Mobile City Council Pre-Meeting Summary – September 8, 2026

The Mobile City Council held its pre-meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (approximate start time) with nine council members present. The meeting covered approval of minutes, public hearing notifications, discussion of several resolutions, and detailed debates on funding for a major affordable housing development and expansion of school safety programs.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the September 1, 2026 meeting with no objections.
• Noted requests for noise ordinance waivers: September 20 (4–9 p.m.) and September 12 (2–11 p.m.) on Dauphin Street. Councilwoman Inger requested changing the September 12 waiver to end at 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.
• Several resolutions were held over for further review, including Resolution 08958 (annual renewal of Laserfiche document management software) at Councilwoman Inger’s request for all members to review the lease agreement.

Public Hearings (Rezoning – No Public Testimony Recorded)

The following public hearings were announced for the regular meeting:

• 320 and 330 Western Drive – from B3 and I1 to I1
• 255 Church Street – from T5.2 to T6
• 2665 Government Boulevard and 604/610 Mandrel Street – from R1 and B2 to R1 and B3
• 2694 Government Boulevard and 2750/2754/2756 Brookley Avenue – from R1, B1, and B2 to B3
• 4460 Dolphin Island Parkway – from R1 to EML
• 4213 and 4221 Spring Valley Drive South – from R1 and R3 to R1
• Northwest corner of Bear Fork Road and Moffitt Road – from R1 to B3 (Vice President provided context: the vacant parcel was annexed and automatically zoned R1; the adjacent property is already used for camper sales, and the applicant intends to continue sales, not a mobile home park. He noted that residential areas are well removed and expressed support pending confirmation.)

Discussion Items

School Safety Positions (Resolution 01967)

The council considered an agreement with the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners for community safety team prevention positions, funded by $224,000 from the school system over three years for four positions (two community intervention specialists and two family intervention specialists) at Williamson High School, LaFleur, and Pathway Academy.

• Director Curtis explained the program builds on efforts since 2015, including the “Bridging the Gap” program, to enhance family intervention and community violence intervention in schools. The new positions are pilot programs recommended by the school system and are not school resource officers (SROs); the school system pays for SROs separately. The goal is to build relationships and provide wraparound services in partnership with agencies like the DA’s office.
• Councilman Woods expressed full support and asked for data on effectiveness. Director Curtis noted that 2015 data has been shared, but the new pilot lacks outcome data yet; success is measured by relationships, not just numbers.
• Councilwoman Ingram asked whether the positions are currently staffed (they are not; they will be new contract hires, not merit employees) and whether the $224,000 covers all costs. Director Curtis confirmed it covers salaries and allowances, and any future raises can be absorbed. Operational costs are included.
• Councilwoman Penn asked about community communication. Director Curtis said the school system is saturating communication avenues and vetting volunteers. Councilwoman Penn volunteered to participate.
• The resolution was held over for formal consideration.

Affordable Housing Development at Tailor Landing (Resolution 09978)

This resolution proposed allocating $1.95 million from fiscal year 2026–27 CDBG census tract restricted capital funds to the Tailor Landing affordable housing development (70 townhouses, including 69 vouchered units, replacing the Oaklawn Homes complex at 1010 Baltimore Street). The funding gap arose because the Mobile Housing Authority (MHA) approved RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) vouchers in March 2026, but the developer required project-based vouchers (PBVs) to make the project financially viable within the federal CDBG-DR deadline (mid-2028).

• Jamie (city administration) explained that the mayor had requested MHA to provide PBVs since fall 2025, but MHA had not acted. The city placed the item on the agenda after MHA failed to schedule a board meeting by September 3. The $1.95 million would be structured as a mortgage; if PBVs are later applied, the developer can repay the city; otherwise, it becomes a soft loan (effectively a grant). The project risks losing $10 million in CDBG-DR funds if not closed by November 2026.
• Councilman Penn questioned the timeline and asked why the council was only now learning of the issue. Jamie stated that MHA communicated they would work on PBVs until August, then went silent; the mayor’s August 11 letter received no response until after the agenda was published. Councilman Penn requested a written report of CDBG expenditures over the last three years and the plan for the current $4 million allocation.
• Councilwoman Woods offered an amendment to strike a whereas clause that blamed MHA’s abstention, stating it is counterproductive while parties are still negotiating. She also asked whether the funds could be reimbursed if PBVs come later; Jamie confirmed they would be repaid as a mortgage. Councilwoman Woods’ amendment was accepted, and she was added as a sponsor.
• Councilwoman Ingram asked for clarification on the financing structure. The developer (Yerby from Hollyhan Development) stated that PBVs are a local decision and can be processed faster than RAD, which requires HUD approval and takes over a year. The MHA board must amend its annual plan (45-day comment period plus HUD review) for PBVs.
• Councilman Robertson noted that 1010 Baltimore Street generated 522 calls for police service in the past 12 months (1.4 per day), emphasizing the need for redevelopment. He stressed that most issues come from outsiders, not residents.
• Councilman Gregory (President) expressed support, noting the project is part of a broader revitalization of Baltimore Street, including Taylor Park, Ann Street, and Broad Street improvements. He requested the administration ensure enforcement against negligent rental properties.
• The resolution was held over with the amendment for the regular meeting.

Trolley Style Buses (Resolution 09980)

Authorization for the mayor to apply for and accept a $1.36 million Federal Transit Administration grant to purchase five new trolley-style buses, with a city match of $320,000 from capital funds and proceeds from selling old buses.

• Councilwoman Penn asked about ADA accessibility. The mayor confirmed the new trolleys have hydraulic lifts and are fully ADA compliant. The city will offset the $320,000 by selling five older buses and using Via’s capital funds, making it net neutral.
• Councilwoman Ingram asked for a long-term plan. The mayor stated his goal is to eventually replace all large buses with trolleys to improve frequency, drivability, and cost, relying on federal grants to keep costs neutral. Success will be measured by increased ridership.
• Councilman Woods suggested exploring autonomous vehicles (e.g., Tesla Cybercab in Austin) to future-proof the system. The mayor agreed to look into it but noted the trolleys have historical appeal for Mobile.

Vibration Monitoring Agreement (Added Item)

The council agreed to add a resolution authorizing an easement for ALDOT to install vibration monitoring equipment at the History Museum, Fort Conde, Wallace Tunnel, and Old City Hall during Mobile River Bridge construction. This is a federal requirement (FHWA) to protect historic structures.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 01967 (School Safety Positions): Held over for the regular meeting. No vote taken.
• Resolution 09978 (CDBG Funding for Tailor Landing): Held over with an amendment (striking a whereas clause). Council requested written documentation on CDBG expenditures (last three years) and the current year’s plan. Councilman Penn and Councilwoman Ingram asked for this information before the regular meeting.
• Resolution 09980 (Trolley Grant): Held over for the regular meeting.
• Noise Ordinance Waivers: To be considered at the regular meeting; Councilwoman Inger’s requested change (10 p.m. end time for September 12) will be incorporated.
• Vibration Monitoring Resolution: Added to the agenda for the regular meeting.
• Finance Committee Meeting: Scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on September 8, 2026.

The council adjourned to the regular meeting at 10:30 a.m.