OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – May 9, 2024

City Council — Thursday, May 9, 2024
BodyHuntsville, Alabama
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, May 9, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
2:32

Good evening, everyone.

2:34

It is five thirty.

2:36

It is May 9th, 2024, and we are meeting in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama, and all council members are present.

2:43

And we'd like to welcome everyone that's here with us tonight, and also for those that are watching on television or online.

2:48

I mean, we are convening this meeting in Huntsville.

2:52

Um, we will begin with a moment of silence tonight, and then we'll be followed by a pledge of allegiance led by council member Devin Keith.

2:59

And uh please stand as you are able to.

3:11

Thank you, Mr.

3:12

Keith.

3:19

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all council members, you have the agenda before you, and there will be an addition.

3:40

Um that'll be added in section twenty, it'll be twenty y for consideration.

3:45

And uh this if I'll just read the rule here.

3:48

Um the the administration would like to add the item to tonight's gender for consideration, the council rules, um, which you guys have received.

3:59

Uh section two dash ninety two rule one agenda in paragraph B as follows at the meeting of the council items not on the published agenda established by the president may be added by motion for consideration or by action by a council member during the adoption of the agenda.

4:15

Um you all have a copy.

4:17

Um, this is uh we'll get to it when we get to twenty, but for um the upcoming Alabama League of Municipalities conference, and the city will be sponsoring a reception for that.

4:27

So the chair moves that we add twenty y to the agenda.

4:31

Second.

4:35

So second by Mr.

4:36

Meredith.

4:37

All in favor say aye.

4:38

Aye.

4:38

Any opposed say nay.

4:40

So uh I will now move that we approve the amend the agenda as amended.

4:45

Move to approve.

4:46

All right.

4:49

Second by Mr.

4:49

Meredith.

4:50

All in favor say aye.

4:51

Aye.

4:51

Any opposed say nay.

4:53

The amended agenda is passed.

4:55

And council members, you also have a copy of the minutes for the regular meeting of the city council held on April twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-four before you.

5:02

Are there any changes or additions to be made to the amendment?

5:05

You have received.

5:07

None of those will stand as approved.

5:08

We have no special recognitions from the mayor, but we do have one council recognition.

5:12

That's a item 6A is a resolution recognized in May as international internal audit awareness month.

5:18

We have a motion to move.

5:20

Motion by Mr.

5:21

Clang, second by Mr.

5:22

Meredith.

5:23

All in favor say aye.

5:24

Aye.

5:24

Okay.

5:24

Any opposed say nay.

5:25

Resolution passes.

5:26

Mr.

5:26

Klang, floor is yours.

5:28

Thank you, Mr.

5:29

President.

5:30

The month of May is internal auditing appreciation month.

5:36

And these are the folks who are kind of behind the scenes.

5:39

They do the things that we need to have done to take care of identifying any organization that has risk and ensure that proper policies, procedures, and controls are in place.

5:52

It's very sophisticated, and we have some very good people in city government that are very much aware of the role that these auditors have.

6:02

Internal auditors help make organizations success, and they help contribute to the success and strength of the global economy at large, and they deserve our recognition and uh commendation.

6:17

And therefore, Mr.

6:18

President, um I would uh think that this would certainly be uh something very appropriate at this time, and uh I believe we have a representative out in the audience if I've seen there she is the microphone as uh y'all have seen both the mayor and all five council members are in support and appreciate the great work that are done by internal auditors and appreciate uh y'all coming down to the council meeting.

6:54

And let me give you the mic and let you like.

6:59

Uh thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Food Assistance██████████████14%
Workforce Development███████████11%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████9%
Food Security███████7%
Public Safety███████7%
Procedural█████5%
Sex Education Policy█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – May 9, 2024

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present. The meeting included presentations, public hearings, a mid-year budget review, and numerous consent and new business items. The council also heard extensive public comments on the Food Bank of North Alabama, library book content, and the situation in Gaza. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Agenda as Amended: Added item 20y (reception for Alabama League of Municipalities Convention). Motion by President Little, second by Councilmember Meredith. Passed 5-0.
  • Approval of Minutes: Minutes of April 25, 2024, approved as submitted.
  • Council Resolution: Resolution No. 24-317 recognizing May as International Internal Audit Awareness Month. Motion by Councilmember Kling, second by Councilmember Meredith. Passed 5-0.
  • Finance Committee Report – Expenditures: Resolution No. 24-322 authorizing expenditures of $48,733,969.14. Motion by Councilmember Robinson, second by President Little. Passed 5-0.
  • Unfinished Business: Ordinance No. 24-316 increasing the small dollar procurement threshold to $10,000. Motion by Councilmember Robinson, second by Councilmember Kling. Passed 5-0.
  • New Business Consent (Items 20a, 20c–20y): Consolidated and approved in one motion (except 20b held for discussion). Included: travel authorization, budget amendment, Iceplex engineering, change orders for John Hunt Park and Sandra Moon Complex, professional services contracts, various legal settlements, letters of credit, grant applications, and a reception for the Alabama League of Municipalities Convention. Motion by President Little, second by Councilmember Kling. Passed 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

