Now that just mark that outside.

Yeah.

Yeah, those would steal money.

I guess that was no feeling.

So this is the obvious fool.

Okay.

Another hair one.

It should be okay.

You know what I'm saying?

Good morning, Birmingham.

Today is Tuesday, July the twenty first.

The time is nine thirty-five AM.

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

The invitation will be led this morning by Reverend Jermaine Johnson.

He's the senior pastor of Green Liberty Baptist Church, located in Birmingham, Alabama.

The pledge of allegiance will be laid by Councillor Gunn.

If you are willing and able, please stand and join us in a moment of prayer.

Good morning.

Would you pray with me?

God, our Father, gracious and mighty one.

Matchless Savior.

Lord, we ask that you would be with us this day.

We thank you for another opportunity to be here in these places where you allow us to dwell.

Lord, dwell in this place.

Cover us in this meeting.

Lord, we lift up our city officials, our counselors, our mayor, and his staff.

Keep them in their perfect pieces.

Their mind is stayed on you.

We continue to ask that you would protect us as a city.

Put your hand on our young people.

Cover them as they prepare to begin to come back to school.

Make those places safe, Lord.

Continue to lift up our city and protect it as only you can.

Lord, we lift up these prayers in your holy son Jesus' name.

Amen.

Thank you, Reverend Johnson, for leading us in the prayer this morning.

Taking our time in your schedule to come and take us in prayer this morning.

Good morning, Miss Clerk.

Good morning.

Can you give us a roll call, please?

Yes, ma'am.

Councilmember Gunn.

Good morning, Councilmember O'Quen.

Good morning, Councilmember Smith.

Councilmember Smithman.

Good morning.

Councilmember Vasa.

Good morning, Councilmember Williams.

Good morning, Councilmember Woods.

Good morning.

President Pro Tim Tate.

Good morning.

Good morning, and Council President Alexander.

Thank you very much.

Council, I would like to ask for approval of the minutes, previous minutes from May the 5th, 12th, 19, and 2026.

Some of all in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

All opposed.

Okay, councillors.

The minutes are not ready for June the 2nd, 2026 through July the 14th, 2026.

Now we will have communications from the mayor.

Good morning, Madam Pro Tim.

Good morning to the members of the council, members of the public, all those, although all those under the sound of my voice.

We do not have a mayor's report today.

Okay.

Miss Clerk, is there any nominations to boards and agencies?

No, ma'am.

We have not received any from the council office.

Okay.

At this time, councils, we will consider items listed for consent.

And I will read as written.

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 citizens interested in public hearings, so request.

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

All matters will be announced by reading the item number on all public hearings will be announced.

Yes, ma'am.

The consent agenda begins on page number two with items one, two, three, four, and five.

Page three, we have items six, seven, and eight.

Go over to page 11, and we have paid item number nine.

Page 12.

We have items 10, 11, 12, 13.

On page 13, we have items 14, 15, 16, and 17.

On page 14, we have items 18, 19, and 20.

On page 15, we have items 21, 22, 23, and 24.

On page 16, we have items 25, 26, 27, and 28.

Okay.

On page 17, we have items 29 and 30.

Please note on item 29.

The amount of money.

It will be for district six.

They will be giving two thousand dollars.

And for district nine, it is five thousand dollars.

Okay.

On page 18, we have items 31, 32, and 3.

On page 19, we have items 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38.

On page 20, we have item 39, and that completes the consent agenda.

Thank you, Ms.

Clark.

Councils, are there any items you would like to have added or removed to consent from consent?

See and none.

It is saying we will entertain a motion.

So move.

The public on the public hearing items.

Oh, public hearing.

Okay.

Just uh did anybody in the audience wants to speak to any of the public.

Anybody in the audience would like to speak to any of the items?

C and none.

We will entertain a motion.

So move.

Second.

All in favor?

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

All opposed.

Thank you.

If you were here for any items that were on consent, all of those items have passed, and we will continue with today's agenda.

First item, Ms.

Clerk.

