Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Council of the City of Birmingham met in regular session on July 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. All members were present except Councilor Smith. The meeting included invocation, pledges, announcements, presentations, a consent agenda, and consideration of several key resolutions and ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Resolutions authorizing abatement and removal of inoperable motor vehicles (eight items); funding agreements for Community Care Development Network ($345,130 for food access), Six Pratt Community and Economic Development ($1,000 for Annual Super Fun Day), I-59 lighting rehabilitation (Phase I and Phase II), FY 2026 Gulf Coast HIDTA grant ($74,865), settlements in Jasmine Hall v. Kentrell Tremayne Hall, et al. ($45,000) and two workers' compensation claims ($16,766.77 and $27,000), amendment of vehicle nuisance resolution (color correction), removal of a property from weed abatement assessment, correction of clerical errors on 16 demolition assessment resolutions, contracts for fire station door replacements ($75,462), Carver Theater sewer repair amendment ($105,871), elevator maintenance ($134,880), Museum of Art boiler replacement change order ($4,254), technology products, paint, employee uniforms, surplus SCBA transfers to Brighton, Empire, and Fairfield fire departments, office furniture ($45,556), mattress sanitation ($38,640), digital library access ($40,000), library supplies ($20,612.60), employee expense accounts, advanced expense accounts, and declaration of 274 properties as nuisance for noxious weeds with a public hearing set for September 1, 2026.

Presentations

• Shannon Malcolm Recognition: Councilor Gunn introduced a resolution honoring Shannon Malcolm, one of three national recipients of the 2026 Fair Housing Champion Award from the National Association of REALTORS. The resolution was adopted unanimously (8-0).
• Birmingham Sister Cities Dual Enrollment Academy: Students from the IDEA program were recognized for their upcoming trip to Wales as global citizen diplomats.
• Yonder Walls Mural Festival: Representatives from Yonder Walls outlined plans for a mural festival on October 17, 2026, in the Parkside District, featuring 26 murals, with 75% of artists from Alabama and 25% first-time muralists. The festival includes a mentorship program and community engagement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• LaQuan Jackson (1236 Riverford Drive, Hoover): Expressed gratitude to the council and described his investments in Birmingham, including a new gym (5 Points Fitness) on the Southside and his cycling group Team No Breaks. He thanked the council for bike lanes and signaled interest in further collaboration.
• Joseph Holt (4737 2nd Avenue N.): Spoke about the Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO) program, alleging discrimination after his organization, the Hulk Foundation, was denied participation despite fitting the “construction trades” sector. He stated he received no explanation for the denial and called for accountability.
• Bob Friedman (1023 12th Street S.): Thanked the council for passing Item #41 (Carver Theater Sewer Lateral Repair) and discussed the Birmingham Radio Museum project, highlighting historical contributions of early African American broadcasters such as William Blevins.
• Terri Michal (629 Ridge Top Circle): Raised concerns about the Pratt City/Ensley Framework Plan, noting lack of public notification as compared to the Southern Framework Plan. She requested the hearing be postponed or that the ordinance be provided to the public. She also urged the council to consider amendments to the data center ordinance.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (Withdrawn): An ordinance to amend Title 11 by adding Article C “Public Camping” to prohibit camping on public property and require connection to resources was withdrawn by the Mayor’s office.
• Item 10 (Parks Buffer Zones): Ordinance 26-106 authorizing an interlocal contract with the Jefferson County Board of Health for a $462,500 grant to develop parks as industrial-residential buffer zones was introduced and adopted on a unanimous vote (8-0). Councilor Williams clarified that parks are in the North Birmingham area (Harriman, Macklin, Fairmont).
• Items 12 & 15 (Unhoused Strategies): Councilor Smitherman removed these from consent. Director Elena Melton presented the Birmingham OASIS (Open, Accessible, Safe, Inviting Spaces) — an outdoor daytime respite site at 600 3rd Ave North, to be operated by Urban Alchemy for 12 months at a cost of $600,000 (opioid settlement funds), plus a three-year ground lease with Daniels Development Group at $1,388.89/month ($50,000 total from general funds). The site will serve up to 75 individuals per day, offer case management, harm reduction, meals, lockers, a dog park, and security features. Councilors discussed community engagement, safety, staffing (four practitioners per shift plus a licensed social worker), trash management, and metrics. Item 15 (Opioid Abatement Agreement) passed 8-0. Item 12 (Ground Lease) passed 7-1 (Councilor Williams voted nay). Councilors Smitherman, O’Quinn, Gunn, Woods, and President Alexander expressed support, emphasizing the need for data and the cost-effectiveness of preventing homelessness.
• Item 13 (RPCGB Agreement): A resolution authorizing a $128,403 funding agreement with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham for grant assistance, land use planning, and GIS services was adopted on a unanimous vote (8-0). Councilor Smitherman asked about specific greenway/urbanized area plans; the administration noted that projects are assigned by the commission.
• Item 22 (IDB Revenue Bonds): A resolution consenting to the Industrial Development Board issuing up to $10,000,000 in bonds for Culton Holdings LLC (manufacturing and warehousing facility at 1811 Woodlands Industrial Drive). Councilor O’Quinn and Councilor Woods requested additional documentation regarding the bank’s letter of credit to ensure no liability falls on the IDB. The item was deferred for one week (to August 4, 2026) by a unanimous vote.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 1527-26 (Fair Housing Champion Award) adopted 8-0.
• Consent Agenda (Resolutions 1528-26 through 1577-26) adopted 8-0.
• Resolution 1578-26 (Opioid Abatement Provider Agreement with Urban Alchemy for Birmingham OASIS) adopted 8-0.
• Resolution 1579-26 (Ground Lease with Daniels Development Group for unhoused respite) adopted 7-1 (Williams nay).
• Ordinance 26-106 (Parks buffer zone grant from Jefferson County Board of Health) adopted 8-0.
• Resolution 1580-26 (Funding Agreement with Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham) adopted 8-0.
• Item 22 (IDB revenue bonds for Culton Holdings) deferred to the regular meeting on August 4, 2026.
• Item 9 (Public Camping Ordinance) withdrawn.
• Next Steps: The council will consider additional documentation for Item 22 at the next meeting. The OASIS site is expected to open in early fall 2026. The council also noted upcoming neighborhood meetings and a special committee of the whole meeting on July 29, 2026.