Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – February 17, 2026

The Birmingham City Council met on February 17, 2026, at 9:36 a.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, with Council President Alexander presiding. The meeting included an invocation by Reverend James Bell, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Hunter Williams, and remarks from Mayor Randall Woodfin honoring the lives of George Barber and Reverend Jesse Jackson. The council approved a consent agenda, held public hearings on two liquor license applications (both denied), approved a right-of-way vacation, authorized a security agreement with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Alabama Power, approved conference attendance funding, set a public hearing for a future vacation, and appointed two members to the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• All items designated as consent were approved by a single motion of the council. The consent agenda included: Resolution No. 413-26 (liquor license transfer for Holiday Inn/Steel City Bar and Grill), Resolution Nos. 414-26 through 420-26 (special assessments for weed abatement on multiple properties), Resolution No. 421-26 (abatement of an inoperable motor vehicle), Ordinance No. 26-10 (amending the General Fund and Capital Fund budgets by $36,150.00 for Park and Recreation), Ordinance No. 26-11 (amending Grants Fund budget by $640.00 for Planning, Engineering and Permits), Resolution No. 422-26 (correcting a clerical error in a previous weed abatement assessment), Resolution No. 423-26 (authorizing 14 refunds totaling $92,063.83), Resolution No. 424-26 (accepting a bid from JetMan Supply, LLC for right-of-way mowing services), Resolution No. 425-26 and 426-26 (approving advance expense accounts for elected officials and city employees), and Resolution No. 427-26 (approving payment for LinkedIn Learning Hub renewal). Additionally, an addendum item (Item 23, a budget amendment) was added to consent, and Item 16 (conference attendance resolution) was removed from consent at the request of Councilor Williams. The consent agenda passed unanimously (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sherman Sterling (2413 Reed Road, Birmingham) addressed the council to request support for the Jamaica Strong Disaster Relief Campaign, asking the city to help make Birmingham an international destination for tourists and to provide aid to Jamaica. No other public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Happy Hour Hangout 2 Liquor License (Denied): The council considered a resolution for a Lounge Retail Liquor Class I license for Happy Hour Hangout 2 at 2417 Avenue C. The applicant, Rodrigue Lee, described the business as a small hangout for ages 30 and older, with operating hours Tuesday 7 p.m.–12 a.m., Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.–2 a.m. The Public Safety Committee reported that the Ensley Neighborhood Association voted 11 in favor, 8 opposed on September 18, 2025. Administration noted that the previous establishment at the same location had been raided for operating as a nonprofit selling alcohol, and the applicants still owed outstanding financial obligations. The council voted 8-1 to deny the application (Councilor Woods voted in favor).
• Item 2 – The Black Hole Hookah Bar and Lounge Liquor License (Denied): The council considered a resolution for a Lounge Retail Liquor Class I license for The Black Hole Hookah Bar and Lounge at 137 6th Avenue SW, Suite D. The applicant, Rodney James, proposed a hookah bar and lounge for ages 28 and older, with hours Friday and Saturday 9 p.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 6 p.m.–12 a.m. The South Tetersville Neighborhood Association voted 6 in favor, 2 opposed, 1 no recommendation on January 13, 2026. Councilor Smitherman opposed the location due to its proximity to residential homes, a training facility for youth, and concerns about noise and crime. The applicant mentioned unresolved ventilation issues but stated he would not operate without compliance. The council voted 9-0 to deny the application.
• Item 12 – Vacation of Right-of-Way for River Brook Realty (Approved): The council approved a resolution assenting to the vacation of 24,658 square feet of right-of-way between 34th Place N., 33rd Street N., 35th Avenue N., and Pearl Avenue to allow River Brook Realty to consolidate property at 3333 35th Avenue N. The one-third right-of-way vacation fee was $36,987.40. The Subdivision Committee and Community Development Committee both recommended approval. The applicant stated the building is currently empty and they aim to lease it, potentially creating 30–40 jobs. The resolution passed unanimously (9-0).
• Item 15 – CJI Access Security Agreement with ALEA and Alabama Power (Approved): The council considered an ordinance authorizing the Chief of Police to execute a Contractor/Vendor CJI Access Security Agreement for up to three years between the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Alabama Power Company, and the City of Birmingham. The agreement involves no cost to the city and verifies that Alabama Power has a separate agreement for sharing criminal justice information. At the request of Councilor O’Quinn, the council entered executive session for 15 minutes to discuss security plans and measures. After returning, the ordinance was approved unanimously (9-0).
• Item 16 – Conference Attendance for Neighborhood Volunteers (Approved): The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute agreements for attendance at three conferences: the 2026 Neighborhoods USA Virtual Conference (May 28–29, registration up to $125 per attendee, one per community), the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma (April 13–15, up to $2,500 per attendee, one per neighborhood), and the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (September 22–25, up to $2,500 per attendee, one per community). Up to ten Community Resource Services staff may attend each conference. Funding comes from neighborhood association funds. Councilor Williams questioned the lack of a total estimated spend but did not oppose after discussion. The resolution passed 8-1 (Councilor Williams voted no).
• Item 22 – Setting Public Hearing for McWane Vacation (Approved): The council approved a resolution setting a public hearing for March 24, 2026, to consider the vacation of 35,493 square feet of right-of-way between Argyle Road and Smolian Place (located at 2845 Stratford Road) on behalf of McWane, Inc. The resolution passed unanimously (9-0).
• Item 24 – Appointments to Birmingham Park and Recreation Board (Approved): The council approved a resolution appointing two members to the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board: Michael D. Moore (replacing Patrick Talley, term expiring October 8, 2029) and Bruce N. Hooper (replacing Scottie Y. McClaney, term expiring October 8, 2028). One vacancy remains to be filled. The resolution passed unanimously (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• Denial of Liquor License for Happy Hour Hangout 2: Resolution No. 428-26 adopted, voting 8-1 against the application.
• Denial of Liquor License for The Black Hole Hookah Bar and Lounge: Resolution No. 429-26 adopted, voting 9-0 against the application.
• Approval of Right-of-Way Vacation for River Brook Realty: Resolution No. 430-26 adopted, voting 9-0.
• Approval of CJI Security Agreement: Ordinance No. 26-12 adopted, voting 9-0 after executive session.
• Approval of Conference Attendance Funding: Resolution No. 431-26 adopted, voting 8-1.
• Public Hearing Set for McWane Vacation: Resolution No. 432-26 adopted, setting hearing for March 24, 2026, voting 9-0.
• Appointments to Park and Recreation Board: Resolution No. 433-26 adopted, appointing Michael D. Moore and Bruce N. Hooper, voting 9-0.