Oh wow, that's something that's got the other side.

That one's all me.

No, but you shouldn't have to do that.

So I got the outside.

Yeah, that's right.

Yeah, they have a double computer.

Oh yeah, yeah.

Right.

Yeah.

I wish we had a land.

I think I'll try to rub it.

Well they could use the case, but I actually had all this if you're right.

Okay, yeah.

So that's the point.

I don't know if you probably but if you're right.

But if you're going to write the wrong two interesting technical screens, right?

Oh, you can put it on the different three.

But I don't know, it's not running out of the mind, but you say it would be like the technical team.

So they might just recognize it.

But I thought it was very funny.

So it's supposed to be on more.

And for when you hear it.

Oh yeah.

You won't go right off.

But the thing is, just all the same one.

Are we ready in the back?

You know what I'm saying?

Good morning, Birmingham.

Today is Tuesday, January 6th.

The time is 9 33 A.M.

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

This morning, our invocation will be led by Galvin Bills, pastor of Small Groups, Church of the Highlands, Woodlawn Campus in Birmingham.

Our Pledge of Allegiance, I will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

If you will please stand and join us, thank you.

So the members of the city council to the mayor's office as well, so joy to be with you this morning.

There's a spiritual principle that when we take the time to put our first to God, God makes us best available to us.

So as we begin to uh invoke on his presence this morning, I just want to call your attention to Matthew 633 that says, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all of his righteousness and all these things will be added unto us.

So as we lift our expectations this morning, let's believe God that he'll lead us into the best that Birmingham has to offer.

Let us pray.

God, we bless you with all that we have within us.

We pray a blessing over this mayor, Mayor Randall Whiff and God, we pray that you would just increase them with wisdom to all of the members of the city council in their respective places, God.

We pray that you would give them wisdom and guidance.

So all of the members of the leadership of the mayor's cabinet, God, we pray that you would just bless them as well, give them wisdom to the members of the departments that that reside inside City Hall and abroad.

Father, we pray that every budget has everything that is needed and all the resources are made available unto them.

We pray for an act of citizenry this year, and we ask your blessings over every household that is represented in all nine districts.

We pray over our business community and over our schools that are all in the city of Birmingham.

We ask these blessings, even for our public safety.

We thank you for a year that we saw decreased violence.

We pray that your hand continues to be on our city and on our public safety officials as well.

It's in the name of Jesus that we do pray, and we're all in agreement, say amen.

At this time, happy new year, Mr.

Clerk, if you'll lead us in the roll call.

Council Member Gunn.

Present.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

Morning, sir.

Councilmember Smith.

Councilmember Smithman.

Councilmember Vassal.

Councilmember Woods.

Council President Pro Tim.

Present.

At this time, Counselors, I'd like to entertain a motion and a second for approval of the minutes from the previous meetings, September 2nd, September 9th, September 16th, September 23rd, and September 30th, 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 the meetings of October 7th, 2025 through December 30th, 2025.

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

Good morning, Madam President.

Good morning, Madam Pro Tem, and morning to the members of the Council, to the members of the public, all those under the sound of my voice.

Mayor Whitfin will be joining us shortly.

Um however he asked me to go ahead and keep the train moving.

He first wanted to say happy new year to everyone.

Since this is the first council meeting of the year, he wanted to open up by making certain that the council and the public knows that he's wishing a happy new year to the entire city of Birmingham, and that we look forward to a very productive year serving our citizens.

At this time, Madam President, members of the council, um, everyone can probably see if they haven't seen, and we have a sea of blue behind me.

And at this time, I would like to ask Ed Marberry and the members of Pi Upsilon Sigma chapter of Five Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated to please join me at the podium.

As these dynamic gentlemen make their way to the podium, for those of us who are members of the Divine Nine, and for those who have ever heard you know when you hear Blue Fi, it's gonna follow.

You know it's gonna follow.

Five Ada Sigma was founded on January the 9th, 1914 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

on the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, and service.

For 112 years, the fraternity has stood as a pillar of leadership, advocacy, and service, making lasting contributions to communities across the nation through educational support, social action, and civic engagement.

Today, we would like to honor these men with a special proclamation that I will read in part.

Whereas the Py Upsilon Sigma chapter of Five Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated is richly involved in the community through scholarships, mentoring, public speaking initiatives, the support of vital causes including March of Dives, Sickle Cell Awareness, Leukemia and Lypoma Society, C C DN, and Brenda's Brown Bosom Buddies, Habitat for Humanity, and so many others.

And whereas the chapter has demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety and community uplift by hosting gun buyback events, coat drives, annual volunteer service at the city of Birmingham's Christmas block party, gift cards, and school supply fundraisers for adopted schools, participation as tech day judges, and support of numerous community-based programs, all while living by its local motto, live to serve and serve to live.

Now, therefore, I, Randall Well L.

Whitfin, Mayor of the City of Birmingham, Alabama, do hereby proclaim January the 9th, 2026, as Five Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated Day in the City of Birmingham.

And the mayor encourages all citizens to join in celebrating the legacy service and continued impact of Five Beta Sigma Fraternity and Pi Upsilon Sigma chapter.

Madam President, members of the council, we certainly recognize so many of these dynamic men from our community who have impacted our every fabric of our life, and it's just an honor to be able to stand on the mayor's behalf and salute them.

And so I'd ask Mr.

Marber if you would please come up and give a few remarks on behalf of your esteemed fraternity and your brothers.

Madam President, uh to the mayor who is not here.

Um before you today, we first of all we thank you.

We um we tend to serve the community as best we can.

Our motto is cultural service and service to humanity.

And if you notice service is in there twice, the gentlemen that stand behind me stand with me.

We stand together, we serve together.

We've served with many of you in the community.

We love to serve.

We have partners in the community that we just we can't get enough of serving.

