Glen Iris Neighborhood Cleanup on June 10th!
News You Can Use: 6-1-23
Summer-long Magic City Sips has begun
Magic City Sips is a summer-long happy hour series organized by the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity to intentionally drive traffic to bars and restaurants throughout the city. Sips is taking place every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. now through August 30. Participating bars and restaurants will host their own happy hours, highlighting Sips-specific drink and food specials. For more information, go to www.birminghamal.gov/sips.
Open mic poetry event this Friday
The Birmingham Public Library is hosting its Bards and Brews Open Mic event on Friday, June 2. The evening will be in tribute to the late Voice Porter. Friday, June 2 from 6:30-8 p.m. The Greenhouse, located at 602 19th Street Ensley. It’s free. See attached for details.
City’s first responders to engage in a dodgeball fundraiser
Birmingham Fire and Rescue and Birmingham Police Department will battle it out in dodgeball on Saturday, June 3 for a fundraiser during halftime of the Birmingham Stallions game. The game begins at 2 p.m. at Protective Stadium. Five dollars from every ticket will go toward the Make a Wish and Toys for Tots foundations. For details, go here: https://fevo.me/dodgeballfundraiser.
Make plans to attend the Citywide Resource and Career Fair
The Birmingham Public Library and the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center at UAB will host a Citywide Resource and Career Fair. Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2100 Park Place. See attached for details.
Enter the Juneteenth door decorating contest
City of Birmingham departments are invited to show their Juneteenth spirit and pride by decorating their department door. The contest is June 5-12. The winner will be announced June 16. See attached for details and a scoring rubric.
Upcoming Arlington House food events coming soon
The Arlington Historic House has a series of upcoming food events. Enjoy Thursdays at Arlington, Fish Fry Fridays, and Soul Food Saturdays. Check out the attached flyer for details.
Southern Museum of Flight hosts free family fun day
Enjoy food trucks, games, an antique car show cruise in and more at the Southern Museum of Flight. Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, see the attached flyer.
Birmingham youth are invited to gather for a summit
Back to the Basics: A Youth Summit is Saturday, June 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Legion Field. There will be peer panels, employment opportunities, food trucks and more. See the attached flyer for details.
Get fit with the BWELL BHM Bootcamp
Every Monday, starting June 5, BWell BHM and I Am Bham will host a free bootcamp at Boutwell from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please see flyer for details. No class will be held on June 19.
Get some financial tips and lunch on Wednesdays in June
Enjoy the financial workshops follow hosted by Birmingham City Credit Union, located at 2725 35th Ave. North. These events are on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Free to BCCU members. $10 for non-members.
How to Navigate Safe Housing – Wednesday, June 7
How to Navigate Medicare – Wednesday, June 14
How to Navigate Basics of Credit – Wednesday, June 28
See attached for details.
Enjoy good music and great food at upcoming festival
The 27th Annual Bob Markey and Jerk Chicken Festival is June 9-10 in front of City Hall. Featuring Inner Circle Group, Delain Hudson, Root Posse Band and more. Get details attached.
It's time for the fishing rodeo
Come out to the fishing rodeo on Saturday, June 10 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Lake Park. There will be lots of fish, vendors, food trucks, free live bait, and giveaways. See attached flyer for more details. On Friday, June 9, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. the lake will be stocked with over 2,000 pounds of catfish. Come check it out.
Enjoy donuts with dad
The Titusville Library is hosting a Father’s Day Brunch Wednesday, June 14 at 11 a.m. See attached for details.
Steel City Jazz Fest
The Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival will take place at Linn Park downtown June 16-17. The lineup includes legendary Stephanie Mills and other legends-in-the-making such as Anthony Hamilton, Stokely, Raheem DeVaughn and Birmingham’s own Kim Scott. Short 20th will be closed on Wednesday, June 14 at 5 p.m. so organizers can start setting up for the festival. For more information about performers and tickets, please visit www.steelcityjazzfest.org.
First Annual Family fest is June 29-July 2
Thursday, June 29 kicks off the family- friendly Magic City Summer Fest at Legion Field. This four-day event includes a basketball tournament featuring Birmingham Squadron's Mascot and a KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Cook-off featuring Food Network's Darnell “Super Chef” Ferguson from "Super Chef Grudge Match" vying for cash prizes and bragging rights. There will also be carnival rides, a giant game room, miniature golf, summer ice skating, kids’ zone with inflatables, craft vendors, food court, DJ Dance Parties and more. For more information visit www.magiccitysummerfest.com
Prioritize your wellness with an upcoming men’s health fair
The City of Birmingham is hosting a Men’s Health Fair on Friday, June 30 at Linn Park. The event is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come get tips on physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial health. See attached for details.
