OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – September 12, 2024

City Council — Thursday, September 12, 2024
BodyHuntsville, Alabama
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, September 12, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:38

We got twenty nine seconds.

0:42

You got the microphone.

0:50

John, could you help us round up the microphone?

0:54

Microphone.

1:12

Good evening, everyone.

1:16

It is five thirty on September twelfth, twenty twenty-four, and we are meeting in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama.

1:22

And all council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Devin Keith.

1:26

And we welcome everyone that's here with us tonight, and those that are watching online and on TV.

1:42

And then that will be followed by the national anthem offered by the Huntsville Master Corral in honor of Music Week.

1:47

So please stand as you are able for the invocation.

1:51

Thank you.

1:52

Let us pray.

1:54

Almighty and trying God.

1:56

We come before you with gratitude.

2:01

Thank you for being with us here now in this very room and in this beautiful new building.

2:06

You never leave us or forsake us.

2:08

We thank you for making each of us in your image with infinite dignity, value, and worth.

3:09

Finally, I pray for our council meeting tonight.

3:11

Give these leaders wisdom and guidance as they deliberate on the items before them.

3:16

Father, looking at the agenda, I am overwhelmed by the complexity of running our city.

3:28

May every decision be righteous in your sight for the benefit of Huntsville and for your glory.

3:34

Finally, in light of the weather, we ask for your protection on our city, and especially for our public safety workers who frequently place themselves in dangerous situations to serve the citizens of Huntsville.

3:44

Keep them safe tonight, Lord.

3:46

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

3:49

Amen.

6:36

Is that for them?

6:37

Yeah.

6:37

Okay.

6:38

If y'all would hold up, just stay right here for a minute.

6:42

Mayor's got some for you.

6:45

The mayor's going to do the solo.

6:50

Meeting adjourned.

6:56

Yes, sir.

7:03

We want to say to the to the to the corral, thank you for coming and sharing your music with us tonight.

7:12

Um it's uh it's been very special listening to your music out in the hallway before our council.

7:18

You tamed the the rabid beast out there.

7:22

And we look forward to just a very smooth council meeting after listening to that music.

7:26

Uh it was beautiful.

7:28

We have a presentation here uh to you, uh, just presented to the Huntsville Master Corral uh for contributing to the more inclusive, inspired, and creative music environment enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and visitors, and to also to say thank you for coming out tonight and making music month just a great time.

7:50

Matt, do you have anything else you need to add here?

7:58

Right.

7:59

And the Star Spangled Banner, which y'all just sang was uh written two hundred and ten years ago on Saturday, I believe it was.

8:08

So thank y'all for doing that.

8:10

Uh it was just it it all falls together uh in music month.

8:15

So thank you so much, and I'd like to present this this to you as leader of the Crown Innocence.

8:21

Thank y'all so much for coming tonight.

8:43

That's how you start a council meeting.

8:46

Very good.

8:47

And thank you all again.

8:49

Council members, you have it before you the agenda for this uh regular meeting of city council September twelfth.

8:55

Uh please note we have two items, 17A and 17B that are authorizing debt issuance for Huncil utilities that will require unanimous consent to be considered tonight.

9:05

Does anyone have any additions or deletions to meet be made to the agenda?

9:10

Move to approve the agenda.

9:11

Second motion to approved by Dr.

9:13

Robinson, second by Mr.

9:14

Meredith.

9:15

All in favor say aye.

9:16

Any opposed say nay.

9:18

The agenda is passed.

