OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting – October 7, 2025

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyTuscaloosa, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

Good evening, everyone.

0:12

The Tuscaloous City Council has now come to order.

0:15

We ask that everyone please stand for our prayer and then remain standing for a pledge of allegiance.

0:20

Let's bow our heads, please.

0:22

Dear God, bless our proceedings tonight.

0:24

Give us the wisdom to know what is just and the strength to do what is right.

0:28

Amen.

0:30

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

0:34

And to republicans, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:42

Please be seated.

0:43

Approval of the minutes.

0:47

Second.

0:48

Be moved and second to approve the minutes.

0:50

Voting, Mr.

0:51

Evening.

0:51

Yes.

0:52

Yes.

0:52

Yes.

0:53

Yes.

0:53

Yes.

0:54

Yes.

0:55

Minutes stand approved.

0:56

Proclamation statements by council.

0:58

Any council announcements tonight?

1:01

Yes, Mayor.

1:03

As you stated in pre-council tonight at Steman College, that we are hosting our the city is hosting National Night Out from 4 to 8.

1:11

And tomorrow morning, I would like to remind the community and invite them out to coffee with the cop, which will be a complimentary breakfast with all of our law enforcement officers at Chick-fil-A on Old Greensboro Road.

1:24

So that will be tomorrow morning at Chick-fil-A from 6 a.m.

1:27

to 9 a.m.

1:28

And it is a come and go event, and I look forward to having breakfast with uh TPD, the Sheriff's Department, and the City of Northport.

1:36

Thank you, Ms.

1:37

Howard.

1:37

Any other council announcements?

1:38

Not as exciting, but I'll be back at Jack Saturday morning.

1:42

Thank you, Mr.

1:43

Bell.

1:43

Any other time is Tropell?

1:46

8 30.

1:47

8 30 at Jack's.

1:48

Mayor, I apologize.

1:50

I have a family emergency, so but I am responsible for page 22 to 25 being on the agenda.

1:58

So I'd like to make a motion motion to move that to the top of the agenda so I can be released if that's okay with the council.

2:07

Okay, it's been moved and seconded to move the resolution on page 22 through 25, approving the job classification spec specifications for executive director of public safety.

2:19

Um sorry, I didn't why was that I've got a family emergency I gotta go attend to family emergency.

2:25

So we have a motion and second to move it to the top of the agenda.

2:31

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, the job spec classification is now to be considered by the city council.

2:41

Um clerk.

2:42

This approves job class specifications for the executive director of public safety.

2:46

Submo.

2:47

Second.

2:48

It's been moved and second.

2:50

Any discussion by city council.

2:54

Do we have any agenda item comments by citizens?

2:57

No, sir.

2:58

Okay.

2:58

Voting, Mr.

3:00

Eatman.

3:00

Yes.

3:01

Yes.

3:02

No.

3:05

No.

3:06

Yes.

3:07

Okay, clerk.

3:08

I have a three-three.

3:10

Yes, sir.

3:10

By my count.

3:11

I vote yes.

3:14

Agenda item comments by citizens on any other items.

3:18

No, sir.

3:18

We have no unfinished business consent agenda, clerk.

3:21

This approves items A through E on the consent agenda.

3:24

So move.

3:25

Second.

3:25

It's been moved and second.

3:27

Voting.

3:28

Um Ms.

3:29

Howard.

3:30

Yes.

3:31

Yes.

3:32

Yes.

3:32

Yes.

3:33

Yes.

3:35

Consent agenda is adopted.

3:37

Public hearings, clerk.

3:39

This adopts zoning amendment number 18.

3:42

So move.

3:43

Second.

3:44

It's been moved and second.

3:45

Mr.

3:46

Ponds.

3:49

All right.

3:49

Good evening.

3:52

This is uh rezoning request.

3:55

Ivory Bluff LLC is petitioning to rezone approximately 1.3 acres located at 605 to 617 5th Street Northeast.

4:03

604 to 612 4th Street Northeast.

