Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - March 31, 2026

The Birmingham City Council met on March 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, communications from the Mayor, and a series of consent agenda items and separate votes. The Council approved a major $34,975,000 General Fund budget amendment, established paid mental health leave for firefighters, and adopted the Northside-Southside Community Rezoning Ordinance after a public hearing. All votes were unanimous (9-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Budget Amendments: Approved four ordinances amending the Grants Fund Budget: $116,018.80 for the 16th Street Shuttlesworth Connector Trail; $45,000 for the 19th Street Ensley CMAQ project; $3,216,484.82 for the Greenway & Road Diet on Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd; and $2,000 transfer from District 9 discretionary funds to the Central Pratt Neighborhood Allocation.
• Licensing: Approved off-premise beer and wine license for A M A Quick Stop and lounge retail liquor license for Icon Birmingham.
• Nuisance Abatements: Approved abatement of nuisances on numerous properties (listed in agenda) and removal of nine inoperable motor vehicles.
• Demolitions: Declared 40+ structures as unsafe public nuisances and ordered demolition.
• Contracts & Change Orders: Approved change order #1 ($13,828) for Birmingham Museum of Art boiler replacement; change order #2 ($88,957.35) for Highland Park Pro Shop HVAC replacement; bids for physical education supplies, emergency vehicle upfitting, traffic signs, and outdoor power equipment; and various payments and expense accounts.
• Neighborhood Association Funds: Approved expenditures for Highland Park (tree removal, tree purchase, dog waste bags), Mason City (sign toppers), Redmont (zoo STEM program), Spring Lake (landscape maintenance), and Ensley (after-school programs).
• Agreements: Approved amendments with CHORE ($100,000) and Own It Property Solutions (see below); agreements with Birmingham Folk Festival, Birmingham Public Library Board, Birmingham Board of Education (amended to $48,500), Childcare Resources, Girls Inc., Help 2 Others Foundation (amended to $7,000), Jordan E. Melton Empower & Mentorship Society (amended to $5,000), Kid One Transport, James Lewis Education and Tennis Foundation (amended to $7,000).
• Withdrawn Items: Item 39 (Resolution affirming water fluoridation) and Item 41 (demolition at 1564 Pearson Ave. SW) were withdrawn from the consent agenda. Items 39 and 41 were not voted on.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Godby (920 24th Street South, President of Southside Neighborhood Association) expressed concern that developers no longer come to neighborhood associations before planning and design review, and that high-rise apartments built recently are half-vacant, driving up property taxes for older multi-family buildings.
• Janet Maycock (1250 21st Place North, President of Druid Hills Neighborhood Association) thanked planning staff for personally explaining the rezoning and taking her on a tour, which alleviated misinformation; she highlighted that the plan clarifies parking requirements and prevents tall high-rise apartments in residential areas.
• Daniel Christensen (2412 2nd Avenue North, Central City Neighborhood President) supported the mixed-use downtown zone and urged no limits on housing height, stating abundant housing prevents homelessness. He also called for the city to address traffic, noise, and pollution from surface streets in downtown neighborhoods.
• Kevin Misso (2221 Stouts Road) requested that his properties at 2221 Stouts Road, 2221 23rd Avenue North, and 2300 Peacock Lane retain their current light industrial zoning (I-1) rather than being rezoned to mixed-use. He noted the properties border a railroad and are adjacent to a gas station, and he has plans to develop light industrial structures, potentially with a trucking company. Councilor Tate raised concerns about impact on nearby residents.

Discussion Items

• General Fund Budget Amendment (Item 18): Mayor Woodfin presented the $34,975,000 appropriation, including $4.5 million for district funding, $5 million for Messer Airport Highway drainage, $5 million for Birmingham jail improvements, $1.5 million for pool repairs, $3.5 million for Cradle to Career initiative, $2 million for Powell Steam Plant (Kulture City), and funds for sidewalk repairs, stormwater master plan, interstate lighting, civil rights institutions, and more. The funding source is Fund Balance Reserves. Councilors Smitherman, Woods, Vasa, Smith, and Williams praised the investments, especially for infrastructure and early childhood initiatives. Councilor Williams noted the interstate lighting project (I-59) will be matched by ALDOT and RPC. The ordinance was adopted unanimously (9-0).
• Mental Health Leave for Firefighters (Item 20): Ordinance to add Section 2-4-18 establishing paid Mental Health Leave for full-time classified Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service employees (firefighters at any rank, excluding recruits). Accrual begins July 1, 2026, at 8 hours per month, must be used within the same calendar year, max 24 hours per month. Leave is for mental health self-care or after traumatic incidents. Adopted unanimously (9-0).
• Own It Property Solutions Contract (Item 22): Resolution authorizing $524,420 amendment to rehabilitate up to four dilapidated houses in Hillman Gardens area for residents at or below 80% Area Median Income, extend term to Sept 30, 2026. Council President Alexander noted it addresses quality-of-life in legacy neighborhoods. Adopted unanimously (9-0).
• Ace Tree Service Contract (Item 33): Resolution amended from $11,925 to $20,000, with $8,075 from District 1, to remove dead trees and plant 14 new trees in Highland Park and within District 1. Adopted unanimously (9-0).
• Northside-Southside Community Rezoning (Item 1): Public hearing held on Ordinance ZAC2025-00011, which rezones all properties in the Northside and Southside Framework Plan areas. Staff presented that the plan aligns zoning with the 2013 comprehensive plan, consolidates two zoning ordinances, downzones vacant heavy industrial sites, and expands mixed-use and Urban Neighborhood (UN) districts. The Urban Neighborhood district allows single-family through multiplex (up to 12 units) and is designed for infill housing. Councilor Gunn asked about the UN district's implications and whether it could be expanded to include more vacant lots. Staff explained it is a test case and that a pattern book is being developed. After public comments, the ordinance was adopted unanimously (9-0).
• Public Hearing Dates Set:
  • April 28, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. to consider adoption of new zoning regulations (Title 1 “General Provisions”) for the entire city.
  • May 5, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. for two rezoning cases: (1) 101 Sayreton Drive North from I-4 to QI-1 for a convenience store with drive-through; (2) 1240 22nd Street South from R-6 to MU-M for a mixed-use building with residential and hospitality.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Unanimously (9-0): General Fund Budget amendment ($34,975,000); Mental Health Leave Ordinance; Own It Property Solutions contract; Ace Tree Service contract (as amended); Northside-Southside Community Rezoning Ordinance; all consent agenda items as amended.
• Set Public Hearings: April 28, 2026, for new zoning regulations; May 5, 2026, for two rezoning applications.
• Amendments Approved: Consent items 25 (Birmingham Board of Education increased to $48,500), 28 (Help 2 Others Foundation increased to $7,000), 29 (Jordan E. Melton increased to $5,000), 33 (Ace Tree Service increased to $20,000), 37 (James Lewis Education increased to $7,000).
• Withdrawn: Item 39 (fluoridation resolution) and Item 41 (demolition at 1564 Pearson Ave.) were withdrawn from consideration.