Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – October 29, 2024

The Birmingham City Council met on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by J.J. Johnson, Chaplain of the Jefferson County Sheriff Department, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Pro-Tempore Wardine Alexander. Mayor Randall Woodfin and Chief of Staff Cedric Sparks thanked city departments for the successful 83rd Annual Magic City Classic. The Mayor also presented a proclamation declaring October as "Careers in Construction Month." A special presentation was made by the BAPS Swaminarayan community to celebrate the Diwali festival. Council members discussed and voted on several consent and individual agenda items.

Consent Calendar

The Consent Agenda, comprising 56 items (plus one addendum), was approved by an 8-0 vote (Councilmember Williams arrived later). Items included:

• Approval of a Restaurant Retail Liquor License for Carrigan’s (Public House, LLC).
• Declarations of four inoperable motor vehicles as public nuisances.
• Authorization of a right-of-way encroachment for Sloss Family, LTD building renovations.
• Event sponsorship agreements with AHSAA Cheer Competition (up to $15,000) and Alabama State Games (up to $50,000).
• A Project Agreement and forgivable loan up to $400,000 for C & E Groceries to reopen a grocery store in a food desert.
• An agreement with Dr. Chico Tillmon for Community Violence Intervention coaching ($60,000).
• Various ARPA-funded food access initiatives (Fountain Heights Cooperative LLC – Heart of the Farm, Jones Valley Teaching Farm grants, etc. – though items 12, 13, and 14 were removed for separate discussion).
• Infrastructure incentives for Carraway Hospital redevelopment (item 15 removed).
• A revolving line of credit with PNC Bank ($4.5 million for Carraway infrastructure).
• Grant applications for cybersecurity ($1.96 million) and EPA Brownfields ($500,000).
• Demolition orders for 21 unsafe structures.
• Nuisance weed abatement for 127 properties, with a public hearing set for December 3, 2024.
• Bid awards for garbage disposal, demolition, mowing, and various equipment/payments.
• Expense accounts for city officials and employees.

Three items were withdrawn from the Consent Agenda prior to the vote: the demolition of 2427 20th Ave N (item 29), the demolition of 2928 2nd Pl NW (item 37), and the Regenerate Society Fresh Fare Initiative (originally item 18, later withdrawn from separate discussion). Several items were removed for individual consideration (items 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 22).

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were made during the meeting. One citizen (Jackie Gordon) was signed up to speak but was not present when called.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – Ordinance to Permit Police Escort of Funeral Processions: The ordinance amending Chapter 8, Title 10 of the General Code was introduced and passed unanimously (8-0). Councilmember Abbott asked for clarification; the ordinance allows officers to use their personal vehicles for escorts with blue lights and insurance requirements.
• Item 9 – Public Transportation Services Agreement (BJCTA): The council approved a $14 million agreement for transit services, including fixed route, paratransit, microtransit, and BRT. Councilmember Abbott inquired about the BRT fare policy; BJCTA’s Charlotte Shaw reported that ridership has grown 207% since launch and the service remains complimentary through 2026. Discussion also covered a future mobile app integrating all modes (expected early 2025) and the management of scooters and bikes. The agreement includes a 30-day notice provision for route changes. Vote: 9-0.
• Item 12 – Fountain Heights Cooperative LLC (Heart of the Farm): The $150,000 ARPA-funded project was approved (9-0). Councilmember Tate acknowledged community leader Dominique Jackson, who explained the project creates 10 farm lots, a neighborhood market, and a community kitchen in a food desert. Councilmember Clarke asked about soil testing; Jackson described rigorous third-party testing for contaminants like lead and arsenic. The project aims to provide 25,000 lbs of local food annually and create 9 living-wage jobs.
• Items 13 & 14 – Jones Valley Teaching Farm Grants: Two resolutions were passed for $120,000 (Urban Farmer Grant Program) and $50,000 (Good School Food Education at Barrett and Robinson Elementary schools). Council President O'Quinn abstained on both. Vote: 8-0, with 1 abstention.
• Item 15 – Second Amended Redevelopment Agreement for Carraway Hospital Campus: The council approved an updated agreement with Northside Redevelopment, LLC for a $340 million mixed-use development. The City will provide up to $4.5 million in public infrastructure (sidewalks, lighting, street paving) on public rights-of-way, plus previously committed incentives totaling $12.35 million. Councilmember Abbott clarified the work is on public property. Councilmember Williams asked about the budget; Mayor Woodfin stated the infrastructure package is separate from the annual street paving budget and that a budget presentation is expected before or after Thanksgiving. Councilmember Clarke abstained. Vote: 8-0, 1 abstention.
• Item 18 – Regenerate Society Fresh Fare Initiative: This item was withdrawn after discussion. Councilmember Abbott had removed it from consent for information. The representative from Regenerate Society stated they were withdrawing from the grant. Councilmember Abbott expressed concerns that the proposal closely copied a similar initiative in another district without prior coordination. The item was ultimately withdrawn.
• Item 22 – EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant: A resolution to apply for a $500,000 grant (no match required) was approved (9-0). Chief Planner Tim Gambrel described the grant's purpose: mapping brownfield sites, prioritization, community engagement, and developing a brownfield program. Councilmember Clarke raised issues about contaminated soil from demolition debris and the need for collaboration with other departments and the Regional Planning Commission.

Key Outcomes

• The Consent Agenda was approved en masse (8-0).
• Ordinance 24-90 (funeral procession escorts) adopted (8-0).
• Resolution 1686-24 (BJCTA transit agreement) adopted (9-0).
• Resolution 1727-24 (Fountain Heights Cooperative Heart of the Farm) adopted (9-0).
• Resolutions 1728-24 and 1729-24 (Jones Valley Teaching Farm grants) adopted (8-0, O'Quinn abstained).
• Resolution 1730-24 (Carraway redevelopment agreement) adopted (8-0, Clarke abstained).
• Resolution 1731-24 (EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant) adopted (9-0).
• Item 18 (Regenerate Society) was withdrawn.
• The meeting adjourned at 11:04 a.m.