OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mobile City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, August 4, 2026
BodyMobile, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, August 4, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 31:07
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

So that we can maybe do things, make changes sooner than later than just you know, whenever there's an equal rise.

0:05

Yeah.

0:08

And then when we do make these changes, then the follow-up would not necessarily come from from that group.

0:14

It would be us.

0:15

What is the follow-up?

0:16

What changes were made and how is it working now?

0:18

So that's just pretty much what uh councilman Woods has said.

0:22

Um, so that the council is aware.

0:24

Absolutely.

0:25

And and then on the eight boards, maybe this can be part of the agreement.

0:29

Which boards are we going to look at?

0:31

Which boards are we going to ask for, not just some global go out and look, but are we going to specify which right?

0:37

And I think the mayor said from the beginning, that's where we're really looking for your feedback.

0:41

Right.

0:42

I mean, we want your involvement.

0:43

There's a recognition uh among this administration that that you're appointing the vast majority of these boards.

0:49

And so, you know, we we asked, let us know where you think her services could be best utilized.

0:54

Um, because we want that in preparing this agreement.

0:57

We want to know where we can focus her talents.

1:00

Anyone else?

1:01

Yeah, just briefly, um I don't want to beat the horse uh too hard.

1:07

Uh but we we have to have something.

1:09

And I hope you can understand this was not your fault.

1:12

You weren't here.

1:13

Like I get it.

1:14

But I hope you understand and see our perspective that she likely is doing a lot of useful work and she is likely improving the downtown mobile alliance.

1:24

Well, they'll cost all right.

1:26

Okay, well, there's no line of sight to that from us other than saying, man, the downtown mobile alliance sure is doing a great job, but I don't think that's enough to guide our decision.

1:37

So we're gonna put forward, I think some amendments to the contract so that uh this ongoing dialogue that's had at the on the 10th floor can be had with us at some level so that we can inform, you know, we don't just appoint these people to the board, we create the board.

1:57

We're setting up the confines of which they operate on these boards so it can, you know, because we I think we have some boards that we'd like to sort of restructure.

2:07

Think about this, Robert.

2:08

We went through the whole ARB process.

2:10

We redefine the ARB and um with nothing from the consultant, I think was looking at it.

2:19

I mean, we just sort of had to take everybody's word for it.

2:22

So we just need to avoid that going forward.

2:25

We're happy to consider any language that you want to propose.

2:28

Madam Vice President.

2:30

And and Robert, to your point, I do want to point out if you look at the report that she did provide the um the skeleton.

2:36

She some of the things that um councilman Woods that he's pointed out, size, strategy, policies, budget, KPIs, and people, it's saying that these are the things they're going to look at.

2:47

I think what we're saying is that let us see that final report based off of what you said you will look at.

2:52

So some you clearly, you know, this is a renowned um consultant that's providing outstanding services, but we can't see it.

3:00

But we clearly see here these are the indicators that she's going to be looking at.

3:03

So we can just get that report, the current, the desired, just as she outlined in there.

3:08

I think it's going to help us move forward.

3:10

Okay.

3:10

But thank you.

3:11

Thank you.

3:12

Okay.

3:12

Anyone else?

3:13

Okay, that's it.

3:14

Um, thanks, Fred.

3:16

Appreciate it.

3:18

Um, so what do we need?

3:22

In a week or two weeks?

3:23

Two weeks.

3:24

Two weeks.

3:25

Okay.

3:29

Okay.

3:30

Zero eight, seven ninety-five approved purchase order to Dell Marketing for 50 desk type computers.

