Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – April 13, 2023

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, 308 Fountain Circle, Huntsville, Alabama. All five council members were present: President John Meredith and Councilmembers Jennie Robinson, Bill Kling, Devyn Keith, and David Little. Mayor Tommy Battle, City Administrator John Hamilton, City Attorney Trey Riley, and City Clerk Shaundrika Edwards were also in attendance. The meeting featured special recognitions, nonprofit presentations, public hearings, unanimous approval of numerous resolutions and ordinances, and public comments.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda and minutes of the March 23, 2023 regular meeting were approved unanimously.
• The Finance Committee reported expenditures totaling $27,821,658.04, which were authorized unanimously.
• A consolidated motion approved most New Business items (20A–E, 20G–M, 20O–AE) en bloc, including: travel expenses; acceptance of donations; low-bidder agreements; a Department of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant application; District 1 Council Improvement Funds; a UAH Foundation real estate purchase agreement (4.08 acres); a Geo Solutions construction materials testing agreement for Ditto Landing; acceptance of two 0.05-acre utility/drainage easements; a lease modification with the National Children’s Advocacy Center; design services for the Art Museum HVAC renovation; selection of an alternate voting delegate for the Alabama League of Municipalities; HOME Fund agreements with Family Services Center and Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing (at 5016 Powell Drive NW, 3126 Andros Drive SW, 3128 Andros Drive SW, and 3127 Nassau Drive SW); a HUD grant agreement for CDBG and HOME funds; invocation of letters of credit for Retreat at Abbington Phase 1 and Chadwick Pointe Phase 3; settlements involving New South Media Group and a workers’ compensation claim; an AXON Enterprise sales agreement; a First Arriving agreement; a TransUnion pricing supplement; special employee agreements with Kitty Whitworth and Theresa Hocken; and other routine items.
• Item 20N (appointment of department heads) was held for separate consideration and approved unanimously (see below).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Josh Roberts (second roster) urged the city to stop defending former Huntsville Police Officer Ben Darby in the shooting death of Jeffrey Parker. He criticized Mayor Battle and the administration for spending taxpayer money on the defense, referenced body-camera evidence and the verdicts, and said the city could face major liability.
• Tom Dyer (second roster), a property owner at 112 South Side Square, requested the city’s Green Team include the alley between South Side Square and Constitution Hall Village in its regular patrols. He reported an increase in discarded cups, bottles, and broken glass, and said he had collected a container of debris that morning.
• Andre Wilson (second roster) gave a poetic statement about peace and unity; he made no specific agenda request.

Presentations

• Children’s Advocacy Center: Executive Director Chris Newlin provided statistics on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), noting that 68% of the population has experienced at least one ACE, and 12.5% have experienced four or more. He cited increased risks for depression (480% higher), suicide (1,220% higher), and chronic lung disease (390% higher) for those with four or more ACEs. He highlighted the center’s international model and partnership with HPD.
• First Stop Inc.: The presenter (identified in the transcript as Jennifer Geist; the minutes list Lisa Geist) reported that the nonprofit served an average of 127 people per day in March 2023, assisted 55 people to exit homelessness in 2022, provided 50,000 meals, and helped 358 people obtain vital records. She noted the new building is expected to open in September 2023. Councilmember Robinson asked about stability tracking and the facility capacity.
• Girls Inc.: Executive Director Stephanie Malone reported that Girls Inc. served nearly 400 girls in 2022, projected to serve about 550 in 2023, with 88% identifying as Black or girls of color and 49% from households earning under $30,000. Councilmember Keith expressed support for the organization and discussed plans for the Richard Showers Recreation Center.

