Good morning, Birmingham.

Today is Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026.

The night time is 9:34 a.m.

I call to order the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council.

This morning's invocation will be led by Dr.

Milton Wren Jr., pastor of the Kingdom Builders Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama, and our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Josh Vasa.

If you're willing and able, please stand and join us.

Council President to the City Council.

Gracious God, our Father, we thank you.

Thank you for the opportunity to stand before your presence.

Father, we ask that you give them grace, give them wisdom, give them understanding.

Help us to make decisions today.

And as always, God, we look to you for heavenly wisdom that can only come from above.

Grant them the grace to work together in harmony with our mayor for the betterment of the city of Birmingham.

And as we close, we say, like your son did with the disciples, Father, make us one.

It is in your son Jesus the Christ's name, we pray.

Amen.

Good morning, Mr.

Clerk.

Councilmember Downer.

Council Member Oakwin.

Good morning.

Morning.

Councilmember Smithman.

Councilmember Vasa.

Morning.

Councilmember Williams.

Morning.

Councilmember Woods.

Councillor President Alexander.

Good morning, President.

Counselors, at this time, the minutes are not ready from the meetings of April 7, 2026 through June 16th, 2026.

This time we have communications from the mayor.

Good morning, Mayor Wilton.

No communications today.

Hello.

Thank you very much.

At this time, counselors will continue with our agenda and we will uh this time we'll entertain consideration of the consent agenda.

All items designated as consent are considered to be routine and non-controversial and will be approved by one motion.

No separate discussion of these items will be permitted unless a council member, the mayor, or citizen interested in a public hearing so request.

If so, such items will revert to its normal place on the agenda order of business.

All matters of permanent operation that's indicated with a capital P will be read.

All other matters will be announced by reading the item number only.

All public hearings will be announced.

At this time, Council, I would like to revert and uh instead of considering the consent agenda, we do have a special presentation.

So with unanimous consent, if we could go ahead and have our special presentation.

And we do have one this morning from Councillor Crystal Smithman.

And um, she would like to introduce a program that's coming to Batwell Auditorium.

Councilor Smithman.

Thank you.

Uh Madam President, if the representatives from um the Bazaar Fashion Show, I'll let them speak.

But um, I believe this is the second annual um of the fashion show coming to the ball as well, and they're gonna talk to us a little bit about it as well.

Uh good morning, council.

A lot of familiar faces here.

Uh good morning.

Uh council and mayor's office.

My name is Desmond Wilson.

I'm a Birmingham based creative director, filmmaker, photographer, and communication strategist.

Uh I've had the privilege of building much of my career around Birmingham story through Birmingham through documentary work, uh public communications, creative strategy, and visual art.

Uh that includes my past work here, uh serving as communications in the Birmingham uh City Council office, where I saw firsthand how important it is for our city stories, people, and neighborhoods uh to be represented with care, dignity, and vision.

Today I'm honored to introduce Pose Bazaar Foundation, a 501c3 organization and the Post Bazaar Fashion and Art Show, which will take place in September at Bowell Auditorium, a city-owned facility that has long served as a gathering place for Birmingham's major cultural, civic, and community moments.

I'd also like to thank Council uh Councilor Crystal Smitherman for recommending us today.

Uh Pose Bazaar is more than just a fashion show.

Uh this is it's more than an art exhibit.

It's a statewide creative platform built to spotlight Alabama artists, designers, students, and emerging creative professionals who often don't get access to spaces and opportunities like this for many local creatives.

Uh having their work presented on a curated platform with industry professionals, community leaders, and potential supporters can be career changing.

Uh it can be the first major opportunity to give someone visibility that opens a door and validates years of unseen work.

Uh opportunities like this can help launch careers, not just in Birmingham, but across the state.

This event also features a scholarship fund for local students, uh, which is one of the most important parts of this work.

Post Bazaar is not only celebrating creativity, it's investing in the next generation.

It's connecting art, fashion, creativity, education, entrepreneurship, and community impact in a way that directly benefits young people and gives them a stronger foundation to build from.

Um, as the curator of the art exhibit, this work connects deeply to my own personal career and purpose.

My work has always been about using art and storytelling to elevate our people, preserve culture, and create opportunities that can shift how our communities see themselves and how the world sees them.

Um we all know that Birmingham is growing as a creative city.

Alabama's creative economy is expanding, and Birmingham has an opportunity to lead that growth with intention, but that only happens when the city supports organizations, artists, and platforms doing the work on the ground.

Supporting supporting Pose Bazaar means supporting students, it means supporting artists and supporting creative entrepreneurship and the statewide initiative that brings talent, culture, and opportunity into a city on space and says clearly that Birmingham believes in this creative future.

