Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Birmingham City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing and vote on a temporary suspension of data center permits, approval of multiple consent agenda items, and individual votes on ordinances and resolutions related to economic development, public safety, and neighborhood improvements. The meeting adjourned at 12:33 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Resolution No. 478-26 for a Lounge Retail Liquor Class I License for Urban Beverage 3, LLC at El Tigre, 2012 1st Avenue North.
• Approved Resolution No. 479-26 authorizing abatement of nuisances on 18 properties (list in agenda) and assessing costs as liens.
• Approved Resolution Nos. 480-26 through 485-26 fixing special assessments for weed abatement on multiple properties (detailed in agenda).
• Approved Resolution No. 486-26 authorizing a Funding Agreement with the PACE Board for Regions Field repairs (elevator $172,735 and infrastructure upgrades $256,391.29, total $429,126.29).
• Approved Resolution No. 487-26 authorizing a three-year agreement with Skyfire Ai, Inc. for Drone as a First Responder program, up to $1,500,000 ($500,000/year).
• Approved Resolution Nos. 488-26 through 506-26, including: $75 for Penfield Park Neighborhood Association tables; acceptance of a historic marker for Legion Field; settlement of an auto insurance claim for $41,906; bid award to Massey Asphalt Paving for alley resurfacing ($834,613.12); bids for emergency equipment and office supplies; amendments to weed abatement resolutions; purchase of mower parts and fire fans; expense accounts; and fire hydrant installation at 8th Avenue and 32nd Street South.
• Approved Addendum Item 40 (Resolution No. 507-26) approving advanced expense accounts of appointed and elected officials.
• Items 14, 15, and 18 were removed from consent and voted separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Data Center Moratorium (Item 1): Over a dozen residents spoke in favor of the temporary suspension, citing concerns about noise, air and water pollution, utility costs, health impacts, and lack of community input. Many referenced the proposed Nēbius AI factory on Lakeshore (exempted due to prior applications). Speakers included Jennifer Gossard, Paul Godby, Rob Sansome, Renetta Brown, Grace Woodson, Julianne Tharp (GASP), Charles Miller, John Mehan, Ronald Jackson, John Hilly, Peggy Gargus, Kelly Marshall, Ryan Anderson (Southern Environmental Law Center), Matthew (software engineer), and Madeline Green (Oxmoor Valley Neighborhood Association). Several requested that the moratorium apply to all projects, including those already in the pipeline.
• Mr. Carmichael Henderson (3420 17th Avenue North): Spoke about crime and hurt in the city, urging the city to provide facilities for youth on the west side and to work with all neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance for Temporary Suspension on Data Centers (Item 1):

  • Director of Planning, Engineering and Permits Katrina Thomas presented the proposed 180-day moratorium on new/expanded hyperscale data centers (over 20 MW) to allow staff to draft permanent zoning regulations. Staff reported that draft regulations are nearly complete, with an accelerated timeline aiming for final council adoption by April 28, 2026.
  • The moratorium exempts two pending applications (DC Blox expansion and Nēbius AI factory) as they already have applications in process.
  • Councilmembers discussed the 20 MW threshold, timeline, and community concerns. Mayor Woodfin detailed 12 questions to be posed to the Nēbius project regarding utility costs, environmental impact, and community benefits.
  • Councilmember O'Quinn noted historical precedents where projects in progress were exempted from moratoriums to avoid litigation.
  • The public hearing was held, and after discussion, the council voted to adopt the ordinance (unanimous).

• Reinvest Birmingham Initiative – Childcare and Workforce Development (Items 14, 15, 18):

  • Removed from consent for discussion. Director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity Corita House and Reinvest Plan Officer Archie Stewart presented.
  • Item 14: Agreement with Childcare Resources, Inc. ($644,784) to support childcare providers and start childcare businesses.
  • Item 15: Agreement with Birmingham Promise ($400,000) to expand work-based learning and apprenticeships at Jackson-Olin High School.
  • Item 18: Agreement with Women’s Foundation of Alabama ($2,207,650) to increase childcare seats through training and grants.
  • Councilmember Smitherman expressed support for addressing childcare deserts and workforce pipelines. All three items passed unanimously.

• Other Items:

  • Item 10: Ordinance authorizing a one-year agreement with Birmingham 911 for radio programming, saving $300,000. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 11: Ordinance for Choice Neighborhoods/Legacy at Graymont Project documents. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 12: Ordinance for redevelopment agreement with La Vie Chiropractique, PC to create 8-12 new jobs. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 13: Ordinance authorizing quitclaim deed to Saverio Properties, LLC for $5,476.63. Passed unanimously.
  • Items 38 & 39: Resolutions setting public hearings for zoning amendments (April 7 for Forestdale Blvd CNG fueling site, April 21 for Eastern Framework Plan). Both passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Ordinance No. 26-25 (temporary suspension on data centers): 180-day moratorium on new/expanded hyperscale data centers (over 20 MW), with exemptions for existing applications. Unanimous.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 26-21 (Birmingham 911 radio agreement). Unanimous.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 26-22 (Choice Neighborhoods/Legacy at Graymont documents). Unanimous.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 26-23 (Redevelopment Agreement with La Vie Chiropractique, PC). Unanimous.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 26-24 (quitclaim deed to Saverio Properties). Unanimous.
• Adopted Resolution Nos. 508-26, 509-26, 510-26 (Childcare Resources, Birmingham Promise, Women’s Foundation agreements). Unanimous.
• Adopted Resolution Nos. 511-26 and 512-26 (setting public hearings for April 7 and April 21, 2026). Unanimous.
• All consent agenda items approved unanimously, with amendments noted.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:33 PM.