Tuscaloosa City Council Committee Meeting - August 5, 2025
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Tuscaloosa City Council Committee Meeting - August 5, 2025
The committee met on August 5, 2025, to discuss several personnel classifications and an ABC license application. Key items included the approval of two new or revised director positions in the Water and Sewer Department, a contested special retail liquor license for a venue on University Boulevard, and a proposal to create an Executive Director of Public Safety position. All items were passed out of committee, though the public safety position generated significant debate over timing and scope.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the previous meeting were unanimously approved.
Personnel Classifications
- Water and Sewer Director of Business Operations: The committee approved revisions to an existing utility services director classification, changing the title to better integrate customer service, financials, and building operations under one director. The position will fill an existing vacancy. (Motion carried unanimously.)
- Linear Assets Director: A new classification was approved without immediate funding. This director will oversee the meter, collections, and distribution divisions, completing the top management structure for the Water and Sewer Department. Funding will be requested in the FY26 budget, with a target posting date of October 1, 2025. (Motion carried unanimously.)
ABC License Application
- Two Guys Bring You LLC – 1307 University Boulevard: The applicant originally sought a private club license but was asked to apply for a special retail liquor license instead, as recommended by the ABC Board. The venue has a fire marshal capacity of 1,499–1,500. Police Chief Blankwood expressed concerns about private parties and the large number of patrons (potentially 1,500) in an area already dense with bars. The applicant stated the higher capacity is necessary to attract national acts, and they have already booked 20 national acts. Councilmember Busby reiterated his earlier opposition, citing safety concerns and the recent approval of another bar nearby (adding 240–250 patrons). Other committee members noted the operators' strong record at Rounders. The motion to approve passed with a majority vote.
Public Safety Executive Director
- Executive Director of Public Safety Job Classification: The committee debated a proposal to create an executive director who would oversee the police department, fire department, emergency management, municipal security, and event planning. The position would be a direct report to the mayor and would have a pay grade of PF8 (step 1: $144,260.20; step 9: $175,701.25; step 15: $203,759.59). Supporters argued the role would improve coordination across public safety entities in a changing threat environment, while opponents (including Councilmember Busby) urged a slower approach, citing the need to study similar models in Auburn and Mobile before committing to a significant organizational change. Councilmember Williams noted the city has over 50 major events and millions of visitors annually, justifying enhanced coordination. The mayor indicated the position could be cost-neutral by repurposing existing budget resources. A motion to move the item forward passed 5–0, sending it to the finance committee for further discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Approved revised Water and Sewer Director of Business Operations classification.
- Approved Linear Assets Director classification (unfunded, to be requested in FY26).
- Approved special retail liquor license for Two Guys Bring You LLC (1307 University Boulevard).
- Approved moving the Executive Director of Public Safety job classification to the finance committee with a 5–0 vote.
Meeting Transcript
I would ship a motion. Some of it. All in favor? The minutes are accepted. All right. Ms. Michael, are you gonna do this one? I've got confused when y'all give it to that. Um, so this first item is to we want to use the existing utility services director classification. We've made some changes to the classification. Um we're changing the job title, and so the job title and address the responsibilities to it. And so basically, this is um a position that was here prior to the water and sewer department being back together. So it's uh we want to use this classification for an existing vacancy that we have. So the new title is uh water and sewer director of business operations, and so this position will actually marry the customer service side of the house with the overall financials and the building side of the house. And previously, um when we started the water and sewer department, they were separate directors, and so this is gonna be putting it kind of under one so they all kind of answer together instead of trying to separate those two features or those two functions of the department, which really aren't able to separate them. Sure. Any questions? No. Second, all in favor. Thank you. Can you do it in the next one? Yes. Okay. All right. The second one is um, this is a new classification, and we're not requesting to fund it right now. This will be part of our um FY26 request um when that comes to you. Um, but so this particular position is the linear assets director. And so when we put the water and sewer department back together, this was always from the water and sewer side perspective, always identified in the way that the order truck is written. We just haven't had an opportunity to fund it yet. And so uh this was essentially an existing position prior to the water and sewer department coming together, but when we were creating the water and sewer department, we use that particular job to fund other parts of it, and so this is the only director position. So this particular director will complete our top management structure in the water and sewer department, and so it will be over the the meter division, um, the the meter division, the collections division, and the distribution division. When you say you're not ready to fill this position yet, what's the plan to do that? So we're we want to go ahead and get the job classification approved, um, and then I'll be requesting to fund it in FY26. So when the budget is presented to y'all and adopted, my my goal would be that we post it October 1. So funded just yet. This is a job that'll have to be advertised. Yes, sir. Yes. Any other questions? No. Some emotion, second. All in favor? Thank you. Thank you. All right. Mr. Mill. Yeah, uh, what application days? Two guys bring you LLC DA two guys, don't you apply for special retail boarding calling days for approval approved in May uh for different license, um, but they were asked to change the type of license they're applying for. Um located 1307 versus Boulevard.
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