9:20

And council members, you also have a copy of the meetings of the regular or minutes of the regular meeting of the Huntsville City Council held on August 22nd, 2024.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████19%
Public Engagement██████████████████18%
Utilities Management████████████12%
Arts And Culture█████████9%
Public Health███████7%
Housing and Property Maintenance███████7%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Zoning And Land Use████4%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – September 12, 2024

The Huntsville City Council met on September 12, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All members were present except Devyn Keith. The meeting included routine approvals, public hearings, presentations, and votes on numerous items including utility financing, budget introductions, and a nuisance abatement. All roll-call votes were 4-0.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved from August 22, 2024 (regular), September 3, 2024 (special and work sessions).
  • Proclamation: Declared September as OBGYN Cancer Month; presented to Laura Crandall Brown Foundation.
  • Resolution 24-629: Honored behind-the-scenes music performance workers.
  • Public Hearing & Resolution 24-630: Authorized assessment for cutting overgrown grass/weeds on 25 properties (total $6,529.33, average $261.17).
  • Public Hearing & Resolution 24-631: Ordered abatement of nuisance at 3603 Drake Ave SW (passed after owner testimony).
  • Public Hearings Set for October 24, 2024: Zoning for 3.46 acres (Winchester Rd/Bradford Ln), rezoning for 5.62 acres (Plummer Rd/Research Park Blvd), rezoning for 41.68 acres (Pulaski Pike/Routt Rd).
  • Finance Resolution 24-638: Authorized expenditures of $52,185,932.63.
  • Board Reappointments: Eric Milberger and Kenneth Chandler to Construction Industries Board; Collin Keller to Animal Services Advisory Committee.
  • Huntsville Utilities Items:
    • Ordinance 24-652: $16.2M Water Revenue Warrants at 3.73% true interest cost.
    • Ordinance 24-653: $8.6M Subordinated Water Revenue Warrant at 1.99% for SRF program.
    • Resolution 24-654: Electric Dept FY2025 capital budget $78,468,655.
    • Resolution 24-655: Gas Dept FY2025 capital budget $14,080,591.
    • Resolution 24-656: Water Dept FY2025 capital budget $28,775,750.
    • Resolution 24-657: New transmission delivery point agreement.
    • Resolution 24-658: Additional $3M for distribution transformers and $3.9M for development/extensions.
  • Legal – Easement Vacations: Approved for Sunset on Green Mountain, Rideout Village, North Huntsville Industrial Park.
  • New Business Consent Agenda: Approved in one motion (items 20a-20p, 20r-20v, 20x-20af, 20ah-20al) including travel, donations, budget amendment, VBC roof replacement, lighting/sprinkler improvements, East/South Hall renovations, council improvement funds, Mid-City assessment, Governors Drive design services, John Hunt Park soccer complex change order, recreation center modification, traffic striping, consulting agreements (AVO Communications, Meltwater News), WhistleStop Festival facility use (Apollo Foundation), court reporter services, election supplies for Sept. 24 runoff, TVA radiological preparedness, salary adjustment, insurance renewals (Crum & Forster, BCBS, Safety National, Markel, Corvel), Verizon cell tower for South Star Festival, letters of credit for Freeman Road Townhomes and Fields Phase 1, Space Race rescheduling, paratransit dispatching (City of Madison), UAH transportation services, CLG grant (see Discussion), HIDTA grant ($353,277), VirTra training, FLOCK Group contract, special employee agreements (Mary Berry, Rebecca Wilburn).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Joseph Nori (property owner): During the nuisance hearing, he stated debris resulted from demolition and would be removed within two weeks; a privacy fence had been installed.
  • Second Roster Public Comments (non-agenda):
    • Austin Jones spoke about "9/11".
    • Rachel Homolake and Tonia Stulting spoke about "library".
    • Sarah Colletti spoke about "police brutality".
    • Alyx Kim-Yohn spoke generally.

