Because I saw right, so it's probably not gonna play again too.

Good evening, everyone.

I ask everyone to please stand and silence their phones as we begin tonight's meeting with our 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 Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please be seated.

Approval of the minutes.

Make the motion.

We approve the minutes.

Thank you.

So we moved and second that we approve the minutes voting.

Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Minutes stand approved.

Proclamation statements by Mayor and Council.

First, I have a few quick announcements before uh reading into the record of proclamation.

City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.

holiday.

There'll be no regular scheduled city council or council committee meetings on Tuesday, January 20th.

Next week's garbage, trash, and recycling routes will be delayed by one day.

So if your route was Monday, it'll be on Tuesday and so on and so forth.

Please contact Tuscaloosa 311 for any additional information.

Captain Phil Simpson is here tonight.

I'm going to ask Captain Simpson to come forward and also bring forward, he has guests that are here as well.

And Captain Simpson, if you would come forward and your guests that are here tonight, if they would come forward, please.

And as they come forward, I would like to read this proclamation into the record and then hear from Captain Simpson and our guests that are joining us.

Whereas Alabama's Human Trafficking Awareness Month was established in January 2011 in observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day to proclaim the equality and freedom of all people to advocate for legislation to educate leaders and encourage public awareness for the various forms of human trafficking.

And whereas human trafficking is a public health issue and crime that affects individuals, families, and communities across generations, exploiting the most vulnerable among us, weakening our collective efforts of well-being.

Whereas strengthening community requires collective action to prevent, recognize, and reduce the conditions that contribute to exploitation and to create environments where people feel protected.

And whereas a successful response to human trafficking requires a coordinated community-wide response, something that we have here in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, that includes collaboration across sectors with those who have experienced human trafficking to ensure that services and programs that are effective and meet the needs of the survivors.

Now, therefore it be it resolved that I want Maddox on behalf of the city council to hereby proclaim January 2025 to be human trafficking awareness month in Tuscaloosa and reaffirm this city and this council's commitment to human trafficking awareness, training and education activities, resources for those who have been impacted.

I can't say enough about the leadership of TPD and of our leadership team, in particular Captain Phil Simpson and his team who have taken a lead on creating the West Alabama Human Traffics Task Force and has done so much on so many levels to prevent human trafficking and save those who are captured by it.

And so Captain Simpson is my honor to present this proclamation.

I actually have two, one for you and one for your guests.

Say thank you for a job well done.

Thank you.

Members of the council, mayor, other uh distinguished visitors, I'd like to introduce some of our community partners.

We have with us trafficking hope.

Trafficking hope is an organization that provides uh follow-on care, they provide counseling, they provide advocacy for uh victims of trafficking hope.

They work hand in hand with us when we do our operations.

Uh they are a massive resource for us.

They are incredible, and they are a uh uh a um a nonprofit organization.

We also have with us the uh Miss University of Alabama 2026, uh, and she's here with us to help us help raise awareness for human trafficking.

Human trafficking is something that affects every single member of our society, even though we don't understand it.

The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force does three things.

First of all, we try to do prevention.

We are in schools, we are in churches, we are in civic groups.

We will go anywhere that people ask us to go.

I was in Livingston, Alabama last night.

I was in Huntsville on Saturday morning uh at a uh uh meeting up there, uh asked to sit on a panel up there.

But primarily we work here.

We try very much to make our efforts in our community here.

Our task force members are Tuscaloosa Police, uh Northport Police, the University of Alabama Police and Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, and we focus our efforts here, but we help our neighbors, and so we rely on the city council and the overtime budget that they give the the chief.

We thank the chief for his allowing us to use some of that overtime budget and you guys for approving it because we can't do this during the day sitting behind a desk.

This takes us getting out there and finding these people.

What the biggest misconception is in our community and in the in the United States is that human trafficking is a white van, and that is not the reality of what we have here in the United States.

And somebody said this, I read the quote, and I cannot remember who said it to attribute it to them.

But to filize it, okay, to Simpsonize it.

What he said was is we know we talk to kids about the white van, but we don't realize that the iPhone brings the devil into our home.

And it's how these kids are being contacted.

These crimes are moving towards the internet very, very fast.

Yes, you will always have the physical aspects of human trafficking, but two out of every five of our initiated cases here in our our district here in our area are actually child on child child pornography.

They are creating it themselves.

It has become socially acceptable for these children to do this.

And how did this happen?

It's because we're giving them unfettered access to these devices.

