Birmingham City Council Regular Meeting - September 15, 2026

[The Birmingham City Council held its regular meeting on September 15, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings on liquor license applications, approval of numerous consent agenda items, discussions on a development agreement amendment, and community announcements. Key actions included the passage of a DEA task force agreement, a rezoning hearing date, and a tax abatement for a hotel development, while a restaurant liquor license application was denied.]

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously items including:
  • Nuisance abatement for numerous properties (Item 4) and inoperable motor vehicles (Items 5-30)
  • Cooperative maintenance agreement with ALDOT for 3rd Avenue West streetscape improvements (Item 32)
  • Amendments to court referral officer services agreement, increasing reimbursable amount to $60,504.00 (Item 33)
  • Agreements and resolutions for various community programs, software, equipment, and grants (Items 34-97)
  • Added to consent: Item 45 (Jones Valley Teaching Farm agreement, $50,000, funding source corrected) and Item 99 (see discussion below, but subsequently removed from consent due to recusal request)

Public Comments & Testimony

• A. J. Johnson (speaking as a former city worker and community advocate) urged the council to build a plan for mental health support for city workers, citing the demotion and suspension of a colleague who took time to check on his sick mother. He emphasized that workers need accessible support systems and praised council outreach.
• Terry Michael (629 Ridgetop Circle) expressed concern about the rezoning of the Ensley Works property from MXD (planned mixed use) to I-1 (light industrial). He argued that the community vision has shifted toward logistics and manufacturing without meaningful public input, and proposed using a holding zone (HZD) or delaying rezoning until environmental and master planning studies are completed.
• Yolanda Flowers (Oak Ridge Park community) requested speed bumps and sidewalks in her nearly 100-year-old neighborhood, noting the presence of a school and heavy traffic. She warned that a death could occur before action is taken. Council members noted the traffic study program and sidewalk funding available through neighborhood processes.

Discussion Items

• Liquor License Applications (Public Hearings):

  • Item 1 (DDouble Cupp’s, LLC - Lounge Retail Liquor Class I, Ensley): Applicant Aronte Pickett described a lounge with live band comedy, hours Wednesday-Thursday 5 PM-1 AM, Friday-Sunday 5 PM-2 AM. Security plan includes conflict resolution training, cameras connected to the real-time crime center, and adequate lighting. The Ensley neighborhood association had 15 in attendance: 2 opposed, 13 supported. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 2 (Webber Hospitality Group, LLC - Restaurant Retail Liquor, Iron & Oak Tavern, 2021 Park Place): Applicant Eddie Weber plans a restaurant with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, hours 6:30 AM-11 PM weekdays, until midnight weekends. Safety measures include TIPS training for bartenders, food safety courses, and three safe exits. Compliance cameras to be connected. The Central City neighborhood meeting had 4 in attendance, all supportive. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 3 (Trap KTCHXXN, LLC - Restaurant Retail Liquor, 1000 3rd Ave West): Applicant Donna Cunningham proposed a soul food restaurant initially open 5 PM-5 AM Wednesday-Sunday. Extensive council discussion raised concerns about the establishment potentially operating as a late-night club rather than a restaurant, given the hours, security plan (licensed security for every 100 guests, off-duty officers for 250+ guests), and social media advertising suggesting a lounge atmosphere. The applicant clarified that from 10 PM onward, the establishment would be 21+ but primarily food sales, with alcohol service ending at 2 AM per ABC regulations. The Public Safety Committee had no recommendation due to lack of quorum. The Bush Hills neighborhood association had 34 in attendance: 21 supported, 0 opposed. The item failed (motion not carried). Note: The transcript does not record a formal vote tally, but the council president declared the item failed.

• Item 31 (DEA Task Force Agreement): Ordinance authorizing a three-year interlocal agreement with the DEA for two BPD officers to participate in HIDTA and SPEAR task forces, with reimbursement for salary, benefits, and expenses (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2029). Passed unanimously.

• Items 53 & 54 (Parkside Hotel Tax Abatements): Resolutions approving a 10-year brownfield tax abatement and state lodging tax rebate for Parkside Hotel Partners, LP to develop a 140-room hotel with restaurant and retail at 1625-1631 1st Avenue South. Councilmember Williams noted the project is expected to employ 275 construction workers and urged use of skilled and licensed labor. Passed 6-1 (Councilmember Tate abstained).

• Item 98 (Rezoning Public Hearing): Resolution setting a public hearing for October 13, 2026, to consider rezoning 1259 Huffman Road from D-3 Single-Family Residential to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District for a new Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama. Passed.

• Item 99 (HRCA Development Agreement Amendment): Resolution to amend the development agreement with Housing Reinvestment Corporation of America (Growth Homes) for 16 affordable single-family units in Woodlawn. Amendment reduces units from 16 to 11, eliminates HOME funding, returns $182,601.35, reduces city funding to $1,200,000 in ARPA funds only, and extends performance deadline to December 31, 2026. Senior Deputy Director Corey Starworth explained the changes were prompted by restrictions on HOME funds. Passed (Councilmember Vasa abstained).

Key Outcomes

• Liquor license approved: Items 1 and 2. | Liquor license denied: Item 3 (Trap KTCHXXN, LLC).
• Consent agenda approved (routine items and unanimous actions).
• DEA task force agreement approved (Item 31).
• Tax abatements for Parkside Hotel approved (6-1, one abstention).
• Rezoning public hearing set for October 13, 2026 (Item 98).
• HRCA affordable housing amendment approved (one abstention).
• Council announcements: Upcoming neighborhood meetings, events (e.g., Hispanic Heritage Month beginning Sept 15, Birmingham Botanical Gardens fall sale, community arts exhibition, fitness classes, sister strut 5K on Sept 26).
• City workers’ mental health support: Council acknowledged the need and noted the Employee Assistance Program.
• Traffic safety and sidewalk requests: Referred to existing neighborhood traffic study programs and sidewalk funding.

Note: Minutes for meetings from July 7, 2026 through September 8, 2026 were not ready at the time of this meeting.