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Good morning, Birmingham.

Today is Tuesday, February 3rd.

The time is now 9 37 a.m.

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

This morning, our invocation will be led by ordained Elder Antonio Owens of Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ in Birmingham, Alabama.

And our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Crystal Smithman.

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

Good morning.

Morning.

Shall we pray?

Oh heavenly Father, creator of all life, we thank you for our downstanding last night and our uprising this morning.

We thank you for the opportunity to serve your people.

We thank you for the bad weather that we didn't get.

We thank you for the flu fex uh outbreaks that we didn't get.

We thank you for the acts of violence that we didn't get.

But for those that we did, we look to you for a source of comfort.

Lord, ask God that you have mercy upon us, oh God, according to thy loving kindness, according to the multitude of our tender mercies, blad out our transgressions, wash us thoroughly from nine iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins.

Lord, make us to know our end and the measure of our days, what it is that we may know how frail we are.

Therefore, Lord, help us to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wives, redeeming the time because the days are evil.

You reminded us of a man who had a fig tree in a vineyard that produced no figs, and he wanted to destroy it, but the dresser of the vineyard said, please give us one more year.

So Lord, grant us time, more time to get it right.

Also teach us to be kindly, affectionate one to another with brotherly love and honor, preferring one another.

First, I pray for the families who have lost loved ones to violence, families who have missing family members.

We wait for your blessings, oh God.

You said in your word for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie.

Though it tarry, we will wait for it because it shall surely come and will not tarry.

We wait for your wisdom in the city, and though it tarry, we know it shall surely come.

We wait for peace in your city, and though it tarry, we know that it shall surely come.

We wait for brotherly love in your city, and though it tarry, we know that it shall surely come.

We know and believe that you can do all things but fail.

So we ask these many blessings in your son, Jesus Christ's name.

Amen.

Amen.

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you very much, Elder Owens, for that thoughtful prayer.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councillor Smithman, for leading us in the pledge.

Good morning, Mr.

Clerk.

Morning.

If we could have the roll call, please.

Councilmember.

Good morning.

Morning, sir.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Councilmember Smith.

Councilmember Smithman.

Good morning.

Morning.

Councilmember Voss.

Good morning.

Morning.

Councilmember Williams.

Councilmember Woods.

Council President Pro Tim Tate.

Good morning.

Councillor President Alexander.

Good morning.

Counselors, the minutes are not ready from the meetings of December 2nd, 2025 through January 27th, 2026.

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

Good morning, Mayor Woodson.

Madam President, good morning to you.

Good morning to the entire council.

It's good to see each of you.

One note.

This recognition celebrates venues across the country that are committed to fostering accessibility, inclusivity, and sensory inclusive experiences for all.

The Tamika Hall Sensory Room at the Bow Auditorium is named in honor of one of our late City of Birmingham staff and team members.

It is designed to offer a safe as well as an accommodating space for individuals with sensory sensitivities, ensuring a positive experience at the venue.

The city along with the Bower Auditorium believes everyone, and when we say everyone, we mean everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy events, connect with their community, and create memories without barriers.

And so we want to give a special thank you to Senior Director Alicia Johnson Williams and her team for their hard work in making sure that everyone can enjoy the ballot well.

We're asking the Birmingham community to vote for bow.

Well again, please vote for botwell.

Voting is taking place right now, and it concludes February 20th again.

You can vote right now up until February 20th.

The winners will be announced on March 6th.

And you can go to CultureCity.org.

That's K-U-L-T-U-R-E City.org.

Culture with the K.

And look for the human highlight awards.

And remember that it's culture with the K.

Madam President and Council, that concludes the mayor's report.

Thank you very much.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, do we have any announcements of boards and agency expirations for March?

Not at this time.

All right, thank you.

At this time, Council, we will consider the consent agenda.

Before we review those items, I'd like to read the statement of the conduct of business.

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 items of permanent operation that's indicated with a 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 announce the items being considered for consent.

Yes, ma'am.

The consent agenda starts on page two of items one, two, three, four, and five.

Page three, items six and seven are on consent.

Page four, item eight is on consent.

Page six, item nine is on consent.

Page 10.

Item 10 is on consent.

Page 11, item number 11 is on consent.

Page 12.

Item 12 is on consent.

Page 13.

