City Council - Regular Meeting

This is the regular meeting of the Mobile City Council, Tuesday, April the 21st. Please stand for our invocation led by Pastor Trey Wolfford, public safety chaplain, and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence following the pledge. Let's bow our heads. God, before we ask you for anything, we say thank you uh for another day. Uh we thank you for the leadership of our city. Ask that you continue to grant them wisdom and sensitivity uh as we continue to elevate our city as well as elevating the mentality of our city as well. Uh we pray for all of those that are serving in public service and thank you for give them the hearts to sacrifice themselves for the service of people. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible and justice for all.

We ask everyone to remain standing for a moment of silence for the eight children who was killed by their father uh this past weekend in Sweetport, Louisiana and their mother and another woman who was also shot. Also a moment of silence for the victims that experienced the shooting near the University of Iowa. Continue to keep all the victims and their families, residents, and students, faculty, and staff in our prayers. Roll call. President President Small here. Vice President Gregory

here. Council member Penn here. Council member Ingram here. Council member Reynolds here. Council member Fleming here. Council member Woods here. Statement of rules. And good morning everyone. Morning.

It's good to see everybody this morning. Welcome to our April 21st, 2026 meeting. At this meeting, we do have rules. At this time, I ask if anyone have any type of cell phone or electronic device, please at this time put on the off of the vibrating position. Off of the vibrating position. Any person that desire to address the mobile city council must sign in indicating the resolution, the ordinance, or public hearing agenda item before entering the meeting. When addressing the council, the speaker must give his or her name. Any person that desiring to speak to the council on a non-aggenda item must contact the city clerk office no later than 2:00 p p.m. the Thursday prior to the council meeting. The soldier that he or she wish to express to the mobile city council must be identified and pertain to the city of Mobile business. Anyone who has not given a proper note to the city clerk office and wish to speak on a non-aggenda item would not be allowed to address this council. Each speaker is allowed three minutes to address this council. A bail was signed to indicate the end of two minutes. One minute remains for summarizing. The second B indicates that your time has expired. When addressing the council, there be no personal address to any individual council members. All statements are to be made to the chair who will recognize a council member who wishes to respond. To maintain the quorum, there will be no undue applause or outcry allowed. Madame clerk

approval of minutes of April 7th and 14th. So move second proper move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I all oppose men's approved communications from mayor chair Garis. Good morning everyone. Morning.

Uh I wanted to start the day by recognizing our homeless outreach team and coordinator Kendall Young specifically. Uh every day this team is working alongside incredible service providers to engage the me with members of our unhoused community and connect them to safety, stability, and opportunity. Part of that work is building relationships with individuals living in encampments. These camps create real safety and environmental concerns, but we have to approach these situations with compassion. Recently, our team partnered with Ransom Solutions to clean out and clear an encampment near Moffett Road and I 65. You can see some of the pictures up here now uh related to that encampment. Um they also conducted some on-site assessments and uh to understand the needs of those residents better. These efforts to improve safety and sanitation but also help connect people to critical services. The work they were able to do at this particular site is nothing short of amazing when you see those pictures. Um do we have the after? Okay, good. Uh truly unbelievable the work that was done there and we couldn't have done it without our partnership with Ransom Solutions. Just wanted to highlight the work of this team. Um they're out there meeting people where they are. They're helping them take the next steps in their life forward and I just want to make sure we recognize them and applaud their efforts. Give him a round of applause if you would. Kendall's right over here. He didn't want to stand or be recognized, but he's right there. Uh this morning I had the pleasure of waking up very early uh and hopping on the Amtrak Marty Gro service as we celebrated the 100,000th passenger. It's a milestone we hit in only 9 months and that level of ridership shows that

