Birmingham City Council Highlights 10.8.24

Here are some of the highlights from today's Birmingham City Council Meeting

ITEM 2

The Birmingham City Council unanimously approved a funding agreement for the long-anticipated Family Fun Center on the Crossplex campus.

The $15 million that was approved will support the build of this new facility which is expected to take upwards of 18 months to complete. Located directly adjacent to the current Crossplex campus, the Family Fun Center will feature a skating rink, a bowling alley, a food court, a space for table games, pickle ball courts, e-gaming and more.

In addition to the estimated roughly $85,000 per month in revenue generated, this new facility is expected to create 75 new jobs and will be managed by a third party venue management company.

Here is a breakdown of those revenues projections, as was presented to the City Council last year:

• Bowing alley $20,000 per month

• Skating rink $15,000 per month

• E-gaming area $16,000 per month

• Food hall $12,000 per month (4 restaurants with each paying $3000 per month)

• Event rental space $15,000 per month (special events, weddings, receptions corporate parties, etc.)

• General admission $5,000 per month (excluding skating, bowling, Esports)

“I’m really excited that we can bring such a huge amenity like this to the residents of Birmingham and families in the West End community,” Councilor Carol Clarke said. “This will be a huge draw for families, not just in Birmingham but the surrounding communities. It’s going to serve as another public anchor for this land on the Crossplex property that can spark additional development in Western Birmingham.”

According to the Mayor’s team, public safety will be paramount and a detailed safety plan will be presented in the coming months, however it was stated that the facility will have metal detectors.

As part of the agreement, the Council will be receiving regular updates on the construction and implementation of the safety plan.

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

"An Ordinance authorizing the acquisition, construction and payment of capital improvements to the Birmingham Crossplex on behalf of The Public Athletic, Cultural and Entertainment Facilities Board of the City of Birmingham, Alabama (PACE Board), and authorizing the Mayor to execute (1) a Funding Agreement among the City of Birmingham, the PACE Board, and PNC Bank, National Association, under which the City will pay the principal of and interest on a revenue bond to be issued by the PACE Board to PNC Bank in a principal amount which will not exceed $15,000,000.00, to pay the costs of capital improvements to the Crossplex site necessary to develop a “Family Fun Center”, (2) a Project Lease Agreement between the City and the PACE Board under which the City will lease a portion of the Crossplex site to the PACE Board as the site of the Family Fun Center project, and (3) an Indenture to be executed and delivered by PACE Board to PNC Bank in connection with the issuance of the revenue bond to provide funding for the Family Fun Center project. [Second Reading] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee) (Did not receive unanimous consent. Held over to 10/8/2024)**"

ITEM 3

The Birmingham City Council unanimously approved the Police Officer Recruitment and Retention Plan from the Mayor’s administration.

Some of the high points of these efforts include, but aren’t limited to: increasing the sign on bonus to $10,000 ($5k at graduation, $5k at 1-year mark), relocation bonuses of $2,000, approving additional take home cars for patrol officers, quarterly retention bonuses, a plan to compensate police trainees to prevent attrition, 12-weeks paid family leave, and up to 8 hours of mental health observance leave on a monthly basis.

The budget for these recommendations is roughly $15.8 million and will come from the City’s General Reserve Fund -- as of 2023, that account totaled $290 million. Mayor Woodfin stated during the meeting this would not be a recurring $15.8 million expenditure.

This initiative is aimed at increasing the department’s ability to compete with surrounding municipalities to recruit and retain officers. Following recent events that have unfolded, the Council and the Mayor are focused on taking an accelerated approach to providing additional resources for law enforcement. In Birmingham, there is currently a shortage of patrol officers citywide. This upcoming class of officers in the Birmingham Police Academy has 53 individuals currently enrolled, which will make up a significant portion of the current staffing attrition.

These staffing numbers are in line with a national trend of police officer shortages in large cities across the country following COVID. In 2020, BPD hired 67 officers, and 35 retired; In 2021, BPD hired 51 officers and 47 retired that same year; In 2022, BPD hired 31 and 14 officers eligible for retirement took it; In 2023, 19 officers were hired and 12 retired.

