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Record of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - March 28, 2024

City Council — Thursday, March 28, 2024
BodyHuntsville, Alabama
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, March 28, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:18:25

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:31

Good evening, everyone.

0:34

Good evening.

0:36

It is 5 30.

0:37

It's March 28th, 2024, and we're meeting here in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama, and all council members are present.

0:44

And we welcome all of you here tonight, uh, especially those here in person and also those that are watching online.

0:50

And we are also convening uh this council meeting in uh in our chambers and I will call the meeting to order.

0:57

And we'll begin with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Keith.

1:03

So please stand as you are able.

1:15

Thank you, Mr.

1:16

Keith.

1:23

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:39

Thank you, Mr.

1:40

Keith.

1:41

Uh council members, you have the agenda before you from our regular meeting of the city council uh for tonight.

1:47

Um are there any additions or deletions to be made?

1:51

Move to approve the agenda.

1:52

All right, move motion to approve the agenda, second by the chair.

1:55

All in favor say aye.

1:56

Aye.

1:56

Any opposed say nay.

1:58

The agenda is approved.

2:00

And council members, you have a copy of the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 14th.

2:05

Are there any changes or additions to be made to the minutes that you have received?

2:08

Hearing none of those minutes will stand as approved.

2:11

The mayor has no recognitions tonight, and that'll bring us to council resolutions for approval and presentation.

2:16

First 6A resolution honoring Dennis Fitzpatrick for his ongoing contributions to community health.

2:22

Move for approval.

2:23

Second.

2:24

Motion by Mr.

2:25

Kling and second by Mr.

2:27

Keith.

2:27

All in favor say aye.

2:28

Aye.

2:30

Resolution passes.

2:31

Mr.

2:31

Kling.

2:33

I'm gonna yield to uh my senior council member, Councilman Keith.

2:36

Uh I think both of us would like to uh come up and do some comments together.

2:40

Absolutely.

2:41

Well, if I could, um there's a young man out here, uh Mr.

2:44

Dennis, as we know him, and his crew.

2:46

If I could give Mr.

2:47

Dennis to come up here on the stage and meet me.

2:49

Now before we get to reading these resolutions, I want to say I've seen this man as I've gotten older a lot more than I like.

2:56

I got knee pain and arm pain and body pains.

3:00

I didn't know that happens when you get 30-something years old.

3:03

But as it reads, Huntsville, Alabama, wish to recognize our honor Dennis Fishpacket, the licensed practical nurse, for his unwavering contributions to health and wellness to us all.

3:16

Um here it says you play basketball.

3:19

You can still do it.

3:20

Okay, guys.

3:22

But I want to jump down to a part that is important, and I want to recognize because I know that his crew is here, and this has been a surprise soon.

3:28

You can turn here because I want everybody in the city to see you.

3:31

Um throughout his whole career, he has been somebody that's made considerations of respected caregiver who goes above and beyond for those in need, and not just in moments, obviously.

3:41

I've had conversations behind that veil of what ails me, but conversations about being a young man.

3:46

I just want to say that personally.

3:47

Thank you for the connections you've made to me.

3:49

It means the world to me.

3:50

And I'm gonna yield to this man because I can only imagine the headaches you've had to put up when he comes to see you as well.

3:57

Well, now you know why I look so young and spry.

4:00

Um seriously, uh Dennis, you've done a great job for the city of Huntsville for all of our employees.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████11%
Tree Maintenance██████████10%
Arts And Culture██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Public Health████████8%
Public Libraries████████8%
Utilities Management██████6%
Historical Preservation██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - March 28, 2024

The Huntsville City Council met on March 28, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present. The meeting included special recognitions, presentations, public hearings, board appointments, and approval of numerous resolutions and ordinances. The council also heard public comments on library content, historical land disputes, and accessory dwelling units.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of agenda and minutes of March 14, 2024.
  • Resolutions honoring Dennis Fitzpatrick for community health contributions and Joy Parker for beautification and veteran services.
  • Resolutions for approval only (not presented).
  • Finance Committee report: Expenditures of $25,205,305.38 approved.
  • Legal items: vacation of easements for Bartley Lofts and Chase Farm at Greenbrier Phase 3.
  • Unfinished business: ordinances declaring surplus property to National Children's Advocacy Center (1.97 acres), exempting heavy equipment repairs from competitive bidding, donating a vehicle to Burritt Museum, and disposing of IT equipment via Managed Asset Recycling.
  • New business consent (items 20a-i, 20k, 20m-r, 20t-af): travel expenses, bid awards, donations, budget amendment, MOA with Huntsville Hospital, District 1 improvement funds, Swancott Greenway property acquisition, SAIN Associates economic development services, Pratt Avenue bus station easement, Miller Branch Greenway easements, GTEC geotechnical services, STAC lease modification, Sandra Moon Phase 2 change order, City Hall change order, Garver sanitary sewer mapping, Schoel pump station evaluation, Arts Huntsville contract (see discussion), Jeff White photography, Merrill Hudnall DVM contract, salary adjustments, Redstone Federal Credit Union landscape maintenance, two Western Surety bond forfeitures, Boy Scouts claim settlement, Monteagle Cove letter of credit invocation, public transit insurance, RideCo paratransit software, drone light show agreement, public defender services, and special employee agreement.
  • Board appointments consolidated (items 15a-m): appointments/reappointments to Bingo Review Committee, Community Development Citizens Advisory Council, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Huntsville Sports Commission, Medical Clinic Board, Beautification Board, WellStone, and Industrial Development Board (see discussion for contested seats).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Library Content Concerns: Carissa Callan, Lara Person, and Rachel Homolak spoke against sexually explicit books in the children's and young adult sections of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. They urged the council (which appoints five of seven library board members) to move such materials to adult sections or restrict access. They presented example books and argued that current policies disregard parental concerns.
  • Historical Land and Water Rights: Michael Jones, Brenda Jones Elliott, Billy Mohammed, and Adolph Jones (descendants of Willie L. Jones) alleged that the city seized their family's well and land in the 1960s without compensation, now part of UAH and the city water system. They called for recognition, restitution, and continued investigation.
  • Sustainability Commission: Joy Johnson criticized the formation of commissions, citing a lack of democratic representation.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Kathy Reisenwitz advocated for legalizing ADUs to ease the housing crisis. She stated the planning department lacks capacity but urged the mayor to prioritize the issue.

