This is the regular meeting of the Mobile City Council Tuesday, November the 4th.

Please stand for our invocation led by Rabbi Steve Silberman.

Public Safety Chapel.

And remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Good morning.

Let us pray.

Lord, we thank you for this day and for this convening and this fresh administration.

We pray God your hand continue to be upon our new mayor, our city council, all of our elected officials, and our entire city government.

Would you bless them today as they care for the business of this city and the great people that live here?

Give them wisdom, guidance, understanding.

Send your presence, oh God, for issues and matters of disagreement, and we ask, oh God, that all would be done unto your glory and for the betterment of the people of this great city.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

One nation under God.

Liberty.

Roll call, President Small.

Here.

Vice President Gregory.

Here.

Councilmember Penn.

Councilmember Ingram.

Here.

Council Member Reynolds.

Here.

Council Member Fleming.

Here.

Council Member Woods.

Here.

Statement of rules.

Hey, good morning, everyone.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning.

It's good to see everybody this morning on our first meeting of this first term.

We would like to welcome everyone to our November 4th, 2025 meeting.

At this meeting, we do have rules at this time.

I ask if anyone have any type of electronic device.

Please at this time put it on the offer to vibrate position, the off of the vibrant position.

Any person that is designed to address the Mobile City Council must sign in the resolution, the public hearing agenda item or ordinance appeal before entering the meeting.

We're addressing the council, the speaker must give his or her name.

Any person that desire to speak to the council on a non-agenda item must sign up by Thursday, 2 o'clock p.m.

before the council meeting.

The subject that he or she wishes to express in the Mobile City Council must be identified and pertain to the city of Mobile Business.

Anyone who has not given proper notes to the city clerk office and wish to speak on a non-agenda item would not be allowed to address this council.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes to address this council.

A bell will indicate the end of two minutes, one minute remain for summarizing the second bell indicates that your time has expired.

When addressing the council, there'd be no personal address to any individual council members.

All statements are to be made to the chair who recognizes any council member who wishes to respond to maintain the coin that will be no under applause or a public outcry allowed.

Madam Clerk.

Approval of minutes of October 28th.

So move second.

Prop the move and second in the discussion.

All in favor, aye.

All opposed, minutes approved.

Communications from the Mayor Chair Gotis.

Thank you, Mr.

Woods.

Uh good morning, everybody.

Um, there are a few less people here today, but we had a big day yesterday.

Uh it was an exciting day.

Uh, I thought a special day for our city of personal point of pride.

I have one of my children, we call her Skittle.

She has terrible stage fright, and she got up there yesterday and belted out the uh the Pledge of Allegiance, and I was very proud of her.

So happy to have my family here to see the family members of the council members.

Uh, I'm just so excited to get to work with this city council.

Uh I'm looking forward to it.

Honored to begin this next chapter of our city with you.

Um there's a lot going on already.

Uh we've got some important items on today's gender agenda, uh, but we've also got some exciting events coming up.

Uh, we've we as an administration have started to work on establishing key task forces for a few of the areas that um you know I think are important for our city moving forward, like a gun violence task force, public transportation task force, economic and workforce development task force, uh uh task force designed to look at activating the waterfront and how we speed that up uh and do it in a way that comports with uh our port activities.

A few more will be uh coming up.

We'll be announcing those soon after we um myself and some of the council members get to meet about those.

Uh I'm also going to start the work over the next 363 days of meeting every singular employee personally in this city.

It's going to be tough.

We've got over 2100, but I think that's important.

If I'm to be the leader of the city, I need to know the people who are really making it run on a daily basis.

So I look forward to that.

Um we've got a uh application fair coming up, and I want everybody to know about that.

It is seasonal, but it's the barricade crew application fair starting next week.

Our traffic engineering department will host this this fair for our Mardi Gras Barricade crew.

Um, obviously, this is a critical role in making Mardi Gras parades work.

Uh, it's also one of my favorite parts of every parade when the crew comes through and cleans up.

Um they they work hard to keep our parade safe and traffic moving.

We're looking to hire up to 30 seasonal employees at a starting salary of $15.60 an hour.

