Mobile City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Mobile City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call (all members present except Councilmember Carroll). The agenda was adopted, and a variety of proclamations, public hearings, introductions, and votes on ordinances and resolutions were conducted. Key topics included the introduction of a vacant building ordinance for downtown, public hearing and discussion on the FY2025-2026 general fund and capital improvement budgets (including retiree insurance cost increases and a cost-of-living adjustment request), concerns about the upcoming transit system transition to VIA, and a rezoning lawsuit.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted agenda unanimously.
• Approved a request to waive the noise ordinance on October 25, 2025, on Government Street (motion carried).
• Approved multiple resolutions as part of the consent agenda, including purchase orders for surveillance cameras, Ford pickup trucks, John Deere mowers, amendments to the FY2025 general fund budget, transfers for USTA grant at Copeland Cox Tennis Center, contracts for video management (Protect Video), project management implementation (SPV Associates), and exhibit design for the National Maritime Museum (motion passed).
• Approved consent resolutions for demolition of structures at 1606 Katie Street, 270 Oak Drive, 506 Patton Avenue (after a brief reconsideration to allow a 60-day delay for the property at 506 Patton Avenue at the request of a resident), bonuses for parks employee and officer of the month, contracts for municipal election professional services, and appointment to the Citizens Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
• Approved Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) resolutions for purchase of Tahoe SUVs, IT technology credits, inflatable rescue boats, a change order for U.S. Highway 45 streetscape improvements, and a stipend for Captain James Cunningham for attending the FBI National Academy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Retired firefighter (name not given): Addressed the FY2025-2026 budget public hearing. He expressed concern about a possible health insurance premium increase for retirees (later confirmed to be $10–$36/month for all employees and retirees not on Medicare). He also requested a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for police and fire retirees, noting that the last COLA was approximately 19 years ago (a partial increase in 2005, with none since). He described retirees' financial struggles and urged the council not to add further costs to their budgets.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama representative: Thanked the city for its $350,000 annual investment (2024 served 1,749 youth) and requested an additional $200,000 per year to help triple their impact to 6,000 youth over three years, as part of a “Bridges to Great Futures” program. They reported that they have already secured $200,000 from the school system and $200,000 from a private entity.
• Brooke Miller (District 3 citizen): Asked whether the budget included salary increases for public works and city services/contracted amounts. (No direct answer provided in transcript.)
• Reggie Hill: Delivered an extended critique of the proposed budget, calling for more transparency and reallocation of funds. He advocated that the remaining $20+ million from CIP miscellaneous funds be directed to Districts 1–3 for infrastructure and drainage, rather than to software, municipal buildings, or the maritime museum. He noted a $400,000 increase for nuisance abatement/demolitions and criticized the lack of oversight. He questioned the $2 million increase in administrative services and the absence of performance contracts and discretionary spending for council districts. He also requested an investigation into the use of funds for training vs. OPR. He urged delaying the budget vote until after the 2025 municipal elections, citing the unresolved mayoral runoff.
• Anthony Maven (Transit Union President): Raised employee concerns about the transition to VIA transit (effective June 2026). He asked about protections for accrued sick/vacation time (preferring rollover rather than a lump-sum payout, which could push employees into higher tax brackets) and whether layoffs would occur. He also questioned what happens after June 2026.
• Kathy O'Keefe (District 3 resident): Spoke on a rezoning lawsuit regarding property next to CVS at Airport and University. She noted that in May 2024 the council unanimously denied a rezoning of residential property, but a judge later ordered the council to rezone (July 22, 2025). She criticized that the neighbors and council were not notified of the lawsuit and that the city attorney conceded the case. She asked if the council would take action to defend its original denial. City attorney clarified the case is still active and that neighbors have filed to intervene; the city has no objection.
• Reggie Hill (second appearance): Commented on specific resolutions, calling for more police training funding and investigation of OPR abuse. He reiterated concerns about the budget, particularly the $1.4 million for cameras/video management, and argued for more proactive social services investment.

