OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting Summary - January 27, 2026

City Council MeetingsTuesday, January 27, 2026
BodyTuscaloosa, Alabama
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, January 27, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Mike Gardner, approval right-of-way use permit to install 200 wells in the right-of-ways of uh property located 542 15th Street East.

0:11

Good afternoon.

0:12

So this is the address you may not recognize.

0:17

This is the uh the little Caesars location at the corner of 15th and Dr.

0:25

Edward Hillard Drive.

0:26

Um the right-of-way use permit ask is uh for a geotechnical firm to install some monitored wells in the public alley on the north side of that piece of property.

0:41

Uh that diagram there is from the firm the that's been contracted with uh ADM to do the groundwater monitoring.

0:50

Uh and you can see the the holes or the bores that they plan to do and and a couple fall in our in our public right away.

0:58

Um give you an idea of what this is gonna be, it's probably a four or six inch diameter hole drilled to a certain depth uh so that they can you know drop a monitor in it periodically and take samples of the groundwater that are looking for contaminants.

1:15

Uh my understanding is years and years ago this used to be a service station.

1:22

So this is this is something that uh ADM is funded and Bate has been contracted to perform the services.

1:31

What prompted the look?

1:33

Yeah, not real sure.

1:35

Um but it was yeah, it's it's through ADM uh and and the the people that are performing the services for ADM is Bate, which is a geotechnical firm out of Birmingham.

1:53

I don't see any harm in it.

1:55

Uh obviously if there's contaminants found, then we would we would want to know.

2:01

Our general public would want to know, but I don't believe there's is anything that's of a of a health hazard.

2:08

Been been unable to actually get a specific answer as to why this started many years ago.

2:18

Is right-of-way use permit is it for a certain time or is it forever?

2:23

No, it's temporary.

2:25

Once once they're monitoring wells start indicating clean water and they stop the monitoring process, they'll backfill those with a flowable concrete material and seal them off.

2:37

Are they telling us what they're finding?

2:40

We we can do that.

2:41

Yeah, we can get those those reductions.

2:44

Yes, sir, we will uh motion to approve that.

2:49

What happens if they find contaminants?

2:55

I don't know.

2:57

Hopefully they don't.

2:59

I know, but I mean I just hope it's not a course of action.

3:03

Is would we read least would we be responsible?

3:06

No, sir.

3:07

No.

3:07

Okay.

3:08

We are not responsible.

3:09

They would they would most likely either themselves or uh or the property owner require some sort of remediation, some sort of round fielding just depending on on what it was.

3:19

Okay.

3:20

Uh uh I'll make a motion to approve contingent on the provision that we be notified with the findings.

3:29

No.

3:30

All right, motion approved.

3:33

All in favor.

3:34

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

3:36

I'll speak agenda item number two resolution accepting public infrastructure improvement.

3:45

Mike, yes, sir.

3:47

So uh this is a resolution accepting uh public infrastructure from neighborhoods and uh per other permits issued through our office for what is public infrastructure.

4:02

This is a combination of sanitary sewers, uh sidewalks, roads, um think think about subdivision development where we you know the developer builds the road, platts the lots, and then we take over the ownership and maintenance of that infrastructure.

4:26

So Mike, is this uh we do this as a batch?

4:31

Well, we are this time counselor, um and uh I think this responsibility falls on me that this is lagged for quite a while out of this department, uh, and this is a mechanism to catch up.

4:46

Um I don't mind the catch-up number, but your department has inspected all those in this batch.

4:54

Yes, sir.

4:54

So we accept world yes, sir.

4:56

Yeah, Jeff.

5:00

I make a motion.

5:01

Sorry.

5:01

All in favor.

5:02

Aye.

5:03

Motion approved.

5:04

Sounds right.

5:05

Agenda item number three, approval professional services contract with Donc Coke associates for surveying and mapping the city property on the east side with Lake Tuscaloosa now.

5:15

Um still you're we're both gonna do this.

5:19

All right.

5:20

Um the east side uh of the lake.

5:24

Do we have any images?

5:27

Okay.

5:28

Um the east side of the dam, the city owns property on both the north and the south side of uh New Watermelon Road.

5:37

If y'all remember this came to y'all in the properties committee meeting a couple of three weeks ago, where we we had the map, we showed you it's on the shoreline of the lake, the property on the north side, and then a property on the south side below the spillway.

5:55

So what we're asking today is approval of the surveying contract with Duncan Coker to perform the survey, prepare the maps, and ultimately uh record a subdivision with the probate records office so that we can move forward with the transfer of the property if the property committees in the council so approves the disposal of the property and it's expressed purely as a not to exceed it is not to exceed of 27,500 for the survey.

6:31

The next item that is uh companion to that is the appraisal services uh for $20,000 to appraise the land to establish the fair market value.

6:43

And Tom can speak a little more in detail, maybe on that for you.

6:48

All right, yeah.

6:49

I mean that's what we're doing.

6:51

We're gonna be allowing us to retain an appraiser to appraise both tracks.

6:55

This track that we're talking about is north of watermelon road and sits above the spillway and is adjacent to the uh Lake Crest subdivision.

