Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - May 25, 2023

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on May 25, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present (Meredith, Robinson, Kling, Keith, Little). The meeting included presentations from United Cerebral Palsy and Thrive Alabama, four public hearings on zoning, numerous resolutions for land sales and contracts, and public comments. Key votes included approval of a lease for a Barracuda restaurant (4-1) and appointment of Patricia King to the Bingo Review Committee (4-1).

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the agenda (unanimous).
• Approval of minutes from May 11 and May 22, 2023 (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mack Yates (Huntsville resident): Urged the council to pass an ordinance prohibiting clear-cutting on the slopes of Monte Sano, describing a recent clear-cut as a "big ugly scar" on the city's natural gem.
• Howard Ross (Huntsville resident): Raised two issues: 1) difficulty obtaining building permits for properties sold via land contract; 2) an unsafe building notice on a property he owns. City Attorney Trey Riley clarified that permits can only be issued to licensed contractors, not to owners of non-homesteaded rental properties. City staff offered to work with Mr. Ross.
• Andre Wilson (District 1 resident): Proposed creating a "Drone Port" and achieving 100% employment in Huntsville, advocating for modernization and investments to end homelessness and unemployment.

Presentations

• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) – Cheryl Smith, CEO: Presented UCP's programs serving individuals with disabilities across 182 diagnoses. Highlighted a request for $47,000 to expand services to the Hispanic community, including a part-time interpreter. UCP's Tourism Alabama initiative has trained 25% of Huntsville hotels for sensory sensitivity. Councilmembers praised UCP's outreach.
• Thrive Alabama – Mary Elizabeth Marr, CEO: Updated on plans for a new health center (33–34 million project) to serve 22,000 patients. The city previously allocated $200,000/year for four years (second year underway). Ms. Marr noted difficulties raising $8 million to break ground, but stated the land at Oakwood and Washington Street is paid off and the project is 60% through architectural design.

Discussion Items

• Barracuda Restaurant Lease (Item 19A): Ordinance to lease a 0.2-acre city-owned lot at Cleveland Avenue and Meridian Street to Barracuda Restaurant, LLC for $17,500/year with 10% annual increases. The restaurant plans a walk-up, no-live-music concept. Councilmember Kling requested a two-week delay for neighborhood input, but his motion died for lack of a second. The lease passed 4-1 (Kling opposed). A resident from Old Town expressed concerns about noise from nearby venues but said the restaurant itself sounded fine.
• Blue Origin Land Sale (Item 20F): Resolution to sell 14.83 acres in Cummings Research Park to Blue Origin Alabama, LLC for $1,427,378.50. Proceeds reinvest in the research park. Passed unanimously.
• S&S North Development (Item 20G): Resolution to sell 11.55 acres in North Huntsville Industrial Park to S&S North Development, LLC for $404,250, to support a Toyota supplier expansion. Passed unanimously.
• Nextco Lease Modification (Item 20N): Resolution correcting errors in a prior lease modification for Huntsville City Football Club sponsorship payments. Passed unanimously.
• Homeless Outreach Software (Item 20O): Resolution to contract with Simtech Solutions, Inc. for an $8,100 annual license to track homeless individuals and services. Initial users: First Stop, Community Development, and HPD. Passed unanimously.
• Zoning Public Hearings (Items 9A-9D):
  • 116.92 acres on Memorial Parkway rezoned from Light Industry to Highway Business C-4 and Neighborhood Business C-1 (passed 4-0, Kling absent for vote).
  • 1.96 acres on Wall Triana Blvd zoned to Residence 2-A (passed unanimously).
  • 3.44 acres on US Hwy 72 W zoned to Highway Business C-4 (passed unanimously).
  • 7.29 acres on Bradford Drive rezoned from Research Park District to Research Park 2 (passed unanimously).
• Other Unfinished Business: Annexation of 1 acre on Taylor Lane (19B) and renaming a portion of Meridian Street to Lewters Way (19C) both passed unanimously.
• Mayor Battle Comments: Announced board appointments and reappointments; expressed concern over the U.S. Space Command selection process, stating Huntsville won the competition and the results should not be changed.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Consent agenda items (travel, donations, budget amendment, etc.), new business consent items (A-B, D-E, H-M, P-Q, S-U).
• Approved: Barracuda Restaurant lease (4-1, Kling nay).
• Approved: Blue Origin land sale (unanimous).
• Approved: S&S North Development land sale (unanimous).
• Approved: Nextco lease correction (unanimous).
• Approved: Homeless outreach software contract (unanimous).
• Approved: Bids resolution (Item 20C) for janitorial services and other contracts (unanimous).
• Approved: Publication date correction for South Memorial Parkway zoning hearing (unanimous).
• Approved: Appointment of Patricia King to Bingo Review Committee (4-1, Kling nay).
• Introduced: Ordinance amending fireworks code (Item 21A) – due back June 8, 2023.
• Referred: Nominations to reappoint Joanna White and appoint Briseida Ruelas for future meetings.
• Mayoral Appointments: Jeff Gronberg to Research Park Board; Dr. David Branham to Board of Zoning Adjustment; Randy Schrimsher to Von Braun Center Board of Control.