Camera ready in the back.

Are you ready in the back?

I'm never high one dog.

You might have fallen down, but nothing has yet.

Today is Tuesday, November fourth, twenty twenty-five.

The time is nine thirty-three.

I call to order the meeting of the Birmingham City Council.

This morning, our invocation will be led by Rev Reverend Anthony C.

Jilks, Pastor of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama.

And our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Counselor Brian Gunn.

If you're willing and able, please stand and join us.

Now if you don't mind, still allow your spirit to rule in this place.

And whatever be done, it's decent and in order in your eyesight.

So Lord, we thank you for who you are.

Thank you for what you are in our lives.

And we're gonna be careful to do what we are to do to give you what you deserve.

It's your glory.

It's your honor.

It's your praise.

It's in Jesus' name we say it's done, and we cover it with victory.

Amen.

My nation under God.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Reverend Jilks, for that thoughtful prayer.

And thank you, Mr.

Gunn, for leading us in the pledge.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, if you'll call the roll.

Councilmember Gunn.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

Good morning.

Councilmember Smith.

Present.

Councilmember Smillman.

Morning, Councilmember Vassa.

Good morning.

Councilmember Williams.

Good morning, Councilmember Woods.

Good morning, Councilmember Tate.

Good morning.

Good morning, Council President Pro Tim Tate.

Morning, Council President Alexander.

Good morning, President.

Thank you.

At this time, Councilors, I'd like to entertain a motion and a second for approval of the minutes from the previous meetings of May 6th, May 8th, May 13th, May 20th, and May 27, 2025.

So I'll just do it verbally.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

Thank you.

Those minutes from May 6th, May 8th, May 13th, May 20th, and May 27th are approved.

Councillors, the minutes are not ready from the minute meetings of June 3rd, 2025 through October 28th, 2025.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, do we have any announcement of boards and agency expirations for the month of December?

Yes, ma'am.

We have several here.

Start off with the special care facilities financing authority, uh, City of Birmingham Medical Center East.

We got uh Dimitri Carpenter, term expires November the 10th, 2025.

It is a six-year term, and that's under um budget and finance.

The um, so I guess we'll revise that to the proper committee.

And then we have the educational building authority of the city of Birmingham and the Lynn, uh the incompanies Lynn Flowers Martin.

The term expires November the 10th, 2025, and it is a six-year term.

It is also under uh the budget and finance committee.

We have the zoning board of adjustments, uh Lizzie uh Fresse, November the 12th, uh 25th, 2025.

There's a seven-year terms on the planning and zoning committee, and we have the private education building authority, Birmingham Southern College, Brandon M.

Cleveland.

The term expires November the 12th, 2025, and it is a six-year term, and this is also on the budget and finance.

And we have Alabama Special Care Facilities Financing Authority of the City of Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Uh Nathan Wiener, uh term expires November the 11th, 2025.

It is six-year term.

It's also under budget and finance.

And then we have the Birmingham Library Board.

We have Willie Davis III, Yolanda Hardy, and John Lyons Jr.

Uh, terms expired December the 31st, 2025.

That's for all three.

Your five-year terms, they're on the community development committee committee.

I'm sorry.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Counselors, we will forward those boards and agencies, vacancies with item 13.

Once we pass that today, that will give us more guidance on the chairs for those various committees that uh will be managing that process.

So we'll discuss that and have a little bit of follow-up when we get to that item.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Clerk.

At this time, we'll have communications from the mayor.

Good morning, madam president.

Good morning, madam pro tem.

Good morning to the members of the council, to the members of the public, all of those under the sound of my voice.

I'd certainly be remiss if I did not acknowledge the presence of our Congresswoman, Congresswoman Sewell.

Just a few brief announcements this morning, Madam President.

City of Birmingham has partnered with Christian Service Mission for a collection drive to support Birmingham Food Banks now through Thursday, November the 6th, from 7:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m.

each day.

The food drive is a part of Mayor Whitfin's effort to help Birmingham Snap recipients who are experiencing a temporary disruption of benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

The following items are needed during this week's food drive and should be dropped off at the Christian Service Mission located at 3600 Third Avenue South.

Canned vegetables, canned meats, canned fruit, box cereals, soups, nutritional bars, oatmeal, box food such as macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rice, et cetera, toilet paper and paper towels.

We ask please do not drop off clothing, shoes, accessories, or food in glass containers.

More details will be provided soon on how Birmingham residents receiving SNAP benefits may apply for financial assistance.

Until this is announced, the city has created WW.Birmingham AL.gov forward slash BHAM ready with details on how to donate or volunteer, where to find food giveaways and community resources for those in need.

Questions should be sent to Bham Ready at Birmingham AL.gov.

Again, questions should be sent to B ham Ready at Birmingham AL.gov.

And then finally, Madam President, Madam Protein, members of the council, the City of Birmingham's offices will be closed on Tuesday, November the 11th, with the exception of police fire and 911 in observance of Veterans Day.

There will be no trash pickup on that day.

Collection will resume, though, on Wednesday, November November the 12th, with garbage routes delayed by one day.

Also, the 78th National Veterans Day Parade will take place right here in downtown Birmingham on Tuesday, November the 11th.

It begins at 1 p.m.

rain or shine.

For more information, please go to NationalVeteransday.org forward slash parade.

Madam President, Madam Protein, members of the council, that concludes the mayor's report.

Thank you very much, Chief.

At this time, counselors, I'd like to ask for common consent that we amend the agenda to allow for special presentations.

At this time, our first presentation, I'm very excited to welcome Congresswoman Terry Sewell of the 7th Congressional District.

We know that these are unprecedented times that we're seeing on both a federal as well as a state level when it comes to providing for our residents.

And Congresswoman Sewell has been kind enough to come today and just talk to us about these times and share her commitment to our residents.

Congresswoman Sewell, thank you.

Well, thank you so much, Madam Chair.

Good morning to all of you.

I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to address you.

I also want to thank the City Council, the mayor, and your team for our years of partnership in providing uh federal dollars and opportunities to our constituents.

Um I know that you know that uh I truly believe that it's an honor every day to represent the great city of Birmingham, and we do so with pride, and today is no different, and I want to thank you for what you're about to do in terms of providing for SNAP.

Um it is day 35 of the government shutdown, and President Trump and my Republican colleagues are not willing to take come to the table and talk with the Democrats in order in order to come to a bipartisan agreement that will fully fund government, that will protect health care, and that will provide uh SNAP benefits and to reopen government.

It's unfortunate uh that this uh administration chose as their very first bill uh a bill that actually gutted uh SNAP, uh the largest cut to SNAP, uh 176 billion dollars.

And if that's not enough, they also um that bill also gutted uh Medicaid to the tune of one trillion dollars.

Um, and so we are in the midst, as you said, of unprecedented times and unprecedented times require us uh to work together in order to protect and to um honor the American people and the people that we serve.

SNAP benefits, as you know, is an example, in my opinion, of government uh can't of showing that government can be a force for good when we prioritize caring for our children, our seniors, and working families over the wealthy and well connected.

For so many, SNAP means the difference between a hot meal and going to bed hungry.

Over 700 750,000 Alabamians, including 23,000 of our citizens right here in Birmingham, and 58,000 households in Alabama's 7th Congressional District depend and rely on SNAP every month.

Now you know uh that uh our president and congressional republicans are uh currently uh uh not willing to use a constingency fund that was set aside by Congress.

That contingency fund had six billion dollars in it.

We know that to fully fund SNAP, it would cost uh eight to nine billion dollars.

But uh it is a legal obligation under the direction of the Congress that this administration has access to funds that could fully fund the SNAP benefits.

Um sadly, using the government shutdown as an excuse to slash programs for low-income families.

Um this president has said that they he would not access it.

But as many of you know, uh two federal judges intervened and told this administration that they should fund SNAP.

And as I understand it, um, yesterday, the president said that he would partially fund SNAP, not fully fund SNAP.

I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and going back to Congress uh and leading the charge uh to have uh this administration fully fund SNAP benefits since uh under law they have access to 23 billion dollars in USDA funds on top of the consingency funds so they could fully fund the SNAP benefits.

Now we know uh that Congress provides uh funding for SNAP not only through a contingency fund, but we fund it monthly, as you all know.

And given the fact that it that the November 1st has come and gone, um, it's gonna take some time for any money to flow to our um SNAP beneficiaries in Birmingham and across this nation.

In fact, it usually takes two weeks to process SNAP benefits.

So I'm just trying to give you an idea of the time frame before any money will flow to our constituents.

And so it is with that that I am very thankful that this city council, this mayor uh is about to uh pass um a bill that will actually allow us to get one million dollars to help uh defray some of the financial hardship and provide food for the hungry right here in Birmingham, Alabama, and you all should be applauded for doing that.

I think that it is really important that we stand up and we um stand in the gap when we realize that the people that we serve are not being treated fairly, and that's exactly what's happening.

I apologize for the government shutdown, but I also want you to know that I do not apologize for fighting for fully funding government, for protecting health care, for making sure that our SNAP beneficiaries get the benefits that they have been getting and that they need in order to provide for their families and themselves.

You know, this is uh unfortunate that we are in the midst of a political battle, if you will, and politics should have no place when it comes to providing for our hungry seniors, our children.

In fact, SNAP beneficiaries overwhelmingly have children under the age of 16.

And so by standing in the gap here in Birmingham, you are providing for our constituents, and I am very, very, very grateful.

I'd like to think that we would open up government soon, but I have to tell you that instead of um talking with Democrats, this president would prefer to talk to foreign nations and provide funding, 40 billion dollars to Argentina instead of fully funding SNAP.

And I know that hunger is not a political football.

Hunger is not just for Democrats and not for Republicans, it's not a red or blue issue.

Hunger, hunger is an issue for all of us to address.

It's a matter of right versus wrong, and it's wrong to use hunger and food and SNAP in order to score political points, and it is right for us to provide and stand in the gap for our constituents when they are in need.

So thank you for the opportunity uh to address you today.

And I want you to know that this government shutdown and what what I'm asking, what Democrats are asking is simply that we come to the negotiating table, that we negotiate a bipartisan agreement to fully fund government.

And when this president comes to the table, I think that's when government will reopen.

Until then, do know, I know that our job as legislators, especially in Congress, is to pass a budget to fully fund government.

So it is uh deeply saddening that we are in the position that we're in today, but I am grateful for the partnership and for the continued support that this council, this mayor, and your wonderful team and staff provide to my team each and every day, and together we will get through this crisis.

Thank you.

Thank you, Congresswoman Sewell.

Don't leave yet.

I know you're on a tight schedule, but we do thank you for bringing this information to us and sharing your perspective about what's going on on a federal level.

I want to thank you personally.

I know you have helped many of our districts and as well as the city of Birmingham through allocations and appropriations, and you were the first to reach out when you knew that we were beginning this process of trying to help our local residents.

