And he stayed easily this morning.

And he's shoveling shovel.

So you go to this and you know it's the cake like that.

Just one two.

Check one to it was a level three.

Sorry, wrapping up a I'm sure you can see it just.

Check one too.

Yeah.

One two.

Testing one too.

Check one to that.

Okay.

No, right?

Okay, right.

And we have it's the last Thursday of every month.

I think it's a lot of nine usually end up filling up the other thing.

So it's all we also have a nine role.

So we try not to be outside the house.

Oh, yeah, it's nice.

That would be cut off the same thing and then down the end of the day.

That's pretty interesting.

Yeah, I think it's a good one.

Yeah.

So what is it?

That's true.

Oh, you're sort of just all like favoring it this time and then you have to put it on shape.

I think we have some markets.

I'm the same way.

If it's there, it's happening.

If it's going to be a good thing, it's possible to make our time.

So we will like that.

Oh yeah.

So I just want you to have it.

I'm never happy one dog that you be okay.

You might have fallen down, but nothing else yet.

You never listened to you still good to play.

Let me out make you see a five.

Good morning, Birmingham.

Today is Tuesday, January 27th.

The time is 9 34 a.m.

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

This morning, our invocation will be led by Kevin Mitchell, Associate Minister, First Baptist Church Woodlawn, and our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by District 8 Council Sonia Smith.

If you are willing and able, please stand and join us.

Good morning, everyone.

All hearts and minds composed.

Let's go before the Lord in prayer.

Most gracious and heavenly Father, Lord God Almighty.

We come before you this morning just to say thank you, Lord.

Thank you for another day that we have never seen before, Father God.

We thank you that last night was not our last night.

And we are grateful, O God.

We know, Lord God, that you are good, full of compassion, and slow to anger.

And Lord, your mercy endureth for all those, oh Lord God, that are in need.

Gracious Redeemer, we ask of you to move by your spirit this day that to give wisdom and understanding, oh God, to these uh your leaders, oh Father God.

Your word tells us, oh Lord, that uh when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.

Lord, we ask that you speak to their hearts and speak to their minds as only you can.

Your word tells us to pray for the leadership that we may live in peace, oh Lord.

So I'm lifting them up before you, Lord God.

And I know you know full well, Lord God, that these are complex human beings, each and every one of us, with burdens, oh Lord God, and cares.

But Lord, most high and holy, you are we are reminded that you are a burden-bearing God, and we can cast all our cares upon you.

We ask this in Jesus' holy name.

Amen and amen.

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

Thank you very much, Minister Mitchell, and thank you, Councillor Smith, for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Good morning, Mr.

Clerk.

Good morning.

You'll lead us in the roll call, please.

All right, Councilmember Gunn.

Good morning.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

Good morning, Councilmember Smith.

Good morning.

Good morning, Councilmember Smith.

Good morning, Councilmember Vassar.

Good morning.

Councilmember Williams.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Councilmember Woods.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Council President Pro Tim K.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Council President Alexander.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Councillors, I'm seeking a motion and a second for approval of the minutes from the previous meetings of November 4th, November 11th, November 18th, and November 25th, 2025.

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

Aye.

All opposed saying.

All right, thank you.

Those minutes are approved.

The minutes are not ready from the meetings of December 2nd, 2025 through January 20th, 2026.

Good morning.

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

Good morning, Mayor Whitman.

Madam President, good morning to you.

It's good to see you.

Good morning to the entire council.

It's good to see all of you this morning.

But we've been talking about a new traffic calming application process.

And so I thought it was important.

And so what the city of Birmingham has done is we're wanting to update our traffic calming application process, making it one more collaboratively, and two, residents are invited to take the lead.

I think that second part emphasis on residents taking the lead is very important.

So from February 1st through April 30th, again from February 1st through April 30th, neighborhood associations can apply for roadway improvements for the first half of 2026.

With the process designed to center neighborhood voices as well as share collective responsibility.

So the whole idea is two projects per neighborhood.

Again, that's two projects per neighborhood will be submitted through the neighborhood association to the Department of Transportation during the first application window and review for installation during the first half of the year if the criteria is met.

The project will be jointly funded by the neighborhood association and the city of Birmingham.

Again, the goal is to make this a true partnership built on local input, but equally important data-driven decision making.gov slash traffic calming.

Again, that's Birmingham AL.gov slash traffic calming.

The next thing I want to do is bring up Jennifer Hall, as well as any of her guests to join me here as we love on and appreciate and talk about Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham.

Yeah.

Council, we all know that mentoring is not only a proven effective strategy that helps children and young adults by matching them with a caring, responsible adult, but also a caring adult who can provide guidance and direction and build their confidence.

Um the better decisions they make not only as teens but as young adults.

But that's why the work of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham is so important.

And I want to thank our guests and all the mentors and big brothers and big sisters who are not here and who we can't see.

And I want to thank them by and honor them with the special proclamation that I will reimpart.

And the states whereas everyday residents of Birmingham are making a profound difference in the lives of our young people by serving as mentors, supported by many private and public sector organizations that offer mentoring opportunities for our youth.

And whereas thousands of Birmingham's children need a caring adult mentor in their lives.

Closing this mentoring gap will take more investment partnerships and volunteers ready to make a difference in a child's life.

And whereas National Mentoring Month is an opportunity.

Now, therefore, I Randall Elwood and Mayor of the City of Birmingham, along with the Birmingham City Council, do hereby proclaim January 2026 as national mentoring month in the city of Birmingham and call upon the people of our great city to recognize the importance of mentoring, to look for opportunities to serve as mentors in their communities and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs.

And now I'm going to step aside and let this young lady say a few words to the council.

Thank you, Mayor Woodfin, and also city council members for allowing us to be here this morning and for recognizing January as national mentoring month.

Volunteers are at the heart of our mission, and with the support of our mentors, um, we were able to serve over 1,450 youth last year throughout our service area.

And although we're extremely proud of this accomplishment, um, we still have a number of children in our communities who are waiting to be matched with a big brother or big sister, and that includes right here in Birmingham.

So we have a need for volunteers.

And the time that a child spends with a caring mentor provides them with encouragement, consistency, and exposure to new experiences, and it improves the chances that they will find success in their academic, their social, and their family lives.

So again, just thank you for recognizing National Mentoring Month.

And thank you for all that you do to help advocate for children in Birmingham.

We appreciate you.

Thank you very much.

Counselor Williams.

Yeah, I just wanted to thank you guys for all that you do.

You know, we have a lot of uh, I know you all have a national presence, but the Birmingham chapter specifically, um, I think is one of the, well, maybe it's the one I know the best, but it's one of the better ones.

And I also want to thank one of our judges, Michael Clark, for your involvement uh in both our municipal system, but also you carrying that on uh through Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

So thank you guys.