“Addressing this issue is going to take a unified front,” Councilor LaTonya Tate said. “I’m not in the business of pointing fingers about how we got here, but I know that Birmingham is a resilient and beautiful city. We’re committed to giving our law enforcement officials the tools they need to succeed here and help Birmingham reach its full potential.”

Two weeks ago, 78 hopeful applicants took part in the BPD’s physical ability screening, the largest number since 2019. For those interested, the Birmingham Police Department is currently hiring.

People who wish to serve their community, please visit: https://police.birminghamal.gov/join-the-team/

Birmingham City Council Highlights 11.28.23

ITEM 3

The Birmingham City Council voted unanimously to approve two loans for Birmingham Southern College totaling $5 million.

The first $2.5 million loan will be forgiven if the terms of the agreement are satisfied, including the school being open for the fall 2024 semester – those funds will be immediately available. The other $2.5 million loan will be repaid over a 20-year term with one percent interest and will be made available to the school next year. The school is leveraging a portion of their existing property as collateral for the loan.

Council President Darrell O’Quinn, explained BSC is an anchor institution for two historic communities: College Hills and Bush Hills. This money is an investment into the stability and economic future of the area, he said.

“One of the things that I was excited about is that Birmingham Southern College, as part of the agreement, is extending three scholarship opportunities for graduates of Birmingham City Schools,” President O’Quinn said. “This isn't a decision we made lightly. All of the considerations in terms of jobs and economic impact to the entire city really factored in to why there was a unanimous decision among the Council to support this today.”

The school employs roughly 300 people (an additional 1,200 indirectly) and has an estimated annual economic impact of $45 million in the city. During the public speakers portion of Tuesday’s meeting, several local business owners expressed support for the aid, saying the success of their business is directly tied to the college.

Councilor JT Moore, who chairs the Community Development Committee, said the goal was to avoid another situation like Carraway Hospital, which was a blight in the community for over a decade.

“Having an empty 200 acre campus in the middle of a neighborhood that is on the verge of a resurgence will set this area back decades,” Councilor JT Moore said. “I understand the concerns of those who disagree with the decision to provide financial support to a private university. Over the last several months, the Birmingham City Council has continued to have these difficult conversations. In my opinion, this is an investment into the future of the surrounding area and our residents who live here.”

With other major institutions like Princeton Baptist Medical Center, Legion Field and the Birmingham CrossPlex all located within a couple miles of the school, losing an anchor like BSC could lead to further disinvestment in the community, lowered home values and a reduction in services, according to city officials.

BSC President Daniel Coleman told reporters following the meeting that they will also be seeking financial support from Jefferson County and urged the state’s executive leadership to re-evaluate their position on denying the loan that was approved by the Alabama State Legislature. The financial support provided by the City of Birmingham will allow BSC to continue operating throughout the remaining school year, according to President Coleman.

BOLD Grant Recipients

On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council approved a total of seven program agreements through the Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) Grant program with the City.

Now in the sixth year, BOLD supports the growth of women-owned, minority-owned, and disadvantaged businesses, and focuses on developing our small businesses environment.

Today’s BOLD funding agreements are as follows:

Birthwell Partners: A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a BOLD Program Agreement with Birthwell Partners, Inc. to help overcome barriers to economic opportunities for 80 residents by providing birth doula services, childbirth and parenting classes, and maternal health advocacy workshops. The project also includes workforce development through Birthwell’s need-based work-study program, which will expand access to doula training for three Birmingham residents and offer continuing education to further develop the skillset of 10 community doulas working with Birmingham’s at-risk families for a term of twelve (12) months, for an amount not to exceed $90,000.

Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank: A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a BOLD Program Agreement with Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank through the BOLD funding program to help overcome barriers to economic opportunities for 1,500 Birmingham residents by distributing diapers, wipes, and menstruation products to community partners and schools for a term of twelve (12) months, for an amount not to exceed $120,000.

