City Council - Regular Meeting

Ten-second warning, and the show goes live. Good evening, everyone. We ask everyone to stand as able to do our council prayer and then remain standing for our Pledge of Allegiance. Let's bow our heads, please. Dear God, bless our proceedings tonight. Give us the wisdom to know what is just and the strength to do what is right. Amen.

Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the with liberty and justice for all.

Approval of the minutes. I'll make a motion. We approve the minutes.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. Then we approve the minutes. Voting Mr. Eastman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Minutes stand approved. Proclamation statements by Mayor and Council. In observance of Memorial Day, 311 will be closed at 5 p.m. this Friday, May 22nd. City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 25th. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26th. There will be no council meetings or council committee meetings on Tuesday, May 26th. Next week's garbage and trash from recycling routes will be delayed by one day. For more information, please contact Tuscaloosa 311. Do we have any council announcements tonight?

Yes, Mayor, I do have something I'd like to say regarding last week in the Finance Committee. You know, one, I want to thank my fellow council members who kind of stood me and stood up for me in my absence from the room. I want to thank you for that. I also want to thank the citizens of Tuscaloosa who reached out to me regarding the incident last week in the Finance Committee. You know, I also want to apologize, not for my passion for the community, not for standing up for my community, but I do want to apologize to my colleagues for not sitting in and properly communicating what I was trying to communicate while I was passionate about this project. You know, we approved a lot of projects in the district. Like I said, we, you know, we've got 8.6 million at Bowers. We've got the tennis center. We've got A lot of other things that we approve, you know, lights that soak apart, all these things add operational costs, come with other costs to this city. And I support all those projects. I support all my councils because I think it adds to the quality of life here in the city of Tuscaloosa. And I don't take my support back. But I also want to say, you know, my project adds to the quality of life in Tuscaloosa too. And yes, I did get frustrated when... cost became a discussion and not what it adds for quality of life. You know, when senior citizens, when you can make a pool therapeutic and senior citizens can have access to it for therapy, when you can partner with your city schools and add water safety to your school system, I think all those things are great for our community. And that's what I was trying to communicate to you. And that's why I was passionate about it. So I apologize for not articulating that in that moment of frustration. And finally, I do want to address the comments made by Councilor Busby on my way out of the room, which I didn't hear at the time, but I received a lot of calls. You know, the citizens of Tuscaloosa elect us with an expectation that we have a certain level of decorum and respect in our proceedings. And honestly, in my opinion, Councilor Busby, your actions in that moment didn't live up to that expectation that our citizens elected us to have. I think your comments when I was leaving the room were dismissive to the desires of my district, as well as disrespectful for me. And I think that Now, those comments were unnecessary. So I hope moving forward as a council that we will live up to the expectations that we were elected to uphold with the decorum and the respect. Because honestly, I mean, just... I think it was uncalled for. And I'm a man just like you're a man. And I deserve to be respected just like you deserve to be respected. And moving forward, I hope this council can move forward with that level of respect. Thank you, Mayor.

Mr. Eatman, any other comments? Yes, please.

Councilman Eatman, I appreciate your comments. Nobody hopes more than me. that we show that amount of respect and recorum in committee meetings during hearings.

Thank you. Any other council comments? Any agenda item comments by citizens?

No, sir.

Unfinished business, clerk.

This order's demolition of the building located at 3620 23rd Street.

Move adoption. Second. It's been moved and seconded.

Mr. Williams. Mayor, City Council, this is for the condemnation of 3620 23rd Street, condemned October 6, 2025. This property has 47 housing code violations. The owner has been contacted, is aware of this hearing. The owner is aware that if it's condemned and demolished, the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner. They have continued to make repairs, and they are here to represent their property.

Any questions, Mr. Williams? The owners are here. If you would, please come forward and give your name and address.

Good evening. I'm PCS O'Neill, and I own 3620 23rd Street.

Vernon Thomas, 6615 35th Street. Any questions?

I wasn't at pre-council today, so what was the recommendation from 90?

90 more days. It was?

90 more days. I'll make a motion for 90 days.

Second.