Thank you very much.

Thank you so much, Council.

This time I would like to ask Lisa Bachman, executive director of the Alabama Holocaust Education Center and all of our guests with her to please join me at the podium this time, at this time.

Um as they come up, council.

I think we need to all be reminded.

Oh, yeah, really important.

Council, I think this is an important time to be reminded that the Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in human history, resulting in the systematic persecution and murder of six million Jews, along with millions of others targeted by the Nazi regime, including Roma and Sinti people, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ plus individuals, political descendants, and countless others.

Today I we would like to join the international remembrance of this time in history with a special proclamation that I will read in part.

And Council Estates, whereas the City of Birmingham stands united with the Alabama Holocaust Education Center, the Jews, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Holocaust survivors, their families, educators, and community partners, and the ongoing work of remembrance, education, and the prevention of all forms of anti-Semitism, bigotry, and discrimination.

And whereas remembering the Holocaust is not only an act of honoring the past, but also very vital step in safeguarding the future, ensuring that younger generations learn the lessons of Holocaust history and uphold the values of human dignity, dignity, empathy, and compassion.

And whereas the color yellow was chosen to honor the yellow stars that Jews were forced to wear under Nazi persecution, transforming a symbol once used to stigmatize and dehumanize into one of remembrance, resilience and collective commitment to confronting anti-Semitism in all of its forms.

And whereas the act of lighting up yellow, lighting up yellow, on this day serves as a visible symbol of remembrance, hope, and solidarity, illuminating the city of Birmingham in honor of the six million Jews and millions of others whose lives we're taking and in tribute to those who survived to share their stories.

Now, therefore, I Randall L.

Woodfind, Mayor of the City of Birmingham, along with the Birmingham City Council do hereby proclaim Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

And we'll light City Hall Yellow in the spirit of education and remembrance.

And at this time, I would like to step aside to allow Lisa to share a few remarks.

And it's good to see all of you here.

Thank you, Mayor Woodfin, and all the city council members.

It's truly an honor for us to be here today.

We all know that the Holocaust did not just start with the guest chambers.

It started with misinformation and propaganda and a number of other things.

And the work that we do every day asks that we not just remember the dark side of the Holocaust, but that we also consider that there are so many lessons to be learned from this day in terms of courage and strength and resilience.

And the fact that we need to ask questions.

We've got to get curious and start thinking critically so that we can ask.

Is that true?

Because we know where misinformation can lead.

And it's really frightening that misinformation tends to spread way faster than the truth does.

So when we have days like today where we remember the victims and we also remember the survivors and the people who stepped in to rescue and to help it it makes us very grateful.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good morning, Mr.

Mayor, Council.

I'm David Silverstein, and I'm not here today to talk about a real estate development.

I'm here today to thank you.

Thank you first for the service that you do for our city.

But most importantly today, thank you for taking the time on this very sacred day to pause and remember what happened 80 years ago.

Um the Alabama Holocaust Education Center has been part of my life now for a decade or more, maybe more than you want.

But um it's a privilege to be associated with the center.

The Holocaust Education Center trains teachers to speak to their students about the Holocaust.

And in today's time, nothing more important.

And it's to me, education is the foundation of combating racism, anti-Semitism and tolerance.

And that's occurring.

That education is occurring today, right up the street at the Alabama Holocaust Education Center.

For those of you who have not had a chance to visit, it's extraordinarily impactful.

Extraordinarily impactful.

It will touch your soul, I promise you, to come visit and see the exhibits, understand about the Holocaust.

So I'll stop.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much.

And we also have with joining us is Councillor Clinton Woods, and he had also planned a presentation today.

Councilor Woods.

Hey, good morning.

I'll be quick.

Uh but on behalf of the Birmingham City Council, we also had a resolution uh for you all as well.

I've had the opportunity to get to know Lisa uh really well probably over the last six, eight months, and uh last month we had the opportunity to actually go to the uh Holocaust Center.

I think that was a very impactful uh thing, the way they've set it up and they use virtual reality to basically uh walk you through some firsthand stories and accounts.

I think a lot of us had the opportunity to go uh five or six years ago before it was fully built out, but it was just an incredibly moving uh opportunity I want to encourage uh everybody to go and check that out.

Um I thought that was a very special thing.

So we also, on behalf of Birmingham City Council, wanted to present you with a resolution.

Um I think the mayor's proclamation will do in terms of reading it today, but uh we are just grateful for the work y'all do to continue on uh educating and telling that story uh in the community but also in the school system, and so thank you all so much.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, both mayor and counselor.

I move for you.

Thank you.

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

Aye.

All opposed.

Move the resolution.

Thank you.

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

Aye.

All opposed.

Thank you very much.

That resolution passes.

Um, I do want to thank you all for coming today.

Um, one of the first things I remember learning as a child was actually about the Holocaust.

I read the uh diary of Anne Frank.

Um, it's pretty thick.

But no, no, you're gonna you're gonna.

Um, and so I think a lot of times, you know, we have to make sure that we keep history in the forefront so it doesn't repeat itself.

And so, you know, I just want to thank you guys for everything you've done because I went with Leadership Birmingham to Holocaust Um Education Center last year, and we had um living residents that talked about the uh racism that happened actually in Birmingham and talk about the division with the suburbs, and I didn't know that.

And so just seeing that resilience you all have done, whether it's in Europe or here, and how you all stood it with African Americans from the civil rights movement, uh, was so amazing.

So, if there's anything I can do to help you, let me know.

Thank you guys so much.

And I would love for us to have a retreat there.

It's so beautiful.

And I was really amazed by the um virtual holographic interaction with the um survivor that had just passed away.

It was so very interesting, like just being able to ask them a simple question: how old were you when it occurred and talking back and forth?

So hopefully more kids in our school system can experience that.

So thank you.

Thank you, and if I can and be indulged for one more second, this is new to me, so I'm not sure.

But the state of Alabama recently passed brand new education standards for for Holocaust education, and we estimate that there are about 3,000 teachers across the state and hundreds right in the city of Birmingham that have never taught this material before.

We are going to be holding a conference in June, and I would love everybody's help to get the teachers to attend.

It's gonna be at the BJCC in June.

So I will follow up.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Please follow up with that information.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council.

And one more last thing to do.

And it's in it's in actually partnership with the council at this time.

I would like to ask Council Crystal Smithman to come down to the podium.

As she does, I would also like to ask, ask Jane Bell, Director of Child Trafficking Solutions Project for the Children's Aid Society of Alabama, as well as any guests.

Jane may have as well to join us here at the podium.

I mean, as they come up, um, I want to remind this council what I can appreciate about your colleague Chris Smithman, Councilor Smithman, is that beyond this day when we do this proclamation, um, beyond this month, um, she's very passionate about making sure as local elected officials we address this issue.