Uh this this application fair will be from 8 a.m.

to noon on Wednesday, November 13th.

Uh, and that'll be at the traffic engineering facility on Gale Street.

So if you know anybody interested in that, please direct them there.

We'll be sharing more about this event on our social media pages.

Uh, but please do share that with anybody who might be interested.

Uh I also want to highlight something that's happening tomorrow.

Exciting.

We've got a ribbon cutting coming up.

Tomorrow morning, councilwoman Ingram and I will attend a ribbon cutting for the first house built through the city's housing improvement program.

Uh, this was started by former councilman Carroll.

The HIPAA aims to revitalize the historic campground neighborhood.

Uh we will, we hope to build and will build 30 new homes across 30 blocks, reducing blight and bringing families back to this historic neighborhood.

Uh, the first home was built by Heritage Homes and will actually be purchased by one of our mobile police officers.

So I'm really excited about that.

We want our officers and our public safety workers living in the community that they are serving.

Uh, and so I'm I'm very excited about this.

Hope everyone can join us.

Um affordable housing is critical to the quality of life, public safety, and economic development, and I'm excited to see what this program is going to do in the campground area.

Um, uh, I've been told to invite everybody to the lighting of the Christmas tree.

Uh my family will be there, all my kids.

Lord knows they're gonna want to push the button, but I might still retain the right to do that.

Um that's gonna be on Friday, November 21st.

It'll be um in Mardi Gras Park.

Uh this event is one of Mobile's most beloved holiday traditions and marks the start of the Christmas season before Thanksgiving.

I think that's before Thanksgiving.

Some people might get upset about that.

Uh the celebration runs from 5 30 to 8 30.

It'll feature live music, food trucks, crafts, and of course, a visit from Santa Claus.

It will not be me.

I'll have the honor of lighting the tree for the first time as mayor around 620 p.m.

It's a wonderful evening for families, neighbors, uh, and visitors to come join.

So I hope everyone will consider joining us for that.

Should be fun.

Uh, and finally, my my last thing, I do have one proclamation.

So I'll I'm gonna ask uh Tony uh Zedro to step down, VP of Marketing and Development for Goodwill Easter Seals.

Oh, we've got a stand in.

Where is he?

Playing golf.

Oh, he's sick.

Well, please tell him we hope he heals up.

Uh tell me your name, ma'am.

Stephanie Jacobs of the Communications Manager.

Thank you, Stephanie Jacobs.

Thank you for being here.

All right, let me read this.

Um, this is a proclamation from the Office of Mayor, whereas Goodwill Gulf Coast, which is headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, serves 10 counties along the Gulf Coast and Alabama and Florida as a leading nonprofit provider of services for people with disabilities and others in need.

And whereas Goodwill Gulf Coast provides programs and services to help individuals and families overcome challenges due to disabilities and other barriers that impact economic well-being, self-sufficiency, and quality of life, including early intervention programs, employment services, job training, and educational and social services.

And whereas to help support these valuable community programs and services, Goodwill Gulf Coast is introducing the 2025 Christmas on the Coast Ornament, the 32nd in a series of limited edition Christmas ornaments.

This year recognizing the historic Gulf Coast snowstorm of January 21st, 2025, which shattered 130 year old records for the most snowfall and the lowest daytime temperature ever recorded in Mobile.

I didn't know that.

And turned the city into a winter wonderland for all to enjoy.

Now, therefore, I Spiro Charagottis, the 109th mayor of the City of Mobile, do proclaim, hereby proclaim the Christmas on the Coast Ornament as the official 2025 ornament of the City of Mobile, Alabama.

Thank you.

So I hope this opens.

Yes, do you have my first proclamation?

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Do I get one?

Yes.

You do.

And I have one for every top center.

Wonderful.

I'm assured I'm not the only one getting one of these today.

Thanks.

I will say I'm excited to have this ornament because this is the day I announced my run for mayor.

So thank you very much.

And that concludes my remarks.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

And that's some good news for tomorrow at 9 o'clock a.m.

Um we need more uh investments into especially the urban neighborhoods where we're moving police officers, first responders to these uh more affordable homes and everything.

