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Record of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting Summary 2025-12-09

City Council Meetings — Tuesday, December 9, 2025
BodyTuscaloosa, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, December 9, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 37:23

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

See everybody and we're right in December.

0:04

Is there a motion we approve the minutes?

0:05

So mock.

0:07

Motion second.

0:08

All in favor say aye.

0:09

Any opposed?

0:10

Minutes approved.

0:11

All right.

0:12

Virgil.

0:18

Unfortunately, somebody not paying attention to what he was doing.

0:22

Have seven on the menu for y'all to get seven.

0:25

First one is 2711 24th Street.

0:28

This one was uh postponed or put on the burners for uh 30 days, I believe it was, but the owner has decided just to quit fighting this one and let this one go.

0:40

So we will be voting this one to be condemned tonight.

0:43

Well they put it into it, hasn't it?

0:46

This one here now.

0:47

Oh, they have is that the one that was the this one that was the air property?

0:50

Yeah, this is one of the one of the ones that's an air property.

0:53

Yeah, somebody wanted to keep it, somebody wanted to they were they were debating it, but they they knew that it was a lost cause.

0:59

So they they said they couldn't fight it anymore, just let it go.

1:03

So there will be nobody here for this one.

1:05

Okay, and we will be voting just uh go ahead and demolish this one.

1:10

Yes, no, my last one.

1:12

So the next one is 3113 Riggs Road.

1:17

This one here is another multiple air property.

1:21

Uh the gentleman sent his brother up here last time, and he really didn't understand what he was up here fighting for, but the man you can see has at least boarded up the property.

1:34

He cut the tree off of the roof.

1:38

That's about all he's done so far.

1:40

He has pulled a permit.

1:41

Um he has pulled a permit.

1:45

There has been no other repairs made to date.

1:48

This guy lives in Texas.

1:50

Why does that look why those windows?

1:52

Why does that look better than that?

1:54

Are those dates right?

1:56

Yes.

1:57

Well, because you well, you can you can't see you can't see the rotted wood because of the tree.

2:01

Okay.

2:02

In the top one, and I'm saying those windows don't look bad.

2:05

Oh, yeah, but they it the front windows were busted out, and we we make them secure the house if they're gonna let it sit there for any length of time so squatters don't get in.

2:13

And you said the owner of this property lives in Texas.

2:16

Lives in Texas.

2:17

Well, they'd be here today.

2:18

No, he's not gonna be here today.

2:19

He wanted to do a zoom call, but we don't do zoom calls anymore.

2:22

He did uh submit a an email um saying what he was going to do, what he wanted to do.

2:30

I will tell you this, he tried to get a grant, and I told him when he tried to get it, he wasn't gonna be able to, and he wasn't because of the there's no clear title.

2:39

He does want to make the um repairs.

2:43

He's asking for 90 days.

2:45

I I don't see enough improvement in my opinion to to grant it.

2:50

Uh so I'm gonna I'm gonna leave this one with y'all on that.

2:53

Uh mine is still to condemn on this one.

3:01

But he doesn't have a clear file.

3:03

No, sir.

3:04

No, sir.

3:05

There's like eight different uh airs, some of them have died, so then it's gonna even go further down.

3:12

We don't know how many airs possibly could be involved in this one.

3:17

We just need to take it off our plate.

3:19

I I in my opinion, yes.

3:21

Uh there will be somebody here to speak on behalf of the property, but it will not be the only the the person trying to save the house.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████17%
Zoning Regulations████████████████16%
Procedural███████████████15%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%
Public Safety████████8%
Personnel Matters████████8%
Zoning And Land Use███████7%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Community Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting Summary 2025-12-09

The Tuscaloosa City Council convened on December 9, 2025, to address multiple agenda items including the approval of condemned properties, rezoning requests, direct set contracts, and administrative appointments. The meeting featured significant debate regarding the rehabilitation of blighted properties versus condemnation, as well as a public tribute from the Mayor following the loss of his companion dog.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of council minutes.
  • Routine administrative approvals for various contracts and disbursements (detailed below in Discussion Items).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Code Enforcement Presentation & Owner Representation: Council members and Code Enforcement presented detailed observations on several properties slated for condemnation or tabled, distinguishing between owner inaction and attempts at renovation.
    • For 2711 24th Street, it was noted the owner decided to "quit fighting" and allow condemnation.
    • For 3113 Riggs Road and 3153 Riggs Road, Code Enforcement expressed strong opposition to granting additional time, citing a lack of improvement and clear title issues, while noting the owners live out of state or are unresponsive.
    • For 2317 and 2327 Jack Warner Parkway, the speaker opposed the current condition of the properties, describing them as "filthy," "eyesores," and safety hazards, though noted the building at 2327 Jack Warner Parkway is not permanently condemned if repairs are made. The speaker recommended demolition for 2327 Jack Warner Parkway but supported the owner's right to present a case.
    • For 3620 23rd Street, the speaker supported granting 90 days for the owner to fulfill permit requirements after pulling a permit with specified scope of work.
    • For 4700 McFarland Boulevard East (Old Motel Six), the speaker expressed strong support for condemnation after 20 years of issues with vagrancy and squatters, while simultaneously supporting a request to table the vote for 30 days to allow the owner's representative to attend.
  • Community Concerns: During the rezoning discussion for 2100/2102 Fifth Avenue East, a resident expressed concerns regarding garbage carts and street usage, though the developer proposed an HOA to mitigate these issues.
  • Personal Tribute: The Mayor shared a personal statement of gratitude to the council and city employees for their support following the death of his 14.5-year-old dog, emphasizing the community's kindness.

