Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
 

ITEM 1

 

During Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, the Mayor and his administration presented the legislative body with the proposed FY 2024 City Budget.

The Mayor also outlined budget priorities including, neighborhood revitalization, infrastructure improvements and investments in Birmingham’s youth.

The Birmingham City Council will be holding a public hearing to receive feedback on the proposed FY 2024 Budget – that meeting will be held Monday, June 5th at 5:30 pm at the Boutwell Auditorium

The proposed budget totals roughly $554 million, the largest in the city’s history.

Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman, who chairs the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, said she will be working with her colleagues to compile questions to be submitted to the Mayor’s administration.

“Passing a balanced budget is one of the most crucial responsibilities we have as Councilors and I’ve been very pleased with the level of cooperation we’ve had in recent years during this process,” Smitherman said. “Hearing from members of the public is an integral part of the process and I am looking forward to the upcoming hearings so that we can get a clear picture of what it is our residents want to see reflected in this year’s budget.”

Here are some of the main budget points discussed at the meeting:

 

• Priorities: neighborhoods (includes public transportation), youth, employees, enhancing public safety

• Budget leverages current surplus expenditures of $60 million

• Parks, sidewalks, libraries, fleet

• Plus, supporting ARPA fund allocations

• Public transit • Restoring tourism

• Redevelopment of blighted properties

• Affordable housing and homelessness

• Small business support

• Supporting city employees

• Community-based public safety initiatives
 

Neighborhood revitalization means providing the investments and services that make our residents feel and see improvement.

• Increased investment in street resurfacing: $15 million (up $2.5 million)

• Boost in weed abatement funding to better service parks, rights of way, empty lots

• Leverage current funding for sidewalks to expand program ($200k + $875k previously)

• Expand traffic calming: $250,000

• Support Land Bank: $500,000
 

We make our neighborhoods stronger when we invest in public transportation.

• BJCTA fixed route investment: $11 million

• Birmingham Xpress: $3 million

• Birmingham On Demand (VIA): $2.5 million
 

Investing in Youth

• Maintaining and expanding programs previously established

• Birmingham Promise: $2 million • Birmingham City Schools Mental Health Support: $1 million

• Financial Freedom financial literacy program: $1 million

• Common Ground/H.E.A.T. curriculum: $1 million (expansion)

• Safe Havens: $500,000 (expansion) • RESTORE juvenile re-entry: $225,000

• DYS Kids and Jobs: $210,000

CAREER FAIR

In response to the recent announcement that Golden Flake will be shuttering operations at their Birmingham facility, Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman has partnered with Jefferson State Community College to host a career fair for the 175 employees who will be laid off in July.

The career fair will be held on Wednesday, May 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Park Recreation Center. There will be over 20 employers on hand.

The goal of the career fair is to connect these residents with local companies who are looking to fill positions, while also helping to provide a smooth transition for those affected by Golden Flake’s closure.

“When I heard the news about Golden Flake closing, my mind immediately went to the people in our community would be losing their jobs,” Councilor Smitherman said. “I’m honored to be able to partner with Jefferson State Community College so that we can help connect these residents with high-quality career opportunities.”

Those who are interested need to be sure to bring multiple resumes. For more information call (205)-856-8024 or visit www.d6bham.com 

Here is a list of the employers who will be participating:

· Ventura Foods

· US Foods

· Woodfruitticher

· Serv Pro

· Process Barron

· Piggly Wiggly Distribution Center

· Milo's Tea

· Coca-Cola United

· Coil Manufacturing

· Flowers Baking Company

· Atlas Tube Mfg.

· ABC Coke/Drummond Company

· Altec Industries

· JSCC Workforce Education

· Kamtek

· Dunn Construction

· City Wholesale

· CMC Steel

· AlaBev - Alabama Beverage/Birmingham Beverage

· United Ground Express

· Saddle Creek Logistics

· Personell Staffing

· Snelling

· SK Services

· Elwood Staffing

WATCH THE FULL BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL MEETING HERE