Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - March 14, 2024

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present: President David Little, and Councilmembers Jennie Robinson, Bill Kling, Devyn Keith, and John Meredith. Mayor Tommy Battle and key staff also attended. The council approved the agenda with one postponement, approved the minutes from February 22, 2024, and disposed of a full slate of routine items, public hearings, and resolutions. Notable actions included a decision in a personnel hearing, establishment of a public nuisance abatement order, introduction of several ordinances, approval of a contract for a financial assessment of the Huntsville Eastern League, and a failed vote on the proposed Sustainability Commission after extensive debate.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Agenda as Amended (Item 7a, Huntsville Utilities Tree Trimming Program presentation, postponed to March 28, 2024 meeting). Unanimous.
• Approved minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 22, 2024.
• Resolution 24-134 – Honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of Mr. Raymond Jones. Unanimous. Councilmember Kling presented the resolution to family members, noting Mr. Jones’s contributions including donating 25 acres to Mayfair Church of Christ and his role in founding the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering.
• Public hearing and Resolution 24-135 – Ordered abatement of a nuisance at 2206 Hill St. NW (non-operable vehicles). Unanimous. Staff noted there are additional nuisance properties in the area and the process for out-of-state owners.
• Set public hearings for April 25, 2024 for two zoning requests: 10.04 acres at South Green Mountain Rd./Knotty Walls Rd. to Residence 2 District (Ordinance 24-137) and 10.38 acres at Pulaski Pike/Bob Wade Lane from Planned Industrial to Residence 2 District (Ordinance 24-139). Unanimous.
• Personnel Hearing Decision – Motion to uphold the decision of the personnel hearing panel for Lamar Benson (Public Works) was approved unanimously.
• Finance Committee Report – Approved Resolution 24-140 authorizing expenditures totaling $36,905,231.56. Unanimous.
• Approved Resolution 24-141 – Authorizing Councilmember Devyn Keith’s travel to Washington, D.C., April 6-10, 2024, for the Chamber of Commerce trip. Unanimous.
• New Business Consent Items – Approved as a block (except items D, E, J, which were pulled): travel expenses (24-142), low bidder contracts (24-143), Republic Services modification (24-144), Graham Greenway condemnation (24-146), Smith Gee Studio master plan (24-147), Garver engineering contracts (24-148, 24-149), Porter Roofing change order (24-150), Bold Agency modification (24-152), Habitat for Humanity affordable housing at 216 Lake Drive (24-153), budget amendment (24-154), EMPG grant (24-155), MCCi Laserfiche upgrade (24-156), lease renewal for skate/dog parks (24-157), Facility Use Agreements for NJCAA Beach Volleyball and Wild Game Cook-off (24-158, 24-159), Guardian Training contract (24-160), settlement of Summit 7 Systems claim (24-161), and invocation of multiple letters of credit for subdivision improvements (24-162 through 24-168), and a special employee agreement for Sherry Jones (24-169). All approved.
• Introduced ordinances (due back March 28): surplus property for National Children’s Advocacy Center (24-170), heavy equipment repair exemption from bidding (24-171), surplus property for Burritt Museum (24-172), and surplus property disposal with Managed Asset Recycling Solutions (24-173).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Frances Akridge (2002 Rogers Drive) – Expressed opposition to Resolution 24-145, arguing that the scope of work for the financial assessment of the Eastern League is inadequate because it does not evaluate the Parks and Recreation department’s practices and oversight. She recommended tabling the item until a more comprehensive assessment is developed.
• Emily Canfield – Expressed support for the sustainability ordinance, urging the council to protect natural beauty for future generations.
• Joy Johnson (Second Public Comments) – Read a list of companies she said are embedded in the Israeli economy, encouraging the city to consider disengagement.
• Cathy Reisenwitz (1069 Stones Throw, Huntsville) – Expressed support for affordable housing, noting that mid-wage workers cannot afford homes. She advocated for legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) throughout the city to increase housing supply.

