Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – June 27, 2024

The Huntsville City Council convened at 5:30 PM on June 27, 2024, for a regular meeting. The Council approved the agenda with an amendment, held several public hearings, and voted on numerous resolutions and ordinances. Highlights included the approval of major park construction contracts, the overturning of a liquor license denial, and a declaration that Mayor Tommy Battle was re-elected by default. The Council also received an update on the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, showing strong performance and upcoming closures.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes of the June 13, 2024 regular meeting.
• Resolution 24-432: Honoring the legacy of Mr. David Johnston (approved).
• Public Hearing 9b – Limousine License: Authorized issuance of a limousine license to Sara Y. Humphrey d/b/a Great Dane Limousine Service, LLC for one vehicle (approved).
• Public Hearing 9e – Pulaski Pike Rezoning: Rezoned 25.04 acres on Pulaski Pike from Residence-1 to Industrial Park District, with plat restrictions for buffers (approved unanimously).
• Public Hearing 9f – Jordan Lane Rezoning: Rezoned 13.75 acres on Jordan Lane from Light Industry to Highway Business C-4 (approved unanimously).
• Legal Items: Approved vacation of a utility easement (County Line Road), and vacation of right-of-way (Kildare Estates, 1315 Meridian St/113 Oakwood Ave).
• Unfinished Business: Declared certain fleet equipment surplus and authorized recycling (approved).
• Finance Committee: Authorized expenditures in the amount of $24,867,145.88 (approved).
• Board Reappointments: Reappointed Natasha Parker (Sports Commission), Lisa Shedd (Animal Services), Dr. Dorothy Huston (Gas and Water Boards), Thomas Winstead (Electric Board), and appointed Mark Russell to the Industrial Development Board (all approved).
• New Business Consent Items: Approved as a block 20 items including travel expenses, procurement, donations, budget amendment, Council Improvement Funds, Bice Farms license agreement, BARGE Design for Northern Bypass, Bostick Landscape Mod 1, JustFOIA addendum, Simtech Solutions agreement, CDBG MOUs, letter of credit invocation, Highland Hills Sewer Easement condemnation, SWDA license agreement, transit grant application, Space Race event agreement, HIDTA grant ($353,277), agreement with Family Services Center, appointment of Eddie Davis Jr. to Board of Zoning Adjustments, and three special employee agreements.
• New Business Introductions: Introduced four ordinances declaring equipment surplus (to be donated or sold) for action at a future meeting.

Public Hearings and Dedicated Discussions

Grass/Weed Lien (9a)

• Public Hearing: Authorized the assessment of costs for cutting overgrown grass/weeds on 19 properties totaling $5,467.58 (average $287.77)—14 properties inside city limits, 5 outside. Approved.

Liquor License Appeal (9c)

• Public Hearing: Considered appeal of Ravi Patel (Om Namah Shivay 1, Inc.) for retail beer/wine off-premises license at 4011 University Dr NW. The Liquor License Review Committee had denied the application due to a failed background check (incident 5 years prior).
• Speaker: Ravi Patel spoke in support of his application, expressing remorse and stating he paid his fine and has been incident-free for five years. He requested the Council overturn the denial.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Robinson expressed concern over lack of clear parameters for background checks and requested legal to work on guidelines. Councilmember Kling suggested five years might be a reasonable timeframe. Mayor noted the appeal process is working as intended.
• Action: The Council voted unanimously to overturn the Liquor License Review Committee's denial, granting the license.

Public Nuisance (10a)

• Set a public hearing for July 11, 2024, on a nuisance declaration at 2203 First St SW.

Greenbrier Preserve South Rezoning (10b)

• Set a public hearing for July 25, 2024, on rezoning 95.07 acres on Swancott Road to Planned Development-Housing.

Discussion Items

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Update (14b)

• Presenter: Finance Director Penny Smith provided a comprehensive update on the city’s seven TIF districts.
• Highlights:
  • TIF 1 (University/Research Park): Closed in 2006 after 6 years; financed $2.3M in roads/land.
  • TIF 2 (Bob Wallace/South Parkway): Financed over $10M for school improvements; debt forecast to pay off in 2025, bringing approx. $1.5M annually to schools.
  • TIF 3 (Providence area): Financed $30M for schools; paid off 11 years early in 2012.
  • TIF 3A (NW Huntsville, Toyota/Meta): Financed $12M for eight schools; closed in 2022, now returning $3M/year to Huntsville City Schools.
  • TIF 4 (Downtown revitalization): $30M projects; collected $7.5M in property taxes in 2024; scheduled payoff in 2027.
  • TIF 5 (Rideout Road): Developer-financed infrastructure ($68M); 15-18 buildings complete.
  • TIF 6 (Greenbrier Parkway): Attracted Polaris, GE Aviation; projected to pay off in 2025, returning $4.3-4.5M to schools.
  • TIF 7 (Mazda Toyota area): Over $2.5B investment; tax collections reached $12.9M in 2024.
• Cumulative Impact: TIFs have generated $90-100 million for school construction and $60 million for roads/infrastructure.
• Future: The city may consider new TIFs, pending careful evaluation. Councilmembers discussed potential use for a ring road or other infrastructure.
• No vote required, but the report was received.