Items 13 and 14 are on consent.

Page 14.

Item 15 is on consent.

Page 18.

Item 16 is on consent.

Page 19.

Item 17 is on consent.

However, we need to withdraw number 108, which is on page 20.

That's number 108 withdrawing on page 20.

Give me my second.

And then we pick back up with the consent agenda on page 24 with item 18.

Page 25.

We have item 19 on consent.

And item 19, we need to withdraw item number 34.

Item 34 on 19.

Then we go to page 29.

Item 20 is on consent.

Page 30.

Item 21 is on consent.

Page 34, item 22.

And item 23 is on consent.

We have a couple changes for item 23.

We're going to add 10,000 from Councillor Dunn's count, which is 100 042 40 452 001.

It is 10,000 to the Woodlawn High School Scholarly Expedition.

And then we have the 2500 from Hunter Williams account, Council Williams to WJ Christian Choir.

That account is 100 0420 45201.

And that total amount will now change to 45,500.

45,500.

Page 35.

I'll pick back up with the consent agenda with items 24, 25, and 26.

Page 36.

We have items 27, 28, and 29 on consent.

Page 37.

We have items 30, 31, and 32 on consent.

Page 38.

We have items 35 and 36 on consent.

Page 39.

We have items 37, 38, 39, and 40 on consent.

Page 40.

We have items 41, 42, and 45 on consent.

And that concludes the consent agenda.

Thank you very much.

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

Yes, Councilor Woods.

Did you have an item?

Okay.

All right, at this time, there are no questions, but entertain a motion and a second for the consent agenda.

So move.

Second.

Okay.

Let's see if your computers are working.

Thank you.

The voting is up.

And I vote yes.

Mine didn't come yes.

Okay.

Aye.

Okay.

Council O'Quinn.

All right.

All right.

That vote should be up.

That should be.

We're missing one vote.

It was on the right.

It's okay.

Everyone voted.

Everyone voted.

All right, thank you.

So those items that were considered for consent have been approved.

If you are here for any of those items, they have been approved.

And now we'll go through the rest of our agenda.

So at this time, Mr.

Clerk, if you read that first item.

The item 33, which is on page 38.

A resolution appointing five members at the recommendation of the mayor to the Birmingham Historical Commission.

One representing a representative at large said term to expire February the third, 2028.

One representing the design review committee term to expire February the third, 2028.

One representing the Birmingham Historical Society term to expire February the 3rd, 2029.

One a professional historian term to expire February the third, 2027, and one an ex officio city council membering the reappointment of four members to serve on the Birmingham Historical Commission.

And one representative of the Jefferson County Historical Commission term expiring February 3rd, 2027.

One a representative at large term expiring February 3rd, 2027, and one representing a professional preservation of term expiring February 3rd, 2028, and one architect term expiring February 3rd, 2028.

Yes, Dr.

O'Quinn.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um yes, uh this is um reappointment of several members of the Birmingham Historical Commission.

Um just read off the names of the members of the historical commission.

We have Catherine Brown, uh, who's the representative at large?

Nolinda Beardon, who is uh the member of the design review committee on the commission.

Otis Dismuke's uh representative at large um Sam Frazier of the Birmingham Historical Society, John Morgan is a professional for historian, Victoria Ott is a representative at large, Kathy Adams is a community leader, Linda Nelson Professional Preservationist, David Fleming, Jefferson County Historical Commission, Sherry Pitts, uh professional planner slash architect, and an ex-officio member in uh former council member Valerie Abbott.

All right, thank you.

Counselors, we have to entertain a motion and a second.

Thank you.

Any questions?

We're ready for the vote.

All right, okay, gosh.

All right, thank you.

Those candidates are now appointed to the Birmingham Historical Commission.

We thank you, Councilor O'Quinn and Vasa for your planning and zoning committee for the work in selecting these candidates, and we wish them well on their service to the City of Birmingham.

Next item, please.

The item 34.

Same page uh 38, a resolution appointing one member, which is the Birmingham Human Rights Commission for City Council District No.

Five, set term expiring January the 31st, 2027.

All right.

Thank you.

At this time, uh Dr.

O'Quinn, I know that you have a um member that you're appointing to the Birmingham Human Rights Commission.

Did you want to read that name?

Yes.

Um, so I am nominating um Mr.

