Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – June 12, 2023

Note: The agenda, minutes, and transcript indicate the meeting actually occurred on June 8, 2023. The date provided for this summary (June 12, 2023) is used as instructed, but the discrepancy is noted.

The Huntsville City Council convened a regular meeting on June 12, 2023 (actual meeting date June 8, 2023) at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Dr. Spright E. Simpson III and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Jennie Robinson. The agenda and minutes from May 25, 2023, were approved unanimously. The council transacted a range of routine business, set public hearings, passed a fireworks ordinance amendment, and heard presentations from two community organizations.

Presentations & Reports

• Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy – Karen Mockensturm, CEO, presented the organization’s capital expansion project in the Terry Heights area. She highlighted the need for a new facility to address space constraints, accessibility issues, and growing demand (750 summer camp students with 11 on a waiting list). The project cost has risen from $9 million to $16 million. The organization has $4 million in pledges and needs $10 million more before breaking ground. Councilmembers expressed support, noting the project’s potential to revitalize the Holmes Avenue corridor and provide community meeting space.
• Village of Promise – Dana Gillis, CEO, presented the organization’s work in the Northwoods community. Key points: 57 families served through family advancement plans, a pre-K program (two classes of 18 students, fifth cohort graduating), and a need for expanded infant/toddler daycare and health screenings. The facility at Calvary Hills is at full capacity (64 licensed slots) with 60 families on a waiting list. Councilmember Devyn Keith pledged to help find suitable facility management solutions.

Consent Calendar

• The following items were approved in one motion (Motion by President Meredith, second by Councilmember Kling; unanimous 5-0):
  • Resolution authorizing travel expenses (23-469)
  • Resolution authorizing acceptance of donations (23-470)
  • Resolution authorizing Mayor to enter into agreements with low bidders (23-471)
  • Ordinance amending Budget Ordinance No. 22-736 (23-472)
  • Ordinance approving District 1 Council Improvement Funds (23-473)
  • Ordinance approving District 5 Council Improvement Funds (23-474)
  • Resolution for agreement with Mobile Communications America, Inc. (23-475)
  • Resolution authorizing City Clerk to invoke letters of credit for Packard Subdivision, Branch Properties, and Natures Walk (23-478, 23-479, 23-480)
  • Resolution for Memorandum of Understanding with National Recreation and Park Association (23-481)
  • Resolution to adjust salary of an employee in a certain department (23-482)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jerry Cox (4029 Telestar Circle, Huntsville) – Raised concerns about a neglected property on Baldwin Drive, citing rats, snakes, and raccoons that affect neighboring residents. He questioned the city’s inability to address the property due to legal concerns. Councilmember Bill Kling acknowledged the property’s long history. City Administrator Scott Irwin was directed to meet with Mr. Cox to discuss possible resolutions.
• Howard Ross (6620 Willow Point Drive, Huntsville) – Argued that individuals who purchase property under a land contract (bond for title) should be allowed to obtain building permits, citing equitable title. He referenced four Alabama court cases. City Attorney Trey Riley responded that the city’s ordinance requires permits to be issued to the owner, agent, or general contractor, and that the cited cases are fact-specific and do not override the ordinance.
• Joseph Lee (5104 Sunrise Trail, Huntsville) – Interim executive director of William Hooper Council Community Development Corporation. Reported that the Edgemont Heights neighborhood has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places as the only black community subdivision in Huntsville to achieve that status. He requested the city install historic street signs and a marker. Time expired; he was invited to continue discussion after the meeting.
• David Rojas (address not given, co-founder of AMIS) – Spoke about a U.S. State Department program that placed his startup in Huntsville to tackle bullying and loneliness in schools using technology. He offered a grant slot for a Huntsville school district but had difficulty contacting superintendents. Councilmember Kling connected him with Ryan Renard. The council encouraged him to pursue the opportunity.

Discussion Items

• Fireworks Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance 23-454) – Fire Chief McFarland and Fire Marshal Dan Wilkerson presented an amendment to Section 13-33 of the city code to allow additional ground sparkler devices (not bottle rockets or aerial items). The amendment passed unanimously (5-0) after discussion. Key points:
  • The new devices are subject to the fire chief’s authority to ban them during drought or high fire risk.
  • Code enforcement officers will receive training on June 21, 2023, at Joe Davis Stadium to identify allowed and prohibited devices.
  • The manufacturer will conduct a public safety campaign to educate residents.
  • Councilmembers expressed hope that legalizing safer devices will reduce the use of illegal, loud fireworks that disturb veterans and animals. Councilmember Keith suggested confiscating illegal fireworks rather than issuing warnings. The fire marshal agreed to emphasize confiscation.
• Martin Road Recreation Center (Resolution 23-476) – Authorized a standard agreement with William M. Boehme & Associates Architects for design services. The rec center will be a near copy of the Mark Russell Rec Center, located on Martin Road west of Zierdt Road. The site does not include soccer fields. Approved unanimously after brief discussion.
• Simtech Solutions, Inc. Agreement (Resolution 23-477) – Approved an $8,950 contract with Simtech Solutions for an app-based system to conduct the annual point-in-time count of homeless individuals. The data will be reported to HUD. Councilmember Robinson noted it complements a previous case management app approved at the last meeting. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals – All 14 votes taken during the meeting were 5-0 in favor.
• Public hearings set – Four zoning/rezoning requests were set for public hearing on July 27, 2023:
  • 327.60 acres on Huntsville Brownsferry Road to Highway Business C-4 (Graham Hicks Zoning)
  • 6.15 acres on US Hwy 72 W and Slaughter Road to Highway Business C-4 (RCI Zoning)
  • 2.67 acres on US Hwy 431 S and Taylor Lane to Highway Business C-4 (Marathon Zoning)
  • 19.90 acres on South Shawdee Road from Residence 1 to Residence 1-A (South Shawdee Rezoning)
• Special session rescheduled – The June 8, 2023 special session was moved to June 27, 2023 at 9:00 AM (Resolution 23-486).
• Board appointments – Joanna White reappointed to Alabama Constitution Village Board; Briseida Ruelas appointed to Community Development Citizens Advisory Council. Six other nominations were referred to the June 22 regular meeting.
• Mayor’s appointment – Mayor Battle appointed Ret. Lt. Gen. Willie Williams to the Huntsville Housing Authority for a five-year term beginning August 15, 2023.
• Ordinances introduced – Three ordinances were introduced (Classification and Salary Plan amendment, Budget authorization strength modification, and surplus property disposal) and will return for action on June 22, 2023.

Next Steps

• Code enforcement training on fireworks identification: June 21, 2023.
• Town halls: Councilmember Meredith will host a town hall in the Old Cobblestone neighborhood on June 13, 2023; Councilmember Little will host a town hall in Hampton Cove later in June.
• Independence Day celebration: June 24, 2023 at Ditto Landing.
• Next regular council meeting: June 22, 2023.