Huntsville City Council Regular Meeting – June 12, 2025

The Huntsville City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. All five council members were present. The meeting covered a range of items including agenda adjustments, public hearings, a detailed presentation on proposed sewer rate increases, the reconsideration and passage of a community homes ordinance, and numerous resolutions and ordinances. One public hearing item (9a) was withdrawn after the property came into compliance.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: Approved as amended (item 9a withdrawn) by unanimous roll-call vote (5-0).
• Minutes: Approved minutes from the May 22, 2025 Regular Meeting and the May 30, 2025 Work Session.
• Resolution 25-427: Honored the Huntsville Historic Foundation for receiving the James Ray Kuykendall Historical Society Award. Unanimously approved.
• Public Hearings Set: Five resolutions (25-429 to 25-437) to set public hearings for July 10 or July 24, 2025 on zoning, plat restrictions, sign regulations, and right-of-way vacation. All passed unanimously.
• Board Appointments: Joshua McCoy reappointed to EarlyWorks Museum Board (Place 8) and Alex East appointed to Place 7. Both unanimous.
• Finance Committee Report: Expenditures resolution (25-440) for $42,638,264.92 approved unanimously after Finance Director Penny Smith explained the higher amount included two payrolls and three check runs over three weeks. Ordinance 25-441 appropriated $5,000 from District 5 Council Improvement Funds to the North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless SHINE program. Unanimous.
• Legal Department Items: Four easement vacation ordinances and one easement acceptance resolution (items 18a-18e) unanimously approved.
• New Business Consent: A block of items (20b, 20f through 20z, 20aa through 20ae) approved under consent, with several later pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joy Johnson (West Arbor Drive, Huntsville): Commented on agenda items 20e, 20g, 20h, and 20i. Questioned why the parking lot at Holmes & Monroe (20e) would not have solar panels. Asked about the purpose of leasing “unimproved” land (20g, 20h, 20i) and expressed concern over biodiversity. Criticized street repair spending, advocated for complete streets on Oakwood Avenue with bike lanes and traffic calming, and requested a return to the pre-George Floyd summer public comment format.
• David Snyder (Huntsville): Raised concerns about potential cameras on garbage trucks, suggesting it differs from private citizen cameras. Praised police-community watch cooperation but recommended implicit bias training for community watch members. Asked about bus service to Polaris and the status of evictions at Derrick Street, urging a sanctioned camp with shade and charging stations, noting pavement temperatures of 141°F.
• Dr. Angela Somerset (Huntsville): Thanked council for paving Monrovia Road. Expressed concern over a reported $10 million sales tax deficit and urged tighter budget practices. Questioned Huntsville Utilities’ finances regarding SAP system acquisition and Google Fiber costs, suggesting the new computer system may have been purchased before council approval.
• Byron McGlathery (New Hope/Swan Creek area): Objected to a new housing development where a sign advertised units starting in the mid-$100s, contradicting earlier information that prices would start above $225,000. Felt the community was being filled with low-cost housing.
• Joe Winston (Madison, AL): Advocated for a Black History/Art Museum in Huntsville. Noted he sent a proposal on May 27, 2025 to all council members but received no response. Mayor Battle requested a copy be sent to his office.

