Forest Park/South Avondale Neighborhood Newsletter - February 2021

Forest Park / South Avondale
Brush and Trash Pick Up

Tuesday, February 2
Tuesday, February 23
Tuesday, March 16

Glass Recycling Option!!!

There is now an option to have your glass recycling picked up for a fee
by Kinetic Recycling.
Get details here: https://www.kineticrecycling.com/how-it-works
FRIENDS OF AVONDALE PARK

We are pleased to announce our new website for the Friends of Avondale Park. It can be located at: avondalepark.org

Once there, you’ll find improved functionality, more info regarding the
Friends of Avondale Park and the park itself, and an easier process
for becoming a member, which we hope you’ll consider. We look forward
to your visit.

Neal Flum, president
Friends of Avondale Park
Email: info@avondalepark.org
Cell:, (205) 239 - 0336
PO Box 131255
Birmingham, Alabama 35213

COVID-19 Vaccine Registration

There is a new, online registration method for Jefferson County residents to be notified when they are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To sign up for notification, go here. Currently, Jefferson County is vaccinating frontline healthcare workers, emergency first responders, and anyone over 75 and in other categories of essential workers. The online form is used to inform the Jefferson County Department of Health of one’s intent to take the vaccine once it becomes available for a person, based on the ADPH allocation plan.
 
Text 888-777 with the message INFOJEFFCO to sign up for COVID-19 vaccine text message updates. You can also call JCDH's hotline at 205-858-2221 for vaccine questions.
 

PERSONNEL UPDATE FROM  COUNCILOR VALERIE ABBOTT

Hello Everyone, 

I am pleased to announce the employment of Sherri Nielson as Community Engagement Liaison for District 3. Sherri has a plethora of experience in city government, having served as the Director of the Jazz Hall of Fame and as Manager of Capital Projects for the former Bell Administration. She can hit the ground running because she already knows many of the players at City Hall and more importantly, she knows which closet each of the many City Hall skeletons are located in.

Yes, Chief of Staff, Dr. Darryl Lee continues to serve the district, but he was as busy as a one-armed paper hanger and needed some competent help!  As soon as Sherri is assigned a City cell phone, we will share her number with you.  We still want everyone to call 311 with complaints and problems but if you need specialized assistance, Sherri will be there to help you!

Valerie 
 

FREE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND SMOKE DETECTORS

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services have free fire extinguishers and smoke detectors available for City of Birmingham residents.

Call 205.254.6560 to make an appointment. They will schedule an appointment and install free of cost.The South Precinct non emergency number 254 2793Forest 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.

Forest Park/ South Avondale Newsletter for January 2020

Forest Park / South Avondale
Brush and Trash Pick Up

Tuesday, Tuesday, January 12
Tuesday, February 2
Tuesday, February 23
Tuesday, March 16

FREE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND SMOKE DETECTORS

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services have free fire extinguishers and smoke detectors available for City of Birmingham residents.

Call 205.254.6560 to make an appointment. They will schedule an appointment and install free of cost.The South Precinct non emergency number 254 2793Forest 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.

Update on Birmingham Neighborhood Association Elections

Information on the New City Haul Pilot Project

Why is there so much trash in Birmingham?

• Garbage is put out nearly every day on the street for pick-up. Recycling gets put out every Wednesday. There are no standard cans or carts for household trash nor recycling. That means weather and animals contribute to bags of trash being ripped and scattered throughout our neighborhoods.

The solution? 

• Fewer days for garbage to be on the street plus carts to secure the trash will lead to a cleaner Birmingham.

The city has been working to make the waste management system more effective, efficient and sustainable for residents.

• Through City Haul Pilot Project, the city will provide one 96-gallon household trash cart and one 64-gallon recycling cart to more than 2,400 residences in a pilot service area for a six-month program.

• A once-a-week pick-up schedule will put all household garbage and recycling in carts in order to reduce the amount of time trash is left on roadways. This change will help reduce the risk of animals or adverse weather scattering trash in your neighborhood.

• At the end of the six-month pilot project, the city will review data – including performance and customer feedback – to determine the next steps for waste management service in Birmingham.

Text the keyword RECYCLE to 888-777 for Updates and Surveys About Your City Haul Pick-up Service 

Update on the Birmingham Face Covering Ordinance

Birmingham City Council extends face covering ordinance, sets public hearing date for Avondale Entertainment District designation

PRESS RELEASE                                    Tuesday, June 9, 2020 

Contact: Kim Garner 

Phone: 205-254-2036 

Email: kimberly.garner@birminghamal.gov


The Birmingham City Council voted to extend the city’s face covering ordinance until July 3, marking the fourth extension of the ordinance that was originally passed in April.
 
