Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – July 29, 2025

The Birmingham City Council convened on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Bishop Jonathan L. Woods, Sr., and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Darrell O’Quinn. Councilmembers Alexander and Tate were absent. The pre-council meeting was not held due to a lack of a quorum. The agenda included a consent calendar with numerous weed abatement assessments, several routine resolutions, a zoning change, three ordinances on first reading, and emergency contracts for mowing services.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the consent agenda as a block, which included:
  • Items 2–22: Resolutions fixing special assessments against properties for the abatement of noxious or dangerous weeds (multiple batches).
  • Items 26–28, 31–56: Routine resolutions authorizing contracts, lease agreements, funding agreements, and donations (e.g., Crime Stoppers agreement, Skyfire drones, Regional Planning Commission funding, equipment purchases).
• Items 29 and 30 were withdrawn by the administration before the vote.
• During the call for public hearing items, a citizen (who did not provide a name) requested removal of one parcel (Parcel ID 23-15-2-10-08.000-RR, location 3504 67th Street N) from Item 18, citing uncertainty about property ownership. The Council removed that single parcel from the consent agenda but did not hold a separate hearing; the remaining consent agenda was approved unanimously (7–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the regular public comment period.
• The citizen who addressed the Council regarding the weed abatement parcel did so under the consent agenda public hearing procedure; his remarks were limited to that specific parcel.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Zoning Map Amendment (ZAC2025-00005): The Council held a public hearing on an ordinance to rezone 2542 Queenstown Road from D-3 (Single Family) to I-1 (Light Manufacturing). The applicant, Robert Sprain, representing the Balzli estate, stated the proposed use is a contractor storage yard with office and warehouse. The Liberty Highlands Neighborhood Association, the Zoning Advisory Committee, and the Planning and Zoning Committee all recommended approval unanimously. The property is approximately 1.95 acres and a Type C buffer will be required. No public opposition was expressed. The Council voted 7–0 to adopt the ordinance.
• Item 23 – Repeal of Street Closure Ordinance: An ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 25-99, which had approved the closure of 20th Avenue South near Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard South, was introduced and passed on first reading. The Council granted unanimous consent (7–0) and adopted the ordinance.
• Item 24 – Shady Grove Road Interlocal Amendment: An ordinance authorizing an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Jefferson County for paving and improvements on Shady Grove Road, increasing the City’s contribution by $36,147.05 (from $102,334.06 to $138,481.11) for cross-drain replacement, was introduced and passed on first reading. The Council granted unanimous consent and adopted the ordinance (7–0).
• Item 25 – NIBIN Enforcement Support System (NESS) Agreement: An ordinance authorizing the Mayor and Police Chief to execute a three-year agreement with the ATF for the NESS system (crime gun data sharing) at no cost to the City was introduced and passed on first reading. The Council granted unanimous consent and adopted the ordinance (7–0). Councilmember Abbott expressed support for the program.
• Items 57–61 – Emergency Mowing Contracts: The Council approved five emergency contracts for mowing services (overgrowth cutting on public rights-of-way and nuisance lots) for a 45-day period. The contracts were awarded to: Birmingham Land Preservation Group LLC, FL Unlimited, Honorable Security Firm LLC, Purified Landscaping and Restoration, and Renew Birmingham. Chief Mitchell explained that these contracts supplement existing weed abatement efforts to address the high grass growing season. Councilmember Abbott asked about the timeline for standard weed abatement, and Chief Mitchell noted the process takes a minimum of eight weeks before a property can be declared a nuisance. The contracts were approved unanimously (7–0).
• Presentation – Jones Valley Teaching Farm: Executive Director Amanda Story presented an update on the organization’s impact, including expansion to 16 partner schools (40% of Birmingham City Schools), 11 paid high school interns, distribution of nearly 25,000 pounds of produce, and 35,000 seedlings given to community gardens. Councilmembers thanked the organization for its work.
• Mayor’s Report – ADA Proclamation: Mayor Randall Woodfin read a proclamation recognizing the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26, 2025). Veronica Merritt, Chief Compliance Officer, and John Roper of Disability Rights and Resources spoke about ongoing accessibility improvements and community partnerships.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (with the noted removals and withdrawals) were approved unanimously (7–0).
• The zoning map amendment for 2542 Queenstown Road (Item 1) was adopted (7–0).
• Ordinance repealing the street closure (Item 23) was adopted (7–0).
• Ordinance authorizing the Shady Grove Road interlocal amendment (Item 24) was adopted (7–0).
• Ordinance authorizing the NESS agreement with ATF (Item 25) was adopted (7–0).
• Five emergency mowing contracts (Items 57–61) were approved (7–0).
• The Council acknowledged the mayor’s proclamation and the presentation from Jones Valley Teaching Farm.
• The Council adjourned at 11:15 a.m.