Discussion Items

• Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center Presentation – Kathy Mayne presented. She reported that in FY2023, the center provided 58,000 Meals on Wheels meals to 423 homebound seniors within the city, and over 220,000 congregate meals outside city limits. 10,000+ seniors enjoyed 216,610 hours of recreation. 730 senior volunteers gave 26,000 hours, and 600 monthly volunteers donated 19,500 hours for Meals on Wheels. The center’s services saved taxpayers an estimated $25 million by allowing 300 members to live independently instead of in long-term care. Councilmember Robinson noted the city’s $440,000 allocation is 34% of the budget. Councilmember Kling praised the center’s outreach.
• Madison County 310 Board Presentation – Director Jo Poates spoke about services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The board serves 370+ people daily (up from 80), operates under Act 310, and provides intake and support coordination. The board is funded through Medicaid waivers, with about 70% federal funding. Councilmember Robinson highlighted the importance of the city-funded intake coordinator, Emily.
• Eastern League Financial Assessment – Council pulled Resolution 24-145 for discussion. Finance Director Penny Smith and City Administrator John Hamilton explained that the assessment with Mauldin & Jenkins would evaluate the league’s financial management, identify missing amounts, and recommend improvements to internal controls. Estimated cost is $20,000-$25,000. Hamilton noted a criminal investigation is ongoing, and the assessment will help seek restitution and inform policy for all eight leagues. Councilmember Meredith expressed hope that the assessment would yield procedures to prevent similar issues in other leagues.
• Graham Greenway – Council pulled Resolution 24-146 for discussion. Urban Development Director Shane Davis explained it authorizes acquisition of about four parcels for a pedestrian easement to complete a short connection, creating a 16-mile greenway loop. Condemnation is standard language for valuation if needed; process may take about 120 days.
• Big Spring Park East Expansion – Council pulled Resolution 24-151 for discussion. City Administrator John Hamilton said the $270,000 contract with Bostick Landscape Architects is needed for full design, collaborating with Fuquay (demolition architect) to ensure the park design integrates with demolition plans.
• Sustainability Commission Ordinance – Extensive debate. Councilmember Meredith initially moved to approve the ordinance (24-132) as introduced. He proposed an amendment to reduce membership to five council-appointed members, citing legal limits. After discussion, he withdrew that amendment. Councilmember Keith then proposed a compromise amendment: 11 members, with places 1-6 appointed by the mayor (initial terms 2024-2028) and places 7-11 appointed by the mayor initially (2024-2026) then by the City Council thereafter. The amendment also added the Director of Communications as an ex-officio, non-voting member, and deleted Section 8. Councilmember Keith’s amendment passed unanimously. A further amendment to change “assigned by the Council President” to “elected by the City Council” for the city council member seat also passed unanimously. The final vote on the ordinance as amended failed 3-2 (Kling, Meredith, Keith in favor; Little, Robinson against). Councilmember Meredith emphasized the debate was about ensuring the council’s role, while Mayor Battle defended the existing advisory committee, saying it was formed under mayoral authority and is advisory in nature.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Sustainability Commission (Ordinance 24-132): Failed 3-2 after amendment. The ordinance will not be adopted as amended.
• Approved Resolution 24-145 – Authorized the Mayor to contract with Mauldin & Jenkins for a financial assessment of the Huntsville Eastern League.
• Approved Resolution 24-146 – Authorized acquisition/condemnation of easements for the Graham Greenway project.
• Approved Resolution 24-151 – Contract with Bostick Landscape Architects for Big Spring Park East Expansion.
• Approved all other consent items as listed.
• Mayor’s Reappointments: Announced reappointment of Sally Warden and Kyle Collins to the Planning Commission, and Sasha Sealy and David Edwards to the Ice Skating Complex Board of Control (terms March 14, 2024 – March 14, 2027).
• Board Nominations: 15 nominations were introduced and referred to the March 28, 2024 meeting, including John Stallworth and DeMarco McClain for the Industrial Development Board (Place 4) and others.

Additional Notes

• Public Recognition: Scouts from Troops 70 and 361 were recognized and spoke.
• Councilmember Comments: Councilmembers highlighted district activities, including town halls, street sweeping updates, and community events.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned after second public comments.