Check, check, check.

One, two, three.

This is pretty.

Okay.

You might have thought in love, but nothing has yet.

Good morning, Birmingham.

Today is Tuesday, November eighteenth.

The time is now nine thirty-three AM.

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

This morning our invocation will be led by Major Robert Lyle, Greater Birmingham Area Commander, the Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham.

Our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Counselor Darrell O'Quinn.

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

Now, Father, we live in the greatest country, as I alluded to earlier.

We're reminded of men and women who have stood and today who are even standing so that we can have this freedom that we enjoy.

Father, with all of our problems, we're reminded that there's no better place to be than to be in the state of Alabama, because Father, it is your heart.

We ask, Lord, that as we have gathered here, that again you receive the honor and the glory.

And Father, we declare that in the matchless name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit and Jehovah God, that we declare you as King of all creation.

We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Amen.

Salute the flag.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which is one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Major Lau for that very encouraging and spirit-field prayer, and thank you, Council O'Quinn, for leading us in the pledge.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, would you call the roll, please?

Councilmember Gunn.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

Councilmember Smith.

Good morning.

Good morning, Councilmember Smithman.

Councilmember Vassa.

Good morning, Councilmember Williams.

Council Member Woods.

Morning, Council President Pro Jim Tate.

Council President Alexander.

Good morning, President.

At this time, Counselors, I would like to ask for a motion and a second for approval of the previous meetings from June 3rd, June 4th, June 10th, June 17th, and June 24th, 2025.

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

Aye.

All opposed say nay.

Thank you.

Those minutes are approved.

The minutes are not ready from July 1, 2025 to November 11th, 2025.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, do we have any notice of nominations to boards and agencies?

No, ma'am.

Not at this time.

Thank you very much.

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

Good morning, Mr.

Mayor.

Madam President, good morning to you.

Good morning to the entire city council.

It's good to see you all this morning.

Earlier this year, if you recall, we announced the launch of the Birmingham Youth Sports League, which will offer and has offered activities in football and now basketball, baseball, soccer, and cheerleading.

Cheerleading.

We're now at the point for the football championship games, which will be played this Saturday, November 22nd at Legion Field.

And the admission is free.

2 p.m.

for 10 U, and 4 p.m.

for 12 Hugh.

One of the reasons why I share this information is you know we launched the Birmingham Youth Sports League this summer, and we had a very simple goal.

It was to create a space where young people could grow, compete as well as shine.

Today with the championships games, it's clear that young people are doing all of that more.

These athletes, the coaches, fans, and parents are full of hometown pride on the fields as well as in the stands and which is proud of them.

And I just want to give a big shout out to the entire team for those who touch and make the Birmingham Youth Sports League a success.

More to come on that.

At this time, I would like to ask Blake Cameron James again, Blake Cameron James, and his family and any guests he may have to join me at the podium.

As he comes up, and I said his name twice because you may recognize his name in this young man's as an actor.

Who come on up?

Don't be shy.

Yes, sir.

Absolutely.

This young man has an actor.

He's a peer in several films and TV shows.

Blake Cameron James is a talented and dedicated young performer whose passion for basketball, singing, gaming, reading, motivational speaking, and business branding reflects his wide-ranging abilities and strong personal drive.

The son of Cameron and Tuesday, James Blake, pretty cool name, by the way.

Has emerged as a rising story entertainment in the entertainment industry, most notably for his breakout lead performance.

Opposite Journey Smollett in the critically acclaimed film We Grow Now, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

It won the festival's prestigious Change Maker Award and earned distribution through Sony Pictures Classics, which Blake's performance receiving national praise.

Blake also appeared in the Sound of Christmas on BET Plus and in guest roles on major network programming, such as NBC's found.

I think what we wanted to do this morning, council, is take the opportunity to honor this outstanding young man with one being a part of the home team, and we want to sing your praises, but the other is read the proclamation in part.

And it states whereas Blake's work in film earn him a nomination for the NAACP image award for outstanding youth performance in the motion picture, along with several addition honors, additional honors, recognizing his exceptional talent and professionalism.

And whereas Blake is currently start starring as Will Hammonds in HBO's global globally celebrated series.

IT.

Welcome to Derry.

With the series reaching number one on HBO and becoming one of the most watched programs worldwide.

And whereas an Alabama native and a strong believer, Blake attributes his success to his faith and exemplifies excellence, humility, and professionalism, serving as an inspiring example for youth across the city of Birmingham.

Now, therefore, our Randall L.

Wood, the mayor of the City of Birmingham, along with the Birmingham City Council, do hereby recognize and honor Blake Cameron James for his outstanding achievements in film, television, and the performing arts, and commend him for representing the city of Birmingham and himself and his family with distinction, excellence, and integrity.

Let this proclamation stand as a celebration of your accomplishments and a reminder of the bright future that lies ahead for you and for you talent across the city.

And at this time, I would like to ask Mr.

James to present to this council any words he may want to share.

Hey everybody.

Not just kids, not just actors, but everybody.

Thank you guys so much.

Well, let me start.

I know you all are getting ready to take a picture.

Um, I'm so excited today.

I've known these parents and I love them and I love you.

I knew you before you were born.

And you're probably thinking, what this old lady up here crying about.

But I'm just so excited and so thrilled with what you're doing and the talent that you have and representing us in the city of Birmingham.

Tuesday and Cameron, I'm just so excited for you.

I know your older son as well.

And um, this is just such a surprise.

I almost fell out the chair.

They never they did not tell me that they were coming to do this.

So I'm so appreciative of the work that you've done.

And young man, I just enjoy seeing you on film.

And every time you are in anything, I'm just up and always so excited as I know the rest of us in Birmingham are.

So continue what you're doing.

Parents, I know that it's a great sacrifice when we think of parents that have children that are in this realm and that the who your family comes and supports you.

And so thank you so much.

We're so proud of you.

Thank you, Mayor Whitman, for honoring him.

Thank you so much.

That's it.

Thank you very much.

