Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - March 18, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The pre-council meeting scheduled for 9:00 a.m. was canceled due to lack of a quorum. All nine councilmembers were present for the regular meeting. The meeting opened with prayer by Councilor Carol Clarke and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Pro-Tempore Wardine Alexander. Mayor Randall Woodfin delivered a report on public safety initiatives, the 2025 Kids and Jobs program, and other city updates. The council approved the consent agenda and two appointments resolutions, and adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda, consisting of numerous resolutions and ordinances, was approved unanimously via roll call vote (9-0). One item (Item 8, an agreement with Birmingham Folk Festival for $5,000) was withdrawn. Key approvals included:

• A Restaurant Retail Liquor License for Up-Down Arcade Bar (Resolution 345-25).
• Declaration of an inoperable motor vehicle as a public nuisance (Resolution 346-25).
• Budget amendments: $7,500 for the Museum of Art and $6,000 for neighborhood allocations (Crestwood South, Roebuck Springs, South Eastlake).
• Agreements with community organizations: A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club ($1,500), Birmingham Aids Outreach ($10,000), Birmingham Board of Education ($16,500), Brenda’s Brown Bosom Buddies ($5,000), Children’s Village ($1,800), The Lovelady Center ($5,000), Girls Inc. ($1,000), Jefferson County Greenways Foundation ($10,000), Kid One Transport ($1,000), P.E.E.R., Inc. ($9,500), Renew Birmingham ($1,500), Vulcan Park Foundation ($20,000), Woodlawn United ($23,000), and others.
• Incentive for the Indy Racing League event (May 2–4, 2025) up to $350,000.
• Funding for the Birmingham Zoo’s Cougar Crossing exhibit ($40,000).
• Purchases and contracts: DocuSign software ($44,275.44), parking equipment for Municipal Court ($345,665), ten landscape trucks ($808,750), Caterpillar rebuild ($465,247), firefighting gear ($167,979; $42,918), and office supplies, chairs, furniture, vehicles, etc.
• Settlements: workers’ compensation for a firefighter ($25,000) and a communications employee ($30,000); vehicle damage claim against Western Express ($2,599.75).
• Quitclaim deed for Shades Creek Greenway project ($10.00).
• Right-of-way encroachments for an awning and a blade sign.
• Bid award for exit stair replacement at David Vann Municipal Justice Center ($49,472).
• Approval of expense accounts for city officials and employees for travel.
• Declaration of 29 properties with noxious weeds as public nuisances, with a hearing scheduled for April 22, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Renee Hyatt (304 Eastview Drive): Raised concerns about stolen garbage cans at a duplex property, stating the city had not replaced them. Council staff indicated cans have tracking numbers and thefts should be reported.
• W.A. Casey (16th Street Baptist Church): Expressed opposition to the church’s plan to develop a parking lot that was previously part of a public partnership allowing free parking. He asked the council to withhold city funding from the church.
• Jaynea Milhouse (1307 33rd Street, Ensley), a mental health practitioner, requested support and guidance to bring mindfulness and alternative therapy services to the community. Council members referred her to the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity and to ongoing violence prevention initiatives.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report: Provided updates on the Kids and Jobs program (ages 14–24, June 9–July 11), a free Women’s Marketplace (March 29), and the Black Business Census mixer (March 21). Reported on Crime Commission recommendations:
  • The Special Enforcement Team (SET) has made 521 arrests since January 1, 2025 (330 felonies, 191 misdemeanors), seized 114 guns (17 stolen, 10 altered), and recovered 16 stolen vehicles.
  • Homicide clearance rate for 2025 is 75% as of March 18.
  • A state bill banning Glock switches is expected to be signed by the governor with immediate effect.
  • Hospital violence interrupter training began the week of March 17.
  • Community feedback session for the violence reduction strategic plan is set for March 19 at the Crossplex (4–6 p.m.).
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers raised questions about the SET team, illegal dumping, street repairs after utility excavations, truck parking in residential neighborhoods, and funding for City Walk (state property). The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will meet March 24 to hear from utility providers. Councilor Abbott inquired about firearm suppressors on Item 38; the mayor explained they are for tactical teams.
• Appointments: The council approved five members to the Birmingham Planning Commission (Jason B. Avery, Daniel Christiansen, Dr. Nyesha Cheyenne Black, Haley Colson Lewis, Ronald J. Crenshaw) and three members to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (LaDara S. Lee, Philip Foster, Janice Smith).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (9-0) with one withdrawal.
• Resolution 400-25 appointing Planning Commission members adopted 9-0.
• Resolution 401-25 appointing Zoning Board of Adjustment members adopted 9-0.
• Three public speakers were heard; concerns were referred to appropriate departments.
• Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Announcements

Councilmembers provided numerous neighborhood meeting schedules and community events, including a resources fair at Railroad Park (March 18, 4–6 p.m.), a public safety meeting (March 25), and arts events at the Birmingham Museum of Art and Alabama Symphony Orchestra.