Mobile City Council Meeting, March 17, 2026

The Mobile City Council convened on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 9:00 AM. Vice President C. J. Small presided in the absence of President Small, who was representing the city at the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C. The meeting covered a public hearing regarding a towing company's suspension, approval of routine items, and community announcements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from March 10, 2026: passed unanimously.
• Adoption of the agenda: passed unanimously.
• Waivers of the noise ordinance for six events on March 29, April 2–4, April 9, April 11, April 17, and June 13, 2026: all passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Apostle Valenia Green spoke about homelessness among women in Mobile, requesting an opportunity to partner with the city to operate a transitional housing program with a three-year term. She emphasized teaching self-sufficiency ("teaching them to fish") and addressing the needs of women living in cars or couch-surfing.
• Reggie Hill addressed rules enforcement, economic development, and public safety. He argued that recent presentations were "out of compliance" with council rules and suggested either confusion or intentional discrimination. He called for greater investment in homelessness prevention and public safety initiatives, and criticized the use of the unassigned fund balance for "materialistic ventures" benefiting a "select few."

Public Hearing: B&B Auto Records Suspension Appeal

• Appellant's Case (Brad Walker, owner of B&B Towing):
  • Walker stated that on February 16, 2026, he was at the Mardi Gras parade in a personal 2017 Dodge Ram 5500 truck that was not on the city's rotation list and had no current inspection sticker. He claimed he was only dispatching his other truck (a permitted International) and never moved or used the Dodge to tow. He said the truck had insurance effective that morning, and he offered to show proof but the officer did not ask. He admitted the truck had no tag. He noted the company has been in business for 43 years and that the 18-day suspension already served had cost "at least $200 per city impound." He requested reinstatement.
  • Council Questions: Walker confirmed only one truck (the International) was working the rotation that day; the Dodge was present only for dispatching. He said the Dodge had been used for towing in the past but not for the city while unpermitted. He also noted a prior 13-day suspension in October 2025 for an insurance issue, which he claimed was due to a carrier change and he was actually in compliance.
• City's Case (Corporal Rusty Hodge, Traffic Safety Unit):
  • Hodge stated he received a tip that B&B was operating an unpermitted truck during Mardi Gras. He inspected the 2017 Dodge and found no tag and no city permit sticker. He said the most recent insurance certificate on file did not list that truck. The maximum suspension allowed by ordinance is 6 months; he imposed 60 days. He noted this is the second violation: a similar unpermitted truck incident in April 2025 and an insurance violation in October 2025. He said the company's compliance is critical for public safety.
  • Council Questions: Hodge confirmed that only one truck per company is allowed at Mardi Gras. He said Walker checked in at the impound yard that morning with the 2017 Dodge, suggesting intent to use it. Hodge acknowledged he did not have verifiable proof of insurance from that morning.
• Rebuttal (Walker): Walker argued he had sent proof of insurance to Hodge via email that morning, contradicting Hodge's claim. He also stated there is no ordinance prohibiting the use of a personal vehicle for dispatching.
• Public Comment: Reggie Hill spoke in opposition to the suspension, arguing the evidence was inconsistent and that the council should investigate more thoroughly. He urged the council to consider the ordinance's constitutionality and fairness.
• Process: Council Attorney Maples explained that the council has 10 days to render a decision by resolution after considering all evidence.

Discussion Items

• Tabling of Museum Management Agreement: Councilman Woods requested tabling Resolution 01255 (authorizing an agreement with the Mobile Museum Board for management of the History Museum, Fort Conde, and Phoenix Fire Museum). He said it would be more prudent to present ordinance changes and the new agreement simultaneously. The motion to table passed unanimously. Woods committed to working with the administration to bring the item back in two weeks.
• Ordinance 34014 (Council Rules): Introduced for the first time and will lay over one week.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearing (B&B Auto Records Suspension): The hearing was closed; the council has 10 days to issue a resolution on whether to uphold, reduce, or overturn the 60-day suspension.
• Resolution 03273 (Honorary Street Renaming): Passed unanimously to rename the intersection of Stanton Road and Crestwood Circle to "Honorary William and Sydney Birch Circle."
• Grant Authorization (Resolution 31274): Passed unanimously to authorize applying for a National Coastal Resilience Fund grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
• Bonus Approvals (Resolutions 6275-6276): Passed unanimously for officer of the month and firefighter of the month bonuses.
• Community Appropriations (Resolutions 6277-6285): Passed unanimously for public purpose appropriations to Building Kings Foundation, Brave by Reflection, LaFleur Magnet High School, Jazz Art Writers South Festival, Liberty Learning Foundation, Precisely Parléans, Alabama Kidney Foundation, and Taking It by Force Outreach Ministry.
• CIP Resolutions:
  • 08286 (Fence, fountain, curb, and wall repairs at Unity Point Park): Passed.
  • 08289 (Storm drainage and vegetation debris removal from J Quality Homes): Passed.
  • 08290 (Storm drainage and vegetation debris removal from Major League Landscaping): Passed.
  • 08292 (Camera system for stormwater inspections from Sandstorm Equipment Company): Passed.
  • 08294 (Ford Super Crew pickup truck from Stivers Ford Lincoln): Passed.
  • 09295 (Fund transfer from District 1 CIP contingency to grant project for resurfacing Brookdale Drive North): Passed after initial withdrawal and reintroduction.
• Public Hearing Calls (April 21, 2026): Set for April 21, 2026, to consider proposed modifications to previously approved planning and planned unit development at 4800 Moffett Road. Resolutions 41301 and 41302 passed.
• Mayor's Remarks:
  • Announced cruise terminal success (41,000+ passengers, 10,000+ vehicles parked since October, average voyage above 100% capacity).
  • Announced household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at SEALS Community Center. Since 2022, the city has collected over 164 tons of hazardous materials.
  • Congratulated Bishop State Community College men's basketball team on winning the conference championship and advancing to nationals.
  • Provided update on St. Louis Street complete streets project ($17 million investment).
  • Recognized March as National Kidney Month, celebrating Joe Snowden's successful kidney transplant.

Announcements

• Councilman Fleming: Requested patience for sidewalk project in Ravenwood subdivision and Landfair/Dauphin Street corridor project.
• Councilman Penn: Congratulated Bishop State, celebrated St. Patrick's Day, and announced upcoming community meetings.
• Councilman Woods: Reminded of District 6-wide meeting on March 26, 2026, at 5:30 PM at Connie Hudson Senior Center.
• Councilwoman Ingram: Thanked District 2 for participation in virtual chat and community cleanup, and congratulated Bishop State.
• Councilman Reynolds: Announced entitlement committee meeting at 1:00 PM.
• Councilwoman Gregory: Reported that Mobile Fire Rescue Department installed over 170 smoke alarms in the Druid Drive area. Also praised the Mobile Botanical Gardens "Plantagia" event.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:45 AM.