City Council - Regular Meeting

Let me see your fire

Good morning, Birmingham. Today is Tuesday, August 18th. The time is 9.38 a.m. I call to order the meeting of the Birmingham City Council. Today's invocation will be led by Reverend Rick Owens, pastor of the Broad Street Missionary Baptist Church. Our Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Counselor Josh Vassa. If you're willing and able, please stand and join us.

Good morning, everyone. May we pray. Gracious and all-wise God, we come yet again before your presence today, recognizing and realizing your sovereignty, realizing and recognizing that all things come from you. We just acknowledge your power and your graciousness right now. Father, we ask in the name of Jesus your choices, blessings over this council meeting today. We ask you now, Lord, that you will bless this council individually as well as collectively, Lord. We pray now for their judiciousness. We pray even now for their foresight and their insight. We even pray now, Lord, for the governance from the mayor's office and every department, every individual, every instrumentality that goes into the effective governance of this city and for its citizens. Well, Lord God, we pray now finally for these who have assembled today, for whatever their affairs and for whatever their business may be, we pray, Lord, that there will be understanding. We pray, Father, that there will be communications effectively. For we do this in honor of you. In the blessed name of Jesus, we do pray. May we say amen. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you so much, Reverend Owens. And thank you, Counselor Vassa. Good morning. Madam clerk. Good morning.

Yes, ma'am. Council member. Good morning. Council member. Oh, Quinn. Good morning. Council member Smith. Council member Smitherman. Good morning. Council member Vassa.

Good morning.

Good morning. Council member Williams. Council member woods. Council President Pro Tem Tate. Good morning. Good morning. And Council President Alexander.

Good morning. Thank you very much. Good morning. Councilors, minutes are not ready for the meetings of June 2nd, 2026 through August 11th, 2026. At this time, we'll entertain communications from the mayor. Good morning, Chief.

Good morning, Madam President. Good morning, Madam Pro Tem. Good morning to the members of the council. Good morning to the members of the public, all those in the sound of my voice. Madam President, I have a very brief mayor's report for you today. First of all, public safety ACE. Birmingham is launching public safety ACE, giving residents a firsthand look at the public safety professionals that we rely on in moments of concern, emergency, and conflict. Since 2019, ACE has connected more than 1,400 residents with city government. The four-week program begins September the 3rd and features Birmingham Police, Fire and Rescue, EMS, 911, the Community Violence Intervention Team, and our municipal court. Sessions are Thursdays in September, 530 to 7 p.m., the Birmingham Public Library's central branch. Registration is free and can be done at www.birminghamal.gov forward slash ace. Also, Madam President, Madam President, members of the council, Birmingham seeks its next poet laureate. Birmingham is seeking its 2027-2028 poet laureate to celebrate our stories, spark civic dialogue, and connect residents through poetry. Applications are open through September the 30th The selected poet will receive a $5,000 honorarium and serve as ambassador for Birmingham's literary and cultural identity. Application can be done at www.birminghampoetlaureate.org. Again, that's www.birminghampoetlaureate.org. And then finally, at this time, I'd like to invite Counselor Darrell O'Quinn, as well as Mr. Ignacio Pullum, I'm owner of Sky Guy Aviation Consulting and volunteer slash docent at the Birmingham Southern Museum of Flight. And any guests that are joining him, I think Dr. Daryl Barsanti is with him as well.

Thank you.

As we commemorate National Aviation Day on August the 19th, we honor Mr. Pullum for his exceptional leadership in aviation, aerospace, and STEM education. His distinguished military aviation career and decades of community service reflect a deep commitment to aviation, education, and inspiring the next generation. Today we recognize his contributions with a special proclamation that I will read in part. It says, Through his work with the Birmingham Southern Museum of Flight and Community Outreach, Mr. Pullum has inspired hundreds of students by promoting aviation heritage, STEM education, and hands-on experience with drones, robotics, and airspace concepts. And whereas as an honorary Tuskegee Airman, Mr. Pullum has actively preserved and promoted the legacy of America's pioneering African-American aviators, serving as a representative and educator at airshows, public events, and youth programs. And whereas Mr. Pullum's lifelong dedication to aviation, education, military service, and community engagement reflects the highest standards of leadership and public service, now therefore I, Randall L. Whitfin, Mayor of the City of Birmingham, Alabama, do hereby recognize and honor Mr. Ignacio Pullum for his distinguished service, contributions to national defense and aerospace education, and commitment to inspiring future generations. This time, Madam President, I will bring up Councilor O'Quinn to offer and share a few words, and then Mr. Pullum, following up Councilor O'Quinn, will bring you up. Councilor O'Quinn.