4:06

And 618 to uh 4th Street Northeast from R to RPD as a riverfront plan development consisting of 20 townhouse lots and one open space lot, and this is in council district five.

4:17

So here's the location of the property, the aerial showing uh what exists today, and the zoning, which is riverfront.

4:27

So the applicant is requesting to rezone from R to RPD to construct a 20-unit town home development.

4:34

Uh this is a town home development that will be comprised of 20 units, three bedrooms each, three stories in height, 17,000 square feet in size.

4:46

Um the units are going to be priced at 579-9 to 79.

4:51

Um the common area will be managed by the owner by an owner's association.

5:00

They plan to have cementitious siding, brick masonry, heavy timber framing.

5:02

Um you can see the Florida floor heights there, um, as well as a nice central courtyard.

5:10

Um, a sidewalk is proposed around the perimeter of the site, and with connections into that proposed courtyard.

5:18

Uh they are required 44 parking spaces, they're providing 48.

5:23

Here is what exists today on the properties, and this is the proposal.

5:30

So moving from the north-south, you can see units 14 through 17 have one car garages, one through four on this on this specific slide, have two car garages.

5:42

You can see that sidewalk along the outskirts, the common area here with the pavilion.

5:49

Um, and then again, just kind of more details on what that might look like, as well as additional parking, and then that south side, which mimics the north.

6:00

This is the rendering of what they're going to look like, um, and then some elevations.

6:07

You can see on the bottom right which buildings these elevations go to.

6:12

Um, so these are the side elevations, and then those one car garage elevations, and then this is uh the pavilion and kind of the um the central area, and then this is the overview of that courtyard area.

6:30

It was unanimously recommended for approval at the August 18th meeting, and I can answer any questions that you might have.

6:36

Any questions to Mr.

6:38

Ponds?

6:39

Thanks.

6:40

Thank you, Mr.

6:40

Pines.

6:41

Is the applicant here?

6:43

If you would please come forward and give your name and address good evening, Mayor Council, Jimmy Duncan with Duncan Coker Associates 201 Town Center Boulevard, uh Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35406.

6:57

Um, you know, the interesting thing about this, if you make a mental note of that before and after, this is a project that we're real excited about.

7:05

This is a you know a very prominent corner, very prominent intersection of Tuscaloosa that needs a facelift.

7:11

Um we think this is just the one to do it.

7:13

Uh and as a sidebar, Zach's team with this new uh this is the first RPD that's come before this body.

7:20

Um Zach's team has been phenomenal to work through this new code with uh this being the first one, so kudos to his department.

7:27

I'll answer any questions you may have.

7:29

Any questions of Mr.

7:30

Duncan?

7:32

All right, thank you, sir.

7:34

Thank you.

7:35

This is a public hearing.

7:36

Is anyone here wishing to speak for or against zoning amendment number 18?

7:42

Seeing none.

7:44

Voting, Mr.

7:45

Lanier.

7:46

Yes.

7:47

Yes, yes, yes, yes, zoning amendments adopted, good luck.

7:53

Resolution ordinances not of a general nature, a permanent operation, clerk.

7:56

This approves a less than seven days special events retail license for downtown entertainment LLC.

8:01

So move second.

8:03

Move and second, Mr.

8:04

Mills.

8:04

All right, good evening, Mayor Council.

8:05

This is ABC I call application 25-057 for downtown entertainment LLC DBA Delta Cow Alumni Missouri watch party 101125, applying for special retail less than seven days uh at 511 Jefferson Avenue.

8:20

This picture shows the area view of the location.

8:23

All my reports have been following the city clerk office.

8:25

Officer champion will give this report followed by the applicant to ask any questions.

8:29

Officer champion.

8:33

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

8:34

Police department doesn't have any objections to this applicant.

8:37

Okay, is the applicant here?

8:39

If you would please come forward and give your name and address.

8:44

Brandon Hanks with Downtown Entertainment, 504 Alman Avenue, Tuscaloosa 35401.

8:50

Any questions from Mr.

