Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – July 1, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – July 1, 2025
The Birmingham City Council met on July 1, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting included mayoral announcements, approval of a consent agenda, a first-reading ordinance for an affordable housing development, several contract approvals, and a public comment. The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Mayoral and Police Announcements
- Mayor Randall Woodfin announced city offices would close on Friday, July 4, 2025 for Independence Day.
- Police Chief Michael Pickett reported that homicides in the first half of 2025 were down 52% compared to the same period in 2024. For June 2025 alone, homicides decreased 75% year-over-year. Arrests have been made in 8 out of 10 homicides this year.
- The World Police and Fire Games were taking place in Birmingham with over 8,000 participants from around the world. All events are free to the public.
- Rainfall for June 2025 was 8.7 inches, nearly double the average of 4.43 inches, resulting in 22 days of rain and causing delays in weed abatement and street striping.
- The mayor and chief urged the public not to engage in celebratory gunfire on July 4th and reminded that fireworks are illegal within Birmingham city limits.
Consent Calendar
- The Council approved the consent agenda as modified. Items removed from consent for separate consideration included: Item 11 (Black Women’s Mental Health Institute), Item 12 (HUD Action Plan), Item 14 (Storm Sewer Repairs contract), Item 15 (Storm Sewer Cleaning and CCTV contract), Item 17 (Weapons Detection Systems purchase), and Item 23 (Alabama Power camera expansion – later deferred).
- Consent Items 1-22 were approved en bloc, including:
- Resolution 1014-25: Operating Authority Permit for Purple Heart Transportation, LLC (non-emergency medical transport).
- Resolution 1015-25: Abatement of nuisances on 348 properties (weeds) and assessment of costs as liens.
- Ordinance 25-93: $100,000 grant appropriation for Police Project Safe Neighborhood Grant.
- Ordinance 25-94: $1,000,000 HUD grant for Birmingport Infrastructure Project.
- Ordinance 25-95: $10,000 donation for Arlington House community enrichment.
- Ordinance 25-96: $15,000 in donations to three neighborhood associations (Belview Heights, Central Park, South Titusville).
- Resolution 1016-25: Amendment with Brother Let’s Talk, LLC ($200,000) extending mental health campaign to March 31, 2026.
- Resolution 1017-25: Cardiac Solutions, LLC contract ($451,329) for AED equipment.
- Resolution 1018-25: Amended legal descriptions for Hooper City sidewalks project.
- Resolution 1019-25: DEX Imaging lease for wide format printer (3 years).
- Resolutions 1020-25 and 1021-25: Approval of itemized and advanced expense accounts for officials and employees.
- Resolution 1022-25 and 1023-25: Approval of employee expense and advance accounts for travel.
- Resolution 1024-25: Declaration of 584 properties as public nuisances due to weeds, with a public hearing set for August 5, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Anita Bolden (3121 Avenue I, Birmingham) addressed the Council regarding nuisance properties owned by Ed Whiting Rust at 3205, 3209, and 3210 on 32nd Street and Avenue I. She stated that the properties have been overgrown for approximately ten years, attracting rodents and trespassers, and that the city’s notices have been ineffective. She requested action and asked who her councilor is. Council President O’Quinn acknowledged the issue and noted that Councilor Clarke is addressing it.
Discussion Items
-
Item 7 – Park Street Homes Affordable Housing Development (First Reading):
- Ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a redevelopment agreement with Park Street Homes, LLC, conveying up to five vacant lots at 125 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. for $1.00 (use value) to develop eight single-family affordable housing units. The city will provide up to $360,000 in assistance from HOME funds.
- Developer presentation: Kelvin and Aisha Shelton (Park Street Homes) and Thad Bilbo (project manager) explained that the homes would be one-story, built as attached townhouse-style units with firewalls and no windows on shared walls. Side yards would be 18 inches. A homeowners association (HOA) would be established, subsidized for the first two years. If units do not sell within 60–90 days (federal requirement), they would be converted to rental units managed by the developer.
- Council questions/concerns:
- Councilor Abbott questioned the 18-inch side yard and zoning compatibility. Developer responded that the plan is similar to townhouse zoning and can be adjusted if needed.
- Councilor Williams requested transparency forms; they had been provided in the packet.
- Councilors Clarke, Tate, Moore, and Alexander expressed support, noting the community’s excitement and the positive engagement at neighborhood meetings.
- The ordinance was adopted by unanimous consent (8-0, with Councilor Williams abstaining on final adoption but voting for unanimous consent earlier). Councilor Moore absented himself during the vote but later returned.
-
Item 11 – Black Women’s Mental Health Institute Amendment:
- Resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with No More Martyrs DBA Black Women’s Mental Health Institute, increasing funding to $400,000 and extending the term to August 31, 2026, for free counseling and mental health outreach to low/moderate-income residents in Districts 6 and 9. Funded by ARPA. Approved (8-0).
-
Item 12 – HUD Action Plan Submission:
- Resolution authorizing the mayor to submit the city’s One-Year Action Plan for FY 2025-2026 to HUD, covering CDBG ($5,783,710), HOME ($1,238,846.56), ESG ($506,318), and HOPWA ($1,795,327) – total $9,324,201.56. Approved (8-0, with Councilor Clarke abstaining).
