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Record of Proceedings

Pelham City Council Meeting - May 7, 2026

City Council — Thursday, May 7, 2026
BodyPelham, Alabama
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, May 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

1:30

Jean, are we ready?

1:45

Okay.

1:46

I will call this meeting to order.

1:49

We will be led in an invocation by Councilwoman Towns.

1:52

Following that, we'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Power.

Speaker 2

2:01

Almighty God, God of Heavens Armies, we just come to you tonight, Lord God, and we thank you for your presence.

2:06

We invite your presence here, Lord, and we just ask that you would guide our hands, that you would bless them, that we would do your will, Lord.

2:15

We pray for the city of Pelham for all the officials, all the city workers, Father God, our first responders, Father God, our police officers and our emergency services firemen.

2:24

We pray, Father God, that you would be in this meeting today.

2:27

And we thank you for your presence and we bless your name in Jesus' name.

2:32

Amen.

Speaker 3

2:59

So no to Mr.

3:00

President, and you do have a quorum, sir.

Speaker 1

3:02

First on the agenda is the consent agenda, which consists of the approval of the May 7, 2026 City Council agenda, approval of the April 23rd, 2026 regular council meeting minutes.

3:14

Resolution number 2026 zero five zero seven zero one through zero five.

3:21

The complete text of the agenda minutes ordinances and resolutions

Unassigned speaker

3:25

are

Speaker 1

3:25

available at Pellham City Hall and online at Pellham Alabama.gov.

3:29

I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda.

3:32

Motion to approve.

Speaker 3

3:48

Yes.

Unassigned speaker

3:49

And

Speaker 1

3:49

the consent agenda passes unanimously.

3:52

That leads us into the mayor's report.

Unassigned speaker

3:56

I

Speaker 4

3:56

have no comments tonight.

Speaker 1

3:58

That leads us into the city manager's report.

Speaker 5

4:01

Thank you, Council President.

4:02

First of all, I just wanted to, in case you didn't anybody did not realize.

5:01

Last summer we hosted a charrette to gather ideas and help shape a vision for that site.

5:07

That input directly informed the RFQ, the request for qualifications that was issued in September 2025, inviting experienced development teams to submit proposals for the property.

5:18

I want to highlight here that the charrette defined what the people wanted, the vision that the city would have for the property.

5:29

It also defined the development priorities.

5:33

So all of that information was certainly for naught.

5:36

All of that information is going into when the when the council got ready to hear some of the finalists.

5:45

Now, I understand that we did say that we would have these proposals in public.

5:51

What happened was several of the developers had proprietary projects that they wanted to recommend.

6:01

In this case, certainly with their request to not share these in public, we respected that.

6:09

These are not small inexpensive projects, these are very large and expensive projects.

6:15

So the fact that they were proprietary, we certainly wanted to honor.

6:20

And that is why the presentations for the finalists were made to the city council.

6:26

It's the sell has to deal with the sale of city property, so we can certainly have that in executive session, which is what we did.

6:33

They did not sit in on each other's presentations.

6:36

They were one-on-one.

6:38

So we did that, and then council did choose a development partner to enter into the next phase with.

6:46

But let's talk about that next phase just briefly.

6:49

We're going through the negotiation of a memorandum of understanding because these proprietary projects are expensive.

6:58

Some of them have to do the uh they're close or in a floodplain or floodway.

7:04

So there's a lot of work, even federal government, um, Army Corps of Engineers, entities like that that we need to work with.

7:14

So we are in the MOU stage working with a development partner.

7:21

And and let me stress, this is not about what specifically is going to go there.

7:27

This is about can the developer deliver upon what that particular developer wants to do to make the vision come alive.

7:38

So we want to verify that before we move forward.

7:41

And that's the stage that we're in right now.

7:44

So that is a hundred and eighty-day stage, ensuring that all of the studies that need to be done, and also the cities, the city's participation in those studies is well defined and that we know that we're moving forward, not with a design that is a wish, but a design with some pretty great elements that is doable and sustainable.

8:13

So that's where we are right now.

8:16

Um I think it's also important to note that that the focus has been on selecting the right partner, which is very important, looking at their past projects, looking at the individuals that they've done those projects for, that they've done those projects with, what is their success.

