Pelham City Council Regular Meeting: April 23, 2026

The Pelham City Council held its regular meeting on April 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers of Pelham City Hall. The meeting included unanimous approval of the consent agenda, a proclamation of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, recognition of Lieutenant Steve Johnson after 25 years of service with the Pelham Police Department, a police department presentation on new initiatives including a youth academy and recruiting videos, two public hearings (Chandalar Court condemnation and Siegel Select Birmingham II business license revocation), approval of a special events ABC license for Margarita Grill, and public comments from community members and a county office candidate.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the April 23, 2026 agenda and the April 9, 2026 regular meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-04-23-01: Approved a final change order for the Greenway Trail Phase IV Surfacing Project, which was completed under budget.
• Resolution 2026-04-23-02: Authorized an agreement with Gresham Smith for on-call traffic engineering and signal operation services, budgeted for FY2026.
• Resolution 2026-04-23-03: Repealed and replaced Resolution 2021-02-15-05, which established the City of Pelham Water Bill Adjustment Policy.
• Resolution 2026-04-23-04: Granted exclusive wall space at the Pelham Civic Complex to the Pelham B.E.A.T.
• Resolution 2026-04-23-05: Authorized an FY2026 budget amendment to fund certain capital projects.
• Ordinance 529: Declared an empty panel space on City-owned signage at the corner of U.S. Highway 31 and Amphitheater Road as surplus real property (second reading; first reading was on April 9, 2026).
• Motion by Councilwoman Powers, second by Councilman Harris. Passed unanimously (4-0).

Proclamations

• Mayor Rickwash proclaimed April 2026 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Pelham, Alabama. Representatives of The Owen House were present to receive the proclamation.

Discussion Items

Mayor's Report

• Mayor Rickwash reported on the 5K and Home Run Derby held the previous weekend for first responders. Former Mayor Gary Waters received the first Hometown Hero award ever given in the city. The event was co-hosted by Pelham Strong. The Pelham Police Department won the Home Run Derby for the first time since the event started.

City Manager Report – Police Department Presentation

• City Manager Gretchen recognized the retirement of Lieutenant Steve Johnson after 25 years of service with the Pelham Police Department. She thanked him for his leadership during periods of organizational change.
• Chief Delmore presented a timeline of Johnson's career: joined Pelham PD in 2001, assigned to patrol; joined the Evidence Technician Unit in 2004; selected as a canine handler partnered with narcotics detection dog Bizy (B I Z Y) in 2011; promoted to sergeant in 2013, serving as patrol supervisor while overseeing evidence and canine units; attended canine instructor training in 2021; assigned an explosives detection canine named Bagera (Biggie) for the 2022 World Games; promoted to lieutenant in 2023. Johnson retires at the end of April 2026.
• Chief Delmore announced the new Criminal Enforcement Award (ACE Award) program, which rewards officers who make self-initiated felony arrests. One officer, Officer Trailer, has already received the award after making 10 self-initiated felony arrests. Several other officers are close to earning the award.
• Chief Delmore announced the first ever Pelham Police Department Youth Academy, scheduled for June 8–12, 2026. Sergeant Aleana will lead the program, assisted by Bob Brandkamp, who created the first youth academy in Fairview Heights, Illinois 50 years ago and taught Chief Delmore when he was a student in that academy. Registration opens the first week of May 2026. The academy will give youth experience in police procedures including report-taking, investigations, and presenting cases to a prosecutor, with guest speaker Samien Castillo, a local business owner.
• Chief Delmore presented recruiting videos targeting both new recruits and experienced officers. The videos showcase Pelham's quality of life, state-of-the-art equipment, canine units, comprehensive training, tier-one benefits (including take-home vehicles, advanced drone technology), and community support. Recruitment targets include Birmingham, Montgomery, Nashville, and St. Louis metropolitan areas. One candidate from St. Louis was scheduled to test the following day.

Public Hearings

Public Hearing 1: Condemnation of Buildings on Chandalar Court

• Building Official Levis Peters explained that the Chandalar Court townhomes were damaged by a flood in October 2021 and by a fire in November 2023 that extensively damaged three of four units. The buildings are located in a floodway, requiring any reconstruction to be elevated one foot above the floodplain. The State Attorney General determined that all four units—including the end unit with only smoke damage—must be demolished because they share a common structure.
• Eddie McLean (resident, 1900 Chandalar Court, HOA president) spoke in favor of condemnation. He raised questions about demolition logistics, utility impacts (water, electricity, gas), street damage to the private road, and contractor qualifications. He described the emotional toll on residents, including a resident who committed suicide after receiving only $11,800 from insurance for her unit, and frustration that the community was blamed for delays that were beyond their control.
• City Manager responded that a professional contractor will handle demolition, utilities will be capped with proactive communication to residents, the street will be repaired as needed, and the site will be seeded for grass. No vote on condemnation was taken at this meeting.

