City Council - Regular Meeting

Hey wonder, that you'd be okay You might have fallen down, but nothing has changed You never lost it, oh you still got your flame 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, September 15, 2026. The time is now 9.42 AM. I'm called to order the regular meeting of the Birmingham City Council. Today's invocation will be led by Reverend J.R. Finney, pastor of the Covenant Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama. And I'll lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. If you're willing and able, please stand and join us. Good morning. And if you'll press the bar in front of you. Yes, sir. We need to get his mic.

Gracious and loving God, we come before you today with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for the dedication of our Birmingham City Council and leaders. We're grateful for the rich history of Birmingham, a city brimming with resilience, diversity and promise. And we ask for your guidance to our city council as they work together for the betterment of our beloved Birmingham. Encourage their discussions to be filled with the spirit of collaboration as they seek to address the needs of our citizens. We pray for the decisions to reflect your heart, extending beyond responding to just the influential, powerful, and well-connected, but to include those whom Jesus called the least of these among us. help us to remember that true leadership is about lifting every voice among our citizenry. After all, the writing on the wall in this very room says the people are the city. And so we pray for grace to abound in this city and our leaders and our people. Allow our city of Birmingham to shine brightly as a beacon of hope and compassion. And may our counselors always remember that in the spelling of Birmingham, B means we believe in our dreams, where each step is a journey. I means we inspire others with our words and actions. R means we rise above challenges, embracing growth. M means we make connections that uplift and empower the people of the city. I means we invite positivity in every moment. N means we nurture our passions for a better city and let them shine brightly. G means we grow together through our experiences, learning from each of them. H means hope fuels our spirit, igniting the change we seek. A means aspire to make a world a better place starting in our city. And M means we move forward with courage, looking back only for a perspective from whence we come. All of this. and so much more. We pray for our Birmingham city council and leaders in your holy name. Amen.

Amen. Salute the flag. 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 very much. You may be seated. Thank you, Reverend Finney, for that very thoughtful prayer. Thank you so much. Good morning, Madam Clerk.

Good morning.

If you'll read the roll, please.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Council Member Gunn. Council Member O'Quinn. Council Member Smith.

Good morning.

Good morning. Council Member Smitherman.

Good morning.

Good morning. Council Member Vassa. Good morning. Good morning. Council Member Williams. Good morning. Good morning. Council Member Woods. Good morning. Council President Pro Tem Tate. Good morning. And Council President Alexander.

Good morning. Thank you very much. Councilors, the minutes are not ready from the meetings of July 7th, 2026 through September 8th, 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, members of the public, all those under the sound of my voice. I'll be presenting the mayor's report today on Mayor Woodfin's behalf. 63 years ago, the city of Birmingham was a battleground during the civil rights movement. On this day, September the 15th, 1963, four little girls lost their lives in the horrific 16th Street church bombing. Also on that day, two young boys were shot and killed. We remember them and we say their names. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carol Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, Johnny Robinson, and Virgil Ware. Our mayor is actually at 16th Street Baptist Church right now as a part of the commemoration of this day. The Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunities Office of Business Diversity is launching its first Legacy Forward program. This initiative is designed to strengthen legacy businesses with both dedicated and targeted business support and growth and a $10,000 grant for 10 qualified legacy businesses in the city of Birmingham. Applications opened on September the 8th and will close on October the 2nd at 1159 p.m. For more information about eligibility and program details, please visit the website at IEO.Birmingham.gov forward slash legacy BHM or call BHM or call 205-254-2799. I'll read that again. IEO.Birmingham.gov forward slash legacy BHM or call 205-254-2799. And then finally, Madam President, Madam Pro Tem, members of the council, at this time I'd like to ask John Bales, Deputy Director of the Crisis Center and Program Director of the Recovery Resource Center and any of his guests to please join me at the podium. Recovery from substance use disorder is possible. and individuals and families throughout Birmingham are building healthy, meaningful lives in recovery. Today, with a special proclamation that I will read in part, we want to bring about awareness of the efforts to support those who are on their recovery journey, as well as recognize those men and women who come alongside them every day. And it reads, whereas September is recognized nationally as recovery month, providing an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of people in recovery, recognize those who support them, an increased public understanding of recovery. And whereas the city of Birmingham recognizes and appreciates the dedication of peer recovery specialists, health care professionals, counselors, outreach workers, first responders, community organizations, families, and others who support individuals on their path to recovery. And whereas Recovery Month calls upon our community to reduce stigma, celebrate recovery, and work together to create a Birmingham where individuals and families affected by substance use disorder are met with understanding, support, and hope. Now, therefore, I, Randall Whitfield, Mayor of the City of Birmingham, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as Recovery Month in the City of Birmingham. I encourage all residents to join in celebrating those in recovery, support individuals and families affected by substance use disorder, and continue to build a strong, healthier, and more compassionate Birmingham.

Thank you very much and thank you city council for doing this. Every city council can do this, but not every city council does. So we appreciate Birmingham for taking the time to recognize September and what it means to us. I am the deputy director for the crisis center. The Crisis Center has been serving Birmingham for over 50 years, but I'm also the director of the Recovery Resource Center, which is one of their programs. And the Recovery Resource Center, our whole mission is to increase access to treatment and remove barriers to recovery for people who are struggling. So I thank you on behalf of the Crisis Center, the RRC, and also the Addiction Prevention Coalition. Garland Clark is here representing them. Danny Sims is with the RRC, and on behalf of all of the community organizations that are doing this work every single day. More importantly, I get to thank you on behalf of the recovery community. So what that means is I am a person in long-term recovery. I've been making healthy choices, at least when it comes to drugs and alcohol, since April 5th, 2015, so for a long time. Thank you. It's always nice to hear applause, it really is, but I would challenge you to think about it this way. My story should not be a surprise. There are 23 million people in our country who identify as being in recovery. Recovery is a reality for many, many people, so we shouldn't necessarily be surprised when someone's able to change, right? Birmingham is home to thousands of people in recovery. They work here, they live here, they contribute to this city, and they vote here. That's important because we want to pay attention and we want to see what cities do when it comes to eliminating stigma, when it comes to treating people who use drugs, treating people who are trying to enter recovery in such a way that they don't feel ashamed to ask for help, because that's what it's about for so many people, feelings of shame and guilt. So at the RRC, we're staffed with people like myself, people who are in recovery, and we can relate to people, and we can show them hope. It's also a time to recognize people like you, people who are champions for recovery, counselors, clinicians, doctors, all of the people, many of them right here in Birmingham who are working every single day to try and eliminate stigma and make sure that people have access to evidence-based practices so that they can stay alive long enough so that they can benefit from recovery the same way I have, the same way Garland and Danny has. We all have a purpose. For me, part of that is I want to be a good dad. I've got a six-year-old. I dropped him off at Advent down the street. Every day we drive by Pathways, which is another great organization doing a lot of really good work. And my six-year-old just says, Daddy, I wish that place would open sooner because he sees all of the women on the sidewalk standing there every morning waiting for pathways to open. A six-year-old has zero judgment. A six-year-old only sees people who are in need, who want help. So I challenge us all to think like that when it comes to substance use disorder. Thank you for your time. And again, thank you for doing this.

