Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – October 24, 2024
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Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – October 24, 2024
The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings, recognition of Alabama A&M University’s women’s tennis team as HBCU national champions, approval of a 5.1% electric rate increase (phased), a contentious sanitation rate increase ordinance, and updates on the Derrick Street homeless camp fire cleanup. Councilmember Devyn Keith attended his last meeting after eight years of service.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda and minutes of October 10, 2024 (unanimous).
- Approved several routine resolutions and ordinances en bloc: travel expenses, donations, budget amendment, procurement bids, Formax maintenance agreement, engineering services for Mill Creek, structural design for Goldsmith-Schiffman Park, modification for Sandra Moon Phase 4 architectural services, Clinton Avenue parking deck repairs, reappointments to the Ice Skating Complex Board of Control (Kimberly Ford, Mark Russell), Emergency Management Performance Grant, Facility Use Agreement with Huntsville Museum of Art for “Skating in the Park”, paratransit agreement with City of Madison, Commutesmart services agreement, termination of maintenance agreement with Branch Huntsville MF Associates, police services modification with Huntsville Housing Authority, NAHSO traffic safety grant, and special employee agreement with Dennis Thompson.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Agenda-Related Public Comments: Joy Johnson (709 West Starboard Drive) questioned item 20D – a resolution authorizing future borrowing to reimburse Huntsville City Schools for prior expenditures. She asked how proceeds of future borrowings could be used now. The Mayor agreed to hold the item for clarification; it was later approved after explanation by Finance Director Smith.
- Second Roster Public Comments: Several speakers addressed the council on non-agenda matters: Ed Banville (veteran parade), Fakhra Bodia, Vera Vergara (civil rights), Yahia Gadalla, Chris Lioi (Gaza conflict), David Snyder (proposed resolution), and Daniel Ellis (ceasefire resolution).
Discussion Items
- Derrick Street Homeless Camp Fire Update (Mayor Comments): Scott Irwin (Community Development) presented a report on a September 17 fire that destroyed eight tents near Derrick Street. Cleanup with heavy equipment has begun, including removal of fire debris, trash, and biohazards. A listening session with camp residents is scheduled for October 30, 2024, at 3:00 PM. The camp will be reset with new health/safety standards, designated 15x15-foot spaces, and ongoing outreach to connect individuals with permanent housing. Council members expressed support for the humane approach.
- Electric Rate Increase (17B): Wes Kelly (Huntsville Utilities) presented a revised 5.1% rate increase (down from initial 5.2%) in two phases: 3.9% effective January 2025 and 1.2% effective October 2025. The original resolution (17A) was withdrawn. Changes include lowering the high-use residential availability rate from $5.55 to $4.47. Kelly highlighted cost-cutting measures (IT savings, travel/vehicle reductions) and explained the impact: low-use customers (500 kWh) will see ~$4.80 increase; average customers (1,135 kWh) ~$5.50; high-use (3,000 kWh) ~$6.08 in the first phase. The total Huntsville utility bill impact ranges from 2.7% to 3.5%. Reserves will support reliability and borrowing terms.
- Sanitation Rate Increase (19A): John Hamilton (City Administrator) and Finance Director Smith presented a proposal to raise solid waste fees for the first time in 14 years. The original administration amendment would increase the standard rate from $16.50 to $21.50 (Jan 2025) and $24.50 (Jan 2027). Dr. Robinson offered an amendment adding a third step to $27.50 in 2029, plus higher commercial rates, aiming to move the fund toward self-sufficiency. Councilmember Kling then amended to keep the low-income special residential rate at $10/month (currently $10) indefinitely, instead of increasing it to $13/$15/$17. The Kling amendment passed 4-1 (Meredith nay). The full amended ordinance (including the 2029 step) passed 4-1 (Meredith nay).
- Sandra Moon Community Complex Phase 4 (20L): Ricky Wilkinson (General Services) presented a $31,324,061 contract with Fite Construction for the final phase of the Sandra Moon redevelopment. Project includes renovation of the old Grissom High School into a 600-seat proscenium theater, event hall, therapeutic recreation suite, gyms, fitness/walking track, e-gaming rooms, and parking/landscaping upgrades. Construction expected to take 540 days, completion summer 2026. Councilmember Robinson noted community enthusiasm and the theater’s importance for performing arts groups.
