OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mobile City Council Pre-Meeting Summary - May 5, 2026

City Council MeetingsTuesday, May 5, 2026
BodyMobile, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Ladies and gentlemen, it is on the hands of our capable city clerk, Miss Lisa Carl.

0:03

This is the pre-meeting of the Mobile City Council Tuesday, May the 5th.

0:07

And we have approval of minutes for April 28th.

0:10

Any issues anywhere?

0:12

No, sir.

0:12

Okay.

0:13

Appeals, we have requests for waiver the noise ordinance on May 16th on Donald Street from 2 p.m.

0:19

until 6 p.m.

0:21

May 15th on Government Street from 5 30 p.m.

0:24

until 8 30.

0:26

May the 30th and 31st on Charleston Street from 12 p.m.

0:30

until 10 p.m.

0:33

September 4th and 5th on Virginia Street from 8 a.m.

0:37

until 10 p.m.

0:40

October the 1st through the 3rd on Virginia Street from 12 p.m.

0:44

until 10 p.m.

0:47

May the 9th at Lyons Park from 2 p.m.

0:50

until 5 p.m.

0:51

September 11th through the 13th at Lyons Park, 7 a.m.

0:54

until 7 p.m.

0:56

June 27th at Fort Conde from 6:30 p.m.

1:00

until 11 p.m.

1:02

July 18th on Dauphin Street, 8 a.m.

1:05

until 10 p.m.

1:06

September 13th.

1:08

North Warren Street, 3 p.m.

1:10

until 8 p.m.

1:11

October 17th on Government Street, 7 p.m.

1:14

until 12 a.m.

1:17

June the 6th, Apex Court from 12 p.m.

1:21

until 10 p.m.

1:22

May 7th, Mobile Botanical Gardens from 6 p.m.

1:26

until 9 p.m.

1:27

May the 9th, Magnolia Grove Parkway, 6 p.m.

1:31

until 10 p.m.

1:33

And May the 9th, McNolia Grove Parkway from 4 p.m.

1:37

until 10 p.m.

1:38

Any issues, uh Penn Ingram Reynolds or Gregory.

1:41

Yes, sir, Ms.

1:42

President.

1:42

I'd like to hold the one in my district over, please.

1:46

For how long?

1:47

One week.

1:52

Any other issues?

1:53

Yes, Mr.

1:54

President.

1:55

Um, if you could go to June 27th and change that June 27th from 6 30 p.m.

2:02

to 10 p.m.

2:04

And then if you could hold over for two weeks, October the 17th, 2026.

2:15

Okay.

2:20

That's laying over two weeks.

2:22

Two weeks.

2:23

Okay.

2:29

Public hearing today.

2:30

It's a public hearing to declare the structure at 2814 Cottage Hill Road of Public Nuisance and order it demolished.

2:36

251 Ryland Street, 2459, Carrigan Drive, and 3909 Wiggins Drive, uh, ordering those demolished, declaring them public nuisances and ordering them demolished.

2:51

Presentation of petitions and other communications to the council.

2:54

Tammy White give information about support surviving mothers that provide resources such as therapy and burial assistance.

3:02

Lenise Emanuel, executive director of Alabama Institute for Social Justice, inviting the council to the National Day Without Childcare event on May 11th.

3:12

Estella Trata, Mobile City officials and officers of the court, fiduciary duties to report fake, inaccurate, fraudulent, gross negligence information purposely submitted to courts in order to harm Mobile citizens and um Malcolm Banks' application to address the council was attached to another form.

3:37

So that why that's why it wasn't on the original agenda.

3:40

And he is giving information about Elizabeth Crayon's event.

3:46

Resolutions held over 0146, authorized agreement with Downtown Mobile District Management Corporation for Baseline Services.

3:55

Mr.

3:55

President.

3:56

Yeah, yes.

3:57

If we can lay over for one week.

4:01

Okay.

4:03

Did you have anything for just to provide some clarity?

4:09

Um, we trying to get some more details on the actual um description of some of the services, but we don't see an issue.

4:16

Just need to get with Mr.

4:17

Renfreak.

4:18

Okay.

4:18

Thank you.

4:21

01467, authorized agreement with Matthew Brooks and Payton Hickman to provide tennis lessons at Frank Trice to provide racket stringer services.

4:44

From Capitol Project Mounting Unit, New Training Center to Capitol Project MPD mounted unit, Grand Bay Upgrades.

