Madison, Alabama City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Madison City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The agenda included a fire department promotion, the presentation of the FY2025 City Audit, multiple public hearings, first readings on short-term rental regulations, and the approval of several professional service agreements. The minutes from the May 11, 2026 regular meeting and work session were approved; the latter saw Councilmember White abstain.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 2026-180-R: Declaring duty weapon and badge for Captain Terrell Cook as surplus and authorizing transfer to him upon retirement.
• Resolutions 2026-186-R & 188-R: Declaring surplus and authorizing disposal/sale of obsolete Fire Department property.
• Resolution 2026-197-R: Authorizing an AARP Community Challenge Grant agreement for $25,000 for sidewalk improvements.
• Resolution 2026-198-R: Authorizing a one-year network and cybersecurity support renewal with White Rhino Security for $16,000.
• Resolution 2026-199-R: Authorizing a one-year network security subscription renewal with Unico Technology for $12,610.76.
• Acceptance of a 10% profit ($300) from V. Harp d/b/a Vacations by Val Travel Group.

The consent agenda and Finance Committee Report were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Arthur S. Kirkendall (District 5): Objected strongly to the proposed short-term rental (STR) ordinance, arguing STRs are inappropriate for single-family neighborhoods. He cited a relative's experience in Dallas involving noise, trash, and unsupervised parties, and stated that "just because everybody else is doing it is no justification for us to do it too."
• Monroe Darrell (West Dublin Apartments resident): Requested the council's intervention to help expedite the formation of a resident committee for tenant representation, reporting that management has been stalling the process since April. He thanked the Fire Department for conducting a building safety drill.

Discussion Items

Promotions and FY2025 Audit

• Fire Department Promotion: Chief Williams announced the promotion of Tyler King to Driver, effective April 27, 2026. King was hired in 2022 and is assigned to Station 4.
• FY2025 Audit: Lee Parks and Rick Blanton of Warren Averett presented the results. The City received an unmodified (clean) opinion. Total assets were reported at $476 million (up 2.4% from FY2024), and the net position was $143 million (up 23%). Sales tax revenue was $40.9 million (down 2.6%). The Single Audit and BallCorps agreed-upon procedures (AUP) engagement found no exceptions. Councilmember Michael McKay noted the BallCorps AUP will no longer be required under the new venue lease agreement with the city.

Mayor and Council Reports

• Mayor Ranae Bartlett: Announced the impending demolition of a vacant gas station at Sullivan and Madison Boulevard following code enforcement action; congratulated Tina Nikki Tucker on being named CEO of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center; reported on planning for the SEC baseball tournament at Toyota Field; and highlighted the Madison City Schools graduation of over 1,000 students and the Main Street block party honoring State Senator Tom Butler.
• Councilmember Billie Goodson (Dist. 3): Appointed Christy Hampton to the Madison City Police Advisory Committee. Praised the revitalization of the Madison Boulevard corridor and downtown area.
• Councilmember Michael McKay (Dist. 4): Provided updates on Madison City Disability Advisory Board summer programs and the County Line Road Parade on July 2. Announced the new traffic signal at Berg Green/Hardeman is now fully operational.
• Councilmember Alice Lessmann (Dist. 5): Announced a ribbon cutting for Wellstone at 9238 Madison Boulevard on May 28.
• Councilmember Erica White (Dist. 6): Announced vendor applications for the Third Thursdays on Main events and the Let Freedom Ring celebration on July 3.
• Councilmember Kenneth Jackson (Dist. 7): Announced the Madison Arts Alliance Sounds of Summer concert series starting May 28 and thanked the Fire Department for a recent station visit.
• Council President Maura Wroblewski: Shared reflections on the Liberty Learning program's "Pick a Hero" event for fourth graders, noting the emotional impact of the civic engagement program.

