Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2025

The Birmingham City Council met on January 28, 2025, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent items, a public hearing on a right-of-way vacation, multiple resolutions and ordinances, and public comments on city governance and rental housing conditions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 37 consent items, including resolutions to abate inoperable motor vehicles, accept state grants for the Police Athletics Youth Program ($50,000), Birmingham Rapid Transit System ($200,000), and City Walk Maintenance ($250,000), a right-of-way encroachment license for Innovate Alabama, relocation payments, legal settlements, procurement contracts, and expense accounts. Items 15 and 20 were removed from consent for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Douglas Young (517 24th Street Ensley) announced he had filed a complaint against the city and numerous officials (Mayor, Council, Police Chief, etc.) alleging breach of trust, maladministration, and civil rights violations. He stated a federal and state civil lawsuit would be filed and called for greater trust and accountability.
• Arlillian Davis (District 7) expressed concerns about property management companies buying homes and renting them without ensuring habitability. She asked the council to consider a city ordinance requiring inspections before renting. Council members acknowledged the issue and cited the Alabama Landlord Tenant Act as a barrier, but committed to exploring options and connecting her with staff.

Discussion Items

• Item 8 (Public Hearing – Right-of-Way Vacation): Resolution to vacate 8,011 square feet of alley right-of-way between 5th and 6th Avenues North for Hallmark ACQ, LLC to consolidate property and build a new Hyundai dealership. The subdivision committee had not recommended approval, but the Community Development Committee forwarded it favorably. The vacation fee was set at $117,796.85. Hallmark representatives (attorney Mike Brown, CFO Donnie Oswald) stated the project would require approximately $15 million in improvements, double sales, and increase current jobs (200-225) by an estimated 5-10 additional salespeople and more service technicians. Council members expressed support for retaining the dealership in the city. The resolution passed unanimously (9-0).
• Item 9: Ordinance approving the sale of Oak Hill Cemetery Lot 0906, spaces 4, 5, and 6 to Sam and Claire Parker for $15,000. Approved unanimously.
• Item 10: Ordinance authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Birmingham Water Works Board for water sampling testing services, not to exceed $89,660 over two years. Approved unanimously.
• Item 15: Resolution to pay $30,450 (agenda amount; transcript stated $30,400) to Caleb Jones for relocation housing due to the Pratt Highway Bridge replacement project. Approved unanimously.
• Item 18: Resolution appointing Ronnie Rice (term to July 2026), Larry Hollman (term to May 2028), and Jason Avery (term to July 2030) to the Public Park and Recreation Board. Approved unanimously.
• Item 20: Resolution accepting the lump sum bid of $1,817,000 from McAbee Construction for Highland Park Pro Shop HVAC replacement. Councilmember Abbott questioned the sole bid and high cost. Capital Projects staff explained only one bid was received due to project complexity, but it was in compliance with state law. The resolution passed unanimously (8-0, with Councilmember Smitherman absent during the vote).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved with items 15 and 20 removed for separate votes.
• Item 8 (alley vacation) approved 9-0, allowing Hallmark to proceed with dealership development.
• Items 9, 10, 15, 18, 20 all approved unanimously.
• Mayor’s announcements included: 74 people attended police testing (record high), 38 advanced to next screening, ~90 total candidates pending background checks; a $5,000 relocation bonus for lateral transfers is active but not yet used; an 8-hour mental wellness day for officers is active; proclamation of January 2025 as National Mentoring Month for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham (CEO Sue Johnson noted possible federal funding cuts threatening half their budget, emphasizing that 92% of mentored children are less likely to be arrested, and the cost of $1,500 per child versus $30,000 per inmate).
• Recognition of schools: Four Birmingham City Schools (Henry J. Oliver, Richard Arrington Jr., Inglenook, I3 Academy) made the state’s top 25 most improved list. Superintendent Dr. Sullivan reported third-grade reading proficiency rose from 53% in 2022-23 to 86% by summer 2024, overall district grade improved from D to 74 (only 7 schools with F), and enrollment saw the largest year-over-year increase in 30 years.
• Council announcements included upcoming neighborhood meetings, committee schedules, and resolutions of sympathy for Alex McAuley and Catherine Kelly Headen.
• Public comments resulted in council direction to follow up with Ms. Davis on rental housing concerns and to explore possible ordinance changes within state law limitations.