Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - June 30, 2026

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 9:38 AM. The meeting was called to order by Council President Alexander, with an invocation by Reverend DJ Manuel and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councillor Hunter Williams. The council approved the consent agenda, passed an ordinance for a multidisciplinary child abuse response team, and heard public comments on mental health, an Ozzy Osbourne airport renaming campaign, and housing needs. District updates and community announcements were also provided.

Consent Calendar

• Items Approved: Items 1–52 and addendum items 53 and 55 were approved by a single motion as consent items. The clerk noted corrections to item 21 (district number changed to district two) and item 23 (amount corrected to $784).

Mayor's Report

• Mayor Woods (via representative) announced city closures on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the 4th of July holiday; police, fire, and 911 services will remain operational. Trash and recycling pickup will not be affected.
• Thunder on the Mountain fireworks display will take place at 9 PM on Saturday, July 4, 2026, above Vulcan Park and Museum. The 20-minute show will feature more than 2,500 fireworks shells synchronized to a patriotic soundtrack, broadcast on local radio stations, in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
• Story Corps partnership: Shay Odin (Rooted Impact Consulting) and Latelia Dawkins (Story Corps) announced a local Story Corps initiative to record and preserve Birmingham residents' stories, including those of multi-generational businesses, veterans, community leaders, artists, and everyday residents. Interviews will be archived in the Library of Congress.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Nadia Monique Johnson (1545 Valley View Circle, Birmingham, AL 35209; founder/CEO of Black Women's Mental Health Institute) announced the 2026 Mental Health Equity and Liberation Summit, its 10th anniversary, taking place July 23, 2026, at UAB, hosted by the African American Studies Department. She highlighted that the institute provides free counseling to the entire state of Alabama, having delivered over 8,000 hours of free counseling (approximately 300 hours per month) and reaching 61% of counties in less than three years. The state ranks 50th in mental health workforce, with only one licensed clinician per 740 residents. She invited council members to sponsor the event and bring services to their districts, noting support from Councilwoman Smithman and Councilwoman Tate.
• Daniel Hudson (Seven Hollyfield Avenue, B911 QJ, Birmingham, England) traveled 4,000 miles to request an honorary resolution of support from the Birmingham City Council for a campaign to rename Birmingham International Airport (UK) after the late music icon Ozzy Osbourne. The campaign has nearly 80,000 supporters, including Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, but has been rejected by local airport authorities. Hudson stated that Birmingham, Alabama, understands the power of music and asked the council to stand with the UK's second city.
• Mr. Banks (fifth-generation Birmingham resident, graduate of Morehouse College, student at Lawson State in building construction) spoke about the need for housing in a city with a declining population. He criticized the approval of $1.5 million for demolition, advocating instead for deconstruction and reuse of materials to create new housing. He called for tripling the critical repair program budget, noting that 900 people applied but only 100 were served, and for stronger land banking policies, citing a $500,000 allocation for strategic land banking as insufficient (potentially only funding one $300,000 house and $200,000 in additional costs).

Discussion Items

• Item 54 – Ordinance for Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Response Interlocal Cooperation Agreement: An ordinance authorizing the mayor and police chief to execute a one-year interlocal cooperation agreement establishing a multidisciplinary team to respond to child abuse. Participating entities include the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, the cities of Bessemer, Brighton, Fairfield, Hoover, Hewittown, Lipscomb, Midfield, and Pleasant Grove, the Clay House Children's Advocacy Center, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, and licensed Alabama mental health professionals. Councillor Williams expressed support, noting the importance of collaboration across municipalities to help the entire metro area. The ordinance was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved: All items on the consent agenda (including addendum items 53 and 55) were approved by unanimous vote.
• Item 54 Passed: The ordinance for the child abuse response interlocal agreement passed with all council members voting aye.
• Meeting Adjourned: The council voted to adjourn after public comments and district updates.