Thank you, Chief. I have an accompanying resolution on behalf of the Council. I'll spare you the long version, but just want to say thank you to Mr. Pullum for his service to our community and for the Southern Museum of Flight and all they do, and also for Millionaire and their partnership in aviation, education, cultural preservation, and economic development. So I'll make a motion for unanimous consent for the resolution.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye. All opposed. All right. And now a motion for the resolution.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye. All opposed. All right.

Thank you. Good morning to everyone. I first give honor to God, who is truly the head of my life. I give honor to my family. Also, I give greetings and salutations to our mayor and to you, our city council, and all of you beautiful God's people. It is indeed an honor and a privilege and a pleasure to stand before you here today as we honor National Aviation Day. On January 2, 1943, Lieutenant Charles B. Hall became the first Tuskegee airman to down a German aircraft. It was at this point that all doubts were removed as to whether or not black men could successfully fly and engage in aerial combat. Established on August 19, 1939 by President Franklin Roosevelt to celebrate the development, history, and achievements of flight. As we honor the 250th anniversary of this great nation, we say thank you. to the mayor's office, and to you, the Birmingham City Council. It is indeed an honor, as I am a product of the Birmingham Public Schools, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of South Alabama, American Military University, as well as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I've worked very diligently to pave a way for the next generation of aviation professionals, not just that of military and commercial and civil pilots, but as well as engineers, drone operators, and so forth. As I said, I've dedicated a lifetime to my work, and I was just in Huntsville last week, where Huntsville is really on the move as far as aerospace and rocketry. And I would like for Birmingham to become the Mecca of aviation, and I want us to give Huntsville a run for the money. And on that note, I will just humble myself, and I will turn it over to our director, Dr. Brian Barsanti. Once again, thank you for this prestigious honor. Also, I would like to present this to the mayor in his absentee, and we'll give him the larger version on tomorrow. Thank you.

Putting me on the spot there, Mr. Pullum. Thank you for that. And I just want to thank Mr. Pullum for spearheading this effort. He is Birmingham born and raised, a proud graduate of Huffman High School, also one of the finest aerospace and aeronautical universities in the world. And he is a legacy of that history that he mentioned as he works with us. as we continue to train the next generation of aviation professionals right here in Birmingham. Right now, at this moment, some 30 students from Ramsey, Jackson-Olin, Huffman, and a number of other local schools are engaged in dual enrollment college-level courses. And it's because of folks like Mr. Pullum here that we're able to make it happen. So thank you to the mayor's office. Thank you to this council, specifically our council, Council Gunn. Mr. Pullum, again, thank you again for spearheading this effort. Thank you all.

Sorry, I have to come back here again, but I just want to give once again credit to the Birmingham Southern Museum of Flight, Millionaire, Alabama Lifesaver, the Commemorative Air Force, who last week brought one of two remaining B-29 Superfortress bombers here to the city, Fifi, also to the Birmingham Shuttleworth International Airport, Southern Sky Aviation, Atlantic Aviation and the men and women of the 117th Air Refuting Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard and Birmingham Coca-Cola. And I also want to add that when Lieutenant Charles B. Hall shot down that German Luftwaffe plane, He was given a Coke, and that was the first time that a black person was inadvertently advertised in a Coca-Cola ad. So I just want to throw that out there. And also Alfred Charlie, who I was just informed that he's going to supply the mayor and his staff with lunch from the premier aviation restaurant in Birmingham. Thank you.

Madam President, that concludes the mass report.

Thank you so much, and thank you for recognizing and honoring this great group and the work that they do. At this time, Councilors, we will return back to our agenda. And I don't believe we have any nominations to boards and agencies. Is that correct?

No, ma'am, we have not received any from the City Council.

Okay, thank you. At this time, then, counselors will turn our attention to the agenda and we'll have a review of the items that are being considered for consent. Madam Clerk, if you'll read those items.

Counselor, do you want to read your statement of conduct first?

Yes, I'll go ahead and do that. Thank you. All items designated as consent are routine and non-controversial and will be approved by one motion. All items on the consent agenda will be announced by reading the item's numbers only. No separate discussion of these items will be permitted unless a council member or the mayor requests the item to be removed from the consent agenda. Additionally, a citizen interested in addressing the council with respect to an item on the consent agenda designated for public hearing may request the item be removed from the consent agenda to hold the hearing on the item. Any items removed from the consent agenda will revert to its normal place on the agenda order business. For remaining matters, all matters of permanent operation, they're indicated with a capital P, will be read and all public hearings, lowercase ph, will be announced. Madam Clerk, now if we can hear the items, thank you.

