Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – December 19, 2024

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on December 19, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations from community organizations, multiple public hearings, approval of a consent calendar, and significant economic development actions, including a development agreement with Glaukos Corporation (Project Delta). All votes were unanimous (5-0) except where noted. The meeting also featured councilmember comments on holiday events, appointments, and constituent concerns.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda and minutes of the December 5, 2024 Regular Meeting and Special Session were approved.
• Item 9a: Resolution authorizing Community Development to assess costs for cutting overgrown grass/weeds on 14 properties. Total assessments: $4,440.38 (average $317.17 per property). Eight property owners within city limits, six outside.
• Item 9b: Resolution authorizing demolition and cleanup of a structural public nuisance at 2213 Hill St. NW, with a total assessment of $13,656.64.
• Item 10a: Resolution setting a public hearing for January 23, 2025, on amending the City of Huntsville Air Pollution Control Rules and Regulations.
• Items 18a–f: Vacation of utility/drainage easements and acceptances of deeds for various properties (Stadium Commons, Hawks Ridge, WaterWalk, J.O. Johnson Legacy Village, Tate Lowry Subdivision).
• Items 19a–d: Unfinished business items: amendments to Classification and Salary Plan, budget ordinance, surplus property disposition, and revocation of licensure for Case No. 402 (after discussion of prior similar cases, motion carried).
• New Business Consent Items (20a, c–f, i–k, m–s, v–y): Approved collectively. Key approvals included travel expenses, carry forward encumbrances, Von Braun Center Concert Hall change order, reimbursements to the Chamber, crane swing easement with Huntsville Hospital, flood mitigation funding agreement, Slaughter Road intersection improvements, Mill Creek environmental assessment, HOME funds for Arbours at Moores Mill II senior affordable housing (55+, contingent on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits), branding services agreement with emma by Marigold, training services agreement with Healthcare Authority of Huntsville, budget amendment, WaterWalk easement dedication, lawsuit settlement (Kemontae Hobbs v. City of Huntsville), lease with Convention & Visitors Bureau, FTA grant acceptance for TOD planning (later individually voted), HDR Engineering contract for TOD study (later individually voted), street resurfacing contract, and special employee agreements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joy Johnson (District 1) commented on agenda items 20h (Project Delta), 20m (affordable housing definition), 20n (branding services), and 20t/u (transit-oriented development). She questioned the ethics of development, the meaning of “affordable,” and expressed interest in public transit plans.
• Sarah Brackin (Huntsville) addressed the Access Van (paratransit) service, stating it is “constantly, constantly late” – she reported being one hour late to dialysis on the day of the meeting and eight hours late the day before. She requested the issue be addressed.
• Second Roster Public Comments:
  • Walter Peavy (District 1) spoke about conditions at the homeless camp on Derrick Street, citing mud, lack of lighting, and inadequate safety. He requested gravel and better protection.
  • Francis Everson (Huntsville) shared personal experiences with incarceration and homelessness, urged the city to use vacant buildings for transitional housing, and stated “Huntsville does not have a lot of outlets.”
  • Teresa Erskin (Huntsville) echoed the need for more services and housing for the homeless, noting that “affordable housing” does not address the homeless population.
  • Sarah Colletti (Hartsville, but likely Huntsville) delivered a general commentary about systemic oppression, referencing recent events and urging council members to consider their moral responsibility toward marginalized people.
  • James Wacenske (District 4) requested renaming “Squaw Valley Drive SW,” calling the term a racial epithet toward Indigenous women and stating it does not reflect the city’s values.

Presentations

• Global Ties Alabama: CEO presented the 2024 Global Influencer Award to Council President John Meredith for international diplomacy efforts.
• Partnership for a Drug-Free Community: Cheryl Russell and Kim Lamar reported on the Recovery Resource Hub. Key statistics: assessments increased over 900% since June (from ~2/month to 120 in Oct-Nov). Of 120 assessments, 42 were in Madison County, 33 in Huntsville; 50% presented a mental health diagnosis, but only 13 of those were medication compliant. Barriers to treatment include transportation, bed availability, stigma, and co-occurring mental health. Barriers to recovery include lack of robust recovery community and affordable sober living homes (entry fees $800–$1,000). The presenters called for more mental health services, certified sober living homes, and opioid education in schools. Councilmember Robinson noted the city provides $91,000 annually to the partnership.
• Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley: Jeremy Foulks highlighted a partnership donating 0.17 acres for the Tate Lowry project. He reported that since 2007, Habitat and the city have partnered to serve 151 families with nearly $3 million in investment, building 27 homes. Habitat’s average mortgage is ~$550/month vs. average rent of $1,500. He invited council to a strategic planning assessment on Jan 13, 2025, and a state bus tour on Jan 28, 2025.