Agenda-Related Public Comments (Food Bank of North Alabama) – Eight speakers expressed strong support for the Food Bank and requested city funding.

  • Cecilia Taddia (Director, OASIS Food Pantry, District 1) reported serving 7,416 people with 198,227 pounds of food in six months, noting a food crisis among families, elderly, and veterans.
  • Shelly Vaughn (Oakwood University Community Health Action Center) described distributing 31,409 pounds of food from October 2023 to March 2024, serving nearly 3,000 people including 800 children.
  • Dr. Leslie Pollard (President, Oakwood University) supported the Food Bank, emphasizing its role in underserved areas.
  • Mike Prestnell (Director of Food Services, Downtown Rescue Mission) stated that 80–82% of the mission’s food comes from the Food Bank, and without it, they could only house 60 people instead of 311.
  • Kezia Daniels (Director, Mount Calvary Community Service Center, Terry Heights) stressed the importance of the Food Bank for summer meals and community support.
  • Brenda Bryson (Victory World Outreach Ministries, Meadow Hills) shared a story of an elderly woman buying cat food because she had no food, and urged council to fund the Food Bank.
  • Beverly Chisholm (Women of Excellence) reported serving over 9,000 pounds of food in the last year and noted increased need post-COVID.
  • Rev. Marian Royston (St. Paul United Methodist Church, District 4) described a terminally ill woman who was food insecure, stating that the Food Bank provides human dignity.

Second Roster Public Comments – Nine speakers addressed various topics.

  • Abbey Rothseldt (District 1, Food Bank employee) shared a personal story about a senior distribution at Todd Towers, highlighting the $23–$27 monthly food stamp allotment for many seniors, and urged support for the Food Bank.
  • Tonia Stulting (District 4) expressed concern about explicit books in the teen section of the public library, requesting they be moved to the adult section or require parental consent.
  • Wendy Tarkowski (Owens Crossroads) also objected to explicit books in the young adult section, citing specific content from "Let's Talk About It" and calling for library cleanup.
  • Austin Jones (Owens Crossroads, North Alabama DSA co-chair) read a resolution calling on the city to stand in solidarity with Palestinians, condemn Israeli actions, and divest from defense companies operating in Huntsville.
  • Nathaniel Yao (Madison) argued that the death toll in Gaza is much higher than reported, and that Huntsville’s defense contractors (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Raytheon) are complicit in the violence, urging divestment.
  • Caroline Earhart (Huntsville) opposed calls to move books from the teen section, arguing that such restrictions constitute censorship and deny intellectual freedom.
  • Joy Johnson (District 1) mourned the loss of trees in last night’s storms and connected environmental destruction to the climate crisis and the removal of olive trees in Palestine.
  • Rachel Homolak (Madison City) criticized liberal activists for bullying and harassment, defended traditional values, and supported keeping explicit materials away from children.
  • Allen Prescott (Madison, District 5) requested a sound barrier fence along Zeirdt Road to reduce traffic noise for his neighborhood.