Um, so I do want to express my appreciation for that.

Um, in conjunction with that, Chad, human trafficking is a public health issue that she will speak to you about in a minute.

But we also need to remember it's a crime.

It's a crime, and it's a crime that harms the health and well-being of children, individuals, families, and communities, often across generations.

On this day, I think it's important to bring about awareness, or we would like to bring about awareness of this issue and honor the work of those who are on the front line with the part of proclamation that will read in part, and then I will pass it over to uh Councilor Smetherman before Jane says anything.

And the states were as a successful response.

A successful response to human trafficking requires a coordinated community-wide response that includes collaboration across sectors with those who have experienced human trafficking to ensure that services and programs are effective and meet the needs of survivors.

And whereas the city of Birmingham would like to be designated as a trafficking free zone, showing our commitment to action, awareness, partnerships to address the issues of human trafficking.

Now, therefore, I Randall L.

Woodfin, mayor of the city of Birmingham, along with Councillor Chris Crystal Smetherman and the Birmingham City Council, do hereby proclaim January 2026 as human trafficking prevention month.

Again, that's human trafficking prevention month.

And reaffirm our commitment to human trafficking awareness, training and education activities, stripping resources for those impact about human trafficking, and to being designated a trafficking free zone, supporting a more coordinated comprehensive response to prevent and combat the crime of human trafficking.

And at this time, um Councillor Smetherman will speak, and then uh Miss Jane Bell.

Thank you, Mayor Wolfin.

Um, I do want to thank my colleagues.

Um, well, mine's the three new ones.

Uh, we've made a lot of strides in human trafficking since I've been on the council from declaring the world games and human trafficking free zone to training uh neighborhood officers as well.

If you have seen at the airport and different facilities, the um human trafficking awareness signs, which is able to help people give a hotline if they are in need.

Most of the time, most victims don't have any alone time outside of their uh Joe, except for pretty much going to the restroom.

And so um, I just want to thank this.

Isn't everybody here that's been doing the work?

Thank you for the work.

A lot of people don't realize human trafficking actually happens in really our backyard.

Um, a lot of places that you don't think, and also a lot of people don't realize that majority of human trafficking is actually very familial.

It means it happens within their families as well.

So thank you, Mayor Wolfin.

That was actually one of the first things.

Um I remember one of my first council meetings was junior lee coming here for the resolution that sparked my interest for this.

And I just want to thank the rest of you all, especially Council Williams, he's done things as well with human trafficking.

So I think Jane is here if you want to give a few words.

It's good to see y'all again.

I'm Jan Bell with Child Trafficking Solutions Project, but really part of this alliance of that collaborative community, so it's so critical.

Uh, I want to just give a shout out to y'all again.

Uh, y'all are one of the first cities in the whole state to really take leadership in this space.

I think it's been 10 years now at least that we've been coming here.

And in I guess starting in 2017, y'all were the first city to have all your law enforcement trained.

That's been going on since that time, every single quarter, every single class of new recruits has been trained on human trafficking.

You've got an incredible team, and thank you guys for that.

Um, I want to recognize some folks here because to exemplify, call it three legs of a stool might you might say.

One is how do we prevent this and how do we respond to it when it occurs?

As you mentioned, 10 years ago, we didn't talk about online predators.

Now, like literally, there is no family in any sector of Greater Birmingham or Burr City of Birmingham that is immune from this because our children because of online threats.

So it it has certainly increased, but again, we got incredible partners here, including y'all to help try to combat that.

But um, we uh so think about prevention and awareness, and then think about survivor care.

How do we respond to those who are surviving for that?

And then thirdly, prosecuting the perpetrators.

So we have like representatives, kind of those three lenses that are huge in the space.

We have Jennifer from Junior League of Birmingham.

I just speak to this awareness prevention, and we'll be brief, I promise.

But Jennifer, you want to speak to that area.

Good morning, everyone.

I I will be brief, but I just want to thank you for um adopting this proclamation.

Uh you know, the junior league of Greater Birmingham really strives to help spread awareness of human trafficking because we know, unless we are all educated and working together, we don't have a chance of ending this.

But because of cities like yours and people like you, this is how the real change starts to happen.

So thank you for your collaboration and your partnership.

Um, and then the second space is survivor care, the the people who are being exploited and victims of this crime.

And we actually have a couple of different lens for this.

We have incredible partners in this space with Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama, HECA.

Wow, they're incredible heroes.

If y'all, I'm not sure which person wants to share a couple of words.

I'll share and then the impact of this, particularly on those who are foreign-born, is extraordinary, and you guys are stepping right in the center of that.

So well, thank you for the opportunity to thank you for the mayor and the council members for the opportunity to come and speak.

Uh, like Miss Bell has said, we cannot do this work alone.

So we thank you guys for all the efforts that you have done.

Uh, when it comes to foreign-born individuals who are victims of human trafficking, there's a whole other aspect of it all.

Uh, and we are happy to discuss it with anybody who just asks those questions because I think the first part of understanding an issue is just talking out and seeing how we, as Aisbanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama, can help other agencies kind of understand that other aspect when it comes to foreign board members.

But again, thank you all, and thank you for the support.

Another quick lens for survivor, and that is y'all have met her before, I'm sure, but this is Jasmine who oversees also angel arms ministry.

Again, do you want to comment on just like the survivor space and how important those services are?

Well, so Vibra's space, hello everyone.

Um, thank you, Council Mayor, and everyone here.

Um, is very important.

Um, my daughter is currently going, still going through it since 2015.

Um, we're still fighting for her.

We're still praying that God um shine his light up on her.

It's very vital that we have people to stand up for these individuals that don't have a voice.

So I am the voice of my child and all other kids and people that are being trafficked.

It's very important that you spread the word, get everything out, and let people know that this is real.

Don't wait till it happens to yours or you or somebody you know for you to stand up and say something.

Thank you so much.

Last but not least is the law enforcement perspective.

And we have Marlin from the Homeland Security, just to speak briefly about that, because all three are key, and then we'll stop.

Very brief.

Um I'll just say thank you guys so much for uh creating the awareness and uh allowing us this opportunity to speak in front of you and your citizens.

Y'all all have a packet provided to y'all with information, training, awareness, prevention.

We're here, all of us to partner with all of y'all in your district, and thank you.

Thank you, Mayor, and on onward.

Thank you all.

We appreciate you, Mayor Whitman, Councillor Smitheman, and uh everyone for keeping this issue in front of us.

It's not just about wearing blue for one day, it's about keeping up and uh being sure that resources and work is being done in the community.

So we thank you, and we uh thank you, Council Pro Tim DeLoch from the City of Center Point.

Thank you so much.

That's it.

All right, thank you very much.