- District Council Improvement Funds (20G & 20H): Items were held for individual discussion. Councilmember Keith allocated $5,000 each to Cap and Gown Project, Bold Foundation (Woodworks scholarship), and Human Relations Commission/DEI. Councilmember Kling directed funds through Fraternal Order of Eagles for HudsonAlpha Memory & Mobility Program and Huntsville Hospital NICU.
- School Borrowing Resolution (20D): Held from consent, then approved after Finance Director Smith explained it allows tax-exempt reimbursements for Huntsville City Schools capital projects, saving interest costs.
Key Outcomes
- Electric rate increase (17B): Approved unanimously (5-0). Effective Jan 2025 (3.9%) and Oct 2025 (1.2%).
- Sanitation rate increase (19A): Passed 4-1 (Meredith opposed). Includes three-step increases: standard rate to $21.50 (2025), $24.50 (2027), $27.50 (2029); low-income rate remains $10/month indefinitely; commercial rates increased to match residential percentage.
- Sandra Moon Phase 4 contract (20L): Approved unanimously.
- District 1 and District 4 improvement funds: Approved separately after individual explanations.
- School borrowing resolution (20D): Approved unanimously.
- Board appointments: Reappointed Shane Stewart and Kimberly Ford to Ice Skating Complex Board; appointed Pam Hudson; nominated Ginger Young to Beautification Board (to return Nov 7).
- Public hearings set: Nuisance at 1417 Dale Cir SE (Nov 7); tax license suspensions (cases 399-401, Nov 7); vacation of Mundy Meadows right-of-ways (Nov 21).
- Corrective ordinance (21A): Unanimous consent given to introduce and pass a correction to Ordinance 24-736 (Fennel Noble purchase agreement).
- Councilmember Keith’s farewell: Mayor and council members praised his eight years of service, highlighting housing, jobs, and community growth in District 1.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Happy uh Thursday. It's 5 30. It's October 24th, 2024. And we're meeting in the city council chambers of Huntsville, Alabama, and all council members are present. Welcome everyone who's here with us tonight and also those who are watching online and on television. And this season this uh city council meeting will now be called to order. And we will begin with an invitation offered by Huntsville, Alabama Public Safety Chaplains, uh, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led by Councilmember Dr. Jenny Robinson. So please stand as you are able. Let's pray. Father God, as we are here this evening, we first want to recognize your blessings. We are blessed in the country live uh with freedoms that people in the the other parts of the world could only dream of. We are blessed in this state that we are, and we're particularly recognizing we're blessed as a city. Uh we have so many opportunities, so much that's given to us, so much that has come to this city, and we know too much is given. Uh, there is much responsibility. So I pray uh for the city council as they make decisions as they steward them and the mayor, the direction of our city, they'd be wise. Uh you'd give them direction and know it exactly the right steps to take. And we ask that you bless us, that you expand our territory, that we again can be a blessing to others, not just in this city, but in this world. Father, we pray for protection in the time in which we live. Uh, we pray protection for our uh police officers who serve us every day and are so silent and not seen unless something goes wrong. But we pray for them protection. We we pray for a family uh just recently, the Manning family that um uh lost someone in a shooting, and we can sometimes take uh for granted the the the freedoms and the safety we have, and we won't do that. We pray for your comfort. Uh, we pray for your care for that family, bring around them people that they would know would care for them, it would lift them up in this time. So, Father, as this meeting continues, you be in it, you be among it, you direct it. We pray for your blessing in Christ's name. Amen. Dr. Robinson. Please face the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands. Thank you, Chaplain Lacy, and thank you, Dr. Robinson. Council members, you have the agenda before you for this regular meeting of the city council on October 24th, 2024. And please note as uh legal department has explained to us that item 21A will require unanimous consent. It is outlined on the agenda, and it was explained in greater detail in the proposed ordinance. This is a corrective ordinance seeking to rectify a mistake made on paperwork attached to another ordinance and uh it just the last meeting of the council on October 10th. Um does anyone else have any deletions or additions to be made to the agenda? Hearing none, I'm gonna move to approve the agenda. All right, second motion to accept by Dr. Robinson, second by Mr. Meredith. All in favor say aye. Any opposed say nay. The agenda is approved. And council members, you have a copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Huntsville City Council held on October 10th, 2024. Are there any additions or changes to be made to the minutes you've received? Hearing none, those will be approved.
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