Tuscaloosa City Council Committee Meeting Approves Contracts and Animal Shelter Fund - October 7, 2025
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Tuscaloosa City Council Committee Meeting - October 7, 2025
The Tuscaloosa City Council Committee held a meeting on October 7, 2025, to consider several minor public works contracts, a resolution to increase the animal shelter maintenance fund, and received a special announcement about the University Boulevard project. All agenda items were approved by voice vote. No public comments were received.
Discussion Items
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Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by voice vote.
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Item 1 – Asbestos Abatement Contract: Approved a minor public works contract with Tri-State Abatement for asbestos abatement services at 512 Hargrove Road East, at a total cost of $5,850. The cost will be recovered as a lien on the property. (Motion and second, approved by voice vote.)
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Item 2 – Grading and Sodding Contract: Approved a minor public works contract with Civil Works Construction for as-needed grading and sodding, not to exceed $30,000, funded through operational costs. The contract will allow the city to respond to drainage needs beyond the capacity of city operators. (Motion and second, approved by voice vote.)
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Item 3 – Bridge Railing Replacement: Approved a minor public works contract with DMF for demolition of an old wooden bridge railing and fabrication/installation of a new decorative black metal railing on the river wall near Mars Springs, at a total cost of $62,320. (Motion and second, approved by voice vote.)
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Item 4 – City Hall Window Restoration: Approved a minor public works contract with MAK Environmental for restoration of the remaining third-floor windows at City Hall, at a total cost of $22,700. The work includes cleaning, replacing rotted wood, resealing panes, and repainting. A test window completed last year was satisfactory. (Motion and second, approved by voice vote.)
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Item 5 – City Hall Exterior Painting: Approved a minor public works contract with Red Oak Paint Company for repainting iron fencing in DuPont Plaza (north and south) and all exterior doors and door frames at Municipal Court, at a total cost of $6,000. (Motion and second, approved by voice vote.)
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Pickleball Facility Update: Council member inquired about electrical progress for the pickleball courts at Buddy Powell Park. Tim reported that Alamo Power is waiting to schedule the work, expected within the next week or two. Gates were installed that day. The council member requested flexibility from PAR regarding parking. No formal action was taken.
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Item 6 – Airport Apron Project Addendums: Approved two addendums to the Atkins Realis work authorization for the Cargo and Operations Overflow Apron project. Addendum No. 2 reallocates $13,095 in unused funds from the initial scope to phase two design services (net zero cost). Addendum No. 3 authorizes construction services for phase one at $168,826.25, covering inspection, documentation, and coordination. This amount is reimbursable under a September grant. (Motion and second, approved by voice vote.)
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Item 7 – Animal Shelter Maintenance Fund Increase: Approved a resolution amending the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter Operating Agreement to increase the annual maintenance fund from $30,000 to $80,000. The city’s share is $22,000 (44%), the county’s share is $21,000, and Northport’s share is $7,000. The increase is needed to maintain the original shelter and a 5,200-square-foot addition; the previous $30,000 was exhausted by mid-year. (Motion and second, approved by voice vote.)
Key Outcomes
- All seven agenda items (Items 1–7) were approved by voice vote.
- Special Announcement: Mike Garner announced that the University Boulevard Alberta project will be advertised for bids on October 8, 2025. The bid opening is scheduled for November 13, 2025, with construction authorization expected in January 2026. All 51 tracts were acquired without the need for eminent domain. The team was commended for its work.
- The next committee meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
We've had a chance to review. I would entertain a motion to approve. So moved. Second. Moved and second. Any discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Minutes are approved. Item number one is approval of a minor public works contract with tri-state abatement for asbestos abatement services at 512 Hargrove Road East. The total is 5,850. Selvin, welcome. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening, Council. Good evening. This body has approved the structure at this location for demolition. Upon inspection, we've determined that it has uh asbestos in it. Um so the services under this contract will provide for the removal and proper disposal of that asbestos at the price noted. Uh tri-state abatement was the only this time and lowest bidder or quote for this work that we pulled in. This is covered in our operational cost. Once that is executed, is that charge passed back? It is as a lien on the property. It is. Okay. Second. Got a motion and second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Item one is approved. Item number two is approval of a minor public works contract with civil works construction for as needed grading and soding the total not to exceed $30,000. Eric, welcome. Thank you, Counselor. So this is to uh as it says uh do some grading and siding uh on some of the properties that we get on to uh drainage is very very important and make sure that it's draining the correct way. Uh Mr. Caddis that owns civil works is very good at doing this. Uh it just reading the grading plan goes above what some of my operators are going to be able to do. So uh just being able to react when we need to. Uh we'd like to get him on it not to exceed. Thank you. Anticipate it through the whole year. Yes, sir. I'll have any other questions. Here motion. So moved. Motion second, all in favor say aye. Aye. Item two is approved. Item three is approval of a minor public works contract with DMF for demo of old bridge railing and fabrication and installation of a new bridge railing on the river wall, the total 62,320. Eric.
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