High school alums, it’s kickball time
Represent your high school pride by assembling a team to compete in the All High School Alumni Co-Ed Kickball Tournament at Legion Field. Game day will be Sunday, July 2. First game will start at 3 p.m. See flyer for details.
Stay updated regarding the Forging Justice 60th Commemoration
All year long, the City of Birmingham is commemorating the heroic acts of our citizens during the 1963 civil and human rights campaign. May is themed “Daring to Dream” and focuses on children and youth of the movement. There are free May posters on the first floor of City Hall. Check out this calendar for details regarding upcoming events: birminghamal.gov/forging justice.
Discount for City Employees
Construction is wrapping up at Market Lofts on Third and residential leasing is now open. The City of Birmingham is preferred employer and employees are eligible for specials. They are waiving the $300 reservation fee for any City Hall employees. See the attached for details about pricing.
End-Of-Year Fiscal Inventory coming; be prepared for closures
Please note upcoming closings for Purchasing warehouses and Equipment Management
Central Stores Warehouse Closed: Friday, June 9 at 11 a.m. & Monday, June 12 - Tuesday, June 13. Make sure all department material needs and requisitions are entered into the system no later than Thursday, June 8 to ensure orders are filled, pulled and ready for pickup before 11 a.m. on Friday, June 9. You will be notified via phone or e-mail when your order is ready so make plans to pick up ordered items. The warehouse will re-open Wednesday, June 14 at 7 a.m.
Maintenance Warehouse (Coke Building) Closed: Wednesday, June 14 at 11 a.m. – Friday, June 16. Make sure all department material needs and requisitions are entered into the system no later than Tuesday, June 13 to ensure orders are filled, pulled and ready for pickup before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14. You will be notified via phone or e-mail when your order is ready so make plans to pick up ordered items. The warehouse will re-open on Tuesday, June 20 at 7 a.m.
Purchasing Storeroom (Office Supplies & Paper) Closed: Tuesday, June 20. Make sure all department material needs and requisitions are entered into the system no later than Thursday, June 15 to ensure orders are filled, pulled and ready for pickup or delivery before 2 p.m. on Friday, June 16. The warehouse will re-open on Wednesday, June 21 at 8 a.m.
Equipment Management – Garage Closed: Monday, June 26 – Tuesday, June 27 until 1 p.m. Make sure your departmental needs are taken care of prior to Friday, June 23rd to ensure you are not without fuel.
The last day to enter Print Shop and warehouse requisitions in the current fiscal year is Wednesday, May 31.
Submit your news to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov.
There's still time! To make summer count with ASFA!
Register for ASFA Summer Camps today!
Make your 2023 summer count with Alabama School of Fine Arts summer camps! Offering camps in app design, computer science, visual arts, creative writing, and three-week pre-algebra and algebra intensives for those looking to review or get ahead.
Come create, learn and discover with ASFA's award-winning faculty!
Register at www.asfaschool.org/summer-camps.
Birmingham City Council Highlights 5.16.23
Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
ITEM 1
During Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, the Mayor and his administration presented the legislative body with the proposed FY 2024 City Budget.
The Mayor also outlined budget priorities including, neighborhood revitalization, infrastructure improvements and investments in Birmingham’s youth.
The Birmingham City Council will be holding a public hearing to receive feedback on the proposed FY 2024 Budget – that meeting will be held Monday, June 5th at 5:30 pm at the Boutwell Auditorium
The proposed budget totals roughly $554 million, the largest in the city’s history.
Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman, who chairs the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, said she will be working with her colleagues to compile questions to be submitted to the Mayor’s administration.
“Passing a balanced budget is one of the most crucial responsibilities we have as Councilors and I’ve been very pleased with the level of cooperation we’ve had in recent years during this process,” Smitherman said. “Hearing from members of the public is an integral part of the process and I am looking forward to the upcoming hearings so that we can get a clear picture of what it is our residents want to see reflected in this year’s budget.”