Public Hearings

• Zoning and Annexation (Ordinances 2026-122 & 2026-123): A request to zone and annex a 0.35-acre property at 225 Nancy Road (Skyline Acres). No public opposition. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Restaurant Retail Liquor License (Resolution 2026-190-R): A request from Connor Concepts Inc., doing business as The Chop House, for their location at 160 Graphics Drive. No public opposition. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Madison Inn & Suites Demolition (Resolution 2026-189-R): The city attorney's office presented a detailed case for demolition, citing a fire in August 2025 that damaged 50–75% of the structure, persistent and failed fire/life safety inspections, 125 routine police patrols for trespassing since the fire, and extensive mold and structural deterioration. Staff recommended demolition as the most practical and cost-effective course of action.
  • Public Testimony:
    • Rylan Lusk (Attorney for property owner): Acknowledged the building "has got to come down" but requested a conditional approval or delay to allow the property owner to satisfy their insurance carrier’s requirements, noting the owner would ultimately prefer demolition.
    • Christy Hampton (U Lock It Storage): Strongly supported demolition, describing over a decade of nuisance activity including prostitution, drug activity, and fires. She presented a 2014 petition with 75 signatures from neighboring businesses calling for action.
    • Kelly Butler (U Lock It/Madison Commercial owner): Expressed strong support for demolition, stating the property has hurt surrounding businesses and the corridor for years, and called the resolution a necessary step for the area’s future.
  • Council Discussion: Multiple council members expressed frustration with the lack of progress and supported immediate demolition. The city attorney advised that proceeding with the demolition order would force action and allow the city to recoup costs via a lien if necessary. The motion to approve the resolution as drafted passed unanimously (7-0).

Department Reports & Ordinances

• Building (Ordinance 2026-176): Amending the fee schedule to increase the weed abatement administrative fee from $247.00 to $361.74. Approved unanimously.
• City Clerk (Resolution 2026-194-R): Authorizing Amendment No. 1 for JustFOIA open records request tracking software ($9,024.88 initial term, $10,250 annual renewal). Approved unanimously.
• Engineering:
  • Resolution 2026-187-R: Amendment with Sweeping Corporation of America for a 5% contract adjustment due to market conditions ($3,248.25 from Stormwater Fund). Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-200-R: Professional service agreement with Mullins, LLC for Greenway Trail extension surveying and design services along Town Madison Boulevard and Graphics Drive ($93,500). Approved unanimously.
• Facilities & Grounds:
  • Resolution 2026-191-R: Awarding Bid No. 2026-006-ITB to Miller & Miller, Inc. for the Retaining Wall at the Toyota Field West Parking Lot ($438,534.80). Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-195-R: Agreement with J.M. Phillips Engineering for design of the Madison Wellness Center entrance improvements ($37,625). Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-196-R: Agreement with J.M. Phillips Engineering for design of softball field improvements (bullpens, batting cages) at the Madison Wellness Center ($16,100). Approved unanimously.
• Information Technology (Resolution 2026-193-R): Three-year agreement with WoW! Business for internet and cable TV services at the Animal Control Facility ($400 per month/$4,800 per year). Approved unanimously.
• Legal (Ordinance 2026-201 First Reading): Presentation of an ordinance establishing regulations for Short-Term Rentals (STRs). Key provisions include a citywide cap of 190 permits, a $350 cost-recovery fee, mandatory building inspections, operational standards (lodging only), off-street parking requirements for tenants, notification to adjoining property owners (including across the street), a local contact person available within 30 minutes of a complaint, and a three-strikes enforcement plan. Council President Wroblewski raised questions about overnight parking enforcement and the potential concentration of STRs. The final vote is scheduled for the June 22, 2026 meeting.
• Planning:
  • Ordinance 2026-170: Vacation of a utility and drainage easement at 131 West Dublin Drive. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-174-R: Setting a public hearing for June 22, 2026 on a companion ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow STRs. Approved 6-0-1 (Councilmember White recused).

Key Outcomes

• Demolition Ordered: The Council voted unanimously (7-0) to approve Resolution 2026-189-R ordering the demolition of Madison Inn & Suites.
• Audit Received: The FY2025 City Audit received an unmodified (clean) opinion from the external auditor.
• STR Regulations Advanced: The first reading of the STR ordinance (2026-201) was held. The public hearing and final vote are scheduled for June 22, 2026.
• Wellness Center Improvements: Professional services agreements were approved for designing a new entrance and softball field upgrades at the Madison Wellness Center.
• Greenway Trail Extension: A professional services agreement was approved for the Greenway Trail extension along Town Madison Boulevard and Graphics Drive.
• Minutes Approved: The minutes from the May 11, 2026 regular meeting (2026-09-RG) and work session (2026-04-WS) were approved. (The minutes themselves were not provided as part of the source material for this summary.)