This is the regular meeting of the Mobile City Council Tuesday, July the 28th.

Please stand for our invocation.

Let by Pastor Dan Taylor, Public Safety Chaplain, and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Let's pray together.

God, this is a great day to serve you.

We thank you that you're here with us.

You promised to empower us and to guide us.

Lord, you bless this great city.

While we're not perfect, our desire is to keep working to improve and become a city that others would want to emulate.

We trust you to help us do that.

I pray that you would give these leaders uh insight and wisdom to do what is best and what is pleasing to you.

And God, we thank you for doing that.

Your name I pray.

Amen.

Amen.

I'm glad to meet you.

Royal call, President Small.

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.

If you're happy and you know, clap your hand.

If you're happy and you know, clap your hand.

If you're happy and you know, then your face will show the show.

If you're happy and you know, clap your hand.

Good morning, everybody.

Good morning.

Hey, welcome to our July 28th, 2026 meeting.

At this meeting, we do have rules, okay?

Number one rule.

Shh.

All right.

The second rule is if you have any type of electronic device at this time, please put on the offer to vibrate position, the offer the vibration position.

The following rules are any person that designed to address the mobile city council must sign in, indicate in the resolution, the public hearing or the public agenda item before entering the meeting.

When addressing this council, the speaker must give his or her name.

The subject that he or she wish to express to the mobile city council must be identified and pertain to the city or mobile business.

Anyone who has not given a proper note to the city clerk office and wish to speak on a nun agenda item would not be allowed to address this council.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes to address this council.

A bell was sounded indicating that your two minutes is up.

One minute remain for summarizing.

The second bell indicates that your time has expired.

When addressing this council, there'd be 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 the quorum, there'll be no undue applause.

Approval of minutes of July 21st.

So move.

Thank you.

Prophet move and second in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Communications from Mayor Chair Gotis.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning.

As we mentioned before, July is uh parks and recreations month, and that is why we are recognizing a lot of parks and recreation department uh participants today, a lot of winners.

Mobile, we in Mobile we like to win, and we have a lot of winners in this room today, and it's gonna be a a pleasure to celebrate everyone.

Uh I want to start by talking about our mobile parks and rec department track and field season, and I want to share some of the highlights with you from this season.

Uh Mobile Parks and Rec track and field uh department was named 2026 USA TF Alabama Outstanding Program in the month of March.

They won the USATF Alabama Association track and field championship, sent 27 athletes to the USATF Region 6 qualifying meet in Collierville, California, finished the regional meet with two gold medals, 14 silver medals, and five bronze medals.

Incredible.

Qualified 17 athletes for the 2026 National Junior Olympic Championships in Norwalk, California.

And they're led by coaches Jan Hickman, Duquel Robinson, Charles Wilson, Jalen Brewer, Ayana Johnson, and Lil T.

Robinson.

And I want to call up Coach Hickman, all the other coaches and athletes, if you'll come up to the front so we can take a photo.

Okay, first and foremost, I would like to thank the mayor and the city council for recognizing our outstanding athletes that have represented the city of Mobile to the fullest.

We've traveled many places this summer.

We've been to Selma, we've been to Huntsville, we've been to Collierville, Tennessee, and they have shown up and showed out.

We have a lot of young athletes.

We have four athletes that were seniors that all receive scholarships to college either through athletics or academics.

So all of our seniors received these awards.

As I say, we have a young team this year.

We're kind of in the rebuilding stage.

I've been doing this for 33 years.

So I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I knew Mr.

Graves when he was one of my security guards at Maine's Middle School back in the eighties.

So as I said, I taught school for 38 years.

I've been with Parkston Recreation for 33.

I love working with kids.

I want to commend my assistant coaches who are all products of the Mobile County.

I mean the Mobile Parks and Recreation Track and Field Pro, except for Louisville T.

Robinson, who came to us this year as a volunteer coach from Tampa, Florida.

Also, we have awesome parents.

Kids with awesome parents will always have success.

If they have love and support, that's what every child needs to be successful.

And I have the best group of parents in the world, and I think they deserve a big round of applause.

And once again, thank you for having us.

It's not about me, it's about the kids.

And as I said, congratulations, athletes.

They all have on their medals, and hopefully we'll be back next year.

Thank you.

You can hear that they're winners.

Sounds like Santa Claus.

You know, it's it's truly an honor for me as mayor along with the city council to honor young people uh who are winners uh like you.

And if we're always looking for ways that we can grow successful, you know, mobilions with a bright future, and all those young people that are here today with with strong family.

The recipe is a strong home, a strong community, strong schools that allow our kids to flourish.

And I just love seeing programs like this that are allowing our young people to flourish.

Uh one more round of applause for the coaches, the parents.