Discussion Items

  • Property Condemnations:
    • 2711 24th Street: Owner abandoned efforts; Council moved to condemn.
    • 3113 Riggs Road: Owner (living in Texas) sought 90 days but lacked clear title; Council recommended condemnation.
    • 3153 Riggs Road: Owner took no action since August; Council recommended condemnation.
    • 2317 Jack Warner Parkway: Focus on removing a concrete slab left from a previous demolition to restore natural ground.
    • 2327 Jack Warner Parkway: Old garage with broken windows and debris; Council noted the building is salvageable if secured and trash removed, but recommended demolition if owner fails to act.
    • 3620 23rd Street: Owner pulled a permit; Council recommended granting 90 days for progress.
    • 4700 McFarland Boulevard East: Old Motel Six; Council recognized past failures and safety risks but supported granting a 30-day continuance to accommodate the owner's counsel, Mr. Cam Parsons, who cited medical appointments.
  • Rezoning Requests:
    • 2100/2102 Fifth Avenue East: Request to rezone from SFR1 to MR1 (increasing density to five homes). The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-3 against recommending approval. Council members noted community concerns about waste management but acknowledged the developer's proposal of an HOA. Council member Zach expressed support for moving the motion forward.
    • Domino Investment Properties: Annexation of 40-41 acres south of Akkadian Place for 23 residential lots. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor. The property will remain SFR1.
  • Administrative & Contractual Matters:
    • Pension Board: Appointment of a replacement for a police and fire pension board member who is no longer an Alabama resident.
    • Direct Set Items: Council approved numerous contracts and disbursements, including:
      • Authorization to file liens for demolition costs at 512 Harbour Hardgrove Road East and 434 8th Avenue Northeast.
      • Rejection of all bids for generator inspections.
      • Approvals for equipment purchases (Kubota, F-150, printer) and professional services (Sprout Social, Vital Exams, Bullock Environmental).
      • Authorization of the Mayor to execute a HUD form for the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority.
      • Contract amendments for the East Over Drainage Improvements Project and the Tuscaloosa National Airport lease.
      • Tentative award of a $13,309,415.02 contract to Dominion Construction Company LLC for University Boulevard East Roadways Improvement.
    • Zoning Amendment 24: Introduction of zoning change at 1125 19th Street from MR1 to MR2; public hearing set for January 6.

Key Outcomes

  • Condemnation Votes: The Council voted to condemn 2711 24th Street, 3113 Riggs Road, and 3153 Riggs Road, recommending removal of the slab at 2317 Jack Warner Parkway.
  • Continuances Granted: A 90-day reprieve granted for 3620 23rd Street; a 30-day continuance granted for 4700 McFarland Boulevard East to allow the owner's representative to appear.
  • Rezoning Decisions: The rezoning for 2100/2102 Fifth Avenue East was forwarded for discussion despite the P&Z Commission's negative recommendation; the annexation for Dominion Investment Properties was recommended for approval based on the P&Z Commission's unanimous vote.
  • Next Steps: Public hearing for Zoning Amendment 24 scheduled for January 6; City Council to select a new police and fire pension board appointee.
  • Upcoming Events: Ribbon cutting for Tuscaloosa Tennis Center on January 19; Groundbreaking for streetscape in Alberta on January 20.

Meeting Transcript

See everybody and we're right in December. Is there a motion we approve the minutes? So mock. Motion second. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Minutes approved. All right. Virgil. Unfortunately, somebody not paying attention to what he was doing. Have seven on the menu for y'all to get seven. First one is 2711 24th Street. This one was uh postponed or put on the burners for uh 30 days, I believe it was, but the owner has decided just to quit fighting this one and let this one go. So we will be voting this one to be condemned tonight. Well they put it into it, hasn't it? This one here now. Oh, they have is that the one that was the this one that was the air property? Yeah, this is one of the one of the ones that's an air property. Yeah, somebody wanted to keep it, somebody wanted to they were they were debating it, but they they knew that it was a lost cause. So they they said they couldn't fight it anymore, just let it go. So there will be nobody here for this one. Okay, and we will be voting just uh go ahead and demolish this one. Yes, no, my last one. So the next one is 3113 Riggs Road. This one here is another multiple air property. Uh the gentleman sent his brother up here last time, and he really didn't understand what he was up here fighting for, but the man you can see has at least boarded up the property. He cut the tree off of the roof. That's about all he's done so far. He has pulled a permit. Um he has pulled a permit. There has been no other repairs made to date. This guy lives in Texas. Why does that look why those windows? Why does that look better than that? Are those dates right? Yes. Well, because you well, you can you can't see you can't see the rotted wood because of the tree. Okay. In the top one, and I'm saying those windows don't look bad. Oh, yeah, but they it the front windows were busted out, and we we make them secure the house if they're gonna let it sit there for any length of time so squatters don't get in. And you said the owner of this property lives in Texas. Lives in Texas. Well, they'd be here today. No, he's not gonna be here today. He wanted to do a zoom call, but we don't do zoom calls anymore. He did uh submit a an email um saying what he was going to do, what he wanted to do. I will tell you this, he tried to get a grant, and I told him when he tried to get it, he wasn't gonna be able to, and he wasn't because of the there's no clear title. He does want to make the um repairs. He's asking for 90 days. I I don't see enough improvement in my opinion to to grant it.

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