8:34

So we're not locking in, I want to reiterate again a final concept.

8:38

We are we are looking at the detailed feasibility work and plans often do change at that stage.

8:46

So I think that's important.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████████████████26%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Veterans Affairs██████████████14%
Economic Development██████████10%
Homelessness████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Pelham City Council Meeting - May 7, 2026

The Pelham City Council met on May 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The agenda included consent agenda approvals, a city manager's report on development and federal grants, a public hearing on sewer lift stations in Holland Lakes, three new business resolutions (school board appointment, building condemnation, business license revocation), and public comments. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda and Minutes: Approved the May 7, 2026 agenda and the April 23, 2026 regular council meeting minutes.
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-01: Authorized an agreement with Engineering Design Group, LLC for survey services related to the Indian Crest Waterline Extension and Backup Project (budgeted for FY2026).
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-02: Authorized a lighting services agreement with Alabama Power Company for streetlights in Silver Ridge Subdivision Phases 1a and 2a.
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-03: Authorized an agreement with Skipper Consulting, Inc. for traffic signal design and intersection improvements at CR-11 and Grey Oaks Parkway (budgeted for FY2026).
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-04: Accepted the annual Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) Program Report.
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-05: Authorized an engagement agreement with Copperwing Design, LLC for 2026 Summer Marketing Support (budgeted for FY2026).

City Manager's Report

  • Downtown Development Update: The city manager reported that a charrette held in summer 2025 gathered public input to shape a vision for city-owned property. Following an RFQ issued in September 2025, development teams submitted proposals. Finalists gave proprietary presentations to the council in executive session. The council selected a development partner, and the city is now in a 180-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) phase to verify feasibility, including studies related to floodplains, Army Corps of Engineers requirements, and other federal agencies. The city manager emphasized that no final concept has been locked in and that this stage ensures deliverability.
  • FRA Grant: The city manager noted that federal direction had been delayed for about two years, but the city met all deadlines. The city recently received praise from the Federal Railroad Administration for responsiveness and quality of work. Progress continues.
  • General Comments: The city manager reminded the public that the city must act when violations of ordinances are brought to its attention, even if a situation has existed for years.

Public Hearing: Holland Lakes Subdivision Sewer Lift Stations

  • The council recessed for a public hearing to consider assuming ownership and maintenance of two privately owned sewer lift stations in Holland Lakes, with costs to be paid by special assessment on the 160 property owners.
  • Background: The assistant city manager explained that the two lift stations are costly for the HOA to maintain. After a process similar to the Eagle Cove neighborhood, the HOA requested city takeover. Bids would be solicited for upgrades. The estimated cost is $647,000 total, approximately $4,000 per property (or $400/year for 10 years). A lien would be placed; payment can be made in a lump sum or over 10 equal installments.
  • HOA President Support: Kyle Lobson (HOA president) spoke in favor, noting that maintenance costs (about $50,000 in 2025) have strained the HOA budget and prevented improvements to amenities.
  • Objection: Beth Blackburn (Creekside Lane) spoke against the assessment due to concerns about potential cost overruns and not wanting a lien on her property. She acknowledged the need for the work.
  • No other objections or testimony was offered in opposition or support. The hearing was closed, and the council meeting resumed.

Resolutions and New Business

  • Resolution 2026-05-07-06: Appointed Robert Plummer to the Pelham Board of Education, Place No. 3. Council members thanked all applicants and noted Plummer's prior service. Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-07: Condemned substantially damaged buildings located along Chandalar Court. Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-08: Revoked the business license for the property at 1902 Highway 31 South, currently operating as Siegel Select Birmingham II. Passed unanimously. Several residents and a representative of the property spoke in public comments (see below) urging the council to reconsider or communicate further.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jeremy Brewster (resident at Siegel Select): Described the facility as a blessing, providing a safe place to live while he studies data analytics/cybersecurity. Expressed support for keeping the business open.
  • Michael Wallace (Holland Lakes resident): Supported the city taking over lift stations but asked that the council obtain multiple bids for the work and provide 30-day notice if costs change.
  • Laura Couture (Grey Oaks Court): Thanked the council for passing the resolution for traffic signal design at CR-11 and Grey Oaks Parkway, citing long-standing safety concerns.
  • Robert Grady (Siegel Select resident, room 122): Praised the facility as professional and clean, and expressed desire to continue living there.
  • Denise Garcia (representing the Siegel group): Asked the council to open communication with ownership to find an amicable path forward, noting guests are scared and need more information.
  • Darla (Siegel Select resident): Argued the facility benefits the community by serving elderly, disabled, and domestic violence victims; encouraged the city to be proud of having such a place.
  • Mark Wilson (candidate for Shelby County District Court): Introduced himself and his qualifications, asking for votes in the May 19 election.
  • Jason Wingard (Siegel Select resident): Thanked the council and police/fire departments for maintaining safety, and expressed hope for a positive decision.
  • Jay Wellbourne (candidate for Shelby County District Court): Outlined his experience and commitment to fairness, dignity, and accountability if elected.

