Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - February 18, 2025
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Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - February 18, 2025
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting included the approval of a consent agenda, discussions on a redevelopment agreement, property sales, and public comments on short-term rentals and neighborhood safety. The Council also observed a moment of silence for city employees who passed away and recognized Black History Month and Heart Health Month.
Consent Calendar
- Approved Resolution Nos. 254-25, 255-25, and 256-25, granting liquor licenses to Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Inc. (Special Retail Liquor License 160), Reve-HautePaysan, LLC (Restaurant Retail Liquor License), and Belle Hospitality, LLC (Restaurant Retail Liquor License for The Toasted Yolk Café), each conditioned on obtaining a certificate of occupancy within 90 days.
- Approved Ordinance Nos. 25-18 and 25-19, amending the Donations Fund Budget by appropriating $5,000.00 to Mason City Neighborhood Association (from Jefferson County Community Service Fund) and $10,000.00 to Arlington House for academic enrichment (from Birmingham Urban League, Inc.).
- Approved Ordinance No. 25-20, transferring $9,543.08 from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund for IMS hardware/software/equipment.
- Approved Resolution No. 257-25, authorizing a three-year maintenance agreement with OCV, LLC for Birmingham Police Department custom mobile apps not to exceed $37,455.00.
- Approved Resolution No. 258-25, authorizing a one-year agreement with Rising-West Princeton Corporation to renovate the community center and provide space for neighborhood events, not to exceed $10,000.00 from District 8 Discretionary Funds.
- Approved Resolution No. 259-25, authorizing a Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for streamflow gaging stations, with the City contributing $95,240.00 and USGS $41,710.00 for October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.
- Approved Resolution Nos. 260-25, 261-25, and 262-25, approving advanced and itemized expense accounts for appointed officials and city employees for travel to conferences and training.
- Approved Resolution No. 263-25, declaring 77 properties as public nuisances due to noxious weeds, with a public hearing set for March 25, 2025.
- Approved Resolution No. 264-25, declaring 83 additional properties as public nuisances due to noxious weeds, with a public hearing set for March 25, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paul Godbey (821 23rd Street South, President of South Side Neighborhood Association) spoke in support of a classification system for short-term rentals. He stated he had sent a proposal to Councilors O'Quinn and Smitherman and noted that several short-term rental owners support the plan. Councilor O'Quinn confirmed the item is on the agenda for the February 26 Planning and Zoning Committee meeting.
- Toya Morrow (933 23rd Street South, resident of New Southtown development) raised concerns about insufficient police patrols inside and outside the buildings, stray dogs, and unauthorized parking by non-residents on weekends. She requested the Council's attention to these issues.
Discussion Items
- Item 7 – Redevelopment Agreement with Offender Alumni Association (OAA): Councilor Abbott requested the assessed value of the property at 1200 Tuscaloosa Avenue. City Attorney Nicole King recommended an executive session to discuss potential litigation and property negotiations. The Council voted unanimously to go into executive session (8-0). After reconvening, the Council voted 8-0 (with Councilmember Williams abstaining) to adopt Ordinance No. 25-21, authorizing the transfer of the property to OAA at a use value of $10.00, with OAA committing to restoration improvements costing over $150,000.00.
- Item 8 – Quitclaim Deed to Allen Tutwiler Jr.: Councilor Clarke noted that the city had recently obtained a law allowing foreclosure on code enforcement liens and inquired about the status of an ordinance to implement that policy. The City Attorney confirmed that the property owner had two years to redeem, and the city foreclosed in May 2023. The ordinance passed unanimously (9-0).
- Item 10 – Quitclaim Deed to Kevin Seals: The ordinance passed unanimously without discussion.
- Resolution 265-25 – Sympathy for Ms. Andretta Marie Jackson Willis: Introduced by Councilor Moore, the resolution honored the life and service of the late community member. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Consent Agenda (all items) by unanimous voice vote.
- Adopted Ordinance No. 25-21 (Redevelopment Agreement with OAA) – 8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Williams).
- Adopted Ordinance No. 25-22 (Quitclaim deed to Allen Tutwiler Jr.) – 9 ayes, 0 nays.
- Adopted Ordinance (Quitclaim deed to Kevin Seals) – unanimous voice vote.
- Adopted Resolution No. 265-25 (Sympathy for Ms. Willis) – unanimous voice vote.
- Item 9 (Quitclaim deed to Kathryn Rapier) was withdrawn.
- The Council entered executive session at 9:56 a.m. and reconvened at 10:21 a.m. to discuss potential litigation and property negotiations related to Item 7.
- The meeting adjourned at 10:49 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
Today's a new chapter. Right to the fly in with the wave. Keep it all you got. First, you gotta rise. The dirt from your eyes and work on the sucks. We ain't even trying to lose. Let's go, man. It's time to wake up. It's time to wake up. Take them off. Take them off. Can't wait around for someone to now is the moment to begin your renewal. Man, feel alive with the vibe in the eyes of the folks. So you come in by the white in your eyes. Hey, another day might waste the way. Come on, let's get it going. Don't make delay. So bring me along. It's time to wait up. Good morning, Birmingham. This is the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. Today is Tuesday, February 18th. This morning, our invocation will be led by Reverend Gwendolyn Webb, Pastor of God's People United for a Better World Church. And our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Kate. If she comes in, if not, we'll figure it out. Pastor Webb. If you're willing and able, please stand. Now we'll try it again. Good morning. Are we still waiting for someone? Let us pray. Deavenly Father, the most gracious father, Lord God, we come to you this morning just to say thank you. We're so thankful that you look beyond some of our faults, all of our faults. But constantly seeing to every last one of our needs. Dearly Father, we want to say thank you for just another day's journey. And we're mighty glad about it. We want to say thank you, Deavenly Father, for the mayor of our city. Dear Heavenly Father, continue to crown his head with much wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of you, dear Heavenly Father. We're thankful for this council, dear Heavenly Father. Continue to bless and keep all of them safe from all hurt harm and danger. Dear Heavenly Father, right now and bless our city. Bless our city in a special way. Bless our children and the families of all of our children. Now, dear Heavenly Father, as we can continue to stay on the straight and narrow. For we know only the things that we do for you will last. Now, now, now, now, now, God. Continue, dear Heavenly Father. For we know that we're not all that we should be. We not all that we could be, Lord God, but we're so thankful that a lot of us are not what we used to be. Now, Dearly Father, as we're about to close this prayer, but never closing from your presence.
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