At this time, if you allow me to read the statement of the conduct of business of our council meeting, 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 interested in addressing the council with respect to an item on the consent agenda designated for public hearing, 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 of business for remaining matters.

All matters of permanent operation and those are indicated with the capital P will be read, and all public hearings indicated with pH will be announced.

Mr.

Clerk, at this time, would you please read to us the items considered for consent?

Okay, consent agenda for today starts on page two with item three.

Skip over to page 10.

We have items four, uh five, and six on consent.

And go over to uh page nineteen, item seven is on consent, and on page twenty, item eight is on consent.

Uh page twenty-nine, item nine is on consent.

Page thirty, items ten, eleven, and twelve are on consent.

Page 31.

Items 13, 14, 15, and 16 are on consent.

Page 32.

Uh we have items 17, 18, and 19 on consent.

Uh please note that on item number 19, two, three, four, five.

Fifth line up from the bottom.

Um should change the two to buy.

So it should be match amount is increased by 29,000 dollars.

That's on item number 19.

Page 33, we have items 20, 21, and 22 on consent.

Uh page 34, we have items 23, 24, and 25 on the consent agenda.

Um, page 35, items 26, 27, and 28 are on consent.

Page 36.

Items 29 and 31 are on consent.

Please note that item 30 has been requested to be withdrawn.

And item 31 is recommended by budget and finance.

That's item 31.

Uh page 37, items 32 and 33 are on consent.

Item 32 is also recommended by budget and finance.

Page 38.

Items 34, 35, and 36 are on consent.

Page 39, items 37, 38, 39, and 40 are on consent.

Page 40.

Items 41.

Oh, I'm sorry.

We need to take 41 off.

We need to take a vote on that.

So items 42, 43, 44, and 45.

On consent.

Page 41.

Items 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51 are on consent.

Page 42.

Items 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57 are on consent.

Page 43, items 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63 are on consent.

Page 44.

Items 64, 65.

66, 67, 68, and 69 are on consent.

Page 45, items 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 are on consent.

Page 46.

Items 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, and 81 are on consent.

Page 47, items 82, 83, 8045, 86, and 87 are on consent.

Page 48.

Items 88, 89, 90, 91, and 92 are on consent.

Page 49.

Items 93, 94, 95, and 96 are on consent.

Page 50.

Items 97, 98, 99, 100 are on consent.

And page 51, items 101, 102, 103, and 10104 and 105 are on consent.

Page 52, items 106, 107, 108, and 109 are on consent.

And on page 69, item number 110 is on consent, and we have one addendum item.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

At this time, counselors, are there any items that you'd like to add or remove from consent?

Council Quinn.

Um yes.

So I would like to remove item 25 on page 34, please.

That's 25 on page 34.

Any other items?

Council Smithman.

And just clarification, uh, administration withdrawal item 30.

That's correct.

That's okay.

Um, and then I would like to take items uh item 28 on page 35 off consent.

Uh item 29 and 31 on page.

Hold on a second.

Item 29 and 31 on page 36 off consent.

And that's it.

Okay, so that's request to remove items 28 on page 35 and items 29 and 31 on page 36.

Yes.

Any other items?

Yes, Councilor Gunn.

Yes, I'd like to remove item 24.

Okay.

Question 34.

Is that 24?

Thanks.

Yeah, item 24 on page 33.

Request is to remove item 24 on page 34.

Any other items.

Yes, I'm sorry, Council Williams.

Good.

Um item 23 on page 34.

Yes, Councilor Smith.

I'd like to add the addendum item to the consent.

Yes, that's a request to add item 11, the addendum item to consent.

Madam President.

Yes.

Sorry, Chief.

Yes.

No, thank you.

On page 52, we'd like to remove item 109.

Page 52.

The request is to remove move it totally, or just um the entire item.

The request is removed item 109.

And then remove it from the entire agenda.

Yes.

And then on page 69, we would like to remove 10.

So that was item 109 is being withdrawn by administration.

And what's the other one I'm saying?

110 on page 69.

And also item number 11 on page 69 is being withdrawn by administration.

Yes, that's 109 on 52 and 1010 on 69.

Got my numbers mixed up.

All right, Mr.

Clerk, would you give us those items again?

Okay.

Um I've noted that the following items remain on the regular agenda.

12 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 109, and 11.

Thank you.

Now counselors, if I can entertain a motion and a second for approval of the consent agenda.

So move.

Second.

Okay.

Let's try the IPAS if we will.

So Smithman and Williams.

Okay.

Williams.

Mine isn't coming up, but I vote aye.

Okay, one second.

Motion.

I should have it in one second.

Same.

All right.

Uh one second.

Here it comes.

Okay.

Voting should be open now.

Thank you.

Council member Vasa.

Thank you, sir.

Uh that vote should be up.

All right, thank you.

All items on the consent agenda have been approved.

If you're here for one of those items, those items are approved.

And you're welcome to stay with us as we entertain the rest of the agenda.

Before I call the first item, Mr.

Clerk, I do want to make note of guests that we have in the audience today.

And we have students from the Jefferson.

Well, Jeff Jackson is the teacher.

And we have students from Positiz Middle School.

There are seventh graders, and they're here today to observe city government at its best, is what I think they'll see today.

All right.

So it's the morning is still young.

But we do, we're excited to have you, and we thank you all for joining us today.

Mr.

Clerk, if you'll read the first item.

Item one.

A resolution relative to the application of IQAP.

Uh doing business as easy pull and pay for a junk dealer's license to be used at 1849 Roughnal Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35210, and the hearing of all parties.

Motion please.

So moved.

Item is before you.

All right, thank you.

Item one is a resolution for an application for a junk dealer's license.

I'll turn this over to Councillor Tate Pro Tem Tate, who is the chair of public safety.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um Madam President, at this time, I would like to delay this item for four weeks because of zoning issues that they need to resolve.

All right, thank you.

The request is delayed this for four weeks.

Four weeks.

Second.

All right.

And that was with the member for the second delay.

All in favor?

Oh I guess it's I'm sorry.

