Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – December 3, 2024
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Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – December 3, 2024
The Birmingham City Council met on December 3, 2024, at 9:30 AM in City Hall. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda covering numerous routine items, passage of a new mobile food vendor ordinance, and adoption of several resolutions for school funding, infrastructure, and property demolition. A resolution of sympathy was adopted for community leader Alonzo Darrow. Presentations were made by the Mayor and a Sister Cities delegation.
Consent Calendar
- Approved a consent agenda comprising 48 items (Resolution Nos. 1815-24 through 1860-24), including: approval of lounge liquor licenses for Sidebar, Climaxx, RK Spirits, Lag’s Eatery, and ShangriLa; an operating authority permit for Quality Care Transport; abatement of nuisances on 127 properties; funding agreements with Childcare Resources ($4,000) and Mainline Information Systems ($1,329,334) for mainframe services; a contract with TSW ($115,000) for a transit-oriented station plan in Huffman; demolition orders for 20 structures; an emergency contract with B&B Roofing ($159,500) for Museum of Art repairs; drainage improvement contracts with Southeastern Sealcoating (Garrison Ave $331,327.70 and Hooper City Phase V $1,367,055.80); and various equipment purchases and expense approvals. (Vote: 7-0)
Presentations
- Mayor Randall Woodfin announced changes to trash pickup due to the holiday, a new non-emergency notification system (text BMReady to 38276), and upcoming community events (World AIDS Day, Holiday Harmony at A.G. Gaston Motel, Tree Lighting and Block Party).
- A delegation from Birmingham Sister Cities reported on a recent trip to Wales, highlighting cultural and economic exchanges. Lisa McNair shared personal reflections on the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing anniversary.
- Councilor Woods introduced a seventh-grade government class from Huffman Middle School.
Discussion Items
- Item 10 – Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance (Second Reading): The Council adopted Ordinance 24-98, replacing the previous mobile food vendor regulations. Key changes include: streamlined permit process (48-hour turnaround via BDOT), elimination of designated spaces in favor of metered right-of-way parking, requirement for a fire inspection before permit issuance, reduced permit fee ($200), and addition of provisions for alcohol sales in entertainment districts. Staff from BDOT and the City Attorney’s office explained the overhaul. The ordinance was approved 7-0.
- Item 11 – Agreement with Birmingham Board of Education: Councilor Abbott corrected dollar amounts: Glen Iris Elementary ($2,666), Avondale Elementary ($2,666), Epic Elementary ($2,166 plus $500 for band supplies), total $7,998. Approved 7-0.
- Item 2 – Café IZ Special Events License: Approved for ArtBlink Gala 2025, February 1, 2025, at 2000 6th Avenue South. (Vote: 7-0)
- Item 1 – PRVLGE Liquor License: Deferred to December 10, 2024, at the applicant’s request.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted consent agenda (Resolutions 1815-24 through 1860-24) by a 7-0 vote.
- Approved Ordinance 24-98, replacing mobile food vendor regulations (effective after publication, with permits expiring December 31, 2024, and new process starting January 2, 2025).
- Adopted Resolution 1861-24 approving the Café IZ special events license (7-0).
- Adopted Resolution 1862-24 authorizing school funding agreement with Birmingham Board of Education (7-0).
- Adopted Resolution 1863-24 expressing sympathy for Alonzo Darrow by unanimous consent.
- Deferred Item 1 (PRVLGE liquor license) to December 10, 2024.
- Approved corrections to Item 11 dollar amounts.
- Withdrew Items 14 (Sixteenth Street Baptist Church visitor center) and 16 (demolition at 2909 25th St N) from the agenda.
Note: The pre-council meeting at 9:00 AM was canceled due to lack of a quorum.
Meeting Transcript
Well, Santa, don't you take too long. Sliping a familiar song. Oh, I can't wait for Christmas Eve. When under need my Christmas Gres and Draft and Ribbons from me. So many kiss mask and deletes. I hear Santa Claus. Good morning, Birmingham. This is the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. This morning our invoced by Pastor Rick Owens of Broad Street Missionary Baptist Church. And our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor J.T. Moore if he's available. If you're willing and able, please stand. Good morning to everyone. Let us pray. Eternal and all wise God of the Creator and the Sustainer of all things in heaven and earth. We come now, Father, before your presence with Thanksgiving. Indeed, Lord, we invoke your presence today as you are the chief presider of all things in heaven and earth. We seek now, Father, your grace and your providential will today as these city leaders prepare now to go about the discussions and the governance of city business. We pray now, Lord, for each and every council member and each and every district that's represented here today, Father. We pray now, Father, for every uh associate and every assistant and every ancillary worker, Lord, that has a hand and making this engine go. We ask a prayer now, Lord, even for uh the chief executive of this city, the mayor's office, and all of his associates and all of the ancillary personnel that makes that office go. Lord God, we ask you now to be able to uh make the rough places smooth here today and make the crooked places straight, Father. For we realize, Lord, that we are just stewards over these your resources because your word declares that all of it belongs to you anyway, that the earth belongs to you, that the resources belong to you, and we're just humble instruments, Lord, and we're just stewards that you place, Lord, over the affairs of uh your your earth and this world. Now, Father, we ask you in the blessed name of Jesus, Lord, that you let these words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight. Uh, for it is in the matchless and the unparalleled name of Jesus the Christ that we do pray and counsel can you say amen. God bless you. Thank you. Uh Ms. Clerk, could we please call the roll? Yes, sir. Uh, Councilor Member Abbott. Councilmember Clark. Councilmember Moore. Good morning. Good morning, sir. Councilmember Smithlerman. Councilmember Tate. Morning. Councilmember Williams. Councilmember Woods. Morning. Council President Pro Tim Alexander. Good morning, President. Council President O'Quinn. President, thank you. Council, the minutes are not ready for the October 1st, 2024 through November 26th, 2024 meetings. This time we'll have communications from Mayor Woodman. Good morning, Mr. President. Good morning to the entire council.
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