All right, so we do have a lot of winners in the building, and I'm gonna call up a few more.

Uh could I have the four and five U Trinity Gardens Falcons come on down with coaches, get a picture, another.

These are our city champions in the four U Five U division.

Uh, and we just want to tell them congratulations.

Anyone here from the Trinity Gardens Falcons?

All right.

Well, congratulations anyway.

They're probably all, you know, having fun.

It's summer.

How about the six U Miller Park Astros?

I know they're here.

They're looking handsome and coordinated today.

Some good looking baseball players right there.

All right, for our next group, how about the seven U, eight U City Champion Texas Street White?

Come on down.

Yep, they're out having fun too.

All right.

All right, all right.

Congratulations.

All right, and last certainly, well, not last.

Uh last for our city baseball champions, the eleven U Twelve U Aaron Park team.

Come on down.

We're probably at a park recreating right now.

Um so we're also want to recognize our softball city champions.

So I know I have the 12 year Highland Cardinals.

Come on down.

No.

Again, Mobile has a lot of winners, so we have a few more to recognize, uh, including our six year all-stars, Cal Ripkin State and Regional Championship teams.

Uh come on up, six year all-stars.

Six year all-stars.

Come on, guys, don't be shy.

Come on.

Oh.

So talk to come on up.

Yeah.

No.

This is not the campaign.

Yeah.

It's hard to keep all these winners straight.

Hey guys, uh, the mayor kind of stole my thunder a little bit.

Uh we have so many winners today.

We're going down the list, but this is for the municipal park six and under, and these guys are the state champions.

You see Alabama on their shirts.

Oh, these are my, and I claim them, these are my municipal baseball kids, and they are leaving tomorrow to compete in the World Series.

And listen to this, they'll be playing teams from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

And they went undefeated at the state tournament, which was in June, and now they're hoping to bring back a World Series title to Mobile.

So let's wish them luck.

And I have a nice proclamation for them.

So we're on the okay.

Well, this time we want to, we also have as far as care.

Let me give you a little backstory on on parts of regulations.

This year, well, we know that uh we participated in the opera Alabama Ray Parsons Association for baseball, they never had, we've been several times for different sports.

We know basketball does it, other sports does it, but for baseball, they never had a state tournament.

So this year parts and rest, we had we decided that we want to give our kids the opportunity to play after the season versus just playing the city championship and not being able to travel the state.

So we we embarked on joining the Cal Ripkin League.

And from that, joining the Cal Ripping League, it gave our our kids, and I see MPRD and our community center gave us a chance to compete on the state level as well.

So from that, that's where these champions are born.

So in our first year of being in NK Ripkin, we were able to produce three teams that either finished in the regionals or in the state semifinals.

As far as the state, we have an overall state champion, and then they did pretty well when they went to the regionals, either winning one or two games.

But as far as the first year program, it was a great attestment to the coaches and then the players in this league to be able to adapt and get and go on a bigger skill.

So we want to definitely get them a round of applause for that.

But the seven year old-star team is here.

So seven of you all-stars, please come down.

And uh finished in the semifinals in the state championship.

Congratulations.

So we'd like to say in their first year, this group was put together.

It was kind of difficult getting this group together, guys.

But in a two-week span, they was able to come together and not only just play tremendously, but they also won the district and the state tournament.

So we'd like to congratulate our coaches and our players for the 12 U state Cal Ripkin baseball champions.

Like I said, this has been a testament to our coaches and our players for the hard work that they put in within our community centers.

That concludes our presentation for the MPRD baseball softball season.

Thank you guys for y'all time.

Thank y'all for having us.

Okay, okay.

So many winners.

So many winners.

Thank you to our parks and rack department for really doing an amazing job this year, uh getting our kids out to the state level and uh producing some state champions.

Very proud.

Uh so it's also my honor, along with the city council to recognize our special Olympics team, the Mobile Revelers Therapeutic Volleyball team.

Oh, they earned a gold medal as Team Alabama in the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis this June.

Our athletes, uh athletes include Tori Bringhurst, Alexandra Moore, Andrew Hubbard, Tyler Smith, Vincent Dennis, Pierce Hargrave, Desmond Jemison, Ellison Shaff, Keon Peters, and Edmund Patton.

I don't know if we've also got uh Citrion up here with us.

Very good.

Citrian Stalworth earned a gold medal in the running long junk track and field event.

Gold medal winners here.

Uh happy to have them and congratulations to all the athletes.

Thank you to all our teams, especially our special Olympians bringing home the gold to Mobile.

Very proud of y'all.

And I know I've taken up a lot of time, but we do have two more two proclamations.

And I want to recommend recognize the Americans with Disabilities Act 36th year anniversary.

