City Council - Regular Meeting

Light me up. Let me see your fire. Light me up. Let me see your fire. Light me up. Let me see your fire. Light me up. Let me see your fire. Light me up. Let me see your fire. Light me up. Let me see your fire. Good morning, Birmingham. Today is Tuesday, March 24th. The time is 9:36 a.m. I call to order the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. This morning, our invocation will be led by Reverend Lewan Lewis, pastor of Mount Si Baptist Church, Airport Highlands, and our pledge of allegiance will be led by Councelor Brian Gun. Is Reverend Lewis in the audience? Thank you. Good morning.

Good morning. Good morning, Birmingham City Council. And constituents, let us pray. Dear heavenly father, Lord God, we come now in the mighty name of Jesus. Oh God, we lift you up on this day. Oh God, we magnify you. We glorify you for you are our Lord of Lords, our King of Kings. Father God, you got up on an old rugged cross and you died for us and on that third day you rose to heaven. So God, we want to say thank you first of all this morning. Thank you for watching over us last night and thank you for early this morning you stuck your finger of loving care down and you woke us up this morning. Father, we ask that you come into this place this morning, oh God, and have your way. Lead these people that will make the decisions for this city, oh God. Touch their minds, touch their hearts, touch their souls, oh God, that the decisions that they make for these your people, oh God, will be right, will be just, and it will help somebody, oh God, help them to find a place to live. Help them to find a place to eat. Father God, we pray for those that are homeless. We pray for those that are struggling on drugs. We pray for those, oh God, that are incarcerated. And we pray, oh God, that these people that you have put in position, oh God,

will see fit, oh God, not to pad their pockets, oh God, but to help these people that need the help in this city. Father God, we lift you up in this place this morning. We magnify you. We glorify you. And it is in the mighty name of Jesus that we do pray. And let this council and these people all say, "Amen." Amen. to the standy.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Councelor Gun, for leading us in the pledge. Mr. Clerk, if you will give us a roll call, please. Uh, yes, ma'am. Uh, council member Gun. Morning. Good morning, sir. Council member O'Quinn, morning. Good morning, Council Member Smith. Morning. Good morning, Council Member Smitherman. Morning. Good morning, Council Member Vasa. Good morning, Council Member Williams. Council Member Woods. Good morning, Council President Pro Tim Tate. Morning, Council President Alexander.

Good morning, President. At this time, councilors, the minutes are not ready from the meetings of January 6, 2026 through March 17, 2026. At this time, we'll entertain communications from the mayor. Chief, thank you.

Good morning, Madam President. Good morning, Madam Pro Tim. Good morning to the members of the council, members of the public, all those under the sound of my voice. Have a very brief mayor's report today on Mayor Wolfin's behalf. First of all, on Sunday, March the 29th, join the city of Birmingham for our annual spring festival, which is presented by Window World. Residents and visitors are invited to come out to Railroad Park located at 1600 1st Avenue South from 1 to 4:00 p.m. to enjoy fun family-friendly activities, community fellowship, and the chance to take photos with the Easter Bunny. So, we hope to see everyone there. Then finally, Madame President, Madam Pro 10, members of the count council, speaking of railroads, Railroad Park, um this outdoor haven has been nominated for best city park as a part of USA Today's 10 best readers choice awards. You can vote once per day until ballots close on Monday, April the 6th. The top 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, April the 15th. To cast your ballot, go 10best. usatday.comawwards. Madam President, members of the council, that concludes the mayor's report.

Thank you so much, Chief. At this time, councilors will consider the consent agenda. And if you allow me to read the following statement regarding our conduct of business, all items designated as consent are considered to be routine and non-controversial and will be approved by one motion. No separate discussion of these items will be permitted unless a council member, the mayor, or a citizen interested in a public hearing so request. If so, such items will revert to its normal place on the agenda order of business. All matters of permanent operation, they're indicated with the capital P, will be read. All other matters will be announced by reading the item number only. All public hearings will be announced. At this time, Mr. Clerk, will you provide us with the items that are being considered for consent?

Uh, yes, ma'am. First, I would like to apologize to the council. No iPads are available today. The password issues and so we'll get that straighten out for next week. Consent agenda starts on page two with items one and two. Let's see. And we skip over to page four. We have item three on consent. Page nine, item four is on consent. Page 10, item five is on consent. Page 14, items six and seven are on consent. Page 23, items 8 and nine are on consent. Page 24, items 10, 11, and 12 are on consent. Page 25, items 14, 15, and 16 are on consent. Uh please note that on item 14, uh third line from the bottom should strike Bush Hills Neighborhood Association and it should be Fountain Heights Recreation Center. Page 26, item 17 is on consent. Page 27, items 20, 21, and 22 are on consent. Page 28, items 23, 24, and 25 on consent. Page 29, items 26, 27, and 28 are on consent. Um, please note that item 28 was recommended by budget and finance. Page 30, item 29 is on consent. There has been a request to withdraw item 30. Page 31, items 31, 32, and 33 on

consent. Page 32, items 34, 35, and 37 on consent. Uh there's also been a request to remove item 36, withdraw item 36. Page 33, items 38, 39, 40, and 41 are on consent. Page 34, items 42, 43, 44, and 45 are on consent. Page 35, items 46, 47, 48, and 49 are on consent. Page 36, items 50, 51, and 52 are on consent. Page 37, items 37, I'm sorry, items 53, 54, 55, and 56 are on consent. Page 38, items 57, 58, 59, and 60 are on consent. Page 39, items 61, 63, 64, and 65 are on consent. Items 62 has been requested to be withdrawn. That's item 62. Page 40, items 66, 67, 68, 69, and 70 are on consent. And we have two agenda items. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. At this time, counselors, are there any items you would like to have added or removed from consent?