7:04

How much land is it?

7:07

20,000 to appraise it.

7:09

Good luck.

7:10

How much it's what's involved?

7:13

Probably 30 to 30 to 40 acres.

7:18

Is this kind of the other side of the police firing range?

7:22

It's on the north side.

7:23

Across the water is this is above spillway.

7:25

No spill comes out, it's the land that's above spillway.

7:28

And it's about 30 acres or better, or better side do that.

7:39

Okay.

7:41

Do we typically do the surveying and mapping and the appraising together or is there a reason for it?

7:46

Well, first of all, we got to get the survey done to get the appraisal.

7:49

I guess they are he has to have the mapping to to look at the acreage to then make his evaluation and come up with the appraised cost.

8:02

Okay, so up to 275 surveying map, dunking coker, up to 20 appraisal and consultant group.

8:11

Yes, sir.

8:12

They do regular work for us.

8:13

We've done a lot of work for us, yeah.

8:15

Up to 2000.

8:16

He's done a lot of guys.

8:17

He did McRoch's Ferry, so he's very familiar with all this okay problem.

8:21

What kind of time frame?

8:24

I would assume as soon as we get the survey done, which is I believe survey done two or three weeks.

8:31

Okay.

8:32

Give that to the appraiser.

8:33

So 60 days, 60 days in the neighborhood.

8:38

Motion.

8:38

Second.

8:39

Okay.

8:39

All in favor, we're gonna vote on the agenda three first.

8:42

Yeah, who's talking?

8:45

All right.

8:48

All in favor passing now.

8:51

We're gonna vote on agenda item number four.

8:53

Was they already explained?

8:54

So can I get a motion?

8:55

Some of them.

8:56

Second.

8:56

All in favor?

8:57

Aye.

9:01

You good, you're good.

9:02

Agenda item number five, approval professional service contract with McRifford and Associates for providing boundary survey of the property associated with Patent Lake Project.

9:11

Is McCool?

9:12

Yes.

9:12

Hello, how are you doing?

9:13

How are you doing?

9:14

Jim today, the Office of the City Engineer is requesting approval of a professional services contract with McGifferton associates for a boundary survey for the property associated with Patton Lake Park.

9:26

I'll make the motion we do that.

9:30

Um, so we have a vicinity map here just to ground us for where Patent Lake is.

9:34

You can see City Hall in the top left of the map and Patton Lake is in the Woodland Hills uh subdivision in District Six.

9:41

And then here we have a site map.

9:43

So you can see this was Patton Lake after it drained.

9:46

Um the Patent Lake Park project is within those confines of Woodland Hills Drive within that area.

9:52

So this is for the boundary survey for $8,400.

9:57

Why are we doing this?

10:00

In order to get our appraisal and acquire this piece of land for the proposed patent lake park project that's coming down the road.

10:10

Some of them.

10:10

Second.

10:11

All in favor?

10:12

Aye.

10:12

Motion passed.

10:13

Thanks.

10:13

All right.

10:14

Agenda item number six, approval of professional service agreement with spoil SCOL engineering company for consultant services.

10:24

Yes, so this is also for professional services for Patent Lake Park project, but this is for the consulting services portion of it.

10:31

Um let me scoop forward through this.

10:33

It's the same site.

10:35

Here's a conceptual plan for Patent Lake Park project.

10:38

So this would be for the consulting services fee of $511,000.

10:43

$511,627.50 cents.

10:46

Can you go into the image?

10:47

It was before that.

10:49

Oh, I don't know how to go back right to that.

10:50

There we go.

10:52

Yes.

10:54

So this is conceptual work that's been previously done by Shoal.

10:59

Sure, okay, thank you.

11:00

And the project slowed down.

11:04

It's revitalizing now, looking for that contract to continue with the prelim design, final design, bid phase services, things of that nature to get the project from prelim design through construction.

11:23

Can you can you get is this already in line?

11:27

I mean, we'll put out a half million.

11:30

We've got a million dollars in the budget design.

11:33

There's two million dollars in the budget.

11:35

So the total we budgeted two million.

11:38

This gets us to around a half million to we've mapped it, surveyed it, appraised it, acquired it.

11:46

And this includes designing a park that's going there.

11:52

Yes, sir.

11:53

Yes, this is for the design of that park, and also to it um solve some sedimentation issues and drainage issues in the wear off.

12:04

It is a I've been to Africa, y'all, and I've seen African jungles.

12:08

This is worse.

12:14

Kind of like we occasionally buy a house that's on underwater.

12:17

We're uh we're buying this, figuring that's just the the neatest way to shut this down is to buy it, own it, make it a park.

12:29

We can never have a lake here again, it's just not feasible.

12:33

And this park is gonna be very nice.

12:36

It was man-made anyway, wasn't it?

12:38

Uh yeah, it was a foundation that doesn't exist anymore.

12:41

Owned all that.

12:42

It's really a Tom's done a whole lot of work on this.

12:46

Ms.

12:46

Standard.

12:47

Yes, sir.

12:48

Where is this money now?

12:50

This is currently in the RFFI.