Yes, ma'am. The consent agenda begins on page two with items two, three, four, and five. On page 3, we have item 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. On page 4, we have item 11. And we can go over to page 15 with items 12, 13, and 14. Item 16, we have items 15, 16, 17. On page 17, we have items 18 and 19. Page 18, we have items 21, 22, 23, 24. Page 19, we have items 25, 26, 27, and 28. Page 20, we have items 29, 30, 31, and 32. And page 21, we have items 33 and 34. That completes the consent agenda.

Thank you. This time, counselors, are there any items you'd like to have added or removed from the consent agenda? And we also have an addendum item 35. Any items? The addendum is an appointment to a board. This time, then, we're ready to entertain a motion and a second for the items being considered for consent.

All right. The vote has started. Council Member Williams.

Aye.

And Council President Alexander. Aye. The vote should be up.

All right. Thank you. Counselors. Those items that were considered for consent have been approved. If you're here for any of those items, we'll continue with the rest of our agenda. If you'll call up the first item.

Yes, ma'am. The first item is item number one, and it's an ordinance to change zone district boundaries for all properties in the Southern area framework plan, including the crest line community, crest wood community and red Mount community pursuant to state Southern to the Southern Area Framework Plan. That's case number ZAC 2025-00026. This item has been requested to be withdrawn by the Planning, Engineering, and Permits Department.

All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. There's a question. Yes, counsel, please.

Since it's being withdrawn, what's the status update? When's it going to come back? Why is it being withdrawn?

Chief.

We'll follow up with that, Counselor. We need to make sure it's advertised properly.

Okay. Is there a way we could have whoever's in charge of it with zoning staff reach out to my office about it? Yes, sir. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions? I will proceed with the rest of the agenda. That item one was withdrawn, and it will be re-advertised. Next item.

The next item is the addendum, which is item 35, a resolution appointing one member to the land bank. I'm sorry. I apologize before I move on. If we go to page 17, item 20, that item was also withdrawn at the recommendation of the mayor's office.

All right. Thank you, counselors. Item 20 on page 17 is withdrawn. Next item.

The next item is the addendum, item 35, a resolution appointing one member to the land bank authority of the city of Birmingham as director six at the recommendation of the mayor, set term to expire August 19, 2030.

All right, councillors, do we have a motion and a second so we can hear this name?

So moved. Second.

All right, thank you. And this is being submitted and recommended by the mayor. Chief, do you have the name?

Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am, Madam President.

Thank you. Okay, Counselors. Jennifer Bennett is being resubmitted and recommended by the Mayor to serve another term on the Land Bank Authority with an expiration date of August 19, 2030. Any questions? We're ready for the vote. The vote has started. And I'm a yes.

Okay. Council member Williams. Oh, he's out. Okay. That vote should be up. It was unanimous.

All right. Thank you. Councilors item 35 passes and we appreciate the mayor for making this recommendation and wish Ms. Bennett well on her reappointment. Are there any other items on the agenda for us to consider? No, ma'am.

That was the last.

All right. Thank you. Counselors, at this time, we will have an opportunity to entertain comments and updates from your district. And Council Vasa, would you like to go first?

Thank you, Madam President. Tonight, we have the Five Points South Neighborhood Association meeting at 6 p.m. at Highlands United Methodist Church. And don't forget to email us at District 3, number 3, at BirminghamL.gov. And lastly, our update, our updated website, district3bham.com.

Thank you, Council Vassa.

Yes. Thank you, Madam President. As far as neighborhood meetings, we have the Five Points South. Neighborhood meeting will take place today at 6 p.m. in the South Hall of Highland United Methodist Church. And then Woodland Park will have their meeting on August 24th at 6 p.m. at Woodland Church of Christ. Get Fit While You Sit continues every Monday through the last Monday in September. The classes start at 9.30 a.m. at Crystal Ray Birmingham, formerly known as Holy Family Crystal Ray High School. Also, UNCF will have their annual walk. Walk for Education at River Park this Saturday. Registration begins at 7 a.m., followed by a program at 7.30 and the walk starting at 8 a.m. Also, Red Birmingham will be hosting, it's called, let me get the right, because I'm about to, Five Point South Eats and Beats event in Brother Ryan Park this Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. This is to help support the restaurants in Five Point South. uh, they're partnering with them as food vendors, they'll have music and more. So please come out and support that event this Saturday if you can. Thank you.

Thank you. Counselor counselor Smith.

