Regular Meeting of the Birmingham City Council - May 26, 2026
Regular Meeting of the Birmingham City Council - May 26, 2026
The Birmingham City Council met in regular session on May 26, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting included a pre-council at 9:00 AM and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council considered a consent agenda with routine items, held a public hearing on a business license revocation, debated two parking fine ordinances that failed on first reading, and approved several resolutions including a micro shelter agreement for unhoused residents.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2-4: Approved a bingo permit renewal for Birmingham AIDS Outreach (Mondays at 3130/3120 3rd Avenue South) and an operating authority permit for First Key Freight Broker, LLC (non-emergency medical vehicle).
- Items 5-8: Declared four inoperable motor vehicles as public nuisances and authorized their abatement and removal (NOP2026-00212, -00213, -00214, -00222).
- Item 9: Amended the Grants Fund Budget to appropriate $2,500 for the Library's America250AL Semiquincentennial Community Grant.
- Items 13-15: Approved a first amendment to the agreement with Faith Chapel Christian Center for up to 15 micro shelters ($1,224,125.77, extended to August 31, 2027) and adopted the 2026 Division "G" Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Items 16-18: Settled three lawsuits: Charles D. Perkins v. City of Birmingham ($21,000), Christopher Shane Russell v. Shunta Barbour ($12,500), and Elijah Kelley's claim ($12,000).
- Items 19-20: Settled two workers' compensation claims: a BFRS employee ($150,000) and a BPD employee ($50,000).
- Item 21: Appointed Yolanda Hardy to the Birmingham Public Library Board (term expiring December 30, 2030).
- Items 22-30: Approved various contracts, including amendment for 35th Street Bridge Painting ($276,841), 1508 Columbia Street Drainage ($67,654.40), CrossPlex and Bill Harris Accessibility Improvements ($381,954), removal of 840 Vanderbilt Street from weed assessment, and payments for receptacles ($23,530.22), fire department supplies ($14,545), office furniture ($2,988), and heavy equipment (Sourcewell program). Also approved itemized and advanced expense accounts, and dedication of streets for Redding Ridge Phase 1-A.
Public Comments & Testimony
- A representative from an organization (likely a summer program) spoke during the meeting, asking for council support to assist high school students across districts. The program details were provided in council packets.
- A public show cause hearing was held for the revocation of business license(s) of Beccar Inc., dba Nana Funks (708 29th Street South). No decision was recorded in the provided materials.
Discussion Items
- Items 10 and 11 (Parking Fine Ordinances): Two ordinances were introduced on first reading: one to remove additional penalties for parking violations and add an administrative fee for overdue tickets (Item 10), and another to revise the fine schedule and add fees for collection (Item 11). Councilmember Woods moved for unanimous consent to adopt both on first reading, but the motions failed due to lack of unanimous consent. The ordinances were held over to the regular meeting on June 2, 2026.
- Item 13 (Faith Chapel Micro Shelters): The resolution authorizing a first amendment to the agreement with Faith Chapel for micro shelters was discussed. Councilmember O'Quinn moved adoption, seconded by Smitherman, and it passed unanimously.
- Item 14 (Hazard Mitigation Plan): The resolution adopting the 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan was moved by Smitherman, seconded by Tate, and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted: All consent agenda items, the Faith Chapel micro shelter resolution, the hazard mitigation plan, all lawsuit and workers' compensation settlements, the library board appointment, and all other routine resolutions and ordinances listed under consent.
- Not Adopted: Items 10 and 11 were not adopted on first reading; they will be reconsidered on June 2, 2026.
- Public Hearing Held: The show cause hearing for revoking Nana Funks' business license was conducted; no further action recorded.
Meeting Transcript
Stan, are we ready in the back? Be okay. You might have fallen down, but nothing else. Today is Tuesday, May twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-six. The time is now nine forty A. M. I call to order the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. I hope everyone had a great weekend. At this time, we'll have our invocation will be led by Carl Max Kathy Anthony, Pastor of the Birmingham International Seventh Day Adventist Church in Birmingham, and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Counselor Brian Gunn. If you're willing and able, please stand and join us. We come before you this morning on behalf of the people and the residents of Birmingham, Alabama. We come with thanksgiving in our hearts. We thank you for waking each and every one of us this morning. We thank you for the clothes on our back shoes on our feet. Lord, we thank you for a roof over our heads. Lord, we thank you for our families and for our friends. We thank you for the gift of service to the people of Birmingham. We thank you for each and every one of the leaders present in this very place. Men and women who carry the weight of decision, the hopes of our community and the responsibility of service. We thank you for each and every one of them, for you are the God who has called them into leadership. So today, as we ask for one more thing, not just for routine, but Lord, we are praying and asking for courage. Give them ears that they hear the cry of the forgotten. Give them eyes that they may see beyond the political lines to see the needs of the human. Give them hearts that beat the compassion and box strong enough to stand for what is right, and even when it is most difficult. Inspire them to build not just roads and budgets, but trust, integrity, and unity. Remind them that every vote that is cast, every word that is spoken, every policy shape touches real lives, real families, and real futures. Father, I thank you. I pray that as each one of them leave this room today, not burdened, but bold, not weak, but strong, not divided, but determined to seek the good of all the people of Birmingham. And when the work feels heavy, when the work feels so overwhelming, may each one of them remember that they do not labor alone. You will always be with them, for you promise I will never leave you nor forsake you. And so, Lord, I pray that as you be with them, be with the people of Birmingham that they serve. And we ask all this, believing and trusting in that powerful name that is above every name, the name Jesus Christ, amen. Amen. Thank you so much, Pastor, for that very inspirational prayer. And we appreciate your congregation that has come with you today. Thank you so much. Thank you, Councillor Gunn, for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Good morning, Mr. Clerk. We'll call the role, please. Good morning. Uh Councilmember Gunn. Morning. Good morning, sir. Councilmember O'Quinn. Good morning, Councilmember Smith. Good morning. Good morning, Councilmember Smillman. Good morning, Councilmember Vasa. Morning.
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