there's a very real demand for GF Coast passenger rail. Uh with the ve very limited marketing, this route has exceeded every expectation set when it first launched. And that's because the riders are happy. They're enjoying it. The train has roughly 90% on time experience and a satisfaction ratings of nearly 95%. To me, it's proof that Amtrak believes in the future of this line and is committed to maintaining and expanding on its success. It also means that Mobile received thousands of visitors uh many of them coming here for the first time. Those visitors support our local businesses and many of them fall in love with the city like ours as many of us have. I want to thank our partners at Amtrak, the Southern Rail Commission, and Visit Mobile for helping make this day possible. And I especially want to thank them for the 100 grand bar that they gave me and they were given out to passengers. Been a while since I had one of those. It was really good. Um big thing on the agenda today um that that our council is about to vote on and you're going to hear more about it, but you're for the first time we're considering the contract that would move one of our most needed projects forward. It's a $6.3 million contract with Rogers and Willard to move forward with a new animal services facility along I65 Service Road. It's designed to significantly improve our operations for our animal services department and better support the staff and volunteers at that shelter. Uh it will also in include improved customer spaces, uh an on-site clinic and surgical suite, expanded kennel capacity, and upgraded features that will enhance sanitation and efficiency. Right now, our team is doing incredible work in in a facility that simply doesn't match their needs or our standard. This this service contract,

this construction contract will provide a better working environment, a better home for the pets, and a more welcoming experience for residents and adopters. Uh, I'm very excited to see this project move forward, and I thank the council for their cooperation and and participation in that uh in that construction project. Uh finally, I want to talk about some more great work that this city is doing. Uh and that's uh that's sharing the fifth edition of our annual report which highlights the progress that build mobile engineering and infrastructure in our public works departments made in 2025. uh from permitting and planning to infrastructure improvements, parks and ba basic public services, these teams play a critical role in Mobileian's quality of life and supporting future growth. The 2025 report outlines the scale of that work and the impact these teams are making every day. And I just wanted to share a couple of highlights. Uh for Build Mobile, 16,566 permits were issued last year, representing more than a billion dollars of new investment in our city. Uh engineering and infrastructure resurfaced 150 road miles and improved 64,500 ft of sidewalk. Uh in our parks and recreation department uh we maintained 1900 1919 acres of land uh saw over 31,500 plantings and over 431,000 visitors to our parks. Uh for public services, they collected 158,920 cubic yards of trash, over 81,000 tons of garbage, and recycled over 25,000 lbs of electronics from Mobileillians. Uh the city simply could not run without

those departments, and I encourage you to check out this annual report to see some of that fantastic and important work they're doing. All right, finally, I have a couple of proclamations. So, first if I could ask Tanal Thomas, Alexandra Cromwell Wit, and Stacy Woodyard if you would come up to the podium. Come on up. Uh, and they're here to celebrate uh and recognize National Crime Victims Week, Crime Victim's Rights Week, excuse me. Uh whereas surviving a crime can have myriad lasting effects on victims including physical, psychological, social and financial issues. And whereas we know that countless survivors never tell anyone about what happened to them. And whereas each of us has a moral responsibility to actively participate in healing in the healing of others. I like that one. And whereas it is necessary to create safe environments for survivors of crime, providing not only support uh but also access to critical services and above all hope. And whereas National Crime Victim's Rights Week encourages all people to ask themselves the question, how would you help a victim of crime? And whereas the city of Mobile is hereby dedicated to raising awareness of options, services, and hope for crime survivors. Now there therefore I Spirit Cheragatus the 109th mayor of the city of Mobile do hereby proclaim the week of April 19th through the 25th 2026 as National Crime Victim's Rights Week in the city of Mobile. Today we reaffirm the city of Mobile's commitment to creating a victim's service and criminal justice response that assists all victims of crime during National Crime Victim's Rights Week and throughout the entire year. Thank you. Thank you.

And we'd love to hear from you if you have any words. We would just like to say thank you so much, uh, Mayor Cheratus. We appreciate your support. We appreciate the support of, um, everyone here. Um, we appreciate the support of the city councilman here and our public safety director who has always supported us. We appreciate you. Thank you all for uh just recognizing victims. Um it's not easy work, but it's needed work. So, we appreciate it. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you all so much for all y'all hard work y'all do in the community.