The first item will be on page 20.

And it is item number 40.

It is a resolution setting a public hearing August 25th, 2026 to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham.

Case number ZAC 2026-0804 to that to change zone district boundaries from MUM mixed use medium district to QMUH qualified mixed use high district filed by C Randall Minor, Maynard Nixon, the applicant, and Arlington Redevelopment LLC, the property owner for property generally located at 1240 22nd Street South and situated in section six one quarter a quarter section two township 18 range 2 West Birmingham.

That's 35205.

Okay.

Um I have a question about this item.

Um we received the inquiry.

Um co-chair Vasa and I received the inquiry about the required uh publication or the part required advertisement period uh for advertising a public hearing.

Um just like to ask a question how many how much lead time is required to advertise these public hearings before we can actually hold the public hearing.

Okay.

So attorney King, are you okay?

Give me about five minutes, we'll get an answer.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, Miss Clerk, do we need to come back to this this item as we move with table item 40?

Okay.

All in favor, let it be known by saying we have an answer.

You got the answer.

Okay, thank you.

Our PEP teams had about four weeks.

What the exact number of days is that they require uh public hearing be advertised before you can hold it.

I I know that we have been um that it's been the city's practice to advertise for four weeks, but I was just um you know, I think we're doing above and beyond what's actually required.

So just wanted to know what the exact requirement was.

So we'll tag team with the office of the city attorney on the state requirement.

Any other questions about these items?

Okay, at this time we will entertain a vote.

The vote has started councilor Williams.

That vote should be up.

The vote is up.

Okay.

All right.

All right, that item passes the council agenda.

So at this time we were entertaining all and new buses and any requests from the public.

Anybody ready to give their reports?

Councillor Gunn.

Announcements.

Yes.

Yes.

Madam Pro Tem.

Uh, here are my announcements for District 4.

Uh, the District 4 office will be hosting mobile office hours today uh from 2 p.m.

to 3 30 p.m.

at the Harriman Park uh recreation center.

This is just an opportunity for residents to come out and get to meet me, ask me questions, and then for us to provide city resources uh to connect them to uh some of the questions that they may have.

Uh also uh happening this week.

Uh the UAB Live Help Smart Mobile Market will be in the Norwood community uh at the Norwood Community Center uh this Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.

And then last uh announcement I'd like to wish the England Branch Library a happy 47th birthday.

Uh they celebrated 47 years last Friday, so congratulations to their wonderful team and all the work that they're doing uh over in the England community.

Uh neighborhood associations for this week.

Uh tonight at 6 p.m.

Uh the Woodlawn Public Library will host the Southwood Lawn Neighborhood Association.

Uh Pine Old Vista will have their neighborhood association this Thursday at 6 30 p.m.

via teleconference.

Kingston is next Monday at 6 p.m.

at the Royal Event Center, and then Harriman Park this Thursday at 6 p.m.

Uh at the Harriman Park Recreation Center.

The next community development meeting is Monday, August 3rd at 3 30 p.m.

in the city council chambers.

If you have any items uh that you would like to submit for the agenda, please send them to Adairis May at Adaris.may at Birmingham AL.gov by the close of business Monday, July 27th.

Thank you.

That concludes my announcements.

Thank you, Councillor Gone.

Counselor Woods.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Um the Summit Valley Neighborhood Association will meet today at 6 30 p.m.

That meeting will be held via Zoom.

Uh if you're interested in participating in that meeting, email bhm district one at gmail.com for more information.

The Huffman Neighborhood Association will meet on Monday, July 27th at 7 p.m.

That meeting is held at Huffman Baptist Church.

Uh always encourage everyone to get involved and participate in your neighborhood meetings.

Uh District 1 survey is coming up on July 25th.

And so this is a uh good opportunity to plug in.

We'll be uh rolling up our sleeves, getting involved in a number of ways.

Uh this will be from 8 30 a.m.

to 1 30 p.m.

Uh we'll be volunteering at multiple sites, uh including uh painting at Huffman Middle School.

