Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.23.22

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
 

ITEM 8:

On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council unanimously approved an item that will fundamentally reshape and improve the way trash pickup works across the city. The item for roughly $6.5 million includes 100,000 universal trash bins that will be distributed to households and will allow for a more streamlined collection process.

The 96-gallon bins will be outfitted with GPS tracking and will be distributed in phases, with the first batch of 25,000 bins being deployed in the next 6 to 8 weeks. This is the first step in the City reworking the way trash is collected.

Eventually, once the large uniform bins are deployed and the new trucks are in operation, the City will be moving to a schedule of collecting trash once a week, a move that will pay dividends over the years through cost savings. Currently there are 26 routes across the city that collect twice a week. This will eventually be streamlined and cut down significantly on fuel costs.

“I’ve had some residents who were part of the pilot program with this and they had nothing but good things to say about how it’s worked for them,” Councilor Valerie Abbott said. “One of them even told me that they have not yet filled up the bins despite them only coming once a week.”

The 96-gallon bins can hold roughly 6 large bags of trash. However, Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman also pointed out that she is working on an ordinance that will prohibit people from leaving loose bags on top or beside the bins.

“We found out that we don’t have an ordinance on the books that doesn’t allow people to just leave loose bags of trash out for pick up,” Smitherman said. “We’re working on an educational campaign to help people understand how trash pickup works and all the ordinances we have to help prevent illegal dumping and things of that nature. Perhaps most importantly, we're going to do all we can to help educate people on this new process with the uniform bins because we understand there will be some adjustments to make for families.”

Smitherman also noted that code enforcement is a big part of this, and is something that many residents would like to see bolstered. “I’m very excited about this, it’s something we’ve been working on for a while. This will be great for our city. A lot of people might not be able to afford trash bins of this size so it’s going to go a long way towards helping to keep our neighborhoods clean once they are deployed.”

Councilor Darrell O’Quinn pointed out that there is a program already in place to help residents who might need assistance with their bins.

“A 96-gallon bin can be unwieldy. Right now, the Department of Public Works has a program that you can apply for,” O’Quinn said. “If you have a physical challenge and can’t roll a huge bin down to the curb, you can apply for Public Works to do that for you. So I would encourage residents to look into that.”

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

ITEM 8. A Resolution, pursuant to §11-40-1 et. seq., and §41-16-51(a)(16), Code of Alabama 1975, authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an agreement with Toter, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $6,030,000.00 for the provision of 100,000 Toter 96 Gallon EVR II Universal/Nestable Carts and accessory parts, and up to $526,002.25 for the provision of assembly, distribution and related services for a total amount not to exceed up to $6,556,002.25 to provide goods and services, which are being purchased in accordance with the terms of the Sourcewell Contract #041521-TOT. [G/L Account: 102_000.525-010] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)**

Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.16.22

Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.16.22

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
 

ITEMS 1 & 2

Today the Birmingham City Council unanimously approved two separate amendments to the Arlington-West End Urban Renewal Plan and the Downtown West Urban Renewal Plan.

The City first adopted the Community Renewal Plan in 1979. Since then, 44 separate Urban Renewal Plans have been adopted citywide, which help facilitate Economic Development Projects, Housing Incentives, and more.

Adopted in 1991, the Arlington-West End Urban Renewal Project has helped shepherd growth and business development in the area through a process where privately owned properties within the designated renewal area are purchased or taken by eminent domain by a municipal redevelopment authority, razed and then reconveyed to selected developers who devote them to other uses.

Tuesday’s vote to amend the Arlington-West End Urban Renewal Plan was aimed at adding 27 acres of property, including the former Larkway Gardens Apartment site and surrounding properties. Once the site is acquired, the City will send out a Request for Proposal and a developer will be selected to bring the site back to life.

The City’s Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits study of the site concluded that there is presently a sufficient number of blight factors as required by Alabama urban renewal law for the Study Area to be declared a “blighted area.”

Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman, who represents the district, said this amendment will help continue the economic growth in an area that’s needed it for some time.

“I’m really happy to see this plan moving forward because the community has been asking for mixed-use development in this corridor that is near Princeton Hospital,” Smitherman said. “I can’t wait to tell the neighborhood about this and what it means for the area. I hope it can lead to more development and more momentum in the area. I think this neighborhood needs a complete transformation and this is a big step in the right direction.”

According to city officials familiar with the plan, recruiting a developer for a mixed-use, mixed-income development on the site is paramount to efforts to further connect the neighborhood to the nearby Princeton hospital corridor.

The Larkway Garden site has been vacant since 2007 and became a gathering place for illicit activity. The Council approved demolition of the property in 2015 and it was demolished several months later in 2016. Neighborhood leaders have long been asking for something to be done with the vacant, overgrown site and Tuesday’s vote marks a major milestone for improving the neighborhood and removing this blighted property.

Earlier this year, the amendment for the Urban Renewal Plan was approved by the Arlington-West End Neighborhood Association, the Birmingham Planning Commission, the Council’s Planning and Zoning Committee and now the Council as a whole.

In addition to the Arlington-West End item, the Council also voted to extend the boundary of the Downtown West Urban Renewal District to bring in the former Adams Inn site located at 300 10th Street North. On February 4, 2009, a fire broke out in the partially vacant hotel. Once it was completely vacated later that year, the building’s windows were broken and the site was filled with litter.

In 2013, the City Council declared the site a public nuisance and approved $750,000 to demolish the building. Located near the Innovation District, an area that has seen a lot of growth and development in recent years, this redevelopment effort will further expand the footprint of one of Birmingham’s fastest growing districts.

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.

Magic City Spotlight - July 28, 2022

Bulk trash and brush pickup information

Our Public Works crews have recently faced delays in our bulk trash and brush pickup schedule. We apologize for the inconvenience. Click the button below or stay tuned to the City of Birmingham social media channels for updates. For questions, contact Public Works at (205) 254-6344.

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Online COVID-19 vaccine registration, hotline available

Have questions about COVID-19 vaccination eligibility? Contact the vaccination hotline at 205-858-2221 and visit the JCDH website for a list of several vaccinating sites.

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be protected even if you are fully vaccinated. You should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people until advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.

Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.26.22

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
 

Board Appointments

There is an opening for the Director Position 3 on the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. The goal of the BLBA is to serve the citizens of Birmingham by working collaboratively and transparently with community stakeholders and the City of Birmingham to steward vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties and dispose of them to the best use as defined by the needs of the community to reduce community blight, stabilize neighborhoods, facilitate community civic, and commercial redevelopment, and to increase community and overall City of Birmingham property values while returning such properties back to the tax rolls.

The qualifications for this position are as follows: Applicants shall have expertise and experiences in careers or activities involving real estate, property management, finance, real estate law, transit planning, residential contracting, banking, architecture or city planning. All directors must be residents of the City of Birmingham, shall not be an elected official.

For anyone interested in applying, please send a letter of interest and resume to Council President Crystal Smitherman’s office (crystal.smitherman@birminghamal.gov) by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022

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Budget and Finance Committee Meeting Review

On Monday, the Birmingham City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee approved an item for roughly $12.5 million for capital improvement projects across the city. The items ranged from streetscape improvements on Carver Ave. to improvements at Henry Crumpton Recreation Center. These improvements span across all nine districts. Here is a list of all the projects and the amounts that will be considered by the Council when it appears on next Tuesday’s agenda:

An Ordinance to amend the Capital Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, by appropriating:

$1,293,532.28 to 3rd Ave W Streetscape
$675,000.00 to Carver Ave SW
$168,503.89 to City Park (Mountaindale Road Park)
$109,413.00 to Eastlake Park (Fitness Court)
$50,372.21 to Fire Facilities Improvement
$20,278.84 to Fire Facilities Improvement
$750,000.00 to Forest Park Avondale Business District Streetscape
$96,477.20 to Germania Park Improvements
$475,000.00 to Hanover Circle Repaving
$37,561.19 to Henry Crumpton Recreation Center Improvements
$598,615.00 to Hooper City Phase V Drainage Improvement
$150,000.00 to Museum of Art Elevator Repair
$815,000.00 to Pine Knoll Vista Drainage
$400.000.00 to 19th Street Ensley Improvement
$150,000.00 to Cahaba Road Roundabout
$1,500,000.00 to 41st Street Streetscape and Drainage
$1,200,000.00 to Greensprings Hwy Streetscape Phase II
$500,000.00 to Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd Streetscape
$1,250,000.00 to City Walk
$500,000.00 to 2nd Avenue South Streetscape
$500,000.00 to Hawkins Golf Course Repairs
$400,000.00 to Vulcan Park Improvements
$375,000.00 to Rickwood Field Improvement
$500,000.00 to Interstate Greenway Project.

Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.5.22

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.

ITEM 15

The Birmingham City Council voted to approve spending for roughly $25 million of the Covid State and Local Recovery Fund Budget dollars that were allocated to the city. The ordinance appropriates $3,992,058 to the Birmingham Police Department, $2,430,199 to the Department of Public Works, $1,124,066 to the Birmingham Fire and Rescue, and $18,000,000 to district specific projects.

The City received $141 million in two separate tranches of roughly $70 million each. This money is part of the second tranche. 

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

An Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE COVID STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, by appropriating $3,992,058.00 to Birmingham Police Department, $2,430,199.00 to Public Works Department, $1,124,066.00 to Birmingham Fire and Rescue and $18,000,000.00 to District-Specific and City-Wide Councilor Projects per funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act. (Submitted by the Mayor) (Recommended by the Mayor and the City Council)**

Boards and Agencies

The Birmingham City Council is currently seeking applications for two positions on the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board. Councilor Carol Clarke, who chairs the Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, is asking all interested parties to please send a letter of interest and their resume to her office: Carmen.mays@birminghamal.gov

The goal of this board is to oversee the operation and maintenance of all of Birmingham’s parks. Qualifications for the board include: Resident of the City of Birmingham, registered voter, over 21 years of age, taxpayer and real property owner

Update on Access to City Hall

In anticipation of the 2022 World Games, Birmingham City Council staff began temporarily working remotely on Thursday, June 30 until July 18, following the conclusion of the games. Due to security measures being put in place, there will be limited access to City Hall. There will not be a Birmingham City Council meeting held on July 12th.

A temporary satellite office has been established until Friday, July 15 so that the business of the city can continue unimpeded. That location is 1200 Tuscaloosa Ave, Birmingham AL 35211. Hours of operation for the permitting office will be 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and the finance office will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Please stay tuned to our website, www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org for updates about future meetings and more.

Below is a map of the downtown road closures and a graphic indicating what can be brought into the games. 

Birmingham City Council Highlights 6.28.22

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.

ITEMS 1-18

The Birmingham City Council voted to approve the City’s FY 2023 Operating Budget.

The new Fiscal year begins July 1, 2022. Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman, who chairs the Budget and Finance Committee, spoke to the spirit of cooperation that was exhibited throughout this year’s budget process.

“I’d like to first thank the members of the public who took time to be a part of this process and for providing us with their feedback. I’d also like to thank the Mayor and his administration for their due diligence and willingness to answer questions that members of the Council raised. My colleague and I take this process very seriously and I am pleased with the level of cooperation we had from start to finish. This budget reflects the priorities we’d all like to see addressed across all nine districts and also focuses on building up our youth services.”
 