So I want to thank you, and we really appreciate this update today.

Counselors, I don't know if you have any other comments for Congresswoman Sewell, Counselor Smith.

Hi, well, thank you again for being here.

And congratulations.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

Um, and I just wanted to thank you for your partnership this past weekend, this past Saturday with Commissioner Tyson and Mr.

Nasher to provide um gas to SNAP recipients and federal employees.

So I just want to thank you for that.

Thank you.

I think all of us have to roll up our sleeves and do what we can to stand in the gap for our for our constituents.

And it's an honor, as I'm sure you all uh will agree to represent your districts, and it's an honor for me to represent all of you in Congress, and um grateful for Commissioner Tyson and for Sheriff Petway for uh organizing uh the gas giveaway and was honored to be a part of that and to and to contribute.

Thank you.

Commission, I was gonna say commissioner counselor Smithman.

Thank you, Madam President.

I just want to keep it short.

Thank you for always keeping an open line of communication uh with us.

I know ever since I started on the council, you know, a lot of people it takes them a long time to have a one-on-one meeting with their federal representative, but I have to say that every single time we have asked you for help, you have been there immediately.

And so I just really want to thank you for the work that you do, the way you advocate for Birmingham, and I continue to look forward to work with you.

Thank you, Congresswoman.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Counselor Woods.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Yeah, just want to thank you for being here.

I think uh any of us that watch the news on a regular basis see uh how much confusing information can come down, and so just being accessible to uh translate sometimes, but coming here to ensure that the uh residents of Birmingham uh could hear directly from you and have a good understanding of what's going on and uh we appreciate the work you're doing to solve the issue, and we're here to back you up if needed.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tim.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you again, Congresswoman Sue.

And congratulations, Madam Pro Chang.

I echo the sentiments of my colleagues and thank you, knowing that we will continue to keep you and your colleagues, this whole nation, you know, in prayer, and the president himself, you know, that God touches his heart and he begins to do what is right, you know, for the American people.

So once again, thank you, you know, for always keeping an open door for us and being a listener here and being a tenacious woman you are in fighting the good fight that you do in DC.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Can I take a point of personal privilege and um just acknowledge uh Cheryl Kid uh who is retiring?

Want to thank you for your many, many years of service uh to this wonderful city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Congresswoman.

At this time, counselors will turn our attention to the next presentation.

And Council Woods, are you ready?

We have a presentation uh regarding Prescott House, and I'll turn it over to Councilor Woods.

Thank you.

Uh good morning.

This morning we had the opportunity to have some representatives from Prescott House, Miss Mary Beth and uh Tree.

Uh, one of the uh unique things about serving in this role is you get the opportunity to uh meet a lot of organizations and see some very important impactful work that's happening right here in Birmingham.

Uh the Press Guy House, they they represent some of the most uh vulnerable of among our population, and so I want to invite them down just to uh share a little bit about the impactful work they're doing and just uh be able to introduce yourself.

So I think Mary Beth, you're up.

Thank you.

I'm gonna move this down.

I'm very small.

Um I'm so honored to be able to speak with you all today to help you understand what Prescott House Child Advocacy Center does.

We've been in existence for 37 years.

Prior to the Child Advocacy Center being in our city, if a child was abused sexually, physically witnessed violence, domestic violence, homicide, they would have to go to numerous agencies, retell their story to social workers, to detectives, to district attorney investigators, to district attorneys, over and over and over.

Re-traumatizing them, having them relive those experiences.

The Child Advocacy Center model brings all of those professionals together under one roof.

The child is then talked to by a specially trained counselor who gives them the opportunity to share about those horrific experiences one time.

And then we provide them trauma-informed counseling to help them heal to begin a road to recovery.

Sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back, but it's a path that brings them hope and healing.

Last year we conducted what's called a forensic interview.

That's that first conversation with a child to learn about what happened before the investigators do their investigation.

We conducted 259 of those just in the Birmingham Division of Jefferson County, not the Bessmer division.

This year we are at 45% more than we were last year.

We provide counseling for those children, about 800 counseling sessions a year.

If we look at that just in the city of Birmingham, that's 120 children that have been interviewed because they've experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse, or witnessed violence.

If you see something on the news that involves a child, you can pretty much guarantee that that's walking through our door.

And those children are in very desperate situations.

Then you take what counts uh Congresswoman Sewell talked about, and you add the level of food insecurity and housing insecurity to already traumatized children.

It's insurmountable without the partnership of our community.

And so I want to invite you.

I think that Amanda has already passed out an invitation to our open house next Thursday, the 13th from 3 30 to 5 30.

We invite you to come to walk through our doors just like a child would that walks through our doors, experience what they would experience, see what they would experience, see why we do what we do and how we do it.

I've also given you some statistics about the numbers of children we served in 2025, how we trained the community to help better protect children.

It's not a child's responsibility to protect themselves, it's ours as adults to protect those children.

So I hope that you will take advantage of that opportunity and drop by for 20, 30 minutes and walk through our doors with us.

From a fiscal standpoint, it costs us about 140,000 to serve the children from the city of Birmingham every year, and that's increasing year after year after year.

So thank you for letting me come for letting me share with you about the work we do, and I just invite you to be our partners in our community helpers and maintain that steady partnership.

Thank you very much.

We thank you, Counselor Woods, for bringing this presentation, and we thank you for giving us some information about Prescott House, and we're also delighted to have the invitation for the open house.

And so I'm sure that you'll see continued support, and we just thank you for what you do for the children of our area all the time.

Thank you.

Any other comments, counselors?

Thank you very much.

At this time, I would like to ask Mrs.

Cheryl Kidd and Counselor O'Quinn to please join me at the podium.

Well, good morning, everyone, to members of the Birmingham City Council.

It's always difficult to say goodbye.

But it's very easy to honor someone that has provided 23 years and six months of dedicated service to the council administration of the Birmingham City Council.

Mrs.

Kidd, we knew this day would be coming, and we're excited to see you as you tip your hat into the role of the retiree.

But we know that does not end your service to the City of Birmingham and to this council.

Mrs.

Kidd has had a very illustrious career.

And when I wanted to go back and look at numbers, we started thinking, just how many mayors and counselors has Mrs.

Kidd served in these 23 years and six months.

The numbers indicate you've worked with six mayors, including two interims, nine council presidents, including our past president and myself, numerous council members, and many other elected officials to ensure efficient legislation and stable budgetary methods to solidify and continue the city's progress.

Mrs.

Kidd has endeavored to create a workplace within the city council's office that would elevate opportunities for those who desire to serve.

We know that she has led a great team within council administration.

And with the council's approval, she created the position of deputy administrator.

Where would we be without that constant loyal leadership in Deputy Administrator McDaniels?

Since its inception, we've had four deputies that have served in that capacity.

That was the start, and we thank you for bringing that to the makeup of the council administration, because that was the start of ensuring continuity of information and a broader base for management and development of staff.

Now we know that office operations and staff development were near and dear to the heart of Mrs.

Kidd.

Committee Roundup, hey, everybody knows committee roundup, right?

It was instituted to align staff communication with council committees priorities.

And we thank you for that and for your encouragement for wanting to be sure that staff development was key to not only our council administration staff, but to our own individual council staff.

Mrs.

Kidd also insisted that every council request was a priority to be fulfilled with competency and courtesy.

I thank you for that competency and that courtesy that you provided to me as well as other counselors as we have set to represent our residents.

She's fervently believes that God does not always call the equipped, but he does equip those that he has called.

So it's benefiting to say today, as recorded in John 321, but those who do what is true come to the light so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

Mrs.

Kidd is a loving mother of two daughters and the doting grandmother of one granddaughter and one grandson.

And we share that in the namesake McKenzie.

She is an active member of Alpha Capital Alpha, Sorority Incorporated, and the Birmingham chapter of the Lynx Incorporated.

So I'm sure her service and commitment will continue in those organizations.

So I continue to look forward to seeing as a part of that.

So counselors, this has been part of the resolution that I have before you, and so that be resolved that the council of the city of Birmingham, with Mayor Randall Whitford concurring, pauses in its deliberations to join family and friends in celebrating Mrs.

Cheryl Kidd, Anderson Kidd, her well-deserved retirement.

We extend a big thank to you, thanks to you and wish her all the best.

This will adopt it this day on November 4th, 2025, at the recommendation of the Birmingham City Council President and all members of the Birmingham City Council.

So I'd like to for unanimous consent for offering of this resolution.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed.

And now the resolution.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So that resolution passes, and we'll go ahead and present that to Mrs.

Kidd as the past immediate past president of the Birmingham City Council.

I asked Dr.

Quinn to join us, and if you could offer some words before we allow Mrs.

Kidd to speak.

And it's our obligation to recognize you.

But I want to also just add that really appreciate the fact that you in your leadership capacity planned succession for the council central staff.

That's been hugely important and really takes a big burden potentially off of the council.

And you know, I feel like you have left the council in a better place.

Um your work with the Jefferson County, just recently your work with the Jefferson County uh personnel board, you know, creating official job descriptions and a performance review process.

Uh you know, that was a big leap forward for us.

So thank you for that, and for all of the other ways that you have helped manage this council in a organizational structure that is truly bizarre.

Um, I can't imagine how tough it is to work for nine bosses at the same time.

Uh so kudos to you for for surviving.

All right, and now, Mrs.

Kidd, we'd love to just have some remarks from you.

Thank you so much.

Wow.

Thank you.

And let me say that I think in the 23 years that I've been here, I've never stood here before you guys.

So let me say to you that it is a tad bit intimidating.

But anyway, uh, let me say that it has certainly been a privilege and an honor to serve in this capacity for this month of time.

But I need to give all of the glory to God because there's no other way that I could have served for 23 years, six months, and yeah, you know, it's time you know the rule.

And also um, a former president Lee Loader, who had to step away to go to court.

I want to thank him for opening this pathway for me.

At the time he was my associate pastor, I had no idea he knew who I was, and he asked me to come and apply for this position.

We know that's a joke.

Um, but anyway, do want to thank him.

I want to thank my family, and I also want to thank each and every administration before this administration for your confidence and support of me in leading this.

And also I wanted to thank every mayor before our present mayor, and I'm sorry that he's not here because we have a uh history, and it's a good one.

Um met him years ago, and so proud of him, and to each one of you, thank you.

Thank you so much, and congratulations to the new people.

I'm sorry I'm not here, but it's okay.

I think you will do just well without me.

And to you, Mr.

Gunn, congratulations, and to Mr.

Vasa Counselor, thank uh congratulations to you.

I also at this time want to thank my friends, my family who could not be here at this time, and my colleagues of the city for the many years of smiles, prayers, and support.

Thank you.

And to my sisters in both AKA and the links, thank you so much for standing with me today.

I appreciate each and every one of you, and I will continue to serve.

And I also want to thank central staff.

Uh, if you could just come out just a little bit.

