Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
The Tuscaloosa City Council convened to approve routine minutes, recognize the Northridge High School track and field team's state championship, and address several property condemnation hearings through extensions for repairs. The council also processed a series of resolutions regarding budget amendments, contract awards, and special event permits. Public testimony included expressions of appreciation from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and community leaders, alongside urgent requests from a social work intern regarding energy assistance funding and a resident's detailed call for police reform and accountability.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
- Approved items A through P on the consent agenda, including routine permits, contract authorizations, and code amendments.
- Adopted resolutions supporting local legislation, settling a dispute with ADEM, awarding public works contracts to Civil Works Construction LLC, Inliner Solutions LLC, and Dominion Construction Company, and authorizing contracts with MimeCast North America and Vector Solutions.
- Approved budget amendments for the Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund, Reserve Fund, and Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund.
- Authorized the payment of city bills and the city's insurance renewal.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Salciaha Marl Tate & Jacqueline Pryor (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority): Expressed gratitude and appreciation for the City Council's leadership and the city's progress. They requested a photo opportunity for their chapter and a youth leadership initiative member to be taken with the council following the meeting.
- Annalise Skerpin (Social Work Student/CSP Intern): Expressed deep concern regarding the risk facing Tuscaloosa residents due to potential delays in federal LIHEAP funding following a government shutdown. She requested the city council support residents with energy assistance while waiting for funds, noting that thousands are turning away from the agency due to limited resources. She also noted that the community service coordination team has been working to mitigate these issues.
- Keishon Colvin (Community Resident): Expressed serious concerns and a lack of trust regarding the Tuscaloosa Police Department. He detailed incidents of alleged excessive force, unjustified stops, and racial bias, specifically citing an incident involving a couple arrested for a window tent where no contraband was found. He called for strengthened oversight, mandatory body cam usage, and improved community policing to restore trust and ensure fairness.
Discussion Items
- Northridge High School Championship: Councilmember Crow presented a proclamation recognizing the Northridge High School Jaguars as the 2025 AHSAA Class 6A State Track and Field Champions. Coach Jeff Sparks and the team were recognized for their excellence. The Mayor noted that student William Numnum is a back-to-back decathlon champion at Ole Miss, a rare feat.
- Property Condemnation - 3209 7th Street: Council reviewed a property with 46 violations condemned in December 2023. The owner is currently making repairs. Councilmember Lanier recommended and the council voted to table the demolition for 90 days to allow the owner to continue progress.
- Property Condemnation - 2646 25th Street: Council reviewed a property with 47 violations condemned in June 2025. The owner, a single parent of eight, cited financial hardship and holiday pressures. After discussion regarding realistic timelines, the council voted to table the demolition for 60 days to verify further progress.
- Property Condemnation - 2531 26th Street: Council reviewed a property with 48 violations. While the owner has boarded up the house, windows remain covered. The owner requested more time to install new glass and complete inside work. Council expressed that boarded-up windows are not ideal aesthetics but agreed to the request, voting to table the demolition for 30 days.
- Special Events Permits: Applications for less than seven days' special events retail licenses were reviewed for Downtown Social LLC, Party Down LLC, Southern Food Service Management Inc., and Downtown Entertainment LLC. The Police Department indicated no objection to any applications. All were approved for various tailgates and fraternity events.
Key Outcomes
- Demolition Actions: Demolition orders for 3209 7th Street, 2646 25th Street, and 2531 26th Street were all tabled (for 90, 60, and 30 days respectively, pending further repairs).
- Annexations: Two annexation petitions approved: one ~1 acre at Nickel Park Road and one 0.31 acres at Santorini Street.
- Permits: All four special events retail license applications were approved unanimously.
- Policy & Funding: Multiple resolutions were adopted authorizing grant applications (Tennis Venue Center, Creative Places, K9s), funding the District Attorney's Office, and amending the General Fund and Reserve Fund budgets.
- Code Amendments: Sections 211, 1961 D, and 19205 of the Code of Tuscaloosa were amended via unanimous consent.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned on a unanimous vote.
Meeting Transcript
You know what? Let's make it happen. Good evening, everyone. The Tusley City Council has now come to order. We ask that everyone please stand for our council prayer and then remain standing for our pledge of allegiance. 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 Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Approval of the minutes. Make a motion. Move and second that we approve the minutes of voting, Mr. Eatman. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Minutes stand approved. Proclamation statements by council members tonight. Counselor Crow is going to make the uh proclamation recognizing North North Rid High School track and field team. I guess they'd help if I put on my glasses. And so uh Mr. Crow, if you would read the proclamation, and I'd ask Coach Sparks and his team to come up forward to the podium as Mr. Crow reads the proclamation into the record. Whereas the North Ridge High School Jaguars track and field team has brought great pride and honor to our city by capturing the 2025 A HSAA Class 6A State Track and Field Championship show showcasing exceptional athleticism and competitive excellence. And whereas under the outstanding leadership of head coach Jeff Sparks and his dedicated coaching staff, the Jaguars demonstrated remarkable skill, determination, and teamwork throughout the season, excelling in sprints, distant events, jumps, and relays alike, and representing Northridge High School in the city of Tuscaloosa with distinction. And whereas the Jaguars championship performance, highlighted by standout efforts from student athletes across all events, reflects a longstanding tradition of discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship that defines Northridge athletics and inspires continued success within our community. And whereas this historic achievement symbolizes the culmination of countless hours of training and dedication, serving as a powerful example to young athletes across Tuscaloosa of what can be accomplished through commitment and teamwork. And the success of the Northridge Jaguars embodies the core values of hard work, unity, and pride in community that strengthen the spirit of our whole city. Now therefore, be it resolved that Mayor Walt Maddox, on behalf of the City Council of Tuscaloosa, do hereby extend heartfelt congratulations and deep admiration to the Northridge High School track and field team for their outstanding achievement as 2025 AHSAA Class 6A state champions. We encourage all of our citizens to join in recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of every athlete, coach, and supporter who contributed to this extraordinary championship season. Congratulations. Now I'd like to turn it over to Coach Sparks, who's going to introduce the team and important members of this of this organization. Thank you, Chief. Council members, thank you so much for uh recognizing us. We appreciate it, Mr. Mayor. Uh thank you so much. We appreciate it. Uh our young ladies and gentlemen's work a little hard. Our school system, as you know, supports us very well. Just want to uh read some of the names off of the athletes. Um we apologize, but some of our kids are they're off at college competing now or off at college. Um so I'll read the the members of the team. Uh Jennings Hines, Cedric Tinker, Hayden Wiley, Davis Sparks, Angland Young, Justin Wilkins, Griffin Sparks, William Numnum, Keelan Little, Kion Lewis, Tyler McNeil, William McLean, P.J.
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