Council Comments and Announcements

  • Council members thanked the public for attending and speaking. They emphasized the part-time but demanding nature of the role, the importance of fact-based information, and encouraged voting in the May 19 election.
  • Public Announcements:
    • Spring shred and electronic recycling event: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at City Hall (3162 Pelham Parkway).
    • Annual Pelham Palooza: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Pelham City Park. Free event with artisans, live music, food trucks, and family activities.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing: No action taken; hearing concluded (future action on sewer lift station assessment pending further proceedings).
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-06: Approved unanimously to appoint Robert Plummer to the Board of Education.
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-07: Approved unanimously to condemn buildings on Chandalar Court.
  • Resolution 2026-05-07-08: Approved unanimously to revoke the business license for Siegel Select Birmingham II (1902 Highway 31 South).
  • Public Comments: Received and noted.
  • Meeting Adjourned: Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Jean, are we ready? Okay. I will call this meeting to order. We will be led in an invocation by Councilwoman Towns. Following that, we'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Power. Almighty God, God of Heavens Armies, we just come to you tonight, Lord God, and we thank you for your presence. We invite your presence here, Lord, and we just ask that you would guide our hands, that you would bless them, that we would do your will, Lord. We pray for the city of Pelham for all the officials, all the city workers, Father God, our first responders, Father God, our police officers and our emergency services firemen. We pray, Father God, that you would be in this meeting today. And we thank you for your presence and we bless your name in Jesus' name. Amen. So no to Mr. President, and you do have a quorum, sir. First on the agenda is the consent agenda, which consists of the approval of the May 7, 2026 City Council agenda, approval of the April 23rd, 2026 regular council meeting minutes. Resolution number 2026 zero five zero seven zero one through zero five. The complete text of the agenda minutes ordinances and resolutions are available at Pellham City Hall and online at Pellham Alabama.gov. I'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. Motion to approve. Yes. And the consent agenda passes unanimously. That leads us into the mayor's report. I have no comments tonight. That leads us into the city manager's report. Thank you, Council President. First of all, I just wanted to, in case you didn't anybody did not realize. Last summer we hosted a charrette to gather ideas and help shape a vision for that site. That input directly informed the RFQ, the request for qualifications that was issued in September 2025, inviting experienced development teams to submit proposals for the property. I want to highlight here that the charrette defined what the people wanted, the vision that the city would have for the property. It also defined the development priorities. So all of that information was certainly for naught. All of that information is going into when the when the council got ready to hear some of the finalists. Now, I understand that we did say that we would have these proposals in public. What happened was several of the developers had proprietary projects that they wanted to recommend. In this case, certainly with their request to not share these in public, we respected that. These are not small inexpensive projects, these are very large and expensive projects. So the fact that they were proprietary, we certainly wanted to honor. And that is why the presentations for the finalists were made to the city council. It's the sell has to deal with the sale of city property, so we can certainly have that in executive session, which is what we did. They did not sit in on each other's presentations. They were one-on-one. So we did that, and then council did choose a development partner to enter into the next phase with. But let's talk about that next phase just briefly. We're going through the negotiation of a memorandum of understanding because these proprietary projects are expensive. Some of them have to do the uh they're close or in a floodplain or floodway. So there's a lot of work, even federal government, um, Army Corps of Engineers, entities like that that we need to work with. So we are in the MOU stage working with a development partner.

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