Public Hearings

• Limousine license: The council held a public hearing for a license for Rhonda Norris d/b/a Bama Limousine LLC (two limousines). No public comments were made; Resolution 23-266 passed unanimously.
• Public hearings set for May 25, 2023: The council set public hearings on five zoning/resoning requests:
  • 116.92 acres at Memorial Parkway and Industrial Drive (to Highway Business C-4 and Neighborhood Business C-1).
  • 1.96 acres east of Wall Triana Blvd. and south of McCrary Rd. (to Residence 2-A).
  • 3.44 acres north of US Hwy 72 W and east of Old Railroad Bed Road (to Highway Business C-4).
  • 7.29 acres north of Bradford Drive and east of Wynn Drive (from Research Park District to Research Park 2).
  • 54.46 acres north of Bob Wade Lane and east of Pulaski Pike (to Commercial Industrial Park District).
• Public nuisance declarations: The council declared three properties public nuisances and set April 27, 2023, as the date for objections: 2407 Huntsville St NW, 8802 Valley View Dr SE, and 2105 Giles Dr NE.

Discussion Items

• Greenbrier water tank: Resolution 23-285 increased the construction expenditure authorization for an elevated water tank on Greenbrier Parkway by $4,000,000, bringing the total to $8.5 million. A Huntsville Utilities representative explained that bids came in about double the budget and that the tank is needed for growth in the Limestone County area. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Bridge Street Arts & Entertainment District hours: Ordinance 23-258 modified operating hours to allow the district to open at noon seven days a week, with a 10:00 PM closing time (consistent with other districts except for the earlier close). The planning manager stated this change has been successful with police coordination.
• J.O. Johnson High School property sale: Ordinance 23-260 declared surplus property near the old J.O. Johnson High School and directed its sale to Stanley Developers, LLC. The property is 8.91 acres, sold for $10,000 as part of a previously approved development agreement. Councilmember Keith praised the development as a catalyst for District 1, noting homes are selling over $300,000. The ordinance passed unanimously.
• Surplus equipment and property dispositions: The council passed several surplus declarations, including equipment for public auction (Resolution 23-261), equipment donated to the Huntsville & Madison County Railroad Authority (Ordinance 23-262, valued at approximately $150,000; Councilmember Robinson committed $75,000 from her discretionary fund for installation), and a vehicle donated to Crime Stoppers (Ordinance 23-263).

Boards, Commissions, and Appointments

• Reappointments approved: Joyce LeDuc-Hampton to the Bingo Review Committee (two-year term to April 8, 2025); Janice Johnson and Tharon Honeycutt to the Health Care Authority (six-year terms to April 15, 2029).
• New appointment approved: Brad Garland to the Huntsville Public Library Board (term to February 3, 2026). The related appointment of Carlos Mendoza (agenda item 15D) was withdrawn.
• Department head appointments: Resolution 23-303 approved appointments of Shaundrika Edwards as City Clerk (promoted from interim) and Penny Smith to a department head position. Mayor Battle praised Edwards’ leadership.
• Nominations referred to April 27 meeting: Dick Reeves, Andrew Tutt (Industrial Development Board), Mark Lumb (Huntsville-Madison County Railroad Authority), and Erick Wade (Community Development Citizens Advisory Council).

Introductions (first reading)

• Ordinances were introduced for future consideration, including a gas PILOT adjustment for Huntsville Utilities (Ordinance 23-321); amendments to the administration code and classification/salary plan (Ordinances 23-322 and 23-323); annexation of 6.15 acres on US Hwy 72 W (Ordinance 23-324); declaration of surplus property for Family Services Center (Ordinance 23-325); and surplus equipment for auction (Resolution 23-326). These will return for action on April 27, 2023.

Mayor and Council Comments

• Mayor Battle announced interim Natural Resources Director Darlene Durr, Vision Zero public input sessions (April 18–20), and recent economic developments including Northrop Grumman expansion at Redstone Gateway, Marathon Robotics’ U.S. headquarters, and downtown events.
• Councilmembers shared updates on district activities, community cleanups, town halls, and expressed support for Huntsville police after the loss of Officer Garrett Crumby.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (5–0) with no opposition.
• Item 15D (Carlos Mendoza library appointment) was withdrawn.
• Item 20F (Blue Origin real estate agreement) was listed as deleted on the agenda but postponed to April 27, 2023, per the minutes.
• The next regular council meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2023.