Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - January 20, 2026
Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - January 20, 2026
The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on January 20, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included the adoption of a lengthy consent agenda, discussion on a major infrastructure contract, setting public hearings for zoning changes, and receiving two public comments. Mayor Randall Woodfin also proclaimed January 2026 as Muslim American Heritage Month.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: Resolution No. 123-26 through 167-26 (consent items 1-55, 57-67) covering routine approvals including alcohol license applications (Arkadelphia Marathon, Southside Market, Courtyard/Residence Inn, ArtBlink Gala, OVG Hospitality), nuisance abatement resolutions for hundreds of properties, weed abatement special assessments, and numerous contracts and grants (e.g., $100,000 sub-grant to Birmingham Police Athletics Teams for youth programming, $50,000 façade improvement loan to FIF Holdings LLC, $41,699.69 façade loan to Iron City Bar and Lounge, NCAA 2026 Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships budget increase to $128,719.09, amendment to Community Violence Intervention Program funding sources, $28,500 roof repairs at Museum of Art, $75,694.67 library security camera replacement, $135,000 library foundation repairs, and various employee expense accounts).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tomeka Mills (President/CEO, A.W. Brooks Serenity Home, 3610 Timberway, Helena, AL 35022) spoke in support of creating a new purpose-built, trauma-informed group home for high school-age girls in Birmingham, specifically in Ensley. She cited that only 27% of children adopted in America are over age nine and argued that a new home would signal to girls that they are valued. She requested the city partner to secure land and support construction, emphasizing that this would break cycles and protect futures.
- Dr. Artis Murphy (1305 Avenue L, 35218) delivered a spiritual message calling for the council to seek divine guidance and accountability. He urged unity and referenced a need for spiritual leadership, stating that Birmingham's progress depends on acknowledging God.
Discussion Items
- Item 56 – Pratt Alley and Subdivision Improvements Contract: Councillor Tate requested the item be removed from consent for clarification. He asked if the project was the "shadow route" project and if it would address issues on Beach Avenue. The Chief responded affirmatively. The resolution accepting Gillespie Construction, LLC's lump sum bid of $2,638,177.36 for infrastructure improvements was then adopted unanimously.
- Item 63 – Public Hearing for Rezoning (501 Huffman Road): A resolution setting a public hearing for February 24, 2026, to consider changing the zone district from C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to C-2 (General Commercial) at 501 Huffman Road, submitted by Alabama Realty Brokers, LLC. Approved unanimously.
- Item 64 – Public Hearing for Zoning Text Amendments: A resolution setting a public hearing for February 24, 2026, to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Case ZAC2025-00029), including: (1) amending height requirements in D-5 District to 35 ft; (2) adding single-family detached residential as a Permitted use in MU-M district; (3) clarifying Heavy Industrial as permitted with conditions in I-4; (4) adding Private or Public Sanitary Landfill as a Special Exception in I-4; and (5) adding definitions for private and public sanitary landfills. Approved unanimously.
- Items 68 & 69 – Harvest Solutions Medical Waste Facility: A resolution acknowledging receipt of an application for an indoor non-hazardous medical waste treatment and document shredding facility at 4400 7th Avenue North, operated by Harvest Solutions, LLC, using ozone technology. Also a resolution approving a public awareness session on February 23, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the same address, as required by Alabama Code §22-27-48.1(f)(1). Both items passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- The consent agenda (items 1-55, 57-67) was approved by a unanimous roll call vote (8-0, with Councilmember Smitherman absent).
- Item 56 (Pratt Alley & Subdivision Improvements bid to Gillespie Construction, $2,638,177.36) was adopted by a vote of 6-0 (Councilmembers Gunn, O'Quinn, Vasa, Woods, Tate, Alexander; Councilmember Smith had absented herself, and Smitherman absent).
- Public hearings for rezoning (Item 63) and text amendments (Item 64) were set for February 24, 2026, commencing at 9:30 AM.
- Items 68 and 69 regarding the Harvest Solutions medical waste facility were adopted unanimously.
- The meeting adjourned at 10:26 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. Today is Tuesday, January twentieth. The time is now nine thirty-seven AM. I call to order the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. Today we'll have our invocation led by Reverend Doug Taylor, Pastor Rebirth Christian Fellowship, and our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Darrell O'Quinn. If you're able, please stand and join us. Grace us, be with us today. Hence now for fourth and forever. Bless this gathering in Jesus' name. Amen. Councilmember O'Quen. Councilmember Smith. Councilmember Williams. Councilmember Woods. Council President Pro Tim Tate. Good morning and Council President Alexander. Good morning. Thank you. At this time, Councilors, the minutes are not ready from the meetings of November 4th, 2025 through January 13th, 2026. At this time, we'll have communications from the mayor. Madam President, good morning to you. Good morning to the entire council. It's good to see all of you all this morning. As a reminder, because City Hall was closed yesterday for the MLK holiday. Residents who receive Monday pickup will have their trash collected today, January 20th. Now I meant I know that note may seem delayed, but we also communicated this in other channels as well. Pickup schedule for the remaining of the week will be delayed by one day. So I think that's the other important note to note. Again, the pickup schedule for the remaining of the week will be delayed by one day. So if your day is a day, your household garbage will be picked up tomorrow, so on and so on. And that is a short note, Madam President and Council at this time. As well as all those with the Birmingham Islamic Society to join me this morning. At this time we have Tanvira Patel and with the Birmingham Islamic Society. Council, if you were unaware, Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with 1.9 billion devotees worldwide, and about 3.5 million here in our country, the United States. Muslim Americans are a vital part of our diversity, and we would like to take a moment to recognize them and their contributions with a special proclamation that I will read in part. In the States whereas Muslim Americans are one of the most racially diverse groups in the United States, comprising African Americans, Asians, Arabs, and Caucasians, and whereas Muslim Americans have excelled in many fields, including business, medicine, law, literature, arts, entertainment, sports. And whereas Muslims in Alabama are doctors, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, and public servants, and they played vital roles in enhancing our state's health care, education, technology, arts, and cultural sectors. And whereas Birmingham Islamic Society, the old oldest Muslim organization in the state of Alabama, owns and manages four. Masters in the Greater Birmingham area. Now therefore, I ran OL Wood from Mayor of the City of Birmingham, along with the Birmingham City Council do hereby proclaim January 2026 as Muslim American Heritage Month in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. I also want to encourage all residents to reflect upon and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Muslim Americans, and to continue working together to build a city rooted not only in understanding and unity, but also in equity and shared humanity. And at this time, I would like to step aside and let our guests share a few remarks with the council. Thank you. Good morning, Mayor and Council members. Thank you for this opportunity. And Idul Adha, which honors Abraham's sacrifice. Birmingham Muslim community includes business owners, doctors, teachers, engineers, and public servants. We are your neighbors, colleagues, fellow citizens, and friends, contributing to our city's prosperity. The Birmingham Islamic Society is one of and only Muslim organization in Alabama and has served our community for decades, managing four mosques in the Greater Birmingham area. American Muslims represent all countries of the world compromising of comprising of 1% of the U.S.
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