Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - June 24, 2025

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 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 lack of a quorum. The regular meeting was called to order with an invocation by Bishop Jonathan L. Woods, Sr. and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Valerie Abbott. Eight council members were present (Abbott, Clarke, Moore, Smitherman, Williams, Woods, Alexander, O’Quinn); Councilor Tate was absent. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, a mayoral report on the World Police and Fire Games and homeownership, an extended discussion on weed abatement and budget priorities, and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions 972-25 through 982-25 (Items 1-11 on agenda): Fixed special assessments against numerous properties for abatement of noxious or dangerous weeds (batches N-21 through Q-22). Each resolution listed dozens of parcels with costs ranging from $71.00 to $2,251.13.
• Resolutions 983-25 through 985-25 (Items 12-14): Declared three inoperable vehicles as public nuisances and authorized removal: a white Chevrolet truck and a blue/white Ford truck at 1600 Avenue T, and a blue Nissan car at 5725 Avenue O.
• Resolution 986-25 (Item 34): Authorized a three-year Managed Care/Employee Assistance Plan Agreement with Behavioral Health Services, Inc. (BHS) for up to $1,100,000.00.
• Resolution 987-25 (Item 35): Authorized payment of $750.00 to Travelers Aid Society to provide transportation to cancer treatment for transportation-disadvantaged seniors.
• Resolution 988-25 (Item 36): Authorized a three-year agreement with Village Creek Human and Environmental Justice Society for an annual fee of $7,500.00 (total not to exceed $22,500.00) for environmental improvement and education.
• Resolution 989-25 (Item 37): Authorized $6,000.00 (amended from $3,000.00) to Grace Club CDC for backpacks and school supplies at Community Fun Day on August 2, 2025; funds from West Brownville, East Brownville, Roosevelt, and District 7 discretionary funds.
• Resolution 990-25 (Item 40): Dedicated new right-of-way for streets, alleys, and public grounds as shown on Pratt Housing Resurvey plat.
• Resolution 991-25 (Item 41): Authorized a Right-of-Way Encroachment License Agreement for a blade sign at 1701 1st Avenue South.
• Resolution 992-25 (Item 42): Authorized payment of $4,885.00 to Liberty Moving for relocation related to Pratt Highway Bridge Replacement.
• Resolution 993-25 (Item 43): Amended previous weed assessment resolution to remove 1951 15th Ct N due to owner-provided documentation.
• Resolutions 994-25 through 1002-25 (Items 44-53): Declared 10 buildings as unsafe public nuisances and ordered demolition (addresses: 3532 Fred L. Shuttlesworth Dr, 352 16th Ave N, 1780 Ethel Ave SW, 1217 19th Pl SW, 505 16th Pl SW, 7729 5th Ave S, 4737 Avenue V, 425 Avenue E, 429 5th St, and 1625 11th Ct N [withdrawn]).
• Resolution 1003-25 (Item 54): Accepted bid from PC Connection Sales dba Connection for printers and related items for one year.
• Resolution 1004-25 (Item 55): Approved payment of $1,860.79 to Interface Americas, Inc. for flooring installation.
• Resolution 1005-25 (Item 56): Approved payment of $16,737.49 to SHI International Corporation for EZ Web Enterprises subscription.
• Resolutions 1006-25 through 1008-25 (Items 57-59): Approved itemized expense accounts for appointed officials, city employees, and advance expense accounts.
• Resolution 1009-25 (Item 61): Rescinded Resolution 595-25 regarding an agreement with UAB for Live HealthSmart Mobile Market.
• Items 38 and 39 (exercise bike and stove/refrigerator for Inglenook Recreation Center) were withdrawn.
• Item 46 (demolition at 1625 11th Ct N) was withdrawn.

The consent agenda was adopted by a unanimous voice vote (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tyrone Richardson (808 79th Street South): Expressed frustration with illegal dumping on his street, lack of response from 311, and stormwater drainage issues. He also argued that city trees overhanging private property are the city’s responsibility. He requested cameras or enforcement, not signs, to address dumping.