Voting should be open.

Okay, thank you.

Council.

All right.

That vote should be up, Madam President.

All right, thank you, Councillors.

That item has been delayed for four weeks.

Next item, Mr.

Clerk.

To be item two, a resolution appointing five members of the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority.

Set terms expiring, August the 10th, 2029.

Name.

All right, thank you.

I will turn this over to Councillor Darrell O'Quinn, who is the uh chair of transportation infrastructure to read us those names and just tell us what we're doing here.

Thank you, Councillor.

Um thank you, Madam President.

So council, you remember that this item was uh on the agenda on October 21st and uh was subsequently uh delayed.

And so the recommend recommendation from the Transportation Infrastructure Committee is to reappoint two members of the BJ CTA board of directors who have um who are eligible for reappointment.

Um those persons are Willie Davis who for a term expiring August 10th, 2029, and Michelle Inman uh also are all of these terms expire August 10th, 2029.

So uh Mr.

Davis and Miss Ms.

Inman uh would be recommended for reappointment.

Um members uh recommended for appointment are La Shonda Baldwin replacing Theodore Smith, Katie Dumas replacing Daryl Cunningham and Patricia Todd replacing Ladon Jones, and again, all of these terms expire August 10th, 2029.

Motion on the company moved uh that was Council O'Quinn and All right, the voting should be open right about now President Alexander.

All right, that vote should be up, Madam President.

All right, thank you.

That item passes, and we congratulate and welcome these appointees to the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority.

Thank you, Council Queen and your committee for going through these selections and presenting these can these new members to us.

Next item, Mr.

Clerk.

The item 23.

Uh a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute and deliver a first amendment to the agreement with the Birmingham Regional Paratransit Consortium adopted by the council on August 26, 2025, under resolution number 1460-25 to add to the scope of services, class train's obligation to seek additional funding in accordance with the federal transportation administration, section 5311 and such other funding as may be proper.

Motion please.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Williams.

You councilor Williams, you did pull this item.

I do want to uh let you know that this was presented to budget and finance yesterday, but um it was approved through budget and finance.

But go ahead with your questions, or do you need any more information related to this item?

Yeah, what are we actually doing?

Okay, great.

Chief.

I always look this good in the morning, Chad.

Good God might.

Um, Council Hunter Williams.

So what we're doing is just amending the current contract that was already appropriated to class trans.

The amendment is for allow them to use the operating funds for a grant that they are trying to go after, basically.

Okay, thank you.

Perfect.

All right, thank you.

Any other questions?

We're ready for the vote.

All right.

Voting should be open.

Council President Pro Tim Tazeo is absent.

All right, that vote should be up.

All right, thank you.

Item 33 passes.

Next item.

Should be item 23.

23, I'm sorry.

A resolution amending resolution number 945-24, adopted by the council, December the 17th, 2024, under which the council of the city of Birmingham, Alabama, authorized the mayor, execute an agreement with growing kings incorporated in amount not to exceed $50,000 for a term of 12 months, under which Growing Kings Incorporated will provide community-based programs that empower youth through civic engagement, critical thinking, and leadership opportunities to extend the term of the resolution to a term to end on or before December the 31st, 2025.

Thank you.

This item was pulled by Mr.

Gunn.

Mr.

Gunn.

Motion.

So move.

All right.

Yes, I just a little general question.

Um I want to know a little bit more about growing kings.

Um, I want to know a little bit more about the scope of work and then what communities and district four would be impacted uh by this work.

Thank you.

Chief or mayor, do we have the so thank you?

Good morning.

Um again, council, madam president, to your colleagues' question now, Council Gunn.

Um probably will ask that you table this and come back.

Um probably will ask that you table this and come back and make sure we get you the information for this question.

You have a minimum of three to four items before you.

Um, and this is one of them that has already been approved.

So before you was literally only a an isolation before you was only a change of date to make sure we can spin down the harbor funds.

Um, but your question is more to the program, and we want to make sure we get those questions answered.

Um the director of that program, executive director is not here, one of his team members here.

So asking that you table that give us time.

Okay.

If not, then if those questions need to be answered prior to y'all just approving this change of date, um, they will make sure we get it back before you.

Okay, council, we can have a motion.

The second we'll table this item and we'll bring it back up.

Motion to table the item.

Second.

Okay.

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

Aye.

All opposed.

All right, thank you.

We'll table that one.

Next item.

Item 25.

A resolution amending resolution number 1728-24 adopted by the council on November 4th, 2024, under which the council of the city of Birmingham, Alabama, authorized the mayor execute an agreement with Jones Valley Urban Forum doing business as Jones Valley Teaching Forum and an amount not to exceed 120,000 for a term of 12 months under which Jones Valley Urban Farm doing business as Jones Valley Teaching Farm will provide the urban pharma grant program, which will increase access to fresh and affordable food options for residents of Birmingham by providing financial assistance for costs that deter and limit and urban farmers' capacity to start run or expanded agricultural operation in the city of Birmingham to extend the term of the resolution to a term to end or before September the 30th, 2026.

Motion, please.

Item is before.

All right, thank you.

Dr.

Queen, you asked this item to be pulled from consent.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh I'm just need to abstain on the vote.

Thank you.

Any questions about this item?

All right, we're ready for the vote.

Voting should be open.

Council President Alexander.

All right, that vote should be up, Madam President.

All right, thank you.

Item 25 passes.

Next item.

Okay, should be item 28.

Item 28, a resolution approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a first amendment to management agreement with railroad park foundation under which a management agreement dated November the 7th, 2024, between the city and railroad park foundation, under which Railroad Park Foundation agreed to manage, operate, conduct fundraisers for the operation of railroad park, and the city will provide funding to Railroad Park Foundation for the operation of railroad park and an amount not to exceed $900,000 annually will be amended to provide that the city's funding will be an amount not less than uh one million dollars annually, subject to the city's appropriation of funding for each fiscal year during the term of the agreement.

Motion please motion on the item.

Second all right, thank you, Council Smithman.

