Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - February 3, 2026

The Birmingham City Council met on February 3, 2026, at 9:30 AM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured a large consent agenda covering liquor licenses, weed abatement assessments, vendor agreements, and neighborhood association funding. The council also made appointments to the Birmingham Historical Commission and Human Rights Commission, set a public hearing for a temporary suspension on data centers for March 3, 2026, and set a public hearing for the Northside-Southside Community Rezoning for March 31, 2026. Public comments addressed concerns about the Central Alabama Water Works Board, a death in the city jail, and the Black Radio Museum.

Consent Calendar

• Approved applications for Restaurant Retail Liquor Licenses (Café BMA by Kathy G, LLC; De Nada, LLC; Roll Cajun, LLC) and Special Retail Liquor Licenses (Café BMA by Kathy G, LLC; Burrow and Bloom Events, LLC).
• Granted an Operating Authority Permit with two certificates to Apex Transportation, LLC for non-emergency medical transport.
• Fixed special assessments for weed abatement on numerous properties across 15 resolution batches (J-23 through P-24).
• Authorized vendor agreements for Neighborly Software Core Portal ($30,000), DocuSign Enterprise Pro Edition software ($14,884), and a First Amendment with Station Automation, Inc. increasing total from $182,076 to $186,276 for First Arriving Integration.
• Authorized agreements with Birmingham Board of Education for student support ($45,500 total, including additional funding for Woodlawn High School and WJ Christian Choir), Southern Museum of Flight Foundation ($600), Vulcan Park Foundation ($3,500), and Brand Resource Inc. for a monument sign ($9,044).
• Authorized neighborhood association training events ($5,000), annual picnic fund ($3,000 per neighborhood), holiday party fund ($500 per neighborhood), and office supply allocation ($2,500 per neighborhood).
• Accepted bids for MRO supplies and portable command systems for Fire and Rescue, approved vehicle wreck repairs (three payments totaling $5,062.50), and approved purchase of cleaning products and employee expense accounts.
• Item 108 from Batch N-24 and Item 34 from Batch O-24 were withdrawn.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William Muhammad (411 Lorraine Street) spoke about turmoil at Central Alabama Water Works (CAW), alleging discrimination against black managers, removal of black vendors, lack of board committees, and a narrative used to change the board structure. He invited attendees to a town hall on February 14, 2026.
• Veronica Djibrine (address provided as 1205 6th Place) spoke about the death of her daughter, Taisha Hutchins, in the Birmingham City Jail on January 28, 2026. She stated she had not been allowed to see her daughter's body and requested an independent investigation into the circumstances.
• Bob Friedman spoke about the Birmingham Black Radio Museum, now the only black radio history museum in the U.S. He announced a new board and requested updates on a contractor for sewer repairs at the Carver Theatre, emphasizing an ongoing health issue and asking the council to track contract progress.

Discussion Items

• Item 43 – Public Hearing on Data Center Suspension: A resolution setting a public hearing for March 3, 2026, to consider a temporary suspension on data center construction and expansion. Councilor O'Quinn requested a detailed update from city staff on their research progress regarding data centers before the hearing. The resolution passed 8-1.
• Item 44 – Northside-Southside Rezoning Public Hearing: A resolution setting a public hearing for March 31, 2026, to consider adoption of an ordinance amending the zoning district map for the Northside-Southside Framework Plan area (Case ZAC2025-00011). Passed 8-1 (Councilor Williams opposed; minutes show a nay vote, though the transcript mentioned an abstention).
• Item 33 – Birmingham Historical Commission Appointments (Reconsidered): Initially the council adopted a resolution appointing five members and reappointing four. Councilor O'Quinn then moved to reconsider, correcting the list. The new resolution (385-26) appointed Valerie Abbott (community leader), Cheryl Morgan (Design Review Committee), Wayne Huster (Birmingham Historical Society), Laura Knott (professional historian), and Councilor Josh Vasa (ex-officio). Reappointed: Linda Nelson (Jefferson County Historical Commission), Cherri Pitts (professional preservationist), David Fleming (Architect), and Nolanda Hatcher (representative at-large). All terms as specified. Adopted unanimously (9-0).
• Item 34 – Human Rights Commission Appointment: Councilor O'Quinn nominated Jose Perez Malagon to fill the District 5 seat on the Birmingham Human Rights Commission, term expiring January 31, 2027. Adopted unanimously (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (9-0).
• Item 33 (Historical Commission): Initially adopted, then reconsidered; final Resolution 385-26 adopted 9-0.
• Item 34 (Human Rights Commission): Adopted 9-0.
• Item 43 (Data Center Suspension Hearing): Adopted 8-1 (Councilor Williams opposed). Public hearing set for March 3, 2026, at 9:30 AM.
• Item 44 (Northside-Southside Rezoning Hearing): Adopted 8-1 (Councilor Williams opposed; minutes show a nay vote, though the transcript noted an abstention). Public hearing set for March 31, 2026, at 9:30 AM.
• Public Comment Follow-Up: The death of Taisha Hutchins in the city jail was raised; council President acknowledged the speaker and noted ongoing administrative assistance. The council will monitor the data center research update and the Black Radio Museum sewer issue.

Note: The meeting began at 9:37 AM after invocation and pledge. Pre-council was not held due to lack of quorum. Councilmembers Smith, Woods, and Williams arrived after roll call.