Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting – September 29, 2026

The Tuscaloosa City Council convened on September 29, 2026, at 21:59 UTC. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the previous meeting's minutes. The council unanimously approved a consent agenda, multiple public hearing demolition orders, a series of resolutions and ordinances, and elected Councillor Raven Howard as President Pro Tem. A lengthy citizen comment addressed a previous tax incentive resolution for the Springbrook development, urging reconsideration.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the previous meeting (unanimous).
• Consent agenda items A through H adopted unanimously.

Public Hearings & Demolition Orders

• 2615 18th Street: The property was posted for condemnation on June 30, 2026, with 49 housing code violations documented. A fire occurred on April 18, 2026; no repairs were made. The property owner was notified but did not attend. Unanimous vote to order demolition; costs assessed to owner.
• 3538 23rd Street: Posted for condemnation on June 30, 2026, with 48 housing code violations. No repairs made; owner notified but absent. Unanimous vote to order demolition; costs assessed to owner.

Discussion Items (Resolutions & Ordinances)

• Special Events Retail License: Approved for Downtown Social LLC (applicant Bill Wright) for two events: UA National Young Alumni Tailgate at Little Hall (670 Bonner Drive) on October 10, 2026, and “The Pitts at Champions Corner” at the Momore Athletic Facility (1090 Coliseum Drive) on October 24, 2026. Tuscaloosa Police Department had no objections. Unanimous approval.
• Multiple Resolutions: The council unanimously adopted 30+ resolutions covering:
  • Right-of-way permit for New Forest Steel.
  • Condemnation for the 36th Avenue East Drainage Project.
  • Traffic control signal removal maintenance agreements with ALDOT (McFarland/Rice Mine Road and various locations).
  • Roadway lighting maintenance agreements (Woolsey Fennel Bridge, 69 South).
  • Subrecipient funding agreement amendment with Temporary Emergency Services.
  • Certification for Community Service Programs of West Alabama.
  • Amended agreement with DECA for FY2025 Emergency Solutions Grant.
  • Airport capital improvement plan pre-application submission.
  • Minor public works contracts (Alabama Pro Strike, Tuscaloosa Metal Buildings, Straight Line Fence, Renovations Plus LLC, Night Sign Industries, Backyard Solutions LLC, John Wayne Plumbing, Building Specialties Company, Black Warrior Asphalt Consulting).
  • Contract amendment with TTL Incorporated.
  • Professional services contracts (CSL Services, Warren Averett LLC, Druid City Engineering).
  • Joint funding agreement with USGS Lakes Division.
  • Renewal of 2027 City Engineers Professional Liability Insurance and insurance for “Holidays on the Plaza.”
  • Binding coverage and premium payment for FY2026-2027 insurance.
  • Adoption of City’s Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for program year 2025.
  • Contract with Blazing Fire and Water Incorporated and declaration of bid rejection.
  • Real estate sales contracts (heirs of Judith Waugh Anderson and Rosalind Green; Harold Brown LLC).
  • Agreement with Harold Brown LLC for donation of 8.07 acres of land – Mayor thanked Tom Bobbitt for his work.
  • Amendment six to FY2026 Water and Sewer Reserve for Future Improvements Fund Budget.
• Ordinances (General Nature): Amendment one to FY2026 Water and Sewer Fund Budget adopted unanimously.
• Election of President Pro Tem: Councillor Raven Howard was elected President Pro Tem by unanimous consent. Councillor Howard thanked colleagues and pledged to continue former Council Member Tyner’s legacy.
• Auditing Accounts: Payment of city bills approved unanimously.

Citizen Comments & Testimony

• Ms. Smith (Springbrook resident) spoke against the tax incentive resolution approved on June 16, 2026, which committed $5.75 million in city sales tax revenue to Laney Property Group for a private commercial development in the Springbrook neighborhood. She detailed property sales by LLCs associated with council members and others, arguing that long-time residents would suffer from noise, light, pollution, and plummeting property values during construction and operation of businesses. She requested that Councillors Eatman, Howard, or Lanier move to reconsider the vote. She was cut off after time expired and concluded with a one-sentence plea.

Key Outcomes

• All votes throughout the meeting were unanimous (all council members present voting “Yes”).
• Demolition ordered for two properties at 2615 18th Street and 3538 23rd Street.
• Special events license approved for Downtown Social LLC for two tailgate events in October 2026.
• Councillor Raven Howard elected President Pro Tem.
• Citizen request to reconsider the Springbrook tax incentive resolution was made but not addressed by council during the meeting.
• Meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.