Yes, madame president. Can we place items 71 and 72, the addendum items on consent? Okay, there's a request to pull I to move items 71 and 72 to the consent agenda of the agenda items. Any concerns about that? Well, okay. Okay. So, we're adding those two items to consent. Any other items? Councelor Pro, I want to withdraw 29. That's item number. Hold on. Get your page number. Item 29 on page 30 has been asked to move from consent.

Counselors, I'd like to ask that we remove item 20 on page 27 from consent. Any other items? Right. At this time, do we have a motion and a second? Yes, Mr. McDaniel. Madam President, uh, for item 16, if you will allow that item to stay on consent, but changing the total amount from $1,000 and changing the amount to $26,000 by adding $25,000 from district 1. Uh the GL account number is 001 000000 4210 542 001 and that amount is going to the Springville Road Library.

What item number was that? I'm sorry. Item 16. Okay. Thank you. Any other items, counselors? All right. At this time, we'll entertain a motion and a second for approval of the consent agenda. So, so move second. Okay. All in favor by saying I I say nay. All right. Thank you very much for the public. Those items that were listed as consent and those additional items that were added, they have been approved. And now we'll refer back to our agenda. First item, Mr. Clerk.

Item 13. Item 13, hold on a second here. A resolution sent to the vacation of 35,493 square feet of the rightway that is located parallel to and between Argal Road and Smolan Place so that the owner can consolidate property located at 2845 Stratford Road, Birmingham on behalf of MWain Incorporated. Owner and hearing of all parties case number SUV 25. That's 97 and this is second reading. I need a motion please. So move.

All right. Thank you counselors. This is a resolution asenting the vacation of property and to allow for the owner to consolidate said property. This is a public hearing. So I'll turn it over to you, councelor Gun. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, is there a staff report available?

Good morning, council. My name is Roger Glow and I serve as subdivision planner for the city of Birmingham and the department of planning, engineering, and permits. And this is subdivision 2025 case number 97 which is a resolution to determine whether the city council will give it ascent to the vacation of 35,493 ft of right ofway so that the property owner can consolidate his property. The one-3 rightway vacation fee has been set at 136,93251. On January the 14th, 2026, the subdivision committee of the Birmingham Planning Commission recommended the approval of this vacation to the full council. On February the 2nd, 2026, the community development committee forwarded this vacation to the full council with a favorable recommendation. If you have any questions, we do have people that can answer those questions. All right, any questions from my colleagues? Is the applicant here? All right. Would you please approach the podium, state your name and address for the record, and give us a little brief overview of uh the project. Good morning, Wade Ward. I'm with Shaw Engineering. Uh address is 1012nd Street South. So, I am the technical adviser on the project. Uh the applicant and council are here. So if there's direct questions about uh the project moving forward, I'll allow them to ask those questions. So um or answer those questions.

Any questions from my colleagues? Could you explain or someone explain the purpose of the vacation? It Yes. So, the idea is to vacate the rightway to take that rightway and include it in another parcel on the north side of Simoleon Drive. Okay. Yes. So, if there's questions of plans, I'll turn that over to the Yeah. Okay. State your name and address uh for the record as you approach the podium. Charles McWain.

Okay. 2848. Can you speak to the mic, sir? Thank you. Charles Mc Charles Phip McWain, 2848 Southwood Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35223. All right. Thank you. Could you kind of state what the overall uh need for the vacation is for?

Sure. Uh for decades a number of individuals that don't reside in the neighborhood have congregated on Stratford Road all hours of the night participating in unsavory acts if not criminal abandoned cars, firearms, um ammunition. Uh calls to the police have been made over the decades. The police are very busy. So absent of an ongoing crime, they're unable to come up. This is an attempt for the residents to gain control and protect their property.

Okay. Thank you. Uh are there any questions from my colleagues? Yep. C. Thank you. Uh Mr. Chair, what's currently on the property? Excuse me. I said what's currently on the property is a home or what's currently there? There are not uh there are no homes on those two parcels. Those two parcels are owned by other homes that are up there. They're across the street. They're on the city side of the road, but they're not public and they don't have a residence on them. So, they have But they park not only in front of those parcels, but in front of residents. Vacant lots is what you're saying. They're they're vacant lots. They're vacant lots. Yes. And who owns the vacant lots?

Excuse me. Who owns the lots? McQuain Incorporated owns one of the lots and another resident uh Robert Robin and Zen Herki own the other lot. Are they maintaining the lots? Are they keeping the lots up? Oh yeah, sure. Okay. Any additional questions? Thank you. Uh being being that this is a public hearing, are there any members in the audience here to speak towards this item? Seeing none, I will turn it back over to Madame President. All right. Thank you. Any additional questions, counselors? All right. At this time, we're ready to entertain the vote. All in favor, let it be known by saying I.