Organizations like these matter because they don't just host events, they build pathways, uh, they create access and they help people imagine a future for themselves that they may not have felt possible before.

Uh I was um connected with this organization a few years ago and am now honored to serve in several capacities uh leading up to the exhibit that we have at Batwell in September.

Uh the founder and executive director, Lavinia Holliday has been in fashion uh for a little over about close to about decade and a half now.

But I was uh motivated to work with her in the organization because she's really dedicated to the creative youth here in the city.

Uh she's facilitated field trips taking busloads of students to Tyler Pearl Studios in Atlanta.

She has one coming up, taking students to SCAD to do a uh tour of their facility as well.

And so we all know that these are life-changing opportunities that can create sparks that uh change lives.

And so I would like to introduce you to Miss Holiday.

Thank you.

Good morning, council.

Thank you so much to Mayor Wood, and thank you, Council Smithman.

Thank you so much for allowing this opportunity.

Um my name is Lavinia.

I'm the founder and executive director of Post Bazaar Foundation.

Um, I found the Post Bazaar because I know what it feels like to have talent, vision, and drive, but not always have access to rooms, resources, or platforms needed to truly move forward.

Before Post Bazaar became an organization, it started as a response to a gap that I saw in our creative community.

There were designers, models, artists, students, and emerging creatives with real ability, but too many of them were waiting for permission, waiting to be seen or really trying to figure out where they belonged.

And Post Bazaar was created to do just that.

We are a nonprofit, 501c3 dedicated to discovering, supporting, and elevating emergent talent and fashion in the arts.

Our work is not just about producing a fashion show, it's about really building pathways to go beyond Alabama.

It's about giving young people and emerging creatives exposure to industry professionals, mentorship, real stages, real audiences, and real possibilities.

Our upcoming Post Bazaar Fashion Show will take place September the 27th, that is a Sunday at the Batwell Auditorium.

For us, that truly matters because Batwell is not just a venue, it's a city-owned facility, and we believe it is powerful for Birmingham's own creative community to showcase, to be showcased in a space that truly belongs to the people.

This year's show is sponsored by Bilbin Tucker So Up, a teen designer cohort, which teaches local teen fashion design, sewing, and empowerment through the arts.

That partnership represents the heart of our mission.

When a young person learns to sew, design, present their work, and believe in their own creative voice, they are not just learning a hobby.

They are developing confidence, discipline, entrepreneurship, and a skill set that can follow them for life.

Through PostBazaar, we have already helped create opportunities for artists, designers, models, and students.

We have supported scholarships, creative workshops, and platforms that help take people to the next step in their career.

But we also know that this work grows stronger when there is greater awareness, deeper collaboration, and more alignment between creative organizations, civic leadership, and the communities we serve.

Birmingham's creative economy is not something abstract.

It lives in our young people, our artists, our designers, our small businesses, our venues, and our cultural events.

When those pieces are recognized and connected, the whole city benefits.

Today we are here to introduce this work, share the importance of what is being built, and invite continued conversation around how Post Bazaar can collaborate with the city, community partners, and local leaders as a cultural education and economic asset for Birmingham.

We invite each of you to attend to witness the talent firsthand and to see what becomes possible when creativity, opportunity, and collaboration move in the same direction.

Thank you.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Um, this is just an example of I wanted to show you all what we did back in 2022.

We partnered with Harlem Fashion Row with is Miss Brandis Daniel.

She is NATO from Memphis.

Um she was one of she was the one that put together the all-black female design team that designed LeBron James first shoe.

And this is Miss Allison.

Her first show was Post Bazaar.

Um, and this is what we were able to do for her.

She is now in an arts conservative program in Connecticut.

Um, and we also uh when it comes to starting these, creating these opportunities for uh the creatives here.

One of our models uh started with us in 2022 as well, and she has gone on to represent brands such as uh brands that are found in Sephora, Nike, um, and we have another model that is currently working with Harlem Perfume Company.

So these are just some of the opportunities that we are working to hard at, working together as a community to bring more to Birmingham and creating that pipeline that extends from Birmingham, New York, and LA and beyond.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, and thank you, Councillor Smithman, for bringing this very exciting event to our attention.

Um I really am encouraged.

I love that we give up opportunities for our youth to expand in other different careers, and if they have their heart is in something that they really like.

So I appreciate the community work that you're doing.

We look forward to um having this event here in Birmingham.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

I believe you're still looking for models.

Is that correct?

Yes, we are.

We're looking for models, designers, visual artists, performers, uh really bringing the creative community together into a full space.

Um we are raising money for a bill and tucker so to help build their curriculum, get them tools and equipment that they need, and also wanting to partner with other local nonprofits who are underfunded at the moment to help them provide more resources, uh especially in the communities that um we often are unable to touch.