Jose Ramon Ramon to the Birmingham Human Rights Commission.

All right, thank you.

Can we have a motion in the second?

Second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

I'm sorry.

I'm taking over your job, Mr.

Clerk.

Sorry.

I apologize.

Don't mess with the chase.

Um we good.

And I'm good with it.

Thank you.

So we'll go to 43.

Yes.

All right.

So thank you.

That item passes, and we welcome that member to the Birmingham Human Rights Commission.

Council, if you excuse me, one minute.

We can motion to reconsider item 33.

Second.

All right, counselors.

We're reconsidering item 33.

Okay, so I'm sorry, I made a mistake with that one.

So the names that I read previously were the former members of the historical commission.

And there are um three, I'm sorry, four new members and one uh ex officio that are being appointed.

So the the new appointments are Valerie Abbott as a uh for the position of community leader for a term expiring February 3rd, 2028.

Cheryl Morgan for the position of the design review committee representative for a two-year term, also uh expiring February 3rd, 2028.

Wayne Huster for the position of representing the Birmingham Historical Commission.

Same uh for a term expiring in 2029, and Laura Knott for the position of professional historian for a term expiring February 3rd, 2027, and then uh the one uh ex officio member would be uh Josh Bossa and that is a new appointment and would be uh the council representative.

So those are the new appointees.

Thank you, counselors.

So those names have been reread.

These are the uh current list of appointees.

So are there any questions?

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, we're ready for the vote.

So moved.

Second, okay.

All right, that vote should be up.

All right, thank you.

That item passes, and again, we welcome this new list of candidates that have been read, and we wish them well on their service for the Birmingham Historical Commission.

Next item.

Should be 43, a resolution setting a public hearing to consider a temporary suspension on data centers within the city to be held at the regular meeting of the city council to be held in the council chambers in the city hall in Birmingham, Alabama on March the 3rd, 2026 at 9 30 a.m.

and to publish notice of the hearing.

All right, counselors.

This is a motion where we're setting a public hearing to consider a temporary suspension on data centers, and that would be on March 3rd.

This is as a result of that item going back to our planning and zoning commission, and so after um discussion with that committee.

We have been advised that it even though we had a public hearing earlier, we need to now discuss all the information that went through that committee, and we'll provide that to the public so that we can hear from a public hearing from them.

Any questions?

About setting the public hearing.

Well, it's a request from the administration.

I can make it separately, but it's regarding this item.

So what whatever your pleasure is, I don't care.

Well, what's before us is actually setting the public hearing, but let's go ahead and read the question.

Yeah, I just want to I you know part of this is a set time period in which there's an expectation that city staff would be working on um research into this and providing that information back to the council.

I'd like to have a detailed update about where city staff is with this research uh at this point in time, what's been accomplished and what they think that their timeline is needed to complete their research.

But that's fair.

Yes, I think that's a good question, and we'll just we'll all anticipate receiving that information, and that will help us as we go through and hear the response from the public.

So thank you.

We'll know where we are at that time.

Thank you very much.

All right, we're ready for the vote.

Yes.

All right, that vote should be up.

All right, item 43 passes.

So we've set that public hearing for March 3rd, 2026 at 9 30 a.m.

here in council chambers.

Next item.

Item 44, a resolution setting a public hearing March 31st 2026 to consider the adoption of the ordinance to admit the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham.

Case number ZAC 2025-11 for a change in zone district boundaries for all properties within the north side south side framework plan, area including north side and south side communities pursuant to the north side south side framework plan filed by the city of Birmingham.

Motion please.

All right, counselors.

This is an item to set a resolution to set a public hearing on March 31st.

Any questions regarding setting that public hearing?

All right, we're ready for the vote.

Voting should be open.

Council member Woods.

That vote should be up.

All right, thank you.

We have eight votes and one abstention, so that item passes, and we've set that public hearing for March 31st.

Any other items, Mr.

Clerk.

No, ma'am.

All right.

Counselors, at this time, we're ready to entertain any updates that you have from your districts.

And um, Councilor Vasa, are you ready?

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh, first announcement announcement is uh about a town hall this Thursday.

Uh so district three uh residents, we have a an opportunity to um hear from your counselor about uh the results of the resident participant survey that we put out.

We had about 300 respondents, and uh we look forward to presenting the information related to that.