And do I have Alan Garvin, Alvin Garvin here with us, Chair of the Mobile Advisory Commission for the Disabled, Vice Chair Carolyn Green, and City of Mobile ADA Coordinator and Chief Procurement Officer, Mr.

Don Rose.

Y'all come on up.

They had to sit in the back.

There was no seats left.

Oh, yes.

Oh, I'm sorry.

We're going to take a photo after this out front, and I just want to thank y'all so much for what you do for our citizens.

And it is my honor to read this proclamation from the Office of Mayor.

Whereas on July 26, 1990, President George H.W.

Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities and eliminate discrimination against them.

And whereas the ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers and changing perceptions and increasing full participation in community life, which has motivated the City of Mobile to continue our efforts to fully implement the ADA.

And whereas throughout the year and on the anniversary of the ADA, we celebrate and recognize the progress that has been made by reaffirming the principles of equality and inclusion and recommitting our efforts to reach full ADA compliance.

Now, therefore, I spirit us the 109th mayor of the City of Mobile to hereby recognize July 26, 2026 as the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act and ADA Awareness Day in the City of Mobile.

Thank you.

I would love to hear from you.

Okay.

Good morning, Mayor Cherry Gottis and members of the City Council.

I'm Carolyn Green, Vice Chair of the Mobile Advisory Commission for the Disabled, representing District 5.

On behalf of our chairman, Alvin Garvin and the Commission, we want to thank you for the City of Mobile's commitment to accessibility for all our citizens, fairness and kindness to everyone, which is reflective of the character of our city and community.

This year, we thank you specifically for the progress the city is making.

Transit improvements with wheelchair accessibility, infrastructure repairs with sidewalks and facilities, improvements in city digital access, inclusive programming, interpreters for the deaf and wheelchair tennis, the inclusion of SNASI, special needs assistance stations for you with adult changing stations and Hoyer Lefts for city events like the 4th of July at Battleship Park in Mardi Gras 2026, which is which was a huge success with over 3,000 mobilians and visitors being able to participate, participate who had not been able to do so before.

This will continue to grow with more parking availability for SNASI.

Our challenge and request for you is to consider not just minimum accessibility in Mobile, but truly inclusive universal design with adult changing stations and Hourrier lifts at every city event, program and facility, including the parks and recreational facilities, so that all our citizens can take part.

We also would request for assessment of our city disaster and emergency preparedness plans to include those who are the most vulnerable with the greatest needs in our communities.

In closing, we invite you to attend an upcoming Abilities Resource Fair this July 31st on Friday, 10 to 2 at the Tillman's Corner Community Center.

We also invite Miracheria Goddess and the City Council and City Leaders to experience a day or some hours as a wheelchair user in an upcoming event.

Come roll with me, designed to connect the able-bodied and disability communities to bridge the gaps in communication, appreciation, and respect for how we all navigate life.

We will keep you posted on the date.

And it will be very eye-opening and lots of fun.

Thank you again for an accessible Lebel.

Thank you, Ms.

Green.

Very good.

All right, and last but certainly not least, uh it's my honor to call up the Ichihihara students and the official City of Mobile ambassadors.

We have some certificates for them.

Plus our 10 students, and I'm gonna ask Yuko to introduce them for me.

You want to hand them Akiko Yamauchi Kwan.

Otoha Motoi, Tentaro Nemoto, Hina Nishimura, and Nozomi Namba.

We have all them come up.

Oh, yes.

And uh I just want to talk about this group for a moment.

Uh, these young people are from our sister city, Ichihara, Japan.

They were all selected out of a number of applicants to be here to represent their city and to further our um friendship and relationship with our sister city I jihara.

I had the pleasure of meeting with them earlier today and hearing from them, and I know we want to recognize one student who has a speech for us this morning.

Hello, everyone.

Thank you very much for one welcome.

We are grateful for your kind hospitality.

I'm very happy to have the opportunity to visit Mobile Mobile as a member of the ICHAST Sisters T Exchange Broadland.

I have heard that Mobile and Jehala have been sisters teas for more than 30 years.

I was impressed to learn that also our students are far apart.

They have continued this listening for such a long time.

I'm honored to be a part of this change.

I have been looking forward to this visit, and I hope to meet many people, learn about your culture and daily life and share our own experiences as well.

During my stay, I would like to experience things that I cannot experience in Japan and make the most of every opportunity to learn.

I hope this exchange will have strong stand and friendship between Mobile and Ichihala.

When we return to Japan, we will share what we have learned and experiences with our families' friends and community so that this relationship can continue to grow.

Finally, thank you again for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

Although our stay is short, we hope to spend meaningful and labeled time with all of you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, we'll call all the students up if you'll come around so we can have a picture.