So it's really a coming together.

Yes.

And also, if if you all may be familiar or knowledgeable of any creative arts programs in your districts, schools, etc.

Uh, we love any alignment with those programs to help uh you know filter in potential opportunities for this event.

Thank you.

Thank you again.

Thank you, counselors.

At this time, we will go back to our agenda, and um we will hear the items that are being considered for consent.

Mr.

Clerk, if you'll read those items, consent agenda starts on page two with uh items one and two.

Skip over to page 14.

Um item four should be removed from consent and changed to an ordinance of permanent operation.

Page 15, items five and six are on consent.

Page 16, items seven and eight are on consent.

Page 17, items nine, ten, and eleven are on consent.

Please note that on item 10.

Uh six line from six line from the bottom, that amount should change from uh 15 1.5 million dollars to one million dollars, and above that line, the two million should change to $2,500,000.

That's on item 10.

Um page 18, items 12, 13, and 14 are on consent.

Page 19, items 15, 16, 17, and 18 are on consent.

Page 20.

Items 19, 20, and 21 are on consent.

Page 21, items 22, 23, 24, and 25 are on consent.

Page 22, items 26, 27, 28, and 29 are on consent, and you have one addendum item.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Counselors, at this time, are there any items that you would like to have added or removed from consent?

And also please note that we do have the addendum item number 31.

Yes, the request is to add item 31, the addendum item to consent.

Are there any other changes you'd like to make?

All right, Mr.

Clerk, we're ready for the vote.

Okay, motion, please.

So move.

Voting should be open.

Let's see.

About now.

And Council McGunners.

Okay.

So am I.

All right.

That's everyone.

All right, counselors.

At this time, the consent agenda is approved.

So if anyone in the audience was here for an item that was listed for consent, as well as the addendum item, those have been approved for consent.

And now we'll revert to our rest of our agenda.

All right.

Item three should be the first item.

An ordinance approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a contract for the sale and development of real estate between the city of Birmingham and BK Propco LLC, under which the city will sell, convey approximately 25 acres of undeveloped real estate located in Grand River Technology Park and on Barbara Motorsports Parkway to BK Propco for a purchase price of $1,850,000 in BK Propco will undertake a project to build and operate world-class carding facility on the property.

This is an item of permanent operation.

We need UC to pass it today.

So move.

Council member gunn.

I'm sorry.

Councilmember Gunn.

Councilmember O'Quinn.

Councilmember Smith.

Councilmember Smithman.

Aye.

Councilmember Fossa.

Aye.

Council Member Williams.

All right.

Councilmember Woods.

Council President Pro Tim takes it out.

Council President Yalizan.

Aye.

All right.

Motion.

All right.

Thank you, Councillors.

This time this is an ordinance approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a contract for the sale of property.

Any questions regarding this item or do you need any discussion regarding it?

Yes, Council Williams.

I just have a comment.

You know, I I think that since I have been on this council, and now I'm one of the oldest or longest served, not oldest, longest serving members of the council.

You know, we've we've looked at different things to it at this technology park, and I think that I'm excited to see some movement, and I want to see this be a catalyst for continued movement out there that where there's a synergy between Barber, the automotive racing industry, and everything else that is unique to that site in Birmingham.

And so I'm excited that we're able to see um movement after nine long years on this council.

Thank you so much.

Any other comments or questions?

Okay, we're ready for the vote.

All right, voting should be open.

So am I.

We need a refresh.

All right, thank you.

That item passes.

Number three passes.

Next item.

Uh should be item number four.

I'm sorry.

Yep.

Yeah.

Item four.

Changed again to an ordinance.

Uh an ordinance approving and authorizing the mayor to execute for.

And as the act of said city of project agreement between the city of Birmingham and Baldwin properties, LELC.

Under which Baldwin will undertake a project to acquire, redevelop, and revitalize the existing structure located in 1909, 14th Avenue, North Birmingham, Alabama, 35235 into a mixed use development containing residential rental units and commercial space for the neighborhood retailing tenants and organizations that provide goods, services, uh programs, resources with approximately uh 1.85 million of capital investments and approximately 492,400 in annual revenue and the creation of an estimated 25 to 30 new jobs.

The city will provide incentives in the form of forgivable loan and amount not to receive 300,000 dollars in support of the project pursuant to amendment number 772.

This is the item of permanent operation in UC to pass it.

So move.

Second.

Councilmember Quinn.

Councilmember Smith.

Councilmember Smithman.

Aye.

Council Member Voss.

Aye.

Councilmember Williams.

Councilmember Woods.

Aye.

President Alexander.

Aye.

Motion, please.

So move.

Second.

All right, thank you, Councillors.