Okay, it's been moved and seconded for 90 days. Thank you so very much. Thank you.

Good job.

Thank you.

This was a public hearing when it was introduced. Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against? Seeing none, voting to table 90 days, Mr. Lanier.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Demolition's table for 90 days. Thank you. Clerk.

This order's demolition of the building located at 3209 7th Street.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded. Mr. Williams. This is for the condemnation of 3209 7th Street, condemned December 8, 2023. This property has 46 housing code violations. The owner has been contacted, is aware of this hearing. The owner is aware that if it's condemned by the city council and the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner. He has also continued to make repairs. Unfortunately, he is unable to be here tonight. Any questions for Mr. Williams?

Again, what was your recommendation? 90 days. I'll make a motion. Second. Moved and seconded. Table for 90 days. Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against? Seeing none, voting Mr. Eatman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. The motion is to save 90 days. Thank you, Mr. Williams. Consent agenda, clerk.

This approves items A through G on the consent agenda.

So moved. Second. Moved and second. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Consent agenda is adopted. We have no public hearings tonight. Resolution and ordinance is not of a general nature or permanent operation, clerk.

This authorizes a contract for professional engineering and related services with Hazen and Sawyer.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and second. Voting Mr. Eatman. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes execution of a reimbursable agreement with Aldot.

So moved. Second. Moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This will authorize a minor public works contract with J&E Tile and Flooring Incorporated.

So moved. Second. Moved and second. Voting Mr. Riedman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolution is adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes a contract for professional engineering services with TTL for the MLK Sewer Improvements Project.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and second. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Snow Blakeney Construction.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Eatman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This will authorize a minor public works contract with Gulf States Automation. So moved.

Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolution is adopted, clerk.

This will authorize a minor public works contract with tri-state abatement.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Reedman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolution is adopted, clerk.

This authorizes execution of a special municipal agency funding contract with temporary emergency services. So moved.

Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted.

Mayor, may I make a quick comment?

Yes, sir.

This is about the summer jobs program, correct? Yes, sir. Okay, because I just want to remind everyone the last day to register... If you're a young person out there looking to be a part of the summer program, it's May 25th. And with the holiday coming up Monday, that really doesn't matter because you have to register online. Again, $13.25 an hour, as you all know. And they will be stopping applications May 25th at 5. And then they'll be calling people back for interviews. So I just love this program. And I don't want those... You need to go ahead and do it now, instead of waiting for the deadline possibly to pass, then it's too late. Thank you, Mr. Donner. Yes, sir. Clerk?

This authorizes disbursement from the District 1 Improvements Funds for the Benjamin Barnes YMCA.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Eatman. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk?

This authorizes disbursement from the District 1 Improvement Funds for Elevate West Alabama.

So moved. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolution's adopted, clerk.

This authorizes a contract for professional engineering services with TTL for the WRRF Lagoon Improvements Project.

Motion. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Eatman. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes a professional services contract with Schnabel Engineering.

So moved. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This authorizes execution of professional services agreement with Barron Budd, Simonson Sussman, Prince Webber Hayes, and Jenks Crow. So moved.

Second. So moved and second. Voting is driven. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This authorizes execution of a grant application for Project Safe Neighborhoods grant.

I move.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This authorizes execution of a grant application for the fiscal year 2027 Transportation Alternative Set-Aside Program.

So moved. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Even. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This authorizes a contract with Point Security Incorporated and declares a bid law exemption.

So moved. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolution is adopted, clerk.

This authorizes amendment number five to the 2022A warrant series budget.

Motion. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Eatman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolution's adopted, clerk.

This authorizes amendment number two to the 2025C Warrant Series budget.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolution's adopted, clerk.

This authorizes amendment number 11 to the fiscal year 2026 General Fund Reserve for Future Improvements Fund budget.

So moved. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Eatman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolution is adopted, clerk.

This authorizes Amendment Number 4 to the Fiscal Year 2026 Water and Sewer Reserve for Future Improvements Fund Budget.

So moved. Second. Moved and seconded by Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolution is adopted, clerk.

This amends the resolution of May 19, 2025, entitled, A Resolution Establishing Rules of Procedure for Conducting City Council Meetings.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded. Voting is treated. Yes.

