Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting - September 23, 2025
Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting - September 23, 2025
The Tuscaloosa City Council met on September 23, 2025, at approximately 10 PM. The meeting included proclamations, public hearings, consent agenda, resolutions, and ordinances. All votes were unanimous.
Proclamations & Presentations
- Fire Department Equipment Donation: Chief Markdale announced a donation from New Core Steel valued at over $50,000, including a truck and safety equipment (fresh batteries, battery-powered tools) that can be used citywide. Representatives Chris Brubeck and Julie Prijan attended. Lieutenants Adam Kisner, apparatus operator Course Caden, and Trace Hannah (new paramedic) were recognized.
- Greek Council Cleanup: Councilor Busby reported that the Interfraternity Council (IFC) at the University of Alabama organized a community cleanup. IFC President Max Brown (senior from Louisville) stated that over 350 volunteers from all four major Greek councils collected over 600 pounds of trash in the community. Environmental Services Director Chris Reggie noted the large scale of the effort.
Consent Calendar
- Motion to approve the consent agenda (items A through D) was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No citizens spoke for or against any item.
Public Hearings
- Zoning Amendment No. 17 (5.52 acres at 3910 Foster's Ferry Road): Bradley Wyatt petitioned to rezone from GC to IL to allow a tire sales business and mechanic shop for large vehicles. Planning Commission had not recommended approval at their July 21, 2025 meeting. The rezoning conforms to the corridor commercial framework. Applicant Brad Wyatt (Northport) and engineer Michael McGuire noted the site is on hold pending approval. No public comments. Council voted unanimously to approve. (Good luck was offered.)
- Special Retail License (More Than 30 Days) for Embassy Suites Downtown: Application 25-048 by Crestline Hotels and Resorts for a special retail license (covering the entire property including restaurant, hotel rooms, and market/pantry) at 2410 University Boulevard. Attorney James Pittman represented the applicant, noting it is an existing licensee with no citations. Police had no objections. Approved unanimously.
- Restaurant Retail Liquor License for MX Bar and Grill: Application 25-049 by Broadway BMLM LLC for a restaurant retail license at 1817 University Boulevard, with hours closed Sundays, Mon-Wed 11am-10pm, Thu-Sat 11am-11pm. Owner Joseph Monts and General Manager Anna Hernandez (both Tuscaloosa) attended. Police had no objections. Council noted the establishment is already open. Approved unanimously.
- Special Events Retail License (Less Than 7 Days) for Halloween Party: Application 25-051 by Downtown Social LLC for a Halloween party at 416 University Boulevard. Applicant Taylor Wright (Tuscaloosa) and her father Bill Wright explained security and insurance protocols. A council member asked about insurance deconfliction with non-alcoholic houses and was satisfied with the permissive use process through the university and ABC. Approved unanimously.
Resolutions (All Approved Unanimously)
- Authorized a funding agreement with PARA.
- Authorized disbursement from District 6 improvement funds for Crossroad Churches Angel Tree Ministry.
- Authorized professional services contracts with WVUA 23, Jones Media Productions, and DTPM Incorporated.
- Authorized a minor public works contract with Thompson Tractor Company.
- Authorized renewal of the city engineer's professional liability insurance coverage.
- Authorized binding coverage and payment of premium for police and fire supplemental pension insurance for fiscal year 2026.
- Authorized submission of a grant application to the Appalachian Regional Commission.
- Authorized an airport capital improvement plan pre-application submission.
- Authorized purchase of equipment, supplies, or services from Gray Bar Electric Company.
- Authorized execution of roadway underpass widening agreements with Kansas City Southern Railway Company.
- Approved job class specifications for the Saving Center and for Government Relations and External Affairs.
Ordinances (All Introduced and Adopted Unanimously)
- Introduced Zoning Amendment No. 20 and Zoning Amendment No. 21 (set for adoption on October 21st).
- Substitute ordinance amending Section 541 of the Code of Tuscaloosa adopted.
- Amended Exhibits A and B of Section 1942 regarding Government Relations and External Affairs.
- Amended Exhibits A and B of Section 1942 regarding the Saving Center.
- Granted a non-exclusive franchise agreement to Unity Fiber Golf Code LLC.
Other Business
- The council set October 21st as the date to consider adoption of Zoning Amendments No. 20 and 21.
- Authorized the payment of bills.
- Adjourned with a motion and second.
Key Outcomes
- All items on the agenda passed unanimously (7-0).
- No public comments were made.
- The meeting concluded shortly after 10 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. The Tuscaloo City Council has now come to order. We ask that everyone please stand for a prayer and then remain standing for our pledge of allegiance. Let's bow our heads, please. Dear God, bless our proceedings tonight. Give us the wisdom to know what is just and the strength to do what is right. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the report for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty justice for all. Please be seated. I make the motion. We approve the minutes. Moved and second. We approve the minutes. Voting, Mr. Eatman. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Minutes stand approved. Proclamation savings by Mayor and Council. Tonight we have two really significant announcements. So first we're going to begin with Chief Markdale. Chief, if you would come forward and please address the city council. Good afternoon, Council. Today's a good day for Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue. We have an outside partner with New Core Steel who has decided to make a donation to our department. They had some issues on site and saw a need for upgrading some of their safety equipment. And instead of maintaining that safety equipment and keeping it on site, they decided to help out the entire community donating that to us. So that's on a truck in our in uh councilman Tiner's territory that can be used all over the city and can be the first truck that responds to New Core Steel. So at this time I'd like to call up Chris Brubeck and Julie Prijan from New Core Steel. We've got the new Corps Steel representatives here with us today. Who said who said this whole plan came to fruition when Chris brought it up? He said, Why would we keep that stuff here and not get the use that it needs? Why don't we let the community get the use out of it? And this is a significant donation. Over $50,000 of equipment is here. So with their donation, with their efforts, our city's safer with this equipment here today. So I think it's it's it's definitely without asking. I think it's definitely a round of applause, and if we can get some uh thank you. And if if the council would, can we come up here and get some pictures with with the new core representatives and just see the equipment that was here? The Colonel wants to turn some of this on. Hey, we've got fresh batteries ready to go. And Chief Chief Delk, would you mind introducing our firefighters that are here from station four as well? All right. We have Lieutenant Adam Kisner.
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