Forest Park / South Avondale Neighborhood Association
Tuesday, February 1, 2022,
AVONDALE LIBRARY
Per Mayor Woodfin's Executive Order, Face Masks will be required
February Agenda items include:
1. Monthly Report from the South Precinct
2. Monthly Report from Fire Department
3. Monthly Report from Public Works office, Mary Gunnerson.
4. Monthly Report from Friends of Avondale Park (Neal Flum)
5. Discussion about Noise in the neighborhood related to leaf blowers and a proposed solution to this issue (Tom Cosby)
8. Monthly Report from District 3 Board of Education Representative (Mary Boehm)
9. Monthly Report from District 5 City Councilor, (Darrell O'Quinn)
10. Monthly Report from District 3 City Councilor, (Valerie Abbott)
Forest Park / South Avondale Brush and Trash Pick Up dates.
TUESDAY, February 15
TUESDAY, March 8
TUESDAY, March 29
Missed Pick-up - Dial 311
Report Illegal Dumping - Dial 311
Forest Park South Avondale Neighborhood Association Meeting
Avondale Library
January 4, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Jeff McGee, president.
No report was submitted by the South Precinct.
No report was submitted by the Fire Department.
No report was submitted by the Public Works Office.
Jeff announced that Neal Flum of Friends of Avondale Park was unable to attend due to illness. Neal reported to Jeff that FOAP has turned in a list of needs to the City, including the serious flooding problems, pond and goose issues. There is some optimism that the pond might be dredged before the World Games.
Martha Council provided an update on the Miss Fancy project. She and Bryan Council have gone before the Park and Rec Board twice, and funding for the project has been approved. Installation has been targeted for March; however supply chain delays may impact the date pushing it back no later than May. The neighborhood had approved allocating funds to the project in a prior meeting. But just to be certain that we comply with all the City requirements, Jeff requested that we again approve the allocation for City records.
A motion was made by Sam Parker to approve the allocation of $5000 to the Miss Fancy Avondale Park Project. The motion was seconded by Martha Council. There being no further discussion, the motion passed all in favor.
Jay Smith was absent due to a celebration honoring his father. Jeff provided an update on the Triangle Park project on his behalf. The soft landing material was delivered by the City and spread by neighborhood volunteers. A neighborhood committee continues to work on improving the Triangle Park for the enjoyment of all, especially our youngsters. More to come on that in future meetings.
Mary Boehm, District 3 Board of Education Representative, reported to neighbors on the City Schools. Right now 5,000 students are enrolled in Intersession Week, a week of extra education and enrichment before the official start of school next week. Avondale Elementary is working with Avondale Library and they are providing storytime for 2nd – 5th graders. In March, the Library will host Book Bingo, and every child will receive a free book.
Carla Perkins, Avondale Library’s Youth Librarian, spoke to neighbors and encouraged us to help them make sure that every child goes home with a new book. Due to Covid, in-kind donations of books are not helpful right now. Monetary donations will go much farther, especially because Ms Carla can purchase books through educational wholesalers. If you would like to donate to the book drive, make checks payable to Birmingham Public Library, and put Youth Department/Avondale School in the subject line. Checks may be dropped off at the Library or mailed to Avondale Library attn:Youth Department or Carla Perkins.
Representative Boehm did not have current covid data to report for BCS, but the plan is to return to in person school, with weekly testing available along with vaccination clinics thanks to a partnership with UAB. She is still investigating the costs of soft landing materials for Avondale Elementary and will report back soon with a request for assistance. They are excited about the mental health financial support from the Mayor’s Office and City Council as well as Jefferson County tax monies collected. A new charter school application from a group out of Memphis is presently under review. Finally, a United Way initiative for high dosage tutoring has begun with tutors from 6 local colleges/universities.
Carla Perkins added that Avondale Library will be hosting the city-wide Summer Reading Kick-Off celebration in Avondale Park this May.
Councilor Valerie Abbott reported to neighbors on the fast City Council meeting she attended earlier in the day. The best news from the meeting was the new 311 call system should be up and running by the end of the first quarter (March). Soon we should be able to check on our 311 reports via a fantastic computer system but in the meantime, always get a confirmation number when you make a report. Councilor Abbott responded to questions. The Council is waiting to see if the Mayor’s Office delivers on its promise to help see their neighborhood projects funded. The 21st St viaduct is underway, and she can check on its progress from Councilor O’Quinn. She remains optimistic about the working abilities of the newly elected Council – they all seem focused on providing services to the citizens of Birmingham. She will follow up with the garbage pilot program in response to concerns about the pick up methods.
Councilor O’Quinn’s new Chief of Staff, Myeisha Hutchinson, introduced herself to the neighborhood. Ms Hutchinson has deep connections to the City and is excited to be back serving the citizens of Birmingham. Her email address is myeisha.hutchinson@birminghamal.gov
She welcomes neighbor questions and requests for assistance.
Final announcements: The World games is looking for 3300 volunteers. The application is on-line. A 20 hour commitment over 2 weeks entitles the volunteer to 8 complimentary tickets.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:12pm.