Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - April 27, 2023

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present. The meeting included presentations, public hearings, and votes on numerous resolutions and ordinances, including three rezonings, opioid settlement fund allocations, a major grocery store development agreement, and multiple nuisance abatements.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the April 13, 2023 regular meeting were approved as submitted.
• Agenda was approved as presented with the addition of item 21A requiring unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Emma Steelman (District 2) spoke in favor of allowing neighbors to work with the owner of 2105 Giles Dr. NE before city abatement action, but the city indicated it would proceed unless the owner contacts community development.
• Emma Steelman (second round) criticized the city's handling of homeless encampments, citing lack of water, porta potties, and housing. She argued that the city's eviction policies create conditions it then blames on the unhoused.
• David Snyder (District 5) shared his personal experience with homelessness and recovery, calling for Housing First programs rather than criminalization, which he said costs more and is ineffective.
• Jordan Steelman (District 2) said that despite funding service organizations, homelessness continues to increase, and the city must invest in permanent supportive housing and address zoning barriers.
• Tia Turner cited national data showing Housing First programs reduce homelessness by 88% and save money, urging the city to adopt such an approach.
• Jules Smith noted that 14.6% of Huntsville residents live below the poverty line, that less than 7% of new housing in 2022 was affordable, and that zoning codes fail to explicitly allow emergency or supportive housing.
• Chelsea Schiavone (District 5) expressed concern over the demolition of subsidized housing and the lack of guaranteed affordable units in new developments, and questioned whether displaced residents have anywhere to go.
• Martha Hereford requested the city's help to restore the "We Gather Here to Honor" monument for Dr. Council and Dr. Herndon, which she said was improperly installed and maintained, and criticized Arts Huntsville for being understaffed and unresponsive.
• Tori Moore (Merrimack Mill Village) reported that a developer is violating R1B zoning by converting a single-family home to a duplex and sought council assistance to enforce zoning regulations.
• Connie Oakley invited the council to the National Day of Prayer event on May 4, 2023, at Big Spring Park at noon.
• Emma Jaynes urged adoption of Housing First programs, stating that housing is a human right and more cost-effective than emergency services.
• Harold Kemp praised the mayor but called for more low-income housing and criticized the focus on billion-dollar deals while homelessness persists. He noted his own housing insecurity and suggested the city put resources into affordable housing.
• Andre Wilson presented a concept for a civilian air defense drone called AIDDE, aiming to solve conflicts and provide defense.
• Tris Wilson (District 1) congratulated the environmental sustainability committee, asked council to lobby against anti-trans legislation (HB 405), raised concerns about a contract with GrayShift LLC for phone data extraction (citing confidentiality and security risks), and thanked Huntsville Utilities for fixing streetlights.

Discussion Items

• Presentations by Christmas Charities Year Round, Huntsville Botanical Garden, First Stop, Wellstone, and Huntsville Hospital Foundation reported on their programs and funding requests. City Finance Director Penny Smith introduced three opioid settlement-funded projects totaling approximately $2.9 million (of which $1.3 million had been received), with funds allocated to First Stop, Wellstone, and Huntsville Hospital Foundation. Councilmembers asked about sustainability and collaboration. (Items 7A–7E, 20F)
• Rezonings (Items 9A–9C) were all approved unanimously: 2.14 acres on Jordan Lane to C-1; 81.55 acres on Memorial Parkway to R-2A and C-4; 4.5 acres on US 431 S to C-4. The rezoning of Memorial Parkway was described as part of a long-term step to modernize zoning and protect neighborhoods.
• Nuisance abatements (Items 9D–9F) were approved for properties at 2407 Huntsville St. NW, 8802 Valley View Dr. SE, and 2105 Giles Dr. NE. Councilmembers expressed frustration with long histories of noncompliance (e.g., 2012–2023 for Huntsville St., 10-year history for Giles Dr.).
• Opioid settlement MOU (Item 20F) was passed, allocating funds to First Stop ($810,000), Wellstone ($750,000), and Huntsville Hospital Foundation ($850,000) for programs addressing opioid addiction, with approximately $570,000 set aside for Narcan.
• Food City grocery store development agreement (Item 20i) was approved unanimously. The city will enter into an agreement with Marathon Realty Corp. for six new Food City stores: three in Phase 1 (North Memorial Parkway, Hampton Cove, and Highway 72 East) and three in Phase 2 (locations to be finalized). Total capital investment is $90 million, creating 1,350 jobs. The city will help with infrastructure through a performance-based reimbursement not exceeding $1.5 million per store (only after all three Phase 1 stores are open). Ten-year projected sales tax revenue from the six stores alone is $79 million; including outparcels, $123 million. Councilmembers praised the deal for addressing food deserts and generating new tax revenue.
• Bus Rapid Transit project (Item 20AL) resolution was approved to allow the city to apply for federal grants for a University Drive medical corridor BRT, with a 10% local match from the 2014 Capital Improvement Plan. No funds are obligated until a grant is awarded.
• Other approved items: Travel resolution for Councilmember Little to Montgomery; reappointments to the Industrial Development Board, Railroad Authority, and Community Development CAC; appointment of department heads (including Amy Keenum as manager of GIS); vacation of utility easements; amendments to gas PILOT ordinance (reducing Huntsville Utilities' rate for industrial sales to tax-exempt entities from 6% to 3%); codification of city departments and department head positions; and numerous other resolutions covering donations, contracts, and surplus property.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: All votes listed in the minutes passed with 5-0 except where noted (Item 14A passed 4-0 with Kling absent; Items 19C and 19D passed 4-0 with Keith absent; Item 19D passed 4-0 with Keith absent). Item 20i (Food City development agreement) passed 5-0. Item 21A (annexation required unanimous consent and passed).
• Notable decisions: The council approved the opioid settlement MOU (20F) despite questions about sustainability; the Finance Committee report noted the mid-year review will be presented May 11, 2023.
• Directives: Councilmember Meredith suggested reviewing the requirement for council approval of small donations (Item 20B); City Attorney Trey Riley agreed to report back. Councilmember Kling asked about net new revenue from Food City; staff explained that the locations are in underserved areas where most grocery spending currently goes outside Huntsville.
• Next steps: Phase 1 Food City stores expected to begin site work in May 2023; the city will pursue rezoning and entitlements. The bus rapid transit project will proceed with federal grant applications. The next council meeting is May 11, 2023.