12:52

This was um part of the mayor's last capital project recommendation.

12:58

Yeah, I think that the the planned part and it's uh an it in totality from what was viewed on that um conceptual drawing was what was proposed in the initial capital projects presentation.

13:11

Okay.

13:13

All right, motion second all in favor.

13:17

Motion passed.

13:20

Item number seven, approval minor public work contract with PC technology to replace alarm system that he'll fletcher wastewater water treatment plant.

13:30

Um afternoon.

13:32

Good afternoon.

13:35

So this is to replace the fire alarm system within the Fletcher admin building.

13:40

Um I be aware there's a new building in design for Fletcher wastewater plant.

13:46

Um things we want to do with this project is not only replace the system that's due, uh it's a little right around 30 years old, antiquated fire alarm system in the facility, but this will also allow us to network this building to the new building on site, um, make monitoring for that fire alarm system fairly simple and straightforward, and actually put it under one monitoring account.

14:13

Where's the money, Tim?

14:14

This is funded by water sewer facility renewal.

14:18

Okay, motion second.

14:21

Tim, you got the next yes, sir.

14:24

Four or five, all in favor?

14:27

Uh aye.

14:28

Motion passend item number eight.

14:34

Approval professional service contract with Marshmaking Markham Architects and Architectural Engineering Services for renovation, new facilities with maintenance warehouse for management for the maintenance warehouse.

14:45

Yes, sir.

14:45

So this is funded by the hop the sale, the proceeds from the sale of the Hopkins property.

14:50

Um this is for design for modifications inside the building that we purchased on at 1209 James I Harrison.

14:57

Um what we want to do, we're already moving into the facility.

15:00

We want to add a multi-occupant office area because this will be this facility will be used by both facilities maintenance as well as IT's field operations, the fiber group.

15:10

We're gonna add a canopy and walkway on the back of the building that will allow for storage of trailer equipment trailers, things that we don't necessarily need to keep inside, but want to keep out of the rain.

15:22

We're gonna add power to the fence on the back of the building.

15:24

We're gonna add a loft area in the front with some stairs for additional storage, and we're gonna add a man door on the side of the building as part of this design work.

15:35

So Tim, this is you said this is from the sale of the building we sold to Stampade on Commerce Drive near the airport.

15:45

And where is that money?

15:47

That the building, so what once the sale went through, we deposited it into the RFFI, and the um sale of the building, or sorry, the the acquisition of the James I.

16:01

Harrison building was paid out of that.

16:04

Okay.

16:05

About how much is left in there from that?

16:08

Uh five and a half million ish.

16:12

Yeah, I think it's about 5.8.

16:14

That money is uh purely belongs to the RFFI at this point.

16:19

Why it's not yes, sir, it's not earmarked for anything currently.

16:24

So just the just the property acquisition and move in costs.

16:28

So what are you gonna do with this building, Tim?

16:31

Well, we're housing our entire facilities maintenance operation inside this building.

16:34

There the building that we sold to Stampede was where those guys operated out of where our general front warehouse was from.

16:40

We're also not only moving them, we're moving the IT's field operations from the T Dot property to this site as well.

16:48

So this is this is our warehouse for all of IT's field operations, all of facilities maintenance operations.

16:54

We have a portion of public works in there as well.

16:58

Um so this is their operating where they report to every single day.

17:02

This is where they operate from questions.

17:09

I'm good.

17:11

Motion second, all in favor?

17:13

Hi, motion.

17:18

You got the next four.

17:19

Yes, sir.

17:20

Uh so this item is funded by facility renewal.

17:23

This is at fire station number two.

17:26

Well, we've had uh in one of the restrooms at the fire station, we've got a broken shower pan in one of the restrooms, which is underneath tile.

17:34

We need to remove the tile from this restroom, repair the pan.

17:37

It's caused some damage to the sheetrock in the adjacent bunk room.

17:40

We're gonna have to make those repairs, a few plumbing repairs inside the wall, put all the bathroom back together.

17:48

Okay.

17:49

Question.

17:51

Okay.

17:53

I'm hoping my shower.

17:57

So that that's that's largely the tile removal, tile replacement, shower repair.

18:02

I've been serious.

18:02

I hope my shower.

18:05

Second all in favor.

18:11

Yes, sir.

18:12

So this is our annual service contract for inspection and maintenance on all of the city's generators.

18:18

This is funded by both CFG's operating account as well as multiple accounts from water and sewer, because this does all both general fund and water and sewer generators across all city properties.

18:30

And this is you know, it's approximately 90 generators.

18:33

I think the number is exactly 88 or 89, but approximately 90 generators we service annually with whomever is the lowest uh lowest price contractor.

18:45

First time we use this.

18:47

This is our second year using Nixon.

18:51

Question.

18:53

So you said this is shared between CFG and water and sewer.

18:59

Water and sewer.

19:00

And is it is it evident from each maintenance item?

19:08

Who who owns that one or how do y'all break it out?

19:10

Yes, sir.

19:10

It's so the the quote from Nixon actually line items, every single generator, and each of the amounts that's being funded by the four different so y'all the department see who's gonna be yes, sir.