4:54

09474, reallocate funds from Capital Project ADM testing to Capitol Project Storm Water Management MS4 program to support the City of Mobile's MS4 program.

5:05

21475, authorized contract amendment number four, Goodwin Mills, Kwood for improvements to the master plan for the Mobile Civic Center Arena.

5:15

37477 considered application of Charles Royal for certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a shuttle service.

5:24

6478 authorized settlement agreement and release of claims.

5:29

Consent resolutions being introduced.

5:49

40482, 43, 484, and 485 are declaring the structures public nuisances and ordering them demolish.

5:57

6486 through 489.

6:00

Determine appropriations to Jack and Jill of America Inc.

6:03

Mobile Chapter via Senior Center, Country Club Estates, Neighborhood Association, Augusta Evans Schools serve a public purpose and approved payment.

6:12

CIP resolutions being introduced.

6:16

Authorized agreement with Harwell and Company for 2026 CIP resurfacing, districts one, two, three, four, five, and seven.

6:24

Mr.

6:25

President.

6:25

Yeah, Mr.

6:26

Ronald's.

6:26

Can I get a road list?

6:28

The actual roads listed, at least for district four.

6:31

Yeah.

6:33

Okay.

6:34

Thank you.

6:35

08491 approved purchase order to Musico Sports Lighting for Field Lights for Tremer Park Football Field, 253,000.

6:45

21,492, authorized contract with geotechnical engineering testing for 2026 CIP resurfacing districts 12345 and 7, 238,000.

6:56

Resolutions being introduced, 01493, authorized foreign trade zone operator agreement with CM T2 LLC.

7:06

Mr.

7:07

President.

7:08

Yes.

7:08

If administrative could just shit provide some insight on the size of this company, you know, I I realize that it gives us an exhibit A in terms of what the administrative fees are going to be, but it lists multiple options.

7:26

That's correct.

7:27

So the size of the company that we couldn't necessarily tell you that because this is purely for storage.

7:34

What they're doing is they're storing metals at a warehouse at this location.

7:38

So we can get you we can get you specific location.

7:42

We can get you all of those things.

7:44

But what I can tell you is that is for a specific site, and the site's usually bigger than just the one warehouse.

7:50

But for this one in particular, it's for the warehouse for storage of metals.

7:54

That's uh that's all that they're doing there.

7:56

And so then what is the what is the operator fee?

8:00

Is it option A, B, C?

8:02

It it will depend on to that it'll depend on the amount of metals that come in.

8:08

So what they store there.

8:10

And so once we know that, that's when you make that selection.

8:13

So you don't make that selection on the front end.

8:18

Okay, so then once you determine the size, so that sounds like the size.

8:24

Yes.

8:24

Once you determine the size, size of storage, what they're storing there.

8:28

Okay.

8:30

That's when you'll determine which option you're going to charge them in terms of a fee.

8:36

That is correct, because that fee is going to be dependent on what they're storing there.

8:40

You got to think about it.

8:41

In terms of free trade zone, what you're looking at is either customs or duty deferrals, delays, or sometimes they actually wipe them out.

8:51

Um, and so you in order for them to come and pay us, they have to be saving a certain amount of money.

8:56

It helps with their cash flow, is what it really does.

8:59

So you wouldn't want to charge somebody more for what they're storing if they're not storing a certain amount.

9:05

But we can get once that selected, we can actually get you that number.

9:08

Okay, and that's great.

9:10

So then does that explain then when you go to the second page for the annual operator fees?

9:15

Will that fee depend on like you?

9:18

We're saying size, but the cost of that merchandise, because on the next page, it then goes to the annual fee.

9:23

That is correct.

9:24

That is that is correct.

9:26

Because once again, what they're saving as far as storing in this area using the FTZ will depend largely on what the duty they're deferring is, or is it and then my last question will this provide any job creation or is it just something that was already there?

9:44

Typically, it does not.

9:46

That's this is warehousing that is already there.

9:49

They're using the advantage of the FTZ, and you got to remember, um, so as far as a free trade zone, there's no duty that's there's no duty tax to the labor.

10:01

And so it typically typically does not create jobs.

10:04

It's just about the storage and deferring delayed or just absolutely cutting out the duty or the tax.

10:12

And you know, depending on the the device, say for instance, there's different subcategories, and we used to include all of that, be glad to go over that with you all.

