Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – September 28, 2023

The Huntsville City Council convened on September 28, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All council members were present. The meeting included recognitions, public hearings, debate on the FY2024 budget, capital improvement plans, and public comments. Approvals included the FY2024 budget as amended, a cost-of-living adjustment, a classification plan, and multiple capital plans.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The agenda was approved, and minutes from September 14 and September 21, 2023, were adopted.
• Board Appointments (Items 15a–15q): Consolidated and approved unanimously. Appointments included reappointments to the Beautification Board, Board of Equalization, Board of Examinations and Appeals, Burritt Memorial Committee, City Tree Commission, and Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority.
• Legal Department Items – Easement Vacations (Items 18a–18f): Consolidated and approved.
• New Business Items (Items 20a–20w): Consolidated and approved, including travel expenses, donations, budget amendments, consulting agreements, change orders, grant applications, and settlements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing on Rezoning (Item 9a): No public speakers. The rezoning of 3.00 acres on Rideout Drive from Residence 1-B to Residence 2 District was approved.
• Agenda-Related Public Comments: No speakers.
• Second Public Comments:
  • Sarah Colletti (Huntsville resident) criticized the city for not maintaining the Twickenham monument honoring Dr. William Hooper Council and Dr. Sonny Hereford III, while having maintained the Confederate monument until its removal. She also expressed concern about the shooting of Sterling Arnold by Huntsville Police, citing lack of release of body camera footage, and urged protection of constitutional rights.
  • Karen Rodenhausen (resident 36 years) expressed concern about a man openly carrying a firearm at a children's running event, which traumatized her grandchildren. She also opposed book banning in libraries, stating no book has killed a child, and thanked the council for their service.
  • Andre Wilson (District 1 resident) proposed a counter-offer to Huntsville Utilities' 35% rate increase, requesting a 35% efficiency increase in areas including power outage recovery, trash removal, and vehicle upgrades to electric.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of the Brass Band of Huntsville: Kent Eversmeyer, board president, announced the band brought the North American Brass Band Association championships to Huntsville for the third year, with a fourth year confirmed. Estimated economic impact over four years is north of $3 million. The youth brass academy will compete in January 2024.
• National Recovery Month Proclamation: Cheryl Russell and Carl Wilkerson of the Drug Free Partnership highlighted the Recovery Resource Hub, which has connected over 300 people to treatment services in three years, focusing on those who fall through the cracks.
• Honoring Judy Ryals: Councilmember Kling presented a resolution honoring Judy Ryals, President & CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, for 45 years of service. The resolution was approved unanimously. Ryals noted her successor Jennifer Moore.
• Mayor's Comments: Mayor Battle discussed the State of the City address, the inaugural season of Huntsville City Football Club, and thanked Judy Ryals. He also promoted safe parking for Alabama A&M homecoming.
• Councilmember Comments:
  • Keith announced a town hall on October 16 at Calvary Hills to discuss the Renaissance in Northwest Huntsville. He also noted barking complaints across the city.
  • Little introduced Tony Hodgson from the Signals Museum, a new museum on University Drive that explores communication technology history, with a $10 million capital campaign.
  • Kling announced a Hispanic community town hall tentatively scheduled for October 30 at McDonald's School. He also requested an update on the Twickenham monument (Hereford/Council monument) from City Attorney Trey Riley, who explained the city did not procure the artwork and is working to determine the responsible parties for repairs.
  • Robinson reported on a District 3 drop-in where residents discussed the budget, hands-free ordinance, and concerns about the Greyhound transfer station. She also attended a community watch meeting and a marker unveiling for the Blevinsgap Trail.
  • Meredith thanked residents for attending his town hall, announced a final town hall on October 19 at River Landing communities, and thanked Huntsville Utilities for a tour of the Southwest water treatment plant.
• FY2024 Budget Debate (Item 19b):
  • Amendment 1 (Keith): Increase community development by one FTE to develop a comprehensive plan for affordable, accessible, and homeless housing, to be presented by June 13, 2024. Shane Davis (Urban & Economic Development) supported. Passed.
  • Amendment 2 (Keith): Provide $25,000 to United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville, initially from the 1990 capital plan. After debate, Robinson amended the funding source to the council's operating budget (outside professional services). Passed 4–1 (Meredith opposed). The budget as amended then passed.
• Classification and Salary Plan (Item 19d): Ordinance to adjust appointed officials' salaries by one grade step. John Hamilton explained the process for merit employees. Passed.
• Street Sweeper Amendment to 1990 Capital Plan (Item 19f): Kling proposed an amendment reserving $2.5 million annually for five additional street sweepers per year, with district assignments. Hamilton opposed, arguing it would reduce other critical fleet purchases. Little proposed an alternative of $1 million and three sweepers per year, but later withdrew. Keith proposed an amendment directing three sweepers per year without district restrictions. That amendment failed (2 ayes, 1 no, 2 abstentions/not voting). The main motion for the 1990 capital plan passed without amendment.
• Council Improvement Fund Guidelines (Item 19g): Robinson and Meredith proposed an amendment to raise the minimum request from $10,000 to $5,000, allow defined public purposes, and permit unexpended FY2023 funds to follow previous guidelines. Passed.
• Hands-Free Ordinance (Item 19a): Postponed to October 12, 2023.
• Sustainability Commission (Item 19k): Postponed to October 12, 2023.

Key Outcomes

• FY2024 Budget Adopted as amended, including funding for a new affordable housing planner and $25,000 for United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville (funded from council operating budget).
• 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment approved for all eligible employees, effective October 2, 2023.
• Classification and Salary Plan approved for appointed officials.
• 2014 and 1990 Capital Improvement Plans approved for fiscal years 2024–2033. The 1990 plan includes $10 million for fleet purchases; the council's street sweeper amendment failed, but the city administrator committed to purchasing at least three additional sweepers in each of FY2024 and FY2025.
• Council Improvement Fund Guidelines amended to allow requests as low as $5,000 and designate funds for public purposes.
• Hands-Free Ordinance postponed to October 12, 2023.
• Sustainability Commission postponed to October 12, 2023.