In May, the Council voted to reduce the fines and eliminate the possibility of arrest to anyone not complying with the order -- $25 fine for the first offense, $100 for the second, and $250 for the third offense.
 
“Health officials have been consistent in their stance that wearing a face covering in public can drastically reduce the spread of this virus,” Councilor Steven Hoyt said. “The goal of this ordinance is not to be punitive. It’s about raising awareness and educating the people. The more people we have wearing masks or face coverings, the sooner we can flatten the curve and start to turn the corner on this health crisis.” 

The Council also voted to set a public hearing for Tuesday, June 23 to consider approving the designation and operation of the Avondale Entertainment District.
 
That public hearing will take place during the regularly scheduled meeting time at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall.
 
The designation would be the fourth of its kind in Birmingham with Uptown being approved in 2015, Pepper Place in 2018 and Five Points South in 2019. The boundaries of the entertainment district allow for open containers of alcohol to be carried outside of establishments, and in turn increase foot traffic in areas that are developed for music, restaurants and bars.
 
State law allows Class 1 municipalities in Alabama to have as many as five entertainment districts, leaving Birmingham with two additional districts available for the designation. 
 
Council President William Parker said it’s crucial that the public have input into this pending designation while also adhering to the Jefferson County Department of Health’s social distancing guidelines, while also underlining the importance of extending the city's face covering ordinance. 
 
“We want everyone’s voice to be heard. Not just on this issue, but on all the decisions we make,” President Parker said. “We’re going to be working through how that looks in the coming weeks. The Birmingham City Council is committed to having our decision making process be inclusive and transparent, especially during this public health crisis that has caused all cities to approach their meetings a little differently. Extending the face covering ordinance is a big part of that because while we want to hear from as many people as possible, we want to do so in a way that keeps everyone safe.”

Copyright © *2020* *Birmingham City Council*, All rights reserved.

Updated List of Covid-19 Testing Sites Within Jefferson County

ACTON QUICK CARE CLINIC

Call 205-273-9424 for appointment; Health Care workers and First Responders call 205-525-6133

ALABAMA REGIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES

Call 205-407-9696 for appointment

AMERICAN FAMILY CARE CLINICS

Hoover (205-979-0888) Fairfield (205-786-5022) Birmingham (205-956-9192)

Gardendale (205-631-6834) Trussville (205-655-4002) Parkway East (205-833-6888)

BESSEMER QUICK CARE

Call 205-273-9424 for an appointment Healthcare First Responders call 205-525-6133

CAHABA MEDICAL CARE - WEST END

Call for an appointment West End (205-679-6325)

CHRIST HEALTH - WOODLAWN

Text "GUEST" to 74000 to receive instructions on testing

GARDENDALE URGENT CARE

Call for an appointment 205-285-8252

HOOVER URGENT CARE CLINIC

Call 205-987-6801 for an appointment

LEGION FIELD - ROSS BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER

Call 205-922-6843 for an appointment

MIDDLE CREEK MEDICAL - BESSEMER

Call 205-477-3737 to set up a time

NORWOOD CLINIC – FULTONDALE

Call 205-250-6424 for information

ROSS BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER

Call 205-92COVID for an appointment

TRUSSVILLE URGENT CARE

Call 205-655-1016 for an appointment

TRUSTCARE - MONTCLAIR RD.

Call 205-203-8226 for an appointment

UAB - 22ND ST. & UNIV. BLVD.

Call for an appointment 205-975-1881; Drive up, for eligible patients, appt. based. For rotating Community testing sites call 205-975-2819

URGENT CARE FOR CHILDREN

Vestavia (205-848-2273) Trussville (205-848-2273)

WALMART-ADAMSVILLE

Call 866-448-7719 for appointment

Information on the State of Emergency Declared and Curfew in Birmingham Alabama

How to report Covid-19 Price Gouging

As of March 13, a state order went into effect that made price gouging illegal in Alabama during the coronavirus pandemic.

In general, that means a price that’s 25% or higher than the average over the last 30 days is usually considered a violation. Sellers can be fined up to $1,000 per violation and blocked from doing business in Alabama.

You can also report price gouging by phone by calling 1-800-392-5658.