Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on July 21, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the City Council Chambers. Council President Alexander was absent; President Pro Tempore LaTonya Tate presided. The meeting opened with prayer by Rev. Jermaine R. Johnson and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Brian Gunn. The council approved minutes from May 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2026, and addressed a consent agenda, a zoning public hearing resolution, and public comments. The meeting adjourned at 1:54 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes for May 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2026 (minutes for June 2 through July 14, 2026, were not ready).
• Adopted all consent agenda items (Resolutions 1487-26 through 1525-26) by a unanimous 7-0 vote. Items included:
  • Transfer of beer/wine licenses for Alpha Food Mart 3, Med Center Food Mart, and liquor licenses for Ocean and SZND Bayou.
  • Operating authority permit for Professional Driver Service, LLC (limousine/prearranged service).
  • Towing service licenses for Nikolas Wiley (New Towing) and Raod Alzouhiri (RMZ Body Shop).
  • Abatement of nuisances on approximately 100 properties (weed abatement and inoperable vehicle removal) with costs assessed as liens.
  • Agreements with Offender Alumni Association (Heal the Block event, $7,000 from District 6 and 9 funds) and Crestline Park Community Foundation (events, $3,500 from neighborhood funds).
  • Contract with Carpet Specialties, Inc. for floor tile replacement at Division of Youth Services ($79,855.15).
  • Bids for network transport services, walk-off mats, Dell products, and book purchases.
  • Approval of itemized and advanced expense accounts for appointed officials and city employees.

Public Comments & Testimony

Six citizens addressed the council:

• Debra Sample (1411 55th Street, Wylam): Requested code enforcement action against a property owner with multiple houses on 55th Street, describing overgrown lots, inoperable vehicles, and a fire truck access issue. She stated she had been dealing with the issue for eight years and noted that the property's condition negatively impacted the market value of her principal's home. The administration acknowledged the complaint and committed to follow-up.
• Mallory Bates (3465 South Gaylor Court, Colorado): Expressed opposition to data center developments in Birmingham, arguing they are being rushed and will harm the environment and water resources. She urged the council to slow the process and allow more public input.
• Tammie Smith (1708 33rd Avenue North): Advocated for speed bumps to slow traffic near 33rd Street and requested trimming of overgrown trees on city property that are dropping large branches. She praised the city's progress in recent years.
• Garland Belcher (3924 39th Court North): Complained about overgrown grass and trees on adjacent properties, stating the city had not maintained them for three years. He also noted parked vehicles without tags, describing the area as a junkyard, and requested the city resume spraying and cutting.
• Robert Banks (1613 28th Street, Ensley): Expressed concerns about lack of paving, overgrown grass, insufficient parks and recreation services, and the absence of a certified grocery store in Ensley. He called for councilors and the mayor to engage more directly with the community beyond entertainment events.
• Eric Hall (1721 Cullom Street South, District 3): Criticized the administration for prioritizing parties over people and for viewing accountability as an attack. He praised Councilor Darrell O'Quinn for visiting a homeless shelter without publicity and urged all councilors to be transformative leaders. He also expressed concerns about authoritarianism and security responses to constituents.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 1526-26 (Zoning Public Hearing): Council discussed the required advertisement period for a public hearing on a proposed zoning map amendment (Case ZAC2026-08004) to change property at 1240 22nd Street South from MU-M (Mixed Use Medium) to QMU-H (Qualified Mixed Use High). The Planning and Zoning Committee recommended the change, but the Zoning Advisory Committee (Z.A.C.) did not. City staff stated the practice is to advertise for four weeks. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0), setting the public hearing for August 25, 2026, at 9:30 AM.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution 1526-26 adopted unanimously (7-0), scheduling a public hearing on the zoning map amendment for August 25, 2026.
• Council announcements included updates on neighborhood meetings, health fairs, school supply distributions, and community events.
• The council directed the administration to follow up on citizen complaints regarding code enforcement, traffic calming, and property maintenance.