Here are some of the main budget points discussed at the meeting:
• Priorities: neighborhoods (includes public transportation), youth, employees, enhancing public safety
• Budget leverages current surplus expenditures of $60 million
• Parks, sidewalks, libraries, fleet
• Plus, supporting ARPA fund allocations
• Public transit • Restoring tourism
• Redevelopment of blighted properties
• Affordable housing and homelessness
• Small business support
• Supporting city employees
• Community-based public safety initiatives
Neighborhood revitalization means providing the investments and services that make our residents feel and see improvement.
• Increased investment in street resurfacing: $15 million (up $2.5 million)
• Boost in weed abatement funding to better service parks, rights of way, empty lots
• Leverage current funding for sidewalks to expand program ($200k + $875k previously)
• Expand traffic calming: $250,000
• Support Land Bank: $500,000
We make our neighborhoods stronger when we invest in public transportation.
• BJCTA fixed route investment: $11 million
• Birmingham Xpress: $3 million
• Birmingham On Demand (VIA): $2.5 million
Investing in Youth
• Maintaining and expanding programs previously established
• Birmingham Promise: $2 million • Birmingham City Schools Mental Health Support: $1 million
• Financial Freedom financial literacy program: $1 million
• Common Ground/H.E.A.T. curriculum: $1 million (expansion)
• Safe Havens: $500,000 (expansion) • RESTORE juvenile re-entry: $225,000
• DYS Kids and Jobs: $210,000
CAREER FAIR
In response to the recent announcement that Golden Flake will be shuttering operations at their Birmingham facility, Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman has partnered with Jefferson State Community College to host a career fair for the 175 employees who will be laid off in July.
The career fair will be held on Wednesday, May 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Park Recreation Center. There will be over 20 employers on hand.
The goal of the career fair is to connect these residents with local companies who are looking to fill positions, while also helping to provide a smooth transition for those affected by Golden Flake’s closure.
“When I heard the news about Golden Flake closing, my mind immediately went to the people in our community would be losing their jobs,” Councilor Smitherman said. “I’m honored to be able to partner with Jefferson State Community College so that we can help connect these residents with high-quality career opportunities.”
Those who are interested need to be sure to bring multiple resumes. For more information call (205)-856-8024 or visit www.d6bham.com
Here is a list of the employers who will be participating:
· Ventura Foods
· US Foods
· Woodfruitticher
· Serv Pro
· Process Barron
· Piggly Wiggly Distribution Center
· Milo's Tea
· Coca-Cola United
· Coil Manufacturing
· Flowers Baking Company
· Atlas Tube Mfg.
· ABC Coke/Drummond Company
· Altec Industries
· JSCC Workforce Education
· Kamtek
· Dunn Construction
· City Wholesale
· CMC Steel
· AlaBev - Alabama Beverage/Birmingham Beverage
· United Ground Express
· Saddle Creek Logistics
· Personell Staffing
· Snelling
· SK Services
· Elwood Staffing
S.T.E.M. Rover Academy 2023
Dogwood Festival Concert
Come enjoy the music of these local rising stars at the Vestavia Hills Dogwood Festival Concert. April 21 at 7pm. On the lawn at Wald Park. FREE. Concessions Available. All ages welcome!
Birmingham City Council Highlights 4.11.23
Birmingham City Council Highlights 4.11.23
Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
ITEM 16
The Council voted unanimously to remove the 2020 Census Redistricting Committee and replace that body with the Housing Policy Committee.
The Housing Policy Committee will be chaired by Councilor JT Moore, and he will be joined by Councilors Carol Clarke and Darrell O’Quinn.
The Committee will have the responsibility of overseeing local policy and programs that guide and sustain affordable housing opportunities for all citizens and to advocate for fair housing policies.
In the 1930s, the Federal Housing Administration created maps that ranked neighborhoods based on their perceived creditworthiness, a practice known as redlining. Birmingham is one of the most redlined cities in America.
This committee will provide an opportunity for the City Council to take an active role in remediating the effects of that practice.
The time and day of that meeting will be announced in the coming weeks.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
There is an opening on the Birmingham Parking Authority, which regulates city's parking spaces, decks and lots.
Applicants must be a registered voter with an address in the city limits of Birmingham.
For anyone interested in serving, please forward a letter of interest and resume to Myeisha.Hutchinson@birminghamal.gov
FAIR HOUSING MONTH RESOLUTION
Today, the Birmingham City Council passed a resolution brought forward by Councilor Darrell O’Quinn recognizing April as Fair Housing Month. April 11, 2023, marks the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which clarifies a national policy of fair housing for all who live in the United States.