10:20

Um it's terribly dry.

10:22

But you know, if it's if it's being stored for a certain amount of time, they can defer the duty, but if it's broken equipment, then you know, pay the duty or the tax, or if it's being reintroduced.

10:34

So for instance, a component unit goes out, is combined with something else that comes back into the country for international trade, then you don't necessarily pay a tax on that.

10:43

So there's no double taxation um there.

10:45

But that's one of the one of the advantages for using the free trade zone.

10:50

So then it there is some port activity associated associated with it.

10:54

Yes.

10:55

So absolutely absolutely.

10:57

Um, so everything that comes in, this is all dealing with international trade, and everything that comes in typically comes in through barge or rail.

11:07

Um, that's that's that's how it comes in.

11:09

But it's all because of importing and then being able to avoid that duty.

11:13

So I would say not everything, but 99% of this is dealing with international trade and what comes in and out through the through the port.

11:24

Okay.

11:24

I I do want to thank you for the explanation.

11:27

You know, I understand it's not creating job creation, but the fact that it is giving us port activity, it is preparing us for more of a global competitiveness.

11:35

Um, you know, I'm in favor of it.

11:38

I just would like to know um what is going to be the actual annual fee, you know, once you all get gather the rest of the information.

11:45

And then that's available.

11:47

And let me let me give you a caveat.

11:49

And I think you know, Dr.

11:51

Ingrid's made a valid point.

11:52

This doesn't directly create jobs, but indirectly it could down the line, but we don't attribute anything to this particular agenda item.

12:04

Mr.

12:04

President, Mr.

12:05

Ronald.

12:05

Uh, is who's the administrator for the city?

12:09

And is it do we have the same administrator for all of our FTCs?

12:13

Yes.

12:13

It's so it's Greg Jones, who we deal with, who we've dealt with probably, I don't know, last I've who I've dealt with for the last 13 years.

12:20

Um, same administrator, very um very collaborative effort.

12:25

We talk to him back and forth all the time when we're doing each one, every no every one of these.

12:30

Um, and so it's been the same administrator for all that time.

12:34

And then they do report back in to us when they're dealing with the uh with the the zones.

12:39

And so you gotta remember also this is not just the city of Mobile, it's the administrator, it's the user, but we also have to deal with customs and border uh protection.

12:50

So those communications come directly to us as well, in addition to the administrator, Mr.

12:56

Jones dealing with them.

12:58

And they have to follow all the the agreement requires the user to follow all of the standard rules that they would with um with our folks uh in the port area and with customs and border patrol.

13:11

That's that's a requirement of being entering into this agreement.

13:16

And the monitoring is not only done by our administrator, but that's on that's on the city side, but dealing with the federal government, they're monitoring this as well because the deferral of the duty or either the um the delay of the duty sometimes.

13:34

I would just ask Mr.

13:35

I'm sorry, Mr.

13:36

President.

13:37

I would just ask if we could have um an overview of what that administrative cost um return is for the city once you determine the size and the merchandise and all of that, if we can get uh an overview of that.

13:51

Sure.

13:52

And be uh be happy to do so.

13:54

Thank you.

13:55

Thank you, Mr.

13:55

President.

13:58

01494 authorized agreement with Hunter Nichols for videography and photography services for National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, 61,079 per year.

14:10

Mr.

14:10

President, yeah, yeah.

14:12

Oh, yeah, I had a question.

14:13

Um, I see this as a renewal um process.

14:16

Is this something um, I guess um we see in it for the national time maritime museum?

14:22

Is it not in their budget?

14:24

Um we have to renew it.

14:25

Just want to get some insight.

14:31

I apologize, I didn't hear the question.

14:34

Yeah, I was trying to see this as a renewal.

14:36

So is it we're we're hiring the, I guess the person, the same person.

14:39

Um, and I was just wondering why it's not in their budget.

14:43

Oh, the Hunter Nichols is a new, and it's coming out of Gomeza.

14:47

Okay, it's the Gomesa grant for the Delta exhibit.

14:50

Okay, so it's new.

14:51

I I think on on it, it says renewal.

14:53

And so I just no, it's not a renewal.

14:56

Okay.

14:57

All right, thank you.

15:00

01495, authorized agreement amendment number three with Macalena Construction for 2024 City of Mobile Annual Storm Drain Maintenance 2,490,000 increase.

15:10

Mr.