And so we're trying to get the word out to parents.

We're in schools trying to get word out to the kids, and we're in churches trying to get the word out to their people, whoever will take us so that we can explain to them in the prevention side of it.

Then we do the demand reduction side of it, and then we also do recovery where we try to meet the victims where they are and offer them assistance and do everything that we can to help them get out of that life.

This is where our partners come in because they follow on with us and can help us see them through to the next step in life.

And I'm very appreciative of this council and the support that you've given the task force over the years.

Um I know that it is it is uh over time heavy, and I'm very appreciative uh of the investment that you make into this community.

This is a growing crime.

The task force is growing, our cases are going up exponentially, and uh I just very appreciative of what the council does.

I think Captain Simpson said that well.

I'm so grateful for y'all for your commitment every year to recognize January as an attractive for Benjamin.

And if I can, it's our honor.

I I first of all, thank you for what you're doing.

Um my wife recently suggested to me that I read a book called The Anxious Generation, and it's about two years old now.

Yes.

And what you said, Captain Simpson, exactly right.

We tell a child today, here are the keys to the room or the the um in our when I was growing up, the gas station with all the pornography, and you just go look at it when you want to.

We would never do that, right?

Never.

But yet we're doing that with iPhones and any type of mobile device.

We're basically giving children the key on the internet to see things that then link them with bad individuals who use that to exploit children and adults to human trafficking.

Um white man is driving into your kids' rooms every day.

And reading this book, and I haven't finished, it's become an eye-opener for me.

And I would encourage everyone to read it because it is terrifying what our young people are up against every single day.

Thank you for your courage because unless we're able to mitigate that.

Unfortunately, we're gonna need a human trafficking task force for way too long.

And our goal should be to get put Captain Simpson out of a job.

Yes, and I mean that.

There'll be plenty of you, I'm sure, and I say that, but I'm serious.

So thank you for what you do.

Thank you for taking time to be here tonight.

You will always, this council is is unbelievable in how they fund this, and you will always have a friend in the city of Tuscaloosa.

Thank you very much.

Good luck.

Any other counsel now?

May I just want to say too, our task force is second to none.

And the job that they do is I'm so much admire the hard work that they do and the dangers they put themselves in.

And I was happy to see uh Haley Adams here tonight, Miss University of Alabama.

And uh and and for all the partners, please know how much we appreciate your efforts.

Thank you, Mr.

Kiner.

Mayor, I do have one announcement as well.

Um we'll be having a public hearing here in city uh council chambers tomorrow at one o'clock uh for the Benjamin old Benjamin Barnes YMCA building.

So just want to let the community know we're looking for your input and look forward to seeing you here for the public hearing for the old Bidjambars YMCA building here in council chambers tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Thank you, Mr.

Eatman.

Any other council announcements?

Okay do we have any agenda item comments by citizens?

No, sir.

Um unfinished business, clerk.

This will order demolition of the structure located at 2646 25th street.

Move adoption.

Second moved and second, Mr.

Williams.

Mr.

Mayor City Council.

This is for the condemnation of 2646 25th Street.

It was condemned June 13, 2025.

The property has 47 housing code violations.

The owner has been contacted, is aware of this hearing.

The owner is aware that if it's condemned and demolished, the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner.

Uh the uh main structure is been taken care of on the exterior.

Um thing they lack is a little pain on the exterior, so it's our recommendation to vote uh no to condemn this house.

Any questions?

I do believe the homeowners are here.

Okay, any questions, Mr.

Williams?

If the homeowners could come up, please give your name and address Carmen Thomas, 3325 23rd Street.

Donna Thomas 2646 25th Street.

Any questions?

No, I would just like to say thank you.

Thank you for keeping your word.

Thank you for bringing this up to cold.

Um, it looks much better.

Good job.

Y'all put in the work in a short amount of time.

So thank y'all.

Thank you.

What she said.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Thank you very much.

All right, thank you.

This was a public hearing when it was introduced.

Anyone here wish to speak for or against?

Seeing none, the recommendation is to vote no, Mr.

Pell.

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

Demolition fails.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Absolutely.

Clerk.

This will order demolition of the structure located at 2327 Jack One of the City.

Move adoption.

Second.

Been moved and second.

Mr.

Williams.

This is for the condemnation of 2327 Jack Warner Parkway.

Condemned October 6, 2025.

This property has 47 housing code violations.

The owner has been contacted, is aware of this hearing.

The owner is aware that if it's condemned and demolished, the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner.