I. All oppose say nay. That vote is unan. All right. Thank you. Item 13 passes. Next item.

Should be item 18. Item 18, a an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute such contracts, agreements, or documents to obligate the city to amounts of less than $30,000 each or otherwise provided by law without additional prior approval of the council for heroism and valor ceremony at the Regionsfield Diamond Direct Ballroom on April the 3rd, 2026 to recognize the Birmingham Police Department's sworn and civilian personnel for the exemplary performance of duty bravery and exceptional service in accordance with section 11-40. Oh, I'm sorry. Give me a second. Screen went away. 11-40-22. Code of Alabama 1975. Food and beverages will be provided for employees in attendance of the ceremony. Guests at the event shall purchase a ticket to cover the cost of their meals. All such contracts executed by the mayor for this ceremony shall comply with the Alabama competitive bid laws. The total amount to expended for the ceremony shall not exceed the total of $45,000. And this is not a permanent operation. I need you see to pass it today.

Need a motion for UC. Second. Okay. Council member G. Council member O'Quinn. Hi. Council member Smith. Hi. Council member Smitherman. Hi. Council member Vasa. Hi. Council member Williams. Hi. Council member Woods. Hi. President Proim Tate. Council President Alexander. I motion on the item, please. All right. Thank you, councilors. This is an ordinance allowing the mayor to execute contracts and agreements for the heroism heroism and valor ceremony at the regions field diamond direct ball room on April 3rd 2026. Any questions regarding this item?

Yes, sir. Public safety recommended the item just Thank you so much. And it was also recommended by public safety. Any questions? We're ready for the vote. Okay. All in favor? Let it be known by saying I. I. All oppose say nay. All right. Thank you. Item 18 passes. Next item

should be item 19. an ordinance authorizing the mayor upon receipt of payment in the amount of $6,5264 to execute a quick claim deed to Walter Lee for the sale of property legally described as lot 15 block 22 according to the survey of East Birmingham as recorded in mapbook one page 7 of the office of judge of probate Jefferson County Alabama parcel number 230194 125 city account 8169 located at 923 39th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35222, which was acquired by the city upon foreclosure of municipal improvement leans in accordance with section 3-1-4C of the general code of the city of Birmingham. Again, this is an item of permanent operation. I need you seated passing today.

Council member Gun, hi. Council member O'Quinn, hi. Council member Smith, hi. Council member Smitherman, hi. Council member Vasa, hi. Council member Williams, hi. Council member Woods, hi. Uh, council president promptate. Council president Alaz. I. Motion, please. Second. All right. Councilors. This is an ordinance authorizing the mayor upon receipt of payment for funds to execute a quick claim deed to Walter Lee. Any questions regarding this item? This time we're ready for the vote. All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. Oppose. Say nay.

All right. Okay, thank you. Item 19 passes. Next item

should be item 20. A resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an event sponsorship agreement with the Alpha Cappa Alpha Sarate Incorporated Southeastern Region under which the CER will host the 94th Southeastern Regional Conference in Birmingham at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex on April the 29th through May the 2nd, 2026. The conference is expected to have a significant economic impact and benefit to the city and will create foster community pride while providing recreation, entertainment, and other beneficial opportunities for attendees and visitors in accordance with section 9401 of the constitution of Alabama. And the city will contribute up to $30,000 in financial incentives towards hosting the Alpha Capital APA sorority incorporated 94th Southeastern Regional Conference in Birmingham. Motion, please.

Move the item. Second. All right. Thank you, counselors. I pull this item because um there would be an opportunity to allow for any abstensions that may have to occur with this item. But I do want to mention that this is an agreement that the city would be undertaking with the Alpha Cappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Southeastern Region. We do have present the regional director of the southeastern region, Dr. Tracy Morant Adams. this region um constitutes members of the sorority from the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. And Dr. Adams, if you'll just come and just bring more information about this regional conference and what it brings to the city of Birmingham.

Certainly. Good morning, Madame President, members of the council. Thank you so very much for uh having me here this morning. We are excited uh that uh the southeastern region of Alpha Kappa Alpha will be hosting over 6,000 of our members as Madame President stated from the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee for our annual business meeting. Um with that convening uh we certainly will be celebrating service initiatives of many uh heroes within our community as well as a significant economic impact that will come back to the city of Birmingham. We're excited uh to bring the conference here and very very appreciative uh to the city each of you for your support of our attendance here.

Thank you very much. Any questions? Thank you, Dr. Adams. At this time, we'll entertain the vote. All in favor letting me be know by saying I. All oppose say nay. I must abstain. And I'm obstaining as well. Council has council Alexander Smith. One second, please. Got it.

All right. Thank you. Item 20 passes. We are excited to have these members of the sorority here. um taking on the um excellent cuisine and entertainment that Birmingham provides. Dr. Adams, I do want to take this time to thank you for the service that you provided. This will be her swan songs, so to speak, as being the regional director for our organization and we thank you for the service that you and your members bring to this region and most importantly to the city of Birmingham. Thank you so much. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Next item, please. should be item 29. A resolution authorizing the mayor to XQ4 as the act of said city a first amendment to the agreement with the Salvation Army in the amount not to exceed $50,000 under which the Salvation Army will provide services. This year at Birmingham, I'm implementing the Salvation Army's core soft skills curriculum along with other supporting components including the assessment and screening process, industry customized training, GED remediation, case management, career coaching, and ongoing retention and advancement support to enable entry- level workers demonstrate their readiness to successfully enter the workplace and to retain and advance in their positions to extend the term of the agreement to a term to end on or before September 3rd. 30th, 2026 and to add additional funding in the amount of $25,000 with total compensation and amount not to exceed $75,000. Motion, please.