• Keith Williams (456 Kappa Avenue South): Raised concerns about the North Chittersville neighborhood association lacking officers due to litigation halting elections. He questioned the authority of a paid city community resource officer to conduct meetings and requested transparency from the city on the legal status. He expressed intent to take matters into his own hands if no answers are provided.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report – World Police and Fire Games: Mayor Woodfin announced that the 2025 World Police and Fire Games would begin June 27 and run through July 6, with over 7,500 athletes from 70+ countries competing in 1,600+ medal events. All events are free and open to the public.
• Mental Health Awareness Day: Crystal Mullen Johnson (Nurture of Alabama) presented details on the fourth annual Mental Health Awareness Day during Food Truck Friday on June 27 at Linn Park, featuring 60+ partners, depression screenings, chair massages, line dancing, and wellness resources.
• Homeownership Month Proclamation: Corey Stallworth (Senior Director, Community Development) reported $16.7 million invested in homeownership programs. Highlighted two homeowners: Belinda Wine (critical repairs) and Rosa Evans (first-time homebuyer at age 65). Councilors praised the program and linked homeownership to neighborhood improvement.
• Weed Abatement Update: Mayor Woodfin provided extensive data: In May 2025, it rained 21 of 31 days (third wettest May on record); through June 24, it rained 15 of 24 days. Between June 13-20, DPW cut 400 acres and serviced 645 blocks, collected 1,582 bags of litter. Private lots cut by city contractors year-to-date: 1,453; by private owners: 403. The current FY budget is $2.7 million; proposed FY2026 budget is $3 million. The mayor urged neighbors to help seniors and elders maintain adjacent empty lots and called for state/county action to hold absentee owners accountable.
• Budget Discussion (Items 16-33): Councilor Abbott pulled all budget items for discussion. Council members raised concerns about: BJCTA transit reliability (58% on-time in 2024, according to Councilor Williams); code enforcement staffing; animal control; traffic calming; stormwater system needs (estimated $2 billion for full repairs); tree removal policies; and trash/brush collection. Councilor Clarke called for quarterly budget reconciliations with dashboards. Chief Chaz Mitchell committed to providing monthly financial analysis and quarterly presentations. After debate, Councilor Abbott withdrew her motion to delay, and the council approved items 16-30 and 33 via voice vote. Items 31 and 32 were voted separately with Councilor Clarke abstaining on both.
• Item 15 – Right-of-Way Vacation: A resolution to vacate 481 square feet of right-of-way near Trilby and Hibernian streets, recommended by the Subdivision Committee and Community Development Committee, was approved.
• Item 60 – Zoning Public Hearing: A resolution setting a public hearing for July 29, 2025, on a request to rezone 2542 Queenstown Road from D-3 Single Family to I-1 Light Manufacturing (Case ZAC2025-00005) was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved: All items on the consent agenda were adopted by a unanimous vote of 8-0. Items 38, 39, and 46 were withdrawn prior to the vote.
• FY2026 Budgets Adopted: After discussion, the council approved the General Fund and multiple other fund budgets (Items 16-30 and 33) via voice vote; Items 31 (Land Bank Authority) and 32 (Community Development Block Grant) were approved separately with Councilor Clarke abstaining on both.
• Public Hearing Scheduled for Zoning Change: The council set July 29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for a public hearing on rezoning at 2542 Queenstown Road.
• Right-of-Way Vacation Approved: The council assented to the vacation of 481 square feet of right-of-way on behalf of the City of Birmingham.
• Mayor’s Report and Updates Acknowledged: The council received information on the World Police and Fire Games, Mental Health Awareness Day, and Homeownership Month. The mayor’s report on weed abatement challenges was noted.
• Neighborhood Association Election Litigation: Council President O’Quinn stated that the city is awaiting court action on litigation affecting neighborhood association elections and cannot proceed until resolved; the next election cycle is expected in October 2026.
• Future Meetings: The next Planning and Zoning Committee meeting (June 25) was canceled. The Budget and Finance Committee meeting was rescheduled to July 14. The next regular council meeting will be July 1, 2025.