Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - January 21, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on January 21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting included the approval of minutes, several proclamations, presentations on entrepreneurship and workforce development, and the adoption of a consent agenda containing numerous routine items. Notable actions included approval of a $600,000 incentive for a DG Market grocery store, a $1,977,500 workforce development amendment, and the referral of a park board appointment to committee. Public speakers addressed spiritual renewal and gun violence. The meeting adjourned at 11:11 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes for October 1, 8, and 15, 2024.
• Approved all consent agenda items (Items 1-32) except Items 11 and 13, which were removed for separate consideration, and Item 19, which was withdrawn and referred to committee.
• Approved alcoholic beverage licenses for six establishments (Items 1-6): Gasboy Food Mart, 6th Avenue Meat & Grocery, TA Express Birmingham, Dobber’s 5 Points Pub, 12TWENTY5, and Sauce & Suds.
• Approved budget amendments (Items 7-9): $70,521 for HIDTA Grant, $332,703 for 2024 JAG, and $55,000 for Arlington House.
• Approved contracts and expenditures (Items 10, 12, 14-18, 20-30): including SeeClickFix software ($173,282.90), Evidence IQ ballistics system ($69,997), neighborhood signs and banners, employee awards program (not to exceed $20,000), jail freezer rebuild ($36,156), records storage, mowing services, vehicle repairs, and employee expense accounts.
• Declared 146 properties as public nuisances due to noxious weeds (Items 31-32), with a public hearing set for February 25, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shelby Jeffries (88 Trafalgar Square) quoted Martin Luther King Jr. and called for collective repentance and prayer to address root causes of societal issues like racism, drug abuse, and gun violence.
• Eric Wynn (Gate City) apologized to the Mayor and Council for past behavior, highlighted three mass shooting incidents in 2024 (including one with four deaths and 17 injured), and alleged that music and systems controlled by the U.S. government condition Black youth toward gun violence. He urged the Council to address these root causes.

Discussion Items

• Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation: Mayor Woodfin proclaimed January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Speakers included John Stone (Children’s Aid Society), Constable DeLoach (personal story of her daughter’s trafficking), and Councilmembers Smitherman, Abbott, and Moore discussed community education, short-term rentals, and monitoring online platforms.
• Police Recruitment Update: Mayor Woodfin reported 111 applicants since November 16, 2024, with 52 candidates being vetted for the March 25, 2025 police academy class. Current recruits and recent graduates were noted. Councilmember Moore asked about support for those who failed agility tests; officials mentioned free remedial training.
• Entrepreneurship Presentations: Dr. Patrick Murphy (UAB) presented the Entrepreneur Lab with CARA, noting 80% of new jobs come from the entrepreneurial sector, and the program raised nearly $7 million. Danielle Hines and Hallie Chambers (Creed63) presented the PACE program, funded by a $250,000 Prosper grant, providing 16-week training for small business owners; second cohort begins February 25, 2025, applications due February 11.
• Item 11 - DG Market Incentive: Cornell Wesley (Director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity) presented a $600,000 incentive for DG Market to occupy the former Save-A-Lot at 833 Dennison Ave SW. Red Rock Realty reps described the abrupt vacancy and the landlord’s investments. Councilmembers expressed support; noted this would be the first DG Fresh Market in Birmingham, creating 25-35 jobs, with funding from a $2 million grocery recruitment fund.
• Item 13 - Good Jobs Challenge Amendment: Authorized an amendment to provide up to $1,977,500 to the Women’s Foundation of Alabama for workforce development, funded by a federal grant, with a term ending September 30, 2025.
• Item 19 - Park Board Appointments: Referred to the Community Development Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda (all items except 11, 13, 19) by unanimous voice vote.
• Approved Item 11 (DG Market incentive) by unanimous voice vote.
• Approved Item 13 (Good Jobs Challenge amendment) by unanimous voice vote.
• Referred Item 19 (Park Board appointments) to the Community Development Committee.
• Announcements included neighborhood meetings, committee meetings, and the inaugural Momentum Symposium by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra on February 7, 2025.
• Adjourned at 11:11 a.m.