And it's because of the work that you do, because of the work that these gentlemen do that we're able to do that.

And we're going to continue to do that.

We would ask that if there is a task that you have, a need that you have for the brothers of 58 Sigma Fraternity.

Please don't hesitate to ask us.

Again, we thank you.

We thank you.

We thank you.

And we would ask that on maybe on Friday, just wear a little blue.

Because as a brotherhood, we live to serve.

Very good.

Sorry?

You should be.

You no.

There it is, Madam President.

Members of the council that concludes the mayor.

Thank you so much.

We are so delighted that Mayor Whiffin has um bestowed this honor upon the members of your chapter and for your fraternity.

As a fellow member of the Divine Nine, I must say, service, service, service.

And I'm grateful to the work that you all do in our community.

I have some fellow members of the Divine Nine sitting with me.

And so we know that for us, that service extends from college for a lifetime.

And so again, thank you.

We have many things to be done, and we'll definitely be calling upon you.

Counselor Smithman.

Thank you, Madam President.

I attended Hampton University, and so I actually had the pleasure of interacting with every divine nine organization, which is almost very rare.

Well, they were kind of active, but we pretty much almost had everybody active.

And the Sigmas were so kind.

I will say that.

Some of my close friends were Zedas, which is your sisters.

I guess y'all are the official divine brothers and sisters, whatever.

But uh, and I really appreciate learning about every organization.

And like Madam President said, the service that you give is much more than wearing your blues and your pink and greens and your crimson cream is really about community and service to others.

So I just want to thank you.

Um happy Founders Day, and then also I have a task for you actually.

Um if you guys are available this Saturday, Holy Family is looking for volunteers to help with their giveaway into this field.

So what time?

It'll be at nine o'clock.

So yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you, Counselor Smithman.

Pro Tim Tate.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to say uh hello to you all, but I got to say a special hello to my former supervisor, Lee Aikens.

Hi, Lee.

Thank you all so much again.

We're very delighted to have you today and wish you uh so much long continued service in the city of Birmingham and to our communities.

Thank you.

That concludes the mayor's report, Madam President.

Thank you very much.

Uh Madam President, I do have something for the mayor's office.

Actually, I have two things.

Um, even though it's not in my district, I was on my way to get my nails done this morning, and I passed by Woodlawn High School, and I see about 20 young kids walking in the street, walking on the sidewalk, everywhere.

And I started to learn that this was a thing where students would be late for school, they would be in the middle of the street, just everywhere but at school.

And so I'm just asking if, even though it's not my district, if there could just be just a little help and guidance with those students, um, because that's very dangerous because if somebody's speeding down the street, um, they could easily hit those kids as well.

Um, so that's one thing, and number two, New Year's Eve only comes once a year.

And I understand that the gunshots are down, but every year it doesn't feel like it.

I those gunshots and those fireworks were so powerful this time, and they start so early, they don't do it at 11 or 12.

I was over at my parents' house, it started at 8 o'clock, 7 o'clock, and that's very dangerous.

Like over the years, we've had where bullet shells have gone across their roof before.

And so I just want to know what is the plan moving forward for the holidays, because we can't just keep just kind of sitting back and letting people fire gun gunshots, having fireworks going just for the sake of we're not gonna bother them.

Like something has to be changed because it doesn't even feel safe anymore to go out during the holiday time.

So I was just, it doesn't have to be an answer now, but I was just like just some type of response from the mayor's office on what's gonna be done moving forward for the holidays, fourth July, New Year's Eve, etc.

Yes, ma'am.

Counselor, so um BPD was very aggressive this year, uh, but we'll certainly follow up with uh with the mayor and with the council office on what next steps are per your requests.

Okay, because I didn't see I'm I'm not saying they were out, I'm sure they were out, but I just I just didn't see them.

Um so is it really just like a safety concern as a citizen?

I'm really speaking as a citizen, honestly, um, as far as that.

So but thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Williams.

Thank you, Madam President.

On that note, um, I have two things.

One I'll address because it piggybacks off what Councillor Smithman was just discussing.

Uh last year I requested the number of arrests that were made uh due to celebratory gunfire and never received that, and I would like that this year as well.

Um I think that you know we had I you uh I saw the metrics that we use for the reduction in celebratory gunfire.

I have seen um multiple videos and well, I heard it myself, um, where you know, in in 90 seconds, it's it sounded like at least a thousand unique rounds were fired.

So we say that there's around 5,000 rounds citywide.

Um, I'm somewhat skeptical just because of what I heard on New Year's Eve.

I am um you know, what one thing from uh economic development perspective and a city perspective is when different municipalities across the United States were advertising what to do on New Year's, you know, they talk about you know the ball drop, whatever mobile, the moon pie drop, you know, whatever each city has.

Um, and then everyone on the internet said, well, stay out of Birmingham because they're just gonna shoot up in the sky.

That was very disheartening for me to see um all over social media, and then to have that somewhat confirmed by just being out in public at midnight, um, was troubling and scary because you know what if you're if you hear a bunch of gunfire around you, it's not a um it's not a uh a safe feeling, especially to be out in public.

And so I I would like to know the actual arrest numbers because uh you know, I don't know how aggressive we were, but from what I heard, it did not seem that way.

Second item that I have is I am still having trouble on areas where public works has not maintained sidewalks, and so the you know uh kutsu and and other growth has come over sidewalks.

We've sent it up several times.

Um what what can I do, Chief, to get that taking care of where public works?

And I have specific streets, so can you can you you share those streets, Council?

Can you share them again, please?

Okay, thank you.

Yes, all right, thank you.

Thank you.

Dr.

O'Quinn.

Yes, um, just uh follow up on Councillor Williams and Councillor Smith's point about celebratory gunfire.

I would like to know specifically what technologies we're looking at in order to uh address that issue.