8:51

Hanks?

8:53

All right, thank you, sir.

8:54

Appreciate it.

8:56

Voting, Miss Howard.

8:57

Yes, yes.

8:59

Yes, yes, yes.

9:01

Applications approved.

9:02

Good luck.

9:03

Clerk.

9:04

This authorizes the 2025 foreclosure sale and appoint an agent.

9:08

So move.

9:09

Second.

9:10

Move and second.

9:11

Voting, Mr.

9:12

Lanier.

9:12

Yes.

9:13

Yes.

9:14

Yes.

9:15

Yes.

9:16

Yes.

9:17

Resolutions adopted, Clerk.

9:19

This authorizes acceptance of the 2024 assistance to firefighters grant program.

9:24

Motion.

9:25

Second.

9:25

Move and second.

9:26

Voting Ms.

9:27

Howard.

9:27

Yes.

9:28

Yes.

9:29

Yes.

9:29

Yes.

9:30

Yes.

9:31

Resolution is adopted.

9:32

Clark.

9:32

This authorizes disbursement from District 7 improvement funds for the junior cosmos study club.

9:37

Motion.

9:38

Move and second.

9:39

Voting Mr.

9:39

Lanier.

9:40

Yes.

9:41

Yes.

9:41

Yes.

9:42

Yes.

9:43

Yes.

9:43

Resolutions adopted, Clark.

9:45

This will authorize a disbursement from District 6 improvement funds for Bryant High Schools Girls Athletics.

9:50

Motion.

9:51

Second.

9:52

Move and second.

9:52

Voting Ms.

9:53

Howard.

9:54

Yes.

9:54

Yes.

9:55

Yes.

9:56

Yes.

9:56

Yes.

9:57

Resolutions adopted.

9:58

Clerk.

10:00

This authorizes a minor public works contract with stripes.

10:02

So move.

10:04

Second.

10:04

Moved and second, voting Mr.

10:06

Lanier.

10:06

Yes.

10:07

Yes.

10:07

Yes.

10:08

Yes.

10:08

Yes.

10:09

Resolutions adopted.

10:10

Clerk.

10:11

This will authorize a minor public works contract with trained technologies.

10:15

So move.

10:16

Clerk.

10:17

Moved and second.

10:18

Voting Miss Howard.

10:19

Yes.

10:20

Yes.

10:20

Yes.

10:21

Yes.

10:22

Yes.

10:23

Resolutions adopted.

10:24

Clerk.

10:24

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Taylor Electrical Contractors Incorporated.

10:30

Motion, second.

10:31

Move and second.

10:32

Voting Mr.

10:32

Lanier.

10:33

Yes.

10:33

Yes.

10:34

Yes.

10:34

Yes.

10:35

Yes.

10:36

Resolutions adopted.

10:37

Clerk.

10:38

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Chip Griffith Construction Company, LLC.

10:42

Motion.

10:43

Second.

10:44

Moved and second.

10:45

Voting Ms.

10:45

Howard.

10:46

Yes.

10:46

Yes.

10:47

Yes.

10:47

Yes.

10:48

Yes.

10:49

Resolution is adopted.

10:50

Clerk.

10:50

This authorizes a minor public works contract with civil works construction.

10:54

LLC.

10:55

So move.

10:56

Second.

10:56

Moved and second.

10:57

Voting Ms.

10:58

Howard.

10:58

Yes.

10:59

Yes.

11:00

Yes.

11:01

Yes.

11:01

Yes.

11:02

Resolutions adopted.

11:03

Clerk.

11:03

This authorizes execution of contract amendment number one with the capstone engineering group.

11:08

So move.

11:09

Second.

11:10

Move and second.

11:11

Voting Mr.

11:12

Lanier.

11:12

Yes.

11:13

Yes.

11:13

Yes.

11:14

Yes.

11:15

Yes.

11:15

Resolutions adopted.

11:17

Clerk.

11:18

This introduces zoning amendment number 22.

11:22

So moved.

11:22

Second.

