Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting, September 26, 2024

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on September 26, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The council tackled a packed agenda, adopting the FY2025 budget and capital plans, awarding a major downtown streetscape contract, and authorizing land acquisition for a potential solar farm. The meeting featured special recognitions for retiring DEI Director Kenny Anderson and a farewell address from outgoing Councilmember Devyn Keith. (Note: The printed agenda lists John Meredith as Council President and Michelle Watkins as a Councilmember, but the minutes and transcript reflect David Little as the presiding officer and Devyn Keith as the outgoing Councilmember for District 1.)

Recognitions & Special Resolutions

• Music Month Recognitions: Captain Stephen Anderson and Dr. Renee Collins-Williams of the Valley Conservatory were presented with certificates of commendation for their contributions to a more inclusive music environment.
• Honoring Kenny Anderson: The council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 24-703 honoring Kenny Anderson, Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, for his over 11 years of distinguished service. Councilmembers Meredith and Keith highlighted his accomplishments, including his radio show "Second Chance" and a scholarship endowment. Mayor Battle remarked that Mr. Anderson is "irreplaceable" even as the city seeks a successor through a committee of 14 candidates.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the minutes of the September 12 and September 19 meetings.
• The council approved a slate of board appointments and reappointments to the Beautification Board, City Tree Commission, Burritt Memorial Committee, and the Community Development Citizens Advisory Council in a single consent vote.
• A large block of New Business Items (20d–j, l–q, s–v) was approved via consent, including audit agreements, donations, settlements, grant applications, change orders for Hays Farm Sport Park and Fire Station 20, and a renewal agreement with Behavioral Health Systems.

Public Hearings

• Grass and Weed Assessments (Item 9a): The council held a public hearing on assessing costs against 25 properties for overgrown grass. Property owner Joseph Nori disputed the $269.31 assessment for 3603 Drake Avenue, arguing he had already cut the grass. The resolution authorizing the assessments was approved (5–0).
• Tax Case Suspension (Item 10a): A public hearing was set for the October 10, 2024, Regular Council Meeting to consider the suspension of a business license for a confidential tax-related case.

Agenda-Related Public Comments

• Joy Johnson spoke against Item 20R, the acquisition of the Murphy Farm for a solar power facility. She argued the city should place solar panels on existing parking lots and rooftops rather than on productive farmland. She also questioned the timing of the proposal and expressed confusion over the status of the DEI office following Mr. Anderson's retirement.

Discussion Items

Budget & Finance

• FY2025 Budget (Item 19a): The council unanimously adopted the annual budget for FY2025. Finance Director Penny Smith presented the $328 million balanced general fund. The budget authorizes 3,261 city employees and includes a 2% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), merit and step increases, and a 7% increase in healthcare premiums for employees and retirees.
• COLA and Salary Plan (Items 19b, 19c): The council approved the 2% COLA effective October 14, 2024, and the amended Classification and Salary Plan. Both passed unanimously.
• 1990 Capital Improvement Plan (Item 20a): The 1990 CIP was approved after two amendments.
  • Amendment 1 (Little/Kling): Increased Council Improvement funds from $375,000 to $500,000 ($100,000 per councilmember). The $125,000 was reallocated from the Bridge Annual Program fund (reducing it from $200,000 to $75,000). Councilmember Robinson abstained from this vote. Debate ensued on whether these funds must be used for capital projects or can support nonprofits, with Councilmember Meredith asserting his intent was always to support nonprofits. The amendment passed 4–0–1.
  • Amendment 2 (Meredith/Keith): Reduced Street Resurfacing by $150,000 to fund an outside appropriation to the Food Bank of North Alabama for its new building. Mayor Battle noted the Food Bank had requested $1.5 million but was not funded in the initial budget. The amendment passed unanimously (5–0).
  • The main motion as amended was approved (5–0).
• Travel Resolution Tabled (Item 14b): A resolution to pay for Council President Little's travel to the Leadership Alabama conference was tabled until the October 10 meeting. Councilmember Robinson argued it was a private benefit rather than a public purpose, citing her own experience when she was required to self-pay. After extensive discussion involving the Mayor, City Attorney, and City Administrator regarding public purpose and precedence, the item was tabled (5–0).
• Huntsville Utilities Rate Increase: Joe Gehrdes announced that Huntsville Utilities would present a proposal for a 5% electric rate increase to the council in October, citing increased material costs and city growth.

Contracts and Projects

• Clinton Avenue Streetscape (Item 20k): The council awarded a $6.4 million contract to CTS Excavations for streetscape improvements along Clinton Avenue. Shane Davis stated the project includes a new road connecting Holmes Avenue, sidewalks, trees, and critical underground utility upgrades, and came in $700,000 below the engineer estimate.
• Murphy Farm Solar Facility (Item 20r): The council approved a resolution authorizing the acquisition and/or condemnation of the Murphy Farm for an up-to-200-megawatt solar facility. Davis framed it as a move toward power independence and renewable energy, noting it would pay for itself through agreements with TVA. Councilmember Meredith clarified the move allows a small percentage of self-generation permitted under their contract, lessening dependence on TVA.

Councilmember Comments

• Councilmember Meredith: Congratulated newly elected Councilmember Michelle Watkins and School Board Member Chaundra Jones.
• Councilmember Robinson: Congratulated all candidates, provided updates on the Chaffee Neighborhood Association, Hays Farm (update meeting on Oct 8), and the Sandra Moon Complex (town hall on Oct 23).
• Councilmember Kling: Thanked Public Works for resurfacing School Street, praised Kenny Anderson's outreach to the Hispanic community, and highlighted HPD's crisis intervention training.
• Councilmember Keith: Delivered an emotional farewell speech reflecting on his eight years of service, the transformation of District 1, and the collaborative work of the council.
• Council President Little: Wished Kenny Anderson well, thanked city departments for their responsiveness, and noted the impressive growth of the Cyber Huntsville conference.

Second Roster Public Comments

• Austin Jones addressed the council regarding the 1st Amendment.
• Susan Stewart addressed the council regarding the library.
• Marisa Allison addressed the council regarding elections and community engagement.
• Alyx Kim-Yohn addressed the council regarding street construction and council minutes.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted FY2025 Budget (Ordinance 24-700, Item 19a): Passed 5–0.
• Approved 2% COLA (Ordinance 24-701, Item 19b): Passed 5–0.
• Approved 1990 CIP with Amendments (Resolution 24-712, Item 20a): Passed 5–0 (with 1 abstention on the bridge fund amendment).
• Tabled Travel for Councilmember Little (Resolution 24-707, Item 14b): Voted to table 5–0.
• Awarded Clinton Avenue Streetscape Contract (Resolution 24-722, Item 20k): Passed 5–0.
• Authorized Acquisition for Murphy Farm Solar Facility (Resolution 24-729, Item 20r): Passed 5–0.
• Approved Routine Items and Settlements: Consent packages containing expenditures, board appointments, change orders, settlements (Shelby Daniels lawsuit, Jerome Kelley claim), and grant applications were passed unanimously.