Uh very impressive group and uh Mobile is blessed with a number of sister cities, but I believe because of uh the Ichihara Sister City Association board, this is truly our strongest relationship with any sisters with all of our sister cities.

This is truly our strongest relationship with any sisters with all of our sister cities.

We hope to strengthen them all.

But I just want to say thank you to the board, to Miss Yoko Jordan for all they do for this relationship.

Mr.

President, I'd like to just let folks know for those that do not.

There are two places in the world where a Jubilee occurs.

One of them is in Mobile Bay, as we all know.

The other is in Tokyo Bay.

And this is a special sort of relationship that we have with Ichihara, and we share that great environmental, you know, uniqueness.

And also a special thanks to Yuko and to Don Don Fry, who is also here for their work with the sister cities.

Thank you for continuing to make this happen.

Appreciate it.

And I hope you take them out to the Japanese gardens for a picnic or something while they're in town.

Yes, sir.

We have uh uh all age ultimate events at the West Regional Library this Thursday from three o'clock to 6 p.m.

I don't have 50 small kids to our dog if you get to enjoy so please join our events at the Western Regional Library.

Thank you.

With that, my remarks are concluded.

Good morning.

As you see, Mobile is the city where we are born to celebrate.

Can we give everybody that came before us a big hand?

I would like to call down to the podium Isabella Anderson, Little Miss Alabama State University 2026.

Do we have any Alabama State graduates in the house?

Alumna, HBCU.

I made some noise.

I'm from Steele College.

Here we go, HBCU.

Well, Isabella is a bright, kind-hearted nine-year-old from Mobile, Alabama, with a passion for serving others, inspiring children to believe in themselves.

She is honored to serve as little Miss Alabama State University 2026.

Proudly representing Alabama State University with grace, confidence, and school spirit.

She is also a proud ambassador for Miss Laura, Alabama, the pageant system that first welcomed her and help her cultivate confidence, leadership, and a heart for serving others.

Isabella is a fourth grade unrolled student at Pritcher Preparatory School.

She's enjoys singing in her school's ensemble, pageantry, playing soccer, volunteering in the community, and spending time with family and friends.

She believes that a true queen leads with kindness, integrity, and a heart for helping others.

Through her community service platform, Bella bring everyone love, light, and aid.

Isabella is committed to giving back to those less fortune in the community through acts of kindness, service projects, and outreach.

Her mission is to spread hope, encourage, and remind others that even the smallest act of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

Isabella is truly honored to carry her title with integrity and serve as a young ambassador for Alabama State University and look forward to celebrating the university traditions while creating a memorable year for service and leadership.

Can we give Isabella Anderson a big hand again?

Mr.

President.

I would like to also acknowledge Isabella's accomplishments because of her uh giving back to the community and the importance of small acts of kindness.

She was recognized in our district two newsletter as the highlight for last week.

So thank you for what you're doing, always giving back.

Thank you.

You want to say anything?

Good morning, Mobile City Council.

My name is Isabella Anderson.

I'm nine years old, and I attend Pridger Preparatory School.

And I am very honored to be here and thank you for having me.

Thank you.

Congratulations to you.

And y'all would just want to wave at us.

All right.

All right.

Madam Clerk.

Okay.

Monthly finance reports.

Yeah.

I thought we would be heard of it.

Go ahead.

Yeah.

Adoption of the agenda.

So move.

Second.

Trop the move in second end in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Agenda's adopted.

Appeals, we have requests for a wave of the noise ordinance on August the 19th on Airport Boulevard, September the 6th, Laneham Park.

So move.

Second.

Prophet move and second in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

Appeal pass.

We have requests for wave of the noise ordinance on August the 15th on Pine Run Drive, Pine Run Road.

Motion to deny.

Second.

Prop the moving second in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Action denied.

Public hearings.

Today is the public hearing to declare the structure at 1307 Willow Lane, a public nuisance and order it demolished.

This opened up the public hearing for this particular said item.

Is anyone present that would like to address the council on this particular said item?

If not, this public hearing is closed.

Presentation of petitions and other communications to the council, Vandalyn Pierre.

Thank you.

I'm Virginia Guy with the ex I'm the executive director of the drug education council.

I have some of our Mobile City County Youth Council members with us today.

I want to make it real clear that the city, the youth council was established by an ordinance of the city of Mobile many years ago and an ordinance of the county.

So these young people are appointed by our elected representatives.

And I cannot begin to tell you this is the best class we have ever had.

I thank all of you for the thoughtful appointments you've made.

My name is Grace Kelly.

I'm gonna be a junior at Alma Bryant High School, and I represent County Commissioner Randall Dewitt.

My name is Skylar White.

I'm going to the seventh grade at Barton Academy of Advanced World Studies, and I am with Samantha Hare.