Thank you. Thank you very much. We appreciate the work that you do in our community. We thank you for the acknowledgement of what the council and the mayor, how important this is to us as well. So we thank you for your service and thank Mayor Whitman for bringing this presentation to us. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. That concludes the mayor's report.

Thank you very much.

President, can I just say a few words? I just want to say thank you to the Crisis Center for what you do, helping to give people second chances. People shouldn't be defined by their past. And I really like what you said about breaking the stigma, because what you think an addict looks like isn't the average addict. It's the doctor. It's the attorney. the entrepreneur is much more. When I transferred law schools, but at my old law school, I actually lost a classmate to overdose. And you wouldn't think, oh, a law student, they wouldn't be, you know, doing drugs, but it happens. And so I just thank you so much. If you ever need anything, let me know. But thank you for saving lives every day.

All right, thank you very much. At this time, counselors will turn our attention back to the agenda. And at this time, we will hear the items that are being considered for consent. I'd like to read the statement of conduct regarding the consent agenda. 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 numbers only. No separate discussion of these items will be permitted unless a council member or the mayor requests the item 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, and that's with a small ph, 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 of business. For remaining matters, all matters of permanent operation, those are indicated with a capital P, will be read and all public hearings will be announced. Madam clerk, if you'll give us the items that will be considered for consent.

Yes, ma'am. Before I do that, I just want to make notation that, that we did not receive any nominations to boards and agencies.

Thank you. We made that last time for September. Thank you.

Yes, ma'am. All right. The first item on the consent agenda is on page two. That's item number four. We'll go over to page 16. We have items 5 and 6. Page 17, we have items 7, 8, 9, and 10. On page 18, we have items 11, 12, 13, and 14. On page 19 we have items 15, 16, and 17. On page 20 we have items 18, 19, 20, and 21. On page 21 we have items 22, 23, 24, and 25. On page 22, we have items 26, 27 and 28. On page 23, we have items 29 and 30. Page 24, we have items 32, 33 and 34. On page 25, we have items 35, 36 and 37. Please note on page 26, at the top of page 26, it is the continuation of item 37 that we do have some funding source corrections that were made for District 5. $25,000 is coming from the account ending in 542-001 and $47,000 is coming from account zero three one dash two zero five zero five two five zero dash five four two zero zero one. And on for district six, $45,000 of the funds will be coming from, um, see account ending. Uh, it'll be, 001-00004260-542001 and $77,500 will be coming from account 031-20504260-542001. Also under Consent Agenda is item number 38. Please note that it was also recommended by the Public Safety Committee. Item 39, on page 27 we have items 40, 41, and 42. On page 28 we have items 43, 44, and 46. Page 29 we have items 47, 48, and 49. Please note that item 47 was also recommended by the Public Safety Committee. PAGE 30 WE HAVE ITEMS 50, 51, AND 52. PAGE 31 WE HAVE ITEMS 53, 54, 55, AND 56. PAGE 32 WE HAVE ITEMS 57, 58, 59, 60, 61. PAGE 33 WE HAVE ITEMS 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67. On page 34 we have items 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73. On page 35 we have items 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, Page 36, we have items 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85. Page 37, we have items 86, 87, 88, 89. Page 38, we have items 90, 91, 92, 93, 94. Page 39, we have items 95, 96, and 97. And that completes the consent agenda. And we also have an addendum item.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, counselors, I just want to acknowledge you did receive in writing the changes that were associated, that were read for item number 37 that's been passed out to us that includes those changes. At this time, are there any items you'd like to add or remove from consent? And we do have an addendum item number 99. Yes, counselor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to place items 45 and 99 on consent.

Okay, that's items.

45 on page 28, and then the addendum item, item 99. Okay.

There is a request to put items 45 on page 28 on consent, and also the addendum item number 99 on consent. Any objections to those?

Madam President. Oh, I'm sorry.

Yes.

On item number 45, I wanted to, there's some corrections on the wording of the item. At the end of the item, it says, well, Four lines up, it should read, as it finishes up, it says their community, and then it should say in an amount not to exceed $50,000. So scratch out that other wording. And the account number, the funding source has also changed. That funding source will be 001-01004009-527050. So we're striking out. Funding shall come from District 5.

All right, thank you. Everyone noted those changes for item number 45, and it has been added for consent. Counselor Vassa.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam President. I may need to recuse myself from item 99, and therefore that may need to be taken off of consent.

That's correct. Thank you. So that item we won't place on consent, so we allow for an abstention.

Thank you. And that was item number 99, the addendum.

Any other items that need to be added or removed from consent? Yes, Council Williams.

Can we please take off 53 and 54 from consent? And we can bring them up together. Okay.

The request is to remove items 54 and 55 from consent. 53 and 54. There we go. Thank you, Council Williams. And that's on page 31. Okay. Any other items? At this time, we'll entertain a motion and a second for approval of the consent agenda.

So moved. Second.

Hold on one second. Okay, the vote has started.

I mean, yes, as well.

Council words. Council of Bossa. Okay, that vote should be up.

Oh, I thank you. So item The items that were listed for consent and the one that was added, they have all been approved. So at this time, we'll continue with the rest of our agenda.

Okay. The first item is on page two. That's item one. Item number one.

All right. Madam Clerk, there's been a request that we could jump to. What's the next? Do we have anything left open? Besides one, two, and three?

Yes, ma'am, we have several others.

Okay, so let's go to the next open item.

So start with one?

Beyond one, two, and three. Let's get to the next one after that. I got you.

That item will be item number 31 on page 23. Would you like to start with that one?

Okay. Item 31. Yes. Thank you. That's on page 23.

Yes, ma'am. Item 31 and ordinance authorizing the mayor or the chief of police to execute a three year interlocal cooperative agreement between the drug enforcement agency, DEA and the city of Birmingham for its police department for participation of two BPD officers in the DEA is high intensity drug trafficking areas. Task Force Program and Synthetics Precursors Enforcement and Regulation Task Force Program with disbursement of HIDTA and SPEAR resource funds to the City of Birmingham and reimbursement to the City for qualified salary and benefits as well as qualified expenses. The agreement will cover the period beginning October 1, 2026 and ending September 30th, 2029. And this is an item of permanent operation, so we need unanimous consent first to take up the item.

So moved.

That was Council Member Williamson.

Yes, Councilor Williamson and Councilor Smithman.

All right.