This is a resolution approving and authorizing the mayor to execute for an act of the city, a project agreement between the city of Birmingham and Baldwin Properties LLC.

We did have discussion of this item during committee of the whole.

So this is recommended by the mayor and committee of the whole.

Is your wish to hear any more information about this item or any questions about this items?

All right, at this time, thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

We're ready for the vote.

Voting should be up.

Council member.

Okay.

Thank that's everyone.

All right, thank you.

That item passes.

Very excited for this project.

We thank Baldwin properties for investing in the city and working with us to bring this opportunity for residents.

Thank you so much.

Next item.

Last item should be item 30.

A resolution setting a public hearing, August 4th, 2026, to consider the adoption of an ordinance for changing zone district boundaries for all properties in Pratt Inslee Framework Plan Area, including the Pratt community and Isle community pursuant to the Pratt Insley Framework plan filed by the City of Birmingham.

Motion.

Second.

All right, Councillors, this is a resolution where we're setting a public hearing on August 4th, 2026 to adopt an ordinance for a change in zone district according to the Pratt Einsley framework plan.

This is just this motion at this time would be just to set the public hearing.

Any questions about that date?

We're ready for the vote.

Thank you, sir.

All right, thank you.

So we've set that public hearing to uh discuss about the Pratt Insley framework plan, and that will be on August 4th, 2026 here in Council Chambers.

Excuse me.

Councillors, I do just want to correct um statement I made regarding item number four.

It wasn't a resolution, it was changed to an ordinance.

So what we voted on was an ordinance versus a resolution regarding that particular action.

No additional vote is needed.

Thank you very much.

Right, counselors.

At this time that concludes our agenda, and we'll be happy under old new business to entertain any updates you have regarding your districts.

And um Councillor Smith, are you ready?

Let's start on your end.

All right, great.

Well, thank you.

Um, so first we have um an event that's coming up this Saturday, June 27th at the Birmingham Central Um Library from Tea to Treason, how ordinary um colonists were drawn into extraordinary rebellion.

So that is going to be from 2 to 3.30.

Also, um, parks and recreation department is still conducting our citywide survey, so please visit bhmparks 2035.com to complete that survey.

And you might have seen that the Coast Guard is um hosting a request or has a request for information that's open.

Um so I just wanted to note that individuals would need to be registered on Sam.gov ahead of the open house that's taking place on the June 24th and 25th.

Um for more information, you can contact Ariana Williams at ARIANA.m.

Williams at USCG.mil.

Um, there will also be an industry day coming up in July, so be on the lookout for that.

We have a special call, arts and parks meeting today at 11 30 here in Council Chambers, and the Bush Hill Neighborhood Association is meeting this evening at 6 30 at the Bush Hills Community Garden and Urban Farm.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Council Woods.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh there are no neighborhood associations coming up this week, uh, but we do want to remind everybody about two upcoming events, uh, one being the man up breakfast this year, uh, will take place on Saturday, July 11th at 9 a.m.

Uh this will be at Nikki's Event Center uh off the parkway, and this year's theme will pull from uh agent gas' iconic quote find a need and fill it.

Uh inviting everyone out, so definitely uh visit bhmdistrict one.com backslash man up breakfast to uh reserve a seat to date.

Also, district one serve day is coming up uh July 25th.

Uh great opportunity to get out, make an impact.

We will be uh partnering with House Proud on some home repair projects as well as uh B litter free cleanup.

There'll be some garden work going on and uh law and maintenance for seniors, so good opportunity for everyone to get involved, and we invite everyone out.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council O'Clean.

Thank you, Madam President.

We have a couple of neighborhood meetings to tonight.

Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association will meet at 6 at the Fountain Heights Rec Center, and Crestwood North will meet at 6 30 at Girls Incorporated.

The Transportation Infrastructure Committee will meet again on Monday July 13th at 2 p.m.

in the council chambers.

Submit agenda items to Kimberly.philips at Birmingham AL.gov.

Um please note that there are several openings for the design review committee as follows.

Three resident member at large position and one registered architect position and one building trades practitioner position.

The design review committee is a committee appointed by the city council to review and approve the physical development of commercial revitalization project areas and reviews and approves certificate of appropriateness applications for proposed projects on exterior work and in local historic districts of the city of Birmingham for additional information and to email your resume.

Please contact Myesha Hutchinson at Myesha.Hutchinson at Birmingham A L.gov.

And finally want to remind folks to save the date for the annual district five health fair that's going to take place on Saturday, August 8th from 9 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

at Parker High School.

We are partnering with the Alpha Phi chapter of Omega Sci-Fi Fraternity Incorporated to make this event possible.

The health fair will offer free health screenings, community resources, back to school supplies, uh and a blood drive.