Discussion Items

  • Nuisance Abatement at 3603 Drake Ave: Councilmember Kling noted a long-standing problem and asked about timeline. Community Development Director Scott Irwin said city mobilization would take about 14 days, giving the owner a final opportunity. Councilmember Robinson pointed to over 20 prior citations and supported proceeding. Resolution passed 4-0.
  • 565 Interchange: Councilmember Robinson asked how council could help accelerate improvements for the interchange serving 110,000-120,000 vehicles daily (designed for 45,000). Mayor Battle reported ALDOT agreed to fund engineering; total project estimated $600-700M. He suggested leveraging the 2026 gubernatorial election.
  • Election Canvassing: Councilmember Meredith requested precinct breakdown of the August 27 election. City Clerk Shaundrika Edwards displayed final totals; a runoff for District 1 (City Council and Board of Education) is set for September 24.
  • Rat Infestation at Mayfair Towers: Councilmember Kling reported ongoing issues and asked Community Development to follow up.
  • WhistleStop Festival (Item 20q): City Administrator John Hamilton explained the facility use agreement for the MidCity District parking lot. Kling asked about permanence; Hamilton said MidCity appears suitable but could change. Resolution passed 4-0.
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Agreement (Item 20w): Human Resources Director Byron Thomas reported a 7% premium increase (from $2.80 to $8 per pay period) due to rising medical costs, but mental health coverage expanded (EAP visits from 3 to 5). Councilmember Robinson noted the city self-funds and pays 85% of costs. Resolution passed 4-0.
  • CLG Grant for Magnolia Terrace & Brothers Heights (Item 20ag): Urban Development Director Shane Davis said the grant would fund documentation for historic designation of these historically Black neighborhoods. Councilmember Meredith noted the absence of District 1 Councilmember Keith but supported the effort. Resolution passed 4-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were 4-0 in favor.
  • FY2025 Budget Introduction: Ordinances 24-700 (annual budget), 24-701 (COLA effective Oct. 14, 2024), and 24-702 (Classification and Salary Plan amendment) were introduced and referred to the September 26, 2024 regular meeting for action.
  • Board Nominations: 13 individuals were nominated for Beautification Board, City Tree Commission, Burritt Memorial Committee, and Community Development Citizens Advisory Council; to be voted on September 26.
  • Runoff Election: September 24, 2024, for District 1 City Council (Devyn Keith vs. Michelle Watkins) and Board of Education (Chandra M. Jones vs. Pat King). Councilmember Meredith encouraged voter turnout.

Meeting Transcript

We got twenty nine seconds. You got the microphone. John, could you help us round up the microphone? Microphone. Good evening, everyone. It is five thirty on September twelfth, twenty twenty-four, and we are meeting in the City Council Chambers of Huntsville, Alabama. And all council members are present with the exception of Councilmember Devin Keith. And we welcome everyone that's here with us tonight, and those that are watching online and on TV. And then that will be followed by the national anthem offered by the Huntsville Master Corral in honor of Music Week. So please stand as you are able for the invocation. Thank you. Let us pray. Almighty and trying God. We come before you with gratitude. Thank you for being with us here now in this very room and in this beautiful new building. You never leave us or forsake us. We thank you for making each of us in your image with infinite dignity, value, and worth. Finally, I pray for our council meeting tonight. Give these leaders wisdom and guidance as they deliberate on the items before them. Father, looking at the agenda, I am overwhelmed by the complexity of running our city. May every decision be righteous in your sight for the benefit of Huntsville and for your glory. Finally, in light of the weather, we ask for your protection on our city, and especially for our public safety workers who frequently place themselves in dangerous situations to serve the citizens of Huntsville. Keep them safe tonight, Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Is that for them? Yeah. Okay. If y'all would hold up, just stay right here for a minute. Mayor's got some for you. The mayor's going to do the solo. Meeting adjourned. Yes, sir. We want to say to the to the to the corral, thank you for coming and sharing your music with us tonight. Um it's uh it's been very special listening to your music out in the hallway before our council. You tamed the the rabid beast out there. And we look forward to just a very smooth council meeting after listening to that music. Uh it was beautiful. We have a presentation here uh to you, uh, just presented to the Huntsville Master Corral uh for contributing to the more inclusive, inspired, and creative music environment enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and visitors, and to also to say thank you for coming out tonight and making music month just a great time. Matt, do you have anything else you need to add here? Right. And the Star Spangled Banner, which y'all just sang was uh written two hundred and ten years ago on Saturday, I believe it was. So thank y'all for doing that. Uh it was just it it all falls together uh in music month. So thank you so much, and I'd like to present this this to you as leader of the Crown Innocence. Thank y'all so much for coming tonight. That's how you start a council meeting. Very good. And thank you all again. Council members, you have it before you the agenda for this uh regular meeting of city council September twelfth.

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