic City Classic President's Reception), agreements for substance abuse treatment ($250,000 from District #6 discretionary funds), AED equipment ($545,445), Woodlawn community outreach ($25,000), bridge grant application (amended to 5 bridges, $5M request with $1M city match), HVAC supplies, weed abatement (236 and 286 properties), property removal, and various payments for vehicles, furniture, software, and expense accounts.
  • Item 12 (bridge grant) was removed from consent on request by Councilmember Smitherman for discussion; later passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Willie Jenkins, a 1973 Carver High School graduate, urged prayers for recent deaths and announced a funeral for classmate Alberta Wright.
  • Dr. Artis Murphy, 1305 Avenue L, spoke in support of young leadership, emphasizing that city leaders should not bear full responsibility for murders and that spiritual and generational factors are at play.

Discussion Items

  • Appeal of New Car Wash, LLC (Dirty Dog's Car Wash): Martin Emmett, managing member, appealed denial of inspections for a car wash at 100 Resource Center Parkway. He noted that permits were issued in 2023, demolition began December 2023, construction started January 2024, and the project was 85% complete by early October with $5.1M invested. The moratorium (Ordinance 24-15) passed March 5, 2024, but inspections continued until September 2024. Councilmembers expressed that the intent was not to disrupt projects this far along; the appeal was granted unanimously. A report on why inspections were halted was requested.
  • Zoning Ordinance Amendment – Signs (Case ZAC2024-00005): Chief Planner Tim Gambrell presented the ordinance to amend Title 1, Chapter 7 (Signs), expanding provisions for attached signs, monument signs, blade signs, and new sign types (historic, directory, cornice). Clarified definitions for scenic corridors (23 listed) and pole sign prohibitions in areas of special aesthetic concern. The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended approval after detailed review. Councilmember Woods asked about scenic corridor enforcement; staff confirmed pole signs are prohibited. Ordinance passed unanimously.
  • Bridge Grant Resolution (Item 12): Colin Alexander, program manager for Transportation, presented a grant application for $5M to repair/replace 5 bridges: Lawson Road at Five Mile Creek, West Boulevard at First Avenue North, Fifth Avenue North Tunnel, Green Springs Avenue over CSX, and 2nd Avenue North at 6th Street North. Councilmember Clarke inquired about downtown bridge plans; staff noted an analysis is underway. Resolution passed unanimously.
  • East Lake Road Closures (Item 14): Resolution to correct location descriptions of road closures in East Lake for traffic calming under Project Safe Streets. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Appeal Granted: Resolution 1610-24 approved unanimously to allow final inspections, certificate of occupancy, and business license for Dirty Dog's Car Wash at 100 Resource Center Parkway.
  • Sign Ordinance Adopted: Ordinance 24-81 (ZAC2024-00005) passed unanimously, updating sign regulations citywide.
  • Bridge Grant Approved: Resolution 1611-24 authorized applying for USDOT Bridge Investment Program grant ($5M total, $1M city match) for five bridge projects.
  • East Lake Resolution Amended: Resolution 1612-24 corrected road closure descriptions for the November 12, 2024 public hearing.
  • Consent Agenda Adopted: All consent items (resolutions 1585-1609) approved unanimously.
  • Mayor's Announcement: Mayor Woodfin introduced a community-led Advisory Crime Commission co-chaired by Ralph Williams Jr. and Lee Steislinger III, with former Police Chief A.C. Roper as advisor. The commission, funded privately, will deliver an initial report within 60 days.

Meeting Transcript

Today's a new chapter. Right supply and make it in with the wind. Keep it all you can. First, you gotta rise with the lurk. The dirt from your eyes and work on the prize. We ain't even trying to lose. Let's go, man. Don't we get snooze? It's time to wake up. It's time to wake up. Take them off. Take that. Take the top. Take them off. Take it. Can't wait around for someone to fool. Now is the moment to begin your renewable. Man, feel alive with the vibe in the eyes of the folks. So you come in by the white in your eyes. Hey, another day might waste the way. Come on, let's get to go and don't make delay. So bring me along and lift your own mind like Georgia. We can get a piece of the power. Begin it with the second. You get in and in the second winning like you never did it when you always slept for right this minute. Give my winning. What's happening? It's time to wait up. Good morning, Birmingham. This is a regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. Today is Tuesday, October 15th. This morning, our invitation will be delivered by Pastor Doug Taylor, senior pastor of Rebirth Christian Fellowship. And our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Hunter Williams. If you're willing and able, please stand. Father, we pray today that you'll continue to uh bless uh the city of Birmingham, bless its leaders, bless its residents, Father. Bless the mission and the vision. We ask today that as uh the city council convenes that you'll be here. You said in your work will two or three be gathered together, your name, you be in the midst. So thank you for being here. And so we just pray today that the ideas, the plans, the strategies that you sent forth, uh that they be met with favor with clarity and wisdom, Father. Bless our mayor and uh bless uh his team and bless all of these incredible uh city council leaders, father. And we just pray right now that your hand be on our city to bring wholeness, bring peace, bring protection, and bring us into a future that only you can perform in Jesus' name. Amen. What we just say under God's liberty and justice for all, Mr. Clerk. Council member Abbott. Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Moore. Council Member Smithman. Good morning, Councilmember Tate. Good morning, Councilmember Williams.

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