Uh we'll be partnering with House Proud to uh complete another improvement project and uh clean up and other service opportunities throughout the district.

So registration is available at BHM District 1.com.

And uh we'll be pushing that out as well through uh social one reminder the budget and finance committee will meet next Monday, July 27th at 3 30 p.m.

in council chambers budget submissions are due uh by Wednesday uh July 22nd at noon.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Woois.

Counselor Quinn.

Thank you, madam pro tem Central City Neighborhood Association.

We'll meet tonight at 6 p.m.

at the Central Library Southeast Lake will meet on Monday at 6 p.m.

at East Lake UMC.

Uh the annual District 5 Health Fair will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 9 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

at Parker High School.

We are partnering with the Alpha 5 chapter of Omega Psy Five Fraternity Incorporated.

This health fair is free and will offer health screens, community resources, back to school supplies, and a blood drive.

Please contact the district five office for additional details or opportunities to participate.

Applications are now open for the Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance.

This will be participants will be given tools to enhance their reach, grow their impact, and apply for funding opportunities.

You can find more information at WWW Kara Now dot org that's C-A-R-A-N-O-W.org to complete the application.

And that concludes my announcements.

Thank you, Council O'Queen.

Counselor Voss, are you ready?

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

Upcoming District 3 events.

We have a D3 school supply pop up August 1st from 10 to 12 p.m.

at Bessie Estel Park.

We'll be distributing supplies that we gathered at our district three summer fest.

And we are inviting all families from Epic Elementary, Glen Iris Elementary, and Avondale Elementary Schools to come out and pick up school supplies for the upcoming year.

We also this past Friday were very proud to sponsor the 2026 Restore Games.

It was an incredible opportunity for young people to come out and explore career opportunities, mentorship, and connections for the future.

Very very excited about that event and uh glad to be a part of it.

Uh keep up with everything district three at district three beham.com, the number three.

And remember, if you want to email our office, you can do so at district three at Birmingham Mail.gov number three.

Tonight we have five point south neighborhood association meeting at Highlands United Methodist Church.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

Thank you, Councilor Vasa.

Counselor Smitherman.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tim.

Um as far as neighborhood meetings, the five point south neighborhood as Councillor Vasa um just mentioned will meet at 6 p.m.

today.

Then Woodland Park Neighborhood will meet on Monday, July 27th at 6 p.m.

at the Woodland Park Church of Christ.

Um it was a pleasure to attend the 31st respect back to school rally and more than conquerors faith church this past Saturday.

Uh they gave out more than 1,000 book bags, iPad, school supplies, and other giveaways.

Uh we served as a vendor as well to give out school supplies, um, free books, uh thank you to Better Basics as well.

We also have Birmingham Park and Rec and GMC there with the survey that they still need um feedback on the survey on what your parts would what you would like your parts and recreations to look like.

Um so I'm always happy to support them.

Then uh join us this Thursday starting at 5 30 p.m.

This is our community health forum in partnership with Brenda Brown Bosom Buddies.

This will be at the Arlington House via free food, um, free conversation on nutrition, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and just good health and wellness among us.

So it's titled A Conversation to Save Our Communities as well.

We hope to see you there.

Then every Monday until the last Monday in September, we have Get Fit While You Sit.

This is a free community fitness class led by veteran DJ Maestro.

Our next class will take place this Monday at 9 30 a.m.

at Holy Family Crystal Ray or Crystal Ray Birmingham High School.

So come get moving and have fun and stay active.

Also, we have two events on July 24th.

Uh first Green Liberty Baptist Church in Tittysville, located at 121 Fifth Avenue South.

We'll be hosting a mobile market and wellness in partnership with Live Hillsmart, Alabama.

Um they'll be giving away $10 market vouchers upon completion of uh wellness.

And then also Alpha Omega Group will be hosting uh an event helping senior citizens with their utility bills.

That'll be this Friday from 9 to 2 at new Piercrum Baptist Church.

And then I'm sure Madam Proton will mention save the date for Peace on the Block.