Council Member, okay, he's out. Council Member Smith? Aye. Council Member Smitherman?

Aye.

Council Member Bassa? Aye. Council Member Williams?

Aye.

Council Member Woods?

Aye.

Council President Potem Tate? Aye. And Council President Alexander?

Aye. Okay.

Now we need a motion on the item.

So moved.

All right, counselors, this is an ordinance authorizing the mayor or the chief of police to execute a three-year interlocal cooperative agreement between the Drug Enforcement Agency and the city of Birmingham. Is there any discussion needed on this item? All right, we're ready for the vote.

All in favor, let it be. Well, the vote has started. I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry. Let me try that again. Did it disappear? Let's try that again. Okay, now the vote has started.

And I'm a yes.

Okay, Council of Woods? Aye. All right, that vote should be up.

All right. Thank you, counselors. Item 31 passes. Next item.

The next item. We will go over to page 31. That will be item 53.

Yes, and if you will call items 53 and 54 together, please.

Yes, ma'am. Okay, item 53 is a resolution approving the abatement of state, county, and municipal non-educational ad valorem taxes for a period of 10 years to induce Parkside Hotel Partners LP to develop a brownfield site located at 1625, 1627, and 1631 First Avenue, South Birmingham for use as a 140-room hotel with a signature restaurant and retail space pursuant to the Alabama Land Recycling and Economic Redevelopment Act Chapter 30E of Title 22 of the Code of Alabama 1975 and the Brownfield Development Tax Abatement Act Chapter 9C of Title 40 of the Code of Alabama 1975 and authorizing the mayor to execute a Brownfield Development Tax Abatement Agreement with Parkside Hotel Partners LP. Item 54 is a resolution supporting the rebate of state lodging taxes to Parkside Hotel Partners LP pursuant to the Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act.

All right, thank you. If we could have a motion on the second. Move the item. I need a second. Second, thank you. Councilors, these items are resolutions approving the abatement of state, county, municipal non-education ad valorem taxes for a period of 10 years to induce Parkside Hotel Partners LP to develop a brownfield site that's located at the addresses that are listed on our agenda, as well as a resolution supporting the rebate of state lodging taxes to Parkside Hotel Partners LP. pursuant to the Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act. Are there any questions regarding this? We have had discussion on this with the project itself. We also had discussion on these two items during budget and finance, which was approved yesterday. And this is being recommended again by the mayor. Any questions or any further discussion needed? All right. Yes, counselor. Sorry.

Well, I will say I saw the presentation yesterday, and it was real exciting to see that we have another hotel that's on the horizon. Just want to ask that I think I saw that you have 275 people that you expect to be employing in the construction, and just ask that we try to have skilled and licensed labor as a part of that workforce.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? All right, this time we're ready to entertain the vote. Thank you.

The vote has started.

Yes.

Counselor Tate is out.

Okay.

Counselor Tate is out. And the vote should be up.

I'm an aye.

You're an aye. All right. That's six ayes and one abstention.

Okay. Thank you. So we have that vote passes with the six ayes and one abstention. So items 53 and 54 both pass. Thank you very much. The next item is that 98?

Okay. Yes, ma'am. That would be 98 on page 39. Thank you. It is a resolution setting a public hearing October 13th, 2026 to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham. Case number ZAC 2026-08007 to change zone district boundaries from D3 single family residential district to see one neighborhood commercial district in order to allow a new boys and girls club of central Alabama filed by Tosh design LLC applicant for the property owner, boys and girls club of central Alabama for the property property generally located at 1259 Huffman road situated in township 30 township 18 section 30 township 16 South range one West Birmingham.

All right, thank you, counselors. This is a resolution setting a public hearing on October 13th to consider the adoption of some rezoning for a district map for the city of Birmingham. Again, this action is to set the public hearing, so we need a motion and a second to set this date. All right, any questions about setting that date? We're ready for the vote.

Yes, ma'am. Okay, the vote has started. Council President Alexander.

And I'm a yes. Oh, there it is.

All right.

All right. Thank you, Councilors. Item 98 passes. We've set that hearing date for October 13, 2026. Now we'll go back to those items that we skipped over, Madam.

We have item number, addendum. Do you want to go take that one now?

Which one?

Item 99.

Yes, thank you.

Okay. Item number 99 is a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a first amendment to the amended and restated development agreement between the city of Birmingham and housing reinvestment corporation of America to reduce the number of affordable single family units in the Woodlawn area from 16 to 11, eliminate the use of home funding and the return, of $182,601.35, reducing city funding to $1,200,000 in ARPA funds only, and to extend the term or performance and use of funds through December 31, 2026.

All right, counselors, this is a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a First Amendment to the amended and restated development agreement that exists between the city of Birmingham and the Housing Reinvestment Corporation of America, HRCA. We need a motion and a second on that item to discuss it.

So moved. Second.

All right, any questions regarding this item?

What's happening?

Okay, yes. Chief, could someone give us an explanation of this particular item?

Madam President, Mr. Corey Stallworth, who is our Senior Deputy Director for Community Development, is going to be coming in to address the item.

Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Stallworth. I know we did have an opportunity to hear this item yesterday, Budget and Finance, but there has been a request. I'd just like some information about this item, item number 99.

No problem. Corey Stallworth, I serve as Senior Deputy Director for Community Development. And I will briefly just walk you through some of the terms for the amendment of the agreement. So this agreement is with Growth Homes. As you know, they are doing the 16 homes around I-3 Academy. And so this amendment will reduce the number of homes from 16 to 11, also thereby reducing the total development amount from 1.5 million to about 1.1 million. And this is really prompted due to some of the restrictions around the home funds that are associated with the project. Also, last but not least, this amendment will extend the agreement until December of 2026.

Any questions? You need any follow-up on that? Any counsel? Is counsel here? Okay. Okay. Be sure we have clarity. Is everybody OK? OK. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Stallworth. We're now ready for the vote.

OK.

The vote has started. All right. That vote should be up.

All right. Thank you. Item 99 passes with one abstention noted.

Thank you very much.

All right, madam clerk, I guess we're ready to go back to that page.

Yes, ma'am. Page two.

Thank you.

Item number one. It's a resolution relative to the application of D double cup LLC for a lounge retail liquor class one license to be used at double cups, five 24 19th street, Ainsley, Birmingham, Alabama, three, five, two, one, eight, And this is the hearing of our interested parties.

All right. Thank you. At this time, this is a public hearing, and I'll turn that over to Councilor Pro Tem Tate, Chair of Public Safety. Thank you, Madam President.

Is the applicant here? Come to the podium and state your name and address for the record, please.

Good morning, Madam President. My name is Orante Pickett.

State your address for the record.

524 19th Street, Anselm.