Um so you know, I know we are increasingly employing the use of drones and those um drones, so I have a lot of capability.

Um, you know, we're hiring pilots and things like that, and that seems like you know, one um method that could be used to gather evidence and make some arrests, and and you know, this is such a um pervasive issue in the city that uh I I believe we need to put some people behind bars in uh order and make the examples of them before this, you know.

That's absolutely gotta happen for this to change.

So uh again, I would like to uh know what technologies uh we're either using or looking at using to address this issue.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, uh Chief.

If you'll take note, I'm sure that you did of those requests, and um people be able to follow up and if you shared that with all the council, we'd appreciate it.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

At this at this time, counselors, I'd like to ask for unanimous consent to amend the agenda to allow for the following presentation.

Counselor Crystal Smithman has a presentation for the Miles College band.

Councilor Smithman.

Thank you, ma'am.

Professor, are you here?

Okay, do you have any members of the band with you?

Okay, if you guys want to come on up.

So building on the momentum of being named HBCU Division II Band of the Year in 2024, the Miles College Purple Marching Machine was invited to defend its title in Atlanta in 2025 against Fayetteville State University.

Mean the moment the band once again captured the top honor, becoming the first band in the nation to earn back to back ESPN band of the year titles.

What an accomplishment.

This achievement was rooted in a historic milestone reached in 2024 when they were recognized initially as ESPN's band of the year.

And in 2025 contest, the band excelled in music, claiming first place.

Professor Snipes also commended the exceptional drill writing of Mr.

Mark Hayden.

So I really want to bring them and give them congratulations because I feel like Birmingham really adopts Miles College and such an amazing accomplishment because you know, you know, I was in the band when I was younger.

College bands, they practice for hours and hours on top of being on their uh academics.

And so I just want to say I'm so proud of you all.

I wanted to bring you all before my colleagues just to be recognized.

So Professor, if you want to say anything, uh you can speak now.

First, I'd like to thank you, Councilman Smithman, for inviting us here today.

Uh word you use was adopt.

Uh, I've never been adopted.

So what I mean by that, I am a product of Woodland High School, Proud Alumni class of 2000.

Also, I'm a proud graduate of Miles College, where I did play the Purple March Machine.

I was in the fourth actual band uh under the tutors of Arthur Means Jr.

And I'm the first music graduate in the history of Miles College.

So I stand here not just as a proud Mile in, but also stand here as a proud resident of Birmingham, Alabama.

And uh I hesitate to know when I tell you if you want to stop something like crime, get more kids involved in the activities.

Band is saving lives around the world.

How can I say that?

Because I'm one of the people from the Kingston community, cross team community that was saved by Ben.

Uh, my band director in Woodline High School, Edward Matdocks, he made sure that we were rehearsing.

So when we get out of school, you know, we had to go home and do our work.

So we didn't have time to get in trouble.

So one of the things I always say, we need to get more kids involved in our different activities after school because these are things that save their lives.

So, you know, to be honored here in my hometown.

I'm just elated, um, very happy, and I would like to take this time out for all of my Malians in the building to stand up and be recognized and stand with us.

I see you all around, Miley's.

Please stand up proudly.

And I think that should give a hand clap.

Um I will say this, we have scholarships available for any musician in Birmingham.

They get first choice, and we would like to open our doors up for more Birmingham students at Miles College.

Sometimes we forget the academics is the focus, but sometimes it's a strain when we think about affordability.

It's very expensive to go to college.

So sometimes staying at home and attaining a music scholarship and academic scholarship will save our students some type of money because our parents may not have, so we need to think about that Birmingham and come together and get a plan where we can get more students involved in Miles College.

Thank you for your time.

Again, first band in the country to ever win this type of war out on a national venue.

So I'm just so proud of the students and hopefully we can three peep.

So thank you again for having us.

And madam president, if you allow um the students to introduce themselves, they are here.

Definitely.

Good morning.

My name is Jada Simone Simon.

I'm from Oakland, California, majoring in business administration.

And I'm going into my senior year.

All right.

Um, I do color guard.

I'm a flag girl.

Okay, yes.

Hello, my name is Kaylin Ferris.

I'm also a flag girl.

I'm a sophomore, and my um major is business administration.

All right, thank you.

Good morning.

My name is Rachel McLean.

I am the head captain of the flag team.

My major is early childhood, and I'm from Birmingham, Alabama.

Wonderful.

Good morning.

My name is Peytonville.

I'm also on the flag team.

I'm a sophomore, and my major is criminal justice, and I'm from Bermill, Alabama.

Hello, good morning, everyone.

I am Joy Slin Tinker, a senior psychology major from Dellville, Alabama.

I am not a part of the Purple Marching Machine, but I am in support of them 100%.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Miles Humes.

I am from Huntsville, Alabama.

I am a social work major, and I'm the sixth, Mr.

Miles College, and I am congratulating the purple marching machine also.

Counselor Smithman, I would like to thank you for bringing the professor and these students, talented students, to us today to congratulate them.

As you have said, it's an honor and uh privilege to be able to receive this award from ESPN and to be named as band of the year for two consecutive years.

You've said so much today that I think hits home with each of us as we've talked about the influence of music, education on our youth and on our community.

I want to thank you for what you do.

My heart is full this morning.

My father is a graduate of Miles College.

So as a little girl, we used to go over, and my sister and I uh they played football games at Rickwood Field, and I still remember the sounds of the band.

And as a former band member myself in high school, I know what work it takes to be a band member, flag girl, majorette, whatever.

It takes a lot of work and dedication.

So you've said a lot, and I I'm very proud of the fact that you spoke of standing on the shoulders of giants such as Arthur Means and also um Edward Maddox, and I have my own band uh teacher in uh junior high school, Hooper T.

Abrams.

