Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.22.23

ITEM 3
 
The Birmingham City Council voted to approve an ordinance accepting grant funds for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to study the impacts of air pollution in Birmingham.
 
The $1 million grant is part of the Air and Radiation Climate Pollution Reduction program, and will help formulate a climate action plan for the City and region. The City and the Regional Planning Commission are leading this effort to address the impacts of climate change and air pollution. A preliminary climate action plan is expected to be completed in 2024. A larger, more comprehensive plan will be submitted to the EPA in 2025 and will be funded by this grant allocation.
 
The studies are a prerequisite for being able to apply for implementation funding from the federal government, meaning once the City completes the study, it will open the door for additional federal dollars to be allocated.
 
“Obviously this is an issue – air pollution – that impacts a big part of the communities that I represent,” Councilor JT Moore said. “I’m very interested in seeing the results of this study, considering the amount of heavy industry that we have near residential neighborhoods. We need all the help we can get to help remediate the impacts of this pollution in our neighborhoods.”
 
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
 
An Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE GRANTS FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending Jung 30, 2024, by appropriating $1,000,000.00 to the Mayor’s Office for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant per grant award received. (Submitted by the Mayor) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)**

ITEM 12
 
The Council approved an agreement with the Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement, which aims to reduce instances of violent crime and recidivism, especially among young people. The funding will be coming in part from Councilor LaTonya Tate’s American Rescue Plan Act funding ($200,000).
 
Credible messengers are individuals who have personal experience and background that allow them to connect with and influence young people who may be at risk of engaging in violence or other harmful behaviors. These messengers are often respected and trusted within the communities they serve due to their own life experiences and transformations. Credible messengers can effectively reach and guide at-risk youth by drawing from their own stories of overcoming challenges, making positive changes, and avoiding violence.
 
 
Last week, Clinton Lacey, CEO of Credible Messenger presented information during the Committee of the Whole meeting. Some of the key areas of focus for their program include:
 

• Increased engagement with programs and services

• Reduction in re-arrests, violations, and anti-social behavior

• Increased compliance with court mandates

• Improved relationships between system stakeholders and community members

• More community capacity to support system-involved youth

 
“This will have an immediate real world impact, and this is exactly why this program has been successful across the country,” Councilor Tate said during the Committee of the Whole meeting. “We have a lot of credible people who live here and who want to step into these mentorship roles. It takes resources and people to be able to do this, and I’m grateful to be in a position to help fund this important work. I believe it will have a transformative impact on an entire generation of kids here.”
 
Here is the item as it appeared on the agenda:
 
ITEM 12.
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an agreement
with Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement to address the increase
in violent crime among the City’s youth during COVID-19 through the
implementation of the Birmingham Credible Messenger Initiative
designed to have transformative impact on marginalized young people,
their families, and the communities where they live with funds received
by the City from the American Rescue Plan Act, in a total amount not to
exceed $500,000.00. [Funding Source: FIN039RM 99999A_006_003 –
G/L Account: 039_000.445-035; ARPA-District 9: $200,000.00 – G/L
Account: 039_010.445-035] (Submitted by the Mayor) (Recommended
by the Chief Community Planner)

ITEM 22

The Birmingham City Council took a major step toward empowering neighborhood leaders to remove blight in their communities with the passage of an agreement with ToolBank USA Inc.

The agreement will help with the development of a 5,000 square foot facility that will house thousands of tools and equipment that will be available for rent by community-based organizations to assist with projects. This was one of the first programs that multiple Councilors identified for use of their office’s ARPA funding.

Districts 1, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 all contributed funds for this program (Full breakdown below).
The funding will also allow for up to two full-time employees and one part-time employee to help with maintenance and to answer questions people might have about the equipment they are renting. This service will be available for Neighborhood Associations and any not-for-profit to utilize.

“I want to express my excitement about this program,” Councilor Carol Clarke said. “A lot of my colleagues have partnered together to make this possible. The mayor’s office helped a lot to make this more robust and to allow for more people and groups to access this. I’d also like to thank Councilor Clinton Woods who helped organize the ARPA pitch conversations that brought these groups together to outline how we could have the most impact with this federal funding. This was my favorite of all the projects because it really empowers our residents in a way that we haven’t seen before.”

Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
ITEM 22.

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an Agreement between the City of Birmingham and ToolBank USA, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $345,000.00, to fund the Birmingham ToolBank initiative through which ToolBank USA will launch a ToolBank Affiliate called the Magic City ToolBank, which will involve (i) the development of a 2,500- 5,000 square foot warehouse facility with thousands of tools located within the City; (ii) the employment of up to two full time employees and one part-time employee to manage and operate the facility; (iii) the empowerment of community-based and neighborhood not-for-profit organizations with the tools, equipment and expertise which are central to completing community transformation projects; and (iv) the expert instruction on the proper use of tools and equipment utilizing safety precautions. The establishment of the ToolBank Affiliate is expected to promote the removal of blight in the City, generate revenue for the City, attract volunteers and private donations, bring jobs and an estimated economic impact to the City. [G/L Account: 039_101.445-035 - ARPADistrict #1: $45,000.00; ARPA-District #4: $55,000.00; ARPA-District #6: $75,000.00; APRA-District #7: $50,000.00; ARPA-District #8: $70,000.00; ARPA-District #9: $50,000.00] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Chief Community Planner)**