Samantha Ingram.

Hi, I'm Maggie Breens.

I'll be a junior at UMS Right, and I represent Mr.

Josh Woods with District Six.

Hi, my name is Savaris Young.

I'm I'm going to be a junior at BC Rain High School.

I represent District Three under the president of Councilman CJ Smalls.

Hello, I'm Connor Benefield.

I'll be a senior at Baker High School, and I represent County Commissioner Randall Duod.

Thank you so much.

You'll be hearing a lot from these young people this year.

Thank you.

Timothy Hollis.

Good morning, my friends.

Long-time no seat, Timothy Hollis.

Um, Mr.

President and members of the council.

Today I'm here for a just cause.

Uh there are neighborhoods that simply sit inside the city, and there are neighborhoods that help build the city.

Tolmanville is one of those uh neighborhoods that fall in the second category.

Today I'm asking the council to give Thomanville history a highlight.

I'm asking the council to recognize this history because it's very rich and very important to our town.

The Thomaville story reaches back nearly two centuries, around 1825, when General Theophilus L.

Tolman built the historic Tolman family home.

His son Harry T.

Tolman went on to serve this region as a state legislator, a circuit judge, and nearly 30 years he did that.

A judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.

That house was eventually removed from Wilson Avenue in Thomanville, carried to the University of South Alabama and restored and used for years as alumni hall.

Think about that.

When the university lifts a house from its foundation, carries it across town, and preserves it for future generations.

That is not merely a sentiment.

That's evidence.

So to give you a fast track.

This history cannot be replaced.

It must be protected.

This is the community that raised Henry Hank Aaron before the world knew hammer before 715, before 755.

He practiced in Thomaville, hitting bottle caps with sticks.

It gave us legendary coach Ben Harris, an outstanding quarterback at Thomanville High, a prolific Alabama State University quarterback, and the architect of four state championships at Blunt.

Coach Harris did more than win football games.

He developed young men and changed what an entire community believed was possible.

The figure's name is literally written into this community through Michael Figures Park and Community Center.

A civil rights attorney, Alabama Senate leader, alongside Morris Dees.

He represented Beula May Donald in the lawsuit that produced the seven million judgment against the United Kansas of America, essentially bankrupting the organization and establishing an important legal precedent.

A generation later, Mobile native Shamari figures carried that legacy into the United States Congress.

His election helped give Alabama two black congressional representatives at the same time for the first time in state history.

And on St.

Stephen's Road, a historical marker.

It identifies Thomanville as the birthplace of Major General William Carper Gargas.

I can't remember.

Yeah, one more minute.

The United States Army Surgeon General, whose work combating yellow fever and malaria helped make construction of the patent of the Panama Canal possible.

And we all know we depend on that very much dearly in this 21st century.

Council members, some communities are called historic because wealthy people once lived there.

Thomaville is historic because world-changing people came from there.

A federal judge, a surgeon general, a civil rights giant, a United States Congressman, an Olympic champion, a coaching legend, and a home run king himself.

That is not coincidence.

That is cultural soil.

I am respectfully asking this council to commission a professional historic research resource survey.

Identify Thomasville's contributing homes, schools, parks, churches, streets, and cultural sites, and begin the formal evaluation process for local historic district and national register recognition.

And if anybody needs any help, I'll be glad to help along that process.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Mr.

President, uh Mr.

Penn.

I want to thank Mr.

Hollis for coming down and sharing that great information about our Thomaville community located in District One.

Um, I totally agree.

Um, I actually already have started that process.

Um, I will begin with Mr.

Hollis.

Um, I think it's very vital to celebrate being in the city where we are called born to celebrate to celebrate our community.

Um, so many great people came from the Thomaville community from the historic standpoint, um, even now.

Um, Mr.

Hollis had uh a Philadelphia Eagle shirt on.

We have Marlin Sanders won a championship from the Thomaville community from Sill Street from La Flor High School.

And so it's so many great things.

I know you hear me talk about that community a lot, but I think it's time to recognize it.

So we will start that process.

Um I would give my colleagues um and we're gonna be moving forward.

But thank you, Mr.

Hollis.

Mr.

President.

Uh yes.

I would like to join in and thanking Mr.

Hollis for coming out and sharing with us the legends of the Thomaville community.

Thank you for that, and I look forward to moving forward with that request.

Thank you.

All right, Madam Clerk.

Anna Bush regarding ordinance 0703.

Good morning.

Y'all are very fortunate.

I thought I only had two minutes.

It's your full name.

My name is Anna Bush, and I live in District 2.

Ordinance 7 is regarding the animal, uh, the new animal control ordinance.

And hard cases make bad law, and animal cases are hard.

