Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – April 7, 2026

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on April 7, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Reverend Robbins Sims and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Sonja Smith. Mayor Randall Woodfin presented proclamations for National Poetry Month, Fraud Prevention Month, and Community Development Week (April 6–10, 2026). The council approved a consent agenda containing routine items, held a public hearing on a proposed medical waste treatment facility, and adopted a zoning change for a compressed natural gas fueling site. The meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved resolutions for the abatement and removal of 15 inoperable motor vehicles as public nuisances (Items 3–16).
• Accepted lump-sum proposals for overhead door replacement at six fire stations (Stations 1, 7, 9, 12, 21, 13) from Red Mountain Garage Doors, LLC, totaling $146,619.32.
• Accepted proposals for fuel dispenser replacement at two locations from Summit Sales & Service Co Inc., totaling $57,620.18.
• Approved a one-year bid (renewable up to three years) for safety items and supplies from PYE-BARKER Fire & Safety.
• Approved a 60-month lease and maintenance agreement with Xerox Corporation for print shop production units, not to exceed $1,205,910.00.
• Amended a previous weed abatement resolution (No. 1974-25) to remove 816 44th Street North.
• Authorized payments for manhole covers, a decontamination unit, pool chemicals, and employee expense/advance accounts.
• Declared 192 properties as nuisances due to noxious weeds, setting a public hearing for May 12, 2026.
• Authorized a $6,500 agreement with Sandpiper Advisory Group for a District 6 community program.

All consent items were adopted unanimously (9‑0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Harvest Solutions LLC – Medical Waste Facility (Item 2): A public hearing was held on the application to site an indoor nonhazardous medical waste treatment and paper shredding facility at 4400 7th Avenue North. Speakers included:
  • Brenda Holyfield (Kingston Neighborhood Association President): Expressed support, noting the company’s community engagement, willingness to enter a community benefits agreement, and commitment to building a community center.
  • Andrew Capstickdale (local business owner): Supported the initiative as forward‑thinking and beneficial to the local economy.
  • John Wall (campus pastor, Foundry Ministries): Endorsed the company’s character and long‑term community service.
  • Terry Chapman (Birmingham Business Alliance): Voiced strong support for the project, citing job creation and innovation.
  • Todd Cook (co‑owner, Harvest Solutions): Reaffirmed the company’s commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and community partnership.
  • No speakers expressed opposition.

Council members commended the applicant’s community engagement and transparency. The public hearing was concluded; consideration was deferred to April 14, 2026, pending review of any written comments.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Change for BJCTA/MAX CNG Fueling Site (Item 1): An ordinance (No. 2090‑G) to rezone 943 Forestdale Boulevard from C‑2 (General Commercial) to QI‑1 (Qualified Light Manufacturing) with specific use restrictions. The site will be used for a compressed natural gas fueling station for the BJCTA bus fleet, with no current plans for maintenance or repair operations. A landscape buffer was required due to adjacent residential properties. The Zoning Advisory Committee recommended approval (4‑0‑1 abstention), and the Planning and Zoning Committee recommended approval (4‑0) with Q‑conditions restricting 24 uses (e.g., no private clubs, funeral homes, cannabis facilities, or adult establishments). The council adopted the ordinance with conditions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Adopted unanimously (9‑0).
• Item 17 (Quitclaim Deed): Ordinance authorizing the sale of city‑owned property at 926 37th Place North to Walter Lee for $13,877.80 was adopted unanimously (9‑0).
• Item 1 (Zoning): Ordinance 2090‑G rezoning the BJCTA site was adopted (7‑0; Councilors Smith and Williams absent).
• Item 2 (Harvest Solutions): Public hearing concluded; council deferred a decision to the April 14, 2026 meeting to allow for receipt of additional written comments and further deliberation.