MedPLUS Consulting, LLC: A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a BOLD Program Agreement with MedPLUS Consulting, LLC. Through the BOLD Funding Program to support workforce development for three (3) Birmingham residents to become community health workers and to help overcome barriers to economic opportunities for 60 Birmingham residents by providing diabetes prevention for a term of twelve (12) months, for an amount not to exceed $104,695.00.

Diane’s Heart: A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a BOLD Program Agreement with Diane’s Heart, Inc. (Diane’s Heart) under which Diane’s Heart as part of the City’s Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (“BOLD”) Program to support workforce development, overcoming economic barriers, and revitalizing Birmingham’s neighborhoods through the “She Knew There Was More” coaching and mentoring program for 30 Birmingham residents for a term of twelve (12) months, for an amount not to exceed $138,413.00

Urban Impact: A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a BOLD Program Agreement with the Urban Impact, Inc. (Urban Impact) under which Urban Impact as part of the City’s Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (“BOLD”) Program to support small businesses and minority-women-and disadvantaged business enterprises through the Legacy Entrepreneurship Program, which will train 24 legacy businesses in succession planning, safeguarding the legacies of long-established businesses, and facilitating the intergenerational transfer of wealth and business ownership in Black communities for a term of twelve (12) months for an amount not to exceed $150,000.

Is-Able Ministries: A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a BOLD Program Agreement with the Is-Able Ministries though the BOLD Funding Program to support workforce development, overcoming economic barriers, and minority-women and disadvantaged business enterprises through employment training, wraparound services, and financial management training to 60 Birmingham resident for a term of twelve (12) months, for an amount not to exceed $87,050.

Momentum Alumnae Program: A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a BOLD Program Agreement with Momentum Alumnae Program, Inc. through the BOLD Funding Program to support workforce development and overcoming barriers for minority – women- and disadvantaged business enterprises through Momentum Work, an initiative that will provide professional leadership training, wrap-around services, and access to professional expert resources for 50 Birmingham residents for a term of twelve (12) months, for an amount not to exceed $117,500.00.

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL: Week in Review, November 16th - November 26th

Birmingham Makes an Impact at the NLC City Summit

The Birmingham City Council represented at the 2023 City Summit in Atlanta—talking about economic development, transportation solutions, public safety, leveraging federal infrastructure investments to generate good, local jobs--while also connecting with local leader peers from across the country, policy experts, and industry professionals to gain knowledge and expand opportunities for Birmingham residents.

Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn and Pro Tem Wardine Alexander have been reappointed to prominent committee positions with the National League of Cities. While serving in these roles, they will continue to help guide policy priorities and legislative efforts in their respective areas of focus.

President O’Quinn was re-elected to serve on the NLC’s Board of Directors, Pro Tem Alexander was re-elected as the NLC’s Regional Director for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and Councilor Crystal Smitherman is continuing in her role serving on the Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee with NLC as well as serving on the Women in Municipal Government Board of Directors..

Councilors Host Multiple Thanksgiving Giveaways

Leading up to Thursday, multiple Council offices hosted holiday giveaways to assist our residents with getting everything they needed to create the perfect holiday meal.  This is one of our favorite times of the year, and we loved seeing and speaking with our neighbors all across the city. We hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving

ARPA Funding will Help Provide ADA Access at East Side Park

On Tuesday, the Council unanimously approved an agreement with the Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition to fund the redevelopment of East Side Park, which directly abuts the massive urban greenspace.

Councilor Hunter Williams allocated $750,000 of his office’s discretionary ARPA funding. This funding will help provide ADA access to the park, with over 10,000 feet of wheel-chair accessible trails that will connect to the nature learning center and sensory trails.

“I’d like to thank the leadership of Ruffner Mountain for doing such an awesome job of being a good steward of the East side of town,” Councilor Williams said. “They are an invaluable asset to this city and I really think it’s a unique thing we have here. This East Side Park has been vacant and dilapidated for years. Now this will be an ADA accessible portion of the nature

preserve so even more people will be able to get out there an enjoy this area.”

More coverage here...

Birmingham City Council Highlights 10.3.23

ITEM 1
 
The Council voted unanimously to approve a rezoning case, opening the door for a new Jack’s Restaurant to be constructed in the Huffman Neighborhood.
 