The owner has made some roof repairs since then, but the building is still open to the public.

He was supposed to be, but I haven't seen him.

He's just got oh there he is.

I'm sorry.

Any questions from Mr.

Williams?

No.

Okay.

If the owner would come forward and please give your name and address.

I'm the owner of the property, and I had a big crew over there today.

Work till uh well, they're still working there right now.

Um this is picture was taken, I guess.

What time was this picture taken?

When was this picture taken?

Yes.

Yeah, we made a big province today.

And you should you know look at it today.

We've I put 15 guys on it today.

Any questions for Mr.

Minges from the I'm sorry, I I didn't hear everything you said.

I put a big crew over there this morning and we worked all day, and uh we did all the repairs necessary.

All the repairs now.

All that's been done.

This is this is an old photograph.

Virginia and this is an old photograph.

We fixed all the doors, we fixed all the roof.

We fixed the roof a long time ago.

This is not just yesterday picture.

This picture was taken less than more than a week ago.

Uh this is incorrect.

Uh oh, I say January the 12th.

Okay, yeah.

And then all the doors have been repaired, they've all been locked out.

The general public doesn't have access to it at all.

Uh the grass has been cut and all the repairs have been made.

Well, what about the slab?

Uh, that's a different lot.

Uh that's not this lot in question.

I'm sure that's going to be the next thing on the agenda.

That's a totally different property.

So totally different project.

Uh that's this project we're talking about now.

But I have intentions on removing the slab.

Y'all put it in.

Y'all went ahead and condemned it last council meeting, and uh you gave me a couple months to get it done.

I was trying to get out of the rainy season before I did that.

Uh, but I already have plans on removing the slab for you.

But the building's been repaired.

Any questions from Mr.

City Council?

You said 47 violations.

There would there was a total of 47 code housing code violations when it started, like I said, the January 12th photos were from yesterday.

Um so like I said, I did not go back out there today.

Uh I have so I have no uh proof of those.

I mean, Virgil, how long has this property been on the docking?

Uh I we don't deal with this property since we were working on Jack Warner Parkway um renovations.

So that's when we first started dealing with the with the property.

Well, the city of Tuscaloosa used my property for about 18 months as a personal lay down yard where they stored all their equipment and all their pipe and all their contractors used it to park their vehicles.

Uh they tore up all my driveways into my property and did not put them back.

They took away all my gravel in my parking and didn't tech put it back.

Uh they cut my they dropped my overhead power uh without my permission.

I had to build underground service, even just to get the power back onto the building again.

So for 18 months, the city of Tuscaloous and every subcontractor they had working on Jack Warner Parkway, part whatever they're gonna place on my property, and now y'all are upset because I park a trader in a connects box on it.

I understand it's not in code to do that, and I know you're trying to that was pre-saving center.

Uh, and I understand where we're going with this right now.

So we're getting it cleaned up.

I spent a crew over there all day today, and we did the repairs that are on the list to be done.

The build building is no longer all the doors are fixed.

That's an old picture.

It's it's fixed.

Council have any more questions for Mr.

Minges or Mr.

Williams?

No.

Okay.

Thank you, both.

Um, this is a this was a public hearing when it was introduced.

Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against I'll call for a vote with the city council?

Voting, Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

No.

Yes.

Demolition is ordered.

Clerk.

This will order demolition of the building located at 3153 Riggs Road.

Move adoption.

Second.

The demolition was ordered.

Yeah, and I thought you would help me to agree to it or something like that.

I could easily do.

No, sir.

Wait for me.

They'll be with you afterwards.

Mr.

Williams.

Yeah, this is for the condemnation of 3153 Riggs Road.

Condemned August 21st, 2025.

This property has 48 housing code violations.

The owner has been contacted as aware of this hearing.

The owner is aware that if it's condemned and demolished, the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner.

The owner pulled a permit, but to date, uh as of yesterday, no repairs have been made.

The owner is here to represent.

Any questions in Mr.

Williams?

If the owner would come forward, and please give your name and address.

Any questions?

What's your plans for the building, if any?

I don't have any help, so I mean I had someone to come to me to offer to buy it, so they're not here.

Um they were late coming, so I'm trying to work on trying to sell it.

So I won't lose everything.

Yeah, I mean that you know, Ms.

Grove, honestly, it's gonna take a lot of money looking at the violations on this house.

It's gonna take a lot of money.

So I mean, and even if we do approve the demolition, it won't be tomorrow when they come to demolish it.

