Birmingham City Council Highlights 6.6.23
Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
ITEM 10
The Birmingham City Council voted unanimously to approve the vacation of 154,638 square feet of unopened right of way near the Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport to pave the way for a new cargo facility.
This is part of a larger effort from the Birmingham Airport Authority to help bolster their standing as a hub for cargo transportation and logistics.
Above all else, airports require robust infrastructure to function effectively.
With its central location, proximity to major highways, rail networks, an inland port, Birmingham serves as a key facilitator of trade and commerce throughout the state.
Recently, Councilor JT Moore spoke during a groundbreaking ceremony for the global shipping and logistics company Kuehne+Nagel, which will be expanding their operations to the airport.
“Birmingham's expansion in this sector will not only provide a boost to our local businesses but also position us as a critical player in the global market,” Councilor Moore said. “And despite recent reports about population growths in other Alabama cities, Birmingham remains the economic engine for the entire state and will remain so with the amazing work being done by our local partners and leadership on the Birmingham Airport Authority.”
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
ITEM 10. A Resolution assenting to the vacation of the following: 154,638 square feet of (Unopened) right of way that is located parallel to and between E. Lake Blvd and 15th Avenue N. and perpendicular to 50th Street N., on behalf of the Birmingham Airport Authority, owners, so that the owner can consolidate property and the hearing of all interested parties, Case No. SUB2023-00011. [Second Reading] (Submitted by Councilor Smitherman, Chairperson, Public Improvements and Beautification Committee) (Recommended by the Subdivision Committee of the Birmingham Planning Commission and the Public Improvements and Beautification Committee)**
Town Hall Meeting Reminder
The Birmingham City Council will be holding a town hall meeting to discuss parking and towing practices in the city of Birmingham. The meeting will be held on the second floor of the Boutwell Auditorium, beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7th.
Those interested in speaking will be able to sign up as they enter from 5:30 p.m. until when the meeting begins at 6 p.m.
“This is an important issue that we’ve been working on with city leaders for some time,” Council President Wardine Alexander said. “We understand this is an issue across our city, however towing often happens on private property. So this discussion is going to focus on solutions for our residents and letting them know where we currently are on this.”
Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, Chair of the Transportation Committee, explained that the format of the meeting will be for the Office of the City Attorney to give a presentation then members of the public will be able to respond.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that we have a serious problem in our city with predatory towing,” O’Quinn said. “We all receive many complaints about this practice. We want this to be a solution-based conversation and to get feedback from our residents.”
The meeting will be streamed on the Birmingham City Council’s Facebook Page.