Um this lady, she and I go back 23 years and six months.

She is certainly one of my first hires, and I want to thank you.

Also, Paulette has been here forever.

I think 40 years.

She was the one along with Lee Loder who got me to come over and didn't tell me the full truth.

Um, but I forgive you and I love you.

And to the rest of you, I do thank you for your support, your friendship.

Uh, we have become family, and I truly appreciate that your time of service, and please continue as I know you will to service to serve in honesty and in truth.

Also, last but not least, I want to thank the clerk's office for your partnership with Central Staff and for um the leadership there, Mr.

Lee Frazier, as they say, better not nobody say anything about Lee Fraser.

Uh, that's been our heart sung song.

Can anybody talk about Cheryl Keaton and it better not stop here?

All right, thank you for that.

But I do thank you for early on the many late nights that your staff stayed with us to get the packets out.

We've come a long way, so thank you for that.

And I will forever be grateful for Jeffrey McDaniels for stepping up.

And giving me a break these last four years.

Thank you.

But one last thing I would like for you to do is to step around the podium, pull my name off of there and bring it to me, sir.

Um, yes, we are ending this relationship today.

But really, sincerely to each and every one of you and to the council and his staff.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve.

I don't think it's gonna come off, so we're gonna have to work on it.

Thank you very much.

At this time, counselors, we have any comments if anyone wants to make any comments.

Thank you.

Anybody here?

Uh Council Council.

Counselor Williams.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

You know, Cheryl, um, I think that Darrell said it best when it's impossible to work for nine bosses, especially we have nine different personalities.

Mine, I know is some one of the worst to work with.

Um, and I acknowledge that you have done a great job of being able to handle the nine of us with people like me included.

And I know that you've had a lot of different councils that you've worked for.

I'm happy to have been on two and a little bit over two, two in a couple days of a council uh to be able to work with you.

So thank you for putting up with me.

And thank you for being able to keep all of us going in the same direction, even though it's nine folks that have completely different styles, completely different personalities, and completely different politics and what they believe, and you've been able to keep us all on track and in the same train.

So thank you very much.

Thank you.

Councillor Smith.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tim.

Uh Cheryl, well, I think I've known you the longest out of everybody on the council.

Um, because I know you came in literally right around the same time my mom started.

And so, but as an adult, I really want to thank you because you know, when the three of us kind of came in and came on point, it was a very interesting time.

You know, we were appointed and then there was election, but I I really thank you for the guidance that you gave us, all nine of us, how you pushed us to be a legislative body.

Um, I think you and Jeff are really um the secret sauce to why uh we're able to operate more effectively than a lot of councils throughout the whole nation, honestly.

So you're gonna be missed.

I hope you come and see us.

You know, I wear pink, even though I'm not supposed to.

I wore pink honor of you, but um, I look forward to seeing what you do, living for I hope you come back and visit us and check on us.

So thank you so much for all you've done.

Thank you, Councillor Woods.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

Uh Ms.

Kid.

So, number one, I think one of our undisputed top district one residents.

And so uh just have a great appreciation for you because this is undoubtedly a difficult job.

Uh you never know what it requires, you never know what somebody might call you with.

Um, you know, I know I was one of the you know your more low maintenance counselors that is uh a true joy to work with, but no, I really just appreciate how you did everything with just true grace, like there was nothing um you kind of knew what every moment required, like you know, you ensured that things were were really handled, man.

But also kind of you know, knew when to let us go find out for ourselves when you know we didn't eventually come back and uh realize you were often right in the first place, but um just just appreciate the way you went about doing the job and professionalism, but just the grace that you brought to to how you came in every day and tackled the day's problems.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councillor Smith.

So congratulations on your retirement, and I just really hate that I won't get a chance to work with you in this capacity.

And um, so I congratulate you again on your retirement, and I know you're not going to just sit down and do nothing.

Um, but I just I hope you enjoy it.

So thanks for all that you've done.

Thank you, Chief Sparks.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tim.

Adam Administrator, certainly on behalf of Mayor Whippin and the entire administration.

We want to salute you on your retirement.

Many of us have had the opportunity to serve with you in professional and personal capacities, have the opportunity to learn from you as a student.

Chief Mitchell had the opportunity to all of that.

And then obviously, many other members of our team in terms of the transition process and the operational process have worked closely with you.

So we really are excited for you in this season of your life, and we wish you well, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Cheryl Cheryl Cheryl.

Oh, Mrs.

Key.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you.

Mrs.

Kidd, I I want to say um congratulations on your retirement is bittersweet.

Um, I just think about all of the the talks and the good times that I have shared with you and how you have whipped me back on the right track when I kind of got off track sometimes, but congratulations on your retirement.

Um, as it has been gracefully said, I know that you're not going to sit down.

I know you're gonna keep on doing great things.

Um, and thank you.

I just really thank you um really really for pouring into me and and you know, just giving me sound solid advice and and leaning on those biblical principles and talking to me like my big sister, saying, you know, keep it in a row, keep it in a row.

But thank you, Cher.

I love you dearly, and I know you're gonna be a phone call away.

Thank you, Cheryl.

Love you, love you, love you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Back to you, madam president.

Thank you very much, Madam Pro Tim, and thank you again.

We appreciate you all for allowing us these special presentations.

We've been delighted to have each person that has been presented to us this morning.

So thank you all.

We really appreciate it.

At this time, counselors, we'll return back to our agenda, and if you allow me, I will read the statement of the conduct of business as we prepare to hear the items for consent.

All items designated as consent are routine and non-controversial and will be approved by one motion.

All items on the consent agenda will be announced by reading the item numbers only.

No separate discussion of these items will be permitted unless a council member or the mayor requests the item to be removed from the consent agenda.

Additionally, a citizen represented in addressing the council with respect to an item on the consent agenda designated for public hearing, and that's with PH.

May request the item be removed from the consent agenda to hold the hearing on the item.

Any items removed from the consent agenda will revert to its normal place on the agenda order business for remaining matters, all matters of permanent operation, and those are indicated with the capital P will be read, and all public hearings, ph will be announced.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, if you'll read the items being considered for consent.

Yes, ma'am.

Um consent agenda starts on page two with items two and three.

Um page three, we have items four, five, and six on consent.

Page six, items 12, 13, and 14 on consent.

Page 7, items 15, 16, and 17 are on consent.

Page eight, items eighteen, nineteen, twenty, and twenty-one are on consent.

Uh page nine, items twenty-two, twenty-three, and twenty four on consent, and we have one addendum item.

Thank you.

At this time, counselors, are there any items you would like to have added or removed from consent?

Councilor Quinn.

Yes, madam president.

I would like to remove uh item 18 on page eight.

Remove that one from the consent agenda and add item 27 um the addendum items.

All right, thank you.

Any other items, counselors?

Counselor Smithman.

Uh thank you, madam president.

I would like to take off item 16 on page 7.

Item 16 on page 7.

Yes, any other items, counselor.

All right, just to recap, we've had the request to remove item 16 on page 7.

And item 18 on page 8 to be removed from consent.

And we've had a request to add our addendum item number 27 for consent.

Can I have a second motion and a second?

Okay, Council Williams Smithman.

And let's try the uh IPS.

Let's see here.

Voting should be open now.

Anyone have an issues.

Okay, let's see what's going on here.

I have an eye as well.

Uh all right, things are not working out here.

Okay, one second.

Okay.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed say nay.

I guess you know.

Thank you.

Those items that were consented for consent have been approved.

If you are here to hear either of those items, we'll let you know that they have been approved.

We hope you have a great day unless you want to stay with us and we'll continue with the agenda.

Mr.

Clerk, please call the first item.

Item one, um, an ordinance to further amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham.

Case number ZAC 2025-19 to change zone district boundaries from QB1 qualified business district to C1 neighborhood commercial district in order to remove the Q conditions from previously approved rezoning case Z 1992 in order to allow a medical spa filed by Dunn Real Estate LLC property owner in Dela Ball.

Applicant for the property located at 821 39th place south and situated in section 32 quarter section two township 17 range 2 west 3522 and hearing of ownership parties.

Motion please item is before you.

All right, thank you, counselors.

This is a public hearing to consider an amendment to the zoning, and we'll ask planning and zoning to please come and give us information regarding this item.

Ms.

Burrell, thank you.

Good morning.

My name is Kim Spurl.

I serve as the zoning administrator for the Department of Planning Engineering and Permits.

Um the item before you is case ZAC 2025-19.

This is an application to change the zone district boundaries from QB1, which is a qualified neighborhood business district, to C1, which is our neighborhood commercial district, in order to remove Q conditions from a previously approved rezoning case.

And the applicant is proposing to open a medical spa.

Um the property is owned by Dunn Real Estate, and the applicant is de la ball with dynamic civil solutions.

The property is located at 821, 39th place south, which is located in our forest park neighborhood.

In 1992, this property was zoned R3, single family residential, and the owner at that time applied to rezone the property to QB1 in order to open a professional office building.

That case was approved by the council in 1992, subject to three Q conditions.

The only use that would be permitted in the building is a professional office.

Number two, the applicant would have to submit and receive approval by the urban planning department of a development plan to include site beautification, park park proper parking layout, and the dumpster location.

And then the third Q condition was that the development plan had to be consistent with the agreement with the neighborhood from July 3rd of 1992.

And part of that agreement in 1992 was that all parking shall enter and exit from Claremont.

The removal of hedges and railroad ties on the north perimeter of the parking lot, allowing one additional parking space running north and south in depth, and the maximum amount of spaces running running east and west.

Removal of the small white house on the eastern edge of the property, closing the driveway on the west end of the property that borders 39th place, landscaping the entire lot, especially the west end of the property.

Recommendation of a privacy fence on the northern border, allowing the addition of an entrance and reception room on the east end of the existing home to be consistent with the design of the current house, uh the use of the house to be limited to one professional tenant, daytime use only, and the cleanliness of the parking area to be maintained by the Innus brothers.

So we received an application about three months ago for a business license for a medical spa to be operated in this location.

Because of those cue conditions, the med spa was not an allowed use, which is why the applicant has requested to rezone the property.

So the medical spa would be a hybrid between a traditional day spa and a medical clinic that would operate under the care of a licensed professional and a doctor.

The med spa will provide medical grade aesthetic treatments that require specialized training and certifications.

Services provided will include facial services with radio frequency, ultrasound, oxygen, micro-needling, chemical pills, massage therapy, injections provided by a board certified physician, laser hair removal, and broadband light IPL.

The proposed hours of operation for the med spa will be Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m.

to 4 p.m.

And there will be approximately four employees on site at the med spa.

The city's long-range land use plan identifies this property as mixed use low.

Um we consider the med spa use to be under our personal care services, which is why it would not be allowed under a professional office building.

We did not have any comments from our landscape architect, our stormwater division, or our Birmingham Department of Transportation.

This property is located in the Southern Framework Plan Area, and they are currently going through their community-wide rezoning process right now.