Without disrespect for the work that went into this, I do urge you to reject two sections of this in whole or in part.

In particular, the BSL inspired language for high-risk dogs.

There is no reason this body should carry water for insurance companies and landlords.

They're big boys, they can take care of themselves.

Discriminating against particular breeds is unnecessary.

Any dog can bite and must be leashwalked or confined, regardless, according to section 722 of the same ordinance.

This special definition exacerbates housing difficulties for people with pets and makes it harder for them to socialize their dogs in group obedience classes and dog park play.

So there's no reason for the city to create a cover of law for this description, which is not even very accurate in terms of what dogs probably should be more carefully trained.

Most odious of all is the entirety of 731.

Where to start?

The overnight criminalization of hundreds of citizens is unconscionable.

If my lot exceeds a half acre by a few feet, can I have as many animals as I want?

If I have three dogs and I have an aunt that dies or moves in with me, do we have to pick which of her three dogs we can't keep?

Why not eight cats and two dogs instead of five of each?

Many people have more than five cats or dogs, particularly those who specialize with senior pets.

Most are well cared for, while people with single pets may be terrible owners.

This notion that a person must be authorized to keep their pets with no grandfather clause, no readily available waiver process outlined, no additional guidelines for what qualifies them for permission at sole discretion is right for misuse.

There are no fewer than two terrible outcomes.

Number one, Mobilians decide that this is the law they're going to follow since it doesn't affect traffic and take their extra pets to the shelter, which hasn't accepted under surrenderers really since 2004, but remains over full, or more likely people become sneaky, fearful, unwilling to be neighborly, possibly reluctant to get that care.

Where pet counting is a cudgel for petty neighborhood tyrants wasting city resources.

All of this without addressing community cats and TNR is subject unto itself, hindering and prosecuting the very people who've spent their own resources doing the one research back thing that does help with cat control in our community.

Don't take us back to the terrible days of collecting, catching, and killing cats for naught.

And since I have an extra minute, I absolutely am thrilled that this includes microchip encouragement.

And please fix your animals.

The two and a half percent.

As firefighters, we sacrifice a lot to serve citizens of Mobile.

But we are not the only ones.

Our families do as well.

From long hours, missed birthdays, missed holidays, training deployments, so on.

Not to mention the physical and mental aspect.

These are just the name of you.

For our retirees, especially men and women that have been retired for over 10-15 years, they have continued to sacrifice.

With this being said, I'd like to show my appreciation to Mayor Chair Gottes and his staff, pension board members, and city council members for consideration of this two and a half percent cola for police and fire retirees.

So I just want to say thank you.

All right, thank you.

All right.

Ordinance is held over.

64032.

Consider the proposed rezoning of property located at 7271 Green Light Road from R01 to B1.

Um motion to approve.

Second.

Prop the move and second in discussion.

Mr.

President, uh Mr.

Woods.

Um, originally I uh I do feel that there is some speculative nature to this rezoning, uh, but after review between council, between pre-council and now um I think it it does.

Um it it will be accommodated um in that corridor.

I think some of the major uh the major concerns were on uh potential opening of uh of maybe bars or something um around that area, but after reviewing uh UDC looking through and uses I think the B1 is an acceptable um acceptable uh zoning for uh for this area.

So thank you.

In other discussion, all in favor?

Aye.

All opposed, item approved resolutions held over 0877, approved purchase orders, sunbelt fire for fire boots and helmets 0973 transfer funds from general fund athletic aquatics to capital account Africa Town Welcome Center 0974, authorized one-time lump sum payment to RSA ERA City of Mobile Retirees under the provisions of Section 2 of Act 608 of the regular session of the 2026 legislature.

21777, authorized contract with Iker Construction Corporation for installation of new playground equipment at Lavaretta Park Playground Court.

21779, authorized contract with USS Alabama Battleship doing business as USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park for replacement of Teak Deck on Battleship USS Alabama 21780, authorized contract with Longview International Technology Solutions for post-disaster support services.

So move second move and second and in discussion, yes, sir, Mr.

President, as vice president.

Going back to 21-777, which is the contract for uh installation of new playground equipment at Lavretta Park.

We talked a little bit about this last week.

Um, this is a project that we have been working on for well over a year to replace the playground equipment at Lavretta Park.

Um it is uh probably 25, 26 years old over there, and we have made a lot of repairs and patches to this equipment, so it is beyond time to replace it, and I'm really happy to be able to do that.

We have met with the uh neighborhood community residents uh several times to get their input on what this equipment should be, the design of the playground, and just to let them be a part of the decision making.

So I'm really happy to get this moving.

We didn't want to take the old playground down until kids went back to school because they needed a place to continue using the park you know this summer.

So uh it looks like uh we will start construction sometime in September.

