Birmingham City Council Meeting - June 16, 2026

The Birmingham City Council met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation led by Pastor Darryl Warney of New Saint James Baptist Church and a roll call of council members. The council approved the minutes from March 3 through April 7, 2026, and April 7 through June 9, 2026, by voice vote. Mayor's communications, a consent agenda, several discussion items, district updates, and public comments were addressed.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3–5, 6–8, 9–12, 13–14, 17–19, 20–22, 23–26, 27–29, 30–33, 34–37, 38–42, 43, and addenda 44–45 were considered routine and non-controversial.
• Changes were made to item 14 (amount increased from $2,500 to $3,975, with $1,475 from District 3 discretionary funds) and item 17 (total amount changed to $5,700, with $5,000 from District 1 discretionary funds and $700 from Killow Springs neighborhood, and language added to provide services to Huffman High School cheerleaders).
• Council members requested removal of items 19 (page 6) and 22 (page 7) from consent, and added items 44 and 45 to consent. Councilor Gunn requested removal of item 24 from consent.
• The consent agenda was approved with one abstention (Councilmember Woods).

Mayor's Communications

• The mayor's office announced that city offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, for Juneteenth (trash pickup unaffected).
• A Juneteenth event, "Blooming Beats and Bites," will be held at Boutwell Auditorium on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 1–4 PM.
• The mayor extended Father's Day wishes to all fathers and father figures.
• The City of Birmingham's Innovation Team (I-Team) launched the North Birmingham Community Service Hub at the Salvation Army (2015 26th Avenue North), a pilot resource center open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 AM to 3 PM. The hub is paired with Bham.findhelp.com.
• Cooling stations are activated when temperatures reach 95°F or higher. Locations are available in every quadrant.
• A proclamation declared June 2026 as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. Kinsley Hardeman, development manager with the Alzheimer's Association, noted that more than 7 million Americans, including over 103,600 Alabamians, are living with Alzheimer's disease. She invited the public to the Walk to End Alzheimer's on October 18, 2026, at Sloss Furnaces.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance to Authorize Electronic Attendance (Item 15): An ordinance to amend Title 2, Chapter 2, Article A to allow electronic attendance at council meetings per Alabama Code. Passed unanimously.
• Interlocal Agreement with Housing Authority of Birmingham District (HABD) for Law Enforcement Task Force (Item 16): A two-year agreement (ending May 21, 2028) for a community safety partnership. HABD will provide up to $2,368,516.32 to cover personnel costs for up to eight police officers, one sergeant, and one lieutenant. Attorney Tracy Roberts stated this is a renewal with an increase from seven to eight officers. Passed.
• Amendment for Druid Hills Residential Development (Item 19): A resolution authorizing an amendment to an agreement with Greenlining Realty USA Birmingham LLC to extend the term to September 30, 2025, for pre-development activities on a 35–40 unit residential development in Druid Hills, with at least 10% of units reserved for qualifying residents at or below 100% of area median income. Passed.
• Amendment for Small Magic / Birmingham Talks Program (Item 22): A second amendment to an agreement with Small Magic (doing business as Birmingham Talks) to extend the term to December 30, 2026, and add $371,500 in funding (total not to exceed $750,000). The program provides a 10-week early education innovation service using a wearable device to count words children hear. Macy Vinson reported that in 2025, the program served just under 1,700 families; in 2026, over 1,400 families have been served so far, on track to serve 2,000. The first official data on third-grade assessments will be available in the next calendar year. Passed.
• Weed Abatement Assessments (Item 24): A resolution to exercise the city's option to submit weed abatement assessments to the Jefferson County tax collector. Councilor Gunn requested clarification on committee jurisdiction. City Attorney Stanley advised that the process can go through the Community Development Committee in the future. A subcommittee will address committee assignments. The item was passed with the understanding that future items will follow a defined committee process.
• Change Order for Highland Park Pro Shop (Item 27): A resolution accepting change order number three with Maybee Construction Inc. to clarify that utility work by Alabama Power was performed directly, not by a subcontractor. The item was noted as approved on consent.

