Mobile City Council Regular Meeting – September 22, 2026

The Mobile City Council held its regular meeting on September 22, 2026, presided over by President Small. The meeting included proclamations, public hearings, a contentious budget debate with multiple amendments, and approval of several resolutions. The council ultimately passed the FY2027 budget as amended, with a vote of 6-1 on most amendments and a final unanimous vote.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved for September 15, 2026.
• Agenda: Adopted.
• Appeals: Two noise ordinance waivers approved: September 28 on Dauphin Street and September 26 on Dolphin Island Parkway.
• Ordinances held over: Rezoning at 255 Church Street (laid over 30 days); deannexation ordinance (laid over one week).
• Resolutions held over: Motion to hold over passed.
• Consent Resolutions: Approved purchase orders for cybersecurity software (DC3), pickup trucks (Truck Equipment Sales), arterial management contracts (Kimley Horn and ACOM), and a shuttle/limousine service certificate (Grand Dray Executive Transport). Also approved a settlement agreement and release of claims.
• Introduced ordinances: 64045–64047 laid over for one week.
• Consent Resolutions introduced: 581002–581005 (declaring surplus property, appropriations to USA Azalea City Center for the Arts and Playhouse in the Park) passed.
• CFU Resolutions: Introduced and laid over.
• Immediate consideration resolutions: 081007–081022 approved, including purchase orders for storm drainage services, limestone, EMT courses, remote control mower, invasive management, and LiDAR scanner.
• Public hearings called: Two for vacation of alleyway at 144 Highland Avenue, scheduled for October 27.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Antoinette Bell (representing Dedicated Dentist Inc.) announced a free dental day on October 10, 2026 at Piccadilly Square, aimed at underserved citizens. She noted that people are dying from septic conditions due to dental issues and urged council and public support.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: Mayor Stimpson proclaimed September 21–25, 2026 as Advanced Practice Provider Week, recognizing USA Health's APPs. McKenzie Roberts (nurse practitioner) accepted. Also proclaimed September 24, 2026 as Mercy Day, recognizing Mercy Life of Alabama's PACE program. Catherine Overton (Executive Director) accepted.
• Public Hearings: Two public hearings were opened and closed with no speakers: (1) modification of a PUD at multiple Mobile Infirmary addresses; (2) rezoning at Westside of Wynaker Ave from R1 to R2.
• Budget Amendments: Multiple amendments to the FY2027 general budget were debated and voted on:
  • Councilmember Penn: Reduced Mobile Arena operations by $400,000 and increased Port City Classic performance contract by $400,000. Passed 6-1 (Reynolds opposed, calling it an "error" and noting state funding).
  • Councilmember Penn: Reduced Mobile Arena by $100,000 and increased Parks & Recreation public service events from $630,224 to $730,224. Passed (Reynolds opposed, citing unnecessary spending).
  • Councilmember Woods: Reduced Mobile Arena by $400,000 and increased Library account from $7.5M to $7.9M. Passed 6-1 (Reynolds opposed).
  • Councilmember Runnels: Moved remaining $600,000 in Mobile Arena operations back to reduce the unallocated fund balance transfer. Passed (Woods supported; noted this was the first budget from the new administration and expressed concerns about future economic correction).
  • Councilmember Woods: Renamed line item "Nuisance Abatement - Building Demolitions" to "Nuisance Abatement - Secure, Demolition and Debris Removal." Passed unanimously.
• Budget Discussion: Councilmembers Reynolds, Woods, Ingram, Penn, Gregory, and President Small made remarks. Reynolds called for a "true blue evaluation" of performance contracts ($8.7M total). Ingram emphasized evaluating contracts for stewardship and full budget execution. Penn highlighted quality-of-life events. The budget was passed as amended (unanimous final vote).
• Resolution 01922: Authorized agreement with MERT artists for construction of a Mardi Gras float. Passed 5-2 (Reynolds and Woods opposed). Councilmember Runnels spoke in favor, citing the economic impact of Mardi Gras and the need to "graduate from a box cart."

Key Outcomes

• FY2027 Budget passed as amended: Final vote was unanimous. The budget includes $135 million for public safety, $4 million per district for capital improvements, a raise for employees starting in April, and $3.8 million transferred from unallocated fund balance to capital fund (reduced by $600,000 via Runnels amendment). Performance contracts total $8.7M; council directed administration to begin a comprehensive evaluation.
• Mardi Gras float contract approved (5-2).
• Announcements:
  • Councilmember Runnels: District 4 community meeting Sept. 29; Cypress Creek Golf Course opens Sept. 23.
  • Councilmember Penn: Attended conference in DC with Visit Mobile; reported on safe passage program community meeting Sept. 29; condolences for Chef Douglas and Brandon Schutz.
  • Councilmember Ingram: Attended DC conference; announced campground bottom community meeting and Africa Town tent revival.
  • President Small: Noted DC conference success and upcoming planner visit to Mobile.
  • Mayor Stimpson: Thanked council for budget passage; recognized budget team (James Barber, Logan Guew, Donna, Lee).
  • Councilmember Reynolds: Recognized Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce TALL program students present; public safety committee meeting rescheduled to 2:30 p.m.
• Meeting adjourned.