Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - January 7, 2025

The Birmingham City Council met on January 7, 2025, 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 opened with an invocation and pledge of allegiance, followed by announcements from Mayor Randall Woodfin regarding the upcoming State of the Community address (January 14), warming stations for sub-freezing temperatures, new household garbage pickup schedules, a food truck town hall (January 16), and a detailed report from the Birmingham Crime Commission on reducing gun violence. The council approved a consent agenda containing numerous routine items and held public hearings on zoning changes, a liquor license transfer, a dance permit, and a right-of-way vacation. A public speaker addressed the council regarding crime prevention.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution authorizing settlement of Samantha Hardin and Moneka Chante Moore v. City of Birmingham for up to $750,000.
• Amendment to remove property at 3457 31st Place North from a weed abatement assessment due to owner-provided documentation.
• Acceptance of bids for toner cartridges, narcotics tracking system, office furniture, refuse trucks, radio equipment, GPS subscriptions, and other goods and services.
• Declaration of 99 properties as public nuisances due to noxious weeds, with a public hearing set for February 11, 2025.
• Authorization of abatement and liens for properties previously declared nuisances where weeds have been removed.
• Issuance of a condemnation repair permit to Carissa Neal for 847 Hillcrest Road (approved after removal from consent by Councilmember Woods).
• Acceptance of a $2,594,461.17 bid from South Dade Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (dba SDAC) for 25th Street North Infrastructure Improvements (The Star Development).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Banks (815 5th Place West, 35204) criticized the composition of the Birmingham Crime Commission, stating the panel lacked individuals with street-level experience or who had been incarcerated and reformed. He urged the council to include diverse voices from the community to effectively address gun violence.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Change – 2510 & 2530 Balco Road (Case No. ZAC2024-00001): An ordinance rezoning from D-3 (Single Family) to QI-1 (Qualified Light Manufacturing) was adopted unanimously (9-0). The property will be used as a contractor’s yard for landscaping materials and equipment. The Liberty Highlands Neighborhood Association supported the request (3-0). The only condition requires combining the two lots into one.
• Zoning Change – 1000 Avenue W (Case No. ZAC2024-00008): An ordinance rezoning from R-3 (Single Family) to QD-4 (Qualified Medium Density Residential) was adopted unanimously (9-0). The applicant plans a communal living facility for veterans with up to eight beds and 24-hour staff. The South Pratt Neighborhood Association supported the request (9-0). Conditions include approval via the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a communal living facility and parking in front yard, plus low-impact development and bicycle parking.
• Liquor License Transfer – The G Spot (Item 3): A resolution recommending approval of a Lounge Retail Liquor Class I License transfer to AG. JW., LLC for 3912 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North was adopted (8-0, with Councilmember Abbott abstaining). The applicant updated the safety plan to include the food truck and lighting.
• Division II Dance Permit – The G Spot (Item 4): Originally set for hearing, this item was deferred for four weeks (to February 4, 2025) after discussion revealed the need for an updated safety plan addressing the second floor, VIP section, human trafficking prevention, and coordination with the Real-Time Crime Center. The motion for deferral passed by voice vote.
• Right-of-Way Vacation – Evans Meat, LLC (Item 5): A resolution assenting to the vacation of 70,400 square feet of right-of-way (6th Avenue North and 29th Street North) for property at 509 and 601 28th Street North and 2800/2828 Messer-Airport Highway was adopted unanimously (9-0). The vacation allows Evans Meat to consolidate property for a new distribution facility, retaining 139 employees and adding 20 new jobs.
• Waiver of Right-of-Way Vacation Fee (Item 6): A resolution waiving the $105,365.33 fee associated with the vacation was adopted unanimously (9-0), citing positive economic impact under Amendment No. 772.
• Affordable Housing Redevelopment Agreement – Smithfield Phase II (Item 7): An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Smithfield Phase II, LP was adopted unanimously (9-0). The City will convey 5.25 acres near former A.H. Parker High School for $1,000, and the developer will build 151 affordable multi-family units. The project uses a mix of federal funds, a $6 million City gap grant, and a newly created Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit. The council waived first reading by unanimous consent.
• Condemnation Repair Permit – 847 Hillcrest Road (Item 10): A resolution authorizing a first repair permit to Carissa Neal was adopted (8-0). The property was condemned in 2023; the owner must remove weeds and trash within 10 days and make substantial repairs within 30 days or face demolition.
• Public Hearing for Zoning Change – 9186 Parkway East (Item 19): A resolution setting a public hearing for February 4, 2025, to consider rezoning from MU-H (Mixed-Use High) to QC-2 (Qualified General Commercial) was adopted unanimously (9-0). The applicant is Roebuck Outparcel, LLC.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All voting items on the consent agenda, Items 1, 2, 3 (with one abstention), 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 19 were approved with 9-0 votes (except as noted). Item 4 was deferred for four weeks.
• Deferrals: The Division II Dance Permit for The G Spot was deferred to the February 4, 2025, regular meeting.
• Directives: The administration will coordinate with property owners on homeless encampments and address traffic issues on Rugby Avenue, including intersection striping and illegal parking enforcement.
• Next Steps: The council will hold a public hearing on February 4, 2025, for the Parkway East rezoning and the deferred dance permit. The Community Development Committee canceled its January 7 meeting.