Council District Updates

• Councilor Vasa (District 3): Announced the first District 3 Summer Fest on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10 AM–2 PM at George Ward Park, featuring live music, food trucks, and the Glen Iris Dance Team. Also, the Five Points South Neighborhood Association meeting on June 16 at 6 PM.
• Councilor Smitherman (District 6): Reminded of Juneteenth events at BCRI, wished Happy Father's Day, and announced neighborhood meetings and a Juneteenth celebration at Arlington Rehab on June 19.
• Councilor Smith: Announced Juneteenth events including the Rickwood Classic (11 AM–5 PM on June 19) and the Sickle Cell Walk on June 20. Also noted park board and neighborhood meetings.
• Councilor Gunn (District 2): Announced a Juneteenth celebration at Stockham Park on June 19 (12–4 PM), neighborhood meetings, and a vacancy on the Birmingham Land Bank Board (deadline June 26). Encouraged voting.
• Councilor Lewis (District 1): Announced neighborhood meetings, the Budget and Finance Committee meeting on June 22, the Man Up Breakfast on July 11, and a District 1 Serve Day on July 25.
• Councilor O'Quinn (District 5): Announced neighborhood meetings, the Transportation Infrastructure Committee meeting on June 22, vacancies on the Design Review Committee, the BCRI Juneteenth event (June 19, 12–8 PM), and the District 5 Health Fair on August 8.
• Councilor Williams: Reminded of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee meeting at 11:30 AM.
• Council President Alexander (District 7): Announced neighborhood meetings, a vacancy on the Regional Planning Commission (application period June 16–26), a community conversation at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, a youth football camp on June 20, and the Safe Summer Series concert at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on June 21 at 4 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eric Hall (Black Lives Matter, Birmingham Grassroots): Criticized conditions in the Birmingham City Jail, calling it a "warehouse for humans." Cited three deaths in one week under the current administration. Demanded care over cages.
• DeCarius Blevins (artist, advocate): Spoke as a survivor of police brutality, expressing solidarity with jail detainees. Read a poem demanding justice for Xavier Gray, Kalina Peaches Cross, Cadeen Sweaver, and Benita Carter. Called for release of those held for misdemeanors and nonviolent offenses.
• John Meehan (Passionist Community of St. Mary's, Holy Family, and St. Joseph): Inquired about the mayor's proposed budget for recycling. Expressed interest in obtaining recycling containers for his parish and encouraged city-wide recycling. Council President Alexander directed him to the city website for information.
• Dr. W. Tuft Harris Jr. (lead pastor of the city's only welcoming and affirming LGBTQIA+ church): Raised concern about the death of a transgender woman (referred to as "Peaches") in the city jail. Stated the individual was in for misdemeanors and could not pay. Questioned the council's engagement with the LGBTQ+ community and called for improved health advocacy and care for trans individuals in custody. Announced a funeral celebration on June 30 and invited council members to Black Pride in September.
• Terry Michael (resident, 629 Rich Top Circle): Expressed concerns about data centers and the current ordinance requiring closed-loop cooling systems. Cited industry sources indicating that chemical additives (corrosion inhibitors, biocides, antifreeze, etc.) are used in closed-loop systems and can pose environmental risks if not properly managed. Requested reasonable safeguards: independent baseline testing of water, soil, air, and noise before construction; ongoing independent monitoring; public disclosure of cooling water treatment chemicals and emergency response plans; and enforceable penalties for permit violations. Emphasized that these measures build trust and protect public health.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda with one abstention.
• Passed ordinance authorizing electronic attendance at council meetings (Item 15).
• Passed interlocal agreement with HABD for law enforcement task force (Item 16).
• Passed extension of Greenlining Realty agreement for Druid Hills development (Item 19).
• Passed second amendment to Small Magic / Birmingham Talks agreement (Item 22).
• Passed resolution for weed abatement assessments with commitment to establish a committee process (Item 24).
• Approved change order for Highland Park Pro Shop (Item 27).
• Council directed administration to develop a formal process for weed abatement items to go through the Community Development Committee.
• Meeting adjourned.