Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - February 4, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on February 4, 2025, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, approval of a consent agenda with numerous routine items, discussion and votes on several significant items including zoning changes, right-of-way vacations, homeless services contracts, and a carbon reduction grant. The council also recognized the retirement of longtime community leader Jimmy Coleman.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from October 22 and 29, 2024.
• Approved items 2 (Burningtree BBQ liquor license), 3 (Good Good BHM limousine permit), and consent items 6-12, 16-21, 23-52, 54-66, 68-79 as read with corrections (e.g., item 11 total changed to $22,300; item 22 withdrawn; item 38 address corrected to 346 9th Street West). All consent items were adopted by a unanimous vote (8-0).

Presentations

• Jimmy Coleman Retirement: Mayor Woodfin and council members presented a proclamation and resolution honoring Jimmy Coleman for his decades of service as president of the Citizens Advisory Board and neighborhood leader. Coleman spoke briefly.
• Holt Foundation: Joseph Holt presented his nonprofit that teaches carpentry and construction skills to at-risk youth, requesting support and a meeting with the mayor. Council members offered connections to organizations like Strive Birmingham and Dunn Construction.
• Blue Rose Foundation: Regina Withersby and Erica Simpson presented their foundation addressing Black maternal health, citing statistics that Black women die three times more often from pregnancy complications and Alabama's infant mortality rate of 7.8 per 1,000 live births (13 per 1,000 for Black infants). They requested community support.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michelle Trachy (4837 Scenic View Drive): Complained about a neighboring property with eight unrelated individuals living in a single-family home, inadequate enforcement by city staff, and lack of response to her 311 complaints (ticket #16568713 since May 2024). She stated the owner was never contacted by the city. Councilor Abbott noted that only three unrelated persons are allowed per single-family zone and asked administration to follow up.
• Willie Jenkins (1105 Southwood Drive): Thanked and congratulated Jimmy Coleman on his retirement.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Zoning Change (Case ZAC2024-00011): Ordinance to rezone 9186 Parkway East from MU-H Mixed-Use High to QC-2 Qualified General Commercial for a Mavis Discount Tire store. Staff report outlined conditions: access easement, low-impact development for excess parking (37 spaces vs. 14 max), and no inoperable vehicles stored over 15 days. The Roebuck Neighborhood Association voted 14-1 in favor. The council approved unanimously.
• Item 4 – Right-of-Way Vacation (Legacy Prep): Resolution to vacate 114,074 sq ft of right-of-way at 2796 South Park Drive for Legacy Prep School to consolidate property. Approved unanimously.
• Item 5 – Waiver of Vacation Fee: Resolution to waive the $87,456.73 right-of-way fee for Legacy Prep due to positive economic impact. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9 – Quitclaim Deed (1508 Chaucer St): Ordinance authorizing sale of city-acquired property to Build Urban Prosperity, Inc. for $6,609.85. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 – Faith Chapel Homeless Services: Resolution for $1,196,510 contract with Faith Chapel Christian Center to provide wraparound services (case management, recovery meetings, day shelter) for up to 15 residents at a micro-shelter site on 2nd Avenue North and 10th Street. Councilor Moore abstained. Approved (7-0-1).
• Item 14 – Urban Alchemy Homeless Services: Resolution for $1,541,293 contract with Urban Alchemy for homeless outreach, care coordinators, support groups, and transportation. The contract includes a $94 per person per night cost. Councilor Williams abstained after questioning funding. Approved (7-0-1). Executive session was held after initial discussion and before final vote.
• Item 15 – Carbon Reduction Grant: Resolution authorizing acceptance of a $1,000,000 federal grant (with $450,000 city match) from ALDOT to upgrade traffic signals. Councilor Abbott questioned overall carbon reduction plan and suggested tree planting as a complement. Approved unanimously.
• Item 53 – HVAC Services Bid: Resolution accepting Trane U.S., Inc. bid for HVAC products and services. Councilor Williams abstained. Approved (7-0-1).
• Item 67 – STEM Lab Equipment for Powderly Library: Resolution approving $11,053.51 for robotic and STEM kits for the Powderly Library. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution of Sympathy: Councilor Clarke introduced and passed a resolution honoring the life of Lela Holley Hopson (107), retired educator. Unanimous.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning change approved for Mavis Discount Tire at 9186 Parkway East (unanimous).
• Right-of-way vacation and fee waiver approved for Legacy Prep School (unanimous).
• Property sale to Build Urban Prosperity for $6,609.85 approved (unanimous).
• Faith Chapel contract for homeless services up to $1,196,510 approved (7-0-1, Moore abstained).
• Urban Alchemy contract for homeless services up to $1,541,293 approved (7-0-1, Williams abstained).
• Carbon reduction grant acceptance approved (unanimous).
• Consent agenda approved with all items (unanimous).
• Council went into executive session from approximately 11:32 AM to 11:55 AM to discuss pending litigation.
• Council adjourned at 12:49 PM.

The meeting recognized Jimmy Coleman's retirement and included presentations on workforce development and maternal health. Public comment highlighted enforcement challenges related to rental properties.