That will be Saturday, August 1st from 10 to 2, and be at 1200 Suscaloosa Avenue as well.

And then I really enjoyed um Councillor Smith.

Don't let me mess up your title.

Um while you black and bloom.

Black and bloom, I won't say bloom while you're blaming it.

Black and bloom.

I really enjoyed it.

Um it was amazing just seeing Ansley come to life, and I loved all the different classes, the arts.

I was able to paint.

I love to paint.

I'm not a good artist.

But um I know the concert was great, so congratulations on a very good event.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Smith.

Counselor Wills.

Thank you.

Economic Development Tourism Committee will be in these chambers 11:30 today.

And Crestland neighborhood will be meeting Thursday, the 23rd at 6 o'clock at the regular Space Hope Church.

That's all I got.

Thank you, Council Wing.

Counselor Smith.

Yes.

So yes, on Saturday, we hosted our Block and Bloom block party, um, community block party in ENSLE with our partners, the Flourish Alabama.

I want to say first thank you to um several of our sponsors, Coca-Cola, BBB came out and really helped out with us, um, parts and recreation, Eagles Investment, AEG Entertainment.

So just want to thank our sponsors, but also want to thank my fellow counselors for coming and showing your support and painting and dancing and doing yoga and all the things that were happening there.

So we had wonderful volunteers.

This couldn't have been done without the volunteers, many volunteers that we had.

So just want to say thank you to everyone for coming out, and we look to see what the future holds with that event.

Um, also Parks and Recreation is still conducting the citywide community survey.com to complete that survey.

Um, and additionally, pools will extend their hours to include Sundays through Labor Day.

So starting in August, pools will be open on Saturday and Sunday, and aqua aerobics at McAlpine will every Wednesday will still continue.

Thanks.

Thank you, Council Smith.

These are the announcements for District 9.

Evergreen neighborhood meeting will be tonight at 5 p.m.

at the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church located at 2009, 22nd Avenue North.

East Thomas Neighborhood meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m.

And they meet on Zoom.

You can call the office for the Zoom link.

South Pret Neighborhood Meeting will be held tonight at 6:30.

Lively Hope Baptist Church 905 Court Then Ridge neighborhood meeting will be held on Thursday at 5:30 at the New Salem Baptist Church, and Drew Hill Neighborhood meeting will be held on Monday, July the 27th at 6 p.m.

at Protective Stadium, located at 2100, Richard Arrington Junior Boulevard.

The next public safety meeting will be held on Tuesday, July the 28th at 1 p.m.

in the city council chamber.

Please submit agenda items by Wednesday, July the 22nd, no later by 12 noon to the following recipients.

Gregory Dot Stanley at Birmingham AL.gov and I shun to Dr.

Little at Birmingham AEL.gov.

I echo Council Smitheman's Council Smith put on a grand Diosis event this weekend, had a very great time, Flourish, Alabama.

Some great partners, and just to see, you know, the block was blooming on Saturday, so it was a real great event.

Um that's all I have at this time.

Ms.

Clerk, are there any speakers?

Yes, ma'am.

We have several.

The first speaker is Deborah Sample.

Okay, ma'am.

If you could just step to the mic and give us your name and your address, and you have three minutes to speak, it's two monitors on each side, so monitor your time so it three you only have three minutes to speak.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Allowing me to speak.

Yes.

Uh Ms.

Tate, I did try to get a hold of you to let you know that I would be coming on the issue that I'm bringing forth.

But uh I was not able to ever get a call back from you.

The chief of staff told me that he takes everything and he does everything, and all you do is show up on Tuesdays.

So that was his words.

But I wanted you to know that I was coming.

I wanted to be respectful, let you know that I was coming because it's in your district at 1411, 55th Street in uh Wallum.

Uh this is an issue, and I'm Deborah Sample.

This is Mr.

Shepherd, he owns uh 1417.

Mr.

Meeks, he owns 1615.

And Michelle is the real estate lady.

I have been dealing with this property.

I am Walter Vedosa's POA.