You asked to move this from consent.

Do you have any questions?

Correct.

Thank you.

We're ready for the vote.

Voting should be open.

Vote should be up.

Okay.

Everyone voted yes, said one abstention.

Councilman Smithman, is that correct?

Yes.

All right.

All right, thank you.

Item 28 passes.

Next item.

Item 29.

A resolution amending resolution number 70, that's 24 adopted by the council January the 9th, 2024, under which the council of the city of Birmingham, Alabama authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with Tech Birmingham and an amount not to exceed 150,000 for a term of 12 months under which Tech Birmingham will implement its Birmingham Upskill Partnership Initiative to pilot and eventually launch a comprehensive program designed to effectively transition junior developers and engineers into senior level talent.

Um to help companies retain their workforce to address the shortage of experienced senior level talent, which has hindered the growth of development of an innovative technology ecosystem ecosystem to extend the term of the agreement to a term to an end on or before March 31st, 2026.

Motion please.

Item is before you.

Thank you, Councilor Smithman.

Uh I just want to hear a little bit more information about um the initiative and that's that's uh just general information.

Thank you very much.

Good morning.

Good morning, counselors.

Um apologies again.

Um, what was the initial questionnaire regarding the project?

Good morning.

Great to see you.

I believe Councilor Smithman just asked for a little bit more information about the project and just let us know what you're doing.

Thank you.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

Well, I know we have some new counselors and want to take it for granted that everybody's uh intimately familiar with it.

So the project initially uh was designed to move junior developers, those who are new in careers and technology along the pipeline.

We've been working for a number of months, number of years actually, with an organization, Birmham Tech Council.

Of course, that's kind of being voted and wounded down, but um the uh Birmingham Tech Council in partnership with Central Six.

We have a young uh cohort, and basically they're telling us information that you know they don't feel like there is upward mobility in a lot of tech spaces, and so uh we were charged.

We actually started this uh project um uh a number of months ago, number of years ago, uh, under Councillor O'Quinn's leadership.

And the goal was to figure out what are some programs and initiatives that we could implement that would move them along that pipeline.

And the upskilling project was one of those initiatives, and um we had engaged with a firm um blue sky partners to basically give us the framework and the foundation for the project.

So figuring out what metrics we needed to measure, uh figuring out uh what organizations existed, potential funding to make sure that we can keep this running in perpetuity.

Uh and so they had a leadership change right now, and so we obviously had to pause.

We haven't even exhausted all of the 150 um that was allocated for the program, and because of the ARPA requirements, we're going to now have to resubmit an RFP process.

We have to get more than two.

I'm sorry, more than one.

Uh so we're going through that process now.

We've already identified some folks, but we wanted to kind of take a beat just to make sure that we're engaged with the right organization uh going forward.

We do believe we have that one, but we still have to go through the RFP process.

Um happy to dive in more, but just wanted to make sure I provided a little bit of that foundational context.

No, I think I'm good.

I just want to, you know, everybody to know the good work that Tech Premium is doing between Tech Birmingham with adults and then Ed Farm with kids.

I think this is great.

Um we've seen a lot of strides that Birmingham has made in the technology sector.

So uh thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Yes, Dr.

O'Clint.

Yeah, just to kind of um resate what Mr.

Mr.

Gordon said.

This project started out as a uh collaborative uh effort between um my office and tech Birmingham and some others.

Um the goal is really to um is workforce retention and particularly in the tech sector.

Um there's sort of a missing middle, if you will, in the workforce there, and this project is kind of aimed at upskilling some of our existing workforce and filling in the sort of um mid-tier developer uh positions.

So these are uh this project was funded through ARPA funds.

Um so that's just a summary.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Thank you, Mr.

Gordon.

We're ready for the vote.

Thank you.

All right, council president Ellison.

All right, that vote should be up.

Uh is unanimous okay.

All right, thank you.

That item passes.

Next item.

Item 30 was withdrawn.

Uh we're on item 31.

A resolution approving and authorized the mayor to execute an assignment with consent of rights of to city payments to uh amend it and restated project agreement with WF Lakeview, LLC.

And GG fund two, LLC pursuant to which an amended and restated project agreement dated June 2nd, 2011, between 297 and LLC and the city, under which the city agreed to provide up to 1,500,000 dollars in incentives in support of 297 LLC's development of a mixed use retail and residential project located at northwest corner of the intersection of 29th Street South and 7th Avenue South, which agreement was assigned to London Field Development LLC, and then to WF Lake View, LLC.

The city's consent will be further assigned to uh DG fund two LLC with the city's consent.

Motion please.

All right, thank you.

Councilor Smithman.

Okay.

Um I put it on for a different reason, but I just found that it didn't go to uh council Williams committee.

So okay, I do know that it we did entertain this in budget and finance yesterday.

Um I do have to um make it known that the committee assignments for the 2025 2029 council had not been assigned at this time, and we just assigned those with our past action uh last week.

So it would you entertain that to hear this information today with those members present, or do you want to delay it and have it to go to committee?

I mean, yeah, y'all can give a full presentation today.

Do you have a presentation?

The developer's not here, but this this is a very short presentation in the form.

This is also something you've all already approved.

This is two things have changed.

One the ownership name, which is GG fund two, and then we've extended the incentives that you have already approved by two years.

Well, additional information.

What's going on?

Why are we why is there a change?

Similar to other things in the economic environment.

Well, ma'am, I yes, sorry, it was just the developer gave some good information yesterday, and that's why I just pulled it off.

Um, in particular, I know that there's a um a popular influencer.

I actually saw this on social media who's gonna take space and won the occupancy, so it's really more of like informational purposes, but I also didn't see the developer in the audience.

Thank so your Madam President to add to your colleagues um statements uh councillor smitherman to council Williams questions, like some of the um uh tenants you already know of Hattie B denim on seven, and as I think this is pronounces Babaloose Babu.

Babaloo is um Babaloo.

Right there.

That's right.

And the mayor, and the mayor putting in a new tenant.