But uh plan on being there because that's some great news, and we need to do a whole lot more of that in this in the city and everything.

All right, Madam Clerk.

Motion for adoption of the agenda, please.

So move.

Second.

They're probably moving second ending in discussion.

All in favor, aye.

All opposed, agenda's adopted.

Appeals.

We have a request for a waiver noise ordinance on February the 15th on St.

Anthony Street and February 17th on St.

Anthony Street.

Move to lay over for two weeks.

Prompton book is second ending in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All the polls.

Appeals laid over two weeks.

Request away with the noise ordinance on November the 8th on Suzanne Circle.

So move.

Proper move and second ending in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Appeal passed.

Public hearings today is the public hearing to consider the modification of a previously approved plan unit development for property located at 600, 700 and 800 West I-65 service road south.

This opened up the public hearing for this particular said item.

Is anyone present that would like to address the council on this item?

If not, this particular public hearing is closed.

Public today is the public hearing to fix costs for demolition of structures at 2661 Bet B Street, 2906 Knall Street, 777 Wellworth Street, and 1807 White Avenue.

This opened up the public hearing for these particular said items.

Is anyone present that would like to address these items?

If not, these particular public hearings are close.

Presentation of petitions and other communications to the council, Jacob Cooper.

My name is Jacob Cooper.

I'm here as a father, not a lawyer, not an engineer.

Mr.

Debbie wants to know that when our children walk to school, every safeguard promised by law is actually here.

Right now, that promise is being broken in several school zones across mobiles.

Some of the most important warning signs are missing.

The very signs that tell drivers a child is nearby.

That a school zone has begun or that the reduced speed is in effect.

Those signs are the first line of defense between a just distracted driver and a child crossing the street.

I know this because I've seen it firsthand.

Fondi elementary haven covered a massive oversight.

The school's only had been missing key signings for decades.

Once it was brought to light, it is finally corrected.

But we shouldn't have to rely on as one citizen to stumble onto decades on mistakes before something gets done.

And our crossing guards, the human face of safety, are being sent out without proper tools.

No official stop pedal, no lawful command device recognized under the manual of uniform traffic control devices, the MUTCD.

That's not just unsafe.

It's non-compliant.

The METCD is clear.

Hand signals alone are not legally enforceable traffic control.

Alabama code 325830B requires that all traffic control devices conform to the M UTCD, currently the 2009 edition.

The standards define everything from the placement of school zones signs to the equipment crossing guards must use.

In January 2026, the 11th edition becomes a national standard, tightening those requirements even further.

We shouldn't wait until the federal deadline to do what's right for mobile children.

I'm asking this council for three things.

One, audit every school zone, verify that every sign, beacon, and marking required by the M U T C D is in place in working.

Two, bring all zones into compliance with the 2009 M U T C D now and prepare for the 11th edition.

Fix what's missing, replace what's faded, and repaint what's gone.

Three, equip every crossing guard with the reflective vest whistle and official stop pedal as required by the MUTCD.

We can't keep at issuing tickets in zones that aren't legally remarked.

We can't ask guards to risk their lives without lawful tools.

And we can't call ourselves a family first city without overlooking the safety of our very children.

We send to school each morning.

This isn't about blame, it's about responsibility.

Mobile can lead when it comes to the protecting our children.

We don't wait for Washington.

We act because it's right.

Let's audit, correct, and equip.

Let's make every school zoning mobile safe, waffle, and worthy of the trust parents give this city every morning.

Our kids are counting on us.

Let's not make them wait another day.

Thank you.

I do want to mention that the last two diagrams and just what's supposed to be in place for school zones and uh the new addition, all that's being put forward is that uh if it drops below more than 10 miles per hour, then uh it needs an extra sign.

And of course, there's a comment from this council.

Ms.

President.

Uh Mr.

Penn.

Mr.

Cooper, thank you so much for coming down sharing this information.

Um I have received multiple emails dealing with the same situation that you stated, but you gave a great um presentation and a lot of information that I believe the administration and this council can look and work for.

We talked about this in pre-consul already.