At this time, counselors, if we could um have unanimous consent to move from our agenda and to allow the following presentation.

Councillor Hunter Williams has a presentation and introduction from us for us from the Greater Birmingham Convention Visitors Bureau.

Councillor Williams.

Good morning.

I don't my portion of this will be brief and it and it's not a proclamation.

You gotta work a little bit to earn that.

But um I want to introduce our new CEO for our convention and visitors bureau, Dan Williams.

Um Dan has over 30 years of experience, and uh as the council representative on that board, uh it was a real pleasure to be able to both hear about his ideas and what he wanted to do.

Uh but one main thing and what why it is applicable to all of us is that he was very intentional about immediately when he got in that role, saying that he wants more uh interface and more to do with the city of Birmingham, and he wants to have that connection with all of us, his leadership from the mayor and the council, and so that's why Dan's here to introduce himself, and I'm sure he'll follow up uh with all of us as well.

Dan.

Thank you.

Uh good morning, everyone.

Uh, as Hunter said, I'm Dan Williams, uh president and CEO at the Greater Birmingham Convention of Visitors Bureau.

I've been in the role uh all of uh seven months now, and I couldn't be more excited to be in this community.

Um I am uh looking forward to working with very closely with all of you, uh the city of Birmingham, Mayor Woodfin to drive the tourism economy for this community.

Um that's extremely important that uh we are aligned and we have uh a collaborative synergy uh to again push uh the tourism economy for this community.

Last thing I'll say is uh one of the things that Hunter and the board of the Bureau sold me on was the weather here in Birmingham and that I was gonna be getting away from the cold weather.

Um but Hunter did lie to me.

So uh there's that, but no.

Uh greatly uh appreciate all of you, looking forward to meeting with all of you individually uh to fully understand what your vision is.

Um, but uh extremely excited to call Birmingham home, and I thank you for uh allowing me to have uh some brief comments.

So thank you again.

Thank you very much.

We welcome you, Mr.

Williams, and we look forward to working with you.

Um very excited to hear the things that the um convention bureau wants to bring to the city of Birmingham.

I know as a council we've always been focused on wanting to make Birmingham a destination place for tourism and entertainment, sports entertainment.

So we look forward to working with you so that we can fulfill that goal.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

This time, counselors, we'll return back to our agenda.

And before we consider the items for consent, I'd like to read this business statement.

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 business.

All matters of permanent operation indicated with a capital P will be read, and all other matters will be announced by reading the item number number only.

All public hearings will be announced.

So if you're here for an item that's on consent, pay attention as we go through the agenda item, and then we will announce at the end whether those items pass for consent.

If you have an item that we need to be discussed, let us know during this process.

All right, Mr.

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

Um sent agenda starts on page two with items one, two, three, and four.

Page three, we have items five, six, and eight.

On page four, items nine, ten, and eleven on consent.

Page five.

Items twelve, thirteen, and fourteen on consent.

Page five.

Uh page six.

We have items sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, and twenty-one on consent.

Page seven, items twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, and twenty-eight are on consent.

Page eight, items twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, and thirty-five are on consent.

Page nine, items thirty-six, thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty, forty-one, and forty-two.

Page 10, items 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48.

Uh, page 11, items 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54.

Page 12.

We have items 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60.

Page 13.

Items 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, page 14, items 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, and 72, page 15, items 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 78.

Page 16, items 79, 80, 81, 82, and 83, and 84.

Page 17, items 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, and 90.

Page 18.

Items 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, and 96.

Page 19, items 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 100, and 102.

Page 20, items 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108, page 21, items 109, 110, 11, 112, 113, and 114, page 22, items 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, and 120, page 23.

Items 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, and 126, page 24.

Items 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, and 132, page 25, items 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, and 138.

Page 26.

Items 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, page 27.

We have items 145, 146, 147, 148, 419, and 150.

And on page 28 of items 151, 152, 153, 154, and 155.

Please note that on item 153, uh, we will strike all names except for uh Ms.

Felicia Jolly.

That's all names except for Miss Felicia Jolly.

And we have one addendum item.

That should be it.

All right.

Thank you.

Counselors, at this time, are there any items you'd like to add or remove from consent?

Yes, counselor Fasa.

Yes, I'll need uh uh request for item 12 to be taken off consent.

That's item 12 on page 5.

Yes, ma'am.

Counselors, I'd like to ask to remove item number 14 on page 5 from consent.

Madam President, Madam Pro 10.

Um item 156 to consent, please.

The addendum item.

Yes.

Let's see about the oh yes, because we're on adding people to the naming people to a board.

All right.

Thank you.

All right, are there any other items at this time?

We'll ask for a second in a motion.

Did you have anything, Dr.

Clinton?

I was gonna suggest that we add uh the addendum item to the consent agenda.

Yes, that 156 because we're naming um people to the board.

Okay, all right.

Thank you.

Yep.

All right, at this time do we have a motion and the second?

Summers second.

All right, so let's try it.

Let's see, Council Smith, and let's see this will work.

Voting should be open.

Okay.

Okay.

I'm an aye to nine.

Aye.

Councilmember Woods.

Yeah.

Absolutely.

All right.

And Councilmember Tate, I'm sorry.

Yes.

All right.

President Alevander.

Yes.

All right.

That vote should be up.

All right.

Thank you, Councillors.

The consent agenda passes.

If you were here for any items that were listed for consent, they have been approved.

We'll now continue with the rest of our agenda.

Mr.

Clerk, first item.

And ordinance authorize the mayor upon receipt or payment and the amount of threat $13,785 to execute a quick claim deed to Joseph Holt for the sale of property legally described as the North 12 and a half feet of lot eight and the South 12, 25 feet of lot 9, block 19, according to the survey at East Birmingham as recorded in map book one.

Page 7 in the office of the judge of probate, Jefferson County, Alabama.

And located at 90 uh in 926 37th place, North Birmingham, Alabama 3522, which was required by the city upon foreclosure of municipal improvement liens and in accordance with section 3-1-4C of the General Code of the City of Birmingham.

This is an item permanent operation.

I need you see to pass it today.

So move.

Second.

Councilmember Gunn.

Yes.

Councilmember O'Quin.

Councilmember Smith.

Yes.

Councilmember Smithman.

Yes.

Councilmember Vasa.

Yes.

Councilmember Williams.

Councilmember Pro Tim Tate.

Aye.

Council President Alexander.

Aye.

Thank you.

Item is before you.

All right, Councillors.

This is an ordinance authorizing the mayor upon receipt of payment to execute a quick claim deed.

Is there any questions about this item?

Yes, Councilor Gunn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Just a quick question for the mayor.

Do we know the intentions for Joseph Hope with this property?

Yes.

Mayor.

I want to make sure I get you an accurate answer once.

Madam President, to your colleague's question, one second.