19:21

And on the resolution when it goes to council, it will have a breakdown of the um general ledger account numbers that will be charged for each individual amount.

19:33

Yes, yes.

19:34

Second all in favor, motion prayer number 11, too.

19:40

Yes, sir.

19:40

So this is requesting a contract with Smith and Steagall for the replacement of the design replacement for the TPD generator.

19:49

Uh council may recall about six weeks ago.

19:52

I brought a contract to remove the underground storage tank of the diesel fuel at TPD.

20:00

That start that's part of the process in removing the existing diesel generator on site, transitioning over to a natural gas generator.

20:07

The generator on site now is currently the original one, so it's installed 1989, 1990.

20:14

It's certainly reaching its end of life, 35 years old.

20:22

So we would like to start design work.

20:24

Again, this is just for the design associated with modifying all the transfer switches, removing this generator, installing a natural gas generator, designing the natural gas piping to that generator.

20:40

And where is that coming from?

20:41

This is funded from our facility renewal.

20:44

Still second.

20:47

All in favor, aye.

20:48

I motion staff.

20:50

All right.

20:50

Agenda item number 12.

20:53

This is funded also by facility renewal.

20:56

And this is at the Kentuck Building, the Queen City Pool House.

21:10

That have been continuous problems for us for several years.

21:14

We've we've made various attempts to try to repair the existing roof drains.

21:19

The problem is they're really undersized for the amount of water that they're getting.

21:26

And of course, combined with the age of the building, there are two roof drains.

21:51

Where's this money come from?

21:52

This is facility renewal.

21:54

So for the penalty with normal value.

21:57

Um what's the refreshment?

22:02

Okay, back for fresh me.

22:06

What's our agreement with Kentuck on maintenance repairs and stuff like that as we move towards that kind of mirror going on there?

22:15

Yes, sir.

22:16

The part of the lease, well, we're what's considered four walls and roof, so this would be one of the major systems that we would be responsible for.

22:23

For example, one of the recent improvements that I believe they reimbursed us for for I think this kitchen.

22:30

Since that was interior and at their request, that costs would have been buried by them.

22:34

So this is just a major major system, which is correct.

22:38

And I do want to note on that that regardless of the tenant past, present, or in the future, we'd we'd still be responsible party to address that.

22:48

Motion second all in favor, aye motion passed.

22:52

Thank you.

22:52

Yes, sir.

22:53

Agenda item number 13.

22:55

Resolution authorizing uh mayor to execute security firm contracts with city facilities and events K.

23:02

Afternoon, Council.

23:04

So this resolution seeks authorization for the mayor to execute security firm contracts with vendors on the preferred security vendor list for city facilities and events.

23:14

So basically, um, for example, when someone rents the river market for an event, we require them to hire security.

23:21

Um, also we refer to them as t-shirt t-shirt security.

23:25

So this resolution will allow the mayor to execute security contracts for the facility, providing us with additional security firms to choose from.

23:34

I want would like to note that all security contracts are thoroughly vetted by TPD and OCA and the renters responsible for paying the security firm, and no findings required for this authorization.

23:47

Okay, so I'm a little we're approving the vendors on the con the optional contract, right?

23:56

On the preferred security list, and they're paying, yes, sir.

24:00

Just like they pay linen, they pay for security.

24:03

What all what all facilities this cover?

24:06

Uh all of them, but this is specifically for river marketing.

24:10

So is this any change in TPD security?

24:14

No, no, this is just basically like the amphet and everything else, but they're not expanding it or contracting.

24:19

No, I refer to just this just gives us additional company to choose from.

24:24

All in favor, aye.

24:26

Motion passed, thank you.

24:27

Thank you.

24:28

Agenda item number 14, amended resolution authorized the professional service contract for Tierra Inc.

24:35

for utility locate management services, Jason.

24:38

Thank you.

24:38

Good afternoon.

24:39

Good afternoon.

24:40

Uh this item came to you uh January the 6th, and when it uh got to the uh uh purchasing stage, we realized that we had left office swallow part on the original resolution.

24:52

There's a $1,300 year one implementation fee that was not reflected in the previous previous presentation to you, and so that's why this is uh this is coming back.

25:03

So you year one is $13,220.

25:06

Years two and three are eleven thousand nine hundred and twenty.

25:10

That's it, yes, sir.

25:13

Motion so all in favor?

25:15

Hi.

25:15

Motion passed.

25:16

Thanks.

25:20

Authorizing office of city attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings and take other actions for the acquisition of property for the kicker roll sidewalk project.

25:30

Afternoon, council.

25:32

Afternoon.

25:33

Uh this is I've got two sidewalk projects to talk to you all about.

25:36

Um this first one though is Kicker Road Sidewalk.

25:39

This is gonna go from JC Park up to Piney Grove Baptist Church.

25:44

Um and we have been in the process of acquiring easements.

25:49

There's it's looking like we're gonna know need to go the condemnation route on one easement.

25:54

So this is just authorizing us to go ahead and file a suit for condemnation.

25:59

Is that for two of them?

26:00

Wasn't it uh so far?