Oh, like sorry, go ahead, counselor.

Um, so we don't have I you know there's no red line version, there's a version of the contract that I can hardly read in the supporting documents.

This is why things should go to committee.

Um, you know, I I mean if y'all want to vote for it, that's fine.

I'm not voting for something I don't understand.

And we understand that, counselor Williams.

If you will allow the chair of budget and finance, we did meet and hear a um information from the owner at that time.

Counselor Woods uh yeah, just to um I guess answer, I think his question was around extending of the incentive, and so one two things one is changing hand to new ownership, so we're basically aligning the incentive with that owner in the initial agreement.

The incentive didn't trigger they basically had a 10-year abatement, but it didn't trigger until they got 75% occupancy, and that happened.

Uh I want to say that was uh 21.

And the initial agreement was I think 18, and so you have a little bit of a lag in between the incentive being authorized and them hitting the 75 percent trigger point to allow that incentive to effectively activate, and so um, but yeah, there was no like additional incentive being added, it was just aligning that time with the new owner accounting for that 2021 date when we hit 75 percent occupancy of that property.

So is the incentive based on the residential or the commercial?

That was the question.

Okay, and then how much money have we expended so far to date?

Uh once it was abatement, you have to ask them specifically what they've saved, but they can get up to it's pulling information right now.

I think it's up to 150 a year.

I thought I saw him in the audience earlier.

Sorry, Madam President, yeah, 200 and Council Williams, 218,000.

So we spent 218,000 to date, and then was that on the previous owner or this owner?

So the previous owner got 218.

How much is the maximum that this owner is slated to get um according to this item on um item 31?

It's would be the remaining of the 1.5 million.

Okay.

And so how often is it that or what was the decision making process that we're going to continue?

Um if they weren't able to qualify.

I'm a little confused because if they weren't able to qualify for the full incentives that we offered them earlier, what decision making process did we go through to give a second owner a second tranche, which really extends how long the taxpayers on the hook for this property?

Yeah, so I think a couple of things again.

The trigger was 75%.

Um as your colleague counselor Wood said it there was a lag in the thing a three-year lag.

So even if it was the same owner, we was this will still be before you extending it the additional years.

That's the main thing what this is about.

In that same time frame, just so happened that there's different owners or new ownership, that is.

Okay.

So I mean, the reason that we would have a incentive in my mind to that has a certain percentage occupancy would be incentivize them to quickly achieve that occupancy.

Um it kind of seems but they didn't they didn't achieve it.

So it's sort of like we're rewarding bad behavior with this one.

Not necessarily.

If you consider 1819 and then COVID, the fact that they were able to achieve it in 21.

So they the trigger didn't start into 75 percent.

That's what we agreed to.

That's what the council originally voted on.

That didn't kick in at 18.

Again, there was a lag.

It kicked in in 2020, it kicked in in 21.

If I'm correct, my my years may be on.

But it didn't kick in.

The 75% wasn't triggered the same year the council voted on the incentive agreement.

I guess I'm confused by this, but um, I want you to have readiness.

Um also the owner, I believe, I don't want to misspeak for the committee, but I believe the new owner said they're at 90 percent capacity at this time, so they have increased capacity, or that's what he's going into with the 90 percent capacity.

So they're continuing to grow.

So they have 90 percent capacity or occupancy?

Occupancy.

So why are we incentivizing something that's already 90 percent leased?

That would be that's bad tax.

That's bad tax.

If it's if it's fully leased, why are we incentivizing it?

Well, I'll let them answer, but for me as part of the committee, I looked at it yesterday.

Is that the uh owner, even the new owner is um working within the confines of what we wanted to see for this particular business to grow and to be of um bring in taxes for us, and so we're continuing that incentive incentivization, if you want to call it, it was triggered by the 75 percent.

So he was just giving us the information that they've continued to grow.

So it looks like they're doing what we wanted them to do.

So, what is the percent profit we will receive after the 1.5 million?

Look, it's Mr.

Stanley's here as part of the office of the city attorney, Mr.

Stanley.

So the item before you is just simply to substitute or approve uh an owner who's been assigned.

This is done twice before with approval by the council.

Doesn't impact the incentive.

Uh that agreement remains in place.

It just allows the new owner to have access to the incentive.

So we're not changing the the timing or the amount of incentive here.

There have been a amendments before that did that, but this has nothing to do with the actual incentive.

So then when did the acquisition take place?

It's been in the past few months, I believe, early this year is what I recall.

Okay, so there's plenty of time to go to committee then.

If it's been several months.

Um anyway, I'm not gonna vote on something that that gets bypassed to committee, but and counselor Williams, we we put this on before the committees were assigned.

We kind of waited as as long as we could, and then it was a it was there was seven days that committees weren't assigned, and this has been going on for months.

We started this about three weeks ago.

Yeah, so there was a council Williams if you will allow the committees were not assigned, and we have since assigned them.

I do understand I am a very big proponent for ensuring that items go through the proper committee.

But since we do have the three members here that are on the committee, as well as the full council, and given the nature of what is before us, we are not looking at the package other than we're not improving additional incentives.

We're only looking at the fact that the ownership is changed.

I thought we said we I think you said you were prolonging the term.

Did I misunderstand that?

Prolonging the term is is additional incentives.

This is not a good thing.

So we're not prolonging the term uh counselor Williams.

Sorry, Councilor Woods.

Yeah, the term is longer than initially uh in the original agreement because the incentives didn't trigger until they hit uh 75 percent occupancy.

I I I get that, but the point is that that's in there for a reason.

We want that that you we want that defined term, and we want there to be a rush for for maximum occupancy just to say that you get as long as you want to get to 75 percent, and then we'll and then we'll extend it is is I it's my opinion that that is bad.

Um that that is bad for the taxpayer.

But anyway, that that's you know this is why things go to committee.

Um, but anyway, I'm I'm done with my questions, madam president.

Thank you.

Any other questions or comments?

Uh no, I would just add, I think just the structure in which we're doing the incentive package, it allows the uh business owner to basically share in uh tax revenue that they generate.