The applicant did meet with the Forest Park Neighborhood Association on August 5th of this year, and the neighborhood voted 32 to zero to support the rezoning request.

The zoning advisory committee met on August 19th, 2025, and they voted unanimously to recommend this request.

And on September 10th, 2025, the planning and zoning committee met and they voted to recommend this request to the full council.

And the applicant is present if you have any questions for her.

Thank you very much.

And you said the applicant is present.

We could have the applicant come forward.

Good morning.

If you'll just state your name and address again, yes.

Address is 2210 2nd Avenue North.

Thank you.

And Ms.

Ball, if you could just give us some idea again of your scope of the business and what you like to do there.

Yes, so the applicant or I am applicant.

Um they are um currently they have a pending lease for a company that will come in and run a med spa as Miss Burl eloquently uh spoke earlier.

Um they do not plan to do anything to the building it's in the for the exterior, so everything that they're doing is interior, um, which is very limited also.

So there will be no changes to parking to access to landscaping, um, and the only thing that they will do is change the existing sign to represent the new business.

Thank you very much.

Counselors, you do have this information, some dynamic schematics and diagrams that list information about the property that was included in your packet.

Thank you so much.

This is a public hearing.

So do we have anyone that wants to speak for or against this application?

All right, counselors.

Do you have any questions for planning the zoning or for the applicant?

Yes, counselor Williams.

So I heard from some folks on this, and it seems like it was a little bit of a fluke that she had to that this process had to occur.

Um this is typically something that would be in that area and is not, you know, the sentence spot zoning or something.

Yeah.

It's it's really kind of unfortunate that they've had to go do this because I think that they signed a lease and they were like, wait, there's a cute condition from a long time ago that doesn't really make sense.

And I think that it was the way that condition was worded in 1992 that specifically excluded neighborhood commercial uses.

Yeah.

So it was I think that meant I think that the intention there was like was probably not for like you know, uh a place that does facials.

Right.

And and if you the history of the site, it has been all um almost entirely attorney's offices, and so that fell under that professional office use.

Um, but they unfortunately the way that condition was worded, it did eliminate a med spa as a use that could be allowed.

Yeah, just wanted to point that out.

Thank you.

Thank you for getting that clarification.

Any other questions, counselors?

All right, at this time, Mr.

Clerk, I believe we're ready for the vote.

All right, we'll try this again.

Uh voting should be open.

Council Gunn, you have an issue with your okay.

How would you like to vote?

Yes.

All right, yeah, Council Smith.

Yes.

Yes.

Uh Council Voss.

Yes.

Okay.

Uh Councilmember was that vote should be up for everyone.

All right, thank you.

That item number one passes.

Next item.

All right, let's see.

We're going to number seven.

A resolution approving the renewal of the term of the lease agreement dated October the 29th, 2015, between the medical clinic board of the city of Birmingham General and BBHP BMC L L C for the additional 10 year term expiring at midnight of November the 1st, 2035.

The lease agreement was executed in connection with the issuance by the medical clinic board of the city of Birmingham General of certain subordinated revenue bonds.

Section 9.2 of the lease agreement requires a certified copy of a resolution of the Birmingham City Council approving the renewal of the lease term for the renewal to become effective.

Motion please.

Move the item.

Thank you.

All right, thank you, Councilor.

This is a recommendation by the mayor for a renewal of the term of a lease agreement between the medical clinical board of the city of Birmingham.

Any questions regarding this item?

Counselor Smitheman.

Yes, I think we um delayed this item because I think I had a question about the bond.

Um there's a reference to some bonds in the paperwork.

I can't remember my exact question, but we can have attorney Jim Stanley come in.

Thank you, Mr.

Stanley.

Good morning, the council Jim Stanley.

I serve in the office of the city attorney.

Uh this item relates to a provision in the lease agreement.

This associated with the bonds that were issued in 2015 by the medical clinic board.

Uh the bonds impact, uh Brookwood Hospital and also Baptist Princeton.

Uh as part of the bond issue, the medical clinic board took title to properties and then leased them back to to the hospital entity in effect.

And the lease agreement, I think just for accountability and transparency purposes, provided that if you extend the lease and it it it provides for three tenure extensions.

If you extend the lease at any time for one of those 10-year extensions, city council approvals required.

So is this something the next council will have to do in 10 more years?

If they continue with it in 10 more years, yes, they may pay the bonds off and unwind the transaction.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Smithman.

Thank you.

Attorney Stanley.

Any other questions regarding this item?

Mr.

Clerk, we're ready for the vote.

Okay.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed say nay.

All right.

That move should be over.

Thank you.

Item seven passes.

Next item.

Should be item eight.

A resolution amending resolution number nine seventy-25 adopted by the council June the 17th, 2025, exercising the city's option to have assessments for the abatement of noxious or dangerous weeds to the tax collector of Jefferson County for the collection with property taxes to remove parcel 01230151030170 due to the owner providing no assessment on the property to correct the removal of the parcel due to a clerical error, which provide the owner with a clear assessment of the property.

Councilor, you should have received an updated um resolution on that.

Your packet move the item.

All right, counselors.

Any questions regarding this item?

Right, Mr.

Clerk, we're ready for the vote.

Okay, all in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

Item 8 passes.

Next item.

Should be item nine.

Item 9 and ordinance pursuant to section 23-1-11.

Code of Alabama and Alabama Act 1969-916 authorized the mayor to execute an interlocal cooperation agreement between the Alabama Department of Transportation and the City of Birmingham for a term of up to one year for installation operation maintenance of decorative lighting on 7th Avenue South within L DOT right of way on the US 280 uh US 31.

The mayor shall be authorized to expend an amount which shall not exceed 100,000 pursuant to said agreement itself is expressly provided in the agreement.

No party to the contract shall have any power to incur any debt, which she'll become the responsibility of the other contracting party.

The funding source you'll be GL number one uh that's 52 underscore 00840 underscore 00842.528-002.

And this is an item of permanent operation.

I need you see to pass it.

Motion for unanimous consent.

Council Member Gunn.

Yes.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

Yes, Councilmember Smith.

Yes.

Council Member Smithman.

Yes.

Councilmember Vasa.

Yes.

Councilmember Williams.

Out.

Council Member Woods.

All right.

Council President Pro Tim Alley Tate.

Aye.

Council President Alexander.

Aye.

Okay.

And motion on the item, please.

Move the item.

The item is before you.

All right.

Thank you, Counselors.

This is an ordinance again for lighting, entering an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Are there any questions for administration?

Councillor Smith.

Oh, well, I'm sure Councillor O'Quim has a extensive background on that one.

Thank you.

Um I just want to say I don't know who's responsible for uh bringing this to us, but I want to say thank you.

Um, because this has been a long-standing issue that we've frequently uh gotten you know contact from constituents about uh so um just again wanted to say thank you for finally getting it resolved.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Council Smithman.

Yes, thank you, madam president.

I just have a few questions.

Is this uh something Al Dot is gonna continues to maintain?

Will this be an annual agreement?

Madam President.

Yes, Chief.

No, it's just for one year uh due to the right-of-way access owned by Aldot.

We just wanted to go ahead and repair the lighting because to um Council O'Clean's point, we've been getting a lot of calls about this underpass or break-ins to business owners.

So we just kind of wanted to make a priority for us and um kind of assist and expediting this process.

Okay, thank you.

I think this is uh a great initiative because it's not only this underpass, but you know, there are quite a few throughout this city.

Actually, got an email about one about the rainbow of IDO about uh two residents um basically escaping being robbed by somebody going under, and they were asking about lighting.

And so just I want to ask what's the process because they were asking for a light on the but I know it's a process to that.

So how would that work in that instance?

If you could if we could just send it to uh either me or GA, we can investigate because of course we have to get permission from Alright.

Okay, yeah.

Sounds good.

Thank you very much.

Any other questions, Councilor Smith?

Yes, so I just um wanted to also acknowledge and I'll send a message letting you know this, but um off of Bush Boulevard, we have some um the underpass there for the interstate.

We need some additional additional lighting.

So thanks.

I was gonna say I think we all agree we have several sites, but I do thank you for mentioning those, and I think it's a great time now that we could get that information over to administration so that we can see as we forward it through this process, we can look for others.

Councilor O'Quinn.

Yes, thank you, Madam President.

Um, so along those lines, um there is a uh agreement that actually dates back to 1911 between the city of Birmingham and uh railroads in the city that specifies um who's responsible for what um in regards to railroad property that in intersects with public right away, and this is a lot of um railroad overpasses specifically, and that agreement, you know, essentially says everything you know above the street um is the the railroad's responsibility and it's sort of a blanket agreement that that um covers you know instead of having individual locations um it it's you know is more consolidated.

Responsible for what in regards to railroad property that in s intersects with public right away and this is a lot of um railroad overpasses specifically and that agreement you know essentially says everything you know above the street um is the the railroad's responsibility and it it's sort of a blanket agreement that that um covers you know instead of having individual locations um it it's you know is more consolidated so I I would uh encourage administration to continue to work with ALDA um to resolve this issue because I don't think anybody understands all of the agreements that have um occurred over the years you know with respect to Algot work um so it's you know there's a lot of conversation around you know interstate lighting um there's these types of situations where there's uh underpass lighting and you know for this specific example um for a long time we were just trying to figure out you know who's responsible who's the responsible entity so um one thing you know that would be a leap forward for the city um would be to have you know again it's just sort of a blanket agreement that defines who's responsible for what um and you know we could address these issues more quickly if that's the case so just wanted to add that comment thank you Dr.

O'Quin we appreciate the work you've done with the transportation committee and the um institutional knowledge that you bring with us for that so thank you any other questions or comments Mr.

Clerk we're ready for the vote all in favor let it be known by saying aye aye all opposed saying nay all right thank you item number nine passes next item should be item number ten an ordinance authorizing the mayor um submit to section 38-1-6 38-2-9 of the code of Alabama to expending them out which united see and this amount should change to $1 million and $90,000 for the purpose of providing supplemental nutrition assistance to the elderly citizens and poor and needy citizens residing within the city in the month of November 2025 during the federal government shutdown the mayor shall be authorized to enter to such contracts as determined to be necessary to carry out the intent of this ordinance provided that such contracts shall comply with the Alabama purchasing laws and other provision of state and federal law as well as the ordinances of the city of Birmingham until the above referenced appropriation has been dispended any resident of the city of Birmingham provides evidence that they are eligible to receive supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits she'll be eligible to receive supplemental nutrition assistance provided by the city of Birmingham during the month of November 2025 while the federal government shutdown continues a single person who is eligible for these supplemental benefits shall receive a one time allotment of up to one hundred dollars and an eligible family shall receive a one time allotment of up to two hundred dollars this is an item of permanent operation I need you see to pass it today.