And please contact the district five office for additional details and opportunities to participate.

And please always remember that you can take um you can find fresh fruits and vegetables and other many other things at one of our local district farmers markets.

There's one that takes place every Saturday, 8 to noon at East Lake United Methodist in the East Lake community and the Pepper Place Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 7 to noon in Lake View.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Madam President.

Folks, we had our D3 Summerfest this past weekend.

We had a great turnout.

Live music, food trucks, vendors in a kid's zone.

But a highlight, if anyone was there, was a special performance from Glen Dance group of Glen Iris Elementary.

Want to shout out those wonderful uh young ladies who performed uh tremendous uh presentation and we're excited to see them performing more uh in weeks to come.

We gave out backpacks filled with supplies to the first 75 kids, collected uh school supplies for district three elementary schools.

Uh really appreciate everyone who came out.

George Ward Park was beautiful.

Special thanks to Parks and Wreck uh for their assistance on that.

We have a new website for District 3.

It is district three bham.com.

Our website is full of updates, links to resources, etc.

Check us out again, district three bham.com.

And a reminder if you want to email our office, feel free to do so at district three, the number three at BirminghamAil.gov.

And lastly, as Councillor O'Quinn mentioned, we have openings for design review committee.

Uh three residents uh at large, one resident art registered architect, and one building trades.

For more information, send your resume to myesha Hutchinson at Birmingham Ale.gov.

Those are my announcements.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you so much, and congrats on a great uh district three fest.

I heard it was a very good, good event.

Thank you.

We had a good time.

Thank you.

Council Smith.

Thank you, madam president.

Well, the time has come for District 6 uh weekend, or council will say district six month, but that's not funny.

Um so this Friday we will have the D6 Fest Comedy Show at the Grove.

That is a new event center in District 6 in Tittysville.

It's in the same area as April 1 gym.

If you're familiar with that, doors open at 8, and the show will start at 9 p.m.

We'll have uh the host by Miss B and performances by Detroit Reed, Camp2 Stupid, Floss Entertainer, Comedian Felicia, and Lightskin Chris, all local uh comedians that perform nationally but are coming back home to perform.

And we will have food trucks, my favorite 1918, and Travis, who's actually a district six resident.

Then Saturday we will um brunch at Tossi Yoke from 10 to 2, and then the actual festival.

Actually, it goes on all day, but the main part starts at 3.

But we'll start with a youth girls flag football because we actually have a flag football team in Tisfield that'll start at 11 a.m.

and on the football field.

Then we will have a soccer game in partnership with HICA, the Hispanic Coalition starting at 3 p.m.

We'll have a live DJ and band, and then we will have a concert, which will be hosted by Lei Wu and be performed by JP Capoon and the voices of Birmingham.

So we're thinking Young Vocals, Logan the Entertainer, and others.

Uh we'll have bouncy houses and game trucks for the kids, and we also will have open gym and the gymnasium as well for anybody who wants to play basketball.

Uh and then on Sunday, we will have a church service at First Baptist Church of Mason City at 10 a.m.

And then we will give out free food boxes at 11 a.m.

in partnership with the change, and then we will end with the Taste of West End in partnership with Urban Impact at Arlington House at 5 p.m.

I want to thank our community partners, um, my father, Santa Roger Smetherman, Beeham Now, Commissioner Sheila Tyson, and personal personal injury law group um for helping out as well.

So we look for it.

So just pick an event and come.

Also, um, Alicia's coffee will start matcha Monday, starting this Monday.

Um, it will start at 5 o'clock.

I will be the first guest speaker.

We will have free matcha kits while they last.

I don't know if you had a matcha from her before, but it's amazing.

And then um some events happening in July on July 11th, that's a Saturday.

We will also have a uh D6 in-house pilot serve day.

We will start at 7 30 a.m.

and we will meet at Hemp Peel Elementary.

We will beautify the school, um, cut lawns, uh, paint residence houses.

So that will be happening if you want to volunteer.

And then our next District 6 Farmers Market will be on the same day at Memorial Park at 1.30 p.m.

And then in Councillor Gunn's absence, uh he has neighborhood meetings this week.

Norwood is tomorrow night at 6 p.m.

via teleconference, and then Harmon Park will be this Thursday at 4 30 p.m.

at the Harman Park Recreation Center.

The next community development community committee meeting is Monday, July 6th at 3 30 p.m.

in the council chambers.

If you have any items you'd like to submit for that agenda, please send them to Carmen.mays at Birmingham Spelled Out, AL.gov by the Clubs of Business on Monday, June 29th, 2026.

And then lastly, I see on the Birmingham Land Bank Authority Board, it's becoming available next month in July.

The land bank works to return vacant and abandoned properties to productive use across our city.