Thank you.

I apologize.

Yes, there's a question about the intent of the property, use of the property, and Mayor Whitman.

Did you have a other question?

Okay, Mayor.

Madam President, to Councillor Gunn's question from PEP.

Our department does not have information regarding future plans or intended use for this particular property.

Nor do we oversee conveyance terms or post sale conditions.

Any additional due diligence or safeguards related to ownership patterns, compliance history across properties or redevelopment expectations.

Okay.

Councillor Williams.

Thank you.

Um I just wanted to voice my objection to this item.

Um this uh from what I understand the city has had to pay to tear down properties uh for this before.

And um, you know, it it really adversely affected uh the several neighborhoods in the eastern side of Birmingham, and I don't think I don't know why we would convey this and maybe have to tear down something else again.

But I don't I don't know what the how we monitor that, but it seems that if the city of Birmingham had to tear down a large property for an individual that we wouldn't keep giving them properties, but that's just my opinion.

Thank you.

Any other comments?

Are we ready to entertain the vote?

All right, Mr.

Clerk will take the vote.

Should be open.

All right, Councilmember Smith.

I got you, Councilmember Smithman.

Councilmember Smithman, okay.

I got you.

Uh Councilmember Vasa.

All right, Councilmember Williams.

Absolutely not.

Councilmember Woods is here, yeah.

Councilmember Pro Tim Tate.

Gotcha.

All right.

Uh that should be all the votes.

All right.

Uh councilors, that item does not pass.

Next item.

Should be 12.

A resolution approving and authorize the mayor to execute and deliver an agreement between the city of Birmingham and Woodlawn United Incorporated, under which Woodloan United Incorporated will provide homeowner rehabilitation services to residents and work to holistically revitalize Woodlawn into a safe and healthy community by providing families with quality housing, allowing parents to work in stable jobs and contribute to the growth of Greater Birmingham for a term of one year in amount not to exceed $1,000.

Motion, please.

So move.

All right, Councilor Vasa, you ask that we pull this item.

Yes, thanks.

I just need to abstain from the vote.

Any questions about this item?

We're ready for the vote.

Voting should be open.

Council member Williams.

I'm aye.

Okay.

I heard someone said they wanted to.

And that was an abstention, Councillor Vasa.

Okay.

All right, let me change your vote for you.

I need to abstain from that.

I get it.

That vote should be up.

All right.

Thank you, Councillors.

That item passes.

Next item with one abstention.

Item 14.

A resolution authorized and approving the mayor to apply, submit and accept all grant funds for the fiscal year 2026 rebuild Alabama grant provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation, which will be used to repay Lakeshore Parkway from West Oxmore Road to Industrial Drive.

Tom Morton Drive to funding requests is up to $350,000 from $100,000 grant match requirement from the city.

Motion please.

Second.

All right, thank you.

I asked to have this item move from consent.

I just wanted to be sure that residents understand what the focus of this grant would be, and it does include repaving of Lakeshore Parkway from West Oxmore Road to Industrial Drive.

I do know we did talk about this in budget and finance yesterday.

And I do believe that the representative from B DOT did tell us when the last time that road had been paved.

Some of us are thinking it was when Obama was here for when he came to visit Lawson State.

So just want to hear a little bit.

And my my reason for bringing this up is that Mayor, when we put money into paving roads like this, I know that this particular roadway does have a lot of travel between Bessemer and Birmingham because and there's a lot of construction that goes on in that area.

So my question about this item is about BDOT and policing of that type of roadway when we have large trucks that are passing through there, and also when utilities come in and they go back and make cuts in the road, and we want to just be ensure that this money is being spent.

How are we going to or what measures could we put in place to ensure that we'll be able to protect the roadway or just to police the roadway for these type issues?

Great question, Madam President.

I'm glad to see this project moving forward.

I would I would start backwards.

I continue to have conversations with the leaders of these organizations.

Two of them stand out.

As it relates to the work they do.

Having a more coordinated effort now in correspondence.

Also our how do I say this?

Even better.

I'm going to explain it in a way, but then I'm going to ask Colin to come in to explain it better to you.

But there's more coordinated effort for us to communicate to utilities about upcoming road projects we're doing.

In that communication, there's a question of do you plan to or are you going to in the near future be doing any type of work?

But part of that is also notice to us if and when they do, so we can know which company is doing work and when they do actually hold them accountable.

So legal department, again, in partnership with BDOT taking a look at our franchise agreements with our utilities to make sure we're in a position to admit them to have notice of who's doing the work and then post it, um, if it's not back to standard, post their work.

Thank you.

But he can explain it way better.

Yes.

Come on, Mr.

Alexander, thank you so much.

And along the lines of the questions I asked yesterday in budget and finance.

Sure.

Uh good morning to the council.

My name is Colin Alexander, and I serve as the program manager for the Department of Transportation.

If you don't mind, can you just kind of repeat some of the questions?

Yes, just the same thing.

Um we're very happy to see that this funds are being set aside, that we would be able to get this grant to pave this road.

Uh as we know this is a highly travel road.

A lot of construction goes on between that stretch of Lakeshore Parkway.

So the question was again, what would be dot and what uh measures could be taken in place, any quality control, any type of inspections uh to ensure that when we put this path of roadway in, how will we be sure that we don't have utilities and other um trucks that might not need to be on that road that will go in and undo what we're trying to do to make it a more passable and travelable?

Sure.

It it is part of our partnership both between BDOT and Capital Projects.

We evaluate what needs to be done in terms of the deeper pavement of the roadway, how deep we need to mill and overlay, etc.

based on the types of vehicles that may be traveling along that roadway.

Um I think there was a question about utility work too.

Um, as the mayor pointed out, we do coordinate with the utility companies on a regular basis.

We check in on the projects that we're working on, they notify us on larger scale projects that that they are working on, and so we really try to have as much advanced notice as we can to coordinate projects on that.

Well, thank you.

Again, we're very excited to see this work being done, but just wanted to find out what type of um quality control or other measures that we're doing to once we put this in place.

We like to keep it travel travel friendly.

So thank you.

Thank you so much, Mayor Whitman.

And um, Councillor O'Quinn, I know that part of this comes under the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Um, I know in the past there was sort of like round robin uh opportunities when utilities would come in and make some reports.

Do we get those reports or any um has that continued from no one or two utilities we have in mind?

Yes, ma'am.

We um try to have our utilities um ranging from power um storm uh sewer for the from the city, sanitary sewer from the county, various telecommunications companies.

Um we try to have them come in at least once a quarter to uh report to us on projects that are happening throughout the city of Birmingham.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr.

Alexander.

Those are my questions.

Any other questions?

We're ready for the vote, Mr.

Clerk.

Voting should be open.

Council President O'Zellan.