He's also a grad, he was a graduate of Miles College.

And I just want to give a shout out.

We have our own staff member, my Lennian in our district seven.

So Lozie Brown, he walked in and he was stood right there.

He's very proud.

Miles graduate as well.

So thank you again.

And Mr.

and Ms.

Miles, y'all are really showing out looking good.

Thank you for representing.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Appreciate you.

Thank you, Madam President.

I forgot to say both of my staff members graduated from Miles College, and both of my parents graduated from their law school.

So I spent many years on Miles Campus.

So congratulations, guys, once again, and thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Madam President.

Congratulations to you all again and congratulations to you, proud Woodline Alum, and just stand it.

The course, but I sit on a board at Miles College with Dr.

Nea Cottry and um Veronica R.

Johnson is a professor there.

Um is a dear friend of mine's, but um super proud.

So I have graced the campus of Miles College, and I love um being on the board, um, a criminal justice board there.

Thank you.

Thank you, so thank you.

This time's counselors will return to our agenda, and I'd like to read the business of conduct before we consider the consent agenda.

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

No separate discussion of these items will be permitted unless a council member, the mayor, or citizen interested in a public hearing so request.

If so, such items will revert to its normal place on the agenda order of business.

All matters of permanent operation, and they're indicated with the capital P will be read.

All other matters will be announced by reading the item number only.

All public hearings will be announced.

At this time, Mr.

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

Yes, ma'am, and uh also there was no uh boards and agency.

Thank you.

I skip that.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh consideration of consent agenda page two.

We have item one on consent.

And skip over to page 10.

Item two is on consent.

Skip over to page 17, item three is on consent.

Page 20.

Item four is on consent.

Please note that on page 20, item four.

Uh we need to withdraw item number 57, which is on page 20.

And on page 23.

We need to withdraw item number 206.

That's 57 and 206 from item four.

Pick back up with the consent agenda on page 25 with item number five.

Page 29, item 6 is on consent.

Page 34, item 7 is on consent.

Page 37.

Item 8 is on consent.

Please note that item 74 on page 41 as part of item 8 should be withdrawn.

And on page 50, item 239 should also be withdrawn.

This is all part of item 8.

It's item 74 and 239.

Page 50.

We pick back up with the consent agenda.

Item 9 is on consent.

Page 54.

Item 10 is on consent.

On item 10.

Withdraw item 32, and it is on page 56.

That's item 132 on page 56.

Continue with the consent agenda on page 60.

Item 11 is on consent.

Page 62.

Item 12 is on consent.

Page 69.

Items 13, 14, and 15 are on consent.

Page 70.

Items 16, 17, and 18 are on consent.

Page 71, the items 19, 20, 21, and 22 are on consent.

Page 72, items 24 and 25 are on consent.

Page 73, items 26, 27, 28, and 29 are on consent.

And page 75, item number 35 is on consent.

Page 87.

Item number 36 is on consent.

And on page 97, item 37 is on consent.

That concludes the consent agenda.

Thank you very much.

Counselors, are there any items you'd like to have removed or added to the consent agenda?

Councillor Smithman.

Yes, thank you, madam president.

I would like to remove item 22 off of consent.

Okay, that's item 23.

Page 71.

Thank you.

Item 22 and 71 is requested to be removed from consent.

Any other items, counselors.

All righty.

At this time we'll take a motion and second for approval of the consent agenda.

So move.

All right.

Motion Councilman Smithman.

With that, Council Williams for the Yes.

All right.

Uh voting should be open.

Okay, gotcha.

Council Woods.

Council member President Pro Tim Tate.

Council Member O'Quim.

All right.

All right.

That vote should be on that.

All right, thank you.

Counselors, the consent agenda has been approved.

If you were here in the public to hear for any of the items that were listed as consent, they have been approved.

And now we'll continue with the rest of our agenda.

First item, Mr.

Clerk.

Should be item 22.

Item 22, a resolution approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a first amendment to second amended and restated redevelopment project and funding agreement with North Side Redevelopment LLC, under which an existing second amended and restated redevelopment project funding agreement between the city and north side redevelopment LLC dated November the 13th, 2024, will be amended to provide the North Side redevelopment LLC by May the 30th, 2026.

We'll complete the blight removal work on the star at Uptown Project being developed on the former Careway Memorial Hospital campus.

Motion please.

Item is before you.

All right, thank you.

Council Smithman, you ask that this item be removed from consent.

Yes, ma'am.

Um, and really is more so for the developer.

Okay.

Good morning.

Brian Wolfe's corporate really development.

Good morning.

Um, just a few questions.

Uh, do you anticipate any more delays?

We do not, and and the delay in this amendment was solely because we had applied for a HUD loan, and there's a somewhat antiquated regulation, and you cannot have any demolition going on during that process of the loan under it.

We have since abandoned that application.

So we're now we have picked back up and start restarted the uh demolition process.

Okay.

Um is the complete project projected to be completed?

Like all this.

The demolition will be completed by the end of May, and we're on pace to finish in early May.

Early, no, I mean like the whole project, like the whole development.

The whole development, yes.

Well, this year we'll start three projects this year in 2026 under construction.

The whole pro the entirety of the 45-acre development will probably take the next five to seven years to complete.

Okay.

Yeah.

Um, and can you just remind us of those three projects that you'll be starting this year after demolition?

Yes, we have some cottages and townhomes that will break ground at the end of the first quarter.

Um, we have an indoor entertainment venue that will be in the old emergency room building along 25th street that'll start this year, and we also have some outparcel development on the on the very southern end of the site closest to Top Golf that'll start this year as well.

Okay, thank you.

Yes, thank you very much.

And before you leave, I just for clarity.

Um what phase of development is this particular part of the project in phase one, two, or three?

The demolition.

Um it is in the very first phase.