If you're interested in serving, please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest to Carmen Mains at Carmen.gov.

The deadline to apply is this Friday, June 26th.

And we welcome applicants with backgrounds in real estate, law, finance, urban planning, our community development.

But all interested residents are encouraged, are encouraged to apply, and you must be a resident of Birmingham.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Council Willems.

Thank you.

Crescent Neighborhood will be meeting this Thursday, the 25th at 6 o'clock at the regular place Hope Church.

And that is all we have.

Wow, thank you.

All right, these are announcements for District 7.

The Green Acres Neighborhood, they're hosting movie night in the park this evening at uh 6126 Avenue O.

ENsley, and the movie starts at 8 p.m.

On Thursday, June 25th, the Industrial Center Neighborhood Association meets at 6 30 p.m.

And on Monday, June 29th, the Tarpley City Neighborhood Association meets at 6 p.m.

Very, very huge thank you to everyone who came out for the kickoff of the Safe Summer Series concerts on Sunday.

We had just a phenomenal crowd.

We have gained a lot of um good music, good fun, good food, and um just grateful to everyone that came out and joined us.

We have more upcoming events coming through up until uh September.

So look forward to those announcements.

But again, thank everyone for attending on Sunday.

We do have an opening uh to fill an expired term on the regional planning commission of Greater Birmingham.

And this particular uh board carries on continuous comprehensive planning for the region.

They're also uh responsible for preparing a regional plan and uh doing comprehensive planning around uh different projects within our region.

So to qualify to be on this particular board, you have to be a resident of the city of Birmingham, a registered voter, you have to be over 21 years of age, the taxpayer, and a real property owner.

So the application period ends on June 26th.

So if you'd like to apply, please send your letters of interest or resume to Isola, IzolA.hall at Birmingham A L.gov.

In lieu of the absence of Madam Pro Tim, here are the announcements for District 9.

The Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association will be held tonight, 6 p.m.

at Fountain Heights Rick.

The Dolomite Neighborhood Association will meet by conference call and the dial-in number, you can call the office for that dial-in number.

The Enon Ridge neighborhood meeting is canceled for Thursday, June 25th.

The next public safety meeting, it is canceled for today, so it will not be held at 1 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call the D9 office at the extensions 2302 and 2096.

Those are all of our announcements for our districts.

At this time, we'll entertain speakers on our speakers list, Mr.

Clerk.

Okay.

Um Joseph Hope.

Hello everyone, Ms.

President, Ms.

President, and uh city council.

Uh I got two things I just want to discuss.

Um, first of all, um, I saw that we had uh meeting yesterday neighborhood meeting, and the police officer said that they were starting to get the things together for the budget for the city jail, and he said they were taking estimates.

And um, we haven't seen any um where you can apply or where you can, if you're a black contractor or any contractor where you can apply to bid on jobs and things that nature.

So although what y'all plan to do is great and awesome with the renovations, um, I would like for some transparency on how we can be it or how we can apply for anything because although a lot stuff y'all say is good, come out of your mouth, it does a good thing, but once it leaves your mouth, there's no way to follow up on how can we be, how can we go through the process?

And he said they were taking estimates.

I didn't see it on the website, I didn't see anything.

So me and others would like to be able to be, even if we don't get it, the opportunity to say we could send a be it would be good progress for the community.

And also um the Penny Foundation, I was granted supposedly granted in 2024 November, um, like 2500 from the Penny Foundation, but I haven't received it.

I've called Mr.

Watson.

There's no office to go to, there's nobody answering the phone number.

There's a lot of turnover because every person you call or email say they they don't work there no more.

So again, another good thing that y'all do.

The money y'all give them is good, but the follow-up, once you once it leave for y'all approval, there's no way to get into us.

There's no emails, no phone numbers, nobody responds back.

So that's a problem for uh citizens as well as me.

So uh I've been calling the guy, Mr.

Waz, he won't answer the phone, he'll send an email, so I call you back, and he never does.

So our own mess for transparency where there's some follow-up steps where it won't be broke down where we're blaming you guys.

So with the Burma Hell jail, if there's an app that you can go to or something, click say if you would like to be it on it as a contractor right there.

And with the penny found that if you have or received some money, can you call us here?

Or is there a building that you can go to that actually talk to somebody because there's nothing there?

And thank you, and like I said, appreciate everything y'all do.

Thank you, Mr.

Holt.

I know you brought two issues uh before us.

One, I appreciate the accolades for the action that we've taken as council and administration to provide resources for our residents as well as our businesses.

I'm gonna allow administration, there is typically there's an RFP process which is uh made aware, and if you just want to speak to that.

Yes, ma'am.

