Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting, January 9, 2025: Winter Weather, Public Hearings, and DEI Appointment
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Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting, January 9, 2025
The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting covered public hearings on building demolition and overgrown lots, approval of numerous resolutions and ordinances, appointment of a new DEI director, and public comments on topics including library funding, police conduct, and neighborhood parking. Winter weather preparations dominated mayor and council member remarks.
Public Hearings
- Unsafe Building Demolition: Public hearing on Resolution No. 25-01 to authorize demolition of a building at 6032 Normal Heights Cir. (aka 5203 Normal Heights Cir. NW), declared an unsafe public nuisance. Scott Irwin of Community Development stated the property was inspected October 4, 2024, deemed not economically feasible to repair, and no action by owners. Council approved unanimously (5-0).
- Overgrown Grass/Weeds: Public hearing on Resolution No. 25-02 to assess costs of cutting overgrown grass/weeds on 12 properties. Average assessment per property: $255.09. Seven properties had in-city ownership, five out-of-city. Council approved unanimously (5-0).
Public Hearings to Be Set
- Zoning of 25.08 acres: Resolution to set a public hearing for February 27, 2025, on zoning of land north of Bibb Garrett Rd. and east of I-65 to Commercial Industrial Park District. Approved unanimously.
- Special Shuttle Bus Operations: Resolutions to set public hearings for January 23, 2025, for Wilcot Entertainment d/b/a Mobile Mayhem Tours LLC and White Executive Concierge LLC to operate one special shuttle bus each. Councilmember Kling requested clarification; Ibrahim White of White Executive Concierge explained it is a luxury car service similar to Uber Black. Both resolutions approved unanimously.
Agenda-Related Public Comments
- Joy Johnson (District 1) expressed concern about the vague description of item 20i (resolution to appoint a department head) and urged transparency; also asked about the sustainability committee.
- Dr. Marissa Allison (District 2) spoke in support of Kevin Gray's reappointment to the Library Board, highlighting his responsiveness and efforts for transparency. She urged the council to increase library funding, criticized the new three-tiered library card system for youth as likely violating First Amendment rights per a recent Arkansas court case, and framed the attacks as part of a moral panic targeting LGBTQ+ materials, racial justice, and American history.
Discussion Items
- Presentation from Weeden House: Beth Hamilton, museum director, presented the annual review. Visitors increased from 7,500 in 2023 to 10,000 in 2024; field trips increased from 750 to 1,000 children; events increased from 23 to 31. The museum aims to become a statewide destination and join the civil rights trail. Councilmember Robinson asked about collaboration with other historic organizations and the use of the city's $40,000 allocation (mainly for director salary).
- Mayor's Comments: Provided winter weather update: City Hall closing on January 10; non-essential personnel to stay home; road preparation with plows and graders; press conferences at 6 AM and 9 AM on Friday and Saturday. Announced the appointment of Dr. Randy Barbour as the new Director of DEI (item 20i), noting his background as an assistant professor of psychology, community involvement, and prior work with Harris Home and North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence. Encouraged residents to use the city website or non-emergency police number (256-722-7100) for weather information.
- Councilmember Comments:
- Little: Thanked city departments for winter prep.
- Robinson: Judged spelling bee at Mountain Gap Elementary; conducted site visit at Hays Farm park (noting progress on lagoons, waterfall wall, and photo frame); announced upcoming resolution to rename the DEI department to "Multicultural Affairs" to reflect its broader mission, co-sponsored with Councilmember Watkins; thanked the Felkners for a king cake shared with emergency workers.
- Watkins: Thanked agencies; attended Huntsville High Classic and A&M football coach announcement; highlighted need to revive recreational sports in District 1; announced February 18 update meeting at Shurney Center.
- Kling: Reported the passing of longtime employee Pearlie Stamper; noted Huntsville ranked in top 20 safest cities nationally by WalletHub; provided street resurfacing updates (Doramus, Brandon, Ponciana, Homewood, Shaver, Marks Drive); urged safety during weather.
- Meredith: Thanked Huntsville Animal Services Director John Fisher for participating in his forum; announced town hall on January 21 at Providence Elementary School; detailed winter weather improvements (15 one-ton trucks with plows, 20 half-ton trucks with bumper-mounted plows, motor graders staged near hospitals and steep grades); listed warming centers: The Living Room (2820 Governors Dr. SW, 256-427-5400), First Stop (206 Stokes St., 256-533-3391), Downtown Rescue Mission (1400 Evangel Dr. NW, 256-536-2441), Salvation Army (305 Seminole Dr. SW, 256-536-9147).
- Finance Committee Report:
- Expenditures Resolution No. 25-07: $37,607,324 for period December 11–31, 2024, approved unanimously.
- Ordinance No. 25-08: District 4 Council Improvement Funds for downtown Huntsville Inc. (events and promotions) approved unanimously; Councilmember Kling explained funds support post-holiday activities.
- Board Appointments/Nominations:
- Approved appointment of Chad Ayres to the Land Trust of North Alabama for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2026 (unanimous).
- Nominations: Kevin Gray reappointment to Huntsville Public Library Board for a four-year term expiring February 10, 2029 (referred to January 23 meeting); James Wacenske to Alabama Constitution Village and Historic Huntsville Depot Board, Place 5, for a three-year term expiring June 26, 2027 (referred); Councilmember Kling nominated Tom Anderson from the floor for Place 6 on the same board, also referred.
- Legal Department: Ordinance authorizing vacation of utility and drainage easement at Park Place (Vista Phase II) approved unanimously.
- Unfinished Business:
- Ordinance declaring certain equipment surplus for public auction (approved unanimously).