Okay, yes, ma'am.

Thank you very much.

Any other questions, counselors?

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

Voting should be open.

Council.

Councilmember Woods.

President Ellizan.

Uh that vote should be up.

All right, thank you, counselors.

Item 22 passes.

Next item.

Should be item 23.

Item 23, a resolution proving and supporting the 2000.

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm missing it.

One second.

Supporting the 2026 legislative priorities that includes but not limited to please strike the remainder of that line and also the next line and pick up with amending the Alabama Land Bank Act to allow local land bank authorities to acquire delinquent tax properties within a shortened redemption period to grant authority to class one municipalities to create a vacant property registry, allow for a vacant property registration fee and reasonable enforcement of maintenance standards, enabling legislation to create Birmingham Housing Trust Fund, support for the creation of community land trust within municipalities to support local community development and affordable housing initiatives and legislative review of a constitutional amendment that would allow a class one municipality to enact a blight remediation assessment against certain landowners.

Motion please.

The corrections were noted with the reading of the clerk, but if you just want to read them uh the way that it would be written in the recommendation of the resolution, uh, it does include those changes that the clerk addressed or identified for us.

Also, I would like to be sure for um the public knows that we did discuss these items during our previous committee of the whole meeting, and these items were approved by the committee of the whole.

Any questions or um questions about the item that's before us?

Yes, ma'am.

Yes.

Um I was able to watch committee of the whole meeting.

I was absent, but is there some more information about the blight tax uh item is the one that I blight assessment against certain landowners?

How would that work?

I don't think we received any other information.

Uh we did discuss that during the committee of the whole meeting.

That item was brought forward by counselor Clinton Woods.

Um, we did pass out some information about that, but Councillor Woods, could you just give an overview for those members that weren't present?

Uh yes, ma'am.

So basically, that item speaks to just adding more teeth to our ability to kind of enforce uh what we see a lot is just absentee landlords, absentee property owners.

Those dollars go to an established community development fund that can only be used for uh taking care of those similar issues that are kind of created through that issue of uh absentee ownership, and so I think just it kind of goes in line with what we're doing and kind of building an ecosystem where we can uh hold people accountable.

I think on this side and the complacement of residents, we get a lot of the uh come cut this grass, come tear this down.

These are all private properties, and uh when we really look at it when we're putting that much money into those things, we have to do it because we gotta be responsive to the the residents, but we're putting money into those things that you know we're not getting that benefit back, and so we really need to put the responsibility on the appropriate party, and in this case that's the landowner.

And so that gives us the um option to get this before legislators to um really consider allowing us to do this in Birmingham.

A lot of positive feedback, and I'll make sure that you have some of the the cities that have passed this previously, but they're seeing one, and I think we all know once you begin to hold people accountable and you have some real teeth, uh, a real stick sort of to swing, so to speak, uh you see you start to see the behavior change on its own.

And so that's what we want to do.

Uh, we want to make sure we're putting Birmingham in a position where more of those dollars and resources can go straight to uh our communities and growing and developing and not remediation.

So yes, um, you know, I want to commend you for bringing this new um this new initiative to our legislative agenda.

I think this is great.

Um I was trying my ARPA funding to demolish a lot of the housing, and I found that they were very tax delinquent, and actually I really think there's a strong correlation between the neighborhoods that are low-income, crime written that have a lot of um absentee landowners.

So I think this is uh a great initiative.

Um I'm sure they will pass it.

I hope they will pass it.

Um, but I just I just hope that the city has the bandwidth to do this, and that's not on us, but to make sure that we actually are aggressively tackling it because you know we struggle to cut these lots, and I just don't want to make sure that an act that would be very, very uh beneficial to the city just doesn't slide under the table just because we just don't have the bandwidth to make sure this is done.

So um thank you, Madam President.

But I do have one other thing that's not on here.

Um, you know, I'm not saying I'm for this going on here, but one big thing that I've been hearing about even before I go on the city council is a mayor council act, and I feel like people shiver in their boots, their shoes when they hear it, but it's not even about our current mayor, because I've said this, Mayor Wilfram won't always be in office as much as we would love for that to happen.

We can't put him in the bubble and have him be mayor for 100 years.

But currently, as it is, it doesn't matter who is sitting now, it's unbalanced.

Um, more so about the budget in particular.

Once upon a time, the city council could create its own butt budget to balance it against the mayor.

And currently, as the budget is now, you cannot really make any changes other than making some suggestions before it is actually presented.

Um I just hope in the future one day that the mayor and council can come to some resolution to put it on there.

Um, but I just really hope that people would consider it just in this term as well.

So thank you, madam president.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

We're ready for the vote.

Yes, Council Williams.

My understanding that this is these what we're passing today is the joint between the mayor and the council, right?

These are our legislative priorities from the city of Birmingham, yes.

Yeah, yeah, from the city as a whole.

And I and I think that to Councilor Smithman's point, I mean, we should have a separate um legislative priority that might be just of the councils.

Um, I think that having, you know, and I echo all the sentiments that she said.

I think that the mayor's done a great job of making sure that um that we're informed and part of the budget process and and has done, you know, gone above and beyond of what he has to do, really.

Um but I do think that um just from a even just from a foundation of government constitutional perspective, that a balance of power is important um and all levels of government, including municipal government.

So thank you.

Thank you both counselors.

Um I um appreciate what you are stating and what you've um brought forward to us.

I do think that it again, balance of government is very important to each of us as far as municipalities are concerned.

Um I do also uh I'm delighted to see the as we've continued since I've been on the council to see us working together as a team for our legislative priorities.

So at this time, we'll entertain a vote for the items that have been presented to us, unless there are any other items ready for the vote.

Should be open.

Council president.

Aye.

All right.

Vote should be up.

All right, thank you, counselors.

