Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

The Tuscaloosa City Council held its regular meeting on August 19, 2025. Key actions included recognizing the local gospel group Men of Praise for winning a Stellar Award, granting 90-day extensions on the demolition of three properties, approving a zoning text amendment related to townhouses, and authorizing multiple special event retail liquor licenses. A citizen raised concerns about a railroad crossing closure. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Mayor Walt Maddox and the City Council honored Men of Praise, a Tuscaloosa-based gospel group formed in 2007, for winning the Quartet of the Year award at the 40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on August 16, 2025, for their album Live in the Red. Councilmember Lanier sponsored the proclamation. Group members (Pastor Anthony Moore, Brandon — trail lead, and another speaker) thanked the council and noted the album is available on digital platforms. The group is the first quartet from Alabama to win this award.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
• Items A through I on the consent agenda were adopted unanimously. (Specific items were not detailed in the transcript, but typically include routine approvals.)

Public Comments and Testimony

Agenda Item: 3209 7th Street Demolition

• The property owner (unnamed) of 3209 7th Street requested 90 additional days to complete repairs, stating he has added roofing and begun painting. The owner has 46 housing code violations. Councilmember Williams recommended 90 days, and the council voted to table demolition for 90 days.

Agenda Item: 2646 25th Street Demolition

• Donna Thomas, a resident of the property and heir, and Carmen Thomas (another heir) spoke against demolition. Donna Thomas stated she lives in the home and has made repairs (fixed water leak, added siding) except for one window needing 30 days. She noted the property is owned collectively by seven heirs though paperwork was filed under one sibling. Council asked about utilities (water/electric on). Councilmember Williams motioned for 90 days; the council voted to table demolition for 90 days.

Agenda Item: 2531 26th Street Demolition

• Carolyn Craig (speaking as Sterling Scott), the tenant of 2531 26th Street, requested 90 days to complete repairs, stating she has paid a portion of the work to the owner who promised to fix it. The property has 48 housing code violations. Council voted to table demolition for 90 days.

Citizen Comments (Non-Agenda)

• Stanford Kelly (resident near the railroad at 16th Street and T.Y. Roger Jr. Avenue) complained that the railroad company tore up the road, laid new cross ties and rails, and left asphalt in the middle of the road, blocking public access. He asked the city to intervene. Councilmember Eatman responded that railroad matters are under federal jurisdiction and the city must balance safety and convenience, noting that he has spoken to public safety about the crossing. City Attorney Holmes explained that the city's authority depends on easements. Mr. Kelly expressed frustration that the railroad can close roads without city consent.

Discussion Items

Zoning Text Amendment No. 16

• Planning and Development staff member Mr. Ponds presented a text amendment to correct a zoning ordinance error that inadvertently changed townhouse unit width requirements from unit-based to lot-based. The amendment also moves cementitious siding (e.g., HardiePlank) from accent to primary material status and adds missing footnotes. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. The council voted unanimously to adopt the amendment.

Special Event Retail Liquor Licenses (Less than 7 days)

• The council approved several applications after hearing from the police department (no objections) and applicants:
  • Levy Premium Food Service Limited Partnership (application 25-043) for premises at Bryant-Denny Stadium Champions Lane, 920 Paul W. Bryant Drive Lawn A. Applicant Mr. Tesh stated this is the third year for the event.
  • Downtown Entertainment LOC (applications 25-044 and 25-044A) for multiple University Boulevard addresses. Applicant Brandon Hanks answered questions.
  • Party Down LLC (application 25-045) for Capstone Alumni Tailgate at 282 University Boulevard. Applicant Lauren Shoemaker stated it is for game day alumni events.
• All licenses were approved unanimously.

Other Resolutions and Ordinances o- Real estate sales contract with Graham and Emily Limbaugh (approved)

• Contract with Warren Averett (audit/consulting)
• Stop-loss health insurance from HighMark for FY26
• Amendment No. 2 to professional services agreement with David Architects
• Contract with Duncan Coker Associates, PC
• Minor public works contracts with Amison and Associates, PCI Technologies, Browning Masonry Company, Building Specialties Company, Druid Glass Construction
• Contact for professional services with 1220 Exhibits Inc.
• Professional services contract with Turner Townsend Heary
• Memorandum of Understanding with TCC Acquisition Partners LLC
• Extension of helicopter insurance with Westchester Fire Insurance Company
• Contract with Electric Motor Sales and Service Inc. (bid law exemption)
• Renewal of Riverwalk River Market site license agreement with U.S. Army
• Condemnation proceedings for Patent Lake Park Proyect
• Amendment No. 7 to water/sewer reserve fund budget
• Amendment No. 15 to FY2025 General Fund budget
• Adding Section 10-13 to the Tuscaloosa Code
• Authoriation of $73,965,000 General Obligation Warrants, Series 2025 (required three votes)
• Payment of bills
• All items were approved unanimuosly.

Key Outcomes

• Demolition extensions: Three properties (3209 7th St., 2646 25th St., 2531 26th St.) were granted 90-day deferrals of demoltion, unanimoulsly.
• Zoning Text Amendment No. 16 adopted unanimioulsly.
• pecial event retail liquior licences (4 applications) approved unanimolusly.
• Multiple contracts and resoutions approved unanimioulsly, including real eestate sale, audit servies, insurance, variuos public works contrats, professial servies, MOU, condemnatin authrization, budget amedments, code amendent, and $73.965M bond issuance.
• Citizen cncern: Raiload crossig isue referrd to Councilmber Eatman for folow-up; no imediate ation taken.