- Ordinance amending FTA procurement thresholds (approved unanimously). Penny Smith, Finance Director, explained thresholds: small dollar procurement increased from $2,000 to $10,000; FTA small dollar threshold from $150,000 to $250,000. Councilmember Robinson suggested reviewing other outdated thresholds.
- New Business Items for Consideration: Consent agenda approved (items 20a–s) unanimously, including appointment of Dr. Randy Barbour as Department Head (DEI). Mayor Battle introduced Dr. Barbour, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology and has worked as an assistant professor at Alabama A&M.
- New Business Items for Introduction: Introduced ordinances for surplus property; annexation of 6.11 acres (north side of U.S. Hwy 72 W and east of Promenade Point Pky NW); annexation of 394.93 acres (south side of AL Hwy 20 and east of I-65). These will be considered on January 23, 2025.
Second Public Comments
- Sarah Colletti (Huntsville) criticized HPD for inconsistent enforcement of First Amendment rights—allowing hate speech with megaphones at family events while stopping her from using a megaphone at protests for Palestine and Black Lives Matter. Also recounted an incident where a police chaplain spent 20 minutes trying to convert her, noting chaplains are paid positions (avg. $27.71/hr). Asked if Muslim chaplains are employed. Called for renaming Squaw Valley Drive, calling it a misogynist anti-Native slur. She also questioned whether renaming the DEI department would insulate it from state attacks.
- James Wacenske thanked Councilmember Kling for his nomination and asked for support.
- Joy Johnson asked what it would take for the council to sign a proclamation supporting a ceasefire in the Palestine conflict, noting the council issued a similar proclamation for Israel after October 7. Councilmember Kling interjected that he had previously expressed personal support for a ceasefire during a July 2024 council meeting.
- Timothy Metzger (2309 14th St. SW) expressed concern about neighbors parking on grass, which destroys yards and underground utilities. Referenced Madison issuing 10,000 tickets for similar violations. Councilmember Kling noted existing ordinances may not allow action; Councilmember Robinson mentioned the Huntsville Council of Neighborhood Associations has raised the issue. Mayor Battle asked Planning to revisit the matter, noting it was explored 8-10 years ago with roadblocks.
Key Outcomes
- Approved demolition of unsafe building at 6032 Normal Heights Cir. (unanimous).
- Approved assessment of grass/weed cutting costs for 12 properties (unanimous).
- Set public hearings for February 27 (zoning) and January 23 (shuttle buses).
- Approved consent agenda including appointment of Dr. Randy Barbour as DEI Director.
- Introduced annexation and surplus ordinances for action on January 23, 2025.
- Councilmember Robinson announced upcoming resolution to rename DEI department to Multicultural Affairs.
- Councilmember Kling acknowledged personal support for ceasefire in Palestine; Mayor Battle tasked Planning with reviewing neighborhood parking-on-grass issue.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, Huntsville. It's now five thirty PM on Thursday, January the ninth, twenty twenty-five. I'd like to welcome you to the first meeting of the Huntsville City City Council for this year. Followed by the Pledge of Allegiance being led by Councilmember Bill Kling. Please stand if you are willing and able. Any opposed say nay. Brings us to four A, which is uh approval of the minutes of prior meetings. Uh, four A is the are the minutes of the regular council meeting held on December nineteenth, twenty twenty-four. Uh colleagues, you all have uh received copies of those minutes. Are there any additions or comments to be made to those minutes? Hearing none, those minutes are adopted. Brings us to um special recognitions by the mayor. 5A is a life is presentation of life-saving medals. Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. President. If I could ask Chief Giles to come up with Chief Hudson and some of his command staff, we want to honor Officer Jason Tony tonight, and we'd love for uh Officer Tony to come up and chief has a life saving medal, and uh needs to tell us a little bit about it. Yes, if I may introduce Sergeant Lambert and Officer Tony on September, August 24th, officers were dispatched to a possible home invasion in the 6200 block of Rhine Village. The suspect was armed at that time and when he entered the home. Details that were given to these officers were that the suspect was going to harm the woman and the child. Sergeant Lambert and Officer Tony were the first two to arrive. And had quickly formulated a plan to try to get the woman and child to safety. Sergeant Lambert attempted to divert the suspect's attention while the woman and child ran out of the residence. The suspect caught on to this plan and began shooting at the lady as she was running out the door. Officer Tony was positioned just outside the door and shot the suspect in order to protect the woman and the child. The woman was unfortunately struck by the suspect's round, but was able to flee to safety, and the child she was carrying was unharmed. The woman did survive the encounter. The quick thinking, coordination, and bravery demonstrated by Sergeant Lambert and Officer Tony, were incremental in preventing a very tragic outcome. The ration undoubtedly saved our lives of the of this lady and her child in a very uh extremely dangerous situation. So it's with great pride and respect that we present Sergeant Lambert and Officer Tony with the life-saving medal in recognition of an extraordinary courage and dedication to the protection of others. Their action exemplify the high standards of service and heroism. Please join me in congratulating them. And to all those officers and uh and command staff that they're gonna have some long nights next three nights. We're gonna uh release them, let them go home and get some sleep before uh Snowagettin hits here. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We do not have any council recognitions or resolutions this evening, which brings us to announcements and presentations. 7A is a presentation from Wheaton House. Thank you, Mayor Battle and Council members for having us. I'm Beth Hamilton. Can I get you to lower the mic just a little bit? Yes, sir. Thank you. I'm Beth Hamilton, the museum director of the Wheeden House Museum, and I am joined by the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association President Andy Kelly. So let me see.
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