All right. Thank you, Councelor Tate. You asked that we move this from consent. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam President. I just want to know my question is um is this a American Rescue Act? Yeah. Project because I know that I Yeah, Madam President. Yes. This is your your ARPA funds. Yes, we're just extending the contract for them to complete the work.

Okay. And I do I do see Mr. Stamson, Miss Queen here from the Salvation Army. So, thank you all for what you all do um and the services that you have provided um in the workforce area with the CDL and the extension of programs that you have over there. So, I highly recommend to my colleagues and the listening audience to please take advantage of these free opportunities. Thank you. Um, chief. Appreciate it, ma'am. All right. Thank you. Any other comments? At this time, we're ready for the vote. All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. Oppos say nay. All right. Thank you. Item 29 passes. Do we have any other items, Mr. Cole?

Okay, great. All right, counselors, at this time, we will entertain any comments that you have regarding activities in your I was going to say in your region, in your district. Who wants to go first? The region. Are you ready, councelor Basa?

Thank you, Madam President. Uh, just a couple of announcements. Redmont Park Neighborhood Association is canled for tonight. Um, secondly, uh, Virginia Theater has a production of Our Town by Thornton Wilder. Tickets are on sale. Uh, the production will be from April 15th to April 19th. And lastly, Bayga restaurant is a semi- finalist for this year's James Beard outstanding hospitality category. Bayga is co-owned by two legends in the Birmingham culinary scene, Partisan Frank Stit. Uh we are proud of their work and their contributions to Birmingham's culinary and hospitality scene. That concludes my announcements. Thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Vasa. Counselor.

Yes. Thank you, Madam President. So, I'm hearing a BGA lunch on Josh Wson that. All right. Um, Stream Innovations will host it spring break camp March 23rd through 27th from 8 to 3 for students. Registration is $300. Okay. Includes uh daily hands-on activities, breakfast and lunch. Please visit their website to register. Tax preparation services will be available for our seniors on Friday, March 27th from 9 to 2 at the West End Library. Then this Saturday, March 28th at 10:00 a.m. I will be hosting in partnership with the realist and attorney JC Fiser. We will host Keep It and the Family Estate Planning Heirs Property and Home Ownership in Birmingham at the Grove Beham. That's a new event center over in to this field that's attached to A for one across from um uh Tool Bank USA um a part of all of that. So, but we encourage residents to attend. So, this is for example if and this happens to people a lot. If your grandmother died without a wheel and you share that house with all of your siblings, maybe your aunts and your uncles, and you don't know uh what to do with the house, we will um just kind of give you just a little bit of guidance on this. It happens to a lot of people in the black belt. A lot of uh black people actually have their homes taken from them. And so this is just a short seminar. JC does this all throughout the state helping people of color. So, this is a really important topic to my heart. So, hopefully people will come. And then this past Saturday, Urban Ministry hosted the Seed Your Soul Fest at the Wei Garden. I want to thank my staff for coming. They got a lot of good vegetables, a lot of good crops and had a lot of fun. So, thank you to my staff for that. And happy bel.

Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Williams.

Thank you very much. Uh um it was nice being able to turn 29. Um Crest Line Crestline Neighborhood will be meeting Thursday the 26th at 7 o'clock at the regular place Hope Church and Children's of Alabama Indie Grand Prix is this weekend the 27th through the 29th. Um Friday they're going to have their usual workforce development um with all of um all of the schools in the metro including all Birmingham City School high school students um are invited and and have typically been there. If their principles let them go this year they'll be there again. Um and I hope that everybody can make it out to that. That is a huge economic um development tourism event. We have I think that there's people from 14 countries coming in as well as I think 48 or 47 states um have tickets coming in and it is actually the largest event where people come from out of state into Alabama um which is which is pretty significant. So happy Birmingham can help host that and um hope everybody will take time to go out there at some point this weekend. Thanks.

Thank you councelor Williams Council Oaken. Thank you, Madam President. Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association will meet tonight at 6 PM at the Fountain Heights Rec Center. The Crestwood North Neighborhood Association will meet at 6:30 tonight at the at Girls Incorporated. The planning and zoning committee will meet this afternoon at 3 p.m. in the council chain chambers. Transportation infrastructure committee uh will is scheduled for Monday, April 13th at 2 p.m. here in the council chambers. Submit agenda items to kimberly. Phillips birmingham.gov. Uh for parents who are looking for opportunities for their kids to go to camp this uh summer, um Jones Valley Teaching Farm has their Camp Grow uh for youth rising 2 grade through rising 8th grade. For additional information, uh please look at www.jbtf.org. The Birmingham Park and Recreation um is hiring lifeguards for the pools for the summer. Uh if you would are interested, please call 2052542189. We want to remind folks that um the AG Gaston Hotel has a gift shop uh and it's open now until April 12th, Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. Um the merchandise is expire inspired of course by the uh historic AG gas and hotel landmark and um want to let folks know that if they want to help shape Birmingham's multimmoal

transportation future um please visit www. birminghamal.govhm gov/ggohm to participate in our multimmoal transportation planning process that's ongoing. And that concludes my announcements. Thank you, Councelor Woods.

