Mobile City Council Meeting Summary - November 18, 2025

This regular meeting of the Mobile City Council convened to address public safety appointments, housing enforcement actions, and community development projects. The session was marked by the unanimous approval of two major public safety leaders, the recognition of staff achievements and community representatives, and significant discussion regarding vacant property ordinances. Several demolition fee hearings were tabled or delayed to facilitate clarifications with property owners and to ensure proper oversight of city procedures.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Agenda: The agenda was adopted unanimously.
• Waiver of Noise Ordinance Appeals: Requests to waive noise ordinance violations for events on St. Anthony Street and Langan Park were granted.
• Vacation of Rights of Way: The public hearing to consider vacation of rights of way within lot one of the MAAC DC subdivision was closed with no public testimony.
• Ordinance Layoff (Construction Academy): Ordinance 11056 (Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund Fees) was laid over for two weeks.
• CIP Resolutions: Approved purchase orders for playground equipment at LaFaretta Park and mechanical improvements at Figures Park and Taylor Park Community Centers.
• Grant Application: Resolution to authorize the Mayor to apply for a Federal Transit Administration grant.
• Appointment of Public Safety Director: Curtis Graves appointed as Executive Director of Public Safety.
• Appointment of Fire Chief: Barry Glisten appointed as Chief of the Mobile Fire and Rescue Department.
• General Appropriations: Approved payments to Bay Area Women Coalition, Secret Scientists, Mobile Law Enforcement Foundation, and others (resolutions 40-1452 through 60-1469).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Valerie Brown (559 Hickory Street): Expressed concern regarding a notice received too close to the hearing date, stating she could not prepare. She clarified the property was structurally sound when she purchased it from the state and argued she should not be solely responsible for the bill if the demolition occurred without her prior full opportunity to act. She positioned that she is now "stuck with the bill" and the Council held her item over for one week to allow her to speak with Mr. David Dockerbaugh.
• Sandra Bryant Mosley (505 Chin Street): Clarified a misconception with the Council, stating that while the city removed debris from her property, she personally paid for and arranged the demolition of the structure herself. She positioned that she needs additional time to pay the fee for the debris removal service, not a fee for a demolition she did not receive from the city.
• Reggie Hillsman: Sought clarification on code distinctions between demolition costs versus debris removal pricing. He expressed the position that there appears to be a systemic miscommunication between the city and citizens, advocated for an oversight mechanism to review properties before abatement, and suggested utilizing these properties for the housing crisis rather than immediate demolition.
• Council Member Claude (referencing Hillsman): Agreed with the sentiment regarding the need for better notification and potential reuse of properties before they reach the abatement stage.
• Reggie Hill: Strongly opposed the trend of ignoring 40 years of council rules regarding agenda sponsorship. He positioned that allowing any councilor to sponsor any item as a new practice violates the original intent of the rules designed to maintain neighborhood-specific autonomy. He criticized the current "committee of the whole" dynamics as pressures that might hurt the city's business interests.

Discussion Items

• Vacant Structure Registry (Ordinance 52046):
  • Council Member Wynne opposed the ordinance as offered, stating it places an arbitrary burden on business owners to register vacant properties and questioning its effectiveness against short-term usage loopholes.
  • Council Member Woods expressed support for the initiative but positioned that an education program involving title companies and realtors is necessary to effectively inform downtown community members, as not everyone watches council meetings.
  • Council Member Ingram offered an amendment to include Section 52-201D (striking specific registration language) and expressed support for the amended version.
  • Council Member Penn noted that District One is the only district to receive state funds for resurfacing and commended the progress.
  • Council Member Reynolds acknowledged concerns from District 4 regarding the resurfacing allocation, which was addressed by Council member Woods.
  • Council Member Fleming positioned that while receiving a smaller amount for resurfacing, District 5 will benefit from sidewalks in Jackson Heights and Ridgelong Ravine Woods.
• Ambulance Service Request (Acadian Ambulance Service):
  • Council Member Penn supported a delay to ensure a Certificate of Need (CON) is fully evaluated. He positioned that the Council should not issue a certificate of convenience and necessity until the necessity is proven.
  • The Vice President announced a public safety committee meeting would be called to discuss this item further, explaining the item was laid over for eight weeks to allow for further answers to be gathered.
• Staff Recognition: Mayor and Council members expressed high praise for Dionbro Chapman (Creative Content Manager) regarding the "You Still Have a Choice" film, which received an Audience Choice Award and is impacting local schools. Council Member Ingram commended the film's intervention and prevention approach.
• Appointments: Unanimous support was expressed for both Curtis Graves and Barry Glisten. Council members highlighted Graves' 32 years of experience in crisis intervention and data-driven crime reduction, and Glisten's 30 years in fire/EMS and high reputation within the department.

Key Outcomes

• Public Safety Leadership: Approved the appointment of Curtis Graves as Executive Director of Public Safety and Barry Glisten as Chief of Mobile Fire and Rescue Department (Vote: Unanimous).
• **Demolition Fee Adjustments **(Hickory/Chin) Items regarding 559 Hickory Street and 505 Chin Street were laid over for one week and 30 days respectively due to property owner testimony requiring clarification on demolition vs. debris removal costs and notification procedures.
• **Ordinance 52046 **(Vacant Structure Registry) Passed as amended (Vote: 1 Yes, 2 No for the amendment to strike section, then final vote: Passed as amended). The final ordinance was accepted with modifications proposed by Council Member Ingram to address registration language.
• Acadian Ambulance Application: Laid over for eight weeks pending further review of the Certificate of Need necessity.
• Announcements Made:
  • St. Joseph Street conversion to two-way traffic scheduled for the following day.
  • Christmas tree lighting event at Mardi Gras Park (Friday, 6:20 PM).
  • Various community dinners and holiday celebrations scheduled for late November and December in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5.
  • Food drive and volunteer opportunity at First Baptist Stadium on November 19th.