Okay. All right. Detective Campbell and Mr. Lowe and Ms. Brown, please step to the podium. Any incidents at this location? No incidents. Okay, Mr. Lowe, applicant. Does the applicant meet zoning requirements?

Probably a zone B3 and that location meets zoning requirements.

Ms. Brown, are they in good standing with taxes and revenues?

Yes, they are in good standing with taxes and revenues.

Anyone here to speak for against this item? Could you tell this committee, this body, what your venture is?

Actually, we're going to do live band, comedy, things of that nature.

Talk about your public safety plan and your hours of operation.

Um, I was operation is on Wednesday through Thursday on five p.m. to one a.m. Um, Friday through Sunday, five p.m. to two a.m. Are you open on Sundays now?

Sundays?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. What time are you closing on Sundays?

Um, at two.

Okay. Talk to us about your public safety plan.

Um, well, one, um, we're going to have, um, training for conflict resolution training, um, include nonviolent, uh, conflict, uh, intervention and patron intoxication will be conducted by monthly, um, for all new staff members, um, to, uh, the violent incidents, um, We will have our security that will be there that will restrain and separate the two. And if something serious, like injuries or whatnot, the police department will be contacted. In the event of a fire, staff members that's the closest to the fire will then notify the police security for evacuations and get to the nearest fire extinguishers and whatnot to put out the fire. So if the fire's not out 15 seconds, we will be contacting the fire department. On medical emergencies, all medical emergencies involving the loss of consciousness, seizures will warrant a call for emergency medical service for response to establishment. And if there's something to occur with no breathing on the CPR, we'll be...

Okay, if your camera system, you need to talk to the compliance unit to connect your cameras. Talk about your camera system that you have on your perimeters.

My camera system? I have... I have two camera systems in the front. I have two that's over the bar, one that covers the inside, and I have one that's in the back.

And you're lighting, adequate lighting?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, and you are connecting with the compliance unit to connect to the real-time crime center?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay. Any questions from any council members for this meeting? applicant, but he did meet with the Ainsley neighborhood association on five, I mean, eight, 20, 20, 26, 15 were in attendance to oppose and 13 support. So I'll open the floor up to any council member that may have questions for this applicant.

I have one question. I just noted on the agenda, it said no recommendation by the public safety committee. Was that just because we didn't have a quorum? Perfect. Thank you. All right. That was my only question. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. All right, at this time, are there any other questions? All right, thank you, sir. We are ready for the vote on item number one.

Motion?

I thought we had one, but we'll do it again. Motion and second on this item? Second. Thank you.

All right.

The vote has started. Council of Asa. That vote is up. It was unanimous.

All right. Thank you very much. Item number one passes. Next item.

The next item is item number two. A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO THE APPLICATION OF WEBER HOSPITALITY GROUP, LLC, FOR A RESTAURANT RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSE TO BE USED AT IRON AND OAK TAVERN, 2021 PARK PLACE, BURMEAM, ALABAMA, 35203. AND AGAIN, THIS IS AN ITEM, I MEAN, THIS IS A HEARING OF OUR INSTRUCTED PARTIES.

SECOND. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THIS ITEM IS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. SO I TURN THIS OVER TO COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.

My name is Eddie Weber, and I want to open up an iron and oak tavern at 2021 Park Place, which is in the Tutwiler Hotel.

All right. Detective Campbell, any incidents at this location? No incidents. Thank you, Detective Campbell. Mr. Lowe, does the applicant meet zoning?

The property is on mixed use downtown, and it does meet zoning requirements.

Thank you. Ms. Brown, good standing with taxes and revenue?

Yes, they are in good standing with taxes and revenue.

Anyone here to support or not in support of these items? Seeing none, the applicant met with the Central City Neighborhood on 8-18-26 forward in attendance. For support, tell us your hours of operation and tell us about your venture.

We will be open at 6.30 a.m. every morning for breakfast. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And during the week, we will close at 11 p.m. And on weekends, we'll go till midnight.

Open at 9, okay. and talk to us about your public safety plan.

Uh, public safety, all of our bartenders will go under tip training, which is the standard for learning how to, or what's allowed with alcohol. All of our food safety courses have been completed for all of our cooks. We have the surf safe managers, we have everybody else. We have the list of exit signs to get out in case of a fire, three safe exits. Um,

Okay. And you did talk to our compliance team about your camera system connecting with the Connect. Did you speak to our compliance team?

I haven't talked to our compliance team.

Detective Campbell. I'd be happy to. Yes. So just speak with him about connecting your camera system to the Connect system.

I'd be happy to.

All right. Any questions from any of my council colleagues for this applicant?

All right. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Now we'll turn our attention back to this item. If there are no other questions, we're ready for the vote.

The vote has started. Council President Alexander.

Yes. All right, thank you. That item passes. Next item.

The next item, item number three, is a resolution, sorry, relative to the application of TRAP trap kitchen the LC for a restaurant retail liquor license to be used at trap kitchen 1000 3rd Avenue West Birmingham Alabama 35204 and this is the hearing of our initiative parties thank you so we can bring the item up move the item second let's go ahead and go for the public hearing thank you president I'm just state your name address for the record please

My name is Donald Cunningham, address 1000 3rd Avenue, West Birmingham, Alabama, 35204. Okay.

Detective Campbells, any incidents at this location?

No incidents.

All right. Mr. Lowe, does the applicant meet zoning?

Property is on C2, and they meet zoning requirements.

Brown, are they in good standing with taxes and revenue?

They are in good standing with taxes and revenue.

All right. Anyone here to speak for or against this item C and none? The applicant met with the Bush Hill Neighborhood. Association on 8, 25, 26, 34 were in attendance, zero opposed, 21 supported. Tell us about your venture that you're planning at this location.

Okay, it was Trap Kitchen, the name, more of an urban listing name for the restaurant. It's going to be a restaurant. We're opening up a restaurant on the west side of Birmingham to provide a more soul food, cultural-based restaurant for our neighborhood and surrounding communities.

What's your hours of operation?

Well, our hours of operation, we was planning on going from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Did you adjust them?

Are you adjusting your hours?

That's what I was recommending. We wanted to get with you to see what would be the adjustment hours.

What's your hours that you're going to be open? Like what days will you be open?

Wednesday through Sunday.

And you're going to open. What kind of food are you going to be serving?

Soul food. Soul food.

So you're going to open at 5 p.m.?

Yes, ma'am.

All right. And what time are you going to close? Because you're selling soul food.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, what time did you decide that you're going to close?

Well, our deal was to have a late night spot for our patrons that we seen that was the need for a late night spot for a people restaurant. So our original hours was 5 a.m., but we... What's going to be your hours?

So right now, we're still sitting at 5 p.m. to 5 in the morning.

Okay.

But we're recommended to change the hour, so we're trying to see. Go ahead.

You said you're going to be open from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.?

Correct.