All right. Well, thank you. Um, so first I wanted to send an early happy birthday to Mrs. Mary Francis Lewis. She will celebrate 103 years. Um, next Monday, August 24th, she's a retired nurse. from Carraway Hospital, a lifelong member of Miles Chapel CME Church in Fairfield. And the James Lewis Tennis Center was named after her late husband, James Buddy Lewis. So I would like to request a resolution for her. So request unanimous consent. Second.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Aye. All opposed. And then a motion for resolution. Second. All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye. All opposed. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you so much for recognizing that milestone birthday. Everyone is a milestone for that. Right. Thank you, Counselor Gunn. Oh, I'm not done. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

We also have today, we have the District 8 Joint Town Hall along with House District 55, Travis Hendricks. That's going to be held at Sardis Missionary Baptist Church. 1615 4th Court West, and that will start at 6 p.m. I'd like to acknowledge our College Hills president that is in the audience. This is Adrienne Pearson, so thank you for being here. Yesterday in the Arts and Parks Committee, we heard from the Birmingham Museum of Art as well as Parks and Recreation. The BMA told us about a really nice new exhibit that will open at the end of September on black arts. the black arts that they have there at the museum. So really wanna encourage everyone to check that out and you should have a packet in your mailboxes with what we received. We also heard from Parks and Recreation, which gave us a pretty good update on our pools. So we should definitely, if you haven't had a chance, please go back and check that meeting out so that you can see and learn more. The Graymont neighborhood meeting has been canceled. due to heat. We also have the Parks and Recreation Board meeting tomorrow at Legion Field. That starts at 9 a.m. And the Parks and Recreation Department is still conducting a citywide community survey. Please visit bhmparks2035.com to complete that survey. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Smith. Councilman Dunn.

Thank you, Madam President. These are the announcements for District 4. This Saturday, the Kelo Springs Neighborhood Association will host their Fun Day at Grayson Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and I hope to see everyone out there for a little food, fun, and fellowship. Ballot's Bliss will host a healthy food demonstration tomorrow at the Norwood Community Center starting at 5 p.m., so I hope to see everyone out there to learn how to cook healthier foods. UPCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS. TONIGHT WE HAVE THE SOUTH WOODLAND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AT 6 PM AT THE WOODLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. Pino Vista is Thursday, August the 20th at 6.30 p.m. via teleconference. Northeast Lake is the same day at 6 p.m. at the Southern Museum of Flight. And lastly, Kingston will be on August the 24th at 6 p.m. at the Royal Events Center. The Community Development Committee meeting scheduled for September the 7th is canceled due to Labor Day. All right. That concludes my announcements.

Thank you so much. Council Woods.

Good morning. Quickly, the Sun Valley Neighborhood Association meets today, August 18th at 630 p.m. That meeting is being held via Zoom. If you're interested in getting that login information, you can email us at bhmdistrict1 at gmail.com. Also, the Huffman Neighborhood Association will meet on next Monday, August 24th. At 7 p.m., that meeting is being held at Huffman Baptist Church. Also wanted to invite everybody out, our next House Proud Partnership and Volunteer Day will be held on Wednesday, August 26th from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We want to thank SHIP for partnering with us and invite any volunteers to come out and assist with exterior home improvements and landscaping for a long-time Birmingham homeowner. So excited about that. If you're interested in volunteering, email us at bhmdistrict1.com. at gmail.com for additional details always thank you to everyone who has participated in the past and plans to get out the next budget and finance committee will be held on monday august 24th at 3 30 p.m please get all submissions in by noon on wednesday august 19th thank you very much thank you so much counselor counselor queen

Thank you, Madam President. Central City Neighborhood Association meets tonight at 6 p.m. at the Central Library. North Avondale Neighborhood Association will meet on Thursday, August 20th at 6 p.m. at the MLK Rec Center. Southeast Lake Neighborhood Association will meet next Monday, August 24th at 6 p.m. at East Lake United Methodist Church. Next, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting is 2 p.m. next Monday here in the Council Chambers. And the next Planning and Zoning Committee meeting is on Tuesday, a week from today, at 3 p.m. here in the Council Chambers. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 13th. District 5 is sponsoring a gun safety event at Boutwell Auditorium. We will be emphasizing safe storage, and so we'll have two firearm safety sessions for people to attend and receive some training. And in appreciation for participating in those trainings, we'll be giving away some lockboxes and gun locks, and we'll have other community resources on site. So you can contact the District 5 office for additional information. And finally, We always have two great farmers markets on Saturdays in District 5, Pepper Place and the East Lake Farmers Market. So don't forget about those. And thank you. That's what concludes my announcements.

