The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the City Council Chambers. Council President Alexander presided, with eight members present and Councilmember Williams absent. Mayor Randall Woodfin was also absent; Chief of Staff Cedric Sparks delivered communications from the Mayor. The invocation was given by Rev. Dr. Kelvin Lang, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Pro-Tempore LaTonya Tate. The Council unanimously approved a wide-ranging consent agenda and passed several key resolutions and ordinances, including the continuation of a Hospital-linked Violence Intervention Program (HVIP).
The Council approved the entire consent agenda in a single 8-0 vote. This included 31 resolutions authorizing the abatement and removal of inoperable motor vehicles as public nuisances; a $239,929.69 Grant Fund Budget amendment for the Northside Spark project; a $1.00 license agreement for the RenewFest event on July 25, 2026; a three-year, $1,203,277.28 contract with Routeware, Inc. for DPW routing services; a $40,000.00 forgivable facade improvement loan to Woodlawn Cookhouse LLC; the acquisition of property at 4222 Shiloh Drive for the Shades Creek Greenway Project for $10.00; authorization to apply for State grants for City Walk Maintenance ($250,000) and the Police Athletics Youth Program ($50,000); authorization to apply for a $10,000,000.00 HUD PRO Housing grant; a $14,000.00 settlement in the matter of Denisha Allen v. City of Birmingham; acceptance of a $35,072.01 bid for Legion Field Locker Room Renovations; address corrections for the Pratt Highway Bridge Replacement Project; a bid from Stinger MS, LLC for Fire and Rescue Department appliances; expense accounts for officials and employees; and a resolution declaring 234 properties with noxious weeds a public nuisance, setting a public hearing for August 18, 2026. Items 34 (Sustainable Industrial-Residential Buffers Fund Agreement) and 37 (Small Magic learning ecosystem agreement) were withdrawn from the agenda prior to the vote.
Councilmember O'Quinn introduced Kena Williams, owner of the nonprofit 'Me Time Book Club,' to present on her organization and the 'Behind the Ink' book festival. Williams stated that the festival promotes literacy and has grown significantly, increasing attendance by over 60 percent from 100 attendees in 2021 to over 600 in 2025. The next festival is scheduled for September 25, 2026, at the Harvard Center.
Chief of Staff Cedric Sparks offered condolences on the passing of educator Dr. Willie James Maye. He also announced that applications for the BOLD (Building Opportunities for Lasting Development) program are now open. Sparks stated that over the last eight years, BOLD has directly contributed $6.2 million to 66 local organizations and was allocated $1.5 million in the FY27 budget. A public information forum will be held on July 16, 2026.
Good morning, Birmingham. Today is Tuesday, July 14th. The time is now 9 39 a.m. I call to order the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. The invitation will be led this morning by Reverend Dr. Keldin Lang, pastor of the Bright Lily Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Councillor Pro Tim Latanya Tate. If you're willing and able, please stand and join us. Reverend Lane, good morning. Let's pray. Oh gracious God, we come as humble as we know how thanking you for another opportunity of life. We thank you for the mindset to come to this city hall meeting to serve your people. Now, God, we pray blessings upon this mayor, pray blessings upon this city council. We pray blessings upon the first responders, the city officials and all of the public works apartment that's going to be going to and fro today to see about these your people. Father, we pray blessings upon every resident, every neighborhood, every business today, that they may glorify you in all that they do. Now, Lord, as we prepare this meeting, this agenda has been prepared. We ask that you would lead this meeting with your wisdom and your Holy Spirit. Let every decision that we made today be showered with integrity. Let every discussion be marked with respect, oh God. And Father, we ask right now that every disagreement be handled with grace. And then, oh Lord, this agenda that has been prepared. We pray now that as it goes forth that you would get all of the glory out of it, all of the honor and all of the praise out of it, and that the citizens of this magic city would benefit. This is our prayer. This is our petition. It's in the powerful and precious name of Jesus. We pray that every heart say amen. Amen. Thank you very much. I pledge allegiance. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much, Reverend Lang, for the very thoughtful prayer. We appreciate you starting our morning off for us. Good morning, Mr. Clerk. Morning, Madam President. Would you please call the roll? Uh Councilmember Gunn. Good morning. Morning, sir. Councilmember O'Quinn. Morning, Councilman Member Smith. Good morning. Good morning. Councilmember. Councilmember Vasa. Morning. Councilmember Williams. Councilmember Woods. Good morning. Good morning, Council President Alexander.