Okay. And tell us about your public safety plan.

Our public safety plan, we are, once again, like everybody else, we get with the real crime, our cameras with the real-time crime. We have a strategic plan where we're going to secure not only the inside but the perimeter of the building outside of the area. We also cleaned up the area. We also got with our neighborhood association. and got with the president over there about doing a little more roaming of the area, so we're going to increase our volume on police presence throughout our neighborhood area during our hours of operation. More patrolling, not only just on our street, but the streets adjacent to our building as well.

Okay. Any council members have questions for the applicants?

Okay. So a couple of questions. I know you mentioned that you were going to have increased police presence. So you all will be paying for additional police to patrol that area while you're open 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.?

Correct. Okay.

And my understanding is that at the neighborhood meeting that I think you all came and said that this was to be a family spot from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.? Um, so I know the neighborhood association voted in favor of this and, um, you know, I support the neighborhood association. I have to say personally, I'd be concerned about a family friendly location. It's open 5 PM to 5 AM. Um, and so I, I personally just have concerns for that reason.

Yeah. So the family part will stop at 10 PM though. All right, so as I was stating was the family portion will stop at 10 p.m., so you will have to be 21 and older to enter at 10 p.m. to 5 in the morning.

Okay.

Yes.

Got you.

But before 10 p.m., any age may enter.

So no IDs required until 10?

Say again?

No IDs are required until 10 p.m.?

Until 10, correct.

Got you. So it's like a club, basically.

No, ma'am, we're just a late-night restaurant. A little late-night restaurant. Think of us like Karma's Kitchen or your shelf. You may go there and eat until 5, 6 in the morning.

OK.

Yes, ma'am.

And then do you all have hookah or anything like that, any kind of tobacco products?

We do not. Not hookah, no, ma'am.

OK. All right. Thank you.

Ma'am, what was the last thing you said before they started talking?

It was something about that's why you couldn't vote? Being a family-friendly event from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. just kind of didn't quite make sense to me.

Any other council members? Council Williams.

All right. I have a few questions. One, I guess, to start off with for our office of city attorney, is requesting a restaurant retail license appropriate for a club that stays open until 5 a.m.? Because that seems like it should be a lounge retail class one liquor license based on ABC law. I'm confused about this designation of license.

I will get you.

He keeps saying club, we saying restaurant. So y'all determining it based off on the hours, is it a restaurant or a club?

The application that was taken was for a restaurant retail liquor license, not a lounge.

So what is the difference? How do you differentiate? I guess for the office of city attorney, what is the definition of a restaurant retail liquor license versus a lounge retail liquor license class one? Because my understanding was that if it's something that serves, just because you serve food doesn't mean you get to call yourself a restaurant until 5 a.m. If you turn into a club, which from the security plan, everything points to it being a club, that you have to apply for the appropriate license. Why wouldn't everyone just apply for a restaurant license if it was just because you serve food?

Right. I would like you to explain the definitions, please.

So with the restaurant retail liquor license, the revenue would come more so from the food sales. With the lounge retail liquor license, the revenue would come from the alcohol sales. That's the difference.

So we are to believe that this place is going to stay up until 5 a.m. and the majority of the revenue is going to be from food, not alcohol.

So when the applicant come in to do the application?

Yeah. Okay. So I'm having trouble digesting that information. that 80% of this revenue is going to be from food sales instead of alcohol when the hours are from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. My additional concern is this security plan. So this states that you have a maximum capacity of 250 guests, I'm assuming, which is according to fire code. And you said that there will be an additional off-duty officer for every 250 guests when necessary. So how are we saying that we're going to increase patrol when we're going to provide an officer for the maximum capacity?

So he was stating that when we spoke with the neighborhood, they were speaking about the residences that's behind 1003rd Avenue West. So we will then provide an off-duty officer or two to provide to basically support that back parking lot as well as that adjacent street to where people would be parking so there would be no break-ins, no loud noise, things of that nature. So that's what he means by we will be putting an additional officer on those streets. back areas.

But it's additional officer for every 250 guests.

Outside of what we already have. So we are already going to have a substantial amount of officers and security already on the property.

That's not what this plan states. This plan states there will be one licensed security officer and then the off-duty Birmingham police officer would be for major events and you would also get an off-duty police officer if there were 250 guests or more according to the safety plan. Okay. Thank you.

I just need to make sure of clarification. So they cannot operate 5 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday morning. So I just wanted to make sure that was clear.

Can they operate until 5 a.m. under ABC laws and under other days of the week?

That designation is allowable, however, with the differentiation that they stated within tax and licensing.

OK. And again, the difference between a club and a lounge, we don't have no dance floor. You're not standing. You have to have a seat. You have to come in and patronize. You have to come in and buy food. That's without requirements.

So I'll turn it back over to you. I do have a question. I just want to be sure.

I have one more question. It's come to my attention that you guys might have been advertising on Facebook for possible positions. Have y'all done any advertising that would indicate that y'all are more of a club than a restaurant?

No. We took a different approach on advertising. That's the only thing we did. We took a different approach on advertising. We wanted to ramp it up. We were actually doing more of a... virtual, almost like a, what you call it, audition type calling, calling for a position. We just want to do something different, spice it up, get the word out, get the room, get the hype up about the restaurant before we actually open.

Because the advertising that I have seen on Facebook indicates that y'all are a lounge. It says restaurant and lounge. And it has females with not that many clothes on with liquor bottles. So that's not really a family-friendly restaurant.

to me but no problem they're fully clothed but to basically sum this up so at two o'clock in the morning once people leave lounges people are hungry they have nowhere to go eat there's no late night food options in birmingham alabama other than your chef or waffle house or cookout so we decided to bring this to birmingham so we can have late night food options to 5 a.m in the morning of course were a restaurant, but the females would have on corsets with a tie and a red dress shirt, as you saw in the picture. So they're not naked at all.

I wasn't suggesting that they weren't wearing any clothes. I was just saying that when you advertise something as a lounge... then it's perceived as a lounge. And so we're here... Listen, I love late night food. I get hungry at 3 a.m. all the time. My concern is, is this a restaurant or is this an actual lounge? And the application was made to be a restaurant. And if it was presented to the neighborhood of being a family-friendly restaurant... but it is, in fact, a lounge, the neighborhood might not realize that they are about to have a lounge instead of what was maybe perceived as a family-friendly restaurant. And my concern is only about the neighborhood. I want you all to be in business, make as much money as you can, and I'll come eat late night with you all. But if we cannot allow... businesses to come in and say that they're a restaurant and they're family friendly and present that to the neighborhood and then they end up being a lounge and they stay up until 5 a.m. and it's a lounge. Anyway, I think those are my concerns on the issue.