Thank you so much. Madam Pro Tem. Thank you, Madam President. The Evergreen Neighborhood Meeting will be held tonight at 5 p.m. at the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church located at 2009 22nd Avenue North. East Thomas neighborhood meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. They meet on Zoom. You can call the office for the link. South Pratt neighborhood meeting will be held tonight at 6.30 at Lively Hope Baptist Church, 905 Court T. Ainslie neighborhood will meet on Thursday, August 20th at 6 p.m. at the Ainslie Rec Center. And Drew Hill neighborhood meeting will be held on Monday, August 24th. 6 p.m. at Protective Stadium located at 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard. The next public safety meeting will be held Tuesday, August the 25th at 1 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Please submit items for the agenda by Wednesday, no later than 12 noon, August the 19th. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact the office at 254-2302 or 254- 2096. And ending in the same spirit, we want to thank House Pride for kicking off the D9 Thrive with us on last Thursday. We had a wonderful time on 20th Avenue North. They painted houses, landscaping, so I want to thank Community Development, the Municipal Court. Who else did we have out there? We had quite a few people that helped. Ms. Dowdell, Evergreen Community, so just an array of people that was there to helped kick off the D9 Thrive. We cleaned curb appeal. We cleaned alleys. We painted. We did a lot. And thank KBB and the Department of Public Works who went ahead and did some things before me. So all of my partners that were involved. in a D9 Thrive. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem. These are announcements for District 7. This evening, the Green Acres Neighborhood Association will meet at 6.30 p.m. at the Lifting Christ Worship Center, and that's at 1001 Pine Avenue Southwest. Then on Thursday, August 20th, the Hillman and the Hillman Park Neighborhood Associations, they will meet jointly at 5 p.m. at the Hopewell Valley Family Life Center, and that's at 4817 Jefferson Avenue Southwest. Just a reminder that the Lemonade with the Lemon Bank series continues. There is one on Friday, August 21st, at the Five Points West Library, and that will be from 10 to 11 a.m. We're kicking off. high school football games in Birmingham City Schools. And so we know the high school football, the season kickoff will be versus Calera High School. That's at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 21st. And it'll be at the Bell Culpepper Stadium. at 2800 Wilson Road. So of course I'm going to say go Dragons. We're also celebrating Winona Grand Alumni Week this week in Birmingham in District 7. And so very excited. There was a parade to start us off on Sunday. and had a lot of participation. Thank everyone who was a member of the parade. Really want to thank the Alumni Association for planning a week packed full of activities. And so let's just pace ourselves, stay hydrated, and stay safe. On Monday, August 24th, the Tarpley City Neighborhood Association will meet at 6 p.m. at the Mary Doris Center and that's at 4560 Park Avenue Southwest. Then next Friday, and we'll announce this again next week, there'll be one more opportunity for Lemonade with the Land Bank, and that'll be at the Avondale Library. Remember, dial 311 or log in to MyBaham311 or dial 205-254-6314 to report illegal dumping or a missed bulk trash pickup. That concludes the announcements for District 7. At this time...

I totally forgot. You... I remember now to now say Ramsey is playing J O for the, uh, stop the violence, uh, game, uh, for the past few years, they've been playing Parker high school, but it will be at Legion field starting at 7 00 PM. Um, this is amazing opportunity cause it was student led a few years ago. Uh, the students came together and took a stance against violence and really making a change amongst their peers. So they have all type of, uh, uh, sponsor. I think his mom's, um, Was it Moms Against Gun Violence? Yeah, gun violence and other organizations like that. So if you can please support our kids at any of the games, it really means a lot. I don't think you realize until you're a parent or remember being a student athlete, it really matters having people cheer you on in the stands during a football game. So thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for that reminder and that announcement again. That was, as you said, a student-driven effort a few years ago, and so we want to support that and continue that. So thank you. Now, madam clerk, we'll go for the speakers list.

Okay. Our first speaker is Denise Jones.

And we've already helped that resident. And so the D seven office and administration will be working with her, um, with the concern about an abandoned house. Thank you.

Okay. The next person is Dominique Bester and Amber Atkins. I think they were speaking on the same item.

All right. Thank you. They're no longer present. So we'll now, counselors, we want to thank our officers who are on duty today, Officer Tarrant, Pinkard, and Wesley, and our fire inspector, Inspector Griggs. At this time, we'll entertain a motion for adjournment.

All in favor, let it be known by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed?

Thank you. Meeting is adjourned.