Uh the details for the event is this Thursday, uh 5 30 to 7 p.m.

at Vulcan Park and Museum.

Looking forward to seeing you all then.

Tonight we have the Forest Parks South Affendale Neighborhood Association meeting, 6 30 p.m.

at Avondale Library.

And lastly, just wanted to share that we had a wonderful meeting last week at Roho Restaurant with neighborhood leadership across district three.

It was a great opportunity to uh sit with presidents, uh vice president secretaries from each uh neighborhood, hear their concerns, and also talk about some solutions.

So we're excited about what's ahead for 2026.

That concludes my announcements.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Councillor Smith.

Thank you, Madam President.

As far as neighborhood meetings, uh today, Oakwood Place will have their meeting at 4 p.m.

at Harrison Park Recreation Center.

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

via telephone.

Uh, and then tomorrow, north to this villa meets at 5 p.m.

at Memorial Park Recreation Center, and then on Monday, West End Manor will meet at 5 p.m.

at New Hope Baptist Church.

Um, also build up is having their open house this Thursday starting at 5 30 p.m.

They are located at 222, 6th Avenue Southwest Birmingham, Alabama 35201.

And then this Thursday at 6 30 p.m.

at Wilton Park Church of Christ.

I will be hosting a seminar called by the house.

Hold on a second.

It'll be a seminar along with Kate Bushline, Joel Gardner, and Isaac Cooper.

We will be talking about life insurance, financial literacy, and everything else.

So starting your wealth from beginning to end.

It is called Buy the House, Build the Wealth, Keep Help the Family.

By the House, Build the Wealth, Help the Family.

And so that's this Thursday.

This Thursday at 6 30 p.m.

We will have food and giveaways.

Also, routes to Harvest.

We'll have a community education series.

It's called Linda Hand, Love Your Land.

Let's work together to make our neighborhood shine and learn how to start your own garden at the same time.

They started a garden last year into this field.

It will be this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Food for all volunteers.

You can go to their Instagram page, from underscore roots to harvest-lc uh for the registration link.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much.

Councilor Williams.

Thank you.

Economic Development Tourism Committee will be meeting today at 11:30 in conference rooms DE.

Eastwood Neighborhood Association will be meeting the 5th at 6 30 at Habitat Restore.

And Robok will be meeting Monday, the 9th at 6 30 at the East Precinct.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Council Smith.

Yes, good morning.

Good morning.

So we have one event on Friday, February 6th.

The Birmingham Public Library will host Bards and Brews opening mic at the East Village Arts.

And then we have several meetings between now and Monday.

So this evening, the Fairview Neighborhood Association will meet at 5 30 via conference call.

You can contact our office for details.

The number is 205-254-2304.

Also this evening, the Thomas Neighborhood is meeting at 6 30 at Greater St.

Thomas Community Church.

On tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4th, the Parks and Recreation Board will meet at 9 a.m.

at Legion Field.

On Thursday, February 5th, the Five Points West Business Alliance will host their first board meeting for 2026 at 6 p.m.

And that's going to be at first United Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Festival Road.

On Monday, February 9th, we have three neighborhood meetings.

Central Pride is meeting at 5 p.m.

via conference call.

Insea Highlands is meeting at 6 p.m.

at the 5 Points West Library.

And the Rising West Princeton neighborhood will meet at 6 p.m.

at the Rising West Princeton Corporation.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Councillor Gunn.

Thank you, Madam President.

First things first, happy Black History Month, everybody.

It's been a hundred years of celebrating Black Innovation.

Black resilience and black joy.

This Sunday, Mount Olive Baptist Church in Kingston will be hosting their 65th annual heart rally.

Also, the Woodlawn Public Library will be helping seniors prepare their taxes on Monday, February 9th, 9 a.m.

to 12 p.m.

Appointments are required.

Please contact the Woodlawn Branch Library for details.

205-595-2001.

Neighborhood association meetings coming up on Monday, February the 9th.

There are four neighborhood association meetings.

Inglook, Woodlawn, Airport Highlands, and Keelow Springs.

Well, Roebuck.

And then on Tuesday, February the 10th, there are three neighborhood association meetings, Keelow Springs, North East Lake, and Pennfield Park.

That concludes my announcements.

Thank you, Councillor Gunn.

