Clean up your community with us Saturday, Aug. 3

Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has announced the City of Birmingham will stage a Pride Where I Reside city-wide cleanup for Saturday, August 3. The day will be a work day for multiple city departments and divisions, including public works, code enforcement, and parks and recreation. Residents, organizations and businesses are encouraged to take time during the day to clean up around their property, their streets, blocks and neighborhoods.

City staff and contractors involved in the Pride Where I Reside work day will address overgrown lots, blighted properties, illegal dump sites and more.

To encourage residents, businesses and organizations to do their part, the Department of Public Works will set-up additional roll-off dumpsters in each public works quadrant of the city to add convenience for individuals conducting their own cleanup. The roll-off dumpsters will be in place from August 3 to August 9.

Click the button below to learn locations of roll-off dumpsters, landfills with extended hours and more

We want to share your involvement! Residents who conduct their own cleanups are encouraged to showcase their work on August 3 with the social media hashtag #CleanUpBham.

Birmingham Chinese New Year Gala on February 17th

Images from the Department of Public Works Cleanup of George Ward Park

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Magic City Spotlight: City gets $4 million federal investment for Valley Creek Rails to Trails project

City receives $4 million federal investment for Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail project

Congresswoman Terri Sewell presented Mayor Woodfin and local leaders with $4 million to support the Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail project.

The Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail project is a vital piece of the Red Rock Trail network that will help Freshwater Land Trust build an almost 22-mile loop around the City of Birmingham. Additionally, it will connect residents of Qualified Census Tracts in west Jefferson County to the Jefferson County Department of Health’s Western Health Clinic, Red Mountain Park, Birmingham CrossPlex, and the new Bus Rapid Transit Station planned within the Birmingham CrossPlex complex.

Congrats to the Hornets! Recap of the 2023 Magic City Classic

 In an exciting battle, the Hornets defeated the Bulldogs 31-16 at the historic Legion Field at the 82nd Magic City Classic.

Click the button below to see photos from the Magic City Classic this past weekend!

---

Mayor Woodfin: More than ever, Birmingham can’t afford to lose Birmingham-Southern College

In this week's InSync Birmingham, Mayor Woodfin gives his thoughts on State Treasurer Young J. Boozer III's decision to decline a multi-million dollar loan to Birmigham-Southern College (BSC).



He writes, "The Treasurer’s denial of the loan after months of back and forth with BSC is puzzling. BSC meets the eligibility requirements, has sufficient collateral to back it, has a financial restructuring plan that makes sense, and has a reasonable timeline for repaying it.

His denial leaves 731 students stranded — 240 of them seniors who are expecting to receive their BSC diplomas in May 2024. And it harms the nearly 1,500 people who work directly or indirectly for the College.

Senior Fit Health Fair at Railroad Park

The City of Birmingham honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month

During the month of October, the City of Birmingham is honoring the strength, courage, and resilience of our Breast Cancer fighters, thrivers, and survivors. BWELL BHM kicked off its Breast Awareness campaign last Friday, Oct. 3 with the WISDOM study during Food Truck Friday. On this Friday, Oct. 13, BWELL BHM is asking all employees to wear pink. Let’s flood city hall with lots of different shades as we show our support. Send your pictures to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov. You may be featured on our social media channels. 
 
On Tuesday, Oct. 17, City of Birmingham employees are invited to an informative Lunch & Learn, themed Sheroes Wear Pink. The event will feature Dr. Erica Reasor, director of UAB’s Breast Cancer Program, and Raquel Owen, founder of Pinktopps LLC, in the Hall of Distinguished Citizens. Complimentary lunch and sweet treats will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Afterward, be sure to check out a special tribute mural that will be unveiled on the second floor of City Hall near the Boutwell crosswalk. 

Upcoming Southside Community Framework Plan Meetings

Magic City Spotlight: Sign up for ACE and learn how to make change in your community

The next Academy of Civic Engagement (ACE) cohort is beginning soon!

ACE is a city-wide leadership initiative aimed at bringing residents together for a deeper understanding of how the City works for them and how they can plug into various opportunities. Orientation begins September 7.