Yes.

No. Yes. Resolutions adopted.

It's rare that you'll see a group vote away their own authority. I vote no.

I can't imagine voting any other way but no.

Yes.

Resolution 4-3. 4-3.

4-3. Resolution passes. Hold up, Mayor. I don't think we're voting away on authority. I think we're opening the doors and having confidence in the city staff as well as the capable councilors that serve on this community. For this community, I mean on this council. So I believe we should have the right to put whatever we need on the agenda. And the city staff, who is well capable, who do this for a living, 24 hours a day, should be able to put whatever they need to.

And at the end of the day, the city council and the staff already has the right to put whatever they want on the full council agenda anyway. And as a council, it's up to us to discuss and vote on it. Yeah.

I would just like to concur and say this is how it was when I was first elected. We had the opportunities as council members to put items on any agenda. And I don't believe it's taking away our power. I believe it's giving us more flexibility and we're not holding up staff time trying to wait on a response from our committee chairs to get those approvals before deadlines. So I do believe that it's important for us to always initiate the best practices, not just for us as council members, but for also city staff. And I believe this is the right thing to do going forward.

Thank you. Ordinances and resolutions of the general nature of permanent operation. For introduction, clerk.

This authorizes amendment number four to the 2026 Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund budget.

So moved.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Offering that must consent.

Second. Moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Eadman.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolution is adopted. Auditing accounts.

This authorizes the payment of bills.

Payment of bills.

Payment of bills.

Moved and seconded. Voting is resumed. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Bills are paid. Citizens' comments and other communications. Any citizens wish to address or see counsel? Or if you would, please come forward and give your name and address.

It's Joan Barth, 5541 Woodbury Lane. You knew I wasn't here just to enjoy your company, but I do enjoy your company. I'm following up on an item from last week's meeting on the economic development assistance proposal for Delaney Group. for the construction of Springbrook Circle was withdrawn. I'm not here to speak for or against that project, but I wanted to follow up on the discussion during that citizen's comments section of the meeting about what the next steps are. So I understand that there's, you know, there'll be the legal notice as there usually is for that a week before it's heard in the city council. But it seemed like it's uncertain, from what I heard, whether it'll come back before the financial committee again. And so what I wanted to do tonight is just to encourage you to have that presentation come back before the financial committee again, because it's been withdrawn. Now it's a new thing at this time. These agreements are complicated. I went through them, and even Mr. Delaney, right, he was like, wait, what's this? And he had some questions as well. And I think that it needs the keen eyes of everybody on this Council and the Finance Committee to look at that before you move it forward to the Council for a vote. Even though you may have each had conversations with Mr. Delaney or with staff regarding this proposal, the public isn't privy to those discussions, and so they're still left in the dark about really understanding what's going on and why things are being presented the way they are. So I believe that the public, including people who own commercial enterprises along McFarland Boulevard, people who own unoccupied, undeveloped property, as well as the citizens in Springbrook and throughout the city who care about how Our money is spent, our future money, I understand, we're not spending it out of our pocket now, it's the future, really need to be informed about this. Does it rise to the level of other projects that you have proposed incentive packages for? being before the Finance Committee allows the public another chance to hear what's being proposed. And I think in those meetings, your discussions are more free. You know, here it's hard. You've already had some discussions, and I think that At that time, unanswered questions can be clarified so you have a full understanding of it. And those of us who can attend the meeting or to watch it can also get a greater understanding about what's going on. So regardless of your response to this request to have it come before the Finance Committee, I sincerely hope that you really take a careful look at this proposal and consider the honest value of this project to Tuscaloosa. I know that being a city councilor is a difficult position. You can't make everybody happy. It's a challenging job. And so I thank you for your time tonight and for all that you've done for the city of Tuscaloosa. Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Barth. Anyone else wish to address or see council? Seeing none, subject to excise or marital veto, an ordinance of the general nature of permanent operational, I appeal to the departments hereby order to otherwise implement council policy to stay now.

I move we adjourn. Seconded.

Moved and seconded to adjourn. Voting is agreed.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.