11:23

It's been moved and second.

11:24

Voting Ms.

11:25

Howard.

11:25

Well, I'm sorry.

11:26

Which one are we on?

11:29

We've already done the executive director of public safety, so we've moved on to the next group.

11:34

What now?

11:35

This we voted on other seconds.

11:41

Okay.

11:49

I'm sorry.

11:49

What are we voting on?

11:50

On our spring.

11:53

This is the introduction of zoning amendment number 22.

11:56

Yeah.

11:57

Okay.

11:57

Yeah.

12:00

Yes.

12:01

Yes.

12:02

Yes.

12:03

Clerk.

12:04

This will appoint Peggy Nasir to the Tuscosa Public Libraries Board of Trustees.

12:09

Motion.

12:10

Second.

12:10

It's been moved and second.

12:11

Voting Ms.

12:12

Howard.

12:13

Yes.

12:13

Yes.

12:14

Yes.

12:14

Yes.

12:15

Yes.

12:16

Do I hear a call?

12:18

Second.

12:18

Move and second.

12:19

Voting Mr.

12:20

Lanier.

12:20

Yes.

12:21

Yes.

12:21

Yes.

12:22

Yes.

12:22

Yes.

12:23

For adoption, clerk.

12:24

This sets November 4th is the date to consider adoption of zoning amendment number 22.

12:29

So move.

12:30

Second.

12:30

Move and second.

12:31

Voting Ms.

12:32

Howard.

12:32

Yes.

12:33

Yes.

12:34

Yes.

12:34

Yes.

12:35

Yes.

12:35

Date set.

12:36

Alding account.

12:37

This authorizes the payment of bills.

12:39

It gives bills.

12:41

Motion.

12:41

Second.

12:42

Second.

12:42

Then move and second.

12:43

And we hope Mr.

12:44

Tiner is feeling better tonight.

12:47

Voting, Mr.

12:48

Lanier.

12:49

Yes.

12:50

Yes.

12:51

Yes.

12:52

Yes.

12:52

Yes.

12:53

Resolutions adopted.

12:55

Citizens' comments and other communications.

12:56

Any citizens wish to address their city council tonight.

13:02

One wish to address city council.

13:05

Seeing none.

13:07

Subject to excise a mayoral veto and ordinances of a general nature of permanent operational ethical departments here by order to otherwise implement council policy.

13:14

This day enacted here.

13:15

Motion to adjourn.

13:16

Second.

13:17

Moved and second to adjourn.

13:18

Voting, Miss Howard.

13:20

Yes.

13:20

Yes.

13:21

Yes.

13:22

Yes.

13:23

Yes.

13:23

Meetings adjourned.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████54%
Zoning Regulations███████████████████23%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████13%
Public Engagement████████10%
Summary of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting – October 7, 2025

The Tuscaloosa City Council convened on October 7, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. at Jack's. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of minutes, council announcements, and the consideration of several resolutions and public hearings. Key actions included the approval of a new job classification for executive director of public safety (3-3 vote with the mayor breaking the tie), the adoption of a zoning amendment for a 20-unit townhome development, and the issuance of a special events retail license. Multiple minor public works contracts were also authorized, and a new zoning amendment was introduced for future consideration.

Consent Calendar

  • Items A through E on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No citizens spoke during the public hearing for zoning amendment number 18.
  • No citizens addressed the council during the citizens' comments portion.