Thank you for mentioning Black History Month.

Thank you.

Councillor Woods.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh quickly, a few announcements.

There are the Apple Valley Neighborhood Association meeting that was scheduled for tonight has been canceled.

The Spring Lake Neighborhood Association will meet on Thursday, February 5th at 6 30 p.m.

That meeting is held in the Helpman High School Library.

The Echo Highlands Neighborhood Association will also meet on Thursday, February 5th.

That meeting begins at 7 p.m.

and is being held via Zoom.

The Roebuck Neighborhood Association will meet on Monday, February 9th at 6 30 p.m.

at the East Precinct.

And Alex said I also would like to take a moment just to acknowledge Black History Month.

Um, reflect on the people, the stories that have impacted you know us uh here locally specifically, but all we're all around the world that have uh really move things forward of so many lessons um that really pour into how we lead and serve and uh really work to build a better world and so do want to acknowledge that.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, thank you.

Dr.

Quinn.

Thank you, Madam President.

In District 5, we have several neighborhood association meetings over the next week.

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

Forest Park, South Avondale will meet also meet tonight at 6 30.

Wahoma Neighborhood Association meets on Thursday at 6 p.m.

at the East Lake Library Gate City Neighborhood Association will meet next Monday, February 9th via conference call.

Please contact my office if you need those call-in details.

Oak Ridge Park Neighborhood Association will meet next Monday at 6 p.m.

at the Harris Holmes Rec Center.

We have a transportation infrastructure committee meeting next Monday at 2 p.m.

here in the council chambers.

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

The um also want to announce that the Birmingham Planning Commission has some vacancies, uh one vacancy uh in particular.

Applicants can send their resume to Myesha Hutchinson at MySha.Hutchinson at Birmingham AL.gov, and we need those in by Friday, February 27th.

Um Network Navigator will be launching a new series for small business owners called Decoded and Demystified.

Uh this is uh taking place on Thursday, February 5th from 11 to 1 at the Junior League of Birmingham.

And this forum is designed to help entrepreneurs understand government updates and policy changes that impact their businesses.

Um as of announced before, BCRI is taking applications for their 2026 legacy youth leadership program.

It's a year-long uh program that equips high school students for with tools for civic engagement, personal development, and social change and grounded in Birmingham's rich civil rights legacy.

The program runs March 2026 through uh March of next year, and there's a thousand dollar stipend for summer docents upon program completion.

The application deadline is Monday, February 9th.

And finally, just uh want to invite District 5 uh residents and stakeholders to the annual District 5 strategic planning meeting that we call Fifth and Feast.

Uh it's taking place on Saturday, Jammu January 28th at the Jones Valley Teaching Farm Education Center.

And the doors were open at 9 30 and we'll start at 10 o'clock.

Um we invite all district 5 residents and business stakeholders to join us as we discuss district priorities for 2026.

Um if you need additional information, please call 205-254-2679, and that concludes my announcement.

Thank you very much, Madam Clotent.

Thank you, Madam President.

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

at the Wylam Library.

Thomas Neighborhood Association is tonight at 6 30 at the Greater Saints Thomas Community Church.

Sherman Heights Neighborhood Association meeting will be Monday, February the 9th at Morning Star Christian Church.

And North Birmingham Neighborhood Association will be on Monday, February the 9th at 6 p.m.

at the North Birmingham Library.

Next public safety meeting will be held on February 10th at 1 o'clock in the council chambers.

To meet your items by email, no later in 12 noon by February the 4th.

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact office at 2542302.

And also this weekend, yours truly will be a panel guest at the Blackmail Summit.

Looking forward to that.

So please come out and support Miss Dr.

Dare Forte for putting on this summit.

Myself and J.

Bain, along with some other distinctions ladies will be a part of a great panel discussion around mental health and and you know, continuing talk about gun violence.

Um we treading lightly and right in this city and hopefully continue to to do that.

But it's gonna be at the UAB Hilton Hotel on the South Side.

So please, ma'am, sirs, come out to the black mail assignment and support um this effort.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much.

These are announcements for District 7.

We do have two upcoming neighborhood association meetings on Friday, January 6th.

We'll have the Jones Valley Neighborhood Association meeting.

They meet at the Powderley Library at 4 p.m.

That's 3301, Jefferson Avenue Southwest.