26:02

It looks like just one, but there might be there might be others.

26:06

Yeah.

26:08

Any circumstances we ought to know about?

26:10

No, this is air property that as far as we can tell the the title to the deeds a hundred years old.

26:16

So enter someplace like that.

26:19

You guess motion second all in favor.

26:22

Hi motion praise.

26:25

Item number sixteen resolution authorizing agreement with Valbridge property advisors for professional property appraisal services for S Street Sidewalk.

26:35

Thank you.

26:35

This is the Ash Street Sidewalk Project.

26:37

This is going to go from McDonald Hughes up to Calton Park.

26:41

Um we in order to build the sidewalk, we're gonna need to acquire two temporary construction easements.

26:48

Um, because this is a federal grant, this is the TAF grant.

26:51

We're gonna need to get uh those two properties appraised and then have a review appraisal.

26:55

Um we we sent out our RFQ, got back some good options.

27:00

We're recommending Valbridge as the primary appraiser, and then the uh the appraisal consulting group, which all were discussing earlier as the review appraiser.

27:11

So this is just to get temporary easement for construction, yes, sir.

27:18

And then when do we see the contract or do we?

27:24

Um the the contract what do we pay them to do this for oh we don't know yet.

27:30

Um they've a little a lot.

27:32

A little this is this is a very small project.

27:37

Second, all in favor.

27:38

I thank you.

27:39

Motion passes.

27:42

So I got you again.

27:44

Uh Hussain that's the same project.

27:45

Uh agenda item number 17, resolution authorizing agreement with appraisal and consulting group for professional property appraisal service for Astrid.

27:53

Yep, I sat down too quick.

27:55

I'm sorry.

27:56

This is the same thing.

27:57

We just the federal law requires us to acquire a primary appraiser and also a review appraiser.

28:02

This is the review appraiser.

28:04

So even less.

28:06

Uh yes.

28:07

Motion second.

28:09

All in favor.

28:09

Aye.

28:10

Motion passed.

28:12

Uh agenda item number 18, authorized amendment number one to fund an agreement with Mac environmental LLC for home repair renovation services.

28:21

Chip.

28:22

Good afternoon, council.

28:24

Good afternoon.

28:25

So basically, um the our let's paint programs where we went into repair and renovation of lead homes after the fact we took all the lead paint out of them.

28:33

Um, we originally allocated $336,000 to this with CDBG money.

28:38

And when we made our contract with the contractor and the engineering firm, um, we left some money on the table in case we ever had any change orders are to pay some admin.

28:47

Well, once we got done with the first round, we had about a hundred thousand dollars left over.

28:50

So we went back and did the second round and did five more houses.

28:53

Now we're just adjusting the contract with the contractor to show that where we went in and did those extra houses.

29:05

So this is us painting and repairing people's house.

29:10

Yes, we and the money comes from where it's C D BG money.

29:14

CDBG money.

29:15

Yeah.

29:15

And we did what we were gonna do.

29:17

Right.

29:18

And we had a hundred grand left over, right?

29:21

And we've now done five more houses.

29:23

How do you pick those?

29:25

Uh we we put out a uh an application process where people apply.

29:29

They and we we grade their you know applications and the ones that's qualified.

29:34

The first time we did we had 10 homes that qualified, second time we had five homes that qualified.

29:40

Um no, it's mostly on um I mean to over send is it the one who needs the most paint is the top of the list.

29:47

No, that's it, yeah.

29:49

An area that's been you first off, you would have to income qualify in order to you know get into the program.