I've been dealing with this issue with Birmingham for uh just figured it's eight years since October of 18.

Oh 55th Street is absolutely horrible.

And one individual has six or so houses on this street, and it is a total dump.

He has a junkyard, a closed-in junkyard, but this is the front of his house.

And he has multiple commercial vehicles.

A fire truck can't get through the street because everything's blocked.

The city has put out notices for weeds.

From what I understand, Miss Williams has been trying to deal with this issue with this individual for a long time herself.

Now, Mr.

Vedosa was given notice back in October of 1417, which Mr.

Shepherd now owns.

His son had passed away the February before this.

And he had record cars, city in October.

Said, hey, you got to get all this cleaned up.

It was no mercy.

We had six months after his death before anything could be done.

But all the property was cleaned up.

This was not.

So I got the I got paperwork from 2018 backing up where y'all I've sent y'all certified letters.

I've got letters with the mayor.

And this was highlighted and sent.

Every one of these violations, this gentleman is breaking and has been since 2018.

Before 2018, as a matter of fact.

The city's property, he's even got which this has just been moved.

This is on city property.

And I could never understand why the stickers was not put on city property.

This is a bus, car, car motors, uh, fort lifts.

And no telling what's in behind this.

This is city property.

The grass, everybody tries to, when y'all send notices, everybody tries to tend to their stuff on the street.

We have Mr.

Meeks Yard, nice neat.

Another house just across from this, nice neat.

Most neighbors try to take up there.

Mr.

Vedosa has had to go to a memory care unit.

And I don't know if you're aware, but once you're out of your money, and you have to go in under state, you have to sell your home for its market value.

Guess what?

Nobody wants to buy on that street.

Miss Knight, the realtor, she can back me on this.

She's got people telling her, not on that street.

City of Birmingham needs to buy this house.

It's just, it's sad.

But I I mean, it's now to where how am I supposed to deal with the state to get the property value when the city is stopping me?

Thank you, Miss Sample, for that information.

Chief, um, can you definitely get somebody to um assist?

Yes, thank you for the visibility on what you all have been experiencing.

Uh we have engaged our code enforcement team after hearing what you're saying.

What we've been told is that there has been some tolling that has begun, but we'll also do some follow-up directly with you on where this matter is currently, and now we're tracking it, so we'll make sure the council has follow-up as well.

Thank you for the visibility.

Well, I appreciate it.

I hate that I I've had to wait till now, but I mean now I'm at a stopping point.

I I I've sent letters and I've tried to do everything the proper way.

And please thank you, Mr.

Get us a resolution.

Thank you.

All right, well, I work with the administration to um give the resolution next speaker, Miss Clerk.

So that also takes care of Mr.

Shepherd and Mr.

Meeks.

Okay.

I think they were all together.

Uh next is Mallory Bates.

Space steps the good morning.

Um give us your name and your address, and you have three minutes to speak.

Okay.

Mallory Bates.

Don't need to say anything else.

3465, South Gaylord Court, Colorado.

Okay.

Your time.

Good morning.

Listen, I have something to tell you.

This morning, I want to talk about the data centers going up in Birmingham, Alabama.

These projects are being rushed, but they are not inevitable.

We the people deserve to know the truth about the future being sold to us.

Our magic city is a special place surrounded by ancient rivers and beautiful trees.

And imagine the impact of the developments that could have on future generations.

Let us slow down the process and allow all voices to speak.

The moratorium will mean nothing if these data centers go up.

Once a hyperscale data center goes up, we cannot undo the damage.

Imagine a future where water bottles are $50, where you're having to pay to shower once a week.

Our rivers dried up for what?

So billionaires could fulfill their dreams of controlling society.

That's not a dream.

It's a nightmare.

Democracy is a slow and painful process, and all voices must be heard.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Miss Bates.

Next speaker, Miss Clerk.

Tammy Smith.

Morning, Miss Tammy Smith.

Your name and address for the record, please.

Good morning, Council.

Um Tammy Smith, 1708 33rd Avenue North.