Here are a few brief points on the FY 2023 Budget that was passed by the Council:

· Operating Budget Fiscal Year 2023: $517,017,653

· Appropriations to city departments will be $453,350,447 in the FY2023 operating budget, up $75.6 million

· Appropriations up across the board for departments in General Government, Public Safety and Culture/Recreation

· Recently passed 5% employee raise reflected in each department

· Division of Youth Services will transition to Department of Youth Services ($3.1 million proposed budget)

· Division of Capital Projects will transition to Department of Capital Projects ($4.2 million proposed budget)

Investing in Youth

· Birmingham Promise: $2 million

· Conflict Resolution: $1 million (Department of Youth Services)

· Early Childhood Development: $1 million (Community Development)

· Financial Literacy: $1 million (Department of Youth Services)

· Juvenile Reentry: $225,000

· Mental Health Services: $1 million (Birmingham City Schools)

· Save Haven Program: $1 million (Parks and Recreation)

· Summer Jobs Program: $210,000 (Department of Youth Services)

Investing in Neighborhoods

· Demolition/Weed Abatement: $3.5 million

· Land Bank Authority: $500,000

· Sidewalks: $275,000

· Street Resurfacing: $15 million

· Strategic Pavement Management Plan: $500,000

· Uniform Trash Receptacle Initiative: $7 million

Investing in Transportation

· Birmingham Xpress Bus Rapid Transit: $1 million

· BJCTA: $10 million

· VIA/Bham On Demand: $1.2 million

Investing in Employees

· Cost of Living Adjustment (recently passed 5% employee raise): $11.6 million through surplus

· Medical Insurance Increase: additional $1.4 million

· Longevity Pay: $1.5 million

· Merit Pay (5%): $2.9 million

· Pension: $32.7 million

· Contribution to Fire and Police Supplement Pension: $4.8 million increase

· Police Department Uniforms: $1.3 million

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ITEM 20

The Council voted unanimously to expand the footprint of the Uptown Entertainment District to include Protective Stadium and a large portion of the newly constructed City Walk that is located under I-20/59.

The Uptown Entertainment District was the first of its kind established in Birmingham in 2015 and allows the consumption of alcoholic to extend beyond the immediate premises of individual retailers licensed by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. State law currently allows for up to five designated entertainment districts for Class 1 municipalities.

ITEM 21

The Council approved an ordinance allowing for the sale of the former McCoy Center and Church Building located at 700 and 730 8th Ave West. Freedom 1957 LLC will purchase the building and redevelop the site into a small business accelerator. The organization currently owns and operates out of the Arthur Shores Law Center.

“I’m really excited for this. It will create a lot of opportunity for new businesses to establish themselves in this area,” said Councilor Carol Clarke, who represents the district. “This might even create a chance for these business to graduate from this space and occupy buildings on 3rd Ave West and help us revitalize that corridor. I’m very hopeful about this new venture.”

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

An Ordinance approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Redevelopment Agreement with Freedom 1957, LLC, under which Freedom 1957 will undertake a project to repurpose the former McCoy Center/Church Building located at 700 and 730 8th Avenue West, Birmingham, and a vacant lot located at 619 8th Street West, Birmingham, for private and non-profit office space and other venues and the City has agreed to make the property available to Freedom 1957 at a use value of $600,000.00 in support of the project. [First Reading] (Submitted by the Mayor) (Recommended by the Mayor, the Budget and Finance Committee and the Economic Development Committee)**

Birmingham City Council Highlights 6.21.22

Birmingham City Council Highlights 6.21.22

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.

ITEM 2

The Birmingham City Council voted to amend the City’s taxi cab ordinance to allow for an increase in rates to help alleviate some of the costs associated with current gas prices for local companies. The City has not amended the taxi cab ordinance to increase fares since 2012.

In the last year, the cost of fuel has increased 50% and appears that it will remain at these levels for the foreseeable future.