30:00

we we grade their you know applications and the ones that's qualified the first time we did we had 10 homes that qualified the second time we had five homes that qualify them on the or area or what um no it's mostly on um i mean to over send is it the one who needs the most paint is the top of the list no there is a yeah in an area that's been you first off you would have to income qualify in order to you know get into the program um and then what so once you get that it would really be we rank them based upon when they when the applications come in because it's like a you know we we put in a you know an opportunity to apply for this program we give people a week to apply we'll get like three or four hundred applications right and you know about 10 percent of them really qualify right so this request to execute the amended agreement that's just to paint the additional five houses the original contract with the contractor was for two hundred and uh thirty thousand and um and we only we only spent like a hundred and eighty of that and so we all we also had another contract with Volker to do engineering services for 70 they only spent about 10 so we had an extra 100 thousand dollars so we went ahead and put out another opportunity for people to apply so we got five more homes went in we did those homes and we didn't know what that was going to cost until we got all that to adjust the contract the not to exceed contract motion all in favor motion pass thank you all right yeah 19 to 25 is gonna be you have them let you rock and roll okay so um our first item is um for us to uh ask for authorization to execute the grant agreement for the 2025 uh action plan um that goes with cdbg and the home program we're expecting to get those grant agreements soon um so we want to go ahead and get authorization for that uh this is the action plan that we um that council approved this past summer that we submitted to HUD what what amounts could those be we had uh eight hundred and seventy seven thousand seven hundred and ninety seven dollars in C D B G and six hundred and sixty two thousand thirty seven dollars and ninety six cents in home okay so if we get the 25 grant agreements that's what would be coming in so that'll be on the grant agreement and then um the next item I'll talk about allocating out for um sub recipient agreement okay do you need this approved yes sir motion second all in favor most approved all right the next item uh would be to execute subrecipient agreements um for program year 2025 as well as the um memorandums of understanding for CDBG and home um those are the projects that we did approve um this past summer and was submitted in the action plan um once we receive those grant agreements and approval from HUD uh we'd like to proceed um with getting those contracts executed question good second all in favor motion pass all right number 21 uh the next item would be authorizing an execution of an agreement with um the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs uh for a 2025 emergency solution grant program uh the city was funded uh with 2200 uh and that would be uh to provide funds for administration homeless management information system homeless prevention rapid rehousing street outreach and emergency shelter cost you gotta walk me through this one a little slow so we got 220 and this is us requesting authorization to execute an agreement with the state the state to you named off some functions to provide um we provide that service so we will allocate that out we will allocate some of the 220 to pay for those services yes sir the next item has who's gonna do the four next one does yeah okay in that case I got no one second uh the very uh motion pass you roll uh so this next item um goes with uh that uh grant we in our original application uh that you approved for us to submit we had uh three agencies uh that were a part of the implementation for ESG uh so this would allow us to execute um funding agreements with those agencies uh so that would be the salvation army for 94 thousand dollars temporary emergency services for 46,200 turning point for sixty thousand dollars and then we will have eighty eight hundred in admin and eleven thousand uh to operate the homeless management information system okay can you talk a little bit about the management system and what we do when we collect that information and the wrap around kind of wraparound services that we provide with that information yes so HUD requires uh in order to utilize the ESG funds that you report in the homeless management information system or a comparable database so our D V provider they uh

35:04

Okay.

35:06

Can you talk a little bit about the management system and what we do when we collect that information and the wrap around kind of wraparound services that we provide with that information?

35:16

Yes, so HUD requires uh in order to utilize the ESG funds that you report in the homeless management information system or a comparable database.

35:27

So our DV provider, they uh report in another database so that those clients can stay secure.

35:34

Um that system is the system that ultimately lets Congress know how we're performing.

35:41

Um so not only is ESG in there, uh, but we also receive continuum of care funds in our community.

35:48

They also report in that system.

35:50

Um Indian Rivers has a program that reports in that system as well.

35:56

We um actually we're in reporting season right now for the continuum of care.

36:00

The city um handles that for the continuum, and we are pushing out these reports that ultimately go to Congress so they see what we did with the money.

36:10

Um they're looking at did we leave people better than we found them?

36:14

Um, as far as the people that we serve.

36:16

So everything goes in there as far as what they received, um, how they came in and how they exited the program that they were in.

36:25

So that's that reporting system.

36:27

Then along with the different activities that I talked about, um, shelter, rapid rehousing, homeless prevention, the city also supports this grant with the housing counseling agency.

36:39

So those clients get to come for education and one-on-one counseling.

36:45

Um, because like I said, we want to leave people better um when they exit the program.

36:52

Uh, and in order to do that, we want to give them as much information and set them up for stability and success.

37:02

Well, thank you, Hill.

37:03

We get a lot of quote, I get a lot of questions about the home, so I'm glad to explain that not only, but everybody that's watching that we're not just we are actively trying to solve the problem.

37:13

So motion second, all in favor, uh motion pass.

37:20

Okay, so the next three items go together.

37:25

Um the first item uh is an amendment to the Salvation Army contract under 2024 ESG.

37:34

Uh this would deobligate $30,000 from their contract at their request.

37:40

Uh this will reduce it to $69,000.

37:43

Um, and then also in their budget reduce homeless prevention by $30,000 to $11,070.

37:51

And this is a lot with timing to make sure that we can close out 2024 in a timely fashion.

37:57

We have two other agencies that have need for funds that can spend it quickly.

38:04

Uh so we want to go ahead and get that moved around so that we can go ahead and spend the funds.

38:11

Who are the two other agencies?

38:13

Turning point and temporary emergency.

38:15

All under our same operators, yes, sir.

38:18

So it's under the ESG implementation.

38:20

Okay.

38:21

I don't have any other motions.

38:22

Second.

38:23

All in favor.

38:24

Motion passed.

38:26

Okay, the second item uh is to amend turning points contract to add $15,000 from that $30,000 that we removed from Salvation Army.

38:36

That'll increase their contract to $70,000 and increase their rapid rehousing um activity line item to $31,500.

38:46

So that's at $15,000 going into that line item.

38:50

Just as an example, what happens under rapid rehousing?

38:55

So in order to somebody back, huh?

38:57

So in order to qualify for rapid rehousing, you have to be category one.

39:01

So either living in shelter or a place that's not fit for habitation.

39:05

Okay.

39:06

Uh so that qualifies you as category one, and then that gets you access to rapid rehousing.

39:11

So we're moving you into permanent housing with permanent housing.

39:15

So that looks like deposit rent, and this can be an ongoing thing for a year where you're getting case management, we're assessing your needs so that by the time we get to the end of that year, we're in a more stable situation.

39:33

What happens at the end of the year?