Aye.

All right, the vote should be up.

All right, thank you.

The item passes.

Next item.

Should be item 15.

A resolution confirming the appointment of six members to the board of directors of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

One term expiring September the first, 2026, and five terms expiring September the first, two thousand and twenty-eight.

Right, do we have a motion and second for that item?

Second.

All right, if we could have the list of the names, we will thank you, Councillor Smith.

Yes, so we do have several individuals that have been nominated to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Um, so the six new individuals are Cheryl Anderson Kidd, Reverend Hamron, Reverend Dr.

Christopher Hanlon, Bernard Mays, Paulette Roby, Don Rock Trimble, and Kristen Water Sullivan.

In addition, we have um directors that were reappointed, who include John Saxton, Angela McKenzie, Alex Boucher, Dr.

Anthony Hood, Dr.

Tamara Coyne Beasley, and Dion Gordon, as well as um Ryan Fault.

All right.

Thank you.

Question, thank you, questions.

Thank you, Counselors.

Any questions regarding the slate?

At this time, we're ready to entertain the vote.

All right.

All right, that vote should be up.

All right, thank you.

Thank you so much, Councillor Smith, for the work that your committee did to um help get this list to us, and so we look forward to these new and returning members to the civil rights board of directors.

Next item.

I think it should be item 156.

Uh resolution confirming the appointment of 16 members of the sloth furnace National Historic Board.

All right, thank you, counselors.

Um councillor Smith, if you'll go ahead and read us the names and then we'll okay.

So again, um the sloth for instance National Historic Board is a self-appointing board, and they have submitted 16 members to serve on um on that body.

We have Jameria Moore, Blair Batam, Heather Holmes, Natalie Kelly, Amy Templeton, Taylor Plosser Davis also being reappointed are Bart Stevens, Bob Denning, Tekaria Stevens, Brandon Wilson, Robin Wade, Kathy Sloss Jones, Jerome Williams, Joy Travis, Gail Andrews, and Alex McQuery.

All right, thank you, Councillors.

You've heard the slate of appointees and reappointments to the Sloss Furnace National Historic Board.

Do I have a motion and a second?

So move.

Second.

Second.

Any questions about those slate?

This time we're ready for the vote.

That vote should be up.

All right, thank you.

That item passes.

We thank you again, Councilor Smith, for the work of your committee to work with the Sloss Furnace to bring these slate of board members to us, and we uh welcome them and thank them for their service.

Next item.

Should be over to new business.

All right, thank you.

At this time, Councillors will entertain any updates that you may have from your district.

Um Councillor Smith, are you ready?

Would you want to go first?

Thank you.

All right.

Well, good morning, everyone.

A couple of a few announcements.

One, the Birmingham Museum of Art will open its new exhibition, Monday to Matisse, French Moderns 1850 to 18 to 1950 this Friday, January 30th.

Also on Saturday, January 31st from 9 to 1130, the Birmingham Zoo will hold a household drop-off event where you can bring electronics and TVs as well as items to be shredded.

It's gonna be held at the Birmingham Zoo, but it's being hosted by the by Jefferson County.

Also on Saturday, the Five Points West Community, the Rising West Neighborhood Association, along with the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, will be hosting a financial fraud workshop prevention specifically for elderly this Saturday at the Birmingham Crossplex.

And that will be from 11 to 1.

Doors open at 10 30, and there will be light light refreshments.

So the community has worked very hard on this event, and so we are looking forward to learning from the FBI Academy.

The following neighborhoods are having meetings up in the next week.

Today, Bush Hills Neighborhood Association will meet at 6 30 p.m.

They'll meet online via Zoom.

This will be a transition from their in-person meeting.

So contact our office at 205-254-2304 for details.

College Hills will meet on Monday, February 2nd at 6 p.m.

at Legion Field.

And Central Pratt will also meet on Monday, February 2nd at 6 p.m.

And that will be via conference call.

And again, you can reach out to our office for information on that con that call number.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Councillor Gunn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Just a few announcements on my end today.

Last well, Martin Luther King uh weekend, uh the Collierville neighborhood hosted their annual um cleanup day, and it was a magnificent turnout.

Um, very well attended by the community.

And I just want to make sure that they are recognized for that cleanup that happens every year.

Uh next Tuesday, February 3rd, the England Oak Library will host Storytime at 4 p.m.

So if you have anything, don't have anything to do, and you have young kids, bring them out to the story time so they can hear some wonderful stories.

Um then uh neighborhood association meetings.

We have a host of neighborhood association meetings happening uh next Monday, uh, which is February the second.

We have the Maple Grove uh Neighborhood Association that takes place at 6 30 p.m.

via teleconference.

Also that same Monday, we have Zion City, which takes place at 6 30 p.m.

via teleconference.

Also that same Monday, we have the Brownsville Heights Neighborhood Association that takes place at 6 30 at the Brownsville Heights Community Center.

And then lastly, rounding out that Monday, we have the Collegeville Neighborhood Association that takes place at 6 30 at the Greater New Antioch Baptist Church.

Also, next week we have the Fairmont Neighborhood Association, which takes place at on February the 3rd at 6 30 p.m.

at the North Birmingham Library, and then last neighborhood association meeting rounding out that week uh is the Brumman Heights Neighborhood Association, which takes place Thursday, February the 5th at 6 30 at the Brownsville Heights Community Center.

Uh upcoming committee meetings, the next community development committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, February the 2nd at 3 30 p.m.

at the council in the council chambers, and that concludes my announcements.

Thank you.

Councillor Woods.

Thank you, Madam President.

A few announcements quickly.

Uh the Apple Valley Neighborhood Association will meet on Tuesday, February 3rd at 6 30 p.m.

Uh this meeting will be in person, and there is also a uh virtual option.

The meeting will be held at the East Pence Valley Rec Center.

Uh the Spring Lake Neighborhood Association will be on Thursday, February 5th.

That meetings at 6 30 p.m.

at Huffman High School.

They also have a uh virtual option via Zoom.

Uh lastly, the Echo Hollands Neighborhood Association will also meet on Thursday, February 5th at 7 p.m.

Uh that meeting is Zoom only, and so just encourage residents to continue to uh either stay engaged or get engaged, but like I said, your voice and opinion is uh very important.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Dr.

Quinn.

All right.

Um, I want to start out by extending words of uh sympathy and and our sincere prayers to the family and friends of Miss Ella Lane.

Um she was a longtime resident of the Oak Ridge Park neighborhood and retired librarian from Oliver Elementary School.

She uh leaves behind um her family to include uh Mr.

John Lane and her sons, Daryl, Terrell, and Birmingham Fire Fire and Rescue Firefighter Gerald Lane.

Um so just um want to know that you please know that you are in our um our thoughts and we are lifting you up.