And so uh that footprint has grown.

I do think once that term expires that 40 percent or that 150,000 per year will come to city culfer.

So thank you.

Any other questions?

Yes, council president.

I just would like moving forward.

I know I don't know if you left, but if the developers could stay so we could hear from them, you know, there's a difference when three committee members like we understand it, but the other six of our colleagues may not understand it.

So I was just like moving forward if the developer could just stay.

I know they usually do.

Um and council Williams, I don't know if you're asking for it to be moved to your committee meeting or are you okay?

No, I mean it's it's clear that that's not the wish of the council.

So I haven't asked, I just asked some questions.

Okay.

Okay.

All right, counselor O'Quinn.

Yes, uh make a motion that we refer this to the economic development and tourism committee.

Second are we discussing a voting?

We're um you have a motion to move.

So any discussion?

Sorry.

Okay.

All right, this time we're ready for the vote.

Voting should be open for the um referral.

Council member O'Quinn, Councilmember Vasa, and President Alexander.

I've done something with mine, so yes.

Okay, and we're going to economic development.

Yes.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Item 231 has been referred back to the Economic and Development Committee.

And when is your next meeting, Councilor?

Uh today, if the developer wants to come back.

All right.

And the um administration will like to wait, so we'll have that at your following meeting.

Thank you.

Next item.

All right, 109 and 11 were withdrawn.

Um next, we still have on the table item 24.

So we need a motion to take item 24.

Item number 24.

Uh so move.

There's a second to take that item back up.

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

Aye.

All opposed, say nay.

All right.

24 is back before you.

Madam President.

All right, yes, Mayor McWhifan.

Counselor um Gunn, did you receive the information needed, sir?

Any additional uh I just at some point I would love to know the communities and neighborhoods that would be impacted.

So if you get that information, that would be perfect.

Uh can we get that today?

We'll I'll tell them to get that before close the business at 18.

Thank you.

So Councillor Gunn, thanks for bringing that question.

I do know that Gwen Kings has um done work within a lot of the schools within the city, and um so as soon as we get that information, I do know they've been in district seven for quite some time, and I believe they've been in others and understand your question for one to know about your district.

So thank you.

All right, are we ready for the vote then?

I voting should be open.

I don't know what I've done to my thing.

Okay, yes.

That vote should be up right.

Next item.

All right, um, should we old and new?

And it I believe we had item number 41.

Was that consented?

41 was consented.

Uh I thought it was consented.

So I just wanted to be sure that councillors knew the uh members that we were adding to that particular committee.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I left I pulled it off.

I need to put it off for the vote.

You're correct.

All right.

Let's go to item 41.

Thank you.

Item 41.

Thank you.

No, thank you.

Item 41.

A resolution appointing two members to the city council as ex official members of the Birmingham Planning Commission said terms of spirit October the 29th, 2029, or upon leaving the office of city counselor.

And I need their names.

Okay.

At this time, I would like to appoint as president of the city council the ex-official members of the Birmingham Planning Commission, and that would be Councillor Darrell O'Quinn and Councilmember Joshua Vasa.

And they will both be serving a term that will expire October 29th, 2029.

Okay.

If they could have a motion the second for those appointments, so move.

Second.

All right.

Uh approach MT.

Voting should be open.

Right now.

All right.

That vote should be up.

All right.

Thank you.

That item passes.

And counselors, we um wish you well on that planning commission, and we thank you very much for taking the charge to be on that commission.

Any other items?

Are we ready now for old business?

All right, at this time, counselors would like to entertain any updates that you have from your district.

Yeah.

And at this time, Councilor Vasser, are you ready?

Thank you.

Tonight we have the Five Points Neighborhood Association meeting at Highlands United Methodists at 6 p.m.

And uh looking forward to Thanksgiving next week.

Thank you, Councillor Smitheman.

Uh thank you, ma'am.

President.

Uh as Councilor Fossil has said, we have the five-point south neighborhood meeting tonight.

Uh Woodland Park neighborhood will meet on Monday, uh November 24th at 6 p.m.

at Whitland Park Church of Christ.

Uh and then my father and I will be having our joint annual Thanksgiving giveaway for all district six and Senate District 18 residents, which is all of Birmingham.

Um, and that will be on Monday, November 24th, beginning at 3 p.m.

at the 6th Avenue Baptist Church.

It'll be one protein in box per car.

We will have 500 proteins, so various turkeys and chickens, and 500 holiday and different boxes we will be giving away to help those in need for the holiday season last Wednesday.

I had the opportunity to speak at uh Holy Family Crystal Ray High School's prayer visual.

I want to thank the principal, the staff, community members, and the entire school for inviting me and hosting such a meaningful event to um help stop the violence.

Thank you, Madam President.

Councillor Williams.

Thank you, Madam President.

Economic Development Tourism Committee will be meeting today at 11:30 in the council chambers.

If the administration would like to add anything last minute, I'll be gracious and allow it.

Um Southeast Lake Neighborhood Association will be meeting November 24th at 6 o'clock at East Lake United Methodist Church and Crestwood South will be meeting uh November 24th at the JCC at 6 o'clock, and they will be honoring Miss Abbott.

That is all I have.

Thank you very much.

Councilor Quinn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh Central City Neighborhood Association will meet tonight at 6 p.m.

at the Birmingham Central Library, located at 2100 Park Place.

Um, and also um want to remind folks uh as you're thinking about preparing for next week's uh Thanksgiving ceremonies or festivities or Thanksgiving festivities.

Um please remember Pepper Place Farmers Market.

Uh they you have a few weeks left uh that they're still open.

They the market runs till December 13th.

Um so keep that in mind and um looking forward to leaving here in a couple hours to head to Saint Salt Lake City for the annual uh National League of Cities uh City Summit.

Um and I'm gonna see several of my colleagues there, but uh always a great opportunity to visit with council people and mayors from all over the United States and uh you know am very proud of the fact that I'm uh able to represent uh that organization on the board of directors.

