News You Can Use

The Birmingham Police Department will host a virtual seminar on sexual assault on Wednesday, May 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. on the department’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/bhampolice.

BPD will host a book drive for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, May 24-31. Officers will accept new and slightly used books at BPD headquarters from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. See flyer for more info.

• Learn how to become a vendor for the World Games 2022 by joining a 1:30 p.m. webinar on Monday, May 24. To register, visit: bit.ly/TWG22Part1 .

• A restored vintage Greyhound bus will be at the downtown Birmingham Public Library on Wednesday, May 19 as part of the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides commemoration. The bus, which is part of the Freedom Rides Museum collection, will be open to the public at 3 p.m. Two, local Freedom Riders will speak during a program that will start at 5 p.m. The 1961 Freedom Rides were public bus trips undertaken by racially-integrated groups through the Deep South to test the enforcement of a new court order prohibiting segregation in interstate bus terminals. See attached press release and flyer.

• BPD will host a promotions and graduation ceremony today, May 14, at 10 a.m. at Boutwell Auditorium. Congrats!

• The next countywide paper shredding and electronics drop-off event will be Saturday, May 15 at the Center Point Satellite Courthouse from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more info, please go here and here. Questions? Call 205-325-8741.

• If you missed Wednesday’s live WebEx update on the federal stimulus money the city is slated to receive, you may catch a replay on YouTube at https://youtu.be/rM8uid0Yb34.

• The Birmingham Legion soccer team will play Memphis at Legion Field on Saturday, May 15 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at www.bhmlegion.com.

• Birmingham renters unable to pay rent or utilities bills due financial hardships caused by COVID-19, may be eligible to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Please visit www.birminghamal.gov/renthelp to access the link to start the application process. A call center is available at 1-844-287-1250.

60th Anniversary Freedom Rides Event on May 19, 2021

Forest Park / South Avondale May 2021 Newsletter

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

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

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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

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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.

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The South Precinct non-emergency number
254 2793

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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.

Highland Park Neighborhood Association Newsletter - May 4, 2021

www.highland-park.org

Curbside Recycling Pickups
TOMORROW - Wed. 5.5.21
(1st Wed. of each month ONLY)
Curbside pickup is the first WEDNESDAY of each month (and hopefully return to each week soon).
*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).)

Check our website for more details on what can be recycled by clicking here.

Flaggin' and Baggin' is BACK!

Brought to you by
HP FIDO (Friends in Dog Ownership)

Volunteers will be placing flags next to dog waste piles starting Friday, May 7, 2021.
Please leave the flags and signs in place.
All flags and piles will be collected Friday-Sunday, May 14-16.
The idea is to let people know that it adds up, spreads diseases, is NOT fertilizer, and is just plain gross and belongs in the trash.

Email highlandparkfido@gmail.com to join us for flaggin' and/or baggin'.  
Check us out on facebook.
And be sure to check out Do Dah Day! (Scroll down for details...)

>>>>NEW LINK***<<<<
MEETING TUESDAY, 5.11.21
Upcoming Highland Park Neighborhood Association Meetings - Agenda and Speaker(s):

Link to General Agenda/Mtg. Format

May 11, 2021 6pm - Speaker: Bham Dept. of Transportation Representative (either James Fowler or Bert Kuyrkendall) to answer questions on bike lanes, speed cushions, parking enforcement, etc.

***Join Zoom MeetingOne tap mobile: US: +16465588656,,93671898724# or +13017158592,,93671898724#Meeting URL: https://osgnoc.zoom.us/j/93671898724Meeting ID: 936 7189 8724Join by Telephone:Dial: +1 346 248 7799 or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free)
Meeting ID: 936 7189 8724

*Zoom is an app/online tool used for video conferencing. BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE OR APP BEFORE THE MEETING TIME!  Here are instructions; you do NOT need an account or to sign in to join the meeting.

Click here for March Minutes
Click here for February Minutes
Click Here for January Minutes

Do Dah Day
May 15th @ Cahaba Brewing, 11:01am - 6:01pm

Stay tuned for more announcements, but mark your calendars for this year's Do Dah Day. It will be a little different due to city regulations regarding covid, but we are glad to see this beloved festival is back! https://www.facebook.com/dodahdaybirmingham

Upcoming Virginia Samford Theater Productions:
June 11 -27 -  MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis in the VST’s most popular show ever!
 
Face masks will be required but folks will have a great time at both shows.
Call the VST Box Office at 205-251-1206 or visit www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org for more information.

Large Trash and Brush Pickups
Future Dates: *FRIDAYS (5.21, 6.11, 7.2)

Buildings with dumpsters DO NOT receive city pickups.

*Friday until further notice (instead of the usual Thurs.) 

Leaves and smaller brush and trash MUST BE BAGGED. Larger limbs/branches and furniture items can be piled neatly.  
If space allows, make separate piles: trash/furniture/mattresses/appliances/etc. in one and another pile for plant materials (leaves, limbs, brush) to be mulched by the city. 
They use two different trucks, and making separate piles helps them stay efficient.

Sometimes the city runs behind...if your pile is missed and not collected the following day, please report to 311 (by dialing 311 or the city portal www.birminghamal.gov/311-portal) and send the confirmation code and address to highlandparkneighborhoodal@gmail.com.