And let me say, I can understand what you're saying your concern is, but I think the only thing, the difference, what we were trying to do is we understand that Okay, as far as the family, we know auntie and grandma are going to come early. They're going to come early. We were just trying to create something for, like he said, the late-nighters.

I think I did have a question. I had the same question just regarding, I just want to be clear on whether this is a restaurant and a lounge or is this, what type of establishment is it? Because you're saying now you're going to be serving family-oriented crowd from five until... 10 p.m., and then after 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., it turns mainly into where you're going to be serving. Your primary resource there would be for selling food or selling liquor?

Selling food. Selling food, yes, ma'am.

Selling food, okay.

You have music. The vibe just changed. Like he said, it's sitting...

Excuse me, I'm sorry. You have to get a table, you have to get a booth, and you'll be coming in patronizing, purchasing food. But of course, from 10 p.m. to 2 in the morning, people are going to come in and drink alcohol. If there's a question that may come up on this panel here, they will drink alcohol from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. But from 2 a.m. to 5 in the morning, it will be strictly food sales.

Okay. And going back to your safety plan under your item number two, security operations, so you have one licensed security officer for every 100 guests. Does that security officer, does that change or that additional security, is it impacted by your hours of operation or is it triggered by the number of people that are in the building?

Hours of operation. Okay. So possibly around 9 p.m. we'll have about two to three more security as well.

Okay, thank you. Those are my questions, ma'am.

Thank you. I guess I have a question for either finance or attorney King. So it sounds like they're trying to be similar to other existing establishments. Like they mentioned your chef. I'm thinking Casanova munchies. What kind of liquor license do they have?

Allow me to consult and I'll get an answer for it.

Okay. Cause their establishment is very similar. Whereas a restaurant in turns into a nighttime lounge.

Hmm.

those all have the same designation as what's being requested as today.

And then I don't know who can answer this, but it seems like there were 34 people that attended the neighborhood meeting and only 21 supported. What happened to the other 12 people that attended neighborhood meeting?

There was other people coming in to, um, attend the association meeting. Like it was five. Okay. Gotcha.

Okay. Gotcha. Um, Those are all my questions.

Chancellor Smith. Two questions, actually. What was the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee? No recommendation. We didn't have a quorum. Okay, that's right. My understanding was always that if you're open past 2, then you have to be a private club, and maybe this came up and I just missed it. Is that Is that true? And if you're serving alcohol past two, you have to be like a private club or so.

Madam president.

Yes.

Well, it's two different designations for, it's like a class two that allows you to serve past a certain time for a standard amount of time past two o'clock, depending on the ABC rules. So this restaurant would have to stop serving at two o'clock. Then they can still sell food past 2 a.m. And we just go off of.

Okay. go off of their word that we're stopping it to.

Right. Any other council members have questions? Attorney King.

And the council, again, is considering to deny or approve. There are several considerations related to the denial of a liquor license. Number one, under Alabama State Code 2816 is the creation of a nuisance. Number two, circumstances clearly detrimental to or which would adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare of adjacent residential neighborhoods, a violation of applicable zoning restrictions. Number four, an individual applying for the license has a prior conviction involving the use of alcohol or controlled substance. Number five, the proximity of the business to a school or child care facility and the business hours of the operation will create a harmful environment for children. Number six, the traffic congestion created by licensing the proposed location will endanger others. And number seven, any other reason that poses a risk.

Thank you, Attorney King. Okay, Madam President, I'll turn it over to you. All right, thank you. That concludes the public hearing.

Thank you, gentlemen. All right, at this time, Councilors, if there are no other questions, we'll entertain the vote on this item.

That vote has started.

Okay, at this time, that item fails. Next item.

That is the last item.

All right, thank you very much. Counselors, at this time, we'll entertain any updates that you have from your district, and we'll start with you, Counselor Smith.

Great, thank you. So today, September 15th, marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. We celebrate the contributions of our Hispanic Americans throughout our city while honoring the eight nations that recognize our Independence Days throughout the next 30 days. All Birmingham Public Library locations will be closed this upcoming Friday, September 18th. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is hosting their annual fall sale this weekend on Friday and Saturday. Join the BCRI and 16th Street Baptist Church for community of readers on Saturday, September 19th at 12 p.m. This family reading experience features the book I Am Courage, a book of resilience. The Holy Family Enrichment Center is hosting a free community arts exhibition fun day this Saturday, September 19th, starting at 11 a.m. And we have the following neighborhood association meetings. Graymont is meeting tomorrow, September 16th at 4.30 p.m. at the Smithfield Branch Library. Tuxedo Heights is hosting a neighborhood reunion on Saturday, September 26th at Tuxedo Highlands Park on Alder Avenue. Contact Carolyn McMorris at 205-602-6037 for more information. And just as a reminder, Parks and Recreation is still conducting a citywide survey to get your thoughts and opinions on what happens at our parks. Visit bhmparks2035.com to complete that survey. Also, select Parks and Recreation locations are serving as after-school safe havens, offering free tutoring, And then personally, I want to say a happy belated birthday to my dad, Marcella Smith, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, September 14th. Thank you. Thank you. Counselor Woods.

Thank you, Madam President. The Sun Valley Neighborhood Association will meet tonight via Zoom. For that login information, you can email bhmdistrict1 at gmail.com. Also, Donuts for Dads will take place today at Huffman Academy at 4 p.m. Definitely always enjoy having the opportunity to kind of fellowship with fathers and sons and have some good conversations. We're looking forward to that today. Also, this Thursday, we'll be having Coffee and Community plus Financial Literacy at the Springville Road Library at 9, 15 to 10 a.m. I encourage you to join us for breakfast and coffee while we talk about district priorities, what you want to see done in your community. And lastly, join us this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon for another B-Liter free cleanup. We'll be starting at East Pinson Valley Rec Center and looking forward to getting out and making an impact.

Thank you very much. Councilor Williams.

Economic development tourism will be at 1130 in the chambers Brown Springs neighborhood will have a conference call this Thursday September 17th at their regular 6 p.m.