Motion for unanimous consent councilmember gunnes council member o'quinn yes council member smith yes council member smithman council member vassa council member woods council member tate council president pro team tate council president alexander aye uh motion on the item move the on second item is before you all right thank you counselors this is the item regarding um allocations for funding to assist residents with the SNAP benefits chief if uh someone would give us just an idea I think we're all very aware of what we're doing but if you would provide the public and the council just an overview.

Yes Mayor Madam President uh so uh Mayor Whiffin has brought forth the opportunity for the city to be able to assist um the residents of the city who are SNAP eligible um it's been estimated that it's between about 23 to 24000 and it's broken down into three buckets the first bucket is support financially that allows um us to provide at least um a supplement to what those citizens would normally receive um if they were receiving their traditional allocation so um we're partnering with United Way of Central Alabama who will handle the receipt of these funds and then they will partner with us on the distribution of those funds as well and what we will do is um have the residents of the city who qualify to come down to the other location that we will disclose they will provide proof that they uh receive SNAP benefits that will provide proof of their identity proof of residency and then we will provide them with a gift card at the designated time that's one of the three buckets the other two buckets are um providing support for them and all eligible residents through our food drive um and then we anticipate citizens will come who are not SNAP eligible we'll provide them with information about wraparound services so that support can be provided broad base across the city um that's the short version if any counselors have any questions.

Um, and then we anticipate citizens will come who are not SNAP eligible.

We'll provide them with information about wraparound services so that support can be provided broad base across the city.

Um that's the short version.

If any counselors have any questions.

Thank you very much.

Counselors, any questions?

Counselor Smithman.

Uh yes, ma'am.

Well, first of all, I just want to kind of acknowledge the anxiety I know that thousands of people in Birmingham and really nationwide are experiencing.

Um I think all of us feel um feel the hurt of when we go into the grocery stores and we see the prices increasing day by day.

I know if I feel it myself, I can't even imagine having my only source of income to get food on the table, especially with our children.

We have so many children um that go to school hungry.

And so I actually on that thought, I when I first heard this, I wanted to command counselor woods because it seemed very timely.

Your ARPA project of having a grocery store in the school, and I think that's so amazing that you know that was just perfect timing that you had that for.

And you know, I appreciate the mayor's administration for bringing this plan forward.

But I just have a couple of questions about this.

Um also I'm surprised Madam Pro Tem didn't say anything about the wording of poor.

If we could change it to maybe say under serve just to be a little bit more sensitive, poor is kind of you know a little insensitive.

That's one question.

All right, we'll answer that question first, administration.

Yeah, madam president.

Um that particular word is in the actual code, so I don't think we can adjust what the government has already designated.

Okay, it just sounds a little in sensitive, that's all.

I appreciate the sentiment and wanted to have that change, but we know how our federal government and certain agencies have some wording that we can have, but it's noted.

Thank you.

Um also can you explain about the funding source?

I know we know what the funding source is, but what is the funding source we're using for this initiative?

Madam President.

Yes, Chief.

Uh, we're currently using within our general fund, our grant match expenditure account.

Okay.

Um how many families are we aiming to serve?

Uh did you say that?

Dennis that there are 24 to 23 to 24,000 that we have received information that qualify.

So the goal is to try to assist all of them.

But it's it's support that will come from the city, which was will obviously be C money, and then through private donations that will come from individuals, houses of faith, and corporations.

Okay.

Um, and I appreciate that because you know, in West Down, we have 5,000 families, and that's a lot of families just in one concentrated area.

Um are we working with I forgot to ask Chief this?

Are we working with Birmingham City Schools in any way to help our kids?

Yes.

So obviously, because of confidentiality issues, um, we have to be very careful about the sharing of identity.

But yes, Birmingham City Schools is in um cooperation with the effort in the mayor's in communication with the superintendent.

Okay, because I didn't know if that was something even if the council can do like food drives for the kids, um, because that's the easiest way to get food to them a lot of times because um, and we know this is what happens when the parents are working overnight, it's usually the big sister, the big brother that's having to be feed the little siblings.

Um, and then also, you know, I will say I'm very disappointed because it seems like majority of my colleagues got a personal call about this from the mayor, and I didn't get a call about this.

Um I think moving forward, I would really like to know about information before it hits social media and the media as well because we're the ones voting on this.

Um, I think this is a great initiative, but you know, I think it's very intensive to put information out there before the council gets it.

So um I look forward to seeing how this will help other families.

I thank you once again to the administration.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Smithman, Councilor Quinn.

Yes.

Um I know that I have a lot of constituents that receive SNAP benefits, um, a lot of you know seniors, um, a lot of folks with disabilities.

Um but I I haven't ever had the opportunity to you know know what that looks like.

So uh Chief, um do you know?

Can you share with us what the typical you know monthly SNAP benefit for per household looks like?

So it generally averages from my understanding per individual about 180 dollars.

So the amount that we will look to supplement could range in between that.

It's not absolutely going to be the entire amount, but it is meant again to be if we can get to that in terms of our fundraising, then we'll absolutely support at that level.

But it's generally about 180 dollars per per eligible recipient.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions, counselors?

Councillor Vasen.

Thank you, Madam President.

We had a neighborhood association meeting last night, and we had a resident that asked a question that I thought that I would just flag.

That question is that there may be certain uh residents of the community who might not have identification as an example, college students from out of state or those fleeing domestic violence as two questions.

So just wanted to ask a question if there was some infrastructure in place to support certain individuals, such as this.

I want to make sure I'm understanding your question.

Are these for those who receive SNAP benefits or other citizens?

Could you could you say it again?

So in Greg, uh so in either category, if there are those who are let's use the example of college students from out of state who are experiencing hunger.

Uh would is there a yes.

So that's why there are three buckets.

So the the financial support will go for those who can prove that they receive SNAP benefits.

But again, the mayor's goal and what we've learned is the counselor's goal too is not to turn anyone away who needs support.

So the partnership with Christian Service Mission and the wraparound services will be provided to any other citizen who comes who needs that level of support.

So we'll be providing the distribution sites to those residents, affected residents who need that level of support, counselor.

Um, and then we'll have a um uh line that they can contact and will pass out the information about wraparound services like utility assistance, things like that that can assist those residents as well.

Okay.

Thank you, Chief.

Thank you.

Counselor Woods.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um definitely a difficult situation.

I think, you know, have a few thoughts around that.

I think one, you know, just being in a position to have the funds to be able to uh bring forward to even have this conversation.

I think um just speaks to how funds have been managed over the years, as well as the budget continue to grow.

So um, you know, one is being in a position to to have the conversation to potentially help.

But then two, I think just the infrastructure being stood up so quickly.

I think in contrast, the federal government uh has indicated that they're gonna do uh 50 percent.

Uh but even you know, states being able to get out that 50 percent, they're having to reprogram systems, and uh some of them don't even estimate being able to get the November benefit out in 2025.

And so uh just excited that we're able to move so quickly to stand up uh infrastructure to be in a position to serve uh 23,000, 24,000 people uh in the month of November.

And so when we zoom out, we talk community, and so we we're not always in a position to solve every problem, but where we can one uh let people know that that we see what's going on and we want to uh step in and uplift where we can.

And so um, you know, it's something that we hope gets solved at the federal level, but excited to kind of be in a position to uh make an impact when the impact is needed.

Thank you, Councillor Woods, Madam Pro Tim.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um thank you, uh the administration.

I do um echo the sentiments of my uh colleagues, but I also want to challenge the philanthropic community, public private businesses to step up to the plate.

Um you know, it's a joy to uh be able to um do this work and the mayor acting so fast as counselor would say it split the infrastructure up, but definitely want to challenge the philanthropic community that we have right here in Birmingham corporate businesses to match the contribution that the mayor, you know, has brought forth to us, and so that will give you know people you know benefits throughout the year, um, and hopefully and speedily that the federal government, you know, will get back to doing the people's business and not making this a issue where it's a political issue, but this is a humanitarian crisis, hunger crisis.

And I also want to challenge each and every one of my colleagues to also drop some item off off, say the Christian um community, Christian mission community uh today.

So please, ma'ams and sirs, and anybody who can do that, um, please do that.

Thank you.

I do have a couple of questions for administration regarding the item.

I do know that we had a change in the amount, and I just wanted to be sure for the public that they understood what that additional fund is going towards.

Yes, madam president.

So the contract is uh now slated for $1,090,000 of that $90,000 will be supplemented with the $60,000 admin fee for United Way, and the $30,000 will be uh to supplement the convenience fees for the credit card or debit cards that we'll be issued.

Thank you very much.

I do want to echo also what my counselors have already said.

We're grateful to the administration for stepping up, uh bringing us this opportunity to serve our residents, filling in the gap where we have this gap on a federal level, but where local officials, local elected officials have stepped in to uh help to relieve and provide this assistance for our residents.

I also want to piggyback on Madam Pro Tim's statement.

This is an opportunity for each of us in Birmingham to do what we can do.

When I looked on TV yesterday and I saw people driving up, giving their donations, it's a great teachable moment as parents and grandparents for our children to show them how we can help others and show them how it is to be um a servant to the community.

So I'm very grateful for this opportunity.

And again, uh I think it's Beham Ready.

Can you give us the information where we can share if others want to join in?

Right.

So it's uh the so the the hashtag is B Ham Ready, B H A M R E A D Y.

Um, but it's WWW BirminghamL.gov forward slash B ham ready.

Okay.

And Madam President, I would like to note to your colleagues' question.

Um, the philanthropic community has has really stepped up.

We had a $50,000 contribution this morning from SHIFT.

Um United Way of Central Alabama did a $10,000 allocation, and then from the website that we've built in just a few days, um, we've had $82,000 raised so far.

So we're excited about the prospects once people continue to learn about the the philanthropy of the city and its its residents.

Very good.

Thank you very much.

Councillor Smithman.

Thank you, ma'am president.

Um I guess what would be the plan for next month?

Because what if this continues a month from now?

Do we have something in place?

Yes.

So the mayor, again, we wanted to use this uh for the from the city's contribution as the foundation, and the mayor said that he wants to continue this process for as long as the SNAP benefits are not uh being given by the federal government, and he knows it's it's aggressive, it's lofty, um, but he's challenging the community to stand in the gap, so that's the plan.

So with let me understand correctly, are you saying that you all will come back to us first?

No, so he hasn't said that there's a request an additional sense of the council, it's gonna be additional requests to the community.

Okay.

Um, have we talked to the grocery stores as well?

Because there is a nonprofit, they don't want to be named because they don't want it to be overwhelmed, but they're working on getting uh like grocery gift cards with a local grocery store in my district, for example, to help families on SNAP.

So, yes, the mayor has started that discussion because he also wants the uh recipients who receive the gift cards to be able to go directly to the grocery stores.

So, yes, that conversation has started, counselor.

Okay, good, good.

Um, and then you know, I I think this is an opportunity because I was gonna make it part of my announcements.