Thank you, Madam President. Couple of announcements quickly. Uh one, I want to give a shout out to all the volunteers who came out this uh past Sunday to Tom Bradford Park. uh All Saints United Methodist Church and of Trustful and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama came out partner with residents in Spring Lake and Huffman communities uh to remove 520 pounds of litter from our park. And so uh I just want to encourage everyone to one be litter free, put your trash in a trash can. Uh but definitely appreciative of all the folks who have come out over the years to uh help remove uh litter from the community and our parks and so very grateful for that. also uh got a shout out. Really excited. We've completed the our one of my favorite opera projects, the AG Gaston uh autobiography, Green Power reprint. And that um basically reprint of the book. So the book is is set up in a way that it will be a funding source for the AJ Gaston Boys and Girls Club uh basically in perpetuity. So anytime anybody buys a book, all those proceeds go directly to the Boys and Girls Club. and we'll be working with um uh school systems locally and across the country to make sure that we're getting that book in front of as many uh young bright minds as possible. I think that story is just a one of true inspiration that anybody can pick that up and really benefit from it. Uh from where he started uh basically coming from nothing to uh being one of the wealthiest people in the world uh can inspire anybody. So excited about that. We also uh completed the audio book. And so the audio book is actually live on all major platforms. And so uh really excited about that. But yeah, definitely support the agent Gaston Boys and Girls Club by getting your copy today. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Council Woods. And I'm very excited about uh the completion of that opera project. So often we don't know about our heroes, and these are u heroes that we don't talk a lot about. And so I'm glad that you're giving this opportunity for the next generation to learn about that and how you can uh come from just small means to rise above. So thank you. Appreciate you. District council.

Thank you madam president. Just a few announcements uh for district 4. Uh, the UAB Live Health Smart Mobile Market will be in Kingston next Wednesday, April the 1st from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and in Vice Hill next Thursday, April the 2nd from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. So, please join them out there uh for that. Uh, upcoming neighborhood association meetings. We have a Norwood Neighborhood Association meeting tonight at 6 PM and it will be happening via teleconference. So, please tune in and hear all the wonderful updates happening in your neighborhood. Uh upcoming committee meetings. The next community development committee meeting is Monday, April the 6th at 3:30 p.m. in the city council chambers. If you have any items that you would like to submit for the agenda, please send them to Carmen Mays. That's Carmen. Birmingham.gov by close of business, Monday, March the 30th. Uh I also want to take a moment to recognize our TSA workers at Birmingham Shellesworth uh international airport. I know they are working diligently to meet the demands uh with no pay. This is the first time that they have not received a paycheck uh while they're experiencing um this short-term uh temporary funding lapse. Uh so you'll notice that at Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport, we're not experiencing the long lines as Atlanta and some other bigger airports. So this is a word of encouragement to fly BHM and always be kind because you never know what someone else is going through. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, Councelor Gun, and also thank you for reminding us of um the service that the TSA agents are uh providing to residents here in Birmingham and those of us who were using the airport. Thank you very much, Councelor Smith.

All right. Thank you. So, this past Saturday, March 21st, I had the opportunity to attend the 18th annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. So, thank you to the Japan America Society of Alabama and Friends of the Botanical Gardens for this family-friendly event full of cultural exhibits and activities exploring the richness of Japanese culture. And even if you missed it on that day, the cherry blossoms will still be um blooming throughout the week. So, you can still visit the botanical gardens. Also, kudos to Encore Theater and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame for their Voices of Donnie Hathaway performance this past weekend. Um, it was um written by Robert King Jr. and directed by Mark Raby and um was really just inspirational and a wonderful tribute to the life and legacy of Donnie Hathaway. park and recck board will meet tomorrow at the Oxmore Community Center. Um, and we are still receiving applicants for lifeguards. So, as my colleague mentioned, please apply to be a lifeguard and spread the word. We're also receiving applicants through March 31st for the library board. You can submit your letter of interest along with your resume to dhelp at birmingham.gov. And again, that's through March 31st. And finally, the Bush Hills Neighborhood Association will meet today at 6:30 p.m. at the Bush Hills Community Garden and Urban Farm. Thanks.

Thank you so much, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at the Fountain Heights Rec Center. Dolomite Neighborhood Association meeting will be held tonight. They meet on conference call at 6 p.m. You can call in by dialing 7208432669. The code is 3789426 in Ridge Neighborhood Association meeting will be held on Thursday and they meet on Zoom. So you can call the office for that information. The next public safety meeting will be held today in the council chamber at 1 p.m. Also the Westchester neighborhood is having their annual Westchester ball

the 40th 40 years and strong. April the 11th where the best civic center time 7 p.m. dress code semiformal all white the motto is live and work together in harmony. So if you have questions um you can contact Miss Cory Williams and the people in Westchester. Finally, Madame President, I would like to um acknowledge uh Miss Uche Bing, who is the director of the mayor's community safety initiative department, having the Birmingham Peace Summit. I went to the Peace Summit last year in in Atlantic City. So, the Peace Summit will be held here Friday, March the 27th, and I am the keynote speaker to welcome all of these lovely people into Birmingham. Dr. Jill Davis with NR SJA an Angelo Pensa Esquire Marcus McAllister Dr. Chico Tielman who is the executive director of the community violence leadership academy at Mitchell man who is the executive director of man up and deputy mayor Kesha Yuri who is um uh does a lot of work around violence and restorative justice and healing in Newark New Jersey. So it's a community inter violence intervention summit and healing retreat. So join us on Friday from 9 to 4 at the crosslex national leaders, credible messengers and community organizations from across the country for a powerful two-day gathering focus on strategies to prevent violence, strengthen communities and support those doing the work on the front lines. So I know that OA and the organizations here that have been charged to do the work um doing a great job, those individuals would be will be there. So it' be a great opportunity for people to come out and break bread and get to know these national leaders that have done a phenomenal job um with these initiatives that they have um given us to put into