Um c serves uh almost 3,000 uh cities, towns, and villages across the nation, and it's always a great opportunity to uh convene with those folks and talk about the the various issues uh happening around the country at the local municipal level.

So uh really looking forward to to that trip and we'll um be happy to update you when we get back.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much, councillor Woods.

Thank you, Madam President.

Quickly, um B Litter Free Cleanup continues this weekend, November 22nd at 9 a.m.

Uh we'll be meeting in and at uh Kingdom Family Christian Fellowship Church that is located at 26 Westchester Drive, uh continuing our partnership with Black Warrior River Keeper.

Let's encourage residents to come out.

Like I said, I've been very encouraged by the amount of people that are stepping up, taking personal responsibility for their neighborhoods, their communities, and we are seeing a uh impact, so everyone is invited.

Uh also the Huffman Neighborhood Association, their meeting that is scheduled for next Monday, November 24th.

That will be canceled, so there will be no Huffman Neighborhood meeting uh for the month of November.

And also want to just uh thank and extend our uh appreciation to Calvary Resurrection Christian Church.

Uh, we partnered to host our uh Turkey and Grocery Giveaway this past Saturday, and we're able to distribute about 150 uh food boxes, turkeys, fresh produce uh to the district one families, and so uh just appreciate what's possible through collaboration.

And uh thank you, so uh happy Thanksgiving if I don't see you.

Thank you so much.

Councillor Gunn.

Yes, I'll be brief.

Uh so today we have the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association meeting at 6 p.m., which will be held at the Woodlawn Library.

And then on Thursday of this week, we have the Pine Nov Vista Neighborhood Association, which will be taking place via teleconference.

And those are all the updates for District 4.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Counselor.

Counselor Smith.

All right, so this evening, instead of their regular neighborhood meeting, the Bush Hills Neighborhood Association will host a holiday social.

That's gonna be at 5 30 p.m.

at the Bush Hills Community Complex, Connections Complex, excuse me.

On Thursday, December the 4th, the Birmingham City School's All City Christmas Music Festival is taking place at the Beltwell that starts at 7, and that's always a really good event to attend and support our schools.

And then lastly, on December the 6th, just go ahead and put it on your calendar, say the date.

That the nurse grocery grocer will be located inside of Bama Health Foods on Vestmo Road.

So perfect.

Thanks.

Thank you very much.

Madam Pro Tim.

Thank you, Madam President.

The Evergreen Neighborhood meeting will be held tonight at 5 p.m.

at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, East Thomas Neighborhood meeting will be here tonight, 6 p.m.

They meet on Zoom.

Please contact the office for the Zoom information.

Ansley Neighborhood meeting will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m.

at the Mac Alpine Rec Center Drew Hill Neighborhoods meeting will be here Monday, 6 p.m.

at Protective Stadium.

The next public safety meeting will be on Tuesday, November the 25th.

Please submit your agenda items no later than Wednesday, November the 19th by 12 noon to Gregory.gov or Shantas.gov.

If you have questions or concern, feel free to call the office at 2052 54 2302.

I just want to thank all of the volunteers who came out and helped in this two-fold holiday giveaway that we had on Saturday.

Want to thank UAB Mobile Market, Be Grace Media, serious injury law group for being a partner in all of everybody who came out in District 9, uh neighborhood presidents, Miss Cora Williams, Sylvia Beeford, Sandra Lawrence, Miss Margaret Perry, just um Kim Williams, uh Veronica.

So everybody who came out to make this a success.

And if you all are not busy on Wednesday, unfortunately, I would not be here, but I know Councillor Gunn will be at North Birmingham Library.

I got a chance to go over.

I see their North Star Learning Lab.

So please, ma'am, sirs, go by North Birmingham.

They have a great setup there with their computer room.

Um the podcast studio recording studio.

So that was a part of the week.

Recompete grant, and that portion of that grant was with A Farm.

So they got some good stuff going on in North Birmingham.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tim.

At this time, I would like to acknowledge the presence of District 8 school board member.

If you'll please stand and we can welcome you, Mr.

Antoine Womack.

We're happy to have you in the audience and congratulations.

Thank you.

It's just a great reminder.

I know that um Councillor Smith mentioned the Christmas program.

And I can say from years that it's just a wonderful program.

And uh generally it is packed, so I hope everyone goes out and attends it.

It's a great way to begin the holiday spirit.

These are announcements for District 7.

Um, I have to start with thanking all of the volunteers and the partners who made our giveaway on Saturday a huge success.

We uh climaxed our D7 days of giving with the giveaway on Saturday.

I think Thanksgiving is hitting us a little different this year, just with some of the things that are going on with the economy and with families in our area.

So I want to thank everyone that participated and helped to support that event.

On today, this evening at 6 30, we do have the Green Acres Neighborhood Association will be meeting at the Lifting Christ Worship Center, and then on Thursday, November 20th, the Hillman and Hillman Park neighborhoods will meet at 5 p.m.

And that's at the Hopewell Baptist Church on Jefferson Avenue and the Germania Park neighborhood will meet the uh conference call.

I will not be present at the November 20th meetings, but we will have District 7 staff that will be present.

And um thank you very much.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, if we can entertain our speakers, uh Joseph Hope.

How's everyone doing?

Good morning.

Um I'm here for a two-fold problem that I'm having.

Um and some of the residents are around the area of firehouse shelter.

I don't know if that's in District 2 or Daniel Queen's district.

Um, but we have uh a problem with the firehouse shelter um where people are uh destroying the businesses around it.

There are some homeless people that are there, but there are also criminals that are mingling in with it.

Uh a lot of buildings are getting destroyed, a lot of buildings are getting burnt down.

Um, and it's a very big problem.

And so I'm asking the council to help with calling the firehouse shelter to hear to develop a plan to try to hold them accountable.

When you talk to them about the people that are stealing from the houses, stealing from the business, they're running the materials back into the firehouse shelter, and the doors are closing behind them where police can't come in behind them because they can't find them.