So you still will have time to sell it.

Okay, you still won't be able to sell.

I'm sorry, I misspoke.

Virgil, I'm sorry.

No, once it's condemned, she would have the opportunity to appeal if she wants to save and try to try to save it.

But once it's condemned, it can no longer be sold.

Okay.

Well, if you can work with Virgil, you know, if you want to sell it, um, you can have time to appeal it and still have an opportunity to sell it.

Okay, so what do I what do I need?

Virgil again.

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm I do apologize.

Uh, because the only person she has an active permit on it.

So if it's appealed, she would be the only one that would be able to continue to work and work on it.

Once y'all condemn it, this house can no longer another permit would not be allowed to be pulled on.

Is this no?

Uh how long has this been going on?

Uh all total, I've been dealing with this property about seven years.

And see, I didn't know because my dad passed, so he was probably contacting my dad, and I just found out about this recently.

So I didn't know it's been that long since he'd been trying to contact them.

So I'm just finding out, so that's why I'm trying to step in.

If you had the you said you had someone interested in buying it now that you spoke with, yeah.

How much time do you think it would take for you to run?

You think uh we don't meet next week.

You think in two weeks, you can come back with the prospective buyer, and and so we can be assured that it will be sold uh until we can instead of condemning it.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, because when I leave here, I'm gonna call her and find out.

I'm gonna give a motion.

I'll make a motion to give two weeks.

I second.

Two weeks.

Yes, ma'am, two weeks.

And that'll give you time to get the prospective buyer back here.

I hope you get it solved.

I like my house.

You know, it's just been a lot to do when I'm by myself.

So I understand.

No, so we see hopefully we'll have a good outcome.

I hope so.

All right, we have a motion and a second table for two weeks.

Two weeks table.

Yes, yep.

So um this was a public hearing when it was introduced.

Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against the demolition?

Seeing none, voting to table for two weeks, Mr.

Pell.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Okay, table for two weeks.

Thank you.

Consent agenda, clerk.

This approves items A through G on the consent agenda.

Move it option.

Second.

So move and second, voting, Mr.

Eden.

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Consent agenda is adopted.

Public hearings, clerk.

This order is demolition of the structure located at 2970 Elm Street.

So moved.

Second.

It's been moved and second, Mr.

Williams.

This is for the condemnation of 2790 Elm Street condemned November 13th, 2025.

This property has 47 housing code violations.

The owner has been contacted, is aware of this hearing.

The owner is aware that if it's condemned and demolished, the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner.

The owner is not here to represent.

Okay.

Any questions, Mr.

Williams?

Is the owner again?

I'll I'll do this as for a matter of record.

Is there anyone here uh representing or owns 2790 Elm Street?

Seeing none, this is a public hearing.

Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against the demolition?

Seeing none, voting, Mr.

Pell.

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Demolition's ordered, clerk.

What's the address on this one?

2790.

This this is Elm Street or Oaks.

Yeah, I'm street.

Elm Street.

I'm sorry.

That the uh the actual street address of the house is 2770.

Uh the parcel is 2790.

Do we need to make any movements that's 279?

I think that's what's on record.

Okay.

We were having what's on record at probate.

Uh 27.

2770 is the actual property, the house number.

Well, I'm not sure.

I'm sorry.

2790 is what's on record, probably because they they probate the uh the parcel.

Okay.

So this week, would y'all just do some due diligence?

And if for some reason there is a question on the matter, but we can maybe come back on the 27th.

Yeah, yes.

And if you can hold the paperwork until such time.

Yeah, and that's not a problem.

Not a problem.

Thank you very much.

Yes, sir.

Uh clerk.

This order's demolition of the structure located 2715 Oak Street.

Move it option.

Move and second, Mr.

Williams.

This is for the condemnation of 2715 Oak Street condemned November 13th, 2025.

This property has 47 housing code violations.

The owner has been contacted as aware of this hearing.

The owner is aware that if it's condemned and demolished, the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner.

The owner is not here to represent.

Any questions to Mr.

Williams?

Is there anyone here that is representing 2715 Oak Street?

Seeing none.

This is a public hearing.

Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against the demolition?

Seeing none.

Voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Demolition is ordered.

Clerk.

This sets the cost of demolition of 3313 16th Street and authorizes the filing of a lien.

So move.

Second.

Move and second.

Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against setting the cost of demolition?

Seeing none, voting Mr.

Fell.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Cost is set.

Clerk.

