Birmingham City Council Highlights 2.22.22
Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
ITEM 1
Following a public hearing on Tuesday, the Council voted 6 to 1 with 2 abstentions (Councilors O’Quinn and Moore abstained; Councilor Abbott voted no) to grant an on-premise beer and wine license to the owners of Good Dog – a dog park located at 2308 1st Ave. South.
In addition to serving beer and wine for dog park patrons, the business will double as a doggy daycare and a bar (beer and wine only) that will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. There will be no doggy daycare available on the weekends.
The business meets all zoning requirements and had already been approved for their operating license prior to Tuesday’s public hearing, which was solely focused on the beer and wine license.
Councilor LaTonya Tate, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said, “Cities in many states are just moving and progressing because they support businesses and startups like this. I think we really need to reimagine the way we’re building our community and continuing to make progress in Birmingham. Are we going to stop everyone from starting a business here? They've laid out that this park will not be open late and they have checks and balances in place from preventing it from being a nuisance. Other cities have parks like this already and we have to make sure we’re moving forward in our decision making.”
ITEM 6
The Council unanimously approved a redevelopment agreement with B&B Construction Group LLC for the company to purchase the former Oporto Armory property at 5601 Oporto Madrid Blvd. The company plans to develop an incubator and shared workspace building for the local construction industry.
According to representatives with the company, it will include a day-laborer component where workers will have an opportunity to use the property as a base to make their services available for flexible work. In addition to connecting workers with potential employers, this facility aims to help people take the first crucial step towards starting their own business in the construction industry. Initially there will be space for roughly 10 businesses with room for potential expansion. B&B Construction will be the anchor tenant by relocating their headquarters to the property.
“This business has played an integral role in being a good neighbor in District 2. Not only does he conduct a lot of business in the East Lake Community, but he also volunteers and picks up trash in the community,” Councilor Hunter Williams said. “I know this is a project he has been looking forward to, Thank you for not only wanting to keep your business here, but also uplifting the community in which you conduct your business. It’s noticed and appreciated.”
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday's agenda:
ITEM 6. An Ordinance authorizing and approving the Mayor to execute a Redevelopment Agreement with B&B Construction Group, LLC, under which the City will convey approximately 4.87 acres of land known as the “former Oporto Armory property” located at 5601 Oporto Madrid Boulevard to B&B Construction Group for a purchase price of $10,000.00 and B&B Construction Group will undertake a project (i) to develop a state-of-the-art incubator and shared space for the construction industry, which will bring construction trades together under one roof as part of a concept which will allow businesses to collaborate on projects, market as a unit, and share other resources; (ii) to relocate its headquarters to the property; and (iii) to create a one-stop shop for consumers seeking to improve their own properties, and will further include a day-laborer component where workers will have an opportunity to use the property as a base to make their services available for as much as $100.00 per day for flexible work. [First Reading] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity and the Budget and Finance Committee)**
ITEM 55
The Council voted to set a public hearing for Tuesday, March 29th at 5:30 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex to receive public comments regarding the proposed draft of the Census 2020 redistricting for the Birmingham City Council and Birmingham School Board districts. The Council will be also be launching a website with the current draft of the map, along with a portal for public feedback. The districts defined in the newly proposed map will be utilized for the next regularly scheduled (and/or special called) Birmingham city elections during this decade for elected positions on the Birmingham City Council and Birmingham School Board.
“Representative democracy is what this country was founded on and it’s the heart of everything we do on the Council,” Council President Wardine Alexander said. “Our task on the Census Committee has been to oversee and monitor the redistricting efforts as well as provide information to the public throughout the course of this important work. However, I look forward to continuing this dialogue and receiving feedback from members of the public.”