Before that time, we are looking to do uh something of a groundbreaking, if you will, at the park, kind of a last play sort of thing, just to celebrate because when this playground was put into place, it was community-driven.

They raised funds, they did the design for the equipment, and we're just hands-on involved in bringing this playground to fruition.

So we want to make it a special time for taking down the old and bringing back the new for the neighborhood for the residents.

So we'll keep everybody informed, but this is a really great contract.

I'm so happy to see it moving forward, and it'll be a really nice uh amenity for everybody in the in the city because this is a well-loved and well used, well loved and well used park in the city mobile.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

And other discussions.

All in favor, aye, all opposed, I don't pass this.

Resolution 2178, authorized professional services contract with Minnecan Resources Incorporated.

Move the layer over one week.

Second, second prompt and move and second in discussion.

All in favor, aye.

All opposed, item laid over one week.

Ordinance is being introduced 07033.

Move to lay over.

Uh, this is uh per council rules.

It will lay over for one week.

Consent resolutions being introduced 31783 through 6788.

Move to waive the rules for immediate consideration of these resolutions as read.

Prompt the move and second and discussion.

All in favor, aye.

All opposed, rules waived, madam clerk.

31783 authorize the mayor to apply, accept and receive a grant from the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for the Fiscal Year 2026, law enforcement and mental health and wellness act program 40784.

Declare the structure at 1307 Willow Lane, a public nuisance in order it demolish 5878 and 786.

58785 and 786.

Declare weeds noxious and assess costs for removal of weeds groups 1680 and 102.

60787 and 788.

Determining appropriations to James Strickland Youth Center and Liberty Learning Foundation serve a public purpose and approved payment.

So move second.

The move and second and in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Item passes.

CIP resolutions being introduced.

Per council rules, these resolutions will be laid over for one week.

Resolutions being introduced.

Move to waive the rules for immediate consideration of resolutions 08-791, 792, 793, 794, 796, 797 and 60-803.

Second.

Prompt and move and second any discussion.

All in favor, aye.

Opposed.

Rules Wade, Madam Clerk.

08791, approved purchase order to business oriented software solutions for annual renewal of boss desk service ticket and asset management software.

08792 and 793 are approved and purchase orders to best price services and JJ Quality Homes for Storm Drainage, Vegetation and Debris Removal.

08794 approved purchase order to CDW government for desktop computers.

08796 approved purchase order to Howard Industries for annual annual renewal of device management software.

Approved authorized settlement agreement and release of claims.

So moved.

Second prompt and move and second and in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed, item passes.

Call for public hearings.

41804.

Call for public hearing to consider the application to rezone property located at 1509 Navco Road from B2 to B3, scheduled September 141805.

Call for public hearing to consider the application to rezone property located at 4600A.

Hamilton Boulevard from RA to I2, scheduled September 1, 41806.

Call for public hearing to consider the application to rezone property located at 97 Center Drive from R1 to R3, scheduled September 1.

41807.

Call for public hearing to consider the application of Ever Bliss Senior Solutions, LLC for certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a shuttle service scheduled August 11th.

So moved.

Second.

Prompt and movement second in discussion.

All in favor?

Aye.

All opposed.

Plump and hearings call.

Announcements.

We have a lot of great things taking place this week in the Thomaville community.

While I'm talking about Thomaville and Mr.

Holly just came, I also want to acknowledge the first black clerk in the Cinnamobile came from Thomaville from SEAL Street.

And that's um the great Miss Lisa Lambert.

So thank you so much for your service.

You're gonna join me on President Smile.

Yes, sir.

All right, and then that Sunday.

We also have another event.

It's the Gulf Coast Annual.

Um back to school bash at Figures Park, August the 7th, hosted by Dre Day.

Um want to give a big shout out to Brave by Reflection and so many others that will be supporting volunteering.

Um so many different organizations, but the Talunys um organizations, they also graduates from La Florida Big Cloth National Clothing Um Company will be giving out um book bags to the community.

Um and I'm a part of it as well.

So we're inviting everyone to come out August the second from 12 p.m.

to 3 p.m.

free food free giveaways.

This is gonna be a great time in the Thomvilleville community this week.

So um I just want to thank everyone.

We also will have our community meeting coming up in August.

More information will be coming about our community meeting in Tomalville for District 1.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

I'm from Tomoville too, Councilman Penn.

I see District 1.

Thank you for representing President Smile.

District 2, Councilwoman Ingram.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Greetings, District 2.

Great things are happening in District 2 because of your generosity.

This past Saturday, July the 25th, we hosted our first homeless care kit distribution where neighbors were helping neighbors.

We distributed over 80, I want to say it was like 80 some bags that were distributed in our most highly concentrated areas.