I'm partnering with like Arlington House to do helping 50 families and actually doing something at the schools.

I um challenge UAB as well to come and help us too because a lot of these organizational schools benefit off of um you know what we do, the revenue, our partnership, and so I think this is a great opportunity.

Um, Madam Pro Tem and others have alluded to that for all of us to help.

I know community food bank is um I know a couple of us use them for Thanksgiving.

I think there's a potential partnership to add on some more turkeys, try to figure out a dollar amount with that.

So I look forward to helping the families, and like I say again, thank you guys so much for quickly bringing in because I don't know any other administrations around the nation that have really done a call to action.

They've had words but not a call to action, so I thank you guys.

Thank you very much.

Counselor O'Quinn.

Yes, um, so my question is sort of the opposite of uh Councillor Smithman's um in some you know miracle uh that happens in the federal government is you know able to um fund SNAP benefits if that were to happen um what happens with these these funds?

So great question, counselor, that that we've received that.

So the mayor's in communication with uh with the United Way of Central Alabama about a couple of different things.

One, whether or not the the the donors would like a return return of their funds or whether or not they'll be put in an emergency fund moving forward so that they can be drawn down on in the event of a future crisis.

So we're um we're coordinating with those who donate to be able to specify what their preference is.

Um so that's to be determined as we're we're ironing that piece out.

Okay, thank you.

And um, just before we get ready for the vote, I do know that United Way is the agency that we're using to uh fiscal agent for this, and I did want to acknowledge I believe we have United Way uh managers and staff here.

So thank you very much, Ms.

Watson.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Council President Elton.

Yes.

Um, this has been advised from the legal that we do the UC over again uh since the council member Williams came in.

And then joined us.

Okay.

Second.

Councilmember Gunn.

Aye.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

All right.

Councilmember Smith.

Yes.

Councilmember Smithman.

Aye.

Councilmember Vossa.

Yes.

Councilmember Williams.

All right.

Councilmember Woods.

Councilmember Tate.

The Council President Pro Tim Tate.

Council President Alexander.

Aye.

Motion again.

Second.

Item is before you.

All right, thank you.

Any additional questions?

Council, you look like you got a question.

Come on.

You have a question?

Comment.

I you know, I I have a lot of comments on this, but I'll I'll in the because it's 11 o'clock and everyone's getting hungry.

I'll say most of them.

But I will say this.

One thing that's nice to see is um is businesses and families stepping up.

Um, it's not just the city of Birmingham.

The city of Birmingham does not have the financial resources to stop GAP, the federal government.

Uh, I think that this was displayed very well last night.

Uh mutual friend of mine and the mayor's shot us a text and said, hey, love let me shoot you know 12, 15 grand over to you guys.

And I I had no clue that you know this was, you know, and uh and he's a businessman that that wants to do business and and um and and stay out of the spotlight, but he you know, privately text.

And I think that those kind of folks um that donate to both the Christian service mission and all of the affiliated charities of the United Way of Central Alabama um are the unsung heroes.

It's easy for us to be able to um to pass a million dollars out of grant funding that we already had.

Um, but uh this guy's a small businessman is not you know that that's a sizable donation for his business.

And I think that um those kind of uh that kind of outpouring of support shows that this is you know, this is really um while the program might be absolutely one of the most broken programs in the federal government, it's a nonpartisan issue.

We cannot let um as adults, children that have you know of no fault of their own go hungry um and then wake up hungry the next morning, uh maybe only getting a meal when they go to school and not a meal over the entire weekend because of a broken proken program that adults created refuse to fix, and and it's no fault of a five or six-year-old that goes to um one of uh our our local schools.

So my comments are that I am in always humbled and grateful when I see people privately step up and say, Don't use my name, don't use my business name, but where can I write a check for this kind of thing?

Because um no child deserves to um to go to bed hungry.

And I assure you, these are you know, these are anyway.

These these are these are really good folks that um that kind of exemplify what Birmingham is known as the most philanthropic city in the Southeast.

Thank you.

Any other comments, Donna Pro Tem?

Yes, ma'am.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

I did see something, and I just want to highlight where Instacart, if people order their grocery, they were given like a discount on that.

But I also want to commend my colleague Councillor Williams for setting the tone to direct everybody to go over to Christian Service Missions on yet on yesterday.

He was over and did such a great job with his comments on yesterday.

So again, I challenge each and every one of you to drop your items off and thank you, Chief, for giving an update on the philanthropic and business communities and those who want to continue to um you know do a good service, and it just shows that Birmingham continues to be the great resilient city that we are.

So thank you all.

Thank you very much.

Mr.

Clerk, we're ready for the vote.

Okay, all in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed say nay.

All right, thank you.

Item 10 passes.

Next item.

Item 11.

In ordinance pursuant to section 11-47-19 of the code of Alabama section 94.0183 of the recompiled constitution of Alabama and Alabama Act No.

1969-916 authorizing the mayor to execute and deliver an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visions Bureau under which the GBCVB will provide organization promotion, management, hosting, planning, record keeping facilitation and other services related to the 2029 national senior games to be held in Birmingham, Alabama in the summer of 2029.

And the city will provide funding in the amount of 750,000 to the GBCV and a single installment to be made in the city's fiscal year 2026.

The city should also provide to GBCV budget number uh relieving in kind support in a form mutually agreeable to the parties, such as covering or waiving venue rental costs or providing law enforcement fire department or other first responders support.

The term of the agreement shall end on the 30th day following the closing date of the 2029 national senior games, unless terminated earlier by the parties, and this is again an item of permanent operation under UC.

Councilmember Gunn, Councilmember O'Quinn, Councilmember Smith.

Aye.

Councilmember Smithman.

Council Member Vassa.

Councilmember Williams.

Councilmember Woods.

Council Pro Tim Tate.

Council President Alexander.

Aye.

Motion.

Item is before you.

All right.

Thank you, Councillors.

This is a motion.

A request for to support the 2029 National Senior Games.

If you would give us a rundown of what we're doing here, thank you.

Yes, ma'am, Council President.

The last time Birmingham hosted the Senior Games was in 2020, and now we have the ability to do it again, and it must want to bid to host it in 2029.

Right now we projected over 12,000 athletes are scheduled to attend that particular event.

Um they'll be in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2017.

So that would kind of be the Linux pin to see how it would trend towards when it comes to Birmingham.

Um along with the 12,000 athletes, they usually bring about 15,000 of their friends and family.

Thank you.

And as our representative to this um convention bureau, do you have anything to add?

I wanted to add the 38 million dollar economic impact, but Chaz already covered that.

Um so uh, you know, there's a lot, you know, a lot of these things are are pretty far off in the future, and like um so many things that we bid on and then do they happen, you know, several years down the road.

But and we kind of for we kind of bid on it, we put forth the funding and forget about it until it's close to happening.

But um, just like we saw with world police and fire games, that um the economic impact was was pretty immense um with the room right stays and uh I think that when we'll forget about it and we'll wake up and in 2029 we'll have that economic impact as well.

So I'm excited about it.

Thank you.

Counselors, any questions?

Councilor Quinn.

Uh I just wanted to say that um I think it says something uh about Birmingham that you know the senior games is coming back here after you know having just been here fairly recently.

I mean, you know, they uh would assume have many options to choose from, but to come back um, you know, 12 years later to the same location.

Um, and you know, I think about 2017 Birmingham.

I think we're even better positioned to host this type of event now uh than we were then, and we're certainly a lot a lot more experienced with hosting large events.

So uh kudos to Birmingham.

Thank you.

Any other questions or comments?

Yes, sir, Council Woods.

Okay, thank you, Madam President.

Um couple questions.

One, I'm assuming this is the tourism fund.

Yes, it's coming out of three dollar lodging tax.

Okay, and then two, talk about the need to I guess pay this fully out of this budget versus uh splitting it.

No, it's just forecasting-wise, it works best for us to just go ahead and pay it all out front.

Um that allows us to leverage other money for other future events that we have down the pipeline for the next fiscal year.

Thank you, madam chair.

All right, thank you.

President.

Any other questions?

We're ready for the vote.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed, say nay.

All right, thank you.

Item 11 passes.

Next item, Mr.

Clerk should be item 16 a resolution authorized the mayor to execute an emergency contract with Rousseau Corporation Birmingham in the amount of five hundred and thirty nine thousand five hundred and eleven dollars and forty six cents immediate storm drainage repairs to replace critical damage to the piping and restore the roadway located at Arlington Avenue South and Highland Avenue in Birmingham Alabama this being the lowest responsible and responsive proposal submitted and authorize the mayor to enter to it emergency contract with Rousseau Corporation is substantially the form contained within the proposal documents and in accordance with said proposal providing that the total compensation payable under the contract not exceed the appropriation other than terms of the agreement russo corporations quote being the most responsive and cost effective motion please second all right thank you councillor smithman you ask that this item be taken off consent uh yes what's the timeline for completion and what constitutes an emergency madam president yes chief yes as soon as the council approves this resolution the contractor can uh commence working on this emergency um item um the mercy is that a sewer line pretty much in basic terms exploded so we really need to take care of this and uh make sure that we don't have any disruption in service to those residents affected okay and then um I know we've been talking about this for a few years about the overall plan for storm storm drainage throughout the city um I guess this may be something mad person I may just have to request for you for us to have maybe like a workshop or something on long-term plan because it seems like every time it rains it doesn't matter what part which part of the city you go to if there's massive flooding whether it's the east side the north side the south side and the west side and so I just want to know if there's like a long-term plan for that thank you counselor smithman that's definitely something we can consider and we'll work with the administration to get that on the agenda of one of our upcoming count committee of the whole meetings thank you any other questions right Mr.

Clerk we're ready for the vote all in favor let it be known by saying aye aye opposed say nay thank you item 16 passes next item all right this would be item 18 a resolution accepting and approving the bid of triple point industries LLC best from Alabama for the water chemical treatment program as needed at the unit prices on file and office of the assistant purchasing agent for a period of one year guaranteed for a term not to exceed three years subject to the availability of funds for the city of Birmingham Department of Public Works it's been the lowest most responsible bid submitted motion motion please move the item thank you all right thank you Council O'Queen you ask that this be moved from consent.

Yes so um I guess I wasn't aware that the Department of Public Works does water treatment um so can you give me some background help mad yes sheem before the council basically is the water agent that we use for our fountains that are city owned so basically like the water fountains that are outside the crossplex and five point south and once we had once we get those started land park this is the agent that prevents them from molding or algae or getting stopped up got it I understand thank you.

Thank you glad you asked that question thank you any other questions we're ready for the vote.

