Mobile City Council Regular Meeting - July 14, 2026
Mobile City Council Regular Meeting - July 14, 2026
The Mobile City Council held its regular meeting on July 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The meeting included public hearings on rezoning requests and a business license revocation, as well as announcements, consent agenda approvals, and a presentation from the Mayor. Key highlights include the Mayor's announcement of the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, a public hearing on rezoning at 5101 Moffitt Road with conditions discussed, and a public hearing on revoking the business license of Window Depot/All Weather Roofing amid over 100 victims and $1 million in losses. No final votes were taken on the public hearings; they are scheduled for the next meeting.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from July 7, 2026.
- Waiver of noise ordinance for October 18, 2026, on McGill Avenue — passed unanimously.
- Adoption of the agenda — passed unanimously.
- Consent resolutions (including purchase orders, contracts, grants, and settlements) — approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rezoning at 5361 Moffat Road (R1 to B3): Kenneth Lucre, a local resident, expressed support for property cleanup but opposition to B3 zoning, citing concerns about potential nightclubs, gas stations, or adult entertainment. He requested the owner reconsider a less intensive zoning.
- Rezoning at 5101 Moffitt Road (B2 to B3 for automotive sales): George Harb, the applicant, stated strong support for the rezoning, arguing it would bring an abandoned property back into productive use, reduce safety concerns (trespassing, dumping, vandalism), and generate tax revenue. He clarified that the use would be limited to light vehicle service (no oil changes, body work, or painting) and proposed approximately 20 parking spaces for sales and five for customers. During council questioning, he agreed to a voluntary cap of 15-20 cars for sale to address concerns about overcrowding.
- Business License Revocation (Window Depot/All Weather Roofing):
- Eric Nelson (victim, veteran) reported losing a deposit (date not specified) and urged the council to revoke licenses and prevent future fraud. He noted over 100 victims and called for stronger consumer protections. He stated the company took deposits but never delivered goods or services.
- Katie Morrison (District 5 resident, victim) testified she paid nearly $10,000 for windows in December 2025, but no order was ever placed. She recounted months of excuses about manufacturing delays, later confirmed as false. She spoke on behalf of over 100 victims, including a 91-year-old widow and a single mother, and requested license revocation and continued investigation. She stated the victims have filed police reports and preserved evidence.
- Public Safety Director confirmed an ongoing criminal investigation with 108 victims and losses exceeding $1 million (as of last update).
- Reggie Hill (citizen) raised concerns about blight, police training, property management by the Mobile Housing Authority, and budget priorities, urging more funding for programmatic initiatives rather than vehicles.
- James Williams questioned the use of a $100,000 Alabama Law Enforcement Agency EOD grant, asking about coordination. The bomb squad confirmed the grant would fund X-ray equipment for explosive detection.
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Communications: Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project is officially moving forward, calling it the largest infrastructure project in the area's history. He also highlighted the upcoming comedian Matt Matthews at the Regions Arena (March 2026), the back-to-school sales tax holiday (July 17-19, 2026, with city, county, and state participation), and a "Fridays at the Firehouse" event on July 17, 2026, at the John D. Willett fire station. Public Works Employee of the Month (Glenda) was recognized for her leadership and reliability.
- Rezoning Conditions: Council members discussed adding voluntary use restrictions to the 5101 Moffitt Road rezoning, such as limiting the number of vehicles for sale to 15-20. The applicant agreed to work with the council on a condition, which could be attached to the approval.
- Business License Revocation: Council members expressed sympathy for victims and emphasized the city's swift action to bring the issue to a public hearing. They noted that the business license revocation vote would occur at a future meeting after receiving testimony. Discussion revealed that Window Depot does not currently hold a business license, but All Weather Roofing does. The council confirmed an ongoing criminal investigation.
Key Outcomes
- Public Hearings: All public hearings were held and closed. Per council rules, votes on the rezoning and business license revocation will take place at the next regular meeting (week of July 21, 2026).
- Consent Resolutions: All consent resolutions, including purchase orders and grants, were approved.
- Council Announcements: Upcoming community events include a District 1 meeting (July 14, 6 PM), District 2 meetings on the welcome center and back-to-school drives, a District 3 senior chat-and-chew (July 8), District 7 back-to-school rally (July 30), and the opening of the Hillsdale Senior Center.
- No Final Action: No final votes were taken on public hearing items; they are held over.
Meeting Transcript
This is the regular meeting at the Mobile City Council. Tuesday, July the 14th. Please stand for our invocation, led by Pastor Tony LeGier, public safety chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Good morning, everyone. Good morning. I like to greet you all from the Mobile Police Department strong and resolute. Happy to serve you this morning. So let's pray together. Father, we continue to give thanks to you on this Tuesday morning. As we look around our world, we are very much aware of our need for you, and our need for you is great. So we humble ourselves and say, Spirit of God, would you breathe upon us? Would you guide us, would you favor us with your counsel, even here in this room? We do pray for our leaders today. And Father, whatever issues or circumstances that they may incur individually. That what we do is betterment to our community. And we pray this humbly in the name of your son Jesus. Amen. I pleasure allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Roll call. President Small. Here. Vice President Gregory. Here. Councilmember Penn. Here. Councilmember Ingram. Here. Councilmember Reynolds. Here. Councilmember Fleming? Here. Councilmember Woods. Here. Statement of rules. And good morning, everyone. Good morning. It's good to see you about this Tuesday morning. Welcome to our July 14th, 2020, 2026 meeting. At this meeting, we do have rules at this time. I ask if anyone have any type of electronic device, including the cell phones, please at this time put on the off of the barber position, the off of the barber position, just like that one. Okay. Any person that desires to address the Mobile City Council must sign in the resolution, the ordinance, or public hearing agenda item before entering a 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 2 o'clock p on the Thursday prior to the council meeting. The subject day he or she wishes to express to the Mobile City Council must be identified, pertaining to the city of Mobile Business. Anyone who has not given proper notice 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 sound to indicate the end of two minutes. One minute will remain for summarizing.
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