District Updates & Announcements

• Councilmember Gunn (District 4): Announced neighborhood association meetings: Maple Grove (Monday, 6:30 PM, teleconference); Zion City (Monday, 6:30 PM, teleconference); Brownsville Heights (Monday, 6:30 PM, Brownsville Heights Community Center); Collegeville (Monday, 6:30 PM, Greater New Antioch Baptist Church); Fairmont (Tuesday, 6:30 PM, North Birmingham Library); Brent Heights (Tuesday, 6:30 PM, Brownsville Heights Community Center). Next community development committee meeting: Monday, July 6, 2026, 3:30 PM, council chambers.
• Councilmember Smith (District 2): Announced the Magic City Sickle Cell Walk (June 14, 2026); D6 Fest (District 6 event by Councilwoman Smithman); Recycled Runway exhibition at Birmingham Museum of Art through August 2, 2026; Parks and Recreation meeting Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 9 AM at Legion Field; citywide parks survey at BHM Parks 2035.com; College Hills and Central Pratt neighborhood meetings Monday, 6 PM.
• Councilmember Woods (District 1): Spring Lake/Echo Holland's meeting canceled; Apple Valley meeting canceled; recognized Tammy Calton (TC Counseling) and students in a four-week 'Transformation Through Work' program; invited public to the 2026 Man Up Breakfast on Saturday, July 11, 2026; promoted district newsletter (text D1 to 2058).
• Councilmember O'Quinn (District 5): East Lake and Forest Park South Avondale meetings canceled (next August 4, 2026); Wahoma meeting Thursday, July 2, 2026, 6 PM at East Lake Library; Transportation Infrastructure Committee meeting Monday, July 13, 2026, 2 PM in council chambers; Ballard House Project's 'What Makes You Free Art Day' Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 10 AM–3 PM; District 5 Health Fair and Back to School event Saturday, August 8, 2026, 9 AM–2 PM at Parker High School (partnering with Alpha Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity).
• Councilmember Vasa (District 3): Congratulated Legend Simmons (fifth grader, Avondale Elementary) as the fastest 10-year-old runner in the nation (ran 49.25 in the 300 meters). New district website: District3Bham.com; email: District3@birminghamal.gov. No Forest Park meeting tonight (next August 4, 2026); Glen Iris meeting Monday, July 6, 2026, 6:30 PM at St. Eliza Church.
• Councilmember Smithman (District 6): Reported a successful three-day District 6 Fest (Comedy Show, Brunch, festival, giveaway, church service at Taysow West End), with many children and families enjoying pools despite negative media coverage. Promoted free community fitness class 'One Step to Fitness' starting Monday, July 6, 2026, 9–10 AM at Holy Family Crystal Ray (1832 Santa Way South). Next farmers market July 11, 2026, 1:30 PM at Memorial Park (free barbecue, watermelon, flowers). Thanked sponsors: Commissioner Tyson, Music Speaks Louder Than Words, Series Entry Law Group, HICA (soccer tournament champions).
• Councilmember Williams (District 4): Eastwood neighborhood meeting Thursday, July 2, 2026, 6:30 PM; wished a happy and safe 4th of July.
• Council President Pro Tempore Tate: Central Pratt neighborhood association meeting Monday, July 6, 2026, at How Sanford Rick Center (320 Avenue D). Attended the second annual 'Pull Up for Peace' event in Atlantic City with national violence reduction organizations. Discussed reducing violence in Birmingham with Mayor Ras Baraka (New Jersey initiatives). Announced 'Rise of the Program' at Miles College (50 students from Jefferson County) partnering with Dr. Jamila T. Davis, Dr. Bobby Knight, Uche Bean, and others; program runs through Thursday.
• Council President Alexander (District 7): No meetings scheduled this week; Jones Valley meeting canceled. Wished a happy and safe 4th of July. Cicely Philips neighborhood meeting canceled (resumes in August).