Forest Park

Forest Park / South Avondale (February Newsletter)

FOREST PARK / SOUTH AVONDALE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2024, 6:30 p.m.
AVONDALE LIBRARY

  • 1.  Monthly Report from BPD South Precinct.

  • 2.  Monthly Report from Birmingham Fire Department.

  • 3.  Approval of minutes from January Meeting.

  • 4.  Variance to utilize the existing concrete footer placement for a new impermeant garage structure. 1ft rear and side yard setback for a new, accessory garage AND a variance for an accessory structure that takes up more than 30% of the required rear yard).

  • 5.  Funding Request for 2024 edition of Movies in the Park (Keri Lane / Elizabeth Lasseter).

  • 6.  Community Credit Class Information, Brian Fisher.

  • 7.  Report from Friends of Avondale Park, John Forney.

  • 8.  Report from Birmingham Public Schools Mary Boehm.

  • 9.  Report from District 3 City Councilor, Valerie Abbott.

  • 10.  Report from District 5 City Councilor, Darrell O'Quinn.


Southside Ball registration is still open for the Spring Season at Avondale Park!
Evaluations are this Saturday February 3 so register soon!
Just click the link: https://www.southsideball.com

Forest Park / South Avondale  
Brush and Bulk Trash Pick Up date.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12
https://www.birminghamal.gov/bulktrash 

Forest Park South Avondale Neighborhood Association
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Avondale Library
Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by President, Jeff McGee. 

John Forney, President of FOAP Board, updates neighbors about happenings at Avondale Park. No meeting was held during December. However, monthly clean-up meet-ups continue in the Park the 2nd Saturday of every month, 8-10am. Bring your tools and pitch in. Next project to tackle is cleaning up the trails. The FOAP is seeking to promote use of the Park and Villa, and is working to gather data to better understand who is renting the Villa and for what purposes. Their mission is to ensure the Park is enjoyed by everyone, and remains a clean, safe gathering space.

Destiny Askew, Director of Volunteer Engagement at STAIR, informed neighbors that STAIR is currently recruiting Spring tutors. STAIR is a tutoring program serving 10 BCS, including Avondale Elementary. January 23rd is the start of the next session. Tutors work with 1st and 2nd graders, as well as 4th graders at Avondale Elementary. Information is available at STAIRBirmingham.org Neighbor Lee Walthall shared that he is a STAIR tutor and “can think of nothing more rewarding.”

Jay Smith, President of Common Ground Forest Park, a new non-profit created to maintain Triangle Park, reported to neighbors on the successful kick-off event in November. Neighbors have been surveyed to determine the ways in which they would like to see the Park used and improved, and McNally Land Design Architects are currently developing proposals and cost estimates for different tiers of project improvements. Jay suggested neighbors google Common Ground Forest Park, hit the donate button, hit the Get Involved button, go to the Facebook page and like it, go to the Instagram page and follow it, and be involved with this important effort. A neighbor asked about fees to rent Triangle Park, and was told that people should contact the Parks and Rec Department to reserve the Park.

Jay Smith also spoke to neighbors about Southside Ball. The annual fundraiser Baseball and Brews is being held Saturday, January 27th, at Cahaba Brewery. Everyone is welcome! The Spring season is here, and registration is open. Scholarships are available, new players are welcome. www.southsideball.com