Birmingham and and continue to pour into to people in our community. So invite you all out. Cross. Thanks. Thank you. We're very excited to hear that keynote speaker. So Zoe,

well, thank you. At this time, these are announcements for district 7. I do want to echo what has already been uh said about hiring lifeguards. Those summer positions are available, competitive pay, certified training, flexible hours. We just can't go on and on and on about this. So, if you're interested, please u make note of those announcements. The Industrial Center Neighborhood Association, this is our last neighborhood association meeting for the month, will be held Thursday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the Mary Door Center. On Sunday, March 29th, Community First Birmingham and Project Hopewell will present Soul Food Sunday and that will be from 400 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. being held at the Family Life Center at Hopewell Baptist Church. For more information, you can contact Walt Wilson at 205396-4647. On beginning, right at this time, the Jefferson County Greenways is announcing scholarship and summer internships that are available with the organization. You can apply up until Friday, April 3rd. And so if you're interested in being a summer intern, you can apply at info at jeffcco greenways.org. Red Mountain Park is a part of that uh program. And so if you have any students that are interested, please think about applying for the summer internship. On Saturday, April 11th, we will be hosting our love D7 environment day. That'll be from 900 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We're making it a little different this year. We want to get more engagement. So, we'll be targeting certain neighborhoods within D7. Then, we'll follow up with a resource fair that will be held at Jones Valley Middle School. So, we'll be cleaning up from 8 until 11:00. Then, from 11 to 1:00, we're going to go over and have some good time and fun over at Jones Valley Middle

School. So, if you're interested, please call my office 2052542498. If you'd like to sponsor one with any of your neighborhoods in D7, we'll be happy to provide you with information. We have lots of interested volunteers, so you won't be alone. So, we just um are asking for good participation. That's Saturday, April 11th. Then on Saturday, April 25th, this year's fantastic voyage take will be taking students to historic Huntsville, Alabama. And this will be uh they'll be leaving and returning from the police headquarters on the 9inth precinct at 1710 1st Avenue North. The event is free. Now if you come and buy a ticket to the soul food Sunday that helps to support the fantastic voyage. Okay. So a lot of good food you have opportunity to support. Um this organization takes hundreds of children on these tours around various sites in the state of Alabama. And this year they're hosting that in historic Huntsville. Uh please if you have to report any illegal dumping or if you have a missed trash or bulk trash pickup, please dial 205254-6314 or use your phone unless you use my BAM 311 app. That typically gets your service restored much quicker than calling by phone. Okay. And so that concludes our announcements. At this time, Mr. clerk will entertain our speakers list.

Uh Dorothy Underwood, uh William Muhammad,

Muhammad, as you come forward, you have three minutes and your time will be there on the screen. How are you this morning?

I'm doing fine. Uh William Muhammed, 411 Lraine Street. Uh I come to give a report on the war. On May 2025, Senate Bill 330 was passed. I was a board member in 2015 in Birmingham Waterworks Board and at that time a bill was passed by Senator Jabbo Wagner that expanded the board to nine members and it included people outside of the city of Birmingham. Our lawyers at that time, Mr. Attorney Cavin Grizz and Attorney Davis Sullivan, their complaint was that it was a violation of the contract and that the Birmingham Waterworks was set up by a charter and that charter was a contract. So the Birmingham Waterworks was not a municipal waterworks. It was incorporated by three people. Cooper Green. You ever heard that name? Jay Morgan, Jimmy Morgan from the zoo, and a man named CE Armstrong. So, we just filed a lawsuit on February the 21st saying that Senate Bill 330 is unconstitutional because the Birmingham Waterworks was not a municipal waterworks. It was a public corporation. Since that time, the CEO of the Birmingham Waterworks set up by Senate Bill 330 has gone absolutely crazy. He had a drug test after the Super Bowl Sunday, a random drug test to where people were treated like they were in prison. After that, he came back a couple of weeks ago and did a riff where 135

workers were laid off. So, we are in the process of filing along with our lawsuit a TTRO, a temporary restraining order because the drug tests were illegal uh because the handbook that was being used dealt with progressive discipline and the CEO did not change the handbook to after he did what he did. He had a riff which violates the Warren Act, WN. That's a federal law that said if you lay off a 100 people, you got to give them 60 days notice. Then the board just made a resolution last week that said that that violated their own law that set them up saying that the CEO can make policy and just tell the board about it at the next meeting. I don't know where these people come from. That violates law. Uh when I was at the waterworks, we always had a hearing that a a session that dealt with ethics and they told us if we interfere with operations, then that was unethical. So how these people going to let the CEO make policy and just say he can come and tell them about it after I don't know who who they are and who he is. So I'm just here to inform you. Like I said, this is a war report. We need your help. I want to say to you that whenever we have a meeting I have housekeeping rules. The first rule is no recording and the second rule is no distractions because most of the distractions of people asking and talking about what other people haven't done. We are not interested in that. We're interested in getting our water back and we need your help. We need you to get involved and we need your help. Thank you.

