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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - April 25, 2024

City Council — Thursday, April 25, 2024

BodyHuntsville, Alabama

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, April 25, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:33:27

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1:25

Good evening, everyone.

1:26

It is 5 30 on April 25th, 2024, and we are meeting in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama, and all council members with the exception of Devin Keith are present.

1:36

We welcome all of you who are here with us tonight and also those who are watching online.

1:41

And we are convening this session of city council.

1:44

Uh and it will now be called to order.

1:46

And we'll begin with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Kling.

2:01

Thank you, Mr.

2:02

Kling.

2:03

Would everyone please face the flag.

2:12

And two and all the way.

2:30

Very nice.

2:35

Council members, you have the agenda before you for the meeting held on April 24th, or excuse me, April twenty.

2:41

Wait, I'm sorry, the you have the agenda for tonight's meeting for April 25th.

2:47

Are there any additions or deletions to be made to the agenda?

2:50

Hearing none, I'm moved that we accept the agenda.

2:53

Second.

2:54

Second by Ms.

2:55

uh Dr.

2:56

Robinson.

2:56

All in favor say aye.

2:57

Aye.

2:58

Any opposed, say nay.

2:59

The agenda is approved.

3:00

And council members, you have a copy of the minutes of the regular meeting from the Huntsville City Council held on April 11th, 2024 before you.

3:07

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

3:11

Hearing none, those will stand as approved.

3:14

We have no special recognition for the mayor, and we do have uh one council or a couple of council presentations.

3:20

The first is 6A is a presentation to the Council of International Education, Educational Exchange, High School Students, sponsored by the United States Department of State, and along with Mrs.

3:32

Cindy James, who's the local coordinator and team leader.

3:35

So I will get the microphone and call your names out.

3:57

Jan, you get the prize for asking the most questions.

4:01

So our first one, uh just they're they're all the same, but I'll read what it says.

4:05

It says be it hereby known that by the authority vested in the city council of the city of Huntsville, Alabama, presented to the student in recognition of your participation in the council and international educational exchange high school program and attendance during the regular meeting of Huntsville City Council held on this day, the 25th of April, 2024, and it's signed by the mayor and all the council members.

4:26

And the first student is Yasmin Lago.

4:43

And next will be Mark Hugh.

4:48

And Yasmin is from Spain.

4:50

Mark is from China.

4:58

And then Jan Riemer from Germany.

5:07

Yes, sir.

5:09

Thanks.

5:11

And next is Zuzana.

5:14

Raysk.

5:15

Did I say your last name right?

5:17

Resist.

5:18

From Poland.

5:25

Yes, ma'am.

5:28

And last is AJ.

5:33

Kana.

5:34

Wait, I we said it right upstairs.

5:36

Conjon of a cotton from Thailand.

5:42

Thank you.

5:51

Thank you all.

5:58

Mr.

5:58

Meredith.

5:59

If it if it's all right, I'd like to recognize uh or have you recognize uh minority speaker um Anthony Daniels who's in the audience with his lovely family.

6:09

I see him.

6:11

Representative Daniels, thanks for being here tonight.

6:15

Thank you, Mr.

6:16

Meredith.

6:28

Thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

International Relations████████████████████████24%

Public Libraries██████████████████18%

Public Safety███████████11%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%

Procedural█████5%

Legal Considerations█████5%

Public Engagement████4%

Zoning And Land Use████4%

Mental Health Awareness████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting - April 25, 2024

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on April 25, 2024 at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. Present were Council President David Little, Councilmembers Jennie Robinson, Bill Kling, and John Meredith. Councilmember Devyn Keith was absent. The meeting included presentations, public hearings, a consent agenda, and two periods of public comment, with the second featuring extensive testimony on library content and the conflict in Gaza.

Consent Calendar

Agenda and minutes of April 11, 2024 approved unanimously (4-0).
New business items for consideration (resolutions 24-291 through 24-307, except items 20g and 20i held separately) were approved in one motion, including travel expenses, bid awards, budget amendments, lease modifications, and various agreements for construction, services, and special employee agreements.
Finance committee report: expenditures of $33,154,626.09 approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Roster (Agenda-Related): No speakers.

Second Roster (City Business): 28 individuals spoke.

Library content concerns: Carol Marks (District 3) objected to transgender-themed picture books in the children's section, calling them "grooming." Rachel Homolak (Madison) described explicit content in a book titled "Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia," stating nearly half of its 206 pages were inappropriate for minors and advocating for removal from teen areas. Tammy Steinberg, Richard Steinberg, Carissa Callan (Limestone County), Andrea Simmons, David Hall, and others requested age-appropriate placement of sexually explicit materials in the adult section, often citing that children's brains are not fully developed. A group from Read Freely Alabama, led by Susan Stewart (District 3), stood in opposition to censorship, stating that sexually explicit books are not in the children's section.
Palestine/Israel conflict: Several speakers urged the Council to pass a resolution supporting Palestinians and condemning Israeli actions in Gaza. Dr. Adil Bodla, Matthew Chapman, Fasa Siddiqi, Ahmed Matar, Joy Johnson, and others cited defense contractors in Huntsville (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Boeing) as complicit in war crimes, demanded a ceasefire, and emphasized the humanitarian toll (e.g., 35,000+ dead, 14,500 children). Austin Jones (New Hope, co-chair of North Alabama DSA) presented a draft resolution. David Snyder, Jordan Woods, Wesam Shash, Soondos Kamel, Fakha Ahmad, Sammy Ajjuri, Katarina Duran-Mitchell, and Ragab Abdelmoneim (Imam of Huntsville Islamic Center) expressed solidarity and called for the Council to use its influence.
Jones family property issue: Michael Jones, Brenda Elliott, and Ray Muhammad claimed the city took their father's land without proper compensation during the Jim Crow era, citing forged signatures and requesting a meeting with city leadership.