We started at 8 a.m.

at the Mamga DN and then 10 a.m.

10 a.m.

at the second precinct.

So again, I just want to thank the uh Dr.

Kendall Young, his team for coming out and supporting it all of the volunteers that were a part of this.

Not only were we able to distribute uh kits, but we were also able to connect um our unhouse population with um services to uh you know, again make sure we're taking care of our most vulnerable population.

Uh so again, I can't thank you enough for that.

Also, um, some upcoming events on Saturday, August the 15th.

We're going to partner with the City of Mobile for a back to school giveaway at Monte Gros Park.

So please be a part of that.

We we at first had it scheduled for uh August the 1st, but we've moved it now to August the 15th, so we can partner with the City of Mobile.

So we're looking forward to that.

And I want to thank District 2 residents again for your donations because that is what's making this a success.

And lastly, we have our August 13th District 2 community meeting, and it's going to be at Robert Hope Community Center, and we're asking all to attend and stay engaged in process.

So again, thank you, District 2 for the great things that are happening.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh thank you, Councilwoman Ingram.

District 4, Councilman Reynolds.

I'll be brief, but I want to extend a special thank you to our very own Josh Woods for his service on the Mobile Planning Commission.

Uh, most folks don't know this, uh, but last week they had over 30 items on their agenda, and they toughed it out for over four hours to conduct the business of the city.

So I want to extend a thank you to Josh for not falling asleep during the meeting.

We appreciate you, Councilman Woods.

All right.

District 5, Councilman Fleming.

Thank you, Mr.

President.

Uh, congratulations, Mr.

Woods.

You made it through a long meeting.

Um I know that was a tough one.

They didn't even have an intermission, I don't think.

Two red bulls in four hours.

Now, on a lighter note, uh, what a great feeling it was to walk in here this morning and see so many of the youth in this city being able to celebrate all of their success.

And I'm sure I'm gonna miss a few here, but I mean, I made a list of parks and wrecks track team, Miller Park Astros, Trinity Gardens, Texas Street, Duval Vikings, Aaron Park, How Point Cardinals, the municipal park team that is going to play for the World Series, our city's 7U, 12U champions, our special Olympians, the Itchy Horace students from our sister city, um, our little Miss Alabama State, our drug education council.

It's just really reassuring and refreshing to see so many of our young people get engaged, make a difference, put mobile on the map, represent our city in such a high-class way.

It's just a really really refreshing when we hear of so many bad things going on in the world and our city to just see a bright spot with our young future leaders.

So I just want to give them another shout out.

I know we all uh appreciate your patience this morning while we recognize them, but they they just deserve a lot of recognition for all the hard work they do to represent our great city.

And on you know, a business note uh for the citizens of District 5 that live in the Jackson Heights neighborhood.

I'm sure you're aware that some road resurfacing has started.

Be patient uh with those crews there in there trying to resurface and take care of some um streets and drainage, and also continue to be um patient along the Dolphin Street corridor um as we work from Sage Avenue to Roms Road and that.

So, with all of that being said, thank you.

That's all I have.

Thank you, Councilman Flaming.

District Six, Councilman Woods.

No announcements, Mr.

President.

District 7, Vice President Gregory.

Thank you.

I just want to follow up on um Josh Woods service on the planning commission.

Josh, you are the man for the job, and I don't think you'll have any of your colleagues fighting you for that position anytime soon.

So hang on in there, buddy, because you've got it.

You've got it.

I believe that district six is made for that position.

I think it is too.

For some reason, district six seems to be the district that takes on the planning commission.

So thank you for that.

Outside of that, uh, my district meeting is coming up on Thursday.

It will be at the Mobile Museum of Art.

This is our annual back to school celebration.

We will be collecting school supplies for the three elementary schools in the district.

And you know, it's general supplies, notebook paper, pens, pencils, binders, that kind of thing.

If you need any suggestions, you can call the office or you know, call the schools.

They can tell you a little bit more specifically about what they use.

We will also have a light dinner, and uh I will be presenting checks to each of the elementary schools as well while we are there.

So look forward to that on Thursday evening, six o'clock at the Mobile Museum of Art.

And um, that is it for me.

Thank you so much.

Okay, and I'd like to extend congratulations to um two people in this room.

Uh first, I would like to extend congratulations to uh our very hard-working uh council member, uh Councilman Ben Reynolds, for receiving the NAPI Award a couple weeks ago, and also to our city clerk for receiving the uh politics award for being the hardest working uh appointed fish official in the city of Mobile.

Congratulations to you all both and our mayor.

Congratulations.

Anything from the administration?

All right, motion to adjourn.

Thank you.

Probably moving second in discussion.

All in favor, aye.

All opposed, this meeting is adjourned.