Discussion Items

  • Presentations:
    • Hatch Huntsville: Garrett Coyne presented the youth workforce development program (ages 18–24, 8-week paid program). Statistics: 70 graduates, 93% employed or in school, 55% average wage increase, $1.7 million in annual wages. The program focuses on life skills, culinary training, and mental health support. Councilmember Robinson praised the partnership with the library. Councilmember Keith asked about recruitment and transportation; Coyne explained the online application and provided bus tokens and ride credits.
    • Food Bank of North Alabama: CEO Shirley Schofield detailed a food crisis in Huntsville, with a 48% increase in requests in first quarter 2024. In 2023, the Food Bank distributed 13 million pounds of food. 70% of recipients are employed. Every dollar provides seven meals. The Food Bank partners with 65 agencies in Huntsville, operates mobile pantries, and collaborates with schools and healthcare clinics. Councilmember Kling noted his long association with the organization. Councilmember Meredith welcomed the new district 5 location and highlighted the importance of fresh produce.
  • Mid-Year Budget Review: Director of Finance Penny Smith presented the review. Key points: Sales tax revenue up 3.3% but slightly behind budget. Building permit revenue reduced by $3.9 million due to higher interest rates, offset by $4.24 million in higher investment income. Net effect: $1.1 million added to general fund. Expenditure increases include insurance premiums, janitorial contracts, and indigent defense, offset by a $1.3 million reduction in fiber access fees. Councilmember Keith asked about borrowing capacity and project costs; Smith confirmed the city can borrow but must evaluate project costs. He also requested a comprehensive budget presentation for African American history funding.
  • New Business Item 20b (Held): Ordinance No. 24-324 amending the budget. Councilmember Keith requested that future appropriations for African American history be consolidated into a single budget item rather than ad hoc. Mayor Battle acknowledged the request. The ordinance passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolutions Passed:
    • Resolution 24-317 (Internal Audit Awareness Month)
    • Resolutions 24-318 and 24-320 setting public hearings for June 27, 2024, on rezoning of 25.04 acres on Pulaski Pike (R1 to Industrial Park) and 13.75 acres on Jordan Lane (Light Industry to Highway Business C-4).
    • Resolution 24-322 (Expenditures $48.7M)
    • Resolutions 24-323 through 24-346 and 24-349 (consent items, all passed)
  • Ordinances Passed:
    • Ordinance 24-316 (small dollar threshold to $10,000)
    • Ordinance 24-324 (budget amendment)
  • Board Nominations Referred:
    • Reappointment of Jerry Cargile to Huntsville-Madison County Railroad Authority (term to May 22, 2029) – referred to May 23, 2024, meeting.
    • Reappointment of Tammyier Leeth to Historical Preservation Authority (term to June 3, 2030) – referred to May 23, 2024, meeting.
  • New Business Introductions:
    • Ordinance 24-347 (Classification and Salary Plan amendment) introduced, due back May 23, 2024.
    • Ordinance 24-348 (Budget amendment for authorized strength) introduced, due back May 23, 2024.
  • Announcements:
    • Mayor Battle announced the reappointment of Shaun Gonzalez to Constitution Village/Huntsville Depot Board (three-year term).
    • Open house for new City Hall on May 21, 2024, at 10 AM; next council meeting on May 23 in new chambers.
    • Councilmember Kling reported no fatalities from the May 8 storms and praised city workers.
  • Councilmember Comments:
    • Councilmember Keith honored the late Julius Oscar and praised the Food City groundbreaking in North Huntsville.
    • Councilmember Meredith thanked the food bank speakers and noted his town hall on May 7.
    • Councilmember Robinson announced a town hall on public safety (May 13) and South Huntsville cleanup (May 18).
    • Councilmember Little noted storm damage in District 2 and plans to commemorate the old council chambers.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. It is five thirty. It is May 9th, 2024, and we are meeting in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama, and all council members are present. And we'd like to welcome everyone that's here with us tonight, and also for those that are watching on television or online. I mean, we are convening this meeting in Huntsville. Um, we will begin with a moment of silence tonight, and then we'll be followed by a pledge of allegiance led by council member Devin Keith. And uh please stand as you are able to. Thank you, Mr. Keith. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all council members, you have the agenda before you, and there will be an addition. Um that'll be added in section twenty, it'll be twenty y for consideration. And uh this if I'll just read the rule here. Um the the administration would like to add the item to tonight's gender for consideration, the council rules, um, which you guys have received. Uh section two dash ninety two rule one agenda in paragraph B as follows at the meeting of the council items not on the published agenda established by the president may be added by motion for consideration or by action by a council member during the adoption of the agenda. Um you all have a copy. Um, this is uh we'll get to it when we get to twenty, but for um the upcoming Alabama League of Municipalities conference, and the city will be sponsoring a reception for that. So the chair moves that we add twenty y to the agenda. Second. So second by Mr. Meredith. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay. So uh I will now move that we approve the amend the agenda as amended. Move to approve. All right. Second by Mr. Meredith. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay. The amended agenda is passed. And council members, you also have a copy of the minutes for the regular meeting of the city council held on April twenty-fifth, twenty twenty-four before you. Are there any changes or additions to be made to the amendment? You have received. None of those will stand as approved. We have no special recognitions from the mayor, but we do have one council recognition. That's a item 6A is a resolution recognized in May as international internal audit awareness month. We have a motion to move. Motion by Mr. Clang, second by Mr. Meredith. All in favor say aye. Aye. Okay. Any opposed say nay. Resolution passes. Mr. Klang, floor is yours. Thank you, Mr.

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