39:35

Uh so at the end of the year we re-evaluate.

39:38

I mean, I'm assuming the ideal is they've gotten their feet back under them, and they resume responsibility for deposits or rent or whatever it was.

39:47

Yeah, so we'll re we re-evaluate.

39:49

So that particular activity you have to evaluate every 12 months.

39:53

Um, so the goal is to do the most we can in that 12 months.

39:58

Some people don't need the full 12 months.

40:01

Um but to maximize that time period um because we don't want to rehouse someone and then they return to homelessness.

40:11

What happens if they're not ready at 12 months?

40:15

Um, so we we reevaluate them.

40:19

So our our sub-recipient will re-evaluate them.

40:23

Uh so now we're kind of getting into what the regs say you have to do.

40:26

Well, I don't I won't take you there right now because I don't I don't want to bore you with that but um but we'll separate conversation.

40:34

Okay.

40:34

Okay.

40:35

Motion second, all in favor.

40:38

Motion passed.

40:39

All right.

40:40

And I think you got one more.

40:42

And this final item is um reallocating that last 15,000.

40:47

So we're amending TES's contract under the 2024 ESG program, and that will increase their contract to 61,200 and increase the activity line item in their budget for homeless prevention um by 15,000 to total 37,230 dollars.

41:09

Motion second, all in favor?

41:12

Motion approved.

41:13

Thanks, Adam.

41:15

All right.

41:17

Any more questions or comments and commitments?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████████████████████58%
Homelessness██████████13%
Affordable Housing█████7%
Environmental Protection████5%
Water And Wastewater Management████5%
Facility Management██3%
Mental Health Awareness██3%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting Summary - January 27, 2026

The Tuscaloosa City Council convened on January 27, 2026, to address a series of administrative approvals, professional service contracts, and property acquisition authorizations. The meeting focused heavily on environmental monitoring, infrastructure improvements at Patton Lake, capital repairs at city facilities, and the allocation of federal grant funds for affordable housing and homelessness services. Council members unanimously approved all agenda items, moving forward with projects ranging from groundwater monitoring to complex real estate negotiations and sub-recipient funding adjustments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the Right-of-Way Use Permit for ADM and Bate to install 200 monitored wells at 542 15th Street East (former Little Caesars site) for groundwater contamination testing.
  • Resolution accepting public infrastructure improvements (sanitary sewers, sidewalks, roads) from neighborhood subdivisions that were lagging in the department's review.
  • Approval of the professional services contract with Duncan Cokker Associates ($27,500) for surveying and mapping city property near Lake Tuscaloosa.
  • Approval of the professional services contract with the Appraisal and Consulting Group ($20,000) to appraise the aforementioned Lake Tuscaloosa property.
  • Approval of the professional services contract with McGifferton Associates ($8,400) for a boundary survey of the Patton Lake Park property.
  • Approval of the professional services agreement with Shoal SCOL Engineering Company ($511,627.50) for consulting services (preliminary design through construction) for the Patton Lake Park project.
  • Approval of the minor public work contract with PC Technology to replace the fire alarm system at the Fletcher Wastewater Treatment Plant.
  • Approval of the professional services contract with Marshmaking Markham Architects for renovations to the maintenance warehouse at 1209 James I Harrison.
  • Minor public work approval for repairs to the broken shower pan and related tile damage at Fire Station Number 2.
  • Approval of the annual service contract with Nixon for inspection and maintenance of approximately 90 city generators.
  • Approval of the professional services contract with Smith and Steagall for the design of a natural gas generator replacement at the TPD facility.
  • Approval of the minor public work contract for the repair of undersized roof drains at the Kentuck Building/Queen City Pool House.
  • Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute contracts with security firms on the preferred vendor list for city facilities and events.
  • Amended resolution authorizing the professional service contract with Tierra Inc. for utility locate management services, including a previously omitted $1,300 implementation fee.
  • Resolution authorizing the Office of the City Attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings for an easement related to the Kicker Road Sidewalk project.
  • Resolution authorizing the agreement with Valbridge Property Advisors for appraisal services for the Ash Street Sidewalk project.
  • Resolution authorizing the agreement with Appraisal and Consulting Group for review appraisal services for the Ash Street Sidewalk project.
  • Authorized amendment number one to the agreement with Mac Environmental LLC for CDBG-funded home repair and renovation services to account for five additional properties.
  • Authorization to execute the grant agreement for the 2025 Action Plan (CDBG and HOME programs) as previously approved.
  • Authorization to execute subrecipient agreements and Memoranda of Understanding for program year 2025 CDBG and HOME projects.
  • Authorization to execute an agreement with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the 2025 Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) program ($22,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments or testimony were recorded or summarized in the provided transcript.