Mary Boehm, Birmingham Board of Education Representative, spoke to neighbors about Birmingham City Schools. She thanked STAIR for being present, and shared that she tutors at Avondale Elementary and it is the highlight of her week, stating “Connection with a child is invaluable.” BCS received 2 applications for new Charter Schools in November, Iron City Business Academy and InnovaEDU. The BB of Ed will review and then hold public meetings. If they choose not to approve, the applicants can appeal to the State. In response to a question, Ms Boehm stated that the BB of Ed has never approved an application for a charter school. There are a total of 11 charter schools in the State at present. Discussion followed and Ms Boehm made the point that Charter Schools have not been doing as good a job educating these kids as they had promised, mainly because it is a lot harder to accomplish than folks like to claim. Mayor Woodfin recently spoke about his disappointment in the School report cards released in December. Overall the District received a C or 72, one point lower than last year. Ms Boehm provided a breakdown of the 43 schools scores, and noted that Avondale received a C. There are more than 700 kids in 2nd grade right now that may potentially be held back from 3rd grade. STAIR is helping us address this crisis. The BCS strategic planning process would really benefit from neighbor attendance and participation. While these scores are very discouraging, the are lots of wonderful things happening in BCS kids lives. Ramsay’s Football team had an outstanding season. The 84th All-City Christmas Music Festival was an amazing highlight of the immense talent of kids across our city. And talented STEAM scholars from Bush Hills created an app for the 16th St Baptist Church, winning an innovation competition. So grades do not fully reflect the value of these wonderful kids. There is a plan to tackle the kudzu at Avondale this Spring. In addition, the City Operations team is going to help move the playground equipment and upgrade the site and tennis courts this Spring as well. In response to a question, Ms Boehm stated that chronic absenteeism is a huge problem for BCS. The BB of Ed hired a non-profit to partner with to help us do home visits, and the DA’s office is also partnering with them. Its getting better but still a lot needs to be done. In response to another question, Ms Boehm stated that she has not seen data that relates the identity of a perpetrator’s school to a crime committed. Discussion followed. Jeff McGee shared his knowledge and experience from Family Court as it related to the correlation of truancy and juvenile crime. The importance of keeping kids in school was stressed by discussion participants.

Corporal Whatley of the Birmingham Police Department was present to respond to neighbors’ concerns about crime. In response to a question, Cpl Whatley stated that they do not know how many shots were fired during NYE but the shot spotter is accurate. The retention numbers for new officers continues to remain low. A burglary 3rd degree perpetrator was arrested in the neighborhood and is in the court process now. In response to a question, Cpl Whatley said 48 hour holds will be taken to City Jail. All other arrests will go to County Jail. Another neighbor asked the officer about policing exhibition driving violations. Staff shortages lead to really large patrol areas, old patrol cars suffer mechanical issues, and the officers are just not able to be everywhere as needed. Cpl Whatley supported the idea of having the parcel delivery service send notifications or deliver to a secure holding location to avoid porch pirate opportunities.

District 5 City Councilor Darrel O’Quinn, newly elected President of the Council, spoke to neighbors. He brought packets of “News You Can Use” to distribute to those present. Councilor pointed to earlier discussions of school truancy. We have a requirement that school buses will not pick up a child within 2 miles of a school. But 2 miles is a long way to ask a child to walk through some of these neighborhoods. He sees transportation as a barrier we can address, and is speaking with HABD to see if we can’t get some assistance. Another issue Councilor is working on is animal control. The number of vicious dog attacks as well as the huge number of 911 and 311 calls related to animals has led him to propose a spay/neuter requirement, in the form of pet licensing. The Code Enforcement in the City is an ongoing problem. The staff shortages mean that there are no officers to serve summons to appear in court for code violations. The Council is working on getting officers assigned to this duty. The cooperation between City and County jail is currently in the News and the Councilor stated that this is mostly politics at play.  He sees cooperation amongst the greater municipalities as the most viable option, freeing up funds for infrastructure and education. In response to a question, Councilor O’Quinn stated that the jail agreement should not result in layoffs. Staff shortages mean that officers in the jail could easily be reassigned to street patrol or other vacant roles. Discussion returned to the unlicensed pet issue, and the health and safety concerns of irresponsible pet ownership.

District 3 City Councilor Valerie Abbott expressed excitement about the potential for Code enforcement. The City Council is attempting to hold the Mayor to getting the positions of inspectors filled. Uniform garbage carts are continuing to be a problem for many in her district. Councilor Abbott reminded folks they may get a waiver form from the 311 call center if you cannot physically pull your cart up and down to the street.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Crawford
Secretary   

Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Avondale Library


Helpful links and Information about the upcoming 2024 Elections

The Secretary of State website: Alabama Votes. Here you can update your voter information and/or register to vote. The site also has information on upcoming elections, absentee voting and much more.
The Jefferson County Board of Registrars Here you will find voting locations, maps of congressional districts, contact information for Absentee Voting and more.

