Mobile City Council Regular Meeting - March 10, 2026
Mobile City Council Regular Meeting - March 10, 2026
The Mobile City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (as referenced by the invocation and roll call). The meeting included approval of prior minutes, communications from the Mayor, public hearings, presentations, public comments, and votes on several ordinances and resolutions. Key actions included the failure of a rezoning request, approval of a settlement authorization ordinance, and the introduction of Mobile's new Poet Laureate.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from March 3, 2026, were approved unanimously.
- Adoption of Agenda: The agenda was adopted after an amendment to add item 01-272 (cooperative maintenance agreement for the Gateway Initiative between the City of Mobile and ALDOT).
- Noise Ordinance Waivers: Approved waivers for events on March 28 (Spring Hill Avenue), May 9 (Black Lawn Street), May 16 (Government Street), April 25 (Venetia Road), April 11 (Airport Boulevard), March 22 (Mel Lavana Park), and April 25 (Metalvana Park).
- Public Hearings: Two public hearings were opened and closed with no speakers:
- Rezoning of 1724 Michigan Avenue from B2 to B5.
- Declaring structures at 1861 LaSalle Street and 3150 Riverside Drive as public nuisances and ordering demolition.
- Ordinances and Resolutions (Passed):
- Ordinance 14012 (amend code to authorize settlements under $15,000) passed.
- Resolutions 092-30, 13231, 21232-21235, 25238, 60240-60241 (various transfers, contracts, easements, and settlement agreements) passed.
- Resolutions 37242-37244 (ABC license recommendations for Fast Way Convenience Store, Callahan's Irish Social Club, and Jerusalem Cafe), 60245 (approval of water special bonus for Parks and Rec employee of the month), 60246-60253 (appropriations to various organizations), 40269-40270 (nuisance declarations), and 58271 (weed abatement) passed.
- Resolutions 08256-08260, 0826-08268, and 01272 (purchase orders and cooperative maintenance agreement) passed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Estella Trotter: Called for increased city council oversight of the Mobile Housing Authority, citing the terminations of two executive directors (Mr. Papula and Michael Pierce) and questioning the secrecy of settlements and potential taxpayer costs. She alleged a pattern of behavior and questioned land deals and contracts.
- Unnamed Woman (Child-to-Parent Violence): Shared personal story of experiencing child-to-parent violence and abuse (CPVA), including domestic violence, drug-related issues, and fleeing her home. She urged the council to recognize and address this issue, asking for mercy and support for women in similar situations.
- Avan Warner (Resident of Riverside Drive): Asked the council to save a live oak tree at Taylor Park, part of a $6 million improvement project. She presented photos and a diagram showing the tree's location, noting that the sidewalk and pavilion had already been removed despite plans indicating they should stay. She requested orange construction tape to protect the tree. Council President responded that the administration had reviewed the issue and cited concerns about root damage from access roads, but offered to look into the specific tree in the back of the property.
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Communications:
- VIA Branding Survey: Announced a survey (through March 27, 2026) to choose a name and brand for the city's transit system, with two concepts: "Second Line Transit" and "Mogo." Survey available via QR code, city social media, and on buses.
- Money Moves Boot Camp: Free financial literacy program on March 14, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Connie Hudson Senior Center, focusing on tax preparation, credit building, and financial resilience. Registration required.
- Animal Services: Urgent need for dog adoptions due to seasonal puppy influx; adoption fees waived. Shelter at Animal Services Mobile.com.
- Employee of the Month: Recognized Lina Floyd Smith, assistant community activity coordinator with Mobile Parks and Rec, selected by colleagues.
- Proclamations:
- March 16–22, 2026, proclaimed as Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Teresa Lewis (president of supporting organization) spoke about neurodivergence and acceptance.
- March 12, 2026, proclaimed as Dream Deliveries Day. Peyton Bozeman (Miss Mobile Bay Volunteer 2026) shared her initiative providing care packages to hospitalized children, inspired by the loss of her two brothers.
- Presentation of New Poet Laureate: Sydney Kramer (Mobile Arts Council) introduced Alex Lofton as Mobile's newest Poet Laureate. Lofton spoke about using poetry to improve literacy and public speaking among youth, proposing workshops to channel hip-hop culture into substantive creative writing. Council members Penn and Ingram praised his work and offered support.
