Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – April 15, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on April 15, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The Pre-Council meeting scheduled for 9:00 a.m. was not held due to a lack of a quorum. Eight council members were present (President O'Quinn and Councilmembers Abbott, Alexander, Clarke, Smitherman, Tate, Woods; Moore and Williams were absent). The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of prior minutes, and a proclamation from the Mayor declaring April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Consent Calendar

• Approved as a block: Items 1–12, 14, 16–40 (items 1–9 were public hearing items for alcohol license transfers/issuances). All were unanimously adopted. Item 36 (purchase of night vision goggles for police) was withdrawn from the consent agenda. Items 13, 15, and 41 were removed for separate consideration.
• Notable consent items included: expansion of early childhood education services with Small Magic ($250,000), increased federal grant for traffic signal upgrades ($1.8M), contract for Safe Summer Concert Series ($375,000), fresh produce initiatives ($2,000 from D9), mobile market with UAB ($4,000 from D7), music festival in Tuxedo Park ($5,000 from D9, later amended), port infrastructure grant application ($25M), employee insurance contracts, firefighter protective gear, demolition bids for burned structures, and various equipment purchases.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Willie Jenkins (1105 Southwood Drive) addressed the Council about community issues.
• Bessie Bell (8616 Highlands Drive) informed the Council about the Bob Marley Festival.
• Charlie Williams (1543 20th Street North) spoke about High 5 Birmingham.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation (Sexual Assault Awareness Month): Mayor Woodfin recognized the Crisis Center's work. Executive Director Anna Sullivan and Dr. Robertson detailed the SANE clinic's services, noting that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men experience sexual assault, and that their clinic helped identify 188 serial perpetrators. Councilmember Abbott requested more public awareness materials.
• Councilmember Moore's Inquiry on Speed Cushions: Asked about speed cushions on 29th Street North in Collegeville. Mayor Woodfin directed Chief Sparks to follow up with the Department of Transportation.
• Councilmember Abbott's Concern on Street Striping: Noted missing traffic markings on newly paved streets. Mayor acknowledged a delay by the sole striping subcontractor in the state and promised to share correspondence. Councilmember Abbott urged stronger accountability.
• Councilmember Williams' Thank You: Thanked the Mayor's team for a site visit to Rugby neighborhood to address resident complaints.
• Item 13 – Community Care Development Network: Resolution to provide $4,000 (combined D9 and D7 discretionary funds) for fresh produce to food-insecure families. Councilmember Tate and Pro Tem Alexander expressed support; approved unanimously.
• Item 15 – UAB Live HealthSmart Mobile Market: Resolution for $4,000 from D7 discretionary funds to address food access. Councilmember Alexander noted it would launch on April 26 as part of Love D7 Day; approved unanimously.
• Item 41 – Zoning Text Amendment (ZAC2025-0004): Resolution setting a public hearing for May 13, 2025, on proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance affecting all properties citywide. Councilmember Abbott noted that a red-line version would be provided next week; approved unanimously.
• Storm Drain Covers and Inlet Issues: During announcements, multiple councilmembers (Abbott, Williams, Woods, Tate) raised concerns about missing/broken storm drain covers, clogged inlets, and the need for dedicated maintenance crews. They agreed to take the matter to Committee of the Whole.
• Birmingham Waterworks Board Procedures: Councilmembers Moore, Alexander, and Tate criticized new restrictions on public comment at Waterworks Board meetings, calling for more openness.
• Announcements: Several neighborhood meetings, community events, and committee schedule items were noted.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (Items 1–12, 14, 16–40) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution No. 594-25 (Item 13 – Community Care Development Network, $4,000) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution No. 595-25 (Item 15 – UAB Live HealthSmart, $4,000) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution No. 596-25 (Item 41 – Zoning text amendment public hearing) adopted unanimously.
• Item 36 (night vision goggles purchase) was withdrawn.
• The Council will revisit storm drain maintenance and Waterworks Board procedures in future committee discussions.