-
Item 14 – Storm Sewer Repairs Work Order Contract:
- Resolution accepting Global Construction and Engineering’s bid of $500,000 for emergency and small storm sewer repairs (IDIQ contract). Approved (8-0).
-
Item 15 – Storm Sewer Cleaning and CCTV Inspection Work Order Contract:
- Resolution accepting Smith Industrial Service’s bid of $250,000 for CCTV inspection and cleaning (IDIQ contract). Approved (8-0).
-
Item 17 – Weapons Detection Systems Purchase:
- Resolution approving payment of $115,899.36 to Safeware, Inc. for walk-through metal detectors and X-ray machines for municipal court and the Boutwell Auditorium, funded via Omnia Partners cooperative contract. Approved (8-0).
-
Item 23 – Alabama Power Camera Expansion (Addendum):
- Resolution to amend the existing master contract with Alabama Power Company to add public safety surveillance equipment (54 access cameras, 78 license plate readers, 70 additional cameras, 12 poles, and 5 solar-powered trailers) for an additional cost, bringing total not to exceed $9,756,565.62. The term would be extended by 20 months.
- Discussion: Councilor Williams questioned the cost and need for using Alabama Power for Flock LPRs and trailers. Councilor Abbott expressed discomfort with the large increase and lack of time to review. Mayor Woodfin and Chief Pickett noted that using Alabama Power’s poles is necessary and that the amendment avoids expected tariff-driven cost increases. Councilor Moore supported the need for cameras but acknowledged sustainability concerns.
- Outcome: Councilor Smitherman moved to defer the item for one week (to July 8, 2025) to allow further discussion and a meeting with Alabama Power representatives. Motion approved (8-0).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved as modified (all items except those removed for separate consideration).
- Item 7 (Park Street Homes) adopted – first reading passed, allowing the redevelopment agreement for affordable housing in Smithfield.
- Item 11 (Black Women’s Mental Health Institute) approved.
- Item 12 (HUD Action Plan) approved with one abstention.
- Items 14, 15, 17 (storm sewer contracts and weapons detection) approved.
- Item 23 (Alabama Power cameras) deferred one week to allow further committee discussion and a meeting with Alabama Power.
- Public comment acknowledged; nuisance properties will be addressed by Councilor Clarke.
- Adjournment: 11:40 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
The betterment of the citizens and the city of this great city. Now, Lord, not only do we pray here locally, we would we pray on the national level, the federal level, Lord, because we realize that there is uh functions there that need to be straightened out, but Lord, we know that everything is in your hands. Not only do we pray for the federal level, Lord, that we pray for the world at large. For it seems to be that there are flash fires on every hand. But what we do know, Lord, is that uh the earth still belongs to you. The world belongs to you, and even the inhabitants and the resources belong to you. So right now, God, our eyes are continually upon you for we know that all things are in your hands. Now, Lord, if you will, just bless this hour and bless this moment, for it is in the matchless name of Jesus the Christ, the author and the finisher of our faith, the bishop of our salvation is that we touch and agree and we stand on one accord this morning by saying Amen. And thank God. Council Member Clark. Council Member Moore. Good morning, sir. Councilmember Smithman. Councilmember Tate. Good morning. Councilman Williams. Council Member Woods. Council President Pro Jim Alexander. Council President O'Coin. Good morning. Council of the minutes are not ready for the March third, twenty twenty-five through June twenty-fourth, twenty twenty-five meetings. This time we'll have communications from Mayor Whitman. Good to see you all this morning. It's good to see the general public as well. I want to first speak to the fourth of July closure. As you know, this Friday is the fourth of July. So don't be one of those people and shoot guns in the air because what goes up must come down. So again, please be safe. And I want to ask Chief Michael Pickett to come in. Yesterday, June 30th made the last day of the first half of the year. As we walk through the halfway of the year, we made fighting violent crime, reducing gun violence a priority. I am happy to report that in 2025 for the first half of the year, homicides were down 52%. And that is a testament to a lot of people, starting with Chief Michael Pickett in the Birmingham Police Department. But it's also a testament to those the organizations and the people on the ground who are engaging in our violence reduction initiatives. Call 911 as well as call crime stoppers and or just taking the time to engage themselves and de-escalate potential situations before they turn violent. From various efforts you've supported, programmatically and financially. And so before I go on with anything else in this report, I wanted to get uh Chief Pickett to share a few words with you as well. Well, good morning, everyone. Morning. It's an honor to speak before you. I don't get to do it often, but uh it's good to be able to speak and report on what we've been saying as it relates to homicides and the transition from last year. Right now we're reporting 52 percent reduction as of today. 52% reduction in our in our homicides. Uh we're not just working on homicides, we're working on all crimes, but as we know, that's the most heinous crime you can pretty much do, one of the most, and um, and we are really really hammering at it. Um very thankful and appreciative of all the men and women uh with the Birmingham Police Department who are leading our fight. We get a lot of assistance from Jefferson County as well. I cannot leave them out. Um and just you know, other agencies in the area, it's a collaborative uh effort. You know, our state partners, our federal partners, so we're just thankful for that. Uh I have a couple other things I want to touch on.
openpublica.com