Discussion Items

• Mayor Tommy Battle: Reminded the public of holiday travel safety. He later responded to Access Van complaints, stating a new software system implemented Dec 1 had not performed as sold; the city gave the vendor until Friday to fix it or would revert to the old system.
• Councilmember Bill Kling: Reported the passing of former school board member Walker McGennis. Attended Tinsel Trail, played the Grinch at “Shop With a Hero,” and participated in The Nutcracker. At his town meeting, residents of Mayfair Towers reported serious maintenance issues (water backup, no hot water, no pest control, broken lights). He thanked Scott Irwin of Community Development for intervening.
• Councilmember David Little: Appointed Carrie Miller to the CERP. Thanked city departments for rapid responses.
• Councilmember Jennie Robinson: Appointed Bob Barron Jr. to CERP. Announced a walkthrough at Sandra Moon Center (former Grissom High School) where work has begun on a performing arts center. Promoted “Christmas on the River” at Ditto Landing on Dec 21 with Santa and fireworks.
• Councilmember Michelle Watkins: Clarified her vote two weeks ago against the MOU with Huntsville City Schools regarding camera access – she stated she supports police but not “over policing” and that the MOU lacked a clear plan for who would access videos. Appointed Samuel T. Green to CERP. Served as commencement speaker at Alabama A&M University.
• Council President John Meredith: Announced a Council President Forum on Jan 7, 2025, at 4 PM featuring new Animal Shelter Director Dr. John Fisher. Announced a town hall on Jan 14 at Providence neighborhood (6 PM) about a second entrance. Appointed Daniel Tate to CERP.
• Item 20b – Carry Forward Encumbrances: Finance Director Penny Smith presented: $43,228,137.70 carried over for 1990 capital projects and $107,885,684.43 for 2014 capital projects. Councilmember Robinson noted these are encumbered multi-year projects.
• Item 20g – Land Purchase in Tate Lowry: Urban Development Director James Davis explained the city will acquire two parcels at Hall and Derrick Avenue for $58,800 (appraised value) to better manage the area, adjacent to a Habitat donation parcel.
• Item 20h – Project Delta (Glaukos Corporation): Davis presented a development agreement for a biotechnology campus in Cummings Research Park (corner of Explorer Blvd. and Mark C. Smith Dr.). Glaukos is a California-based company focused on glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal disease treatments. Phase 1: 180,000–200,000 sq ft buildings on 25 acres, $77 million capital investment ($67M building + $10M equipment), 154 full-time jobs at average wage of $34.60/hour (~$72,000/year). City incentives: land sale, conditional option on adjacent 15 acres for expansion (subject to performance), 10-year non-educational property tax abatement, $100,000 reallocation grant (performance-based, after 20 jobs and $77M investment). Recapture provisions: $3.5M penalty for failure to complete construction within 30 months; pro-rata penalty for job shortfalls; annual job performance testing for 10 years ($350,000/year penalty if short). Councilmember Little asked about precedent; Davis noted similar agreements with Toyota, Aerojet, etc. Mayor Battle emphasized this fits the biotech campus vision. Councilmember Robinson noted the company’s strong corporate citizenship and zero recalls since 1988. Motion passed 5-0.
• Item 20l – Northern Bypass Change Order: Davis reported Change Order No. 1 for $1,195,840.29 with Wiregrass Construction to add turn lanes at the Parkway intersection to support Bentley Commons and future commercial development, fast-tracking the intersection for March 2025. Councilmember Watkins noted this paves the way for retail in North Huntsville. Motion passed.
• Items 20t and 20u – Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning: Dennis Madsen (Planning) presented an $850,000 no-match FTA grant for TOD planning along the University Drive Bus Rapid Transit corridor. The grant will fund a study of station areas, last-mile connections, land use visioning, and public involvement. HDR Engineering was selected as lead (with SAIN and Bostac as local partners). Councilmember Robinson noted the importance of supportive land use. Both items approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items, public hearing resolutions, and legal transactions were approved unanimously (5-0).
• Finance Report: Expenditures of $15,023,004.41 authorized (5-0). District 5 improvement funds of $5,000 to Columbia High School soccer team approved.
• Revocation of License (Case 402): After discussion of three prior similar cases (two in 2023/2024 with 36-month revocation, one from 2004 with one-year non-renewal), motion to revoke carried 5-0.
• Project Delta (Glaukos) Development Agreement: Approved 5-0, including conditional option on adjacent 15 acres, with $77M investment, 154 jobs, and recapture protections.
• Carry Forward Encumbrances: $151 million in total carried forward (1990 and 2014 capital project funds), approved 5-0.
• Land Purchase (Tate Lowry): $58,800 for two parcels, approved 5-0.
• Northern Bypass Change Order: $1,195,840.29, approved 5-0.
• TOD Planning Grant and HDR Contract: $850,000 grant accepted; $850,000 contract with HDR awarded, both approved 5-0.
• Board Appointments Nominated: Chad Ayres (Land Trust) nominated for vote on Jan 9, 2025.
• Council Appointments to CERP: Hal Bryant Jr. (Kling), Carrie Miller (Little), Bob Barron Jr. (Robinson), Samuel T. Green (Watkins), Daniel Tate (Meredith) – all approved.
• New Items Introduced: Ordinance for surplus equipment auction (Feb 2025) and ordinance to update FTA procurement thresholds, both due back Jan 9, 2025.
• Mayoral directive: Access Van software issue to be resolved by Friday or revert to old system.