Discussion Items

Recognitions: Council presented certificates to CIEE international exchange students (from Spain, Germany, Poland, China, Thailand) and to Monte Sano Elementary students for their community service project proposing sidewalk signs with QR codes linking homeless individuals to city resources.
Presentations:
- Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council (HPCAC) Chairman Wiley Day gave a quarterly report, highlighting 2023 achievements and 2024 initiatives, including a community engagement forum with 50+ attendees and upcoming sessions on the hands-free ordinance. Councilmembers commended the report.
- Tom Phelps, Managing Attorney of Legal Services Alabama, reported that city funds ($46,000 in FY24) directly assisted approximately 700 residents in 2023, with 200 cases opened in Q1 2024. He outlined services in housing, consumer, domestic violence, and public benefits. Councilmember Meredith offered to help establish a second office on the west side.
- City Administrator John Hamilton presented a mid-year update on the street sweeper program. Two new sweepers were received since September, three more are on order (12–20 month lead times), and 11 neighborhoods have been added to a twice-yearly sweeping schedule. The goal is a frontline fleet of nine sweepers plus three spares.
Public Hearings (held): Three zoning/land use items were considered.
- Zoning of 10.04 acres near South Green Mountain Road to Residence-2 District (Ordinance 24-137) – approved 4-0 after discussion about drainage and traffic.
- Rezoning of 10.38 acres on Pulaski Pike NW from Planned Industrial to Residence-2 District (Ordinance 24-139) – approved 4-0 for a single-family residential development.
- Vacation of 27 sq. ft. of right-of-way at 600 Franklin Street (Resolution 24-179 and Ordinance 24-180) – hearing held; later voted on under Legal Department items, approved 4-0.
Public Hearings (set): Council set hearings for May 23, 2024 for two ordinances.
- Electric Vehicle Readiness Requirements (Resolution 24-286, Ordinance 24-287) – approved 4-0.
- Amending dwelling definitions (Resolution 24-288, Ordinance 24-289) – approved 4-0.
Unfinished Business:
- Ordinance 24-284 amending Drug and Alcohol policy to comply with FTA sample policy – approved 4-0.
- Ordinance 24-285 declaring surplus equipment for public auction – approved 4-0.
New Business for Introduction: Ordinance 24-316 to increase the small dollar procurement threshold to $10,000 was introduced and referred back for May 9, 2024.
Councilmember Comments: Several members reported on neighborhood meetings, town halls, cleanup events, and community concerns. Councilmember Kling noted the passing of Dr. Rao Kakani. Councilmember Meredith announced Redstone Arsenal exercises on Saturday and a new feeder pattern forum on May 6. Councilmember Robinson announced a public safety town hall on May 13.
Legal Department Items: Resolution and Ordinance vacating a portion of right-of-way at 600 Franklin Street were approved 4-0 (items 18a and 18b).
Held Items: Item 20g (Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report) was considered separately. Kathy Martin confirmed the report shows compliance and good water quality. The resolution was approved 4-0. Item 20i (Change Order No. 1 for James Crawford Park East) was a credit of $42,305.20 to the city; approved 4-0.

Key Outcomes

All votes were unanimous (4-0) with Councilmember Keith absent, except where noted.
The Council approved zoning changes for two residential developments, vacated a right-of-way, and set two public hearings for May 23, 2024.
The consent calendar for new business items (excluding 20g and 20i) was approved.
The expenditure resolution for $33.15 million passed.
The ordinance increasing the small dollar procurement threshold to $10,000 was introduced; second reading set for May 9, 2024.
No board appointments or nominations were made.
The meeting adjourned after the second roster of public comments.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. It is 5 30 on April 25th, 2024, and we are meeting in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama, and all council members with the exception of Devin Keith are present. We welcome all of you who are here with us tonight and also those who are watching online. And we are convening this session of city council. Uh and it will now be called to order. And we'll begin with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Kling. Thank you, Mr. Kling. Would everyone please face the flag. And two and all the way. Very nice. Council members, you have the agenda before you for the meeting held on April 24th, or excuse me, April twenty. Wait, I'm sorry, the you have the agenda for tonight's meeting for April 25th. Are there any additions or deletions to be made to the agenda? Hearing none, I'm moved that we accept the agenda. Second. Second by Ms. uh Dr. Robinson. 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 from the Huntsville City Council held on April 11th, 2024 before you. Are there any changes or additions to be made to the minutes that you have received? Hearing none, those will stand as approved. We have no special recognition for the mayor, and we do have uh one council or a couple of council presentations. The first is 6A is a presentation to the Council of International Education, Educational Exchange, High School Students, sponsored by the United States Department of State, and along with Mrs. Cindy James, who's the local coordinator and team leader. So I will get the microphone and call your names out. Jan, you get the prize for asking the most questions. So our first one, uh just they're they're all the same, but I'll read what it says. It says be it hereby known that by the authority vested in the city council of the city of Huntsville, Alabama, presented to the student in recognition of your participation in the council and international educational exchange high school program and attendance during the regular meeting of Huntsville City Council held on this day, the 25th of April, 2024, and it's signed by the mayor and all the council members. And the first student is Yasmin Lago. And next will be Mark Hugh. And Yasmin is from Spain. Mark is from China. And then Jan Riemer from Germany. Yes, sir. Thanks. And next is Zuzana. Raysk. Did I say your last name right? Resist. From Poland. Yes, ma'am. And last is AJ. Kana. Wait, I we said it right upstairs. Conjon of a cotton from Thailand.

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