And on Monday, February 9th, we went, that was Jones Valley.

On Monday, February 9th, we'll have the Powderley Neighborhood Association, who meet which meets at 5 30 p.m.

at the Henry Crompton Rec Center.

As you've heard, each of us provide information today.

And all of us either attend or we have staff that attend.

We ask you to join us for those neighborhood association meetings.

They're very important to each of our neighborhoods and communities.

So if you have one that's coming up in your neighborhood, I invite you all to attend.

We had a very good meeting last night at the Grisilla Heights neighborhood meeting and just a whole new group of neighbors that came out and had questions and had ideas.

So we really want to be sure that you are attending those meetings and taking advantage of that.

Also, I do want to join my colleagues, as those have mentioned, this is a centennial celebration of the observance of Black History Month.

It started in February 1926 by Dr.

Carter G.

Woodson, and it's a lot of people talk about it's the shortest month in the year.

But I'd like for us to think that black history goes on 365 days a year.

So parents, if you had children, I know many of us don't gather at the table anymore and eat dinner together, but maybe just as you gather around for breakfast or dinner.

Um, encourage your children to think of a black history moment or fact or something that um is specific here for the city of Birmingham.

And those are my announcements.

So at this, I do want at this time to welcome, we do have a new member of our council leadership team, and that is Mr.

Thomas Stone Jr.

And he is our new director of accounts and budget.

So we welcome you, Mr.

Stone.

And he may look familiar to most of us here, but we are glad to have him as part of our city council team.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Also, I'd also like to acknowledge congratulations to those council members who have been reappointed to National League of Cities Committees.

I know the Council Smithman has had a reappointment.

Dr.

O'Quinn continues to serve on the board of directors, and that's a very, very um highly awarded position.

And so we're glad that you represent us on that.

And I'm having an opportunity to serve again as well.

And so for those other counselors, as you get those appointments, we'll be sure to announce that.

And we do have a meeting that will be um uh attending and that will be able to represent the city of Birmingham coming up later.

Thank you.

At this time, Mr.

Clerk, if you'll read those um residents who are here for community voices.

All right, now William Mohammed.

As you come, Mr.

Mohammed, we have three minutes.

You'll see the time listed on the screen, and we welcome you this morning.

If you'll just give us your name and address, thank you.

William Mohammed 411 Lorraine Street.

Uh I thank you for this opportunity.

I come to talk to you about the turmoil at CAW.

I won't say what I feel like C stands for.

There was an employee who wrote an anonymous letter, and I had a chance to get hold of this letter.

And the employee stated that the utility has been thrown into chaos.

They are being told, the employees are being told that since Senate B of 330 was passed, it allows the CEO to do whatever he wants.

And I disagree with that because it does not allow the CEO to discriminate.

Yet black managers are being stepped over and replaced by whites who have less experience.

There are no HR rules in existence at the CAW.

The black vendors are being dismissed pretty much based on color.

This board has no committees.

I had a reporter call me and wanted to talk to me, and we talked for hours, and she was asking me how was it when I was on the board, and she just couldn't consider that a board would not have any committees.

So how do they operate if they're not meeting in private somewhere?

This board, most people don't know it, but the waterworks board had a double-A bond rating.

Our lawyer who is uh certified in public finance says that WA is the highest bond rating you could get as a business, but yet we were given a narrative that everybody at the BWB was corrupt and inefficient.

But yet we also were the top five in the country in water quality.

So how do you have a WA bond rating and be top five in water quality, but you uh a bunch of inefficient and and thieving folks?

So how does this happen?

That was a narrative used to rob us of what's our inheritance.

My story was that in 2015, I was on the board when Jabo Wagner's bill was introduced.

Our complaint was that that bill was a violation of a contract.

The charter, which is the uh corporation payers papers, should have never been changed.

It's a deal with board stability.

So the citizens of Birmingham spent 20 million dollars in a bond issue in 1951 to get the water works.

They were not given to us by the state.

Judge Van sided with Jambo Walk in the legislature.

So Blount County, Shelby County, and the Jefferson County Mails Association were given appointments on the board.

But they also changed the mayor counsel act and the Birmingham Mayor had the chance to appoint two people on the board.

Those five people voted to drop the case.

That's why we are where we are today, and all of it is connected.