Uh, those items will be listed as part of our um priorities for this particular legislative agenda.

They do go into session on January 13th.

I uh also want to be mindful of the fact this will be a short session.

They're all up again for re-election, and so typically they're very um, they're very focused on the items that get through, and so we hope that they will definitely entertain these.

If we've seen already, our agenda today was 99.9 percent of items that relate to overgrown lots, abandoned vehicles, and as um with the rationale with counselor woods with the item that he added, and those items that are already on here.

This again, I had to laugh when you said echo ecosystem.

What is that word you used?

Ecosystem, and you're very right.

This is our ecosystem in trying to improve the uh community and um the revitalization that is needed in our uh districts.

So thank you all very much.

Thank you, counselors, for that vote.

Next item, Mr.

Clerk, should be item 30.

Uh, a resolution setting a public hearing February the 10th, 2026 to consider the adoption of a resolution assent to the vacation of 36,000 square feet of right-of-way.

Is it located parallel to and between 28th Street North, 30th Street North, perpendicular to and between 7th Avenue North and Messer Airport Highway, so that the owner can consolidate property and whether such vacation will deprive other property owners of such right as they may have to egress and ingress from their property on behalf of 631 LLC, SKD properties LLC and Iron Gear 4th LLC owners case number SUB 2025 63, located at 613, 28th Street North, 2815, 7th Avenue North, and 2941 30 Street North Birmingham.

Motion please.

All right, counselors.

This is an item to set a public hearing on February 10th, 2026 to um adopt the resolution assenting to a vacation of property.

Ready for the vote.

Any questions?

Ready for the vote.

That vote should be up, Madam President.

All right, item 30 passes.

We've set that hearing for February 2010.

Next item.

Should be item 31, a resolution setting a public hearing February the 10th, 2026 to consider the adoption of a resolution assenting to the vacation 1,185 square feet of the right-of-way that is located parallel to in between 22nd Street South and Arlington Crescent, perpendicular to, and between Arlington Avenue South and Arlington Crescent, so that the owner can consolidate property and whether such vacation will deprive other property owners of such right that they may have to egress and ingress from their property on behalf of St.

Cecilia Congregation Owner, case number SUB 2025-78, located at 1401, 22nd Street South Birmingham.

Motion please.

All right, counselors.

This is an item setting a public hearing on February 10th, 2026 to adopt a resolution assenting the vacation of property.

Any questions about this item?

We're ready for the vote.

That vote should be up.

All right, thank you, counselors.

That item 31 passes, and we've set that public hearing for February 10th.

Next item.

A resolution setting a public hearing February the 17th, 2026, to consider the adoption of a resolution assenting to the vacation of 24,658 square feet, the right-of-way that is located parallel to and between 34th place north and 33rd Street North and perpendicular to and between 35th Avenue North and Pearl Avenue, so that the owner can consolidate property and whether such vacation will deprive other property owners of such right as they may have to egress and ingress from the property on behalf of River Brook Realty owner, case number SUB 2025-64, located at 3333, 35th Avenue North Birmingham.

This item is another public hearing to adopt a resolution assenting to the vacation of property.

Any questions regarding the item?

We're ready for the vote.

Voting should be open through council member.

That vote should be open.

All right, thank you, Councillors.

We've set that hearing for February 17th.

Next item, Mr.

Clerk.

Should be item 33.

The resolution is setting a public hearing February the 10th, 2026 to consider the adoption of orders to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham.

Case number at ZAC 2025 that's 16 to change zone district boundaries from QC2 to QC2 in order to remove Q conditions from a previously approved rezoning case, Z40-89 in order to allow a motorcycle training facility by Mahafae.

Sabedee, owner and of do amoor applicant for properties generally located at 1700 31st Avenue North and 1701 32nd Avenue North Birmingham, situated in section 22, uh quarter section one, time suit 17 range 3 west of Birmingham.

Motion please item is before you all right thank you, Counselors.

Item 33 is to set a public hearing on February 10th to consider the adoption and change the zoning district map to remove cue conditions to allow for a motorcycle training facility.

Any questions about this item?

We're ready.

All right, voting should be open.

That vote should be up.

All right, thank you, counselors.

We've set that public hearing.

Next item.

A resolution is setting a public hearing February the 10th, 2026 to consider the adoption of ordinance to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham.

Case number ZAC 2025-24 to change zone district boundaries from MUM to QC2 in order to allow for a vehicle rental company filed by Robock Plaza Basy Line LLC.

Owner and applicant for property generally located at 2020 and 236 Gas of Highway.

Birmingham situated in section one, uh quarter section one township 17 range to West Birmingham 35235.

Motion please item is before you.

All right, counselors.

This is setting a public hearing on February 10th to adopt and to amend uh the zoning district map to allow for a vehicle rental company.

Any questions about setting this date?

We're ready for the vote.

Counselors, thank you.

Item 34 passes, and we've set that public hearing date.

Any other items for our review today, Mr.

Clerk.

All right.

Thank you.

At this time, counselors, will we entertain updates regarding your district?

And who's ready to go first?

Council of Vasa, you're ready.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um want to wish everyone listening a happy new year.

We're in 2026.

It's gonna be a good year.

Uh secondly, uh, we have a resident participation survey that's open to residents of district three.

This is a great opportunity to make sure your voices are heard.

Uh what we are looking for are your top three priorities for uh for the district, what's important to you from this survey.

We will create a roadmap and have a town hall uh to present that information back to everyone.

Our goal is 10 percent.

So roughly 2,000 residents, and so uh so the survey will be open until January 25th.

So please fill that out where you you can find the survey.

It will be on our socials, counselor Josh Fossa.

Uh feel free to email our office.

Happy to get this um survey out.

Uh secondly, we have a tree planning at Avondale Park this Saturday from 8 a.m.

to 10 a.m.