In the ordinance, there is a provision that states the council will review the rates in 6 months to determine a future course of action. The increased rates are as follows: Three dollars for the first ¼ mile (unchanged) and $0.32 for each 1/8 mile after that, an increase of $0.07 cents. A charge for waiting also increased from $24 an hour to $30 per hour, according to the ordinance.

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

ITEM 2. An Ordinance amending Section 12-16-8 of the General Code of the City of Birmingham, to provide for an increase in the maximum rates of fare for taxis and to provide a temporary surcharge in response to the sharp increase in fuel costs. (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Transportation Committee)**

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Boards and Agencies

The Birmingham City Council is currently seeking applications for two positions on the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board. Councilor Carol Clarke, who chairs the Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, is asking all interested parties to please send a letter of interest and their resume to her office: Carmen.mays@birminghamal.gov

The goal of this board is to oversee the operation and maintenance of all of Birmingham’s parks. Qualifications for the board include: Resident of the City of Birmingham, registered voter, over 21 years of age, taxpayer and real property owner

Birmingham City Council Highlights - June 14, 2022

Birmingham City Council Highlights for June 14, 2022

Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.

ITEMS 2-19

Today, the Birmingham City Council unanimously approved a series of interlocal cooperation agreements with municipalities across the state that will be providing resources and equipment for the 2022 World Games next month.

Some of the resources include, but are not limited to, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency providing up to 91 troopers, four bomb technicians, three K-9 teams and 98 vehicles; the City of Fultondale will provide a Sky-Watch tower; the City of Huntsville will provide up to 10 officers, two K-9 units and 5 drone tech equipment and operators. The entire list of municipal contributions can be found on Tuesday’s agenda on items 2-19.

Councilor LaTonya Tate, who chairs the Council’s Public Safety Committee, said she is pleased with the level of regional cooperation that has taken place in anticipation for the 2022 World Games.

“When you have an event of this size, you have to think about the logistics, equipment and manpower that goes into making it go smoothly and safely for everyone in attendance,” Councilor Tate said. “All of these items had to be approved by each municipality, from all corners of the state. It just goes to show the level of regional cooperation and leadership we’ve seen in leading up to this event. Safety is at the forefront of this event and today’s vote sends a strong message out to the community that they’re going to be taken care of.”

Boards and Agencies

There are two board openings that the Birmingham City Council is seeking applications for currently.

1) The Birmingham Parking Authority Board – The only qualification is that applicants be a resident of the City of Birmingham. This board regulates city parking spaces, decks and lots.

2) The Birmingham Jefferson County Port Authority – The only qualification is that applicants be a resident of Jefferson County. This board works to develop waterfront property for recreational, transportational, agricultural, industrial, and commercial purposes by financing, acquiring, enlarging, improving, replacing, owning, operating, selling, leasing, and disposing of a project or projects

For all interested parties, please email your resume and letter of interest to Myeisha Hutchinson (myeisha.hutchinson@birminghamal.gov ) and/or Councilor Darrell O’Quinn (darrell.oquinn@birminghamal.gov

Man Up Breakfast

On Saturday, June 18th, Councilor Clinton Woods will be hosting the annual Man Up Breakfast at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The annual event is aimed to celebrate fathers and highlight positive male role models in Birmingham. This year will feature keynote speaker Art Franklin, who built a career as one of Birmingham’s most trusted news anchors.

“We are very excited to have Art Franklin as our speaker this year,” Councilor Clinton Woods said. “Not only has he built an incredible career in journalism here over the decades, but he was the first African American man to anchor primetime news in Birmingham. Beyond his storied career in news, he also brings a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and to run a business.”

This year’s Man Up Breakfast will also feature a panel focused on “Closing the Wealth Gap;” distinguished panelists include Isaac Cooper with IMC Financial Consulting, Greg Jones from The Jones Group LLC, and Abra Barnes with Barnes and Associates.

“This group is going to bring a lot of insight about what we can do to build wealth, and what work is needed to close the wealth gap,” Woods said.

Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson will serve as the emcee for the event.

Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the event is free and open to the public. To register, please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/man-up-breakfast-2022-registration-337395758797

Forest Park/South Avondale March 2022 Newsletter

Forest Park / South Avondale Neighborhood Association
Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
AVONDALE LIBRARY
Per Mayor Woodfin's Executive Order, Face Masks will be required

March Agenda items include:
1. Monthly Report from the South Precinct
2. Monthly Report from Fire Department
3. Monthly Report from Friends of Avondale Park (Neal Flum)
4. Rose Garden Restoration update (Chris Morrow)
5. Restaurant Retail Liquor License recommendation, “The Goose”, 4100 4th Av. S.
6. Discussion about Noise in the neighborhood related to leaf blowers and a proposed solution to this issue (Tom Cosby)
7. Monthly Report from District 3 Board of Education Representative (Mary Boehm)
8. Monthly Report from District 5 City Councilor, (Darrell O'Quinn)
9. Monthly Report from District 3 City Councilor, (Valerie Abbott)

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Forest Park / South Avondale Brush and Trash Pick Up Dates.

• TUESDAY, March 8

• TUESDAY, March 29

• TUESDAY, April 19

https://www.birminghamal.gov/bulktrash

Missed Pick-up - Dial 311

Report Illegal Dumping - Dial 311

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Forest Park South Avondale Neighborhood Association
Feb. 1, 2022
Avondale Library

The meeting was called to order by President Jeff McGee at 6:31pm.

No report from Birmingham City Police.
No report from Birmingham Fire Department.
No report from Birmingham Public Works.

President Neal Flum of the Friends of Avondale Park (FOAP) reported on the status of the organization and Park.

• We are still at 300 + members

• We’ve just added April Merritt of Regions Bank to our board. April will be the chair of our membership committee. She’s already working on a members’ newsletter.

• info@avondalepark.org

• We’ve edited our website to make the process of joining as a member, renewing as a member, or making donations easier avondalepark.org.

• New windshield decal for FOAP members available.

• We will be holding elections for our board of directors this coming April – May as prescribed by our by-laws. We approved an update to our process at last night’s board meeting. We’ll have a full members meeting on May 16. Location TBD.

• If you are interested in serving as a board member or know someone who would be a positive addition to our board, please email us at: info@avondalepark.org

• You must be a current FOAP member to vote and/or run for our board of directors.

• There’s a significant amount of positive activity and improvements taking place in the park. Chiefly the repair of the drainage and flooding issues in the pond and King’s Spring. Thank you! to Director Shonae Eddins Bennett, Stanley Robinson, and Charles Brundige of Birmingham Parks, Jay Kasten and Nick Sellers of the World Games, and Councilors Abbott and O’Quinn for all the park positivity

• If you get a chance, go take a look at the erosion-control project by the cement bench area, west side of the amphitheater, designed and implemented by Eagle Scout Ellis Henderson. The FOAP is considering expanding that project in the future.

• Last and certainly not least--great news: the Friends of Avondale Park is partnering with the city of Birmingham to dredge the Avondale Park pond. Making the pond deeper will make it more difficult for sunlight to get to the unwelcome algae, which as you know is unsightly and malodorous. This action should keep us and/or the city from spending close to $2500.00 every three months to treat the algae.

In response to a question, Mr Flum stated that membership dues renewal notices will be emailed to members. The preferred practice however is for all members to renew in January to help this volunteer-led organization run more efficiently. Pay online at avondalepark.org or mail a check.

Avondale Adult Department Librarian Ms Ellen updated the neighborhood on the book drive for Avondale Elementary students. The Library is giving a brand new book to every student participating in the upcoming intersession enrichment reading program offered in partnership with Avondale Elementary. As stated last month by Children’s Librarian Carla Perkins: 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. In other library news, the Avondale Library is offering appointments for AARP tax filing assistance. Appointments are offered on a first come basis and are open to all ages with no income requirements. Call (205)226-4000 to make an appointment. You may also make an appointment for passport processing at the same #, (205)226-4000. In addition, Avondale Library continues to offer quality live and virtual programming for all ages.