My concern today is actually about safety.

Um, where I live, which Miss Tate know um traffic, they they go really fast in the area.

Um I'm here to advocate for speed bumps because it might slow them down.

A lot of them is going to Cipical Pike Shop.

And when they come up that 33rd Street exit, if they turn another problem right there is that the uh right away is almost to the sign and it's getting higher.

And I know it's been raining a lot, so I know it's hard to get to.

So I'm asking with um, I don't know who handles that to maybe get out there and cut it because it makes that area even more dangerous than it all the way is.

And my other safety concern is that there's a tree, which is this only city property that is in front of our house, and this one across the street in front of that neighbor's house.

It had overgrown over to the neighbor's yard and also overgrown over to the middle of the street, also over to our rooftop.

So it's and as the more it rained, it tends to break off with branches, fall out the tree, and these are not small branches.

So I'm asking with somebody possibly to come out there and look and maybe cut it back, because I was told it once upon a time they did cut it back, but I don't think nobody had nothing to say the last few years because I have to say I have seen more progress in our areas in the last I'm gonna say four to six years than I didn't see in a long time, especially Hooper City.

So I you can't be sitting there not doing nothing if the work is getting done.

So I I beg the difference of her making that statement.

I know that you got to show up to get, I mean, so my it's just and my concern is really safety now, and I want to just tell you guys, I think you're doing an awesome job.

This city is growing so much, and I'm around in all different sides of town, and you can see the growth, and it's clean, and they it always I'm proud.

When I I think Birmingham is one of the very nice, it's a nice place to live.

I really do.

And I understand why everybody's at it because it's a nice place, it's convenient, and everybody wants it.

So, because I'd rather keep what I got than to deal with what we hear all these other counselors and mayors and stuff going through.

They became fighting so much and don't get nothing done.

At least we see progress from the administration that we have, and I must say I'm very proud of you all.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs.

Smith.

Next speaker, Ms.

Clerk.

Garland Belcher.

Mr.

Belcher, come to the mic, state your name and address, and you have three Ms.

My name is Garland Belcher.

Okay.

I live at 3924, 39th Court North.

And England up community.

I have a problem with overgrown grass and trees on both sides of me.

And I'm almost 80 years old.

I'm doing the best I can do to cut it back.

And the city has been doing it for the past, they hadn't did it in about three years.

They were doing it.

I mean it's it's awful.

And they put signs out, or this, that, and the other, but that don't help me.

And uh I'm doing the best I can.

I'm living me and my wife on a fixed income.

We haven't had to pay people to clean off somebody else's property.

The keep is overgrowing it.

I have a house pressure wash three times this year for all those limbs and greenery.

I need some help.

I wish the city would just reconsider and do that a lot.

If you don't do now, nothing.

I'll try to pay somebody to keep it down.

Because the awards coming out spraying it after they cut it, they would come back maybe four or five months later and spray and kill killer.

But they're not doing anything now.

And it's just it's just too much.

So I wish uh it's in your community.

So look at it.

Just and look at the park cars on the street with no tags on.

And I mean, it just looks like a junkyard.

I appreciate it if you all could do anything to help help me out.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Bletcher.

Um Councillor Garnegie with you and the administration.

Thank you.

Next speaker, Ms.

Clerk, Robert Banks.

Bless you.

Good morning, Mr.

Banks.

State your name, address, and you have three minutes to speak.

Three minutes.

Good morning, Robert Banks, 1613, 28th Street in Insta.

I come with the concerns of the citizens of Ansley on what we need.

Answer need a whole lot of help.

We already know that the roads ain't been paved, the grass overgrown, all those sorts of same things that go on every year, every week.

Park and Rick ain't doing their job.

But most of all, we don't even have a certified grocery store there.

We only have merinos.

They don't do nothing for the community.

So we need better grocery stores.

We need to try to implicate better businesses in Ensley.

And y'all, we had to blossom on bloom, but Einsley ain't blossoming nowhere.