15:11

President, yeah, uh Mr.

15:12

Karen and Ms.

15:13

Gregory.

15:14

Yes, um, I see that as an increase um that we're providing.

15:18

Are we gonna get more?

15:20

Um, I mean, I'm happy because we we need to fix our storm drain maintenance, but is it more or it is costing more?

15:28

We're gonna get more bang by book.

15:31

This is a continuation of our existing contract.

15:34

The work that's going on in the Cromwell Place.

15:36

This is a continuation allow that work to continue.

15:39

Um, you know, the completion of that first phase we you and I spoke about.

15:44

And we have locations in every district.

15:48

And um, I think I've reached out to many of y'all and discuss those those locations, and this is just continuation of that that same contract.

15:57

Okay, thank you.

16:00

Hey, hey John, do you have um a list of what all you're working on and what the future projects are?

16:06

Yeah, uh I have a list of you know several locations that are in the queue, so to speak, and that we're you know, acquiring you know temporary construction easements to get going backyards and yeah, can you send those two along with the research?

16:20

Yeah, I'll share that with everyone.

16:21

Okay, all right, thank you.

16:27

08496 approved purchase order to CAD Head Media for exhibit media research and editing services for the Maritime Museum, 64,400.

16:37

08497, approved purchase order, CDW government for network switches and backup power supplies, 21,0135 cents.

16:47

08498, approved purchase order to Daphne Automotive for Toyota SUVs, 42,000, 08499, approved purchase order to Echo South services of mobile to repair and refurbish recycling compactors, 26,015, 08500, approved purchase order to Granicus LLC for one year subscription for short-term rental activity monitoring and non-compliant property software outreach for revenue, $36,330 and 65 cents.

17:19

Mr.

17:19

President, yeah, vice president.

17:21

Since we're renewing the Granicus contract, um, could we get an update on where we are on the short-term rentals and collecting the back taxes and that sort of thing?

17:30

I mean, if you can just email it to us, that would be fine with me because I know it's been an ongoing issue that we've been trying to get our heads wrapped around.

17:38

Is that possible?

17:40

Yes.

17:41

Okay.

17:42

Thanks.

17:43

08501, approved purchase order to Gulf Coast Truck and Equipment for Fire Pumper Truck Engine Replacements, 64,969.66 cents.

18:07

LLC doing business landers McLarty Dodge for um pickup.

18:13

I'm sorry, for SUVs, 44,651 dollars.

18:23

08504 approved purchase order to Safe Haven for storm drainage vegetation and debris removal, 19,000.

18:34

09505, reallocate funds from Capital Project Environmental Testing and Upgrades to Capital Project Facility Upgrade ADM compliance to assist with completing the spill prevention control and countermeasure plans renewal 18,000.

18:49

21506 authorized contract amendment with Michael Baker International for miscellaneous drainage repairs $33,000 increase.

19:05

Call for public hearings 41509, call for public hearing to consider the rezoning of property located at the east side of Tacon Street, north of Cameron Street from R1 to B3, scheduled June 9th, 41510, call for public hearing to consider the application of ground transportation with Travis for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a taxi cap service scheduled May 19th, 41511.

19:32

Call for public hearing to consider the application of raw medical transport LLC for certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a shuttle service scheduled May 19th.

19:43

Announcements.

19:51

Just a reminder, we do have an administrative uh committee meeting today um at 1 p.m.

19:57

Focused on mobile housing authority update.

20:01

Okay.

20:01

Vice President.

20:03

Taking a look at uh resolutions that we can approve to waive the rules on, starting with 0849, 498, 499, 500, 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506, unless you all have any other requests.

20:25

No objection.

20:27

Okay.

20:27

And other council members.

20:30

Attorney Woods.

20:37

Thank you, Mr.

20:38

President.

20:39

I'm going to ask the council to convene an executive session.

20:42

Um go ahead and make the declaration now in oral form.

20:46

My name is Ricardo Woods.

20:48

I am the duly appointed city attorney and licensed to practice law in the state of Alabama.

20:54

I would like to go into executive session to discuss a point that is now pending in litigation, and then ask that you take a roll call vote, and then we reconvene at the 1030 meeting.

21:05

I'll make the motion.

21:06

Second.

21:07

All in favor.

21:08

I mean, hold on.

21:10

I'm sorry.

21:12

In our discussion.

21:18

No.

21:19

All in favor.