Discussion Items

  • Job Classification for Executive Director of Public Safety: Council member requested to move pages 22-25 (resolution approving job classification specifications for executive director of public safety) to the top of the agenda due to a family emergency. The council voted 6-0 to move the item. The resolution was then considered; it passed by a 4-3 vote (Councilmember Eatman recorded a tie-breaking 'yes' from the mayor, making the final tally 4-3).
  • Zoning Amendment No. 18 (Ivory Bluff LLC): The applicant petitioned to rezone approximately 1.3 acres at 605-617 5th Street NE, 604-612 4th Street NE, and 618 4th Street NE from R to RPD (Riverfront Planned Development) to construct 20 townhouse units (three bedrooms each, three stories, approximately 1,700 sq. ft. per unit). Pricing is projected between $579,000 and $779,000. The development will feature a central courtyard, a pavilion, and 48 parking spaces (44 required). The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval on August 18, 2025. The council adopted the amendment unanimously (5-0).
  • Special Events Retail License: Approved a less-than-seven-days special events retail license for Downtown Entertainment LLC (DBA Delta Cow Alumni Missouri watch party) at 511 Jefferson Avenue. The police department had no objections. The application was approved unanimously (5-0).
  • 2025 Foreclosure Sale: Authorized the 2025 foreclosure sale and appointed an agent. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program: Authorized acceptance of the 2024 grant. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • District Improvement Funds: Approved disbursements from District 7 improvement funds for the Junior Cosmos Study Club, and from District 6 improvement funds for Bryant High School Girls Athletics. Both approved unanimously (5-0 each).
  • Minor Public Works Contracts: Authorized contracts with stripes (utility stripes), Trained Technologies, Taylor Electrical Contractors Inc., Chip Griffith Construction Company LLC, and Civil Works Construction LLC. Also authorized a contract amendment with Capstone Engineering Group. All approved unanimously (5-0 each).
  • Introduction of Zoning Amendment No. 22: The council voted to introduce the amendment (vote recorded as 5-0).
  • Appointment to Library Board: Peggy Nasir was appointed to the Tuscaloosa Public Libraries Board of Trustees. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Date for Adoption of Zoning Amendment No. 22: Set November 4, 2025, as the date to consider adoption. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Payment of Bills: Authorized payment of bills. Approved unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Job classification for executive director of public safety approved (4-3).
  • Zoning Amendment No. 18 (20 townhouses at 5th & 4th Street NE) adopted (5-0).
  • Special events retail license for Downtown Entertainment LLC approved (5-0).
  • 2025 foreclosure sale authorized (5-0).
  • 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant accepted (5-0).
  • District 7 and District 6 improvement fund disbursements approved (5-0 each).
  • Multiple minor public works contracts and a contract amendment authorized (all 5-0).
  • Zoning Amendment No. 22 introduced, with adoption consideration set for November 4, 2025 (5-0).
  • Peggy Nasir appointed to the Library Board (5-0).
  • Payment of bills authorized (5-0).
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 p.m. (estimated).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. The Tuscaloous City Council has now come to order. We ask that everyone please stand for our prayer and then remain standing for a 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 United States of America. And to republicans, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Approval of the minutes. Second. Be moved and second to approve the minutes. Voting, Mr. Evening. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Minutes stand approved. Proclamation statements by council. Any council announcements tonight? Yes, Mayor. As you stated in pre-council tonight at Steman College, that we are hosting our the city is hosting National Night Out from 4 to 8. And tomorrow morning, I would like to remind the community and invite them out to coffee with the cop, which will be a complimentary breakfast with all of our law enforcement officers at Chick-fil-A on Old Greensboro Road. So that will be tomorrow morning at Chick-fil-A from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. And it is a come and go event, and I look forward to having breakfast with uh TPD, the Sheriff's Department, and the City of Northport. Thank you, Ms. Howard. Any other council announcements? Not as exciting, but I'll be back at Jack Saturday morning. Thank you, Mr. Bell. Any other time is Tropell? 8 30. 8 30 at Jack's. Mayor, I apologize. I have a family emergency, so but I am responsible for page 22 to 25 being on the agenda. So I'd like to make a motion motion to move that to the top of the agenda so I can be released if that's okay with the council. Okay, it's been moved and seconded to move the resolution on page 22 through 25, approving the job classification spec specifications for executive director of public safety. Um sorry, I didn't why was that I've got a family emergency I gotta go attend to family emergency. So we have a motion and second to move it to the top of the agenda. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, the job spec classification is now to be considered by the city council. Um clerk. This approves job class specifications for the executive director of public safety. Submo. Second.

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