The move comes after residents and Huffman Neighborhood Association leaders opposed a previous effort to rezone the property that would  have allowed a car wash to be built near the entrance to the residential area. The lot is located adjacent to the Huffman Baptist Church.
 
“We came back and worked with the Huffman Baptist Church leadership to find a solution that would work for everyone,” Ted Debro, Huffman Neighborhood Association President said. “I think the Council’s decision to not approve the carwash really showed how government can work with our neighborhoods and we want to thank you for that.”
 
The new Jack’s will have 68 seats and will feature a covered outdoor dining area with rocking chairs.
 
Councilor Hunter Williams, chair of the Economic Development Committee, said, “We have 99 Neighborhood Associations and the leadership of those all look very different. I think Mr. Debro’s strong leadership is a testament to what this neighborhood is able to accomplish by getting the right business in there that works for everyone. This shows that persistence and leadership pays off.”
 
Councilor Clinton Woods, who represents the district, also applauded the efforts of neighborhood leaders. “After the original project was reject, everyone continued to work together to find a solution that everyone would be happy with. This is a great example of how neighborhoods, community partners and developers can work together to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.”
 
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
 
 
An Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM” (Case No. ZAC2023-00008) to change zone district boundaries from D-2 Single Family Residential District to QC-2 Qualified General Commercial District, filed by Brian Harris, applicant, representing the owner, Huffman Baptist Church, for property located at 9701 Parkway East and situated in the NE¼ of Section 36, Township 16-S, Range 2-West, and the hearing of all interested parties. [Second Reading] (Submitted by Councilor Abbott, Chair, Planning and Zoning Committee) (Recommended by the Z.A.C. and the Planning and Zoning Committee)**
 

ITEM 25
 
The Council unanimously approved an item for one of Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman’s ARPA Projects – sidewalk infrastructure improvements for her district totaling $150,590.00 in the federally allocated funds.
 
Following the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, each Council district received $3 million in funds to distribute to projects in their districts.
 
 
“This is another one of our amazing ARPA projects that we have moving. I’m really excited about this because it will be improving the sidewalk infrastructure in West End,” Council President Pro Tem Smitherman said. “One of these sidewalks is right where Hemphill Elementary is located. I think it’s really important that we have sidewalks where our kids are walking to school and that we maintain those.”
 
Those sidewalk projects are as follows:
 
Cotton Ave. from 12th Street SW to 11th Street SW – Both sides
Cotton Ave. from 11th Street SW to 10th Street SW – South side only
12th Street SW from Cotton Ave to McMillian – Both sides
12th Street SW from Tuscaloosa Ave. to Cotton Ave. – West side only
Cotton Ave from 13th Street SW to 12th Street SW – North side only
 
Last week, Councilor Smitherman allocated ARPA funds to two important community-based initiatives: No More Martyrs DBA Black Women’s Mental Health Institute and The Common Thread Community.
 
The former organization focuses on providing free mental health services for qualified residents in the district. Councilor Smitherman supported this effort with $300,000 in federal ARPA funds.
 
“It is crucial that we come together as a society to address the need for more mental health services in our communities. For too long there has been a stigma around seeking help. By fostering awareness, mentorship, and creating safe environments, we can strive towards a better future for our residents who need this kind of care and I’m honored to able to provide this support,” Smitherman said.
 
The Common Thread Community initiative will provide services to the City by supporting 10-15 new small business by expanding its existing Cultural Center in the Titusville Project (“the Project”) through the redevelopment, rehabilitation, and enhancement of Building 2, located on the existing premises at 222 6th Avenue SW, Birmingham, into 15,000 sq. ft. of additional office collaborating space for a totaled combined office collaborating space of 60,000 sq. ft. Councilor Smitherman supported this project with $100,000 from her ARPA funds.
 
 

ITEM 19
 
Continuing the efforts to attract and incentivize more affordable housing developments in the City, the Council approved a grant application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for $10 million to remove barriers for housing opportunities.
 
The federal government has recognized the need to help local municipalities remove barriers to affordable housing construction, including construction costs, maintenance and sustainability. This grant in particular is will focus on critical components that are a challenge for the City of Birmingham in this regard.
 