All in favor let it be known by saying aye aye opposed say nay all right thank you item 18 passes next item I think that's uh item 25 it should be withdrawn I think oh no that's 26 item 25 a resolution setting a public hearing December the ninth 2025 to consider adoption of the ordinance to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham case number ZC 2025-13 from um D5 multiple dwelling district to I one light manufacturing district in order to allow for the parking and storage of 18 wheels um filed by Andrea Lewis property owner and Roger Lewis applicant for the property located at 1418 22nd Avenue North is situated in the section 23 Township 7 range 3 West Birmingham 35204 motion please second all right counselors this is just the resolution what we're voting here today is to set a public hearing on this item for December 9th do you have a question relative setting the date no uh to have a question um regarding the summary here the summary says not recommended by the planning and zoning committee and counselor smithman has stepped away but I just wanted to ask um Ms.

Clerk the the minutes of the meeting actually be reviewed to make sure because I think the planning and zoning committee actually recommended this item.

Um but if we just check the minutes, uh that should I just want to make sure that that's not whatever is in you know presented to the council reflects that what was actually done in committee.

But you have that information available for us to uh we're looking at the uh submittal from the uh department and Madam President.

Yes, we'll we'll double check and by the time the item comes up for the public hearing.

We'll we'll make sure their recommendation is either right or thank you very much.

So we'll note that we will come clarify.

Yes.

I just it says in the in the summary here that it was not recommended by the planning and zoning committee, and my recollection of being in that planning and zoning committee meeting was that the planning and zoning committee actually did provide a favorable recommendation.

No, I wasn't I was in that meeting as well.

Okay, I I may be misremembering, so that's why I was suggesting checking the minutes.

Yeah, we would actually was unanimously not recommended.

It breaks down one vote and two votes to deny.

One vote approved and two votes to deny.

Okay.

If you look on page 25A, that's admitted in part of our package.

Uh excuse me, exhibit 25A.

It does restate what the planning and zoning committee, what their uh vote was.

Can you restate the vote, Mr.

Clerk?

This is um submitted from PP, one vote to approve and two votes to deny.

Okay, great.

All right, thank you.

Okay.

Thank you for the clarification.

Uh we're all clear we are voting at this time to set the public hearing.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

All right.

Opposed say nay.

All right, thank you.

That public hearing is set.

Any other items, Mr.

Clerk.

26 is withdrawn.

Um, no ma'am, this is all right.

Thank you very much.

At this time, counselors, we will entertain updates from your district.

And uh Councilor Smith, are you ready to provide us with an update for district eight?

Yes.

Come back around to me, please.

Oh, I'll come back around.

Anybody on this side ready?

I went counselor smitherman.

Oh no.

Okay.

Uh we had our safe summer concert this past Sunday.

Um, despite the cold weather, it was still very successful.

Uh, we have Rocky, Q Parker, Sherry Brown, and the R and B group next.

Um, I really want to say thank you to Chris Coleman, Lady Wu for bringing the energy for the crowd and to Chassis Shepherd would be Grace.

Um, I really appreciate her because that was like a true concert.

And so everybody had a good time.

We have great food trucks.

Um, and I know that we have one more coming up, but once again, I will always thank uh Mount Pro Tim along with former council president Parker for having this series of our own.

I know people look forward to every year.

Um, there are some community food uh events coming up.

Westminster is having a partnership with UAB Mobile Market this Friday from 12 to 4 at the church.

They will have uh 20 turkeys and food boxes, including uh opportunity to uh shop at the UAB mobile market.

Um in partnership with Arlington House and Harmony Heritage.

I am partnering with them to help feed 50 families in need.

They will we will be having food from the garden at Arlington House, uh fresh food, etc.

So if you are a family in need that is on SNAP in West End, we will be uh passing out those boxes on Saturday at the Arlington House from 10 to 12.

Also, if you'd like to volunteer, we are putting together those boxes at the Arlington House on Thursday from 7 to 10 a.m.

Um also as far as neighborhood meetings, Ukwood places today at four at Harrison Park Recreation Center.

Mason City will meet today at 4:30 via teleconference, and then tomorrow North Tithesville will meet at Memorial Park at 5 p.m.

And then on Monday, West Am Manor will meet on Monday, uh November 10th, 2025 at 5 p.m.

at New Hope Baptist Church.

And then lastly, Railroad Park will host UAB Veterans Day 5K, November 8th, beginning at 8 a.m.

They will start at 17th Street Plaza and West Green, and this will benefit the UAB Veterans Relief Fund.

And then lastly tomorrow is my niece's 22nd birthday, so I would like to wish her a happy birthday and she plays basketball for Lil Rock and they had their first win last night as well.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you very much.

Councillor Vaza Thank you, Madam President.

Just a couple of announcements uh Wednesday uh tomorrow November 5th from 5 to 6 p.m is a public hearing for the southern area rezoning.

It's a great opportunity to have your voice heard around zoning definitely recommend uh anyone interested in this to attend.

And that's again tomorrow Wednesday November 11th 5 p.m right here at Council Chambers secondly uh Avondale Park uh has their second Saturday cleanup at 8 a.m.

It's a great opportunity to check out the park uh meet residents uh clean up feel free to bring tools gloves um and and enjoy an opportunity to to take care of that park uh lastly we have uh our uh forest park southavondale neighborhood association meeting tonight at 6 30 p.m at the Avondale library and last but not least at my daughter's uh 19th birthday is tomorrow so wish her a happy birthday congratulations that's wonderful thank you councillor Williams thank you madam president only one announcement Eastwood neighborhood will be meeting Thursday November the 6th at 6 30 at their normal place which is Habitat and I know that uh while we're talking about um a lot of issues around um snap and homelessness fitting in and know that we're gonna have our first hard freeze this upcoming Monday and that's come up a lot folks have asked me about it and I think that um that we have a ton of great partners we had some in the audience today with the firehouse and that um you know people continue your generosity not with this not just with this snap program but all of our nonprofits thanks thank you counselor Williams Council O'Quinn thank you madam president the East Lake Neighborhood Association will meet tonight at 6 p.m at Household of Faith Church also meeting tonight is the Forest Park South Avondale Neighborhood Association they meet at 6 30 at Ivondale Library on Thursday the Wahoma Neighborhood Association will meet at 6 p.m at the East Lake Library I want to remind folks that the District 5 annual Thanksgiving food drive through giveaway will be held Friday November 14th at 1 p.m at the Jefferson County Family Court that's located at 120 second court north here in Birmingham this event is a first come first serve while supplies last and then finally um please remember to take advantage of the market at Pepper Place which occurs every Saturday from 7 to 12 uh until December 13th thank you that concludes my announcement thank you Dr.

O'Clan Councillor Woods thank you uh neighborhood association meetings uh upcoming and so due to the veterans day holiday the Killow Springs uh neighborhood association will meet tonight uh November 4th at 6 p.m that will be a Smith Middle School the Apple Valley Neighborhood Association will also meet tonight at 6 30 p.m that meeting will be held at the East Pension Valley Rec Center the Spring Lake Neighborhood Association will hold its regular meeting this Thursday at 6 30 p.m at Hopman High School they also have an online option and Echo Highlands Neighborhood Association will meet this Thursday at 7 p.m this meeting is online only the Roebuck Neighborhood Association will meet next Monday November 10th at 6 30 p.m at the Birmingham East Police Precinct also want to thank uh everyone that hosted Trunk or tree ball festival events last um week or so in District 1 uh really good to see so many families out uh just connecting with neighbors and community partners celebrating uh and having a good time so want to shout out uh all the groups that hosted something and then if you're in need of staying up to date encourage all district one residents to connect with our uh community connector you can text D1 to 205 894 5030 to sign up today thank you counselor councillor gunn thank you madam president uh tonight we have a few neighborhood association meetings uh in district four uh tonight we have the Fairmont Neighborhood association they meet at 6 p.m at the North Birmingham Library and secondly we have the Keelow Springs Neighborhood Association will meet tonight at Smith Middle School uh next week prior to our next meeting or meeting that's been canceled uh we have the Willow Neighborhood Association that will meet Monday at Willowwood Recreation Center at 6 p.m.

We have the Ingle Nook Neighborhood Association that will meet also on Monday at 6 p.m.

at the Ingle Nook Recreation Center.

And then we have the Roebook Neighborhood Association that will meet at the East Precinct at 6 30 p.m.

Just want to take a moment to salute our first responders.

Over the weekend, there was a neighbor's home that caught fire in the neighborhood, Norwood neighborhood, which I live.

And I just want to make it sure that we continue to underscore and emphasize to our residents as the temperatures continue to change to use safe methods of heating.

This particular neighbor had a garrison lantern and it knocked over and caused the home to uh get ablaze.

So I want to make sure that as the weather begins to change, that residents know to use safe methods of electrical heating uh to have automatic shutoff.

And those are my announcements for today.

Thank you so much, Councilor Gunn.

And I think it's also great to remind residents, I believe our fire department.

We still continue to offer fire safety alarms and those type things, and um, so that you can reach out to the fire department as well so that you can help to secure your home with that.

Thank you.

Councilor Smith.

Yes.

Great, thank you.

Some neighborhood um association meetings.

The Fairview Neighborhood is meeting this evening at 5 30 via um phone conference.

The also this evening, we have excuse me.

We have the Thomas Neighborhood meeting at Greater St.

Thomas Church, and that's at 6 p.m.

The Tuxedo Neighborhood is meeting on Monday at 5 p.m.

at the East Ensley Library, Rising West Princeton.

Andsley Highlands are meeting on Tuesday.

I'm sorry, Monday evening also at 6 p.m.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Madam Pro Tent.

Thank you, Madam President.

The Wildham Neighborhood Associations is having their meeting tonight at 6 p.m.

at the Wylam Library.

It's Councillor Smith has already announced Thomas Neighborhood Association meeting will be having their meeting tonight at 6 30 at the Greater St.

Stephen's Thomas Baptist Church.

Civic Oak Finley has counseled their neighborhood meeting for the month of November.

North Birmingham Neighborhood Association will meet Monday, November 10th at 6 p.m.

at North Birmingham Library and Sherman Heights Neighborhood Association meetings Monday, November the 10th, 6 p.m.

at the morning star.

Christian Church located at 1600 Slayton Avenue.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you very much.

These are announcements for District 7.

I just want to congratulate our Chief of Staff, Mrs.

Isola Hall, and her husband, Jamichel.

They are now a party of four.

They're given so the hall party of four.

They gave birth on yesterday to Alani Grace Hall.

She weighed in at five pounds and two ounces.

So congratulations.

We are glad to enlarge our office in District 7.

So thank you very much.

They have new park hours from 7 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

Visitors can access park trails by bike or foot via the Venice Road entrance, and that is at 2019 Venice Road.

There was easy access from that entrance for the trails.

Or you can access at the Frankfurt Drive entrance and take a detour due to construction through the dog park.

On Friday, November 7th, the Jones Valley Neighborhood Association will meet at 4 p.m.

at the Powderley Library.

On Sunday, November 9th, I think we'll end out the Safe Summer Series of concerts, which now we may be calling the Safe Fall Series concerts, okay.

But uh congratulations, Councilor Smithman.