Uh would love as many volunteers as possible.

More information uh is at Friends of Avondale Park.

Uh and last but not least, we have our Forest Park South Avondale Neighborhood Association tonight at 6 30 p.m.

at um at the Avondale Library.

Those are my announcements.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Vasa.

The um the legend continues.

We're so happy.

I know Councilor Abbott would be so happy to know you're putting up trees instead of taking them down.

So thank you very much.

I know she's happy.

Thank you.

I know.

Councilor Smithman.

Thank you, ma'am president.

Happy New Year's to everyone.

As far as neighborhood meetings, open place will be held today at 4 p.m.

at Harrison Park Recreation Center.

Mason City will meet today at 4 30 p.m.

via telephone.

Tomorrow, North Citizen will meet at Memorial Park at 5 p.m.

And then on Monday, January 12th at 5 p.m.

West End Manor will meet at New Hope.

This Saturday, as mentioned before, at their high school located at 1832, Centerway Southwest.

The school is partnering with the Change and Urban Community Monastery to serve our artistsville community.

It begins at 9 a.m.

and we'll wrap up by 11 a.m.

And they are still looking for volunteers.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Council Williams.

Thank you.

Economic Development Tourism Committee will be in conference rooms D and E at 11:30 following this meeting.

And Roebuck Springs neighborhood will be Thursday, January the 8th at 7 p.m.

at their regular place, New Beginnings Church.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Councilor Smith.

All right.

Well, happy new year.

This week, several neighborhoods will be hosting their monthly meetings.

So coming up today.

Fairview Neighborhood is having their meeting this evening at 5 30 p.m.

via conference call.

You can contact our office at 205-254-2304 for details.

Thomas Neighborhood is meeting also this evening at 6 30 p.m.

at the Greater St.

Thomas Church on First Street.

Next week, next Monday, we have Tuxedo meeting on Monday at 5 p.m.

at the East Ansley Library.

Rising West Princeton meeting at 6 p.m.

at the rising West Princeton Cooperation Cooperative.

And Ansley Highlands meeting also at 6 p.m.

at the Five Points West Library.

The Arts and Parks Committee will not meet next week.

At City Hall will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Junior holiday.

The committee will resume its regularly scheduled meeting next month.

And a couple other announcements really quickly.

And that is opening on tomorrow, Wednesday, January 7th, and closing on Tuesday, January 20th.

So we're asking that all applications be submitted to our office by 12 noon on Tuesday, January 20th.

You can apply online at the Birmingham AL.gov Boards and Agencies website.

Or also you can reach out to our office.

Excuse me, 254-2304.

And lastly, I want to acknowledge Mr.

Johnny Gunn, who is in the audience, president of the Bellevue Heights Neighborhood Association.

So thank you.

Thank you very much.

Councilor Gunn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Just a few announcements for this week.

First, I want to say happy new year to everyone.

Upcoming neighborhood association meetings next Monday.

We have the Ingle Nook Neighborhood Association meeting, which takes place at the Ingle Nook Recreation Center at 5:30 p.m.

Next Monday also we have the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association, which will be hosting their meeting at Willow Wood Recreation Center at 6 p.m.

Also next Monday, we have the Airport Highlands Neighborhood Association, which will be hosting their meeting at 6 p.m.

at the Pleasant View Baptist Church.

Last but not least, on next Monday, we have the Robuck Neighborhood Association, which will be having their neighborhood association meeting at 6 30 p.m.

at the Birmingham Police East Precinct.

Also happening next week, we have Kelo Springs, which is takes place Tuesday at 6 p.m.

at Smith Middle School.

Then we have Northeast Lake also on Tuesday at the Southern Yuzema Flight at 6 p.m.

And then lastly, we have Pennfield Park, which takes place at 6 p.m.

at the Brownsville Heights Community Center.

One announcement in Collegeville, Collegeville will be hosting their third annual neighborhood cleanup in honor of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

January 19th, 2026, 8 a.m.

to 12 p.m.

The meeting will be the meeting location is 3200 28th Avenue North.

For more information, call or text M.

Coleman at 205-542-4273.

And that concludes my announcements.

Thank you, Counselor.

Councillor Woods.

Good morning, happy new year.

A few announcements.

The Apple Valley Neighborhood Association meeting that was scheduled for today has been canceled.

Also, the uh the Spring Lake Neighborhood Association will meet this Thursday, uh January 8th at 6:30 p.m.

That meeting will be held at Huffman High School.

Uh they also have a virtual option if needed.

The Roebuck Neighborhood Association will also, they will meet Monday, January 12th at 6 30 p.m.

That meeting will be held at the uh East Precinct.

It's continually encouraging residents to get involved, stay involved.

Your voice has a lot of importance and bring a lot of to the table in terms of the uh setting priorities.

I did want to come in uh councillor Vasa and gathering all the information from the public.

That's one thing that is um really helped me just knowing what people want.

This is um going a long way, so I commend you for undertaking that effort.

Um also want to shout out one of our community partners, uh, the link uh their facility, the entrepreneur and training center uh of Huffman Road in District 1.

They are inviting anyone interested in obtaining their uh CDL license.

Uh they'll be hosting a uh information session on Tuesday, January 7th.

Wait, Wednesday, January 7th at 10 a.m.

at 525 Huffman Road.

Uh participants must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or GED.

Uh it's a strong opportunity just for residents that uh want to get into a high demand space.

Uh this is a uh free opportunity, and so encouraging anyone who is interested uh to attend that again.

That is uh 525 Huffman Road at 10 a.m.

tomorrow.

Uh lastly, want to uh remind everybody that the budget and finance committee meeting will be held uh Monday, January 12th at 3 30 p.m.

in the council chambers.

Uh all submissions uh and documents are due no later than January 7th at noon.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much, Councillor Dr.