This includes reducing the time it takes to develop affordable housing, that process can create a barrier for would-be developers. The grant funding would help streamline these efforts, according to City officials. The grant funding would also be utilized to bolster local agencies that are working to provide wrap-around services for homeless residents as well as low-income families.


“Access to affordable housing is one of the biggest issues we face in every one of our districts,” Council President Pro Tem Smitherman said. “These grant opportunities, especially ones that don’t require a local match are crucial to our efforts to help get more affordable housing inventory here. This will help our efficiencies and build pathways to more developments, hopefully not just in one or two areas but across the entire city.”
 
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
 
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents
required for the City to complete a grant with the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Community
Planning and Development Pathways to Removing Obstacles to
Housing (PRO Housing) in an amount of up to $10,000,000.00 to identify
and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation
with no matching funds due from the City and authorizing the Mayor to
take any and all actions and execute such documents as are appropriate
and necessary to accept and expend the grant funds on behalf of the City
in accordance with the grant documents. (Submitted by the City Attorney)
(Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)

A LOOK AHEAD:
 
Councilor Carol Clarke will be hosting a free Blues in the Ballpark concert series at historic Rickwood Field on Saturday, October 7th.
 
This is a great opportunity for residents and families to step back in time to the soulful rhythms of the past as the legendary baseball stadium is transformed into a good old-fashioned Blues joint. There will be performances by Ms. Johnnie and the Jammers, Charles “Sugar Harp” Burroughs, Jose Ramirez, “Hurricane Elaine” Hudson, and many more.
 
The concert is free and open to the public, however, no outside food and beverages will be allowed inside the stadium. Food trucks and vendors will be on hand and attendees will be able to bring chars and blankets to watch the shows (the covered stands will also be available for seating). The music and festivities start at 1 p.m. and go until 6:30 p.m.
 
“There is nothing that’s uniquely American as Blues and Baseball and we wanted to take this opportunity to marry those two things together with this event,” Councilor Carol Clarke said. “I think that Blues, which is one of our greatest contributions to the world, has been under represented here and I’m looking forward to everyone coming together and enjoying it in a very unique venue.
 
“We owe a great deal of credit and gratitude to the Friends of Rickwood Field who have acted as stewards for this incredible, historic facility and who have partnered with us for this event. I’d also like to thank the Magic City Blues Society for all their hard work to help make this possible.”
 
Following the concert on Saturday, October 7th, Rickwood Field will be undergoing a series of renovations leading up to next year’s MLB game on June 20th.
 
Don't miss this chance to be a part of history as we bring the Blues back to the 113-year-old stadium that’s hosted players like Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige.  
 
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements and sneak peeks as we count down to the Blues event of the year!  

City of Birmingham Awarded $8 million Rail Safety Improvement Grant to alleviate dangerous crossings at Harris Homes

City of Birmingham Awarded $8 million Rail Safety Improvement Grant to alleviate crossing hazards at Harris Homes

Press Release 

September 25, 2023 
 

The City of Birmingham has been awarded an $8 million federal Consolidated Rail and Infrastructure Safety and Improvements (CRISI) Grant, the first major step in helping to alleviate the dangerous rail hazards in the Harris Homes Public Housing Community.
 
Residents living in this area have, for the better part of a century, been forced to endure trains parked at both entrances, completely encircling their homes every 7-10 days for over fifty years.
 
Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, who represents the neighborhood and who has spearheaded the Council’s efforts to secure this grant funding, hailed this as a huge win for the residents who’ve had to live with these unsafe conditions for years.
 
“It’s hard not to get a little emotional thinking about what this will mean for the residents of this area. This is an opportunity to drastically improve the quality of life for so many of my neighbors,” Councilor O’Quinn said. “I’d like to take a moment and thank our partners at Norfolk Southern, who own the rail corridor in question. They have been a tremendous partner in moving this initiative forward and will be committing $1.5 million in funding to this initial planning and engineering grant. It’s the largest financial commitment they’ve made to a project of this type, ever. My office has remained in close contact with their representatives over the last several years and we could not have gotten to this point without their dedication to improve the lives of those living near their tracks.”