“Today we’re celebrating that achievement with this resolution. Over the past several years, the Council and this administration have made an effort to address affordable housing and blighted properties in the city,” Councilor Darrell O’Quinn said. “One of the issues that we of course recognize is everyone needs to have equal opportunity to access affordable housing.”
According to the resolution, “The Council of the City of Birmingham with Mayor Randall L. Woodfin concurring, supports the goals and ideals of the Fair Housing Act and recognizes the month of April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Birmingham, Alabama, which includes bringing attention to the discrimination faced by everyday citizens in housing and housing-related transactions based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, and religion. We commend the Birmingham Association of Realtors whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment and an uncompromising standard of excellence in its endeavors on behalf of all citizens in this great city.”
Councilor O’Quinn also stated that he is working on an amendment to update the City’s current Fair Housing Ordinance to include source of income discrimination. This would not just be for housing choice voucher recipients, but also those receiving alimony, veteran’s assistance, disability checks and so forth. Cities across the country have passed similar legislation for decades.
Forest Park / South Avondale (April Newsletter)
FOREST PARK / SOUTH AVONDALE
TUESDAY, April 4, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Avondale Library
Agenda:
1. Report from South Precinct
2. Parking Variance Parking Modification to allow for 8 off-street parking spaces instead of the required 43 parking spaces for a restaurant. Old Melt location, 4105 4th Av. S.
3. Setback Variance to allow for a covered porch addition to be set back 19.9 feet from the front yard property line instead of the required 25 feet front yard setback. (3400 Altamont Way)
4. Update on Neighborhood Meet and Greet, Pam Murray.
5. Update on 4167 & 4173 Cliff Road Nuisances, Shannon Blankenship
6. Update on efforts to create a sidewalk along Altamont Park, Maury Shevin.
7. Report from Friends of Avondale Park, April Merritt.
8. Report from Birmingham Board of Education, Mary Boehm
9. Report from District 3 City Councilor, Valerie Abbott
10. Report from District 5 City Councilor, Darrel O'Quinn
Brush and Bulk Trash Pick Up Date:
Forest Park / South Avondale
THURSDAY, APRIL 12
https://www.birminghamal.gov/bulktrash
The City of Birmingham has entered phase 2 delivery of the new uniform garbage carts. More than 20,000 carts will be delivered to residences over the next few weeks.
The carts will be distributed equally among the four waste management districts (north, south, east, west). If you have received a cart in the phase 2 delivery, please refer to the information packet included with the cart. You will receive additional information in the mail soon. Read more about the new system and delivery plans at www.birminghamal.gov/pickup.
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.
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 review your case prior to the date set for review by the City's committee and make recommendations to the City Design Review Board.
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 word 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 Design Review Committee Interim Chairman
Jeff McGee - jeffmcgeefpsa@aol.com (205) 999 3185
Avondale Park Design Review Committee Chairman
Jeff McGee - jeffmcgeefpsa@aol.com (205) 999 3185
Avondale Park Historic District Map
https://gisweb.birminghamal.gov/StandardMaps/Historic/AvondalePark.pdf
Highland Park Neighborhood Association Newsletter
Earth Month Seedling Exchange Sat. April 1
10am @ Southside Public Library
1814 11th Ave. S
Details here.
More plant events and information further in this email…
Curbside Recycling Pickups
(1st & 3rd Wed. of each month)
Next pickup 4.5.23
You can put recycling in a city bin, your own bin, cardboard box, paper bag, etc. 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.
(Recyclables can still be dropped off at Birmingham Recycling and Recovery M-F 7am-4pm* - 9 41st St. S., 35222 (Avondale).)
Upcoming Highland Park Neighborhood Association Meetings - Agenda and Speaker(s):
Next Meeting will be Tues., 4.11.23, 6pm
In Person and via Zoom
Upstairs at the Highland Golf Club at 3300 Highland Ave. S. 35205.
Enter via door to the right of the snack bar area. For elevator access, enter the same door and go through the next door, turn left and go past the snack bar.
Link to General Agenda/Mtg. Format
Speaker(s)/Guests/Agenda Items:
1. Linda Nelson with the Birmingham Historical Society will speak on how to obtain a historical marker for one’s home and share about one of her favorite historic places in HP.
March Minutes and Mtg link coming next week
*Please be patient with us as we fine tune the hybrid meeting option. We will have a microphone in person to help with virtual attendees being able to hear.
You DON'T need to have a zoom or google account to join the meeting.