Discussion Items

• Communications from Mayor's Office:
  • Vacant Building Ordinance introduced for downtown area to address public safety issues (fire hazards, crime, blight). The mayor's representative stated it is not punitive but incentive-based, developed with Mobile Police, Fire, and Downtown Alliance.
  • Proclamations declared September 2025 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, Library Card Sign-Up Month, and October 6, 2025 as National Cease Fire Day. Also recognized Cynthia “Lee” Callahan as Public Works Employee of the Month and AP scholars from John L. LeFlore Magnet High School.
  • Moon Pie Over Mobile announcement: This year’s New Year’s Eve headliner is a band fronted by a Minneapolis artist who graduated high school with Prince. (Event scheduled for December 31, 2025.)
  • Recognition of Tillman’s Corner Area Youth Leadership program participants from multiple high schools.
• Budget Discussion (FY2025-2026):
  • The finance director confirmed a health insurance premium increase for employees and retirees (non-Medicare) signed by the mayor, ranging $10–$36/month. This change is revenue-neutral for the city and does not require council approval per legal counsel.
  • Councilmembers (Penn, Reynolds, Gregory, Daves, Woods) discussed the feasibility of providing a COLA for retirees. It was noted that the unfunded pension liability will be paid off by the end of FY2026 (with a $16 million payment included). Any COLA would be a long-term recurring cost and requires an actuarial study. The administration committed to working with the pension board on a study. Councilmember Daves cautioned about market volatility and future unfunded liabilities.
  • Councilmember Gregory raised the “gap” issue for employees hired after 2015 (between retirement and Medicare), and was told it is being studied.
  • Councilmember Davis provided a summary of the city’s fiscal improvement over the past 12 years: unassigned general fund balance from $3.3 million in Sept 2013 to $169.2 million in July 2025; unfunded pension liability from $122 million to $16 million; outstanding debt reduced from $311.9 million to ~$247 million; capital spending increased from $25.6 million to $88.8 million.
• Transit System Transition:
  • In response to Anthony Maven, Finance Director Scott Collins clarified that VIA plans to add staff, not lay off Wave Transit employees. Accrued vacation/sick leave will be paid out per current contract, but employees will continue to accrue at the same rates under VIA. The city has no preference on payout vs. rollover, as these are private entities. Councilmember Penn questioned the practicality of payout over keeping a time bank for employees who may need leave.
  • Councilmember Woods noted that Wave Transit employees are not public employees, so the council cannot dictate terms but can advocate.
• Rezoning Lawsuit:
  • Kathy O'Keefe explained that in May 2024 the council denied a rezoning of residential property near CVS (Airport & University). A lawsuit was filed, and the city attorney did not defend the council’s decision, leading to a judge ordering the rezoning. She asked the council to defend its original vote. The city attorney stated the case is ongoing and neighbors have filed to intervene.
• Introduction of Ordinances and Resolutions:
  • Ordinances 52046–64048 were introduced and laid over one week.
  • Consent resolutions (40-1155 through 40-1179) waived rules and approved as read.
  • CIP resolutions (40-1162 through 40-1172) were introduced, rules waived, and approved.
  • Public hearings were called for October 14, 2025, on a PUD modification (4350 Moffat Road), rezoning (2602–2616 Ocean Road and 1057–1077 Item Avenue), and an amendment to the downtown development district (250 St. Francis Street).

Key Outcomes

• Vacant Building Ordinance introduced and will be considered in committee.
• Budget public hearing held; no final vote taken. The council will continue discussion at the next meeting (likely after additional studies on retiree COLA and transit are presented).
• Health insurance premium increase for employees and retirees (non-Medicare) will take effect, as signed by the mayor; no council approval needed.
• Demolition orders approved for 1606 Katie Street, 270 Oak Drive, and 506 Patton Avenue, with the latter granted a 60-day delay.
• Transit contract (21-1149 with Port City Transit) laid over for one week for further discussion on employee concerns.
• Rezoning lawsuit remains active; neighbors intervening; city will not oppose intervention.
• All other consent resolutions and ordinances were passed as read.