“Norfolk Southern is committed to our communities, through the businesses we serve and the towns we call home," said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. "Together, with the Cities of Birmingham and Trussville, we are making transportation infrastructure safer for residents, through the State of Alabama’s R.E.D.E.S.I.G.N Alabama program. This announcement is indicative of how businesses, communities, and local, state, and federal leaders can collaborate to improve safety.”

This isn’t just an issue about blocked train crossings. This is a project that is going to have far-reaching impacts on our local economy and the ability to construct more affordable housing.

For the last several years there has been well-documented global supply chain issues. Rail infrastructure is a big part of that and this corridor that passes through Birmingham is the most heavily trafficked in the entire state – 50 to 60 trains a day. These improvements will help address that issue on a local level and improve our capacity to move cargo.

“Today marks a major step forward in our fight against blocked railroad crossings in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District,” U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell said. “This funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a critical part of our long-term strategy to alleviate blocked railroad crossings and will go a long way in improving the quality of life for those living in and around Birmingham. Securing this funding was truly a team effort, and I want to thank the City of Birmingham and our local leaders for their hard work in developing such a strong proposal and Norfolk Southern for their significant financial commitment to this project. I was so proud to advocate for this funding at the federal level and will continue working with our state and local partners to address blocked railroad crossings.”
 
The proposed project involves two segments of Norfolk Southern’s railway line and will help develop plans for various track, bridge, signal and road realignments to prevent the blockage of the roads leading in and out of Harris Homes. This will include grade separations and the closure of multiple crossings and will also have a positive impact on the freight and passenger rail operations in the city.
 
This is a multi-jurisdictional project and would not have been possible without the coordinated efforts of multiple partners and agencies.
 
“This is a great example of the kind of impact that regional cooperation can yield, especially when you have multiple municipalities collaborating on a project of this size. Trussville City Councilor Lisa Bright has helped lead the way on their end. I’d like to thank all our partners who helped make this possible for our residents: Congresswoman Terri Sewell, HABD and their CEO Dontrelle Foster, FRA Administrator Amit Bose – who visited Harris Homes – my colleagues on the Birmingham City Council -- Councilor JT Moore for his ARPA contributions -- Mayor Randall Woodfin and Woodlawn United for their support,” Councilor O’Quinn said.
 
Federal noise abatement standards are a big factor when constructing new affordable housing. In addition to helping alleviate dangerous crossings and improving rail logistics in Birmingham, this grant will help bring the possibility for more revitalization efforts and affordable housing units in Woodlawn, a goal that Woodlawn United has been focused on in recent years.
 
Councilor O’Quinn and Councilor JT Moore both contributed American Rescue Plan Act Funding to assist with this project. This grant funding is the first major step in remediating this issue for Harris Homes. This is a developing story and more information will be presented when it’s available.
 

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL: Week in Review, August 14th - 20th

Public Safety Chair (D9) Councilor LaTonya A Tate Hosts Credible Messenger in the Magic City

At Wednesday's Committee of the Whole Meeting, Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement President and CEO Clinton Lacey was in town for a presentation for the Birmingham City Council.  Mr. Lacey's presentation was one of several given at the meeting, geared toward addressing and reducing violence in the City.

Credible Messenger is a community-based crime prevention program that is currently active in 20 states.  While in town, Councilor Tate and Lacey also visited the Ross Bell Juvenile Detention Center and met with Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway and Urban Alchemy.

Learn more about Credible Messenger here...
Watch the Committee of the Whole meeting for Mr. Lacey's presentation here...

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Council President Wardine Alexander Hosts Quarterly Chat and Chew with Neighborhood Leaders

Council President Wardine Alexander sat down with neighborhood officers during the annual District 7 Chat & Chew.

A number of neighborhood officers had the opportunity to voice neighborhood concerns to Mayor Woodfin and also break out into small groups to discuss projects, collaborations, and nonprofits.

Click Here to View Event Photos

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Council Votes to Approve Resolution of Intent for Birmingham-Southern College Funding

On Tuesday, 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.

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.”

Read more here...

