Tuscaloosa City Council Meeting - October 13, 2026

The Tuscaloosa City Council met on October 13, 2026, and conducted a full agenda of administrative items, public hearings, resolutions, contracts, and public comments. The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of minutes and adoption of the consent agenda. All recorded votes during the meeting were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
• Adopted the consent agenda (items A through C) without objection.
• No council statements, no citizen agenda-item comments at that point, and no unfinished business were reported.

Public Hearings

• Set the cost of demolition of the structure at 2806 Short Street and authorized filing of a lien; no one spoke.
• Set the cost of demolition of the structure at 2808 Short Street and authorized filing of a lien; no one spoke.
• Set the cost of demolition of the structure at 2317 Jack Warner Parkway and authorized filing of a lien; no one spoke.

Special Event License

• Approved a 240 special event nonprofit tax-exempt license for the L on Wheels event presented by the Hank Poor Foundation, to be held at Buddy Powell Pavilion, 4205 North Ridge Road, on October 30 at 5:00 p.m.
• The Tuscaloosa Police Department (TPD) reported no objection. Applicant Kathy Poor answered questions, listing The Negotiators and Matt Jones as the bands. The license was approved.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Contracts, and Disbursements

• Authorized a right-of-way permit to First United Methodist Church (transcribed as First United Megators Church).
• Authorized execution of a declaration of vacation to vacate a portion of Nall Road (transcribed as null road).
• Authorized a grant application for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant.
• Authorized a grant agreement for the 2027 Community Traffic Safety Program.
• Authorized a grant agreement for the Skyland Boulevard Improvements Project.
• Authorized a professional services contract with Thornton Mooseau and Bellaman Incorporated.
• Authorized a second professional services contract with Thornton Mooseau and Bellaman Incorporated regarding lift stations 39, 41, and 2.
• Authorized minor public works contracts with Knight Sign Industries, Druid City Electric, and NC Morgan Construction Company.
• Authorized amendment number one to the services contract with Placer Labs.
• Authorized TPD to accept a donation from Central Alabama Asphalt and Construction Company.
• Authorized a professional services contract with Ward Scott Morris Architecture.
• Authorized District 7 improvement fund disbursements to Southview Elementary and Bryant High School; Elevate West Alabama; and iDream Big Academy.
• Authorized District 2 improvement fund disbursements to Enlightened Her and Central High School.
• Authorized District 6 improvement fund disbursements to Bryant High School and Eastwood Middle; and the Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation.
• Amended exhibits A and B of Section 1942 of the Code of Tuscaloosa regarding the Savings Center.
• Adopted amendment number one to the fiscal year 2027 General Fund budget.
• Adopted amendment number one to the fiscal year 2027 Elevate Tuscaloosa fund budget.
• Authorized payment of AQCs (claims/bills); the clerk noted that bills were paid.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susie Smith, 17 Springbrook, opposed the city's tax incentive and rezoning decisions related to the Springbrook neighborhood. She said the City Council voted on June 16 (year not stated in the transcript) to approve a tax incentive resolution committing $7.575 million (as transcribed, 'seven 5.75 million') of city sales tax revenue to Delaney Property Group of Mobile, Alabama, for a private commercial development in Springbrook. She stated Councilor Henry removed himself from the public hearing, and that Councilors Eatman, Howard, Tyner, and Lanier approved the measure while Councilors Busby and Fail opposed.
• She recounted earlier statements by Springbrook Investments spokespersons, including Mr. Bright Carter in the July 19, 2016 public hearing and Councilor Henry in the June 19, 2017 Planning Commission and July 25, 2017 City Council meetings, that development access would be on Albright Road and not through the neighborhood. She noted that on July 25, 2017, Councilor Howard voted to deny the rezoning of one-fifth of Springbrook from residential to commercial, but Mayor Maddox cast the tie-breaking vote to approve it.
• Smith argued that the current site map indicates access to Springbrook at 30th Street, suggesting Mr. Henry and Mr. Corridor (as transcribed) may not have kept their word. She predicted construction disruption, light/noise/heat pollution, and significant increases in through traffic for Springbrook residents. She also said the Chevron gas station on Albright Road had served residents and visitors since the early 1980s or longer and would face adverse impacts from construction and traffic, making its long-term viability doubtful.
• Smith cited a traffic tally from over 10 hours on 10 days in 2016 and 2017: 180 vehicles entered Springbrook at 32nd Street over 10 hours (averaging 18 per hour), 135 exited over 9 hours (averaging 21 per hour), and the combined average was 37 vehicles per hour. She said the tally did not include 30th Street access and that traffic would likely increase with the hotel's 2020 opening and as development businesses open.
• She asked Councilors Eatman, Howard, and Lanier to explain their June 16 vote, be accountable and transparent to taxpayers, and reconsider the tax incentive resolution.
• Derek Collins asked about a Saturday night occupancy check at Grandstand. He said he saw the public safety director accompanying the mayor approach a security guard in a way he perceived as aggressive. He supported safety rules but asked whether the rules are applied consistently, noting large crowds outside Coppertop and Rhythm and Brews while Grandstand was approached. He asked whether multiple establishments were checked, which ones, what triggers an occupancy check, and whether the same standards applied at Spades and District One. He requested equal treatment under the rules, clear criteria, and a public explanation, saying fair enforcement builds public trust.
• Public Safety Director Blankley responded that no business was targeted; TPD and Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue (TFR) went into every bar downtown, including Coppertop, Rhythm and Brews, and Grandstand. He said the mayor was observing public safety work, the Grandstand bouncer was his friend, and the interaction was not aggressive. He described the night as peaceful.

Key Outcomes

• All recorded votes were unanimous.
• Demolition costs and liens were set for 2806 Short Street, 2808 Short Street, and 2317 Jack Warner Parkway.
• The L on Wheels special event license was approved.
• All listed ordinances, resolutions, contracts, grants, budget amendments, and improvement fund disbursements were adopted or authorized.
• Public comments were heard; Public Safety Director Blankley responded to the occupancy-check question, but the council took no formal action on the comments.
• The meeting adjourned.