21:20

Wait, I don't think we'll do an individual.

21:22

Okay.

21:23

All in favor.

21:24

Aye.

21:24

Aye.

21:25

Okay.

21:28

President Small.

21:29

Yes.

21:30

Vice President Gregory.

21:31

Yes.

21:31

Council Member Penn.

21:32

Yes.

21:32

Council Member Ingram.

21:34

Yes.

21:34

Council Member Reynolds.

21:35

Council Member Fleming.

21:36

Councilman Woods.

21:37

Yes.

21:38

All right.

21:38

We see each other downstairs at 10:30.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████████33%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████23%
Public Safety███████████11%
Public Engagement████████8%
Pending Litigation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Mobile City Council Pre-Meeting Summary - May 5, 2026

The Mobile City Council held a pre-meeting on May 5, 2026, to address routine approvals, public hearings, and various resolutions. The meeting included approval of minutes, noise ordinance waiver requests, a public hearing to declare nuisance properties, presentations from community members, and discussions on multiple contracts and agreements.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from April 28, 2026, was approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tammy White provided information about supporting surviving mothers, including resources for therapy and burial assistance.
  • Lenise Emanuel, executive director of the Alabama Institute for Social Justice, invited the council to the National Day Without Childcare event on May 11.
  • Estella Trata raised concerns about fiduciary duties and the reporting of inaccurate information to courts.
  • Malcolm Banks gave information about Elizabeth Crayon's event.

Discussion Items

  • Noise Ordinance Waivers: Council members requested holds and changes to specific waiver requests. One item was held for one week, another for two weeks, and a time change was requested for the June 27th waiver.
  • Resolution 01493 - Foreign Trade Zone Operator Agreement: Extensive discussion regarding the agreement with CM T2 LLC for metal storage. Council members inquired about fee structure, job creation, and port activity. Administrative staff explained that fees depend on storage volume and that the agreement does not directly create jobs but supports global competitiveness. A council member requested an overview of the administrative cost return to the city once fees are determined.
  • Resolution 01494 - Videography/Photography Services: Clarified that the agreement with Hunter Nichols is a new contract funded by a Gomesa grant for the Delta exhibit, not a renewal.
  • Resolution 01495 - Storm Drain Maintenance Contract Amendment: The amendment with Macalena Construction increases the contract by $2,490,000. Staff stated it is a continuation of existing work, including Cromwell Place, and locations in every district. A list of future projects was requested by a council member.
  • Purchase Orders: Among several, the Granicus LLC contract for short-term rental activity monitoring was discussed. The Vice President requested an update on short-term rental tax collection, to be provided via email.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes from April 28, 2026, were approved.
  • Several noise ordinance waiver requests were held over or modified as requested.
  • Public hearings were set for nuisance property declarations.
  • Resolution 0146 was held over for one week to obtain more details.
  • Resolutions 01493, 01494, 01495, and various purchase orders were introduced and discussed; further action is pending.
  • The council voted unanimously to convene an executive session to discuss pending litigation, with a roll call vote (all ayes), and reconvened at 10:30 AM.

Meeting Transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, it is on the hands of our capable city clerk, Miss Lisa Carl. This is the pre-meeting of the Mobile City Council Tuesday, May the 5th. And we have approval of minutes for April 28th. Any issues anywhere? No, sir. Okay. Appeals, we have requests for waiver the noise ordinance on May 16th on Donald Street from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. May 15th on Government Street from 5 30 p.m. until 8 30. May the 30th and 31st on Charleston Street from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. September 4th and 5th on Virginia Street from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. October the 1st through the 3rd on Virginia Street from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. May the 9th at Lyons Park from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. September 11th through the 13th at Lyons Park, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. June 27th at Fort Conde from 6:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. July 18th on Dauphin Street, 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. September 13th. North Warren Street, 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. October 17th on Government Street, 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. June the 6th, Apex Court from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. May 7th, Mobile Botanical Gardens from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. May the 9th, Magnolia Grove Parkway, 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. And May the 9th, McNolia Grove Parkway from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Any issues, uh Penn Ingram Reynolds or Gregory. Yes, sir, Ms. President. I'd like to hold the one in my district over, please. For how long? One week. Any other issues? Yes, Mr. President. Um, if you could go to June 27th and change that June 27th from 6 30 p.m. to 10 p.m. And then if you could hold over for two weeks, October the 17th, 2026. Okay.

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