Click the image above or the button below to watch Mayor Woodfin's message offering more details about this comprehensive six-week program designed to prepare residents to go out into their communities to act, serve, and lead.

Learn more and sign up at birminghamal.gov/ace.

The City of Birmingham Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for poetry in Birmingham.

This is an honorary position, and roles and responsibilities include making local appearances, facilitating public and educational programs, and building advocacy and community through poetry.

The poet laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000 over the course of their term. Additional funds will be available for materials and other approved costs associated with community engagement programs that the poet laureate facilitates.

Click the button below to learn more and access the application portal.

Applications close on October 2.

You're invited to join Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan and Mayor Randall Woodfin for the Rally For Reading on August 28.

Join us to instill the joy of reading in our students and prepare them for academic success.

Click the image above or the button below to watch the video to learn more.

See you there!

Fwd: News You Can Use: 8-18-23

Tenants’ rights educational seminar this Saturday 

• Learn your rights. Saturday, Aug. 19. 9 a.m.-12 noon. Five Points West Library. Free. There is no need to register. For more information, call 205-324-0111.  

Come out to the KIDS Kasino  

• As the YWCA celebrates its 120th year of serving the Greater Birmingham community, we invite you to go “all in” for KIDS Kasino on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 6-10 p.m. at the YWCA Central Alabama for an evening of casino-style gaming, food, and fun! We hope you will bring your whole family for a night out with childcare available for the evening on site. See attached for details. 

Learn about Municipal Court and get credit for doing so 

• Make plans to attend the 2023 Municipal Court Summit to complete your continuing education requirements! The Summit has been approved for:  

• 12 hours of continuing education by the Alabama Judicial College 

• 12 hours of continuing legal education by the Alabama State Bar 

• 6 hours of continuing education by the Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts 

• 9.5 hours of continuing education for Social Workers 

• With sessions engaging sessions on Procedural Justice, Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice Responses, Understanding Human Trafficking, and Workplace Mental Health, coupled with Criminal Justice Ethics, Legislative Updates, and an exciting panel discussion on Exploring the Duties of a Court Clerk, we are confident you will walk away with effective tips, tools, and strategies to get Back to the Basics! The summit is August 24-25 at the Boutwell Auditorium. Click here to check out the agenda and reserve your spot today! 

Titusville Library presents several events: 

• Arts at Crafts: Cotton Swab Flower Painting, Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m.; Silly Putty, Aug. 22 at 3:30 p.m.   

• Book Signing: The Titusville Library will host author Sonya “Sam” Mitchell for a book signing of her table book “Picture the Picture.” Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. See attached for details.  

• Celebrating T Shirt Day. Titusville Library. Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. Adult book club with make their own shirts. See attached for details.  

It’s time for the 25th Sidewalk Film Festival 2023 

• The 25th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival will take place August 21-27 in Downtown Birmingham's Historic Theatre District. For details, go to https://sidewalkfest.com/how-to-fest/  

Support the COB Back 2 School Supply Drive 

• Let’s support our Birmingham City Schools students with needed school supplies. Donations accepted include pens, pencils, paper, markers, crayons, notebooks, glue, erasers, calculators, hand sanitizer, tissue, etc. Donation boxes are located on the first floor of city hall. Drop off now through Aug. 25. For more information, contact Employee Engagement via email at cobengagement@birminghamal.gov. Or call 205-254-2084.    

Support the District 7 Community Clean Up 

• Help clean up our community. Saturday, Aug. 26. Wenonah High School, 2800 Wilson Road SW. Volunteer registration and supply pick-up at 8:30 a.m. Starts at 8:45 a.m. See attached for details.  

Join the reading rally and help our scholars 

• Let’s rally to support Birmingham’s young scholars. Monday, Aug. 28 at Bill Harris Arena. Featuring door prizes, free books for families and opportunities to volunteer. Warm up with dancing at 5 p.m. The rally begins at 6 p.m. See attached for details.   

Wind Down Wednesday to celebrate women 

• Honoring the women in the upcoming StrongHER Book. Wednesday, Aug. 30. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cash bar, vendors and food trucks and live DJ. Boutwell Auditorium. See attached for details.      

COMING UP next month 

Enjoy movies in the park 

• Memorial Park, 524 6th Ave. South. Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. See attached for details.  