Thank you Thank You madam president I would like to thank everyone who helped make this past Saturday's mental health clinic a success special Thank You to our partners, Nurture of Alabama Incorporated, founded and led by Crystal Johnson, and the Black Women's Mental Health Institute led by Nayir Richardson. Dr. Johnson, the Birmingham Crossplex, our vendors, volunteers, everyone who supported the event, Thank you so much, and thank you in particular to my staff. They did an amazing job, especially James. Also, this past Saturday, we had a successful Pilates at River Park. Thank you to our partners, Kinetic Fitness, and our instructor was Kingel Harrison, River Park, Harmony Heritage, and Alicia's Coffee. Get Fit While You Sit continues every Monday through the last Monday of this month. Join us for this free community fitness class. Our next class is Monday, September 21st from 9.30 to 10.30 a.m. at Holy Family Birmingham High School. We look forward to seeing you there. As far as neighborhood meetings, Five Point South Neighborhood will meet in the South Hall. of Highland United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. today. Today we pause to remember the four little girls who lost their lives in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15th, 1963. I do also know there were others that were lost that same day as well. We honor their memory and their legacy in Birmingham and beyond. Other events that are happening Saturday, September 26th, that's the last Saturday of this month, Brenda Brown Blossom will have her sister struck. I think it's the 15th year, and it will be at Legion Field at 7 a.m. You still have time to sign up. And then Urban Ministry will be hosting a collard green cook-off that will be at their campus in West End. They'll have free collard greens, free cornbread, free sweet potatoes, and they will be having a competition. I will be a judge again. That starts at 12, but the actual event is from 11 to 2. Then I want to say a happy early birthday to my mom. Her birthday is Friday, September 25th. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, President. Movies in Avondale Park continue this Thursday with a three week run of family friendly films. Open seating starts at 6 p.m. Musician performs for for about 45 minutes before short showtimes. This is a free event at Avondale Park and a lovely event as well. Growing Up with Atticus is a play that will be running at the Virginia Sanford Theater from this Thursday, September 17th until the 27th. So that's a 10-day run. We're excited about that play. Tickets online, of course. And lastly, we have the Five Point South neighborhood meeting tonight at 6 p.m. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Madam Pro Tem. Thank you, Madam President. North Birmingham Neighborhood Residency is having a Get to Know Your Neighbor Day. That will be Saturday, September the 19th from 11 to 3 at the North Birmingham Park located at 3501 28th Street North. So they wanted people to come out, free food and games, bring your chairs and tents and enjoy their Get to Know Your Neighbor Day. And they're sponsored by the North Birmingham Neighborhood Association neighborhood meetings, Evergreen neighborhood meeting will meet tonight at 5 p.m. at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church. East Thomas neighborhood meeting will be held tonight. They look like they're meeting on Zoom, so you can call the office for the Zoom link. South Pratt neighborhood meeting will be held tonight at 6.30 at Lively Hope Baptist Church. Ensley neighborhood meeting will be held on Thursday, September 17th. And that's at 6 p.m. at Mackey Alpine Rec Center. And Smithfield Estates neighborhood meeting will be held on Saturday, September 19th at Bethel Baptist Church. And then on Monday, Drew Hill will meet at Protector Stadium. And that's September 21st at 6 p.m. And the next public safety meeting will be held Tuesday, September 22nd. So please submit your items by Wednesday, September 16th, no later than 12 noon to Gregory.Stanley and Ashanta.Bettle at Birmingham.gov. I wanted to extend a big, big, big thank you to Park and Rec, Birmingham Police Department, Fire and Rescue, City Workers, A.J. Johnson, who helped us out at Legion Field on Sunday to, you know, maintain the crowd. It was a good event. We want to just thank B. Grace Media. We want to thank our artists, Donnell Jones and Michelle A., really entertain the crowd. Everybody had a wonderful time, so I extend a warm thank you and a big thank you to all of those who played a major part in making sure that we had a successful event. That's my announcements, Madam President.

Thank you very much. These are announcements for District 7. This evening at 6.30 p.m., the Green Acres Neighborhood Association will meet, and they meet at the Lifting Christ Worship Center. which is over in Green Acres, on Thursday the 17th. The Hillman and the Hillman Park Neighborhood Associations, they have a combined meeting that starts at 5 p.m., and that will be at Hillman Station at 4817 Jefferson Avenue, and that's at Hopewell Baptist Church. On Saturday, I wanted to reiterate, on the 26th, you still have time to register and support Brenda's Brown Bosom Buddies. As Councilor Smitherman has already stated, they will be hosting their 15th annual Sister Strut. So they're asking you to walk, run, ride, stroll. Come on out to Legion Field. Again, that's Saturday. September 26, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. We're really asking you to support this event. Brenda Brown, Bosom Buddies, she has been doing work in the community, and it just supports not only breast cancer, but all types of cancers. And she has just, it's not just having mammograms, it's providing support for an entire family. we thank her for her service and we definitely want to support this and congratulations to each council on the events you've had had a great time so thank you Councillor Tate and Councillor O'Quinn you all had your combined event it was a very good one and Councillor Smitherman looks like you all were doing all kinds of things over Cross District 6. So thank you very much. At this time, Madam Clerk, we'll entertain the speaker's list. And before speakers come up, I want to remind you, you have three minutes. We have two video boards there. Your time will be counting down. When it goes into the red, you're about 30 seconds towards the end. So we'll have you to call the first speaker and give your name and your address. Thank you.

A.J. Johnson.

Good morning, city council. Good morning. To the mayor's office and on behalf of the mayor's chief of staff, Cedric Sparks. To the whole council, before I even start, I want to say that this has nothing to do with you as a whole. I'm coming to speak on behalf of an individual that worked with me. His name was Beauchamp Rose, and I'd like to pass this around so y'all can touch him because this young man worked for the city of Birmingham. for over 20 years. And Beauchamp was a friend of mine that worked in construction when I was doing asphalt for the city of Birmingham. To give you a little background on me, I've done more asphalt and more potholes than any person in the city of Birmingham during my tenure. So with that being said, I want to say that two and a half weeks ago, about 8 o'clock at night, I got a phone call from Beauchamp. And Beauchamp told me, he said, AJ, I said, who is this? He said, this is Beauchamp. I said, who? He said, Beauchamp. I said, Beauchamp. He said, man, I work with you in construction. I said, OK, OK. And so talking to him, it started turning in my spirit who he was. So I'm like, oh, okay, now I know who this man is. He's been calling me. So he said, AJ, I need to talk to you about something. I said, what's going on, man? He said, you know, I became a supervisor over the night shift. So I said, man, that's great. He said, man... They love me over here, AJ. He said, I'm doing a great job. He said, man, I'm doing like we always talked about. I'm helping my people. And I told him, I said, well, Sean, that's great, man. I'm so proud of you. Then he told me, honey, he said, but they demoted me. I said, you just told me you got to be a supervisor. He said, yeah. He said, but man, my mama is sick. And I started going to check on my mother. He said, I went to check on my mother, and it got back to my supervisor that I went and checked on my mom. And I took her some food. He said, AJ, they demoted me and gave me 10 days off. I said, they demoted you and gave you 10 days? He said, yeah. I said, so why are you calling me? He said, AJ, I just need somebody to talk to. And Crystal, I need you to get in contact with that lady Johnson you just talked about. Because Madam President, Madam Pro Tem, I talked to you guys Sunday. These people need someone to talk to. And I'm talking to my councilman in District 1, Clinton. These people, city workers, Attorney King needs someone to talk to. Everybody isn't strong. And see, a young lady told me Sunday, she said, AJ, why are you so mean? I said, you know what? When you're mean, people do what you ask them to do. And when you don't play, see, I don't have time to play. They put me at Legion Field to keep them children straight at them football games. Dr. Sullivan said, AJ, handle these children for us. He don't say, AJ, be nice to these babies. See, because when you talk to them like this, baby, come on now. Be sweet. They're going to just run right on over you. So my whole point is, honey, it goes back to what you just asked these two young men. What are your plans? So I'm asking the council to do me a favor and to build a plan for city workers. They have a lot of mental constraints that they are going through. They bring a lot of mental things to the job. They bring stuff to the job.

