Mobile City Council Meeting - September 30, 2025

The Mobile City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 9:36 AM, with all seven council members present. The meeting included mayoral announcements, proclamations, a monthly finance report, public comments, and several resolutions. The meeting recessed at approximately 11:30 AM to reconvene at 12:00 PM for the canvassing of the September 23, 2025 election results.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Mayor Stimpson proclaimed September 24, 2025 as Mercy Day in Mobile, honoring Mercy Life of Alabama, the only PACE program in the state. Councilman Penn recognized their work in District 1.
• Councilman Carroll recognized the Bishop State Community College first women's flag football team, highlighting the growth of women's flag football and its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. Bishop State's enrollment was noted at over 4,500 students.

Mayor's Announcements

• Downtown Waterfront Improvements: $4 million in state funding will support extending the bulkhead from the convention center north toward the proposed hotel site and building a connecting boardwalk to Cooper Riverside Park. This follows previous grants of $16 million (GOMESA) and $15.5 million (State Economic Development Fund).
• Downtown Street Optimization Project: Warren Street and a section of Dearborn Street were converted from one-way to two-way traffic using a yield flow model. Crews are installing ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalks on Royal Street.
• 27th Annual Dolphin Street Beer Festival: Scheduled for October 4, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, featuring 48 craft beers and 12 local bars/restaurants. Tickets are $35.

Monthly Finance Report (August 2025)

Presented by Mr. Collins:

• Beginning balance: $194,703,982; Reserve fund: $58,626,210; Operating balance: $116,565,408.
• Ending balance: $188,868,701; General fund operating balance: $109,569,670.
• Year-to-date sales tax revenues: $184,905,099 (net of $1 million in refunds); prior year-to-date: $186,449,866; budget: $188,181,466.
• Business license year-to-date: $55,011,846 (up from prior year $52,494,074; budget $52,730,507).
• Total revenues: $331,858,391 (prior year $326,148,389; budget $325,987,325).
• Total expenditures: $249,000,661 (prior year $245,000,438; budget $287,888,071).
• Net surplus: $29,379,653, which will be carried over to balance the FY26 budget, consistent with the Zobi Act.
• Discussion on collapsing cost centers: The finance department will lead consolidation of 73 divisions into fewer cost centers. The fire department will be the first large department to consolidate, with no net budget impact. Councilman Reynolds expressed concern about losing granularity, but Mr. Collins noted division-level detail would still be available.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Savannah Jones and Victoria Howell (Miss Juneteenth America Scholarship Pageantry Program) requested support for their trip to Galveston, Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth. They highlighted their community service and leadership development, asking for donations to offset costs.
• Unnamed resident (self-described as "old mobile with humble roots") expressed dissatisfaction with city transparency and accountability. Specific complaints included: $9 million overrun on a parking garage, $2 million overrun on Civic Center demolition, $400,000 for a bronze Jimmy Buffett statue, drag shows in front of the Catholic cathedral, pornographic/gender grooming books in the library children's section, and election irregularities (precinct changes, tabulator breakdowns, voters marked inactive in runoff). She demanded answers. Mr. Collins responded that the Civic Center demolition was under budget (original estimate $8 million, actual about $6 million), and parking garage overruns were covered by contingency funds. The Clerk explained that inactive voter status was a Secretary of State issue and that all precinct changes complied with legal requirements, with voters receiving mailed cards.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 01-1247 – Port City Transit Pension Plan Amendment: Authorized an amendment to the pension plan agreement. Councilman Reynolds opposed, stating the city should address the long-standing pension issue and not add costs given a $1 million monthly overspend on public transit. The resolution passed 6-1, with Reynolds voting no.
• Resolution 27-1267 – Canvassing of September 23, 2025 Election Results: Moved to the end of the agenda after public hearings. The meeting recessed before this item was taken up.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (all resolutions and ordinances not individually discussed).
• Appeals (Noise Ordinance Waivers): Approved for events on October 4, 18, November 15, and January 31 at various locations.
• Public Hearings: Opened and closed for rezoning at 813 Lakeside Drive (B3/I1 to B3) and demolition costs at 2002 Good Street and 1416 Old Shell Road.
• Ordinance 34-047 – Vapor Products Tax and License: Rules waived; adopted immediately to levy a local excise tax and require business licenses for consumable vapor products.
• Resolutions 31-1232 through 27-1267: Approved en bloc, including grant applications (ASPCA $60,000, DOJ $1 million for school violence prevention), ABC license recommendations, demolition costs, honorary street renaming, weed removal assessments, and employee bonus.
• Meeting Recessed: The council recessed at 11:30 AM to reconvene at 12:00 PM for the canvassing of election results.