Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – March 9, 2023

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on March 9, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. Councilmember Jennie Robinson was absent due to family business. The meeting included presentations from two community agencies, a public hearing for a taxi license, several rezoning public hearings set for April 27, approval of a large consent agenda, and public comments on growth and school safety.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 23, 2023, as submitted.
• Approved the agenda (with item 20e deleted).
• Approved a consolidated consent agenda for new business items 20a–20u and 20w–20ak (including resolutions for travel expenses, donations, financial software, bids, Taco Mama lease, consulting agreements, Blue Cross Blue Shield modification, event contracts, change orders, grant agreements, letters of credit, and special employee agreements) by a 4–0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Borcher (7256 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville) expressed concern about a proposed 220-unit multifamily development at 4-Mile Post and Garth Road, citing existing traffic congestion. He urged the Council to consider imposing impact fees on new developments to fund infrastructure improvements, referencing a Brookings Institution study on the benefits of such fees.
• Andre Wilson (District 2 resident) addressed school safety, calling for enhanced training for active shooter intervention teams and proposing the installation of clear, projectile-resistant see-through doors in all schools to improve visibility and protection during attacks.

Discussion Items

• Presentations:
  • Community Action Partnership (Dolores Mastin, Executive Director) presented on the agency's history, programs (financial literacy, weatherization, nutrition, transportation, and emergency solutions grants), and the impact of the city's $100,000 appropriation (1.15% of the agency's budget). Councilmember Keith noted challenges with weatherization program limitations and expressed interest in addressing barriers.
  • Family Services Center (Darren Geiger, Director) presented on the agency's history since 1962, its 19 programs including Lyft housing (19 scattered-site units for homeless families), and the city's appropriation (approximately 8% of the agency's budget). Geiger noted that 90% of Lyft households are single mothers and highlighted a rise in homelessness from 300 total (66 children) in 2021 to 549 total (106 children) in 2022.
• Public Hearing: Held for a shuttle license to Terry James d/b/a Express Taxi and Shuttle, LLC, for three taxis. No public testimony was offered. The Council approved Resolution 23-156 (4–0).
• Public Hearings to be Set: The Council approved resolutions to set public hearings on April 27, 2023, for three rezoning requests:
  • 2.14 acres on Jordan Lane (Residence 1-B to Neighborhood Business C-1).
  • 81.55 acres on Memorial Parkway (Residence 1-B, General Business C-3, Heavy Industry to Residence 2-A and Highway Business C-4).
  • 4.50 acres on US Hwy 431 S (to Highway Business C-4). All passed unanimously.
• Ordinance Amendment (19e): City Administrator John Hamilton introduced an ordinance to reorganize the Clerk-Treasurer and Finance departments and to codify all city departments in the Code of Ordinances. He explained that historical ordinances contained contradictions and that this was the first step in a long-term cleanup project. The ordinance was approved unanimously.
• Councilmember Comments:
  • Councilmember Kling reported on community meetings, town halls, and ongoing infrastructure projects (water line replacements on Brandon, Ponciana, and Marshut Avenues).
  • Councilmember Keith shared a story of a constituent who lost her home in a fire and praised Community Development Director Scott Irwin for connecting her with resources. He also clarified his respect for colleagues and withdrew his own travel request (item 14b).
  • Councilmember Little reported on a tour of Water Pollution Control, a town hall in Hampton Cove, and a joint meeting with school board members.
  • Council President Meredith acknowledged the work of Water Pollution Control Director Shane Cook.

Key Outcomes

• Life Saving Medal: Presented to Officers Bernard Robinson and Justin Keith for performing CPR at a football game in September 2022, saving a parent in cardiac arrest.
• Mayoral Appointments: Announced appointments to the Music Board (Karmessa Padgett, Kaleka Jones, Lauren Gowins, Dr. F. Calame Sammons) and the Police Citizens Advisory Council (Ryan O'Connor).
• Finance Committee:
  • Approved Resolution 23-163 authorizing expenditures of $22,720,972.59 (4–0).
  • Withdrew Resolution 23-164 (travel for Councilmember Keith to Washington, D.C., March 25–29, 2023) at the sponsor's request.
• Board Appointments: All nominations (items 16a–16i) were referred to the March 23, 2023, regular meeting for a vote.
• Unfinished Business:
  • Approved Ordinances 23-150, 23-151, 23-152, 23-153, and 23-155 (all 4–0) covering surplus property, salary plan amendment, budget amendment, annexation of 3.44 acres, and code amendment.
• New Business (Separate Vote): Approved Resolution 23-186 (item 20v) authorizing an agreement with Crisis Services of North Alabama for $30,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant funds (4–0).
• New Business Introductions: Introduced seven ordinances for future consideration: amendments to the Von Braun Center Board of Control (23-202), annexation of 56.75 acres (23-203), and various surplus property declarations (23-204 through 23-208).