Um the there are two neighborhood association meetings tonight.

Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association will meet at 6 p.m.

at the Fountain Heights Rec Center and Crestwood North will be meeting at 6 30 p.m.

at Girls Incorporated.

The Planning and Zoning Committee will be meeting this afternoon at 3 p.m.

here in the council chambers.

Uh if you need any additional information, please contact my office at 254 2679.

Um the Birmingham Planning Commission uh has a vacancy, and we are uh looking for applicants for that position.

Um if you would like to uh apply, please send your resume to myesha.Hutchinson at Birmingham AL.gov.

Um, additionally, if you have any questions, please contact our office at 254 2679.

Um the Navigate B Ham has a uh initiative that they are calling um decoded and demystified.

So this is a program for small business owners and entrepreneurs that are looking to understand um government updates and policy changes and how those updates impact their business.

Um they're launching a new series um uh that starts on Thursday, February 5th from 11 to 1 p.m.

at the Junior League of Birmingham.

And um this is uh again part of the series helping small business owners understand uh government policy policy changes.

Um just want to remind folks that uh BCRI has a youth leadership program that's a year-long uh experience for high school students that equips them with tools for civic engagement, personal development, and social change.

The program runs March 2026 to March 2027 with a thousand dollar stipend for uh summer docents upon program completion.

The application deadline is Monday, February 9th, so coming up quickly.

Um please apply at BCRI.org backslash legacy.

And finally, the District 5 office will be hosting its annual District 5 strategic planning meeting uh that we call fifth and feast on Saturday, February 28th at the Jones Valley Teaching Farm.

Uh and the doors will open at 9 30 a.m.

and the meeting will start at 10 a.m.

We invite all district five residents and business stakeholders to join us as we discuss priorities for 2026.

Please contact our office for additional information again at 205-254-2679, and that concludes my announcements.

Thank you.

Councillor Vasa.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh last week's coffee with the counselor uh general in Forest Park went very well.

Residents uh enjoyed coffee and treats uh and enjoyed meeting one another and chatting about some issues relevant to them.

Our next coffee is Tuesday, February 24th at O'Henry's in Highland Park at 7:30.

Uh look forward to seeing folks there.

Uh our resident participant survey is officially closed.

Uh we are reviewing and compiling information, and we will be presenting it on February 5th at our town hall at Falcon Park from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

And for neighborhood associations tonight is Redmont Park at the Botanical Gardens at 5 p.m.

And of course, we have Glenn Iris Monday, 6 30 p.m.

at St.

Elias.

That concludes my announcements.

Thank you so much.

Councillor Smitheman.

Thank you, ma'am president.

Today, UAB Live Health Smart Alabama Vopal Market will have a ribbon cutting.

It will be held inside of Memorial Park.

This will start at 1.30 p.m.

And then on this Thursday, January 29th, starting at 11 a.m.

Holy Family, along with the community food bank of Central Alabama, will have a food giveaway.

It is open to the public.

Please enter from the back of the school.

And then the West End Library will have a movie, which it just started at 10:30 a.m.

And it is called The Angel Has Fallen.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Councillor Williams.

Thank you.

Economic Development Tourism will be meeting on Tuesday, February the 3rd at 11:30.

If you could have all submissions to India.bailey at Birmingham AL.gov by the 29th.

We would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Thank you so much.

Madam Proten.

Thank you, Madam President.

Yes, Councillor Queen has stated Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association meeting will be held tonight, 6 p.m.

at the Fountain Heights Rick Center.

Dolomite Neighborhood Association meeting will be held tonight, and they do it on conference call.

You can dial in by calling 720843.

Central Pratt Neighborhood meeting will be held on next Monday, February 2nd, and they will meet as well on conference calls.

And you can call in at 7207409732.

Pass code 34808.

Sherman Heights Neighborhood Association meeting will be held next Monday as well.

6 p.m.

at the morning Star Christian Church.

And you can also join them by conference call by calling 952-2064918.

Passcode 223418.

Next public safety meeting will be held today at 1 p.m.

in the chamber, and the Max Transit meeting that was scheduled for North Birmingham Community Meeting today has been canceled.

Also I really want to put this you know on people's heart.

Continue to lift this nation up and continue to lift our brothers and sisters across this nation and the governor and the mayor in Minnesota.

So keep though the nation in prayer and um the people in Minnesota as well.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

As far as announcements for District 7, we don't have any neighborhood meetings this week.

And I believe that I uh you had one more item, Councillor Woods.

Uh yes, thank you, Madam President.

I did want to also acknowledge uh the passing of uh Miss Claudette Colvin.

Um in 1955 at 15 years old, was arrested uh for uh not giving up her seat on the bus and was a party to the uh 1956 Gale versus Broader lawsuit that uh overturned some of those segregationist laws associated with the buses in Montgomery.

And so she had uh she was born in Birmingham, but uh her funeral was here on Saturday, and so there was opportunity to honor her.

So I did want to um mention her and then offer a resolution of sympathy uh for her sister uh who's Gloria Lasseter.

Uh so I move resolution of sympathy for the family of uh Claudia Coleman.

And move for you, Cycle.

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

Aye.

All opposed, saying nay.

Thank you.

And now the resolution.

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

Aye.

All opposed, saying nay.

Thank you so much for reminding us of her service and honoring her family and uh offering them sympathy.

Thank you so much.

Time, Mr.

Clerk.

We're ready to entertain the speaker's list.

Madeline Green, Madeline Green, okay.

Um Brenda Yes, she's coming.

Thank you, Mrs.

Green.

I know you have um other residents here.

Mrs.

Green is the neighborhood president for the Oxmore Valley neighborhood.

You have three minutes, Mrs.

Green.

So good morning.

How are you?

Good morning, everyone.

Okay.

Madeline Green.

I do I have to give my I give everything right.

Yes, if you give us your address.

Okay.

We're so far down, I don't know.

Okay.

Um Madeline Green.

Oh, 108, Munich Circle, Birmingham, Alabama, 35211.

Uh, we're here today um to talk about a proposed hotel to be built in Osmoor Valley off of Frankfurt Circle.

And when we had our meeting, our neighborhood meeting two weeks ago.

Let's see, there were at least 35 people there.

And everyone is against this.

So I'm here to voice their concerns.

I'm one of the persons.

We have several neighbors from here.

Okay, I want to first of all quickly read to you this um email that was sent to me by a chaplain in Oxmore.

It says, Thank you for to me.

Thank you for giving of your time to represent our community.

Our family discover uh discovered after moving from Hoover to Birmingham that the Oxmore Valley neighborhood is a hidden gym for families and especially for senior adults looking for a safe and um accessible place to live.

Does the Birmingham City Council realize what a nice area of Birmingham, the Oxmore Valley neighborhood provides for the citizens of Birmingham?

