Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.15.23

ITEM 17
 
Today the Birmingham City Council voted to approve a resolution of intent to provide funding to Birmingham-Southern College as the institution works its way back from a period of financial uncertainty.
 
The resolution of intent does not transfer any funds or establish a dollar amount for the one-time funding agreement. However, based on conversations that took place from the dais and during previous Education Committee Meetings, the leadership at BSC is seeking a commitment of up to $5 million.

The resolution passed 6-1 with the dissenting vote coming from Council President Wardine Alexander, who expressed her support of the institution, but said she would like to see similar investments made into neighborhoods across the city. 
 
The next steps will be for the Mayor and his administrative team to draft a funding agreement, which will include the funding source, the amount of funds to be provided, as well as conditions that must be met by BSC. That will then come before the Council for final approval.
 
Councilor J.T. Moore, chair of the Council’s Education Committee, said he would like to see more opportunities for service-based learning taking place in schools across the City. “We would love to see Birmingham-Southern become a part of the Birmingham Promise network of schools,” Councilor Moore said. “We want to increase the access that our students have to this institution, and create a more robust partnership with BSC, especially as we look to improve our reading levels in city schools. Their service-based learning model has been a great resource, and we’d like to build on that moving forward.”
 
Last week, BSC President Daniel Coleman met with the Education Committee and laid out several steps the school has taken to ensure future financial stability. In order to prevent future overspending of their endowment, the college has set up a separate board of trustees to oversee the endowment.
 
This consists of seven trustees – four appointed by the college, three that are independent. It will take a unanimous vote to spend over 5% of the endowment annually, according to Coleman.
 
“We’ve been very encouraged by the work that has been done by leadership at BSC as they work their way back to financial stability,” Councilor Moore said. “Our priority is not having a situation where there is an abandoned college campus in the middle of Birmingham. Look at Carraway Hospital to see what that would be like, but on a larger scale. In my opinion, this is a potential investment into the continued success and vibrancy of the surrounding area.”
 
In June, Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill ( SB278) that created a state loan program for higher education institutions that will extend $30 million in loans to BSC to aid in the financial recovery.
 
BSC leadership will also be seeking financial commitments from Jefferson County as they look to reach their $200 million fundraising goal over the next several years, a sum largely consisting of private donations.

ITEM 13
 
Major League Baseball will be coming to Birmingham next year, and Rickwood Field will be receiving a series of upgrade in anticipation of this monumental event.
 
Last week, the branding and logo were unveiled for the “2024 MLB at Rickwood Field, A Tribute to the Negro Leagues.” The game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will be played at America’s oldest surviving ballpark on June 20th, 2024.
 
On Tuesday, the Council approved an agreement to provide the Friends of Rickwood Field, the nonprofit that oversees maintenance and operation of the facility, with $150,000 in annual funding for the next three years.
 
Councilor Carol Clarke, who represents the district, said she is excited for what the future holds for this piece of history. “We owe a great deal of credit and gratitude to this group who have acted as stewards for this incredible, historic facility,” Councilor Clarke said. “These improvements will help with the continued success and vibrancy of this ballpark, especially as we look to market ourselves for future sporting events that could be held there.”
 
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
 
ITEM 13. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute to execute on behalf of the City of Birmingham an agreement with the Friends of Rickwood Field, (Rickwood), an Alabama nonprofit corporation, under which Rickwood shall manage and operate the Birmingham Rickwood Field including providing research, education, and conservation programs for the benefit of the citizens of Birmingham, for a term of three (3) years ending June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 each year subject to an annual appropriation by the City Council in each City’s corresponding fiscal year’s budget. [G/L Account: 001_400_96500_96518.550-009] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)