Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting Summary – June 2, 2026

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on June 2, 2026, at 9:30 AM, adjourning at 12:53 PM. The meeting began with announcements from Mayor Randall Woodfin regarding a community water drive (June 1-3) and a municipal court amnesty program for the month of June. The Council recognized National Gun Violence Awareness Day and heard presentations on violence reduction efforts. A public hearing was held on a zoning change for a proposed antique store, and two ordinances related to parking fines were debated and passed with amendments. Several consent agenda items were approved, and public comments were heard.

Consent Calendar

• Approved applications for towing service licenses for Boss Ladi Towing, LLC (4 wreckers) and We Got It Towing and Recovery (1 wrecker).
• Declared six inoperable vehicles as public nuisances and authorized their removal.
• Authorized a three-year purchase agreement with Lexipol, LLC for police policy manuals and subscriptions ($337,563.30).
• Approved an amendment to the Toolbank USA Inc. agreement (not to exceed $345,000), extending the term to September 30, 2026.
• Renewed cancer benefits for firefighters ($105,642), workers' compensation insurance ($491,805 for two years), and medical stop loss insurance ($1,528,990.32) for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Authorized a right-of-way encroachment license agreement for a sign monument at 2800 Milan Court.
• Approved relocation housing payment of $10,290 to Cody Hamner for the Pratt Highway Bridge Replacement project (amended address to 704 Pratt Highway).
• Settled a claim by Leroy Torrence for $12,000.
• Fixed special assessments for demolition of unsafe buildings at 38 properties, ranging from $4,644.40 to $116,360.00.
• Accepted an emergency contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. for HVAC replacement at the Birmingham CrossPlex ($1,944,418.50).
• Accepted bids for various construction and supply contracts, including drainage repairs, fire station apron repairs, and equipment purchases.
• Approved payments for emergency management dues ($365,845.36 – amended), library supplies ($28,675.28 and $6,475.55), and eleven refunds totaling $85,483.71.
• Approved expense accounts for officials and employees.
• Declared 268 properties with noxious weeds as public nuisances, scheduling a public hearing for July 7, 2026.

Presentations

• Mayor Woodfin proclaimed June 2, 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Councilor LaTonya Tate and representatives from Parents Against Gun Violence and the Office of Community Safety Initiatives highlighted a 72% reduction in homicides over two years and a 44% reduction last year. The hospital-linked violence intervention program has served over 285 survivors with zero retaliations.
• Donald Smith presented updates on the James Lewis Tennis Center, including free tennis lessons, tournament awards, and youth development programs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joseph Holt (4730 2nd Ave N) spoke about the Holt Foundation's work providing trade training for youth, now serving 50 kids, and shared that a film crew is following their impact.
• Mark Haynes (505 20th St) commended the Council for economic development, public safety, education, and food insecurity efforts, speaking on behalf of Mothers United Against Gun Violence.

Discussion Items

Zoning Change (Item 1): Ordinance ZAC2026-00003 to rezone 3849 Clairmont Avenue from R-6 to QMU-L for a boutique antique store. The Planning and Zoning Committee recommended approval with conditions (retail/residential only, height limit 35 ft, restricted operating hours). The Zoning Advisory Committee split 2-2 and did not recommend. The Forest Park South Avondale Neighborhood Association voted 14-12 in support. After discussion, the ordinance failed 3-6 (Councilors O'Quinn, Vasa, Woods voting yes; Gunn, Smith, Smitherman, Williams, Tate, Alexander voting no).

Parking Fine Ordinances (Items 10 & 11): Two ordinances to amend parking fine and fee structures. Item 10 adds a $3 administrative fee for tickets unpaid after 30 days to cover notification costs. Item 11 revises the parking fine schedule, increasing fines by $10 for most violations and adding new violations. Following extensive debate, Item 10 passed unanimously (8-0). Item 11 was amended to remove the $10 increases while retaining new fines for previously unspecified violations, with a July 1, 2026 effective date; the amended ordinance passed 8-0.

Property Sale (Item 12): Authorized the Mayor to execute a quitclaim deed to LC Willow Solutions, LLC for property at 1526 17th Street North for $8,400.55. Passed unanimously (8-0).

Citywide Inlet Top Repairs (Item 60): Resolution accepting a $93,786 proposal from Carr Development for 2025 Citywide Inlet Top Repairs. Councilor Smitherman raised concerns about the use of concrete inlet tops and requested a list of repairs. Passed 7-0 (Councilor Woods absent, Councilor Smith absent).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent calendar items as listed above.
• Failed: Zoning change for 3849 Clairmont Avenue (3-6).
• Passed: Ordinance to add $3 administrative fee for overdue parking tickets (Item 10) (8-0).
• Passed (as amended): Ordinance to revise parking fine schedule (Item 11) (8-0), effective July 1, 2026, with no increase to existing fines but new fines for previously unspecified violations.
• Passed: Property sale ordinance (Item 12) (8-0).
• Passed: Inlet top repairs contract (Item 60) (7-0).
• Next steps: Administration will provide a list of inlet top repairs and a cost analysis of concrete vs. alternative materials.