We will follow up with both purchasing the purchasing division and our finance department as well as making certain that you get contact information and coordination with uh with the Penny Foundation and Mr.

Lloyd Watson.

So we'll we'll do follow-up on both of those.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Antoinette Halsman.

Good morning.

As you come forward, you have three minutes.

There's the clock on the both of these uh video screens right here.

And once when it turns to red, you have 30 seconds left.

So just give us your name and your address and the item that you're speaking on.

Okay.

Good morning, City Council and to the mayor and to all this here.

My name is Antoinette Halsey.

I reside at 1519 Green Oak Circle, Birmingham.

And I'm uh coming in to complain about um debris and trash that's been pushed up on my fence and near my property, and it's causing uh armadilla holes, uh scorpions, snakes coming down, and back in uh August of last year, I was bitten in my face by uh African killer bees, and I went into anaphylactic shock, did not die, but I have the pictures where uh I woke up that morning and my cheeks were in my eyes.

So I've gone from the city uh all the way to the county now, and um uh counselor uh I mean um district one helped me to uh talk with this man and they spoke with him.

He changed his property to the LLC and he was hard to find, and he had I sent a certified letter asking him to remove the debris, but when it came down to sending it off, it was uh a zip code for California.

So everything bounced back.

Um they uh got um someone out to um come and uh uh talk well, they sent a letter.

He still got it, and he um he was told that if he did not remove the debris, that uh he would um they would put a lien against this property.

Um he removed one half of a tree where the um the uh power company had put um cut it, and that was it.

Looked up, I saw I was in the window looking out, and he laughed about it and left it there.

Meanwhile, while all of this has been uh taking place uh with the weather, now it's a total mess.

It's a wreck.

My house flooded, and I'm trying to get it finished.

And I dare not have anyone come out there on the property with what's taking place because that would make it even worse, and I would be liable where I almost could have died from going into antip anaphylactic shock.

I don't want anyone else to go through that.

I spoke with uh LaShondra Scales, um Commissioner uh Lashonda Scales, uh her office yesterday, and um the young lady told me I told her I had pictures, I had names of people that had come out and looked at the property, and I um wanted uh them to please get this removed and resolved.

And uh I told her I had pictures again to substantiate the before and after what's taking place now.

She said uh she didn't care about that.

She was gonna only look at what was going on now, and so uh all of that debris has been pushed up on my fence, and with all of that wildlife coming in, it's just not uh good, and it's just it's it's a mess back on that uh back property.

So I'm asking for help with it.

I know you're not the county.

I have gone.

She is the county.

I have come here, and um district one has been able to help me more than uh anyone else has been able uh to help me when they told him that they would put a lien on his property.

He moved then, but then now he's uh like I said, gone LLC, build uh uh set that business with his uh home, and that's that's his business of doing that.

But I need someone to tell me and point me in the right direction because if I I've been hitting the ground running uh from the city to the county to the county commissioner's office and going wherever I could go, and um, this is the first time that I'm speaking, but I know my name has been called on several occasions, so I'm asking, please someone help me before someone gets hurt.

Well, thank you.

Appreciate you uh coming today asking for assistance as you did state your property is in the county, so it doesn't come under uh but district one has helped you out, so let's just hear from Councillor Woods.

Uh thank you just for context.

I do a I think we talked last Tuesday, and definitely appreciate you uh continuing to uh engage.

Uh I know your situation was unique because you're in the city, but the neighbor you're having an issue with is in the county.

Uh so we are trying to have some conversation, see if we can get that resolved just you know amicably above around.

I mean, between neighbors, and so we'll continue working on that and try to avoid that becoming a uh legal situation uh between you two.

But I you know I think there is some uh willingness to engage on part of the other individual, and so hopefully they'll just move the debris.

Uh, but we'll continue to do everything we can from the city side to help you with that.

Okay, so you're saying that it's gonna turn into a legal battle if nothing, is that uh what you're saying?

Right, I mean it it's just uh dispute between neighbors, and so it's you and your neighbor behind you that are having some basically issues along that property line.

And so typically, you know, you can solve a lot of things through just working with everybody, getting everybody to the table to sort it out, and so we are doing a little bit of convening to try to resolve that for you, and so we'll continue doing that, and hopefully we can get that across the finish line for you.

But um, that's kind of where it stands now.

But there has been some willingness to so it doesn't matter about it being on the county uh uh area because it's in the county jurisdiction, but it's private property.

Uh the same way you're in the city, but you own your property.

That's kind of the issue with that property line.

But we have talked to everybody, and so I think there's some opportunity just for uh uh cooler heads to prevail and resolve that, but we'll continue to give you regular updates on that.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Next speaker.

Uh next speaker spoke last week, so um Mr.

Jerry Mike.

Yes, I just just want to.