AJ, we really want to thank you for bringing this to us. I really understand and appreciate I appreciate you bringing this for support of all of the employees. And we know how just as people, they have challenges that they, everybody handles them differently. So I think you appreciate the message that you're bringing us because we really want to bring these support to our, not only to our coworkers, but to everyone in the city. I know that's why counselors, I know we have two counselors that have invested a lot of revenue in discretionary support and want to be sure we have mental health support for our residents.

Well, in closing, President Alexander, I was not just speaking on behalf of the workers. I'm speaking on behalf of all of us because all of us have started somewhere. So I want to say this because I would be remiss in not saying this. I called a young man named Cedric Sparks. You all know him? I called him, and he said, I'm on it. I called a guy named Randall Woodfin. Y'all know him? He said, hey, AJ, I'm on it. And he came. So, Hunter, my whole point is, and the reason I'm pointing these things out to you, half of y'all I know, and I can talk to y'all. There are six council people on this council that I know personally that I can talk to. Everybody probably can't reach you guys like I can. So I'm just saying, in that situation, President Pro Tem Tate, that they need help. And when they can't get help, I can go to Sinead. I can go to Ron. I can call you. A lot of people can. So I'm just asking, please keep us in mind. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And I just want to remind everyone as well, we do have the Employee Assistance Program, and you can get more details about that on our website so that we can offer the support we can for everyone. Thank you. Next speaker, Terry Michael.

Good morning. Terry Michaels, 629 Ridgetop Circle. Today I'm speaking on the Inslee Works property because I believe the vision for this land has significantly changed since the process began. For decades, a large portion of Inslee Works has been zoned MXD, planned mixed use. The Pratt Inslee Framework Plan discussed a broad vision for this property, including previous efforts to transform it into a mixed use transit-oriented activity center, and ultimately a vibrant district. Then in February of 25, residents were asked to endorse this rezoning plan. And I want to be accurate, the MXD to I-1 change was on that map that they saw. But they weren't voting on colors on a map. They were participating in a planning process based on a vision. Residents were talking about protecting their neighborhoods from and compatible industrial uses. City planners were talking about downsizing the necessary heavy industry, mixed-use development, and walkability. Today, the city talks about it becoming a major center for logistics and manufacturing, attracting national and global companies, competing for major employers, and preparing for the next generation of industry. That is a significant shift in emphasis. And maybe there are good reasons for it, but if the vision changes, the community deserves to be brought back into the conversation before you permanently change the zoning. Public participation shouldn't mean asking people what they want, getting their support, and then allowing the purpose of one of the largest properties in their community to evolve without going back to them. That's not meaningful public participation. It's not good government. I want to remind you, U.S. Steel was deeply involved in both the Oxmoor Corporate Park and Inslee Works. Both involve enormous former U.S. Steel land holdings and both have involved Birmingham's unusual MXD plan mixed use framework. Today, land in Oxmoor that spent decades within that plan development framework is becoming a hyperscale data center. So here's what I'm proposing. The city has just received the seed grant for master planning. environmental studies, and site readiness work on the property. So before we permanently change the zoning, why not allow that work to be completed and begin those findings and bring those findings back to the community? Birmingham already has a zoning concept designed for land use that's in transition. That's HZD Holding Zone District. The problem is that its use is currently limited to recently annexed property. You can hold off on the I-1 rezoning altogether or amend the HZD so that it can be used for the redevelopment of properties such as this, and then apply it to Inslee Works. Finish the environmental work, finish the master plan, bring the community back to the table. This property has waited decades. Waiting a little longer won't hurt Inslee. Getting this wrong could. The community participated in good faith. They deserve their government to operate in good faith with them. Thank you for allowing me to speak today.

Thank you. Next speaker.

Yolanda Flowers.

Good morning.

Great morning to you all, City Council, Sister Alexander, Sister Tate, and everyone. I am grateful to be able to speak this morning. Of course, I don't come often, but when I do, it's the same concerns in my community, well, my neighborhood, which is Oak Ridge Park community, well, neighborhood. In regards to getting speed bumps and sidewalks, that community or that neighborhood is almost 100 years old. I was born and raised in that neighborhood. And just over the years that I've spent in Tennessee and migrated back home, only a block of that neighborhood is we have sidewalks. We have children in there. It's a school that is placed in that neighborhood. And we have what I call a chance-oriented generation, which will come and just fly through And we have walkers. They are not concerned about our children nor our walkers. Just Saturday, Saturday morning, because we don't have speed bumps, one of my neighbor's cars dislodged and mowed down my fence, mowed down my porch. And I have great grandbabies that are living there with me. I don't want to, look, I'm almost 70 years old. My neighborhood is almost 100 years old. I need to see change. I would hate for someone to die because of the lack of y'all not listening to what I've been coming. I'm the only one in my neighborhood that is coming and bringing this before you. We brought it to Darrell O'Quinn, which is my councilman. We mentioned it to The chief of staff, they took a couple of streets. But every street needs some bumps. And I would hate for someone to die because someone has run over a child or one of us elders for walking. So please, I am soliciting you all to please come. I had an opportunity to talk to brother Prince to let him know what is going on in our neighborhood. I need you all to address this thing and this should not go another hundred years and it's not being dealt with and it should not, a death should not occur before you all takes an action. So please, this is my prayer. This is my concern. Thank you. I appreciate it.

Thank you. Do we have any other speakers? No, ma'am. I do want to just reiterate, we do have a traffic study program that initiates within the neighborhood. So I don't know if your neighborhood has taken on any work when it talks about speed bumps. They do work with the Department of Public Transportation to mitigate those type issues. So I just want to I know Dr. O'Quinn, you say you've talked with him, but also a part of that comes through the neighborhood process. So if you could initiate that with your neighborhood president, that would be great. And we do have monies that are set aside in the budget where we are to have money for sidewalks. So that's just my comment, but thank you. And Ms. Flowers? We did hear from one of the Transportation Committee members that that conversation did come up yesterday, so they are looking into that. So I just don't want you to feel that you're left out with that, okay? Thank you. Thank you, Counselor Pro Tem. Thank you. No other speakers? All right. At this time, we want to thank our officers on duty. That was Officer Pinkert, Wesley, and Ingram.