I know you had a great concert.

Everybody talked about the local acts.

I think that was a great idea.

And um a lot of people were uh videoing from live from there.

So it looked a little chilly, but I think everybody had a great time.

So here's what we're going to do on Sunday, all right?

We're going to be at Lynn Park.

We'll be featuring artists, Urban Mystic, Pokey Bear, Poke Bear and Big Row.

Okay.

We're going to start at 3 p.m.

So we'll take advantage of the sunlight, and we hope to be out of there before dark.

But that's at Land Park, Sunday, November 9th.

Uh, happy again to host these series.

Hope everybody understands this started during COVID, and it was a great way to get families out and um get them out in uh into um the community.

And so now, like I said, we'll close it out with our safe summer series.

And uh meetings for November 10th.

We have the West Goldwire Neighborhood Association will meet at 5 p.m.

Their conference call, the Powderly Neighborhood Association will meet at 5 30 p.m.

at the Henry Crompton Rec Center.

And then we'll close out the night with Oxmore Valley Neighborhood.

They meet at 6 p.m.

at the Oxmore Rec Center.

City Council, we will not meet on Tuesday, November 11th.

It is a city holiday.

So we um ask everyone to take advantage of that opportunity to honor our veterans who have served in the military to keep up safe.

We do have two veterans that serve in our council team, and that is Deputy Administrator Jeff McDaniels and District 7 office assistant Lozie Brown.

So we do want to thank everyone and the sound of our voice who have gave their time and talent to protecting us through their service.

So we thank you.

So we will not meet on the 11th, okay?

But we will meet on the 18th.

So regular council meeting will be on the 18th.

Now, after you have all that rest on Tuesday, councillors, I want you to come back and join us for our committee of the whole meeting.

We're calling a special committee of the whole meeting.

That will be on Wednesday, November 12th, here in the council chambers from 3 30 to 5 30.

You will be getting the agenda, but uh pretty much that agenda will be devoted to the mayor and his team will be brought providing us information on city financials.

And then we also had tabled an item on urban alchemy.

So we're looking for those two items that will be on the agenda.

All right.

And um Thursday, November 13th, we will have our D7 days of giving, and that begins with a meal prep for needy families in the 17 neighborhoods in District 7.

And so that distribution will be at 10 a.m.

to 1 p.m.

So each neighborhood president in district seven will be selecting a family, and then they'll be able to come by Merinos and get the uh groceries for that meal prep.

We know this isn't um really, as we say, I won't call it turbulent times, but it is when you're trying to feed a family, it can be turbulent times.

So I think all of us as resident uh counselors, we're looking at ways to circumvent and help our uh residents.

So that will be D7 days of giving.

Those families will be notified, and that will take place on Thursday, November 13th.

And then we will climax our D7 days of giving by giving our hand giveaway at on Saturday, November 15th, and that will be at first Baptist Roosevelt City.

It will start at 10 a.m.

and will last until supplies are gone.

We also have um another organization that is going to help us, and so we should see the numbers of um giveaways that we'll have to provide.

And I believe that's all of the announcements.

I'm so sorry, I forgot to talk about um um words of sympathy and empathy for the residents that lost their apartments on Cob Lane.

I do want to um you know say I apologize for that.

I can't imagine you know, waking up to a fire and losing everything that I've owned.

So um I'm very sympathetic to that.

I've reached out to the Red Cross.

I haven't heard back from them to see how we can assist them.

But Chiefs, I will say that Birmingham Fire and Rescue Day, awesome job.

The way they stayed on that fire for what was about two days was absolutely amazing.

So shout out to Chief Moon and the Firefires for that.

Um, it really gave me a lot of good comfort that the great job that they do.

So that's all, ma'am president.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I do appreciate you for reminding us of that.

I know we all uh watched the fire, and uh we want to those.

I think there were 18 families that were displaced.

I also want to thank Birmingham Fire and Rescue and those organizations that came out and supported those families and uh made that area safe.

So thank you very much.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk will entertain uh the speakers list.

Uh Mr.

Bob Freeman.

As Mr.

Friedman comes forward, I want to remind you we do have three minutes that we allow you to uh speak to us and we thank you for joining us and being here.

I know it was a lengthy meeting, but thank you very much.

Go ahead.

Thank you.

Uh Bob Friedman, 1623, 12th Street South, uh in the 5.7 neighborhood.

Um the fire since it was brought up was just a nightmare for anybody interested in preservation of older buildings that was made it look like Dresden during the Second World War.

It was very tragic.

Umgratulations to counselors Alexander and Tate for your uh ascension.

Um I have to say something about Cheryl, even though I didn't come here to say something about Cheryl, but when she first started, I was a housing authority uh commissioner.

We were building Hope Six in Ensley.

Uh we had no problem getting federal money.

Um the city council was incredibly uh uh at odds with itself during those days.

And so it's a tribute to all of you to be unified in very, very difficult times to say the least.gov.

I'll recorrect and send again to my new city councilor, uh John uh Josh Vasa.

Uh I got one piece from your uh campaign uh website which bounced.

So your assistant has given me the right one.

What I'm talking about is I sent an update on the Birmingham Black Radio Museum.

I'm the director of that.

I'm told by all of my board members not to forget to say the only black radio history museum in the United States.

We've done all of our due diligence and we've come up with that fact.

And um, so I'm always now concerned about how quickly we're gonna get things repaired.

I know COO Mitchell and I go back and forth like we're uh playing ping pong with each other, but the but the fact of it, the matter is I'm not looking to blame anybody.

Uh the sewer pipe was 90 years old.

And whether or not we rebuild or don't rebuild downstairs, unless it repairs, it gets repaired, even though the jazz hall can have concerts upstairs.

Something happens, it's gonna back up again downstairs.

So it is a very, very serious health issue, among other things.

And I'm hoping I was uh witness to the October 7th City Council meeting when Carol Clark uh raised some issues uh about this very same subject with you, um uh Mr.

Mitchell.

And uh I'm hoping that when you said that you're looking for a contractor.

Uh I I wander around the South Side because we're digging up South Side everywhere.

There are people doing sewer and abatement kinds of uh all kinds of uh construction there.

Um that you'll really give some thought to the bidding uh process.

I don't know if that's something that the city council gets involved in.

I think it does uh to put it up for bids.

Uh I end up looking at the legal section of the Birmingham Times because it's uh it's our paper of record in the city, and I do that every week, and I haven't seen it yet.

I'm hopeful that I'm wrong.

Uh let's get it together, let's allow us and the jazz hall to be able to finish our charge, which is an incredible cultural center that tells history in so many different ways.

Uh, we intend on making it an international attraction.

Uh and uh we just need the city's support to fix the problem.

On the other side, my kudos to the mayor for standing up in the face of reaction on the part of our federal government when it comes to talking about the needs of the poor and saying in their face as well, we'll start the bit, we'll start the the contribution and we'll make it happen.

We're not going to abandon our children.

So I think that's my request and greetings again.

Thank you so much.

I um am reminded that Council Clark, we did take that issue up, and um, we could just get an update if you'll just update us individually or as a group and let us know where we're going.

And we'll be sure to provide that update.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Friedman.

Any other questions?

Next.

Willie Jenkins.

Hi, Mr.

Jenkins.

I just come to the uh let y'all know that um uh I got a trophy from the Carver High School alum.

I'm a member of Carl Haskell alumba.

They gave me a trophy award me.

Congratulations.

And also we have we have any uh men of praise gonna be at this church right here on this coming Sunday.

Great Emmanuel Templet, the men of praise.

This is all our pictures here.

We're gonna be singing at 70901, Sakhana Avenue's town.

So we'll be there this coming Sunday, and we're gonna be shown.

The men are praise.

That's all of us that now we practice at this church all night about now uh the other night.

But we we read we it really says that we read it.

The men are praised.

Ready to go, yeah.

We'll let y'all know when y'all can't come again.

Who we ever be able to come, welcome to come who able to come, Mr.

Who able to come, Mr.

Mr.

Gunn.

I would invite you, Mr.

Gunn, to come see using.

And also uh pray for Ronald Butler.

He's a young guy who went to Carver High School.

He graduated, not with me, but he graduated from Carver.

He passed away.

He's been around for many years, but I'm like, and also um uh Irish, his name is uh Irish um Maurice Irish.

He was young, he was a minister and he had a mass of heart attack.

He was doing a lot of work and doing things, and he was young too.

He's about four or seven years old, and he had a mass of heart attack.

My prayers go out to the family, the both of the family.

And I just want to let y'all know that uh our pastor, uh Reverend Irvin, O Street Baptist Church.

We're gonna have him a banquet Saturday at 2 o'clock.

If y'all be busy, it's 2 o'clock Saturday.

I'll let them invite all y'all to come out.

Mr.

Gunn, my pastor, uh Reverend Irving, O Street Baptist Church, 3224, but didn't you ever know Cottageville?

It's an anniversary sunday, but I will leave.

I'll stay with my pastor's anniversary, but I'm gonna have to go.

It ain't till 3:30, but I still will have time.

The men are praise, and we got some good program, I looked down for black suit, uh, gold tie, and black shirt, black shoes, black sock.

But we we we are ready.

We mentioned praise, we are ready to tell you it's a milliser, and we try to uh got the director uh the share of them, play the piano.

Another lady, uh she directed the choir, the whole entire choir.

They would come down here, but all of them be working, you know.

They'd be working, they would come down here and sing for y'all.

But what I'm saying, they be working at work and stuff like that.

I invite everybody.

I invite a lot of church.

I've I've been working out there on the field, been working, they tell people to come see the men of praise.

Put he Jalen Johnson singing with us too.

Okay, and so I'm looking at the Lord.

We have a wonderful time.

Also, the reunion was real nice.

The Carver High School picnic.

We had a wonderful time.

Our class represented some of my class came to my church, and I looked for uh Madden, she came to my church, O Street Baptist Church, and also uh Sabrina, uh, my niece uh graduated from Jefferson State College last week.

And uh, me and my sister went it was she graduated from uh Jeff State College, so she worked at St.

Vince, she's still working, but she continued working.

But she came, she came to church with her role on in cap and gown.

And I'm proud of the Sabrina, you know.

I'm glad she did, you know, got graduated.

My sister Melinda Lee, she is proud, and I'm proud of her too.

Thank you, Mr.

Jenkins.

Now, what class was that?

Was the class of 73?

Yeah, class of 73.

My class, 73, at Mighty Carver High School.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Jenkins.

Okay.

All right, everyone.

Thank you so much.

Okay then.

At this time, we want to thank our officers who were on duty, Officer Pinkin and Officer Square.

Thank you very much.

And now we're entertaining.

All those in favor, please say aye.

All right.

All right, thank you.

Meeting is adjourned.

Let's go to work.

Let's go.

Here we go.

I need all y'all businesses.

Let's go.

This is one too long.

What's up?

This should be working.

Amazing.