3:36

08798 approved purchase order to vector solutions for annual renewal of software and support for managing training, qualifications, evaluations, and equipment.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████████████23%
Community Engagement█████████████████████21%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Zoning And Land Use███3%
Economic Development██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Mobile City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Mobile City Council met on August 4, 2026, to discuss and act on a range of items including a consultant contract for organizational review, a cost-of-living adjustment for police and fire pensioners, numerous purchase orders and contracts, and to set public hearing dates for several rezoning requests. Council members provided updates on upcoming budget hearings and recognized city staff performance.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved purchase order to Dell Marketing for 50 desktop computers (item 08795).
  • Approved annual renewal of software and support from Vector Solutions for managing training, qualifications, evaluations, and equipment (08798).
  • Authorized a one-time cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for certain classes of police and firefighters pensioners (09799) – laid over for one week pending further council review.
  • Approved temporary construction easement, non-exclusive access easement, right-of-way, and recreational easement from ARCube LLC for Three Mile Creek Greenway Trail Segment 5 (25800-801802).
  • Authorized the mayor to apply for and accept a FY2026 CPD microgrants program grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, with a $200,000 local match (31808).
  • Recommended approval to the ABC Board for a retail beer/table wine off-premises license for Fast Stop on North University Boulevard (37809).
  • Fixed costs for demolition of structures (items 40810-812).
  • Authorized removal of weeds and assessed costs for weed removal groups 1679 and 1676 (58813-814).
  • Determined appropriation to the Pathway School serves a public purpose and approved payment (6815).
  • Approved purchase order for sports lighting repair at Medal of Honor Park soccer field due to lightning strike damage (08817).
  • Authorized service contract with Comb for elevator and escalator inspection and preventive maintenance at various locations (01818).
  • Approved purchase order for medical supplies via cooperative bid with Mobile County (08820).
  • Approved subscription to Active Misting Microsoft Outlook plug-in for public query responses for various city departments (08821).
  • Approved purchase orders for power supplies, mounting racks, network switches, and transceivers for MPD security cameras at Saenger Theatre and Maritime Museum (08822-823).
  • Approved upgrade of central processing units and software for the cruise terminal (08824).
  • Approved purchase order for Jimmy Buffett exhibit gift shop items for the Maritime Museum (08825).
  • Approved purchase order for top coat material for rubber safety surfacing (08828).
  • Authorized contract amendment with Volkert for Broad Street Phase III (Broad Street from Garrette Street to Palmetto Street) with a $20,000 increase (21829).
  • Authorized contract with Planning Next for community engagement and CIP document services (21830).
  • Authorized contract with Round Blip LLC for "Be Like Blippy" Tour Kids Concert, $35,000 (21831).
  • Authorized agreement with Live Investment Group for community liaison at Africa Town Welcome Center Youth Jobs Programming and Consulting Services, $90,000 (01832).
  • Authorized agreement with RMGA Inc. (Richard Mandel Golf Architecture) for business plan and architectural consulting for Azalea City Golf Course, $60,000 (01833).
  • Accepted recreational easement from the University of South Alabama for Three Mile Creek Greenway Trail Segment 5 (25834).
  • Set public hearings for September 8, 2026 to consider rezoning at multiple locations: 320 and 330 Western Drive (B3 to I1), 255 Church Street (T5.2 to T6), 2665 Government Boulevard and 604610 Mandel Street (R1 and B2 to R1 and B3), 2694 Government Boulevard and 2750-2756 Brooklyn Avenue (B1 and B2 to B3), 4460 Dolphin Island Parkway (R1 to ML), and 4213-40 and 4221 Spring Valley Drive South (R1 and R3 to R1), and northwest corner of Bear Fork Road and Moffett Road (R1 to B3).
  • Set public hearings for August 18, 2026 for a sedan service certificate (KCARES LLC) and a golf cart service certificate (Midtown Cart Transport).