We're not calling up the speaker at this time because we do have our ordinance does say, Miss Michael, that you have to sign up by 9.30, and you cannot speak consecutively.

So we'll invite you to speak, come back and speak next week, and then you'll be within the confines of our ordinance that did take how we allow speakers.

Okay, I appreciate that, but that is not what you said publicly at a meeting at the end of the MAC.

Also, you just said 9:30.

Yes, we'll think by 95.

Yes, 915.

You are correct.

And I do remember the conversation that you were speaking of, and I believe at that time we were reiterating to you that you would not be able to come back at that time.

You were speaking about a subject, and I believe the conversation was is that you would not be able to come back the next week.

So we'll look forward to having you to come back next week.

Okay, that was not the conversation though, and it's on you know, okay.

Well, at this time said that you just can't speak on the same topic.

Okay.

Ma'am, that is our ordinance.

Three minutes.

Oh ma'am.

We invite you to come back next week.

Please do not break the public's trust.

It is on video.

And please follow our procedures.

And so we're very happy to have you come back next week.

Thank you.

The people have a right to speak.

Next speaker.

Ornette Bryant.

Ms.

Brighton.

Excuse me.

Administrator McDaniel.

Madam President, uh, that oversight is on us, and we'll deal with that.

All right, thank you.

Next speaker, to call the name good morning.

Give us your name and address.

And Councilman Gunn, I'm in his district.

Thank you.

Go ahead.

Okay.

Um, my complaint is the streets that's in our area that comes uh off of East Lake Boulevard.

You have Zion City Roads, you have Alport Road.

We have potholes everywhere.

And I complained in a meeting about that.

They came back and actually put lines, yellow lines, bright and white lines down, but then pay the street, left the potholes in there.

And that's not fair to our community.

But my main problem is my street, which is 9033, 17th Avenue North, is 17th Avenue North Street.

That street, and I've complained ever since uh Councilman Parker was in now, Councilman Moore, Councilman Gunn.

I spoke to Councilman Woods at a meeting, and everybody comes out, they look at it, and then they drop the ball.

I have half of a street that exists, and that's not fair.

That's how my street looks.

Then they came and put some gravel and some tar and said, okay, it's fixed.

Now that was an insult because that street has a hole all the way under, and it took them 15 minutes and told me they have fixed the street, put another cone there.

Now only one car can come up and down the street.

Somebody needs to come and somebody needs to do something about it.

In our area, we also have people that's buying homes.

And what they're doing is renting out the homes, and I have no problem with Mexicans.

But the problem is that they're not giving them the audience of our community.

We have chickens, we have roosters, we have dolls, we have burning of the trees, and we call the fire department.

The fire department tell us to call the health department, the health department comes out and the ball gets dropped.

The neighborhood, and I don't know if this is true or not, but it's hearsay, and I wish the mayor was in here that said that that area was dead to him.

And I hope that's not true, but the actions that I see, it's it's not right.

In the airport, who's responsible for cutting that grass?

They don't cut their grace.

So do they get fined?

That's my question.

Do they get fined?

Who can find the ones that need to be fined for the homes with the chickens and the roosters and burning of the trees?

And who's gonna fix my street?

Thank you, ma'am.

I do appreciate you for bringing this issue to our attention.

We have several avenues that we can work here for you.

We do have administration here.

You've really talked about a few things.

Most of that is under code uh violation and enforcement.

We do have a full department infrastructure that also includes the Department of Transportation that looks at the paving.

We also have the code enforcement piece of that.

So I'm gonna turn this over.

I believe I know that administration will be able to talk with you and give you some guidance on that.

That's right.

That's right, Madam President.

So thank you for raising these issues again.

And our Office of Public Affairs has been tracking what you just noted.

So I know you said that you've had several people come out over those years to investigate.

We'll do uh a lean-in to see where that breakdown is happening over the years and why what you're requesting and what's happening is not lining up.

So our team is gonna be walking very closely with it.

All right.

All right, and I know that councillor Gunn isn't here today, but we will make him aware of um the situation you brought to our attention, and we'll be working with that office as well as administration.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Appreciate you.

Next person, please.

Ricky Green Ricky Green.

All right, that concludes our speakers for today.

At this time, we would like to thank our officers on duty, Officer Pinkert, Terrant, Ingram, and Wesley.

We'd also like to thank our fire inspectors who are on duty today, Inspector Shaw and Griggs.

Counselors, if no other business, we'll entertain a motion for adjournment.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Thank you very much.

Meeting is adjourned.

Thank you.

I'll try it one more time, okay?

I want y'all to put some ump into it.

District three, how we doing.

That's right.

Welcome to the first ever District Three Summerfest in George Ward Far.

Look around, y'all.