O'Quinn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Happy New Year.

It's good to be back with you guys.

Yes.

Uh, wanna thank everyone who's um reached out over the past couple of weeks and expressed their condolences on my mom's passing.

Um, and I really want to thank everyone, especially my staff who gave me the space to be with my dad.

Um, my parents uh were married 61 years, so um huge transition for my dad and uh it meant the world to him for me to be able to be with him uh you know during this time.

So um again, thank you.

Uh in district business this week.

We have several neighborhood association meetings.

East Lake Neighborhood Association will meet tonight at 6 p.m.

at the Household of Faith Church.

Forrest Park South Avondale Neighborhood Association will meet tonight at 6 30 at the Avondale Library.

Wahoma Neighborhood Association will meet on Thursday at 6 p.m.

at the East Lake Library.

Gate City Neighborhood Association will meet on Monday, January 12th via conference call.

Um please contact our office if you need the call-in number for that.

And also Oak Ridge Park Neighborhood Association will meet on Monday at 6 p.m.

at the Harris Holmes Recreation Center.

Uh in other business, we have a transportation committee meeting on Monday, January 12th at 2 p.m.

here in the council chambers.

Please submit your agenda items to KimberlyPhillips at Kimberly.phillips at Birmingham AL.gov.

And then finally, uh, want to announce the 10th annual MLK Day 5K drum run, which will take place on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at this historic Fifth Avenue Business District.

For additional information and registration, please visit WWW.ml K Day 5K Bham dot com.

Thank you.

That concludes my announcement.

Thank you, Dr.

O'Clan.

Madam Pro Tem.

Thank you, Madam President.

The Wylam Neighborhood Association meeting is tonight at 6 p.m.

at the Wyland Public Library, located at 4300 7th Avenue North.

Oak Reach Neighborhood Association meeting will be on Thursday, January the 8th at 4 p.m.

They meet on conference call.

You can dial in at 95206-4918.

The access code is 223418.

Hooper City Neighborhood Association meeting will be Thursday, January the 8th at 6 p.m.

at the Hooper City Rick Center, located at 3901 4th Street West.

North Birmingham Neighborhood Association meeting will be held on Monday, January the 12th at 6 p.m.

at the North Birmingham Library, located at 2501 31st Avenue North and Sherman Heights Neighborhood Association.

Also will meet on Monday, January the 12th at 6 p.m.

at the Morningstar Christian Church, located at 1600 Slayton Avenue.

The next public safety meeting will be held on Tuesday, January the 13th at 1 p.m.

in the council chamber.

Please submit agenda items by email no later than Wednesday, January the 7th at 12 noon.

To Gregory.gov or Ashanta.little at Birmingham AL.gov.

Well, this is Ashana.sef.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the officer 2542302 and happy new year to everyone.

Madam President, I just want to just kind of highlight.

And just want to really remind parents to really, really watch what your kids are doing, watching your kids are hanging around.

And then I, you know, from some things that I've heard, it was a Glock switch that was involved.

So you know, um the um DOJ and Premier Escalana, you know, they made that law.

They you get caught with a Glock switch, you're gonna do 10 years federal prison.

So parents be mindful, people be mindful.

Put these guns down because you are not going to fare out very well.

And also, you know, just want to thank the mayor.

I did see him come in briefly.

He did mention on his social.

Um, even though we had, you know, less than a 100 homicides, we is still, you know, not a victory left.

And just want to remind people, you know, the hard work that the organizations continue to do, OAA, urbanly, um, the one hood and all of the hard work that men and women have really um committed to to doing the work and changing it the trajectory or reducing violence, you know, in the city of Birmingham.

So I look forward to 2026 and prayerfully and hope, no, I'm not gonna say hopefully, we are going to have another better year um and less homicide.

So I just believe in speaking and standing on faith that we we're gonna we're gonna we're gonna do good this year.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you so much.

And I agree with you.

Just um again, as we go through 2026, we have so many opportunities and um hopefully, and I'm gonna not say hopefully as well, but I know that um we'll be able to make these changes.

Um, I really want to inspire everyone.

Um, I just want to be sure that we're community focused in 2026, and everyone, not only including the mayor and the council, but everyone within the reach of our voices, uh does what they need to do.

That's within their own families, being sure you know where your children are, different things and giving them opportunities that we can just prevent the things that we're seeing at this time.

I do want to uh just provide the following updates from District 7.

The Oxmore Valley Neighborhood Association will meet on next Monday, that's January 12th at 6 p.m.

at the Oxmore Rec Center.

If you have a problem with illegal dumping or missed bulk trash pickup, please dial 311 or 205-254-6314, or just um go ahead and log that in to my beham 311 because they go ahead and they triage that, and that really moves a lot quicker than making these phone calls because it gets them right to the agency or the department that needs to take care of that.

Um that having any other updates at this time, we do want to entertain if we have any speakers.

Okay, thought we don't have any.

Thank you.

At this time, we do want to thank our officer on duty, officer square.

Happy new year to you, and thank you again for um being with us and watching over us today.

At this time, we'll entertain a motion for adjournment.

Second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

Meeting is adjourned.

George.

Hi, Councillor Warding Alexander.

We're here at Protective Stadium for the Birmingham Bowl.

We're so excited to have local colleges, their alumni and fans here in the city of Birmingham.

Just to take in some great Southern hospitality.

So we hope they enjoy the game.

Hope everyone has a great experience.

And let's go, Birmingham Bowl.

Hello, hello, hello.

This is President Pro Tam Latanya Tate.

Welcoming everybody here to the Birmingham Bowl.

Um at Protected Stadium.

It is a great day to be here on today.

This is a great economic driver for the city.

We look forward every year for the Birmingham Bowl.

And we just want to welcome and thank everybody for coming into the city of Birmingham.