Discussion Items

  • Patton Lake Park Project: Staff explained that the area, previously a man-made lake without a foundation, cannot be restored as a lake due to feasibility issues. The project will transform the 30+ acre site into a park to solve sedimentation and drainage issues, utilizing funds from the Mayor's capital project recommendation. A council member noted the site is comparable to a jungle in terms of overgrowth.
  • Maintenance Warehouse Renovation: Staff clarified that the renovation at 1209 James I Harrison is funded by proceeds from the sale of the former Hopkins property. The facility will house Facilities Maintenance, the IT fiber group, and a portion of Public Works. Renovations include a multi-occupant office, canopy, loft, and power upgrades.
  • Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) & Homelessness: Staff detailed the ESG funding structure, including the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) used to track client outcomes and report to Congress. The conversation covered the definition of "Category One" eligibility for rapid rehousing (shelter or uninhabitable housing) and the goal of re-evaluating clients after 12 months to ensure they have achieved stability.
  • Grant Fund Reallocation: Council discussed the reallocation of funds within the 2024 ESG program, specifically moving $30,000 from the Salvation Army (homeless prevention) to Turning Point and Temporary Emergency Services (TES) to ensure funds are utilized before the fiscal year closes.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous Approval of Environmental Monitoring: The Right-of-Way Use Permit for the Little Caesars site was approved contingent on the city receiving notification of findings. Council confirmed the city bears no financial responsibility for remediation if contaminants are found.
  • Property Acquisition Authorizations: Council authorized condemnation proceedings for the Kicker Road Sidewalk project and approved appraisal services for the Ash Street Sidewalk project, identifying temporary easements needed for federal TAF grant compliance.
  • Patton Lake Park Advancement: Contracts totaling approximately $520,000 (survey, appraisal, and design) were approved to advance the conversion of the former Patton Lake site into a public park and drainage solution. The total budget for design is noted as $2 million.
  • Facility Upgrades: Approvals were granted for significant upgrades to the Fletcher Wastewater plant, Fire Station 2, and the new Maintenance Warehouse, all funded through Facility Renewal Funds (RFFI) or proceeds from the Hopkins property sale.
  • Homelessness Assistance Funding: The council approved the allocation of $22,000 in 2025 ESG funds and authorized the movement of $30,000 from the Salvation Army to Turning Point and TES for the 2024 ESG year. Sub-recipient agreements with Salvation Army, Temporary Emergency Services, and Turning Point were approved or amended, with specific line items for rapid rehousing, emergency shelter, and homelessness prevention established.
  • Security Vendor List: Authorization was granted to the Mayor to execute contracts with additional security firms on the preferred list to provide security for city facilities and events like the River Market, with costs borne by the renters.

Meeting Transcript

Mike Gardner, approval right-of-way use permit to install 200 wells in the right-of-ways of uh property located 542 15th Street East. Good afternoon. So this is the address you may not recognize. This is the uh the little Caesars location at the corner of 15th and Dr. Edward Hillard Drive. Um the right-of-way use permit ask is uh for a geotechnical firm to install some monitored wells in the public alley on the north side of that piece of property. Uh that diagram there is from the firm the that's been contracted with uh ADM to do the groundwater monitoring. Uh and you can see the the holes or the bores that they plan to do and and a couple fall in our in our public right away. Um give you an idea of what this is gonna be, it's probably a four or six inch diameter hole drilled to a certain depth uh so that they can you know drop a monitor in it periodically and take samples of the groundwater that are looking for contaminants. Uh my understanding is years and years ago this used to be a service station. So this is this is something that uh ADM is funded and Bate has been contracted to perform the services. What prompted the look? Yeah, not real sure. Um but it was yeah, it's it's through ADM uh and and the the people that are performing the services for ADM is Bate, which is a geotechnical firm out of Birmingham. I don't see any harm in it. Uh obviously if there's contaminants found, then we would we would want to know. Our general public would want to know, but I don't believe there's is anything that's of a of a health hazard. Been been unable to actually get a specific answer as to why this started many years ago. Is right-of-way use permit is it for a certain time or is it forever? No, it's temporary. Once once they're monitoring wells start indicating clean water and they stop the monitoring process, they'll backfill those with a flowable concrete material and seal them off. Are they telling us what they're finding? We we can do that. Yeah, we can get those those reductions. Yes, sir, we will uh motion to approve that. What happens if they find contaminants? I don't know. Hopefully they don't. I know, but I mean I just hope it's not a course of action. Is would we read least would we be responsible? No, sir. No. Okay. We are not responsible. They would they would most likely either themselves or uh or the property owner require some sort of remediation, some sort of round fielding just depending on on what it was. Okay. Uh uh I'll make a motion to approve contingent on the provision that we be notified with the findings. No. All right, motion approved. All in favor. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll speak agenda item number two resolution accepting public infrastructure improvement. Mike, yes, sir. So uh this is a resolution accepting uh public infrastructure from neighborhoods and uh per other permits issued through our office for what is public infrastructure. This is a combination of sanitary sewers, uh sidewalks, roads, um think think about subdivision development where we you know the developer builds the road, platts the lots, and then we take over the ownership and maintenance of that infrastructure. So Mike, is this uh we do this as a batch? Well, we are this time counselor, um and uh I think this responsibility falls on me that this is lagged for quite a while out of this department, uh, and this is a mechanism to catch up. Um I don't mind the catch-up number, but your department has inspected all those in this batch. Yes, sir. So we accept world yes, sir.

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