So just like Airbnbs, they are accountable for the people that they entertain.

The firehouse shelter should be accountable for people that they're entertaining.

The neighborhood is trash.

I have a business over there that uh I'm developing for children for camp and things of nature.

It's been broken into ten times.

Ten times.

I've called the police ten times.

Every time I called the police, uh, several were rude, they were disrespectful.

Uh, officer C.

Jones has threatened to kill me.

Now, this is factual.

Um, C.

Jones threatened to kill me because I've reported him to his officer because he was rude.

He wouldn't write my damage on the report.

He told me he's not afraid of the mayor, which I'm gonna post the video today because I don't I don't have to lie about it.

I said, give me your um batch number.

He refused.

He said, I said, I'm gonna tell the mayor.

He said, You can tell the mayor I said it.

That's how bold he is.

And when I saw that when a man threatened to kill a police officer, he was arrested in 24 hours.

This man threatened to harm me and told me if I come back to my business after reporting him, he will do something to me.

I haven't been back to my business.

I went and sat down, I followed protocol.

I filed a complaint.

I met with uh Officer Gold of Internal Affairs on 7.7.

No response.

This is 715.

Umia Shannon, 715.

I filed an email, the video after I filed a second complaint to a second internal affairs person.

No response.

721 25.

Hello, this is Mr.

Hope.

I'm checking on my complaint against C.

Jones.

Guess what?

No response.

November, I haven't got anybody called me about it from internal affairs.

I asked for a meeting with C Pickett, the officer, the chief.

Know what I was told by officers?

They told me that if you're not Essence Magazine or Pretty Face, he will not interview you.

He will not talk to you.

So I'm here today to tell you that I'm having a problem.

That's what I was told.

This is facts.

Everything I say, I have a recorded, and I can bring it to you.

So what I'm saying is this there's a problem in the Smithfield area with the firehouse shelter.

What they're doing is great.

They're feeding people, but also there's criminals mixing in with homeless people, hiding, breaking in, burning buildings, destroying property, and the area is losing business owners.

And so we need to address the issue.

Things are going great, yes, but we can't put a band-aid on some of the needs stitches.

So we need to make sure that the neighborhood is trashed.

The neighborhood is full of trash that they leave.

Criminals are breaking in buildings, running in the shelter, hiding stolen goods.

You tell the shelter, can you help with this?

They said we're not responsible for the people around our building.

So who is?

Thank you so much.

I do we take into consideration the information that you brought with us today.

I do want to say that some of the information you're sharing, of course, is very alarming.

Yes.

And so we will be sure that the mayor and administration gets this information and we can follow up with it.

And we have chief of um staff here, and that would hear your information as well.

And so thank you for sharing that with us.

If you have any of the items that you'd like for us to pass over to them for to follow up on this, please share that with them.

And thank you very much.

Thank you for your time and thank you, Council.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Good morning, Mr.

Mohammed.

You have three minutes.

How are you today?

I'm doing well.

William Mohammed 411 Lorraine Street in Birmingham.

I wanted to come to you today to talk to you about the committee to save Jefferson County community agenda.

The committee to save Jefferson County has been active in Birmingham for 30 years.

Reputed to be an organization of one person, me.

So I should get some credit for being able to keep doing something for 30 years.

In fact, I've been coming to the city council speaking since 1982.

That just came to my mind.

That's 43 years.

So I just wanted to say that I wanted to present this agenda because I had to come today, but the community to save Jefferson County is interested in the disparity study being implemented.

The city has done two disparity studies, and they have not been fully implemented.

So we're going to be working on that because this is our agenda.

This is not something we asking somebody to do.

This is stuff we're gonna work on this year.

We're in favor of annexation, that the city should look at annexing and growing.

We firmly believe that the police budget surplus should be used for public safety only, and we're gonna be fighting for that.

We feel that Birmingham Southern College should be developed by the city.

It's an economic engine that we're letting go by the wayside for some reason.

We are in favor of full employment for city employees, workers.

At one time I was told that there was 3200 employees in the sanitation department, and now it's approximately 1,500.

These jobs could add to the city economy.

We're in favor of affordable housing programs developing Birmingham Port.

And number one, we are in favor of no rubber stamps, community first.

So I think checks and balances is a part of politics.

And when we don't have checks and balances, the people suffer.

We like to look at the city fund and vocational skills centers.

We are in favor of increasing city retirees pensions.

And I want to say this, and it's probably all I got I can say.

We we want you to fight to protect the city assets from state takeover.

I was at the Birmingham Waterworks meeting last night only the second or third time I've been there recently, and they reported that 200 million dollars of their revenue come from Jefferson County, and you got two lowly people from Jefferson County sitting on the end that's getting outvoted when 200 million dollars of their revenue last year came from Jefferson County.

If you add up all these other little cities together, they don't come even halfway toward that much money.

So please encourage the mayor to keep fighting.

I'm very afraid that that lawsuit is gonna go by the wayside.

I say it publicly, and I'm saying to you publicly, my grandson who is in the Navy in Japan just had my lady's great grandchild, and he was born in November.

I want us to keep fighting this suit until I can turn this case over to him when he finished law school.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mohammed, and congratulations on the um birth in your family.

This time we have one more speaker, I believe.

Ricky Green.

Ricky Green.

All right, thank you.

Uh Councillor Smith, I believe you left off something.

Did you have additional comments?

Oh, yes.

Just the Five Points West community is hosting their annual Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday evening starting at 6 p.m.

at the Five Points West Library.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

At this time, we would like to thank Officer Pinkett and Officer Square for um being on duty with us today.

We appreciate you being here.

Counselors, before we adjourn, I do want to remind you immediately following today's meeting.

We do have a meeting of the 911 Commission, and I'll need at least five of you to be present so we can have so that Mr.

St.

John can have a quorum.

At this time, I call for a motion to adjourn.

No messaging.

Aye.

All opposed.

Thank you.

Meeting adjourned.

We're managing.

So today we are out in the England community.

We're out here with Home Depot and House Proud, and we're serving three veterans.