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Council Pro Tem Smitherman Partners with Operation HOPE for Financial Wellness Series

Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman has partnered with Operation Hope for a series of financial wellness workshops. This week's focus was on how to improve credit scores and money management.

We hope you will join us for the next installment when we discuss pathways to homeownership. That will be taking place at 5:30 pm at the West End Library on Thursday, September 21st!

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Public Hearing Set For Birmingham's Parking and Towing Ordinance

REMINDER: The Birmingham City Council recently voted to set a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the City’s parking and towing ordinance. That public hearing has been set for Tuesday, August 29th during the Council meeting on the second floor of Boutwell Auditorium.

Read more here...

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UPDATED TIMEFRAME: Due to Chamber Renovations, Council Meetings are being held at the Boutwell

The Council voted to extend the length of time in which meetings will be held at the Boutwell Auditorium while the City Council chambers are being renovated. That completion date has been extended to December 19, 2023. 
 
The Council unanimously passed an ordinance earlier this year to change the regularly scheduled meeting location to the second floor of the Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard. The meeting time will remain 9:30 a.m. on every Tuesday.

If you plan to attend the meeting in person, please arrive early.  All meetings will still stream to the Council's Facebook page: @citycouncilbham

UPDATED TIMEFRAME: Due to Chamber Renovations, Council Meetings are being held at the Boutwell

The Council voted to extend the length of time in which meetings will be held at the Boutwell Auditorium while the City Council chambers are being renovated. That completion date has been extended to December 19, 2023. 
 
The Council unanimously passed an ordinance earlier this year to change the regularly scheduled meeting location to the second floor of the Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard. The meeting time will remain 9:30 a.m. on every Tuesday.

If you plan to attend the meeting in person, please arrive early.  All meetings will still stream to the Council's Facebook page: @citycouncilbham

Birmingham City Council: Week in Review, July 31st - August 6th

The Birmingham City Council Helps Families, Students Get Ready for Back to School

Councilor President Wardine Alexander participated in multiple Back to School events in District 7 over the course of the week.  She is one of many Councilors who have been involved in various school-related events towards the end of summer.

Over the weekend,  the District 9 office joined forces with Be Kind Birmingham at their pop-up free store at the Ensley Recreation Center.  President Alexander, meanwhile, hosted a Book Bag Giveaway on Saturday at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

The District 7 Office also participated in Oxmoor Valley Elementary's Back to School Party earlier in the week.

Students were able to grab a bite to eat, meet their teachers, learn about OVE's new community of Houses, and enjoy live music from a DJ.

See more Back-to-School coverage here...

First Year Teachers Receive Funds for School Supplies

Councilor Clinton Woods was on the program for a big announcement this week at Bill Harris Arena.  Friday marked the unveiling of the Teacher's Fund -- a first year program intended to help first-year teachers with the purchase of school supplies and other key essentials.  

A check for $20,000 was presented, which will impact an estimated 150 first-year teachers in the Birmingham City School System.  Organizers hope that the stipend will boost morale, increase teacher retention, and support the success of thousands of students.

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National Association of Black Journalists Takes Over the Magic City

The Birmingham City Council was thrilled to welcome the NABJ 2023 Convention and Career Fair to the Magic City for the first time, August 2nd-6th.  The purpose of the conference is to provide journalism education, career development, networking and innovation.  This is 3rd largest meeting, ever, with over 3,500 participants registered.

Council President Alexander Meets with U.S. Secretary of Education during NABJ Festivities

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made his way to Birmingham to participate in a roundtable discussion with HBCU Presidents, as well as speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists.  He also met with Council President Wardine Alexander (D7) during an event at the BCRI on Thursday.

News You Can Use: June 29, 2023

THURSDAY, JUNE 29 

The Gaston Motel opens today! 

• The historic A.G. Gaston Motel opens to the public today for free visits for a limited time beginning Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go here. All group and commercially operated tours must be pre-arranged to accommodate for the motel’s capacity. Schedule those at gastontours@birminghamal.gov. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 30 

Several of our city’s senior leaders have a message to COB men about “checking in”  

• Watch the video here.   