This sets the cost of demolition of 2214-26th Avenue and authorizes the filing of a lien.

Move it option.

Second.

Moved and second.

Is anyone here wishing to speak for or against setting the cost of demolition?

Seeing none, voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

I apologize.

May I may I hold the vote?

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

And I must admit, in 20 years of doing this job, you are the first person to ever speak in my at least during my time as presiding over a meeting on fixing the cost of demolition.

So I apologize for not seeing you earlier.

You're welcome.

My name is Katheria Taylor.

I'm the owner of the property.

Could you speak into the microphone?

My name is Kathir Taylor and I'm the owner of the property.

I'm just here to find out what it will what it is to be said.

The resolution tonight is just setting the cost of demolition.

Umside, he could probably give you more information.

So once we set the cost and authorize the filing of a lien, I'll prep the lien and send it over to the city attorney's office.

They'll work with you on setting up a payment plan to pay off the cost of the lien.

All right.

That's what I received in the level, but thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

That's why you're awesome.

Thank you, Ms.

Johnson.

I think we um we started the vote with Mr.

Eatman.

So we'll continue on.

Don't know who's next, Mr.

Tyner.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

The cost is set.

Clerk.

This consents to the vacation of a portion of a public street.

So move.

Second.

It's been moved and second.

Any questions of the council?

I know you were briefed earlier on this.

Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against?

Seeing none.

Voting, Mr.

Fail.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Vacation is adopted.

Resolution ordinance is not of a general nature or permanent operation, Clerk.

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

Second.

It's been moved and second.

Ms.

Franks.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

I have alcohol application for downtown entertainment LLC applying for a special events retail less than seven days.

They would like to hold five events starting on January 23rd at 5 Delta Parents Weekend at 190 University Boulevard.

ATO alumni dinner party at 920 Paul W.

Bright Drive.

January 24th.

They'll have ATO TN basketball alumni tailgate at 322 University Boulevard.

February 5th, KA Darty Grash, 2526 for at 416 University Boulevard.

And then last March 27th, Tri Delta Parents Weekend at 920 Paul W.

Bryant Drive.

All my reports have been filed with the city clerk.

TPD will come and give their report and then the applicant.

Okay.

If we have the applicant here, Mr.

Hanks, if you would come forward and give your name and address.

It's uh Brandon Hanks, Downtown Entertainment LLC 504 Alman Avenue, Tuscaloosa.

Okay.

Any questions of Mr.

Hanks.

All right.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Voting, Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Application is approved.

Goodbye.

Mayor Maddox.

May I say something?

Um I'm hoping not out of line, but for the partners here with the task force.

Uh yeah, I notice you're kind of looking around at each other.

You're more than free to go unless you want to stay for this tantillating rest of our meeting.

Thank you, Mr.

Time.

I'm sorry, they were just look like.

Can I go?

Maybe we can sneak out with them.

Um this authorizes a contract with Pure O Clean Emergency Services Alabama.

So move.

Second.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Fail.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Resolutions adopted, Clerk.

This authorizes professional services contract with Porterra Incorporated.

Move it option.

Second.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Resolution is adopted, Clerk.

This authorizes 2020 A arbitrage rebate payment to the United States Treasury.

So move.

Second.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Resolutions adopted, Clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Amison and Associates Incorporated.

Move it option.

Second.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Resolutions adopted, Clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with night sign industries incorporated for the PAL Gym.

So move.

Second.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Pell.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Resolutions adopted, Clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Knight Sign Industries Incorporated for the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center.

Move adoption.

Second.

Move and second by Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Resolution is adopted.

Clerk.

This authorizes amendment number four to the 2022 A warrant series budget.

So move.

Second.

Move and second, voting Mr.

Pell.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Amendment is adopted.

Ordinances and resolutions of the general nature of permanent operation for introduction, Clerk.

This introduces zoning amendment number 25.

Move adoption.

Second.

It's been moved and second voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Clerk.

This introduces zoning amendment number 26.

So move.

Second.

Move and second, voting Mr.

Pell.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Clerk.

This introduces zoning amendment number 27.

So move.

Second.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Clerk.

This appoints David Diab to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Move adoption.

Second.

Moved and second.

Voting Mr.

Pell.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Off unanimous consent.

Second.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Appointment is confirmed for adoption.

This sets February 10th as the date to consider adoption of zoning amendment number 25.

So move.

Second.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Pell.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Data set, clerk.

This sets February 10th as the date to consider adoption of zoning amendment number 26.