Dates to remember:
Primary Election – March 5, 2024
Feb. 16 – Last day to hand-deliver voter registration forms
Feb. 17 – Last day to postmark voter registration forms
Feb. 19 – Last day to register to vote electronically
Feb. 27 – Last day to apply for an absentee ballot to mail
Feb. 29 – Last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person
March 4 – Last day to hand-deliver absentee ballot
March 5 – Absentee ballots returned by mail must be received by Noon.

Primary Runoff Election (If necessary) – April 16, 2024
April 1 – Voter registration deadline
April 9 – Last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail
April 11 – Last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person
April 15 – Last day to hand-deliver absentee ballot
April 16 – Absentee ballots returned by mail must be received by Noon*


Jefferson County EMA and City of Birmingham Alert System

Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for our Emergency Alert Program. This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. Create an account to get alerts here.
 


Recycling Pickups - Usually 1st and 3rd Weds.

(unless holidays change the schedule)


(Recyclables can be also be dropped off at Birmingham Recycling and Recovery

M-F 7am-4pm* - 9 41st St. S., 35222 (Avondale).)
Please do NOT use plastic bags. 

What Can Be Recycled:

Paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, and broken down cardboard boxes (if using a box for your "bin" you do not need to break it down)

Aluminum, steel, or tin cans

#1 and #2 Plastics only. 

DO NOT INCLUDE THESE: trash, phone books, styrofoam, glass, plastic packing materials/wrappers or plastic bags or anything with food residue. (Rinse all items and discard greasy parts of pizza boxes (for example.)

When in doubt, throw it out! 

*We have unfortunately confirmed that if the truck comes by on other days, they will pick up materials and take them to the dump.

Forest Park / South Avondale May 2021 Newsletter


Forest Park / South Avondale
MAY & JUNE BRUSH AND TRASH PICK UP DATES


Wednesday, May 19
Wednesday, June 9
Wednesday, June 30


Mark your calendar for events coming up in our Historic Avondale Park:

  • June 12: Steel City Men’s Chorus performance

  • June 19: Park in the Park Vintage Auto Show will be back - a longtime favorite

  • July 4: Cathedral Brass Patriotic Concert



Please remember to pick up after your pet and avoid disposing of their waste in your neighbor's trash can. Also be mindful of your pet peeing or pooping on your neighbor's lawn, shrubbery and ground cover. Pet urine is toxic to many of our plants.


The South Precinct non-emergency number
254 2793


Forest Park and Avondale Park Historic Districts
Design Review Information

When applying for a building/construction permit, the City's database will alert the clerk if your address is within one of the City's historic districts. If you reside in one of the City's historic districts, construction / renovation projects will likely be subject to Birmingham's design review process. Forest Park / South Avondale Neighborhood has two historically designated districts (Forest Park and Avondale Park). These districts are subject to design review when new construction, renovation, repair, and remodel projects affecting the exterior of any structure located within the historic district boundaries. Research has show that property values are greater for homes located in historic districts, especially districts that are subject to design review.

When City permitting personnel determines that your proposed renovation/construction project is within a historic district, you will be referred to City's design review personnel for a determination if the repairs, construction etc. are subject to review by the City and local design review committees.

If your case is subject to design review, you will be given a date to present your case to the City's design review committee. You will also be referred to your local "Neighborhood" committee for review. The local committee will schedule your case prior to the date set for review by the City's committee.

Local design review committees are made up of historic district residents with the requirement that at least 2 members of the committee are architects. Local committees make findings and recommendations that are submitted to the City committee. The findings and recommendations of the local committee are binding and can only be overturned by a two thirds majority of the City's design review committee.

As a work of caution, if you think your residence is located within one of Forest Park / South Avondale Neighborhood's Historic Districts, DO NOT purchase materials or commence exterior renovations/construction prior to a determination whether your project is subject to the City's design review process. If your materials / design are not approved during the process, you may not be able to recoup the expense for materials and / or construction labor.

February Birmingham Trash and Brush Schedule 2019

Click here to view the City of Birmingham Trash and Brush Schedule for February 2019.