- Ordinance 64009 (Rezoning): Proposed rezoning of 7211 and 7221 Cottage Hill Road from R1 to R3.14. Councilman Woods moved to vote no, citing the history of the lot (annexed, automatically zoned R1) and lack of a clear plan. The item failed (no seconded motion to pass).
- Resolutions Tabled/Laid Over:
- Resolution 21236 (contract with Mobile Sports Hall of Fame) – tabled for one week to receive a modified contract.
- Resolution 21237 (contract with Thompson Engineering for Mobile River Fender System Replacement) – laid over for one week for more information.
- Resolution 31239 (CDBG, ESG, and Home Plan 2026-27) – laid over to March 24, with an entitlement committee meeting scheduled for March 17.
- Council Announcements:
- District 6 community meeting on March 26 at 5:30 p.m. at Connie Hudson Senior Center.
- District 2 virtual chat on March 12 at 7:00 p.m.
- Vice President highlighted ribbon cutting at Live Oak Trace senior apartment complex (affordable apartments for seniors) and a smoke alarm blitz in the Forestell neighborhood.
- District 3: Easter egg hunt on April 4 (3-5 p.m.) at Meryville Elementary School, followed by community meetings for Dauphinana Parkway area (April 7) and Pleasant Valley area (May 19).
Key Outcomes
- Rezoning Failed: Ordinance 64009 (Cottage Hill Road rezoning) failed to pass after Councilman Woods' opposition and no second for approval.
- Settlement Authorization Approved: Ordinance 14012 passed, allowing the city to authorize settlements under $15,000.
- Numerous Resolutions Passed: Including approvals for ABC licenses, appropriations, nuisance declarations, purchase orders, and a cooperative maintenance agreement with ALDOT.
- New Poet Laureate Appointed: Alex Lofton was introduced as Mobile's Poet Laureate for a two-year term.
- Public Concerns Acknowledged: The administration agreed to review the status of the live oak tree at Taylor Park and address the citizen's request for protection.
Meeting Transcript
This is the regular meeting of the Mobile City Council Tuesday, March the 10th. Please stand for an invocation led by Reverend Tony Legier, Public Safety Chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Good morning. I'd like to say hello to everybody. Morning. And uh good to be back together. And just in case you're counting, uh, I've just completed two years serving this council. Hold your applause, no commendation needed. But I have certainly enjoyed it, and uh, and I thank you, Commander Grace, for the privilege to serve the Mobile Police Department and to serve this table today. It's an honor to be here. Let's pray. Father, we pray to you because we're mindful of our need and our need for you is great. We hear the scriptures implore us and call us. To whom else can we go? And so, Father, we pause right here and say, There's no one but you. We pray today, Lord, for our country. We pray that you'd smile upon righteousness, and particularly, Lord, as we continue to care for Israel. We pray, Father, particularly now for our community, and our hope is, Lord, that you would even stir within this great city and county a new hunger for your presence. Smile upon us, Lord, that would be a blessing to generations to come. Favor our time today at this table, and these who give us leadership. In the strong name of Christ, we pray. Amen. Amen. Our pleasure allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible liberty. Justice for all. Here. Vice President Gregory here. Council Member Penn. Here. Councilmember Ingram. Here. Councilmember Reynolds. Here. Council Member Fleming. Here. Councilmember Woods. Here. Statement of rules. And good morning, everyone. Morning. It's good to see everybody this morning. Welcome to our March 10th, 2026 meeting. At this meeting, we do have rules. At this time, I ask if anyone have any type of electronic device, including cell phones, please at this time put on the Office of Operative Position, the all of the operating position. Any person that is desiring to address the Mobile City Council must sign in, indicating the resolution, the ordinance, or plugging here agenda item before entering the meeting. When addressing this council, the speaker must give up his or her name. Any person that's desired to address the council on a non-agenda item must contact the city clerk office, no later than two o'clock P on the Thursday prior to the council meeting. The subject that he or she wishes to express the Mobile City Council must be identified and pertain to the city of Mobile Business. Anyways, 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.
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