Um, and we'll be working with the administration to look at different school zones and see what things that we need to fix.

I agree.

I have younger kids, um, and we want to make sure that our school zones are safe for them to walk or they're riding their bikes or just even the crossing guard, everything you stated.

So thank you so much for coming and sharing this information.

Sir, thank you.

All right, thank you so much, Ms.

Cooper.

Thank you.

Vital clerk.

Reggie Hill.

Uh to the citizens and stakeholders of Mobile Greetings.

Reggie Hill is my name.

Um, I rise today to continue these pertinent conversations related to city business.

Um, the first I began with other plans for the unassigned fund balance and what is the current amount available in the unassigned fund balance, and how can we obtain a report for the public?

Um, is there an updated uh vehicle inventory list?

And what are the plans for the purchases uh within the FY26 budget?

Um and then the next part of the evaluation metrics for our performance contracts and the ability to amend uh the budget for additional recipients.

How can we go about doing that process and what would be the criteria for organizations uh to request an opportunity to be added to uh that list?

Um, how many recipients have not received uh discretionary allotments that have been approved by this body?

Uh we know that there are a couple of organizations who are still waiting for resources that were approved by the council, but the the checks just weren't cut for uh by the administration, so we need to know what's going on with that.

Is there a reporting on that and how can you go about ensuring that those resources are given to those proper entities?

Um and we see that there really haven't been any executive changes.

Uh so I won't go into the idea of us um speaking on how we would approve those individuals in those capacities.

Uh but when we are selecting individuals to serve on our boards and commissions, I think it's vital that we can consider somewhat what the U.S.

Congress does when they have these hearings.

Um, there are a lot of those individuals who are petitioning for these positions to come in, and then they're properly vetted.

Uh, we saw where the turnover, particularly with the mobile housing authority, uh, we've seen about five, about five or six individuals that have come onto that board in the past year.

Uh, and then the first thing that they did without really having a year's worth of experience was terminate the CEO.

And so these are things that we need to know what the intent is for these individuals when they begin serving in uh capacities that really impact the quality of life for all uh mobilions.

Um the I would like to look at sections two-five two and excuse me, two that's five one and five two of the rules.

Um, I want to hope that we can move to having two monthly evening meetings.

I would like to propose that hopefully someone can uh entertain that and have one of those evening meetings actually rotate uh within each of the seven districts.

We know that a lot of people are not able to come down here and participate with this process, and that's something that we uh could consider.

Um, the language in section two six two allows for uh if there's a threat to public health, uh safety or welfare, that the idea for petitions can be suspended for 30 days.

It says nowhere in there that you can put somebody out for 30 days.

So if that's gonna be the language, we need to make sure that we're uh gonna add that into the rules.

And we know what the Supreme Court has already ruled on.

I'm talking about the United States Supreme Court on what disruptive behavior is, and I don't think we've seen any of that down here when we've been threatening individuals to be put out of this meeting.

Um, there's a lot to unpack as well uh with 2.62.

Um, this is a formal request to amend the time for speakers to go back two five minutes so that we can actually have the ability to address these issues, and that would be consistent with what we do for public hearings, um, as well as any of the other forums that happened with our boards and commissions.

And we know the time is not a lot, so we'll have to continue this for next week.

Thanks for being on the floor.

Battle clerk.

Ordinance is held over 11056, amend chapter 11, article three, section eleven of the city code to include subsection titled Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund Fees.

Move the layoff for two weeks.

Second, promptly move and second ending discussion.

All in favor, aye.

All opposed, I lay over two weeks.

Resolution is held over 08 1381, approved purchase order to beard equipment company.

081382, approved purchase order to SHR International.

Create new capital account, mobile arena, furniture fixtures and equipment and transfer funds from the general fund operating account into the new account.

21136 authorized contract with RGLG in doing business as Service Master Services.

211387 and 138 are authorizing contracts with Star Service of Mobile for HVAC maintenance and authorizing contract with touchdown cleaning services for carpet cleaning.

So moved.

Proper move and second ending in discussion.

Uh President, I would like to note that on our 21137, 21138.

I share with you that didn't have the background information at the time.

