Mobile City Council Pre-Meeting – September 30, 2025

The Mobile City Council held a pre-meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to discuss a range of items including noise ordinance waiver requests, public hearings, zoning changes, budget updates, the Port City Transit Pension Plan, a new vapor products tax ordinance, and reallocation of CDBG-CV funds. The meeting also covered several contracts and resolutions, with multiple items held over for further discussion. Key debates centered on the transit pension plan, the vapor tax, and the use of federal grant funds for fire equipment vs. food bank facilities.

Consent Calendar

• Noise ordinance waivers approved for multiple dates and locations: October 4 (7 a.m.–10 p.m., Old Canal Street; 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Virginia Street), October 18 (10 a.m.–2 p.m., Adam Street), November 15 (11 a.m.–9 p.m., Virginia Street), January 31 (9 a.m.–5 p.m., Virginia Street), October 12 (3 p.m.–9 p.m., Westminster Way). No issues raised.
• Public hearing set for rezoning at 813 Lakeside Drive from B3 and I1 to B3.
• Public hearing to fix demolition costs for structures at 2002 Good Street and 1416 O Shell Road.
• Resolutions introduced and held over: 21-1212 (Kimley Horn signal design citywide), 21-1213 (Kimley Horn signal design on OSHO Road), 08-1214 (medical oxygen bid), 08-1216 (ESRI GIS software renewal), items for pickup truck, dump trailer, racket stringer services, cruise terminal parking shuttle.
• Ordinance 34-047 (vapor products tax) – discussed as a separate item.
• Resolution 01-1247 (Port City Transit Pension Plan amendment) – discussed separately.
• Various other resolutions and purchase orders introduced (e.g., emergency generator, police/fire equipment, body armor, Bobcat loader, Ford Bronco, generator for cruise terminal, dozer for public services).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Councilman Woods raised concerns about social media posts claiming the Civic Center (arena) project was over budget. Sam (city staff) confirmed the project is on budget and on time, with about 30% of structural steel erected and a target completion date of January 2027 (February 27th mentioned). Councilman Penn noted confusion may arise from other contracts being let alongside the arena project.
• Councilman Reynolds questioned the pension plan arrangement, expressing concern that the city would be obligated to continue a defined benefit pension for transit workers into perpetuity, including new employees. He argued the city could modify the 2002 agreement. City staff explained that the plan is legally binding and that the city only funds an employee match, with no unfunded liability risk. Reynolds ultimately withheld consent but acknowledged the council had six votes to pass the amendment.
• Councilman Woods and others supported the pension plan, noting it was a historical commitment and that changing to two plans (401k for new hires) would be complex and potentially create a shortfall.
• Councilman Penn expressed disappointment about the late notice for the vapor products tax ordinance, but supported adopting it to keep 100% of the revenue rather than rely on state redistribution at a lower rate.
• Councilwoman Williams (Ms. Woods) raised concerns about the CDBG-CV grant reallocation, stating the council was not informed about the 30-day comment period and that the community should have been consulted. She requested better communication in the future. Councilman Carroll and others echoed these concerns.

Discussion Items

• Civic Center/Arena Budget Update: Sam (city staff) provided an update, stating the project is on budget and on time, with structural steel erection progressing. Councilman Penn asked for a public update on the timeline.
• Port City Transit Pension Plan Amendment (Resolution 01-1247): Extensive debate. Councilman Reynolds questioned why the city couldn't transition new employees to a 401k. Staff explained that the 2002 agreement creates a perpetual plan, and the city lacks legal authority to unwind it. The net cost to the city is estimated at $300,000 annually. Councilman Gregory and others argued that passing the amendment is necessary to ensure employee continuity and federal funding. The council agreed to waive rules and vote on the item, with Reynolds respectfully dissenting.
• Vapor Products Tax Ordinance (Ordinance 34-047): Staff explained that the state will impose a 10¢/ml tax on October 1, 2026, and cities can adopt their own ordinance to retain 100% of revenue. The council expressed frustration with the late notice but supported adoption to avoid losing revenue to state redistribution. Councilman Reynolds noted the city would get a larger share by managing it locally.
• CDBG-CV Grant Reallocation (Resolution 09-1256): The item was introduced to reallocate $543,000 from a food bank real estate project to fire protection equipment (CPR machines). Council members expressed concern about lack of community input and the narrow time frame (9 months to spend). Staff noted the original purpose was no longer feasible due to environmental constraints and the need to close the grant. The council decided to lay over the item for two weeks to allow for community outreach and further exploration of other eligible uses.
• Cooper Riverside Park Renovation (Contract 21-1261, $2.757 million): The project includes hardscape and landscaping repairs after bulkhead work. Construction is expected to take nine months, with completion after November 2025. Funded by GOMESA and TIFF.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Complete Streets Project (Contract 21-1266, $11.25 million): A two-year project from Butchers Lane to Bourregard Street, funded by Restore Act ($2.1M), MPO ($6.6M), and GOMESA ($3M+). Utility relocation is already underway. Notice to proceed expected in 8–10 weeks.
• Street Paving and Drainage (Hannon, McGill, Contas Streets): Councilman Carroll reported that the paving is under contract and will proceed, but drainage improvements require an additional $700,000 due to utility conflicts. He requested a community meeting to explain the delay and asked for a commitment to complete the drainage work.

Key Outcomes

• Approved by Consent: All noise ordinance waivers; public hearing dates set for rezoning and demolition costs; various purchase orders and minor contracts.
• Rules Waived for Vote: Ordinance 34-047 (vapor products tax) and Resolution 01-1247 (Port City Transit Pension Plan amendment) were moved to the regular meeting for a vote, with the pension plan expected to pass (six votes in favor).
• Laid Over: Resolution 09-1256 (CDBG-CV fund reallocation) was laid over for two weeks to allow for additional community outreach and exploration of alternative uses.
• Contracts Introduced: Several contracts were introduced for approval, including the Cooper Riverside Park renovation, the MLK Avenue complete streets project, and others. These will be voted on at the next regular meeting (October 14, 2025).
• Administrative Services Committee Meeting: Scheduled for 1:00 PM on the same day to discuss vacant buildings, including concerns from an owner of the Hoffman building.