Thank you so much Mr. Muhammad. Next speaker, Joseph Hope.

Hello, Madam President and the council. I'm here because I think about a month and a half ago, y'all voted down my quick claim deed that was presented by the mayor when I presented 13,785. Uh do somebody asked the mayor, I think it was Mr. Gun, what was the intentions? Um and the office said they didn't know what my plans were. Well, I already own the property. I've been owning the property since 2021 and I was doing it for some kids uh to build my foundation there. But the problem came the property came with five lots. And so the city sent me a letter saying in 2006 when they had that problem tearing down them houses, one of those lots had a lean on it that was never um fixed. So they sent me a letter say I owe $13,000 because now I own the property and so I need to get this rectified. So that's why my title company, I had title insurance, they evidently the city and them missed the money or missed how to clear it off when I bought it in 2021. So they sent the check to the city to pay the 13,700 because it's somebody else name was on the deed. It wasn't my property. But when they did the title search and when I bought in 2021, the city didn't have the paperwork and my title company didn't get the paperwork. And so now they sent me a letter say, "Well, since you own it, you owe $13,700 something dollars and we got to get the quick claim deed fixed." So the guy had the information downstairs. I don't know why he didn't send it upstairs and I didn't get a letter to be because I could have explained it, but it got voted down. So, I need to see what I can do to get that rectified because uh the citizen mail says it's on me, but I bought in 2021, but they office didn't give the paperwork to the title company to say there's $13,000 to be paid. And so, the title company has sent the money to the city. And so, y'all voted it down because y'all didn't have all the information presented, I guess, to make

a the decision needed. But, it's not on me. I've been had the property since 2021. It came with five lots and one of those lots had a lean on it that nobody caught until now and now they said I owe $13,000 and so this the title company is paying the $13,000. So I need to see what I can do to get this handled because the check is still there but it got sent back. Thank you Mr. Holt. This is an item for administration and so we'll turn this over to administration. Thank you very much. Yeah. Next speaker, Antonet Hosley. Antonet. Uh, Tammy Smith. Morning, Miss Smith.

Good morning. Good morning. My name, first of all, my name is Tammy Smith. 1708. I know I got terrible long voice. 1708 3r3rd Avenue North. And before I start, let me publicly thank Council Tate. I never thought I'd see sidewalks in Hooper City. I never thought I see sidewalks in the city. But this is why I'm here out of concern. And real quick, the police were dispatching my house twice Saturday. All because the gentleman I allowed to stay there because he didn't have nowhere to go. He almost ate it. Called the police because he lost something and he couldn't find it. Well, they came and he found it. The second time it was too naughty for him. So, he called him back. They came the second time. The third time he wanted to call him because he couldn't find his blood pressure cup. So, and I told the officer that came twice. The officer, the same officer came, he was really rude and cocky. And I asked him why was that necessary? I said, "Well, why you treating me like a criminal?" Cuz he only here because nobody else would have it. And his daughter worked for the Birmingham Police Department. She end up she had to come too. And she did take his medical record, but you know what she didn't take? She didn't take him. So they backing him out there because of the laws. He have to stay there for 30 days. I wasn't putting him out. I I didn't call him. I helped him find dentures, keys, wallets, and everything. But my point was it was the officer. I which is I think it's a ticking time bomb. I think he needs some more hospitality training because the way he handled that, it wasn't no violence, was no physical contact, wasn't none of that. But he told me if he had to come a third time and that was at two o'clock in the morning when he that man couldn't find his he couldn't find his blood pressure cup. So I would I think God didn't have to call him back and I know it's just like case of dementia there and he is going to leave but I got to go to the procedure of evicting him

and but the moral of the story is when your 80 year old show up at your door he ain't got nowhere to go send him salvation arm. Don't let him in because when you let him in, you got to evict him to get it out your house. And he only there because I helped him. I his ID came to my house because he had no other address to send it to. So that would put the mail. See, they said, "Oh, he mail." Well, his ID came there. So that's the only reason they came. They had to come out. They was doing their job. They weren't ugly. He was just very cocky and arrogant. And I was at the precinct yesterday. He walked in while I was talking to his Sergeant Smith. He walked right past me. I said, "Sir, that's him." "Yeah, this me." That's how that's how he came across. I'm like, "He need some training, more hospitality and dealing with people because it wasn't his roots were necessary." But he was the mouthpiece of all the officers. They sent like three cars, six officers each time. And I'm like, I was trying to prevent a third time. So, if he had came the third time, he said if he came the third time, somebody was going to something was going to happen. I'm like, Lord, I hope he find his blood pressure cup. And he did, but he only demanded the only day he's not ready because I was helping them for 30 days to turn for many more days. So all I'm saying is that when you got officers like that, he didn't repent burn represent Birmingham fine very well at all. And I'm like cuz it was wasn't necessary. So I went even though yesterday he said to his side, she probably had complained about me. I wasn't filing no complaint, but I was I did suggest to him them that he one of the ones that need some training because he's a ticking time bomb

because that's how he handle especially women. You this is not the last you're going to hear of him. So that's that's that's why I'm here. Well, not to complain about, but I do think he need further training because he was the mouthpiece of all of them, you know. And I'm like, I said, is it just he don't like women? Because he was kind of rude and cocky. And I I noticed it. My niece knows it. And I that's why I came. So I'm that was my reason for coming. I just would like to see them. Like I said, they wasn't ugly. He wasn't they wasn't nasty. None of them. They were doing their job. They said, "Man, we got to keep coming as long as he call." I had no problem with that. But how he responded in the third time he said he come in, somebody going to jail. Thank you, Mr. Thank you so much.

