Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting – May 12, 2026

The Birmingham City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 9:43 a.m. (scheduled for 9:30 a.m.) and adjourned at 10:48 a.m. Council President Alexander presided; invocation was by Minister Jeanetta Perdue, New Life Church of God, Graysville; Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Pro-Tem LaTonya A. Tate. Roll call showed all nine councilmembers present. Minutes were not ready for February 3 through May 5, 2026. The 9:00 a.m. pre-council meeting was not held for lack of a quorum. Mayor Randall Woodfin had no communications. The council also heard a presentation from Max Reichov of The Other Foundation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous voice vote (motion by Councilmember Smitherman, second by Councilmember Williams) after adding addendum items 33 and 34 (neighborhood fund transfers: $1,000 to Killough Springs Neighborhood Associations and $8,113 to Parks and Recreation for sports/recreational activities).
• Item 2 / Resolution 976-26: Authorized nuisance abatement liens on a long list of City properties for noxious/dangerous weed abatement; several previously declared nuisance properties were withdrawn because weeds had been abated, and one property (944 Trilby Street) was removed based on owner proof that a private landscaper cut the property before the contractor.
• Item 3 / Ordinance 26-51: Appropriated $250,000 to City Walk Maintenance (ADECA grant).
• Consent contracts/leases/bids/payments: Included workspace renovation agreements (Allseating $4,920.76; Corporate Interiors $12,950.00; Indiana Furniture $27,324.91); Cardiac Solutions AED package up to $1,094,184.00; JBL Real Estate lease for Department of Unhoused Strategies office space at $4,750/month rent plus $246/month parking ($59,952 annually); SHI DocuSign software/services $47,267.95; Home Shield Siding CDBG Critical Repair subrecipient $2,600.00; U.S. Coast Guard right-of-way encroachment license; ALDOT FA STP funds for 19th St/Ensley Ave to Bush Blvd improvements with an 80/20 match; $2,211 claim settlement with Country Casualty; Gulf Coast Contracting low bid $301,510 for the 35th Street Bridge Painting project; equipment management bids (Advanced Mower, Cahaba Tractor, Rent One); and various vendor payments (Piedmont Door Solutions, ProQuest, Staples, Strickland Paper, The Hon Company, We R Smart) plus employee expense accounts.
• Item 4 (Grants Match/CRISI budget ordinance) was withdrawn.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Huston (7941 Crestwood Blvd) appeared regarding a civil complaint, stating businesses he started were stolen, that lives had been placed in danger, and asked the Council to be aware of the severity of the matter.
• Aria Foster and Mariama Diallo (301 Memphis Street), Sanford University students in the Raglin Scholars Program, urged the Council to improve the upkeep and maintenance of Kelly Ingram Park. They cited faded signs and monuments, poor landscaping, and non-functioning/lacking water features as detracting from the park's civil-rights mission. They said they came "not to critique or out of anger" but to show love for Birmingham. The Council referred the matter to the Chief for an assessment and report.

Presentation: The Other Foundation

• Max Reichov described The Other Foundation as a "giving circle" that provides microgrants ($1,000–$3,000 monthly) to Birmingham community projects. Members contribute $100 per month; applicants do not need 501(c)(3) status as long as the project is not for-profit. Since formally launching the previous month, it had awarded $5,300 to three projects: an Ensley community garden, a Tittersville urban food-systems project, and Avondale Movies in the Parks. The next grant deadline was that Friday at midnight; information is at otherfoundationbhm.org. Council members thanked him and encouraged dissemination.

Discussion Items

• Zoning text amendment (Case ZAC2026-00001) – Item 1 withdrawn; Item 32 passed: Councilor O’Quinn reported that Item 1, the second-reading zoning ordinance amendment, was withdrawn based on feedback from the public hearing two weeks earlier. The Council instead adopted Resolution 1000-26 setting a public hearing for June 9, 2026, to consider a revised amended ordinance incorporating that feedback. The agenda/minutes state June 9, 2026; the live transcript at one point referred to "July 9th." No rezoning is included; the amendment would revise definitions, permitted-use tables, conditional uses, special exceptions, accessory uses, and MXD standards. Passed unanimously. Council President Alexander thanked Ox Valley neighborhood president Mrs. Green and residents who provided input.
• Attorney business license ordinance (Item 5): The Council approved an ordinance amending business license schedules 014a/014b (attorneys) to require proof of current, active Alabama State Bar licensure as a condition of issuance/renewal, without changing the fee structure. Councilmember Williams questioned why additional "red tape" was being added absent a known problem; staff and Council President Alexander explained it aligned with existing license-verification practice for contractors and other regulated professions. Passed 8-0 (Councilmember Woods absent).
• CRISI railroad crossing agreement (Item 6): The Council ratified a modified agreement among Birmingham, Trussville, and Norfolk Southern Railway under the REDESIGN Alabama program to close at-grade crossings and build grade separations/alternative routes between Woodlawn and Trussville. Funding: FY2022 CRISI grant $8,000,000; Birmingham and Trussville each 2.5% ($250,000); Norfolk Southern 15% ($1,500,000, including up to $300,000 reimbursed engineering review services). Councilor O’Quinn said the project funds design/engineering to make grade separations shovel-ready. Councilmember Smitherman, while supporting the item, pleaded for similar attention to West Side train blockages and asked BDOT to pursue comparable grants. Passed unanimously.
• Port Infrastructure Development Program grant (Item 16): Removed from consent by Councilmember Williams. The Council authorized the Mayor to apply for, submit, and accept FY 2026 PIDP grant funds from the U.S. DOT Maritime Administration in an amount up to $40,000,000, with match covered by WATCO. The agenda originally listed up to $30,000,000; the minutes/transcript reflect an amendment to $40,000,000. Councilmembers highlighted the inland port as a major economic development win. Passed unanimously.
• Recall of Ordinance 26-50 – Kelvyn Felder ordinance (Item 31): The Council voted to recall from the Mayor Ordinance No. 26-50, which would have amended the "Kelvyn Felder Ordinance," before it became law. Council leadership said the action would allow further community input and work with BPD, the public safety committee, and the City Attorney. Mayor Woodfin publicly apologized for his weekend social media comments, saying they were not meant to offend or blame the Council. Police leadership present expressed support. Councilmembers emphasized balancing public safety with support for the restaurant/hospitality industry. Passed unanimously.
• District announcements: Councilmembers gave updates on neighborhood meetings, citywide events (Birmingham Folk Fest May 16 at Avondale Park; Taco Fest May 17 at Sloss Furnaces), health/safety events, volunteer cleanups, a new District 3 email, Parks and Recreation survey/lifeguard hiring, and election-related community events.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (including addenda items 33 and 34) approved unanimously.
• Item 1 (zoning ordinance second reading) withdrawn; Resolution 1000-26 passed setting a June 9, 2026 public hearing on revised zoning text amendments.
• Item 5 passed 8-0, adding Alabama State Bar licensure proof requirement for attorney business licenses.
• Item 6 passed unanimously, ratifying the modified CRISI/REDESIGN Alabama railroad crossing agreement.
• Item 16 passed unanimously, authorizing the PIDP grant application up to $40,000,000 (amended from $30,000,000 in the agenda), with WATCO match.
• Item 31 passed unanimously, recalling Ordinance 26-50 for further review and community engagement.
• Kelly Ingram Park maintenance concern referred for a city staff assessment and report.
• The Council adjourned at 10:48 a.m.