Regular Meeting of Birmingham City Council – April 29, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on April 29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. Councilmember Valerie Abbott presided in the absence of Council President O'Quinn. The meeting opened with an invocation by Dr. Michael L. Frazier and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor LaTonya A. Tate. Mayor Randall Woodfin presented several announcements and a detailed update on the pension fund.

Consent Calendar

• Approved routine items including liquor license applications for Joe's Off 3rd, LLC, 757 INC, LLC, BHHB Enterprises, LLC, Electriccw, LLC, and Events at Haven, LLC (Birmingham Folk Festival, May 17–18, 2025).
• Fixed special assessments for weed abatement across dozens of properties (batches A-22 through U-22, A-23 through J-23) with costs ranging from $162.24 to $7,241.04.
• Approved resolutions for the Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail project closing deadline extension to May 19, 2025; a barbecue restaurant incentive for Archibald and Woodrow Enterprise, LLC ($185,000 total, estimated $1.5M annual sales tax, ~20 jobs); a dashboard software contract with First Arriving IO, Inc. ($84,913.60 over 3 years); surplus firefighter boots and pike poles transfer to Lipscomb Fire Department for $1.00; a police leadership training agreement with The Waterfront Collective, LLC ($900,000 over 3 years); settlement of Casey Graham (Heritage Freight Warehousing Logistics, LLC) for $21,809.37; demolition of 20 unsafe structures (resolutions 671-690, addresses listed); various procurement contracts (software, speed cushion installations, janitorial services, etc.); and employee expense/advance accounts.
• Items 66 and 67 (council purchases from Adorama, Inc.) were deferred one week.
• Certain property numbers (102-106 in batch I-23) were withdrawn from weed abatement assessments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mamie Easley (parent) addressed the Council regarding an attack on her son at City Walk on April 13, 2025, stating it was not a fight but a brutal assault by approximately 20 young men over a Nike ski mask. She expressed frustration that the juvenile magistrate declined to arrest the identified individuals, despite support from police and the DA. She pleaded for the Council to intervene. Councilmembers expressed sympathy and committed to following up with the police department to ensure proper guidance through juvenile court.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Pension Fund Update: Mayor Woodfin reported that the pension board voted to recommend a $400 monthly increase for all retirees for one year, costing $18.1 million upfront. He clarified this was only a recommendation and not binding, emphasizing that the pension fund has no surplus and any increase would have to come from the city's operating budget (which already contributes over $35 million annually). He noted that only 33 of 3,700 retirees receive the statutory minimum of $400 per month, and those retirees averaged only six years of service. The average retiree receives about $2,200 per month. He stressed the priority of maintaining the pension fund's solvency and stated it would be premature to commit to any increase before finalizing the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Councilmember Abbott expressed concern about fiscal responsibility given the $18.1 million ongoing burden.
• Speed Cushion Installations (Item 57): Chief Chaz Mitchell presented a $49,992.80 contract with James Paving Company, LLC to install speed cushions at various locations, intending to reduce the city's backlog of over 300 traffic calming requests. Councilmembers thanked the administration and expressed hope for faster implementation.
• East Pinson Valley Recreation Center Waterproofing (Item 59): Councilmember Woods highlighted the importance of the $362,007 project awarded to Splawn Construction, Inc., noting the pool has been closed due to water intrusion and that it serves many seniors and young people. He thanked the administration for moving the project forward.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Station Maintenance (Item 68): Councilmember Clark asked about the number of city EVs and charging station locations. Chief Mitchell confirmed about 50 EVs, current chargers at 6th Avenue and plans for parking decks, and that some enforcement vehicles are hybrids. The $27,100 three-year contract with Charge Point was approved.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved as amended (with items 57, 59, 68 removed for separate votes, and items 66, 67 deferred).
• Approved Resolution 715-25: Speed cushion installation contract with James Paving Company, LLC ($49,992.80).
• Approved Resolution 716-25: East Pinson Valley Recreation Center waterproofing contract with Splawn Construction, Inc. ($362,007.00).
• Approved Resolution 717-25: EV charging station maintenance contract with Charge Point ($27,100 for three years).
• Deferred items 66 and 67 to the May 6, 2025 meeting.
• Mayor Woodfin committed to follow-up with police regarding the City Walk assault case.
• Council provided updates on neighborhood meetings and events, including summer job hiring at Coca-Cola Amphitheater and lifeguard recruitment.