Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – July 11, 2024

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present. Mayor Tommy Battle and city staff also attended. The meeting covered a broad range of business, including public hearings on nuisances and demolitions, approval of expenditures, board nominations, and the introduction of several ordinances. A significant portion of the meeting involved discussion of the broadcast and recording of the second public comment period.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved by a single vote and without separate discussion unless noted:

• Approval of the agenda (motion carried 4-1, with Councilmember Kling voting no due to his request to have the second public comment period included in the live broadcast; President Little read a statement clarifying that the second comment period is not broadcast but remains open to the public).
• Approval of the minutes of the June 27, 2024 regular meeting.
• Resolution 24-471 honoring the Madison County Beekeepers Association on their 50th anniversary (unanimous).
• Resolution 24-488 authorizing travel expenses.
• Ordinance 24-489 approving District 5 Council Improvement Funds.
• Resolution 24-490 conveying a transmission line easement to TVA for the North Huntsville Industrial Park.
• Resolution 24-492 authorizing an agreement with OMI, Inc. for environmental site assessment services.
• Resolution 24-493 authorizing an agreement with GDS Associates, Inc. to develop an intergovernmental service agreement.
• Resolution 24-494 for a temporary construction license with Hylis, Inc.
• Resolution 24-495 for a standard agreement with GTEC Corporation for the Stoner Park Skating Rink.
• Resolution 24-496 – Change Order No. 2 (final) with Miller and Miller, Inc. for John Hunt Park Kids Space Phase II.
• Resolution 24-497 for a standard agreement with Amiri Engineering Corporation for Hays Farm Central Park.
• Resolutions 24-498 through 24-500 for fire training service agreements with Clyde Gordon, Robert Todd Edwards, and Stephen Robertson.
• Resolutions 24-501 through 24-507 authorizing invocation of letters of credit for various subdivisions.
• Resolution 24-508 for a historic resource survey of Terry Heights Phase II.
• Resolution 24-510 for a memorandum of understanding with Calhoun Community College.
• Resolution 24-511 for a special employee agreement with David Whitt.
• Ordinance 24-483 vacating utility and drainage easements for Bentley Family Properties (1220C N. Memorial Parkway).
• Ordinance 24-484 vacating easements for Buck Island Commercial Park.
• Ordinance 24-485 vacating easements at The Meadows at Hampton Cove Phase 1 and Retreat at Goose Creek.
• Ordinance 24-486 vacating a portion of a 5‑foot easement along Davis Circle.
• Ordinance 24-487 vacating an easement at Railway Estates.
• Ordinance 24-467 declaring surplus equipment (shredder).
• Ordinance 24-468 donating surplus fire equipment to Madison County Board of Education.
• Ordinance 24-469 donating surplus equipment to Madison County Volunteer Fire Department Association.
• Ordinance 24-470 authorizing auction of surplus fire equipment.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing Testimony (agenda‑related):

• At the public hearing for the nuisance at 2203 First St SW, the property owner, Montarious Collier, stated that he planned to move vehicles to his country property and had already moved some items. He acknowledged receiving notices and asked for additional time. Council members and staff noted the property had received 20 notices since 2018 with no improvement. The resolution to abate was approved.

Second Roster Public Comments (non‑agenda):