Do they have an awareness of who we are?

This is not an industrial area.

We are condos, apartments, and families, and seniors.

Ask the city council to approve zoning requests that do not destroy the safety, security, and standard of living that are highlights of the Oxmore Valley neighborhood.

If the city council continues to approve zoning that is encroaching on residents, they will destroy the beauty, the safety, and the security of the residents who live here.

They will destroy one of the nicest places in Birmingham for families and seniors, Birmingham seniors, um population to decline to.

She said, I have I have served as a chaplain at multiple extended state hotels.

These hotels are commercial and commercial areas to attract business people.

An ongoing challenge has been extended with extended state hotels as crime, including drugs, prostitution, and violence.

This is not appropriate zoning.

This is not appropriate for the forxmore valley or anybody to have a hotel right in the center of the neighborhood.

So we're asking this uh if if your goal, she's asking, if your goal is to have a safe city, let's start with not um allowing this hotel to be built in Oxmore.

We already have seven hotels down the street.

We have three by Walmart, two by Lowe's, and we have two extended hotels that will look just like this that's in Oxmore, right across the street from uh John Carroll High School.

Although it's a mixed uh district use, a hotel is just not the right thing.

What about an assisted living?

You know, they're not you know, sister livings can be something that's fantastic for seniors.

And so what about assistant living right there, and it still will fit in with the apartments and fit in with uh the area.

This right here, I'll show you.

This is all that I wanted to show you.

Yes, ma'am, Miss Green.

Now you have two other speakers that are you all gonna use your time together, or do you all want to speak?

I'll be speaking.

Okay.

Go ahead.

Is that a rush or something?

No, ma'am.

You have three minutes, but you've got other speakers here as well.

So I wanted you all to combine your time if you like, yeah, so that we wouldn't have to stop you because you're beyond the time, but we want to hear, but you can combine the time between your other speakers.

Yeah, just let me let me just say this first of all.

Because uh I was I was showing my side.

This right here is Lakeshore Parkway.

This is Frankfurt.

Excuse me, I'll hold it for you, so I can't.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Okay, this is uh Lakeshore Parkway right here.

This is the area they want to uh place a hotel, and these are Lakeshore Ridge apartments, the apartment homes cross about 500 feet.

We have our park and let me see the other one.

And the continuation of Frankfurt over here, over there.

This is our street.

This is the street.

We have 600 subdivisions to the mic.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's about 500 feet from the proposed site.

Supposed site is right here.

This is where we live, right here.

So I just wanted to show that that a hotel down there, and you have seven down the street, just didn't make any sense.

So I pray.

I'm hoping that you all will not go through, you know, approve this hotel.

Thank you, Ms.

Green.

Next speaker.

Brenda Perryman.

Let's see.

Are you Mr.

Carter?

Brenda Perriman.

Okay.

Morning.

Thank you for allowing us to speak.

I am a resident.

My name is Brenda Perriman.

I reside at 103 Singapore Circle.

Um I am a senior.

I'm also retired, a resident of the community, and they're absolutely correct.

The area where they are proposing to build an extended stay type hotel is too close to the residential areas, and it will not attract the best type of people to our community.

We've worked very hard to maintain it, and we certainly hope that the council will support us in continuing to allow us to enjoy our community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Mr.

Carter.

Good morning to the council.

Madam Chair, members of the council.

I don't think the mayor is here, but good morning to the mayor as well.

I'm going to add some context to what everybody just talked about.

Okay.

I have five topics I'm going to cover.

This is a formal objection to the proposed development of an extended state hotel adjacent to the public park, primarily used by children and families.

While I recognize the importance of economic development, zoning and land use decisions must be prioritized, must prioritize public safety, compatibility with surrounding uses, and the long-term welfare of the community.

In this case, the proposed location raises serious concerns that have been that have not been adequately addressed.

Item one, child safety and welfare.

The park in question is a designated recreational space for children.

Extended state hotels differ materially from traditional hotels in that they frequently house long-term occupants for weeks or months at a time, effectively functioning as semi-permanent or quasi-residential housing.

The prolonged and consistent presence of unscreened applicants immediately adjacent to a children's play area presents an unacceptable safety risk and undermines the park's intended purposes.

Even absent document documented criminal activity, perceived safety concerns are sufficient to discourage families from using the park.

A park that parents no longer feel safe, allowing their children to use has in effect been rendered use unusable.

Item two, incompatibility with surrounding land use.

This is incompatible with the family-centered recreational park and conflicts with standard zoning principles requiring harmony with surrounding uses.

If the zoning classification does not clearly distinguish extended state hotels from traditional hotels, the proposed the proposal explores a loophole rather than align with the spirit of the zoning code.

Item three.

Most zoning ordinances requires development to affirmally demonstrate that they are protecting the public, the public safety and welfare.

In this case, there's been no clear analysis explaining how children's safety and park usability will be preserved.

Without such findings, approval of approval would be premature and inconsistent with the city's own planning standards.

In conclusion, economic development should not be pursued at the expense of children's safety, community confidence, or the intended use of public recognition or the intended use of public recreational spaces.

I respectfully and I respectfully urge the city to deny this proposal, or at a minimum, deny this proposal.

The other thing that I wanted to say, too, is we're fighting for everything in the Oxford Valley.

We realize that the city has a need to develop and look out for you know their tax purposes and all of that.

But we are a premier community in Birmingham.

We don't have the things that we need out there, things that we ask for.

We had a pastor stand up.

His congregation wanted to know where we had a four or five star restaurant out on Lakeshore.

We don't have any of that.

And we're aware that our partners in the county are trying to do things there as well.

So we ask the count that the council, we humbly request that you see us as you see yourselves.

You represent us.

We're at your mercy every time we come down and speak to you.

So we ask that you deny this this proposal.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Carter, and thank each of you for bringing this item to our attention today.

Um, I am going to uh seek more information.

We uh need to look at the current zoning for that property and um be sure what those zoning requirements are, as well as I do know we have the Oxmore um Oxmore Design or the Oxmore Design Steering Committee that also looks at guidelines for pay placing different properties within the area.

So I agree with you.

We want to protect and maintain uh the livable conditions that we already have in the district and bring families and seniors and uh everyone into the community.

So if you would allow my office to work with the administration to answer those questions, and then we'll be able to get that back to you, and we'll circulate that among the counselors.

Thank you so much.

Thank you all.

Appreciate you.

Right.

At this time, we do want to thank the officers on duty today, Officer Pinkett and Officer Square.

Thank you, Officer Square.

Also, our fire inspectors on duty, Inspector Snow and Inspector Griggs.

At this time, counselors, we're entertaining motion.

Second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Thank you so much, everyone.

Meeting is adjourned.

Up today and tomorrow.

I still have a dream.