It is showing that it was sponsored by Ingram, but I do want to note that I did not have that background, and I would like to gather more information uh regarding the performance of both contracts.

Thank you.

Um if you don't care to sponsor it, God believe we that this is on time.

You don't have to sponsor it.

I can sponsor the resolution if you don't want to sponsor it.

Yeah, I think that would be great.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh Madam Clerk, if you can change that to uh small that be fine.

Okay.

In other discussion.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed, item passes.

Ordinances being introduced, 64057.

Per council rules, this ordinance will be laid over for one week.

Consent resolutions being introduced.

091396 through 601407.

Move to waive the rules for immediate consideration of these resolutions as read.

The exception of 37 1398.

Yes, with that exception.

Second.

Prop the move is second in the discussion.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed.

Madam Clerk.

09136 transfer funds from District 7 discretionary account to traffic engineering to assist with replacement of polls and signs.

311397 authorized the mayor to apply, accept and receive grant funding from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for the 2025 ELD 21 grant.

No local match.

581399 authorized removal of weeds group 1669.

40 1400, 1401, 1402, and 1403 are fixing the cost of demolition of structures at 2661 Bent V Street, 2906, Knall Street, 777 Wellworth Street, 1807 White Avenue.

601404, 1405, 1406, and 1407 are determined appropriations to continuous learning center, just for development laboratory.

Hold on, Madam Clerk.

Again, any electronic device, please at this time put on the off of the barber position, the off of the Bible position.

Murphy High School and to Scarborough model middle schools serve a public purpose and approve payment.

So move.

Second.

Prompt the move and second and in discussion.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed.

CIP resolutions being introduced.

081408 through 21 1415.

Go back to the one.

We need to go back to 3714 too.

Oh, I'm sorry.

No, we uh refuse unanimous consent on that.

Oh, yeah, oh yeah.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Um CIP resolutions being introduced 081408 through 211415.

Move to waive the rules for immediate consideration of 08-1408, with the other one being laid over for one week.

Second.

Prompt the movement second and discussion.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed.

Rules waive, Madam Clerk.

081408, approved purchase order to inline LLC for replacement.

Traffic signal pose for Highway 90 at Demetropolis Road.

So moved.

Second.

Talk the move and second ending and discussion.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed.

Item pass.

Resolutions being introduced.

011409 through 211414.

Move to waive the rules for immediate consideration of resolutions 081410 and 081412 with the others being laid over for one week.

Second.

Property movement second ending discussion.

All in favor.

Aye.

All opposed, rule waive, Madam Clerk.

081410, approved purchase order to environmental systems research institute for GIS online training credits.

081412 approved purchase order to Wilkins Miller LLC for annual audit of police and fire pension fund.

So moved.

Second.

Prompt the move is second in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Resolution passes.

Announcements.

The city council meeting on next Tuesday or schedule for next Tuesday will be moved to Wednesday due to the Veterans Day holiday.

Okay.

We're going to start with District 6.

Councilman Woods.

No announcements, Mr.

President.

All right.

Thank you, Councilman Woods.

District 4, Councilman Reynolds.

I'll be brief.

I just want to say it's an honor to be able to be up here to serve them with everybody.

It's nice that we move through our first agenda very cleanly and smoothly.

It's an honor to serve with uh new mayor spiro and look forward to working with everyone.

I know we've got big goals for this next four years, and we're going to accomplish a lot of them.

We were very successful in the previous four years.

So I look forward to working with everyone.

And also want to say congratulations to our council president and vice president uh small and Gregory on being reappointed.

We think you did a good job, obviously, by way of our support for to put you back in the job.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Reynolds.

District Ward, Councilman Penn.

Thank you, Ms.

President.

I will be brief as well.

Um it's an honor to serve in this position.

I'm excited about the opportunity served with Mayor Spiro and this council and the administration and the team that we have, the council staff as well.

We will have a community meeting in District 1 at the end of November.

More information.

We get in the location locked down, but more information will be coming about that community meeting.

Um and then don't forget that at the end of this month, we will have one of the best parades, um, the Thomaville Parade, um, the week of Thanksgiving that Saturday.