Public Hearing 2: Revocation of Business License – Siegel Select Birmingham II (1902 Highway 31 South)

• City Attorney, Assistant City Manager Justin Smith, and Finance Director Jamie Wagner presented evidence that the business was operating as a residential facility while licensed as a hotel/motel (NAICS code 72111). The B-2 General Business District zoning does not permit residential use, and a residential license could not be obtained due to zoning restrictions.
• Key evidence presented included: marketing materials on Siegel's website referring to "apartments," "a place to call home," and "weekly apartment, monthly stay" (Exhibits C and D); advertisements in the apartments/housing section of Craigslist posted approximately twice daily for years (Exhibit E); payment records showing 62% of guests present over 180 consecutive days as of March 2025, accounting for 68% of total revenue; average stay length of approximately 1,137 days (~3 years) with a maximum of 5,191 days (~14 years); and more than 30 occupants billed on monthly or bi-weekly schedules rather than daily or weekly, consistent with residential tenancy under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act rather than transient hotel occupancy.
• Jeff Price, attorney for Siegel Select, argued that the city code does not define "apartment," that his clients had not offered leases exceeding 180 days in compliance with the extended stay facility ordinance, that Craigslist lacks an extended-stay category. He submitted exhibits. He also noted the business provides a needed service to vulnerable populations.
• Five residents spoke in support of keeping the facility open:
  • Elizabeth Ann Meadows White (Room 118) argued the revocation is motivated by money.
  • Darla (resident, present over 180 days) described fleeing 14 years of domestic violence and finding a safe, healing environment. She stated she has never been presented with a lease, and the staff provides resource pamphlets for food, clothing, and counseling. She noted that the Pelham Police drive through and wave to residents.
  • Katie Pandolphy (lives and works at Siegel Select) said "apartment-style" differs from "apartment" and argued that displacing residents would leave them homeless. She stated she would be living in a car without this facility.
  • Jason Wingard (Room 414) described the facility as quiet, safe, well-managed, and responsive to maintenance requests.
  • Charles McPherson Jr. (Room 114) discussed his PTSD and the stress of potential displacement, and questioned why the city targets Siegel Select over other hotels in the area.
• No vote on revocation was taken at this meeting.

New Business

• Resolution 2026-04-23-06: Approved an ABC Special Events Retail License (140) for Margarita Grill LLC (234 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124) for a Cinco de Mayo 2026 celebration. Jesus, the restaurant's representative, has held this annual event for approximately 20 years. The resolution was approved unanimously (4-0) on a motion by Councilman Towns, seconded by Councilman Harris.

Public Comments

• Tom Robinson (572 Cahaba Manor Drive) thanked the council, city staff, and first responders for their professional response to an incident in Cahaba Valley Estates, noting early morning training and support.
• Jacob Tidmore (176 Highway 61, Columbiana) introduced himself as the Shelby County Property Tax Commissioner, appointed after the death of Commissioner Don Armstrong. He highlighted 9 years of experience in the office, Alabama Certified Appraiser designations in residential and commercial property, $9.3 million abstracted to the City of Pelham and $9.3 million to Pelham City Schools in the prior year, $150 million abstracted to schools countywide, and transparency initiatives including a transparency tab on the county website and a sales comparable data tool—both firsts statewide. He requested support in the May 19, 2026 election.

Council Comments

• Councilwoman Powers thanked The Owen House for their work with schools, expressed excitement about the Youth Academy, reported participating in the 5K, and congratulated Lieutenant Steve Johnson on his 25 years of service.
• Councilman Towns thanked the public for coming and speaking their minds, acknowledging the weight of the issues.
• Council President Snowden (filling in for Chad Leverett) thanked the public for their participation, emphasized that council members are active listeners who take input under consideration, stated that decisions are made with prayer and guidance, and assured the public that the council's interest is in doing what is best for the city.
• Councilman Harris thanked Jesus of Margarita Grill for doing business in Pelham, wished Jacob Tidmore luck, expressed support for the Youth Academy, and offered to assist with baseball training.

Public Announcements

• A special called work session of the Pelham City Council will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers for interviews for the Pelham Board of Education, Place No. 3.
• A public hearing will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers to consider whether the City of Pelham will assume ownership and maintenance of privately owned sewer lift stations in the Holland Lakes Subdivision, with costs paid by special assessment of property owners.
• The spring shred and electronic recycling event, hosted by Secure Shredding & Recycling and the City of Pelham, is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in front of City Hall (3162 Pelham Parkway). Details are available at pelhamalabama.gov.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4-0), including seven items for routine approvals, contracts, and a budget amendment.
• Chandalar Court Condemnation: Public hearing held. City Manager committed to professional demolition, utility management, and site seeding. No vote on condemnation was taken at this meeting; the hearing was for public input.
• Siegel Select Business License Revocation: Public hearing held with extensive testimony from city staff, the licensee's attorney, and five residents. No vote on revocation was taken at this meeting; the hearing was for public input.
• Margarita Grill ABC License: Approved unanimously (4-0) for the Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5, 2026.
• Police Department Initiatives: New Criminal Enforcement Award program announced with Officer Trailer as first recipient. Youth Academy scheduled for June 8-12, 2026. New recruiting videos targeting multiple metro areas deployed online. Lieutenant Steve Johnson's retirement effective end of April 2026.