Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – June 10, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on June 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a Mayor's report, presentations, consent agenda approvals, public hearings, and discussion of several resolutions. Key actions included extending the moratorium on automated car washes, deferring a business license revocation hearing, approving an agreement for the 2025 World Police and Fire Games, and setting public hearings for zoning amendments. The Mayor reported a 48% reduction in homicides and an 80% clearance rate, and noted that 84 roadways had been cleared from the previous weekend's storm.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda, including resolutions for abatement of inoperable motor vehicles, contracts for services (e.g., City Center District Management Corporation, High 5 Birmingham, Iron Hills Productions for Magic City Flow Festival), grant acceptances, bid awards, and expense accounts. All consent items passed unanimously with 7 ayes. Items 8 (school athletic court agreement) and 10 (Cincinnati Sportscapes contract) were withdrawn by the Mayor's office. Item 9 (World Police and Fire Games) and item 14 (Jefferson County grant) were removed for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Automated car wash moratorium: John Godby (South Side Neighborhood Association) and John Barney Castle spoke in favor of extending the moratorium, citing traffic safety concerns and lack of transparency at a specific site. Both urged the Council to continue the moratorium until regulations are in place.
• Public speaker Artis Murphy delivered a spiritual message of encouragement to the Council, emphasizing the importance of their leadership and faith.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report: Mayor Woodfin provided updates on storm cleanup (84 roadways cleared), upcoming community meetings (Sustainability Plan public input on June 12 at the CrossPlex; Civil Rights Crossroads kickoff on June 10 at Legion Field), and public safety statistics (homicides down 48%, clearance rate 80%).
• McWane Science Center: Retiring CEO Amy Templeton introduced new CEO Brandon Landman, who expressed commitment to partnership with the city.
• BJCTA Transit Update: Director Charlotte Shaw presented the 7030 plan, highlighting a 61% increase in microtransit ridership (20,000 rides in May 2025), a 31% increase in BRT ridership, and improvements in on-time performance from 58% to 69%. Councillor Williams expressed concern about microtransit not crossing municipal lines, limiting access to jobs. Councillors Moore, Tate, and Smitherman advocated for better communication, bus rides for council members, and regional cooperation. The discussion noted the lack of state funding for transit.
• Wildflower Alliance: Founder Latoya Mims presented the organization's work supporting families of children with disabilities, including upcoming events (Come Roll With Me wheelchair basketball clinic on June 25, assistive technology conference in Birmingham). Councillors commended the initiative.
• World Police and Fire Games (Item 9): Resolution to authorize an agreement with the Birmingham Host Committee, providing up to $58,500 in incentives. Chief Mitchell reported 7,500 registered athletes, with 400 from Alabama. The event is free and open to the public. Councillors expressed support. The item passed unanimously.
• Grant for Arlington Antebellum Home (Item 14): Resolution to accept a $10,000 grant from Jefferson County Community Service Fund for enrichment activities. Passed with Councillor Smitherman abstaining.
• Appointments: Virnetta Woodbury appointed to the Design Review Committee (term expiring July 30, 2027); Darryl Varner appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustments (term expiring November 25, 2026). Both passed unanimously.
• Zoning Public Hearings (Items 37 & 38): Resolutions setting public hearings for July 15, 2025, on a zoning map amendment (CR-4A to MU-L at 1201 16th Street North) and a text amendment adding definitions (alley, lot, public building). Both passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 25-63: Extended the moratorium on automated car washes for 90 days (with possibility of one 90-day extension), passed unanimously.
• Item 2 (Happy Hour Hangout): Show cause hearing deferred four weeks to July 8, 2025, by motion.
• Item 9 (World Police and Fire Games): Approved unanimously, authorizing up to $58,500 in incentives.
• Item 14 (Grant): Approved with one abstention.
• Items 18 & 19 (Appointments): Approved unanimously.
• Items 37 & 38 (Zoning hearings): Approved unanimously, setting public hearings for July 15, 2025.