So much. I I do thank you for your kindness that you've shown to this individual and I know that um when we have parents that go through dementia and they've lived a people who've lived a quality life and it's just the terrible nature of that disease. And so I applaud you for helping and pouring your heart out. But as you said, we have to be mindful of the laws and things that we do when we take on uh these type of situations. I do ask you chief if you will follow up with Miss Smith because it would my father was an educator who was and he could have been in the same situation when he had dementia. He left the home one day and we had to find him. And so if I thought that anyone would not show their patience and their kindness when they come upon someone like that, that really really um I just want to be sure that we have anyone that's representing us as a city and is um working for the benefit of our residents that they show some kindness and compassion. And so thank you, Miss Smith. I apologize to you all. Um, but this is just something that I I know how you have to deal with that when you're dealing with individuals who have dementia. So, and um, thank you, Madam

Pro. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, thank you, Miss Tammy. Um, that project that you talking about, Hoop City has been a long time coming. So, it's, you know, I want to thank um the administration um and then awarding the council the money and that was one of my big American Rescue Act projects. So, you know, that's that's what they call phase five over in Hooper City getting those um sidewalks and those curves done. I've been over there. It it looks amazing. You know, a big difference over there. I just want to echo what Madame President said. um really sorry that you had to endure what you did cuz I've seen the gentleman, you know, at your house. Um but I just want people to know that I don't tolerate or I don't think my colleagues tolerate any type of behavior from from people that are public servants. You know, going to people's house in in the climate that we in in this country. I think what we see at top has given people the the free will to feel like that they can do anything, say anything, and treat people any type of way. And we've seen how things like that can easily go left. And when you go to people's houses on calls, be respectful. And if you don't want to do the job, just leave the job. It's just real simple. Because I do think where we are in this country, people should be a aware of how they present themselves and how they act in situations when especially when you dealing with elderly people that are that are aging. And I know like I said, I've seen the guy at your house, kind man. Um, you know, but just like you said, madam, these people are going through emotional issues. Their mindsets are changing. things are, you know, happening in their lives and it's, you know, off of that she has to take these

steps that she may have to evict somebody that's in their 80s, you know, to even gain the peace back in her house. But I would just um, you know, recommend that the administration do follow up with Tammy and Chief Picket be involved with this person who apparently is at the North Precinct. And you got to know how to how do you go to people house and handle handle because people when you going in these situations things can change it can go left it can get heated and we we don't need that kind of representation or that type of news flash in Birmingham Alabama. Thank you madam pro tim at this time Mr. Clerk I did have we have one addition to the list so next speaker please

Katherine Sam. Good morning. Good morning, Miss Samuel. Yes. So, I'm representing the Universe Soul Circus. We will be at Legion Field April 16th through the 26. I'm very excited that we're coming back to Birmingham. Um on opening night, we're going to have the mayor Wooden. We're going to have Commissioner Tyson and Commissioner Tate. They're going to be with us on my commissioner. I'm sorry.

That's our counselor. I'm sorry. Um, so I am very excited that we are coming. Um, we're also going to have HBCU night, Divine Nine on April the 19th. On April 23rd, we're going to have Rock City Night with Pastor Mike. So, I am very excited. Yes. So, um, we're coming back. And also, we are the first city. Birmingham is the first city of our 2026 tour. Yes. again. We will be April 16th through the 26th at Legion Field. Thank you. Thank you so much. I see Commissioner Tyson standing up with you. So, we'll be so excited.

She was too nervous to come by herself.

Yes, she I really want to thank Mayor Woodin, Commissioner Tyson for getting me here and the city of Birmingham. I really appreciate you. Thank you. Well, this is certainly one that we look forward to. Um let's go ahead and be sure that we pack the stands at Legion Field. I can remember the days when my son was uh younger, little boy at the time, and um this was always a great treat. So, we're glad to see it come back to Birmingham, and we just want to encourage everyone to go out and uh participate. I love the different days that you said you're targeting certain audiences. So, please be sure we get the rest of that information as well, and then we'll be able to assist with getting people out there. Thank you so much. At this time, counselors, that concludes our speakers list. We do want to thank our officers on duty today, Officer Pinket and Officer Tarant. Also, we want to thank our fire inspectors on duty, Inspector Snow and Inspector Griggs. Counselors, I do want to remind you we do have a 911 commission meeting follow immediately following this. So, if we could please stay in place and we'll once we adjourn, we'll allow Director St. John to lead us. We only have one item on that agenda and then we can proceed with that meeting. So, at this time, we'll take a motion for adjournment. All those in favor please say I.

I. All right. Thank you. Meeting is adjourned.