The Birmingham City Council met on November 19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, following a pre-council meeting that was canceled due to lack of a quorum. The meeting was called to order with an invocation by Major Robert Lyle of The Salvation Army and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Valerie Abbott. Mayor Randall Woodfin presented announcements on the Safe Haven program and the city’s holiday tree lighting. The Council adopted a large consent agenda with several modifications, approved two removed items after discussion, set public hearings for two zoning changes, confirmed appointments to boards, and entered an executive session. The meeting adjourned at 11:14 a.m. (Councilmember Clarke was absent; all votes were 8-0 unless noted).
Good morning, Birmingham. This is the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. Today is Tuesday, November 19th. This morning, our invitation will be delivered by Major Robert Lyle of the Greater Birmingham area. He's the Greater Birmingham Area Commander for the Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham. And our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Valerie Abbott. If you're willing and able, please stand. Good morning, let us pray. Father, it's not in the elephant or the donkey, but it's in the lamb that I present this prayer. I pray, Lord, that we will continue to be the vessels that you would use to change this wonderful community. Father, we thank you for every man and woman that's in this room, everyone that's holding a post of leadership. We pray for an anointing upon them, Father, because we live in one of the greatest cities. We serve some of the greatest people, and there's one of the greatest needs that is here. So, Father, teach each of us to be good stewards of the time and the positions that you place us. Lord, we pray from the mayor through the city council. We thank you, Lord, for the uh law enforcement, the fire department, the medical technology that we have in this great city. Father, we pray for the schools. We pray for the teachers who are underserved quite often and underappreciated. Father, we thank you for those teachers who will go in and take on a classroom where there's not much respect. Because Father, they know that there could be one diamond in the rough that's in that class. So, Father, we thank you for all that we have. We thank you for this great country that we live in. We thank you for the freedoms that we have for every veteran who has served and is even now serving, Father. We thank you for that. We thank you, Lord, that at the end of this day we will know that you've given us these 24 hours to be the best we can for your glory. So, Father, your psalmist declares that it's better as one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. And Father, we also know that from your word we find this, that the words of your mouth, our mouth, and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, you are our strength and our redeemer. Amen. Through the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Councilmember Abbott. Councilmember Clark. Councilmember Moore. Good morning. Councilmember Smithman. Good morning. Good morning. Councilmember Tate. Councilmember Williams. Good morning. Good morning. Councilmember Woodson. Good morning. Council President Pokemon Alexander. Good morning, President. Good morning. Council President O'Quinn. Good morning. Council, the minutes for the September 3rd, 2024 through November 12th, 2024 meetings are not ready. This time we'll have communications from Mayor Woodfin. It's good to see everybody.