Mary Boehm, District 3 Board of Education Representative, reported to neighbors on the City Schools. With great sadness, Ms Boehm stated the City Schools had lost 3 students to gun violence this past month. It’s been very difficult. Some teachers protested the lack of protections available during covid with a sick out, and the Board has been listening and responding to concerns. 5% of teachers have Covid right now. The system has a threshold of 10% infection rate among teachers and schools will be closed accordingly. BCS requires masks, offers vaccination clinics, and tests weekly for Covid. The High Dose Tutorial Program is going well, with 100 university students placed throughout the school system offering tutoring to students in need. The next intersession term will be in March. The Freedom Prep Charter School out of Memphis received a poor rating from an independent reviewer so did not get approval from the Board. They will likely appeal that to Montgomery. And finally, Ramsay Mathematics and Engineering teacher, Jennifer Gilbert, was awarded a $6000 NASA Program Growth Grant for FIRST Robotics Rookie teams. Way to go!

Councilor Darrell O’Quinn acknowledged his new Chief of Staff, Myeisha Hutchinson, reported back to him that we had questions last month regarding the 21st St bridge. As background, he explained that ALDOT proposed an ugly, industrial replacement for the bridge. Citizens objected and we have a much more attractive design now. The bridge is named rainbow bridge after the WWI Rainbow Division. In addition, there is a firefighter memorial plaque honoring lost lives under the bridge which will be preserved. The bridge closed because we cannot constantly supervise traffic to prevent 18 wheelers from crossing over and collapsing the bridge. His office has received positive acceptance of the closure for the most part. Renovation of the bridge is pending. In answer to a question regarding the City’s constant water breaks and torn up roads, Councilor O’Quinn said he is hopeful that BWWB has applied for Federal help. He reminded neighbors that his office cannot help ensure road repairs are done correctly unless they know who made the mess. ALWAYS ask who is doing the work, get a photo if you can- only then can they be held accountable. Temporary patches are supposed to be fixed within 30 days. Our roads are evidence that this routinely does not happen.

Councilor Valerie Abbott reported to neighbors on the City Council meeting she attended earlier in the day. Several political appointments were made. Of note, the World Games are coming and there is hope that the Parks hosting events will get maintenance that they rarely see. Sam Parker stated that there is finally a plan for planting the rose garden in Avondale Park. Councilor Abbott stated that water mains are slowly being replaced around town. No new paving happens in Winter, so don’t expect that til March. The City bids out paving, even patching, so it takes a long time to get the road repaired. Call 311 and report bad roads. Councilor Abbott knows by experience that the City operates by complaint. Nothing gets done unless you complain about it A LOT. Discussion of the City’s new app that will soon replace the 311 telephonic reporting followed. Learn to use it to mount grass roots campaigns to improve our neighborhood roads!

Councilors responded to questions from neighbors. Per trash dumping, Ms Abbott is unaware of any formal program to address roadside trash problems. BPW is short-staffed, volunteers do what they can, when they can. If you witness illegal dumping, snap a picture. It’s a crime. Dr O’Quinn spoke to the Birmingham Rapid Transit status. The City and Council stepped up with money, and there is hope that it may be operational by Summer. The app metered parking in Downtown has not made a huge economic impact over the last year, particularly in light of the pandemic and reduced driving. The Landbank progress has been underwhelming and only 600 properties have been moved. Avondale remains at the end of a long list. There are 20,000+ tax delinquent properties in the City, and taxpayers spend millions to cut weeds and tear down worthless structures. More info at birminghamlandbank.org

There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:29pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Crawford
Secretary