Discussion Items

• Sewer Rate Increase Ordinance (19c, Ordinance 25-426): Shane Davis, Director of Urban and Economic Development, presented a detailed proposal for the first sewer rate increase since 2005. The 10-year capital plan ($150 million) aims to reinvest in aging infrastructure (average age 48 years), treatment plants, and regulatory compliance (PFAS, nutrients). Key details:
  • Current average single-family sewer bill: $24.15/month for 5,000 gallons.
  • Proposed: $5 increase starting September 1, 2025 (first reflected on October bill), then approximately $1.25/month increases for next four years, then $1/month for final four years, reaching $39.15/month by 2034.
  • Huntsville currently has the lowest sewer rates in Alabama (state average $52.14; metro area average $54.02).
  • 27 vacancies in Water Pollution Control; system currently operating at a deficit if all planned capital projects are pursued.
  • Davis emphasized that developers pay fully for new sewer infrastructure; no subsidy. Zero cost to existing ratepayers for growth.
  • Councilmember Kling requested a two-week postponement to allow more public input and council deliberation. Motion to postpone to June 26, 2025 passed unanimously. Councilmember Watkins also asked Davis to prepare an alternative plan (Plan B) with a lower final rate.
• Community Homes Ordinance (19d, Ordinance 25-267): President Meredith moved for reconsideration after the item failed on a tie vote at the May 22 meeting. The ordinance amends zoning definitions and adds Article 78 – Community Homes. Key points from Thomas Nunez, Planning Manager:
  • Establishes three district types for community homes: essential (non-transient, 180+ days) allowed in any single-family district; group (up to 10-12 residents, depending on district) allowed in multifamily districts; transitional (under 180 days) allowed in boarding/rooming house districts.
  • Designed to comply with federal Fair Housing and ADA requirements while protecting neighborhoods and providing regulation for group living situations.
  • After discussion, the ordinance passed unanimously (5-0).
• Other New Business Held for Discussion:
  • 20a – Travel Expenses: Unanimously approved. Finance Director Penny Smith to provide total amount in future meetings.
  • 20c – IDB Reimbursement: $1.5 million to reimburse Industrial Development Board for due diligence on projects including Toyota expansion, a solar facility, and site preparation at Greenbrier and Highway 72 East. Passed unanimously.
  • 20d – Joe Davis Hotel Development: Amended and restated development agreement and ground lease for a 200-room dual-brand Hilton hotel (Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton) at Joe Davis Stadium. Completion date extended to December 31, 2026. City parking at Holmes & Monroe is separate public parking, not subsidizing development. Unanimously approved.
  • 20e – Croy Engineering Parking Lot: Design contract for public parking lot at Holmes & Monroe (temporary, 10+ year lease). No solar panels due to cost recoupment concerns. Unanimously approved.
  • 20g, 20h, 20i – Farm Lease Agreements: One-year agricultural leases for unimproved city-owned land: 15 acres (Capshaw/Wall Triana, $1,125), 137 acres (Cummings Research Park, $10,275), and 483.37 acres (Limestone County off Greenbrier, $60,421.25). All approved unanimously.
  • 20s, 20t – Hammons of Huntsville Parking Lease: Ratification and amendment of a 2004 parking lease for Embassy Suites and a memorandum of parking lease for recordation. Unanimously approved.
  • 20aa/ab – ADA Upgrades: Contracts with Whitworth Concrete ($1,561,600) and Lambert Contracting ($1,748,733) for ADA ramp and sidewalk upgrades as part of resurfacing program. Unanimously approved.
  • 20ac/ad – Street Resurfacing: Two phases with Rogers Group ($2,835,950 and $2,527,940). Unanimously approved.
  • 20ae – Special Employee Agreement: Hire retired employee Kelly Davis for 40-year expertise in real estate and right-of-way acquisition to ensure continuity while posting the vacant position. Unanimously approved.
• Board Nominations: Councilmember Watkins nominated Samuel T. Greene II to the Water and Natural Gas Utility Boards (seats held by Gripp Luther, who was nominated for reappointment to both boards). These nominations will be voted on at the June 26 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Sewer rate increase ordinance postponed to June 26, 2025 Regular Council Meeting (unanimous). Staff to provide alternative rate scenarios.
• Community Homes Ordinance (25-267) passed unanimously after reconsideration, providing new definitions and regulations for community homes in various zoning districts.
• All other resolutions and ordinances on the agenda passed unanimously (5-0), including expenditures, board appointments, easement vacations, land leases, contracts, and the consent agenda.
• Public hearings scheduled: July 10 for right-of-way vacation (Seminole Park/Indiana Avenue) and July 24 for zoning, plat restrictions, rezoning, sign regulations, and ordinance introductions.
• Council members recognized Armed Forces Week, Juneteenth Festival (June 14 at Big Spring Park, 5-8 PM), Concerts in the Park (Mondays), Father’s Day, and various community events.
• Councilmember Watkins announced a Town Hall on June 17 at 5:30 PM at the Johnson Legacy Center focused on roads.
• Councilmember Kling requested a two-week delay on the sewer rate vote and committed $2,000 for the MLK Unity Breakfast.