It ain't going nowhere, it ain't blossoming nowhere, unless counselors as well as citizens work together and start building these fake coalitions and groups that ain't getting out in the community, stopping the violence.

I'm just being honest.

I don't see them out there in the community.

I'm in the community.

Now it's all good for entertainment, and we bring certain people here.

That's good.

But we need counselors as well as the mayor, as well as policemen without locking people up to go inside the community and really deal with the youth, take your uniform off, take your tit off, and go in there and deal with the people and know what the people really want in the community.

Like I said, we have blossom and bloom on the block.

But if you was on that same street, you seen them same holes that I see.

So what was blossoming about that?

Nothing.

So at the end of the day, we appreciate the entertainment.

We even appreciate the food and book bag giveaways.

We all do that.

But what we need to answer is a vibrant understanding of a whole community and work together.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Banks.

Your comments is well noted.

Next speaker, Ms.

Clerk, Eric Hall, Mr.

Hall.

Come to the mic, state your name, address, and sir, you have three minutes to speak.

Good morning.

My name is Eric Hall.

I reside at 1721 Cullham Street South, which is in Council District 3.

This morning I rise to say as a child, I was raised watching Mr.

Rogers' neighborhood.

And this famous saying is it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

A beautiful day for a neighbor.

Would you be mine?

Could you be mine?

Won't you be my neighbor?

And that's the question that I have for all of you today.

Would you be my neighbor?

Many of you know me as a community activist, and I have a wonderful opportunity to travel around the world to train other organizers about authoritarianism and how do we how do we fight an authority authoritarian regime?

And I usually get applause, applause when people say he's from Birmingham, Alabama, and they think about the fight of the foot soldiers and the civil rights history and the legacy that we have in Birmingham, Alabama, but it's a sad reality when I have to tell them that I'm fighting an authoritarian regime.

I'm fighting leadership that instead of accepting accountability as a call of to do something, the leadership respond with it as if we are attacking the people.

I've never seen an administration that look at a call for accountability as I'm a call for an attack.

And instead of listening to the people, what you all have made a decision to do is invest in more security.

Instead of allowing the people to come to your office, you want to greet us with police and security.

And it's wrong.

Allow people to listen to people.

Never tell someone that you don't have to talk with them or you don't have to meet with them.

You all are elected officials.

You signed up to talk to the people.

You signed up to listen to the people and to hear from the people.

And so with that being said, as I close, I want to say this.

We have some priority issues in the city of Birmingham.

And what I'm seeing is that one, we are prioritizing parties over people.

And the people are not getting what they deserve.

And you all hear it, and you all see it, and I know you all you all know what's right.

I want to acknowledge Councillor Darrell O'Quinn.

Darrell O'Quinn without any cameras, without any spotlight, without any notice, he went to a homeless shelter.

He went to a homeless shelter where I work at, and he wanted to see the beds.

He wanted to see what were the needs of the people.

And I applaud that.

That's the kind of leadership that we need from all of you to address the issues.

Poverty exists not because of it is what it is.

It exists because of bad policy or the lack thereof of policies.

We elected you to be leaders, transformative leaders, visionaries.

Be the leader that we elected you to be.

But don't be a leader that's sold out.

Represent your people.

With that, I yield.

Thank you so much for the time.

Thank you, Mr.

Hall.

Miss Speaker, any more speakers?

No, ma'am, that's the last speaker.

All right, this time we would thank the officers on duty today.

Officer Pinker, Officer Wesley, and our spy and fire inspectors on duties, Inspector Shaw, and Inspector Greggs.

At this time, we will entertain a motion for second.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

All opposed.

Meeting adjourn.

Thank you.

Um I am an entire formation of the home officer for the department of races for me.

Again, thank you all so much for being here.

Every one of us has a role to play, whether you represent education, business, faith communities, nonprofit organizations, local governments, neighborhood associations, or simply care deeply about the students.

Your voice, your experiences, and your ideas matter.

When I think about systems, um, I think about families, I think about communities.

And when you when that's your motivation, you don't need a lot.