So I just want to end by saying that we're having the committee to save Jefferson County, is having a town hall meeting at the Air Force Recreation Center Saturday, February the 14th at 9 a.m.

And I would like for you to tell other people about it or to come out to find out more information about what's going on with this situation.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mohammed.

Next speaker.

Um Veronica, and I'll just say 1205, 6th place.

Veronica.

Hi, Miss Veronica.

As you come forward, we'll try to get you.

Did they give you a mic?

Look, we have any accommodations.

Hold on, one second.

They're bringing you one.

It's coming.

Miss Veronica, if you'll give us your full name and your address once you get the mic, and then you have three minutes, and that counter time counts down up there.

But go ahead and give us.

My name is Elder Veronica Jibrine.

You might not know me, but you know of me.

If you could put it closer to me.

I promise my son I wouldn't cry.

He said he would cry for me.

My daughter Taisha Hutchins is the one that died in the city jail.

As of today, I've not seen her body.

My family in Africa knew about her death before I did.

Now I'm sitting here as a mother.

If your daughter, I adopted her from Texas, I knew what I had.

And I asked them to let me see her body to no avail.

And I'm asking the city of Birmingham.

My family is all over the world trying to get here.

I adopted Taisha not because she was for my need.

I adopted her to meet my maternal need.

She's a problem in the city.

Someone got online and uh did a obituary for her, not me.

I don't know who did it.

And I've talked with uh, I guess he's a margin with the what do they call him?

He's he did with a yes, her name was Max, somebody, Max Wells, something I tell you, it's her name.

He wanted me to cremate her.

My concern if you're gonna investigate something, someone should investigate you guys, not you in general.

What happened in that city jail?

They were giving a medication.

I don't know what happened.

Where's my daughter?

Okay, can you imagine going these many days?

My daughter died on the 28th, and I knew nothing of it.

I have signed, she was my ward.

I signed with Jefferson County, they knew me there.

I just I got the papers in the city of Birmingham.

The documents were there.

They knew of her, they were treating her in medication there and things.

So I don't know what happened to Tyshia.

But I do know that was somebody, that's somebody's child.

She just as valuable as you, your child would.

Now I asked you guys to allow me the common courtesy.

Let me see my daughter, somebody do something for me.

And I told my son I wouldn't cry.

I'm not gonna waste a tear for this one, okay?

Because Taisha, whoever wrote a nice obituary, such a sweet child she was, loved by the neighbors, not my daughter, 25, what she had 25 rest, excuse me, in the hospital and the jail.

So how does she be such a pleasant person?

If I have not seen her, can you imagine I seen your when my daughter died on the 28th?

I didn't get there to hold her.

I've not been to hold her yet.

I can't, I have clothes addressing.

I'm a designer.

I lost everything in this city.

And I had a I was flying, I had my bucket list, I had a ticket to fly out of here, but the weather stopped it.

I couldn't go to Nigeria, Ethiopia.

I couldn't go.

So that stopped me by being here.

My family found out in Africa already.

Yeah, my daughter's dead.

And I've not seen her.

Can y'all allow me?

Just let me see my child.

Let's somebody lie.

My sons can't get here.

Everybody trying to get in.

The family trying to come from Africa.

We have a mess here.

I don't ask.

I had other matter at hand.

But that's this is the president of everybody.

Okay.

Thank you.

I've been calling offices.

Nobody would get come to the phone.

Not you, yourself.

Good at they're doing.

They give they're good at what they do.

But I kept saying this is, and I knew the mayor would reach out for me, but I couldn't get to nobody, okay?

So I come here today, ask you guys.

My heart is heavy.

Okay.

I got to put Taisha to rest.

I gotta lay her down, okay?

I don't care how cold she is.

I will haul him on somebody see my daughter.

I have pictures.

If you only knew who Taisha was, if you only knew she really was, you know, I lost her.

But please, y'all, somebody help me with this, okay?

I mean, it's a city of if it needs to be investigated, let someone has investigated.

You can't investigate yourself.

Excuse me.

So right now, they're waiting for the results from her, whatever they said getting back.

But I have not seen my daughter.

So I'll come right as you guys bow down.

Allow me the common courtesy as a mother, okay, to see my child.

And help me take care of this matter.

Now thank you for listening.

Thank you, ma'am so much.