Discussion Items

  • Huntsville Utilities Tree Trimming Program: Chris Jones and Wes Kelley presented the vegetation management program. Discussed four-year trimming cycle, removal options, and customer costs. Councilmember Keith questioned cost comparisons of removal vs. continued trimming. Councilmember Kling raised undergrounding feasibility; Wes Kelley noted high costs and possible special assessment districts. Brian Walker (Landscape Management) addressed erosion and ditch maintenance coordination.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tennessee Valley: Michelle Linville presented the mentoring program, highlighting 35 matches in Madison County, a waitlist of 18 children (15 boys), and the need for volunteers, especially men. Emphasized one-on-one mentoring outcomes and cost-effectiveness compared to juvenile incarceration.
  • Huntsville Community Ballet: Philip Otto presented the ballet company's outreach, including 10,000 tickets sold, free military night, and educational programs. Noted collaboration with schools and community partners.
  • Public Hearing – Zoning Change: Rezoning 3.66 acres on US 431 S to C-4 for a Caliber Collision center. Approved 5-0.
  • Public Hearing – Nuisance Cleanup Liens: Two properties: 3114 Stewart St ($2,016.03) and 1507 Barrington Rd ($18,069.35). Both approved 5-0.
  • Board Appointment – Industrial Development Board: Two nominations for the same seat vacated by W.F. Sanders. John Stallworth (sponsored by Robinson and Kling) was appointed 3-0-2 (Meredith and Keith abstained; Meredith later changed from nay to abstain). DeMarco McClain’s nomination (sponsored by Keith and Meredith) failed as the seat was filled.
  • Purchase Agreement for Road Connection (20J): Resolution to buy a parcel in Colonial Promenade for $104,000 (below appraisal of $220,000) for a future road connection to a traffic signal. Approved 5-0.
  • Slaughter Road Improvements MOA (20L): Tri-party agreement among Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County for intersection improvements, with Huntsville contributing up to $1.5 million. Approved 5-0.
  • Arts Huntsville Contract (20S): Renewal of contract to manage public art program for 2.5 years, aligning with fiscal year. Includes funding growth and flexibility. Councilmember Meredith inquired about the Sunny Herford Memorial; John Hamilton stated progress is slow but ongoing with artist involvement. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous approvals for agenda, minutes, all consent items, public hearings, resolutions, and ordinances except where noted.
  • John Stallworth appointed to Industrial Development Board (Place 4) for term expiring May 27, 2025, with 3 ayes and 2 abstentions.
  • DeMarco McClain nomination for the same seat was abandoned after Stallworth’s appointment (not brought to a vote).
  • Board appointment nominations introduced: William Taylor to Special Care Facilities Financing Authority, referred to April 11, 2024 meeting.
  • New business introduced: Four ordinances (surplus property, equipment auction, classification and salary plan amendment, budget amendment for department strength) referred to April 11, 2024 meeting.
  • Public hearing set: Vacation of right-of-way at 600 Franklin Street set for April 25, 2024.
  • Council comments: Recognized upcoming Easter, new businesses, and community events. Councilmember Robinson noted a new traffic light at Dairy and South Parkway to go active April 3.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Good evening. It is 5 30. It's March 28th, 2024, and we're meeting here in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama, and all council members are present. And we welcome all of you here tonight, uh, especially those here in person and also those that are watching online. And we are also convening uh this council meeting in uh in our chambers and I will call the meeting to order. And we'll begin with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Keith. So please stand as you are able. Thank you, Mr. Keith. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Mr. Keith. Uh council members, you have the agenda before you from our regular meeting of the city council uh for tonight. Um are there any additions or deletions to be made? Move to approve the agenda. All right, move motion to approve the agenda, second by the chair. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay. The agenda is approved. And council members, you have a copy of the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 14th. Are there any changes or additions to be made to the minutes that you have received? Hearing none of those minutes will stand as approved. The mayor has no recognitions tonight, and that'll bring us to council resolutions for approval and presentation. First 6A resolution honoring Dennis Fitzpatrick for his ongoing contributions to community health. Move for approval. Second. Motion by Mr. Kling and second by Mr. Keith. All in favor say aye. Aye. Resolution passes. Mr. Kling. I'm gonna yield to uh my senior council member, Councilman Keith. Uh I think both of us would like to uh come up and do some comments together. Absolutely. Well, if I could, um there's a young man out here, uh Mr. Dennis, as we know him, and his crew. If I could give Mr. Dennis to come up here on the stage and meet me. Now before we get to reading these resolutions, I want to say I've seen this man as I've gotten older a lot more than I like. I got knee pain and arm pain and body pains. I didn't know that happens when you get 30-something years old. But as it reads, Huntsville, Alabama, wish to recognize our honor Dennis Fishpacket, the licensed practical nurse, for his unwavering contributions to health and wellness to us all. Um here it says you play basketball. You can still do it. Okay, guys.

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