So we're gonna have a great time in the Thomaville community in District One.

Um, and then you'll be hearing more about Penns Giving.

We got some information coming about that.

So thank you, Mr.

President.

I thank you, Councilman Penn, District 2, uh Councilwoman Ingram.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I want to sincerely thank my colleagues for the warm welcome.

I feel right at home and to the incredible administrative staff, your professionalism and your dedication.

It really means a lot.

It really makes me feel like okay, let's go get it right.

Let's go get this work done.

Um, I also want to take the time to share with district two and to the mobile citizens.

It's just an honor to be able to serve and to serve and give back to our community.

I truly look forward to working with our new mayor.

Um and again working with our um my colleagues here for the council.

So again, thank you.

Some updates for district two.

We are working on getting our Facebook established, as you know.

This is my second day on the job, and and so we're working to get that done.

We also have a survey that will be going out for the priorities that will drive our budget and how we do the work.

And I so look forward to the ribbon cutting uh for the campground that's much needed, and we're going to make sure that we're placing our investments there.

So again, thank you for this opportunity to serve and um just thank you to the staff.

Thank you.

Uh thank you, Councilwoman Ingram.

District 5, Councilman Flemings.

Yeah, thank you.

I would like to echo what uh Councilwoman Ingram said.

I cannot say enough about the professional staff of the council's office and helping guide us through the first few days here on the job.

Um, as far as any other huge announcements, I don't have any.

There will be a newsletter, district five newsletter going out.

It will be biweekly.

I've gotten several questions about that.

So be on the lookout for that if you're in the district, um, as well as an updated Facebook page.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councilman Flemings.

District 7, Vice President Gregory.

Thank you, Mr.

President, and um joining my colleagues and thanking everybody and um just glad to be here.

Uh for our new mayor, don't get the impression that every meeting is this smooth.

Uh sometimes we do get a little contentious and they don't always end as quickly as this one.

So today is a great day in the City of Mobile, and um we'll all get to lunch on time.

As far as announcements go, I just need to piggyback on the fact that we got our Christmas ornaments from uh Goodwill today because I have my Christmas meeting already planned on the calendar for December 1st at the Mobile Museum of Art.

It's the same that we do every year.

We bring gifts for the um residents at Wilmer Hall.

Uh we recognize community leaders as well as administrative uh representatives, and it's just a great evening for everyone to come out and fellowship and get to know one another a little bit better, as well as helping out everyone at Wilmer Hall.

So it's a great evening and postcards.

We'll be going out soon.

I cannot believe we're already planning for my Christmas meeting.

It seems like you know the year is just flying by.

So thank you so much, everybody, for your hard work.

Thank you, Vice President Gregory, and to the citizens of District Three.

Um I do appreciate each and every one of you for your support.

Um next week, while we're speaking about the holidays, we will be talking about our holiday uh meeting, uh, Christmas meeting, and also our uh parade, the parades of threes, which is uh coming up very, very soon.

But I will make those dates and announcements on next week.

Our first Ashley community meeting will be after the holidays, and uh looking forward to meeting, going throughout the district and talking to every um neighborhood throughout District Three and to the administration.

Um welcome, Mayor Spiro, uh Terragades.

Um looking forward to working with you and your administration and to my colleagues, I do appreciate you all so much for your support, um, especially the old ones, looking forward to working with you all for the next four years where we can move the city for with the administration and the citizens of Mobile and to my new colleagues um to uh councilwoman Ingram and Councilman Flemings.

Uh no need to worry.

Um the council here, we have your back along with the city clerk and her staff.

So anything that y'all need, please feel free to uh reach out to any one of us.

Uh we're here to help each other because we got to do this thing together.

Anything from the Madam Clerk.

Oh, yes, Mr.

President, I failed to mention that um the meeting being moved to next Wednesday will um change times.

So the pre council meeting um on next Wednesday will start at 10 a.m.

And the regular council meeting will start at 11 a.m.

All right, thank you.

FD Nelson administration.

Motion to adjourn.

Okay.

I don't think the administration responded, Councilmember Brothers.

Nothing for me.

All in favor.