Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – December 21, 2023
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Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – December 21, 2023
The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on December 21, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included recognitions, multiple public hearings, board appointments, and a significant vote on a lawsuit settlement. Councilmembers present: David Little (President), Jennie Robinson, Bill Kling, John Meredith, and Devyn Keith (arrived later).
Consent Calendar
- Agenda and Minutes: Approved unanimously.
- New Business Items (20a–20g, 20i–20p, 20s, 20u–20y, 20aa–20af): Approved in one motion without discussion. These included travel expenses, donations, procurement, budget amendments, engineering agreements, contract modifications, and settlements of workers' compensation claims.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jerry Berg (1424 Byrne Ave, Huntsville): Expressed optimism about the city's tree canopy, citing the formation of Friends of Trees Huntsville (over 750 members), a fundraiser raising ~$5,000, and contributions from Councilmembers Kling and Little ($5,000 each) and Commissioner Phil Riddick ($2,500). He noted 80 trees planted along Aldrich Creek Greenway and a $5,000 donation from Frank Williams for trees at Lowe Mill.
- Audra Hessler (464 Nature's Way SW, Huntsville): Raised concerns about unannounced construction south of Dunlop Boulevard adjacent to the Reserve HOA. She reported that field clearing and heavy equipment appeared without prior notice, and questioned the project scope, property line encroachment, and lack of environmental/security assessments. Councilmember Meredith noted only a grading permit was issued; no project was identified.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearings (9a–9n):
- 9a: Grass/weed liens on 13 properties totaling $4,241.03 – approved.
- 9b–9c: Demolition of unsafe buildings at 1507 Barrington Rd. NW (87% loss, $15,129 liens, 46 police calls) and 4505 Lakeview Dr. NW (87% loss, roof collapsing, no utilities since 2017) – approved. Property owner Joseph Nurry (4505 Lakeview) spoke, claiming inability to get permits while incarcerated; Council noted a history of non-compliance since 2018.
- 9d–9e: Nuisance abatement at 3114 Stewart St. NW and 740 West Arbor Dr. NW – approved. Johnny Baker (740 West Arbor) apologized, cited health issues, and said he is selling the property.
- 9f–9m: Various zoning and right-of-way vacations – all approved unanimously.
- 9n: Suspension of licensure (Case No. 390) – postponed to a special session on January 11, 2024, at 3:30 PM, by motion (unanimous).
- Public Hearings to be Set (10a–10c): Three rezoning requests set for January 25, 2024, Regular Council Meeting – all approved.
- Board Appointments (15a–15d):
- 15a: Frances Akridge to Advisory Commission on Accessibility – failed (1 aye, 2 nay, 2 abstain).
- 15b: Carolyn Rhodes to same seat – approved (4 aye, 1 nay).
- 15c: Reappoint Daniel Miller – approved unanimously.
- 15d: Reappoint Steve Hettinger to Solid Waste Disposal Authority – approved unanimously.
- Unfinished Business (19a–19d):
- 19a: Property surplus to Parkway Vesta LLC (land swap) – approved.
- 19b: Classification and Salary Plan amendment – amended to remove two traffic engineering positions (Sections 16 & 17), then approved as amended.
- 19c: Budget ordinance amendment to reflect salary changes – approved.
- 19d: Property donation to Oakwood University (surplus SUV) – approved.
- Held New Business Items (20H, 20Q, 20R, 20T, 20Z):
- 20H: Engineering design contract for Limestone Creek Sanitary Sewer Interceptor (2 miles of 24-inch sewer, regional pump station, opening 7,000 acres for development) – approved.
- 20Q: Appointment of Zachary McGovern as External Relations Officer (Grade 20, Step 2) – approved.
- 20R: Home Investment Partnership Funds agreement with Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing at 211 Lake Dr. NW – approved.
- 20T: Commitment of $4 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds to redevelop 100 affordable senior housing units (Huntsville Summit Apartments) – approved.
- 20Z: Settlement of lawsuit Xavier Burton et al. v. City of Huntsville – after executive session, approved 4-1 (Meredith dissenting).
Key Outcomes
- Appointments: Frances Akridge appointment failed; Carolyn Rhodes appointed instead. Daniel Miller and Steve Hettinger reappointed.
- Lawsuit Settlement: Approved 4-1 to settle the Xavier Burton lawsuit (civil action 5:22-CV-00629-LCB).
- Affordable Housing: $4 million committed to preserve 100 senior housing units; Habitat for Humanity project at 211 Lake Dr. NW approved.
- Public Works: Engineering design for sewer infrastructure in Limestone County approved.
- Travel: Councilmembers Kling and Meredith authorized to attend Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington, D.C., April 6–9, 2024.
- Tree Planting: Over $17,000 raised for tree planting, coordinated with Friends of Trees Huntsville.
- Construction Concerns: Council to follow up on grading permit and notification for construction near Nature's Way.
- Next Meeting: Special session on January 11, 2024, at 3:30 PM for licensure suspension case.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everyone. It is five thirty on December the twenty first, twenty twenty-three. We're meeting in the City Council Chambers, Huntsville, Alabama. Uh for the moment, Councilmember Keith had to step away. Uh, other four council members are all here, and we welcome everybody that's here. Uh and I'd like to call this meeting to order. And we will beg is Pastor Garner here, is M.I.C. Him. All right, we will start our uh meeting with a moment of silence, and then uh pledge allegiance will be led by Councilmember Keith. So please stand as you are able to do it. Oh, Councilman, excuse me. Councilmember Meredith. I pledge the religious to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. Council members, you have the agenda before you for this meeting of the City Council on December twenty first. Are there any deletions or additions to be made? Hearing none, uh, I make the motion to accept it. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed, say nay. Hearing none, the agenda stands approved. And Council members, you also have a copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held on December seventh, two thousand twenty-three before you. Who's returning to the dais uh who have a presentation honoring the winners of the deck the district Christmas light contest for district one? Mr. Keith. Well, Mary Christmas, thank you so much for your patience. We were putting together some exciting news. But um there are some families here, as you have heard, and many of you know in this year. And some of the people who have been a part of our district competition are here, and we will name our winners. I'm so excited, but I first want to say to our media department, thank you for working through helping me take 50 ride around and enjoy. So if I could, I want the Franklin family, the Hyder family, and the Crutcher family to please come up. Now it's money involved, so you should be a little excited. Come on, young man. Also, if I can get the North Huntsville Business Association to come on up as well. Miss Judy. But for those who don't know, what's up, big man? How are you? You doing all right? Um, we had partner, come on up, young lady. You got it. We partnered with the North Huntsville Business Association to make sure that we represent and recognize those individuals who go above and beyond during the summer and spring. We recognize those individuals who do well in their landscaping. As you know, we do our um district competition for the landscaping in Northwest Huntsville, but we started to do something a little bit extra. And these individuals have place first, second, and third, and we'll be receiving some gift cards, a little bit of money help pay for those light bills, as well as some gifts that are coming from the um art museum as well. So for without further ado, and I will let you pass the you want to do the the first, second, and third. Third, and it goes to Mr. Walker Franklin. Mr. Franklin. Who's about we don't have the Franklin family here? Now, if you are watching, you can come down here. You got three days.
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