Mobile City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026
Mobile City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026
The Mobile City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, beginning with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call, approval of minutes, and a series of proclamations and reports from the Mayor. The council addressed consent agenda items, public hearings, multiple resolutions, noise ordinance waivers, and heard public comments. Councilmembers also delivered announcements on community issues, including redistricting concerns and youth programs.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of April 28, 2026, were approved by unanimous vote (moved, seconded, all in favor).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Estella Trotter addressed the council regarding a defamatory letter posted by former MHA Executive Director Pierce in July 2024. She argued the Mobile Housing Board and the city failed to act on ethical violations and fiduciary duties, and that the letter still remains online. She criticized the city for not intervening and noted that the board focused on land disputes instead of addressing the issue.
- Elizabeth’s Crayons representative spoke about a community collection drive for coloring books and crayons to enhance youth creativity, scheduled at the Mamda D venue, and requested funds and resources from the city.
Proclamations & Mayor’s Communications
- Mayor Chagatas welcomed over 1,200 scientists and federal partners attending GulfCon at the convention center.
- Announced upcoming public meetings on transit redesign via VIA (May 13–15) at various locations, and encouraged input.
- Promoted the July 4th fireworks display at Battleship Memorial Park (5:30–9:30 p.m.) and the National Day of Prayer event on May 7 at Battleship Park.
- Proclaimed May 16, 2026 as Armed Forces Day and May 3–9 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week; recognized retired Colonel Patrick Downing (South Alabama Veterans Council) and representatives from AltaPoint for mental health awareness.
- Councilwoman Ingram proclaimed May 2026 as Historic Preservation Month, acknowledging Restore Mobile and Downtown Mobile Alliance for their work.
Discussion Items
- Noise Ordinance Waivers: Multiple requests were considered. Waivers for May 16 (Donald Street), May 15 (Government Street), May 30–31 (Charleston Street), September 4–5 (Virginia Street), October 1–3 (Virginia Street), May 9 (Lyons Park), September 11–13 (Lyons Park), June 27 (Fort Conde), July 18 (Dauphin Street), September 13 (North Warren Street), May 7 (Mobile Botanical Gardens), and May 9 (Magnolia Grove Parkway) were all approved unanimously. A request for June 6 (Apex Court) was laid over for one week; a request for October 17 (Government Street) was laid over for two weeks.
- Public Hearing: The council held a public hearing to declare four properties (2814 Cottage Hill Road, 251 Rylands Street, 2459 Carrigan Drive, 3909 Wiggins Drive) as public nuisances and order demolition. No one from the public spoke, and the hearing was closed.
- Resolutions: Numerous resolutions were introduced and voted on. Key actions included:
- Resolution 14-66 (agreement with Downtown Mobile District Management Corp.) laid over for one week.
- Resolutions 14-67/68/69 (agreements with tennis teaching and racket stringing services) and others (fund reallocations, contract amendments, shuttle service certificates) were passed unanimously.
- Consent resolutions 03480–6489 (appointments, fund transfers, nuisance declarations, appropriations to Jack and Jill of America, Mobile Senior Center, Country Club Estates Neighborhood Association, Augusta Evans School) were passed unanimously after waiver of rules.
- CIP resolutions 01490–21492 laid over for one week per council rules.
- Resolutions 08497–08505 (purchase orders for IT equipment, vehicles, recycling compactors, short-term rental monitoring software, pitch software, SUVs, storm drainage services, fund reallocations, and a contract amendment) were passed unanimously after waiver of rules.
- Public Hearing Calls: Three public hearings were scheduled: rezoning (June 9), taxicab service (May 19), and shuttle service (May 19); all passed.
Announcements from Councilmembers
- Councilman Penn expressed strong disappointment over Governor Ivey’s special session to redraw congressional and state senate maps, citing court rulings of racial discrimination. He urged residents to contact state legislators to oppose the proposed maps, arguing they undermine fair representation and waste taxpayer money that could be used for education, infrastructure, and community needs.
- Councilwoman Ingram echoed support for fair representation. She also recognized apprentices who signed at Austal’s signing day (48 young adults) and wished a happy Mother’s Day.
- Councilman Reynolds encouraged St. Ignatius SGA students to learn about all levels of government.
- Councilman Woods congratulated 69 (or 59) graduates from the Academy of Craft Training who signed with 15 local companies, including Austal and Thompson Engineering. He also acknowledged the Westside All-Stars (over 900 kids) and the University of South Alabama baseball team’s 30-win milestone.
- Vice President Gregory announced the soft opening of the John E. King Senior Center at Hillsdale, with a grand opening to follow. He invited residents of District 3 to a community meeting on May 19 at I Show Emerigs Elementary School.
Key Outcomes
- All approved minutes, resolutions, and waivers were passed unanimously unless noted otherwise.
- Two noise ordinance waiver requests were laid over: one for one week (June 6, Apex Court) and one for two weeks (October 17, Government Street).
- Resolution 14-66 was laid over for one week.
- Four properties were declared public nuisances and ordered demolished following a public hearing with no opposition.
- Public hearings were scheduled for June 9 and May 19.
- The meeting adjourned after a motion and second.
Meeting Transcript
This is the regular meeting of the Mobile City Council Tuesday, May the 5th. Please stand for our invitation led by Pastor Tony Legier, Public Safety Chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Good morning, everyone. I always like to say I represent the uh Mobile Police Department strong and resolute, and we're honored to serve you here today. So let's pray together. Father, it's a busy day, and to so many of us, it frankly could just be just another day. But we arise today, Lord, to give thanks to you for this gift. We thank you for friends. We thank you for the privilege to gather here at the city gates and pledge our reliance upon you. Our prayer humbly, Lord, is that you would continue to smile upon our community. Smile upon our churches, our synagogues. And I pray, Father, that you'd find in our hearts a righteousness that's pleasing to you. May it be evident, Lord, even in this room today, as we conduct, as our leaders give oversight to the life and vitality of our community. We pray your blessing particularly upon them in this city. We pray in Christ's name. Amen. One nation. President Small. Vice President Gregory. Here. Councilmember Penn. Here. Councilmember Ingram. Here. Councilmember Reynolds. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Councilmember Woods. Here. Statement of rules. And good morning, everyone. Good morning. It's good to see everyone this morning. Welcome to our May 5th, 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 off of the vibrant position, the off of the vibrant position. Any person that desires to address the Mobile City Council must sign in the resolution, the ordinance, or public hearing agenda before entering the meeting. When addressing this council, the speaker must give up his or her name. Any person that desire to speak to the council on a non-agenda item must contact the city clerk office no later than two o'clock him the Thursday prior to the council meeting. The subject that he or she wish to express the Mobile City Council must be identified and pertain to the city of Mobile Business. Anyone who has not given proper note 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 was signed to indicate the end of two minutes. One minute remain for summarizing the second bell indicates that your time has expired. When addressing this council that we need no personal address to any individual council members, all statements are to be made to the chair who will recognize any council member who wishes to respond to maintain to corn wall to applause or public outcry allowed. Madam Clerk. Approval of minutes of April the 28th. So move second. Prophet movement second in discussion. All in favor.
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