Check Out These Upcoming Glen Iris Neighborhood Events!
Code Enforcement Town Hall on September 15th!
Staff Shortages Delay Trash and Brush Pickup in Birmingham
Mayor Randall Woodfin speaks to the City Council. (Source: Facebook livestream)
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin told the City Council on Tuesday that staffing shortages were the root cause of recent delays in bulk trash and brush pickups throughout the city.
Woodfin was responding to a question from District 3 Councilor Valerie Abbott, who said she’d received “tons of calls” from residents upset that their trash had not been picked up on schedule. “We actually have some citizens who wait until the night before, like the law says, to put all their (trash) out, and then nobody comes and picks it up,” she said.
Woodfin said that he had discussed the issue with public works employees, “and what they shared was that it’s not just an equipment problem … We’re short truck drivers.”
The city has worked to improve retention and recruitment in that department, Woodfin said, and has increased the pay rate for bulk trash truck drivers. Even so, the city has had to decrease its bulk trash pickup schedule from twice a month to every three weeks.
Now, Woodfin said, the city is focused on communication, with plans to use social media, the city’s website and 311 services “to communicate to the public and actually be vulnerable and honest enough to say, ‘We missed this date. We’ll make it up to you. We’ll be back.’”
“I expect that gap in hiring will close at some point,” he added. “I expect a lot of this to ease up.”
“We’re still in trouble, but thank you,” Abbott replied.
Create Birmingham 2022 Programs
Costarters
Since Create Birmingham launched CO.STARTERS in 2014, 280+ entrepreneurs have graduated from the program. Many have gone on to launch successful enterprises — from nonprofit ventures to brick-and-mortar shops and food tours.
You can join this network of creative professionals and take your dream job, community venture, side hustle, or creative concept to the next level with long-term support and experience from a team of experts!
Our Winter 2022 cohort begins February 7 and meets every Monday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 pm for 10 weeks. Our priority is removing barriers - and that includes financial hardships. So, costs are based on a sliding scale depending on your household income.
Our cohort is planning to meet in person, masks required, but we recognize there may need to be a change for the safety of our cohort.
ROADMAP GOAL-SETTING WORKSHOP
JANUARY 20 from 8:30 - 10:00 AM
Creative ventures and entrepreneurship aren’t for the faint of heart, but you CAN make a difference. And we can help! Register now for our free, virtual Roadmap Goal Setting Workshop on January 20 from 8:30 - 10:00 am.
Let us walk with you as you set goals for your project and map out how to accomplish what you’re dreaming of! Together, we create Birmingham.
The Embrace Mothers program is a pilot program created for the City of Birmingham to ensure a guaranteed income for single mothers. Approved by the City Council, 110 participants will receive $375 over a 12 month period.
The application process will take place between January and February 2022. Though an exact date has not been determined, the city encourages those interested in participating to continuously check the link below for more information.
Make Your Voice Heard! Birmingham Municipal Elections are Today!
Upcoming Hearing on the New Proposed Birmingham Operating Budget
2021 ACE Program Info from Mayor Woodfin
News You Can Use
The Birmingham Police Department will host a virtual seminar on sexual assault on Wednesday, May 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. on the department’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/bhampolice.
BPD will host a book drive for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, May 24-31. Officers will accept new and slightly used books at BPD headquarters from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. See flyer for more info.
Learn how to become a vendor for the World Games 2022 by joining a 1:30 p.m. webinar on Monday, May 24. To register, visit: bit.ly/TWG22Part1 .
A restored vintage Greyhound bus will be at the downtown Birmingham Public Library on Wednesday, May 19 as part of the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides commemoration. The bus, which is part of the Freedom Rides Museum collection, will be open to the public at 3 p.m. Two, local Freedom Riders will speak during a program that will start at 5 p.m. The 1961 Freedom Rides were public bus trips undertaken by racially-integrated groups through the Deep South to test the enforcement of a new court order prohibiting segregation in interstate bus terminals. See attached press release and flyer.
BPD will host a promotions and graduation ceremony today, May 14, at 10 a.m. at Boutwell Auditorium. Congrats!
The next countywide paper shredding and electronics drop-off event will be Saturday, May 15 at the Center Point Satellite Courthouse from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more info, please go here and here. Questions? Call 205-325-8741.
If you missed Wednesday’s live WebEx update on the federal stimulus money the city is slated to receive, you may catch a replay on YouTube at https://youtu.be/rM8uid0Yb34.
The Birmingham Legion soccer team will play Memphis at Legion Field on Saturday, May 15 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at www.bhmlegion.com.
Birmingham renters unable to pay rent or utilities bills due financial hardships caused by COVID-19, may be eligible to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Please visit www.birminghamal.gov/renthelp to access the link to start the application process. A call center is available at 1-844-287-1250.