Hays Farm Central Park (20h)

• Resolution 24-445: Authorized contract with Bailey Harris Construction for the Hays Farm Central Park project for $7,071,638.
• Details (presented by Ricky Wilkinson, General Services): The park will cover 9.2 acres, including a lagoon with water feature, green space, walkways, restroom pavilion, gazebo, performance stage, fitness pad, and a relocated windmill donated by the Hayes family. Construction expected to last 14 months.
• Councilmember Robinson: Emphasized the park as a gathering place for the South Parkway community and part of the Hays Farm development.
• Approved unanimously.

John Hunt Park Tennis Center Expansion (20j)

• Resolution 24-447: Authorized contract with Chorba Contracting Corporation for $4,639,000.
• Scope: 10 new lit hard courts, renovation of 6 existing to clay courts, restroom pavilion, parking, and landscaping. Will bring total to 46 courts (30 clay, 16 hard). Construction 16 months.
• Approved unanimously.

Stoner Park Skating Rink (20k)

• Resolution 24-448: Authorized contract with Butler Construction Company for $2,229,000.
• Details: Enclosed roller skating rink (85x185 feet), restroom building, seating area, ceiling fans, audio system, and lighting. Community input included WeSkate Huntsville group. Construction 1 year.
• Speaker: Alexander Sellers, representing WeSkate Huntsville, expressed strong community support for the project, highlighting health, wellness, and community engagement.
• Councilmember Keith: Praised the community-led effort and noted the project brings diverse users to Northwest Huntsville.
• Approved unanimously.

Governors Drive East Widening (20r)

• Resolution 24-455: Authorized acquisition/condemnation of land for widening Governors Drive east of California Street (1,500 feet), to improve traffic flow and safety. Nine parcels involved; the city intends to negotiate fairly. Construction to begin early 2025.
• Councilmembers discussed: Safety concerns from drivers using empty right lane and merging; widening will allow three lanes through the intersection.
• Approved unanimously.

Revised Agreement with Huntsville City Board of Education (20x)

• Resolution 24-461: Revised agreement to allow retired state/out-of-state POST-certified officers to serve as School Resource Officers (SROs), and increase pay cap to $52,000 (previously $38,000) per state law change.
• Councilmember Robinson: Noted that this step moves toward having SROs in every school.
• Chief of Police: Confirmed the change expands the pool of candidates.
• Approved unanimously.

Declaration of Mayor Tommy Battle's Re-election (20ad)

• Resolution 24-471A: Declared Mayor Tommy Battle duly elected to a new term as the sole qualifying candidate, per Code of Ala. §11-46-26.
• Discussion: City Attorney Trey Riley explained the statutory requirement and the cost savings of not running a city-wide election for an unopposed candidate. The council expressed transparency and support for the process.
• Councilmembers commented: Acknowledged the law and congratulated the Mayor.
• Approved unanimously.

Public Comments

• Agenda-Related: None.
• Second Roster: Twelve individuals addressed the Council on various city matters. Names recorded: Rachel Homolak, Leena Jacobs, Cathy Reisenwitz, Rob Clark, Jackson Hannan, Carol Elliott, Joy Johnson, Carissa Callan, Grayson Meijia, Marisa Allison, Lara Person, Sarah Colletti. (Specific positions not detailed in minutes or transcript.)

Key Outcomes

• Liquor License Appeal Overturned: The Council voted 4-0 to overturn the denial of a retail beer/wine license for Om Namah Shivay 1, Inc., and requested legal develop clearer background check guidelines.
• Major Park Contracts Approved: Hays Farm Central Park ($7.1M), John Hunt Park Tennis Center ($4.64M), and Stoner Park Skating Rink ($2.23M) all approved unanimously.
• Governor’s Drive Widening: Authorization to acquire land for the widening project to improve safety and congestion.
• SRO Program Expansion: Revised agreement with Board of Education to increase pay and expand eligibility for School Resource Officers, aiming for coverage in all schools.
• Mayor’s Re-election Declared: Tommy Battle declared elected to a new term due to being the sole candidate, saving election costs.
• TIF Update: All districts performing well; two to close in 2025, unlocking millions annually for schools.
• Consent Agenda: Over 20 items approved en bloc, including expenditures, grants, and board appointments.