Help Save HP Racquet Club

Message from Friends of Highland Park Racquet Club:

The Covid 19 pandemic has impacted every area of our lives, including our city’s budget for maintaining and providing personnel for the operation of parks and other city facilities. Due to necessary budget cuts, there is concern for the preservation of Birmingham’s historic facility, Highland Park Racquet Club.
The Friends of Highland Park Racquet Club was created as a non-profit organization whose mission is” “To support the Park and Recreation Board of the City of Birmingham in efforts to maintain and promote this public facility located in the Highland Park Historic District. To this end, we hope to assist in providing programs that will offer healthy and safe activities for children, adults, and seniors.”
FHPRC has received permission and help from the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board to begin some much-needed repairs and maintenance of the facility. Phase I of their efforts has begun. They have committed to the resurfacing of two courts (Court and Court 5). They have solicited and received donations of over $19,000, but will still need $4,000 to complete the first phase of the resurfacing project. Phase II will be the resurfacing of Courts 1 through 3. FHPRC hopes to work with the City to save this facility and bring Highland Park Racquet Club back to its former prominence when it proudly hosted USTA sponsored events. They are asking friends and neighbors who would like to help in this effort to make a tax deductible 501(c)(3) donation to Friends of Highland Park Racquet Club, c/o Ruth Berry, Treasurer, 3605 Westbury Road, Birmingham, AL 35223. Donors will receive the FHPRC newsletter with updates on progress and will be invited to the “Spring Opening Day Dedication” to be held when the work on the first two courts are completed. FHPRC will install a plaque of recognition to include the names of all donors.  Questions and suggestions are welcomed.

FHPRC Board Members:
Kirstie Ivey, President
Martha Ross, Vice President
Ruth Berry, Treasurer
Vicky Marty, Secretary
Art Franklin
Emory Kirkwood
Kelley Moore
Samuel J. Yilden

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofhprc/

City News

RENTAL ASSISTANCE. Learn more about the City of Birmingham rental assistance program at www.birminghamal.gov/renthelp This program was made possibly thanks to the $6.2 million in federal funding received by the City of Birmingham for COVID-19 relief.
Mayor Woodfin will hold a tele-town hall on the new program on Thursday, April 22nd at 6:00 pm.

CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD FORMED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. To read more about the board, please go here.

RENTAL SCOOTERS AND BIKES FROM VEO:Illinois-based Veo has bikes and scooters available for rental. The city’s Department of Transportation has established more than 90 corrals throughout the service area in the city. Download the Veo app to identify locations and make payments.
See link for more information:
https://www.birminghamal.gov/2021/04/18/shared-bikes-and-scooters-now-available-in-birmingham/

General Information and Helpful Links on our website. 
Check it out here: 
https://www.highland-park.org/helpful-information/
Remember to report overgrown yards, abandoned cars, structures not being maintained, illegal businesses or commercial vehicles stored on residential streets and more to 311 or by calling DPW Dispatch at 205-254-6344...
Click here or on flyer for larger image.

Birmingham City Council votes to extend citywide mask ordinance until May 24th

Birmingham City Council votes to extend citywide mask ordinance until May 24th

PRESS RELEASE                                      Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Contact: Kim Garner 

Email: kimberly.garner@birminghamal.gov
 

On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council voted to implement a citywide mask ordinance. The statewide mask order that has been in place since July of 2020 will expire on Friday, April 9th.
 
The City's ordinance is similar to the ordinance passed by the body last year in the early months of the pandemic. The ordinance will remain in effect until 11:59pm on May 24th; however, the ordinance can be evaluated prior to May 18th as needed to determine if changed conditions warrant it's amendment or repeal.  
 
Health experts warn that another wave of infections is possible as case numbers continue to rise in states across the country. In Jefferson County, the number of new daily cases has plateaued at roughly 70 cases a day for the last several weeks.
 
President Parker urges residents to remain diligent as vaccination efforts continue to outpace new cases in Jefferson County.
 
“This has been a tough year for all of us and I know wearing a mask in public has become tiresome, but now is not the time to relax our efforts,” Parker said. “The science is clear: wearing masks and social distancing works in preventing the spread of this virus.”
 
Here is a copy of the ordinance: https://www.dropbox.com/s/otpkrmzwzfnd7t4/ap06oca28jb%20-%20Mask%20Ordinance%202021%20-%20final.docx?dl=0

Covid-19 Vaccine Registration

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.

Update on Birmingham Neighborhood Association Elections

Here are the questions that members of the Birmingham City Council submitted to the Mayor regarding the FY 2021 Budget

PRESS RELEASE                                Friday, September 4, 2020 

Contact: Kim Garner 

Phone: 205-254-2036 

Email: kimberly.garner@birminghamal.gov

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On Thursday, September 3, the Birmingham City Council held a work session to discuss the City’s FY 2021 budget.
 
During the meeting, members of the Council discussed changes they would like to see made as well as outlined concerns and questions that were submitted to the Mayor.
 
In the coming weeks, the Council will continue to host work sessions and meetings to address these and other questions regarding the FY 2021 budget.
 
Here is a copy of the questions that were submitted to the Mayor and the responses that were given.
 
Councilor Valerie Abbott, who chairs the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, said the hearings this week were a starting point and many more questions still need to be answered.
 
“I think for the Council to have a full understanding of this administration’s priorities, we’re going to have to continue having these discussions,” Abbott said. “In order for us to pass a balanced budget, we have to know the reasoning behind the cuts that were made so that we can have a full picture of what we’re dealing with.”