Discussion Items

  • Consultant Review of Downtown Mobile Alliance: Council members discussed a consultant's work reviewing the Downtown Mobile Alliance. Councilman Woods expressed the need for concrete deliverables and line-of-sight to the consultant's findings. Councilman Mills noted that the consultant's skeleton report outlined areas of review (size, strategy, policies, budget, KPIs, people) and requested the final report based on those indicators. The administration agreed to consider amendments to the contract to ensure ongoing reporting to the council. Councilman Woods stated the council would propose amendments to facilitate dialogue on board appointments and restructuring.
  • Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Police and Fire Pensioners: Councilman Woods requested a layover to fully understand the budget impact of the proposed COLA. An actuarial report was distributed showing approximately $450,000 annual impact, amortized over 30 years for a total of $6.5 million. The COLA would be paid from plan assets, which have performed well. Councilman Green explained that the pension plan smooths gains and losses over five years to mitigate market fluctuations. Councilman Woods expressed support but wanted to review the full report. The item was laid over for one week to August 11 to allow council members to study the actuarial details. Council emphasized that retirees should understand they fully support the COLA but need to understand budget implications.
  • Broad Street Phase III Amendment: Vice President inquired about the absence of DBE information on the Volkert amendment. Administration stated the original contract had a DBE waiver and amendments typically do not include that documentation. She requested verification.
  • Azalea City Golf Course Master Plan: Council members asked for details on the $60,000 contract with Richard Mandel Golf Architecture. City staff explained that Mandel will conduct a full assessment of the golf course, including walkthroughs with committees, review of past plans, community engagement, and provide a phased improvement plan. Council expressed support for the effort.
  • Budget Process Timeline: Councilman Woods outlined the anticipated FY2026 budget timeline: budget message release on August 25, public hearing and finance committee meeting on September 8, follow-up finance committee meeting on September 15, and adoption likely on September 22. He reminded that any financial amendments must identify a funding source.

Key Outcomes

  • The COLA item (09799) was laid over for one week to August 11 to allow council review of the actuarial report.
  • All other consent items were approved as presented without recorded dissenting votes.
  • The council will propose amendments to the consultant contract to ensure specific reporting and council oversight.
  • Public hearings for rezoning and transportation certificates were scheduled as noted.
  • Administration was asked to provide DBE waiver documentation for the Broad Street Phase III amendment.
  • Council member commended city staff for prompt response to service requests and praised the City Mobile event.

Meeting Transcript

So that we can maybe do things, make changes sooner than later than just you know, whenever there's an equal rise. Yeah. And then when we do make these changes, then the follow-up would not necessarily come from from that group. It would be us. What is the follow-up? What changes were made and how is it working now? So that's just pretty much what uh councilman Woods has said. Um, so that the council is aware. Absolutely. And and then on the eight boards, maybe this can be part of the agreement. Which boards are we going to look at? Which boards are we going to ask for, not just some global go out and look, but are we going to specify which right? And I think the mayor said from the beginning, that's where we're really looking for your feedback. Right. I mean, we want your involvement. There's a recognition uh among this administration that that you're appointing the vast majority of these boards. And so, you know, we we asked, let us know where you think her services could be best utilized. Um, because we want that in preparing this agreement. We want to know where we can focus her talents. Anyone else? Yeah, just briefly, um I don't want to beat the horse uh too hard. Uh but we we have to have something. And I hope you can understand this was not your fault. You weren't here. Like I get it. But I hope you understand and see our perspective that she likely is doing a lot of useful work and she is likely improving the downtown mobile alliance. Well, they'll cost all right. Okay, well, there's no line of sight to that from us other than saying, man, the downtown mobile alliance sure is doing a great job, but I don't think that's enough to guide our decision. So we're gonna put forward, I think some amendments to the contract so that uh this ongoing dialogue that's had at the on the 10th floor can be had with us at some level so that we can inform, you know, we don't just appoint these people to the board, we create the board. We're setting up the confines of which they operate on these boards so it can, you know, because we I think we have some boards that we'd like to sort of restructure. Think about this, Robert. We went through the whole ARB process. We redefine the ARB and um with nothing from the consultant, I think was looking at it. I mean, we just sort of had to take everybody's word for it. So we just need to avoid that going forward. We're happy to consider any language that you want to propose. Madam Vice President. And and Robert, to your point, I do want to point out if you look at the report that she did provide the um the skeleton. She some of the things that um councilman Woods that he's pointed out, size, strategy, policies, budget, KPIs, and people, it's saying that these are the things they're going to look at. I think what we're saying is that let us see that final report based off of what you said you will look at. So some you clearly, you know, this is a renowned um consultant that's providing outstanding services, but we can't see it. But we clearly see here these are the indicators that she's going to be looking at. So we can just get that report, the current, the desired, just as she outlined in there. I think it's going to help us move forward. Okay. But thank you. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? Okay, that's it.

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