• Details: The City of Birmingham is hosting a Men’s Health Fair on Friday, June 30 at Linn Park. The event is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come get tips on physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial health. See attached for details.  

SATURDAY, JULY 1 

Birmingham Stallions headed to the finals   

• Congratulations to the Birmingham Stallions. They will return to Canton, Ohio this week to compete for its second straight USFL Championship. You can watch the Stallions take on the Pittsburg Maulers on Saturday, July 1 on NBC at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time.  For details, go to theusfl.com. 

UAB DAY 

• July 1 is UAB Day in the city of Birmingham. It kicks off their official membership in the prestigious American Athletic Conference (AAC). Get more details here. 

MONDAY, JULY 3 

Movies in the Park 

• Enjoy a family evening under the stars at Memorial Park, located 524 6th Ave. South. The free event is at 7 p.m. Presented by District 6. See attached for details.  

Get fit with a free weekly bootcamp   

• Every Monday, Birmingham Park and Recreation hosts a free bootcamp at Boutwell from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. powered by IAM BHAM. See flyer for details.   

TUESDAY, JULY 4 

Titusville Community Day 

• Enjoy the Fourth of July with this event featuring music, BBQ and more at Memorial Park. 3-9 p.m. See attached for details. 

WEDNESDAY,  

Support area restaurants and bars with Magic City Sips   

• Magic City Sips is a summer-long, city-wide happy hour event series taking place every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., during the months of June, July, and August. Participating bars and restaurants will host their own happy hours, highlighting Sips-specific drink and food specials. See attached flyer with a QR Code to scan for additional information. Follow them on Instagram @ieobirmingham.    

Get some financial tips and lunch on Wednesdays  

• Enjoy the financial workshops follow hosted by Birmingham City Credit Union, located at 2725 35th Ave. North. These events are on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Free to BCCU members. $10 for non-members.    

• How to Navigate Estate Planning – Wednesday, July 12  

• How to Navigate Life Development – Wednesday, July 19  

• How to Navigate Obtaining Healthy Food – Wednesday, July 26  

• See attached for details.    

SATURDAY, JULY 8 

Check out the District 6 Summer Farmers Market 

• Enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables, breads and honey jams at Memorial Park from 1:30-3:30 p.m. See attached for details. 

ONGOING 

Enjoy Treasure Island in the Park! 

• Birmingham Park and Recreation has partnered with Birmingham Childrens Theatre for performances of “Treasure Island” in parks across the city. See the attached for details! 

COMING UP 

Make plans to attend Wind Down Wednesday   

• The next Wind Down Wednesday after work inspire and empower series will take place at the Boutwell Auditorium on Wednesday, July 19. It’s free and all (21 and up) are welcome. 

Enjoy a photographic tribute to Historic Sloss Furnaces Opening Reception 

• Since the mid-1970s, Ken Boyd has been photographing Sloss Furnaces and has compiled his best works into this photographic exhibition at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Come out on Thursday, July 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to the Sloss Visitor Center to see the exhibit and meet the artist. Ken Boyd has published several photography-based books on various topics and has taught at both Samford University and UAB. This is a free event and light refreshments will be provided. See attached for details. 

Jr. Archaeology Day is coming soon 

• Come out to the Sloss Furnaces Company Quarters Commissary (across the street from Sloss Furnaces and next to Back Forty) on Friday, July 21 from 1-5 p.m. for a free archaeological event! There will be K-12 activities and all ages are welcome to come out and observe. This is a great opportunity for anyone who may be interested in learning more about archaeology and how to pursue it as a career. Presented by The Alabama Archaeology Society. See attached for details. 

 *** 

Stay updated regarding the Forging Justice 60th Commemoration   

• All year long, the City of Birmingham is commemorating the heroic acts of our citizens during the 1963 civil and human rights campaign. June is themed “Break Every Chain.” There are free June posters on the first floor of City Hall. Check out this calendar for details regarding upcoming events: birminghamal.gov/forging justice. 
     

Submit your news to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov.

Birmingham City Council Highlights 6.6.23

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.

WATCH THE FULL BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL MEETING HERE