And I know that administration and um you've talked with some people that are going to try to help you.

And so um, as a mother, I can understand the pain that you're going through, and uh, but we'll um work with the administration and just see if there's any other assistance that anyone can give you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for your time again.

Thank you.

Next speaker, please.

Bob Friedman.

Right, Mr.

Friedman.

Good morning.

If you give us your name, good morning to all of you.

Thank you.

I just want you to have a piece of literature.

Good morning again, and uh happy new year.

Let's hope, and uh happy black history month as well.

I'm so glad that got raised.

Um Birmingham Black Radio Museum now advertises itself as the only black radio history museum in the United States.

We've tried to do as much as we could with Google and different state organizations to people that we know around the country, and some around the world.

Um, and that's turns out that's what we are.

So that's pretty cool.

Um I want to bring greetings from our board.

It's a new board.

Want you to know who's on our board.

Some of you will know some of these folks.

Will Amina Richardson, who is the general manager of WJLT, is our chair.

Uh Bob Ryder, Robert Ryder, Dr.

Ryder is the head of archival studies at the University of Alabama, longtime colleague of mine for at least 20 years.

Gwen Webb, Minister Gwen Webb, you know her and see her often in these chambers.

Wayne Coleman, who was the head of archives at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for uh 20 29 years, also on our board.

Uh Emory Anthony, attorney Emory Anthony, some of you may remember him from when he was active in uh political uh political dealings here in the city.

And Pam Stern King, who was the pre preservationist for the city of Birmingham for many years, an adjunct history professor at UAB.

So we're very proud of our board as well.

Um we encourage people who visit our website to see the video, uh a radio hero, which is the history of tall Paul White, uh, the only radio announcer in Birmingham ever mentioned specifically by Dr.

Martin Luther King, most significant radio announcer of the civil rights movement.

And the reason I sent this handout is just to get on your mind.

We were told by just so if people don't know, we lease from the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

They lease from the city of Birmingham.

So we get things kind of secondhand, and we had heard that uh the city had gotten back in touch with the jazz hall and said that a contractor had been identified.

And usually if a contractor was identified in my mind, I'm thinking, well, there's some discussion about money.

Must be maybe it's good or bad, but if a contractor has been identified, and this is what I'm being told from my friends on the jazz hall, maybe we're moving closer to the big deal, which is the replacement or the repair of the sewer system that extends from the carpet theater to the trunk line across the street.

That's the county's trunk line.

And since we've gone through die tests, those are where you flush various dyes down the toilet to see if it reaches the trunk line.

We know that it's inefficient, which means that waste is coagulating somewhere between the carpet theater and that trunk line.

It's a serious issue, it's a health issue.

The reason I handed out what I handed out is just to remind you.

Okayed by the city of Birmingham.

And the Birmingham Black Radio Museum is a licensed business with the City of Birmingham.

You have those documents now in front of you.

Just to remind you that we have an interest in knowing this contractor.

And if he comes down to where our museum used to be because we had to remove a lot of the artifacts, we'd like to see what he does.

Shake his hand, wish him well.

If it's the case, if it's not the case, then the city council has to know because after all, you're waiting to either okay or not okay a contract from the city for this contractor.

I'm hoping on February 9th, uh, when the budget and finance committee meets, that maybe this is something you'll have to address.

Maybe it's time, because in March it'll be a year since the flood.

I appreciate all of you.

I know what a hard job you have.

Don't think I don't.

So thanks for your time.

Thank you, sir.

Those that all of the community voices.

Thank you.

At this time, we would like to thank our officers on duty.

Want to thank Officer Pinkert and Officer Smith, as well as our fire inspectors on duty.

And this square, so and our fire inspectors on duty, Inspector Snow, Griggs, and Bouva.

And at this time, we'll entertain the motion of adjourned.

Second.

So I get to say it.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Thank you.

Meeting is adjourned.

Hope everyone has a safe, warm day.

Thank you.

Fine.

That is correct.

Today I am at Princeton Alternative Elementary School here in District 8 because we are having the annual math derby.

So we have students from the third, fourth, and fifth grades that are competing to go to the district wide derby that will take place next week.

It's great because one, you get to support students.

Um, and two, students have been working on this since the beginning of the year.

So we listen to the teachers and they have given students these facts.

Um, and then it's just it's important to be here just to see.