So move.

Second.

Move and second, voting Mr.

Eden.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Data set.

Clerk.

This sets February 10th as the date to consider adoption of zoning amendment number 27.

So move.

Second.

Move and second, voting Mr.

Pell.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Date is set.

Auditing account.

This authorizes the payment of bills.

Pay keeps.

Hey, my bills.

Move and second.

Voting Mr.

Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Thank you.

Resolution is adopted.

Citizens' comments and other communications.

Any citizens wish to address the city council tonight?

Okay.

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

Okay.

You caught me unawares.

My name is Susie Smith and I live at 17 Springbrook.

I was in the finance committee meeting on the 6th of January where I opposed the incentive for the development in Springbrook in my neighborhood.

When I left the meeting, I was thinking a lot of this city council wasn't here when Springbrook rezoning happened.

So I thought really that it would be good for those of you who were not here to learn a little bit about that infamous uh experience.

So I came up with a little packet that I'd like to give you and say a few words about it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

It's a little little heavy.

Okay.

Here you go.

Thank you.

It's a little heavy, but and there are a number of uh documents in it, but I'll try to go through those just as quickly as I can.

Um the the Springbrook rezoning issue lasted from May of 2015 to July of 2017.

It was a long haul.

We went to um or there were let's see where I put it.

There were five city council meetings.

There were three or four, there were five planning and zoning commission meetings.

There were three or four city council meetings, and there were three neighborhood meetings through that whole process.

At each one of those meetings, there were a number of people who opposed the rezoning of one-fifth of the Springbrook neighborhood.

There were people from Springbrook, residents of Springbrook.

What you have there are about uh 14 or 15 documents that cover a spattering of what went on with with the Springbrook rezoning.

Um I did include some information that was prior to May of 2015, because I think that's really where the rezoning story begins when the properties were being bought and uh what was going on with that.

Most of what you find in that in that packet are staff reports, official documents of the city that uh sort of follow that rezoning rezoning process, I'll say.

Ums or things that I wrote.

I made uh a comment in the finance committee meeting about the traffic, and what I included was the tally that I did over time sitting at the guest station, counting the cars that drove in front of that uh section of Albright Road.

Um the arguments that the petitioners made, uh also I sort of implied when I spoke with the uh finance committee, were maligning the neighborhood, disparaging the neighborhood.

There were very few arguments, if any, about the benefits that would come to Springbrook, to the city of the rezoning, um, and I still contend that that is the case.

That's why it's taken so long for them to come up with the with a developer.

If you would miss would y'all would you all like to provide a couple more minutes, we it will add three minutes.

Oh, well, I can wrap it up.

Okay, thank you.

Anyway, I hope that you will take a look at what what's in there and um sort of get a get a handle on what went on with the rezoning.

And there was one little thing that I wanted to read to you.

I found this quite interesting about civil service.

Several, well, actually, it's been a number of months ago.

I read a commentary that John Archibald wrote in AL.com, and he wrote, Thomas Jefferson argued that when a person assumes a position of public trust, he should consider himself as public property.

It's bigger than him or her.

You have to believe it, or trust in government goes to hell.

Voters yawn, power is brought bought and sold, and we the people don't get our due.

A board that appears to pick and choose on the basis of popularity or politics seems broken, and appearance is important, especially when it comes to public officials.

Please keep that in mind when you consider this incentive to destroy a fifth of Springbrook neighborhood.

So, Ms.

Smith, I appreciate we've gone over I'm gonna try to keep the short answer, but just to clarify, I'm assuming you're opposed to it.

Yes, yes.

Is your opposition rezoning status or is it the subsidation?

Well, uh what I'm what I'm uh getting at now is certainly the uh subsidy subdeductive the incentives.

Okay, because I mean it's it's already been rezoned.

I mean that's a gatherer up for consideration.

No, it's not.

I understand that.

But as I said to begin with, the point is that you and Mr.

Fail, Mr.

Eatman were not here when the rezoning took place.

So I think that the history of of that rezoning will inform your decision about the incentive.

Right.

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you very much.

Is there anyone else that wishes to address C council tonight?

Seeing none, subject to exercise a mayoral veto and ordinance of adjourned nature or permanent operation, all applicable departments are here by order to implement council policy this day enacted.

Move we adjourn.

Move move and second to adjourn.

Voting, Mr.

Fail.

Yes.

Yes, yes.

Yes.

Meetings adjourn.

Something's adjourned.