• Several speakers addressed the council on a variety of topics:
  • Benjamin Payment spoke about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and multimodal infrastructure.
  • Rachel Homolak and Marisa Allison spoke about libraries.
  • Greg Smith spoke about the Huntsville Historic Depot.
  • Cathy Reisenwitz spoke about ADUs.
  • Afura Taylor spoke about council logistics.
  • Joy Johnson spoke about public comments.
  • Leslie Trippe spoke about public notice and comments.
  • Susan Stewart spoke about Gaza.
  • Lara Person spoke about the Library Board.
  • Carissa Callan spoke about “Your Library Board.”
  • Doug Halbrooks spoke about the public comment roster.
  • Monique Urquiza spoke about community concerns.
  • Sarah Colletti spoke about censorship.
  • Austin Jones spoke about censorship.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Approval & Broadcast of Second Public Comments: Councilmember Kling requested that the second public comment period be included in the live broadcast and replay. City Attorney Trey Riley explained that the matter is under the president’s purview. President Little read a prepared statement clarifying that the official business portion (including agenda‑related public comments and public hearings) is broadcast, but the second roster is not broadcast, though it remains open for the public to attend and speak. Councilmembers Meredith and Kling expressed disappointment, while Councilmember Robinson emphasized that in‑person meetings and calls are also effective ways to engage. Councilmember Keith suggested a possible edited rebroadcast could be considered.
• Public Hearings on Nuisances and Demolitions: Scott Erwin, Director of Community Development, presented four items. For 2203 First St SW (junk nuisance), the property had 20 notices since 2018; the owner spoke but no improvement was seen. For 2213 Hill St NW (unsafe building), 25 notices since 2008 with multiple ownership changes; a tree had caused a 95% loss. For 1015 Magnolia Dr NW (unsafe building), notices dating back 15 years, with an 85% loss assessment after the building became open and accessible. For 740 West Arbor Dr (junk nuisance), a $4,165 lien for cleanup was presented. Councilmembers Keith and Robinson discussed the need for an abandoned property ordinance to speed up the process while protecting property rights. Mayor Battle asked that specific addresses of concern be sent to Mr. Erwin for detailed information.
• 4th Avenue Streetscape Improvements (Resolution 24-491): The resolution authorizes a contract with Rogers Group, Inc. for sidewalk, street lighting, and resurfacing between Triana and Stovehouse. A typo in the agenda listing “Fourth Street” was clarified to be “Fourth Avenue.” The item was held from the consent calendar for clarification, then approved.
• USDOT SMART Grant Application (Resolution 24-509): Shane Davis, Director of Urban/Economic Development, explained the grant would allow synchronization of traffic signals on Bob Wallace Avenue with state‑controlled signals on the Parkway, using smart technology (cameras and AI) to improve traffic flow. Councilmembers asked about current traffic issues at Maston Lake and the Parkway; staff noted that the upcoming overpass project (expected to be active in September) should improve conditions. The resolution was approved.
• Work Session on Abandoned Properties: Councilmember Keith requested a work session in the fall to discuss how the city handles abandoned properties, citing the lengthy processes seen in the public hearings. Councilmember Robinson noted that legal staff is already researching possible ordinance amendments.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Expenditures: $30,443,492.86 (Resolution 24-482) for city payments.
• Board Nominations: Councilmember Kling nominated Dr. Janette Jones (reappointment), Paul Matheny (reappointment), and Hall Bryant Jr. for the Downtown Redevelopment Authority. Councilmember Meredith co‑sponsored the nomination of Mr. Bryant.
• Mayor’s Appointment: Daniel Owen was appointed to the Human Relations Commission, serving from July 12, 2024, to March 14, 2028 (term corrected from an earlier misstatement).
• Public Hearings Set for August 8, 2024:
  • Vacation of right‑of‑way along Wayne Road at Tate Farms at Hidden Cave.
  • Vacation of a portion of right‑of‑way along the south margin of Davis Circle.
• New Business Introductions (due back July 25, 2024):
  • Ordinance 24-512 (Fleet surplus auction).
  • Ordinance 24-513 (General Services surplus auction).
  • Ordinance 24-514 (amend Classification and Salary Plan).
  • Ordinance 24-515 (ITS surplus disposal with Managed Asset Recycling Solutions, LLC).
  • Ordinance 24-516 (rename Hollow Road to “DJ Richardson Way”).
  • Ordinance 24-517 (annex 3.46 acres north of Winchester Road and east of Bradford Lane).
• All votes were unanimous except for the agenda approval (4-1).