Make plans to come out the Summer Music Vibes event 

• Sunday, Sept. 3. 4 p.m. Free. Music, food trucks, voter registration. 633 Cotton Ave. SW. See attached for details.  

Join the Birmingham CERT Team 

• Learn first aid, lite search and rescue, disaster recovery, CPR, and more. Every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 5-Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs classroom of Fire Station No. 2, located at 600 11th St. South. Get details attached. For questions, email pubed@birminghamal.gov or call 205-254-6560. See attached. 

Sign up to be a part of ACE 

• The Academy of Civic Engagement (ACE) is a City of Birmingham initiative, with the central goal of getting residents directly involved and engaged with their local municipal government. ACE focuses on bringing everyday citizens together for a deeper understanding of how the city works for them and how they can plug into a variety of opportunities. ACE wants to prepare residents to go into their communities to act, serve, and lead. You must be a resident of the City of Birmingham to participate. Click here to apply now! Orientation is on Thursday, Sept. 7!  

Upcoming PEP workshops planned 

• The Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits (PEP) will be hosting three workshops in the month of September that will cover several topics related to permitting and inspections within the City of Birmingham. These three workshops will help better inform the public of the requirements for pulling a permit within Birmingham and the inspection processes related to each permit. These informational workshops will be beneficial to both citizens and developers.  Each event is designed to be 2 hours. All the events are free and open to the public. 

• Session A: The first session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover topics such as zoning requirements, pre-permitting meetings, and a new online permit guide for the city.  

• Session B: The second session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover the permitting process from A to Z as well as a discussion around contractor education and ensuring citizens have the correct information when selecting a contractor.

• Session C: The final session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover the inspections and enforcement aspects related to permitted and unpermitted work within the city. 

The Get Down at Avondale Park  

• Presented by Seasick Records and Yellowhammer Print Shop. Featuring arts, music, records, and vintage. With William Tyler & The Impossible Truth, Will Stewart, and Jahnah Camille. Sunday, Sept. 17. See attached for details.  
   

FORGING JUSTICE  

The city's 60th commemoration poster series continues 

• August is the month we reflect upon the writers, poets, journalists, photographers, and creatives who help tell the story of justice. August's poster is themed “Raise Your Voice" and features a collage of past and present storytellers across our city. Free copies of this month’s poster are available in city hall. You can also check out the calendar of events for the 60th commemoration events happening all year at birminghamal.gov/forgingjustice.      

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

Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.18.23

Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.18.23

ITEM 13

On Tuesday, the Council approved and agreement to host the 2024 Transplant Games of America, which will be held July 5-10 at various venues around the city.

These games have been held every two years since their inception in 1990 and are aimed at uplifting and highlighting athletes who have survived transplant procedures.

These games bring together survivors, their families and medical professionals for a five-day event with over 20 sports. Last year, the United States saw roughly 40,000 organ transplants, which was a record number. However, there are still 100,000 people who are waiting for transplants. These games help raise awareness to this issue and will bring roughly 10,000 people to the city of Birmingham.

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

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an Agreement between the City of Birmingham and Transplant Life Foundation, under which Transplant Life Foundation will assist the City by providing organization, promotion, management, hosting, planning, record keeping and facilitation services related to the 2024 Transplant Games of America, which are to be held in Birmingham between July 5, 2024 and July 10, 2024, and the City will provide funding to Transplant Life Foundation in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00, in support of the event. [G/L Account: ARPA FIN039RM 99999A_005_006 -$335,000.00 and CDA DCP156CP - $65,000.00] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Chief Community Planner)**

Statement from the City Council on the passing of Firefighter Jordan Melton:

"We are heartbroken to hear the news that we have lost one of our local heroes, firefighter Jordan Melton. We stand behind all the dedicated servants of the Birmingham Fire Department during this extremely challenging time. This exemplifies, even more, the dangers that they face every single day serving the citizens of Birmingham.

This is a time when we need for our community to rally around the men and women who continue put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

Jordan Melton’s family, friends and colleagues at Birmingham Fire and Rescue deserve answers and justice. Our City is hurting tonight -- and we are sending them our love, support, and deepest condolences."