Mr. President. Yeah, Mr. Pen. Um I just want to join in and congratulating u this amazing team. everywhere I go in the community, they are engaged. They have a table they set up. Um, and I see them everywhere. Um, and I just want to commend the hard work that they um give to the city mobile. Thank you again, Mr. President. Yes, I would like to echo those uh comments. Just this Saturday, they showed up and and was making people aware of the importance and how to prevent that. So, just thank you and not just this Saturday, but every year they show up. So, thank you for your support and what you do in the community. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Incredibly important work that they do. Uh, one more round of applause for him, please. One more proclamation. Let's see. Um, this is for the National Donate Life Month. Uh, do I have anybody from Legacy? I hope Amy Morris, Melissa Algri, come on down. All right, while they come down. Whereas more than 100,000 Americans and nearly 1,200 Alamians are currently on the national transplant plant waiting list. And whereas another person is added to that waiting list every 8 minutes. And on average, 13 people die each day while waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. And whereas by becoming an organ, eye, and tissue donor, one individual can save and heal the lives of more than 75 people. Whereas the most effective way to address this health crisis is to educate and to encourage citizens to commit to the following actions. Register your decision to be an Oregon eye and tissue donor at legacyofh hope.org or at your local DMV, which I have. and learn more about living donation at donatelife.net. And whereas the donate life cause of saving and healing lives through organ tissue donation is of such immediate and worthwhile importance. And whereas during the national donate life month, we honor the compassion and generosity of registered donors, donor families, and living donors. We recognize the commitment of medical professionals, researchers, national partners, and all those who work tirelessly to save and heal lives through donation and transplantation. Now that therefore, I spi Cheragatus, the 109th mayor of the city of Mobile, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2026 as National Donate

Life Month in the city of Mobile. I encourage all residents to register their decision to be an organ and tissue donor at legacyofhope.org. board or at your local Alabama DMV. I'll let y'all sit.

Thank you. Yes. Thank you so much to the mayor and to the city council. Um your support in raising awareness for organ eye and tissue donation is truly immeasurable. This proclamation not only honors our hero donors and their families who have given others a second chance at life, but it also gives hope to the over,200 Alamians who are currently waiting for the life-saving gift of an organ. So, thank you very very much. Yeah. Thank you all so much for all your hard work in the community. Thank you.

All right, nearly done. And I do want to call up uh let's see, Curtis Graves. Let me see. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't call you all up for the National Crime Victims, but let me call up uh Chief uh Jackson to recognize the officer of the month, officer. Let's see. Detective Detective Mistro.

Good morning. Thank you, Mayor, Staff, Council. With me today is uh Detective Corporal James Mestro. Uh James has been with us for over 10 years now. He's worked at patrol before. He's been a seasoned investigator in major crimes. He currently works in our general investigations at second precinct. U the other day at the officer of the month lunchon, I was surprised for as much good work as James has done in 10 years. This was his first time being officer of the month. Uh in the month he was assigned 33 cases and he cleared 28 of those for over 84% clearance rate. He personally took on the challenge. He went to his sergeant and asked to take on the challenge of an Amazon theft ring that was happening. Uh multiple packages, nearly 600 packages were being diverted either by drivers, by other means, and it's a very tedious investigation to do. Some of it dated back to October of last year. During that investigation, he he did multiple search warrants, uh countless hours. He was able to recover over $3,000 of property to return to victims, which is something that doesn't usually happen in cases like that. And u he's also the the precinct's sole person that deals with any retail theft. And out of the 14 retail cases, he also solved 11 of those, making arrests on those. Uh and to end to end with, he also uh for the month, he ended up with 25 felonies, six misdemeanors, four handguns, two of which were stolen. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of what James does every month. There's more to talk about, but I could have you here all day. So, for those reasons, he is our author of the month. Congratulations. I I had the honor of working with Detective Mistro as a judge and a prosecutor and I can certainly verify that he is truly the best of the best uh

in a wonderful police department. So welldeserved honor there. Uh and now let me call up uh Chief Glisten to recognize our firefighter of the month. That's uh fire medic driver Christian Williams.

Good morning, council, mayor. It's our honor to uh present Christian Williams, paramedic driver assigned to Rescue One out off of Overlook. Um this one sort of slipped through the cracks with us, but this happened back in August of last year. Christian had just gotten off that morning from work and was headed home when he drove past a fire that had just happened on Racine Avenue and hasn't even was just being dispatched. Christian stopped, found out that there was a victim trapped in the house. Um, he made multiple of attempts to try to get in there. The smoke was banked down to the point where he could not. He was able to direct the next crews right to where the victim was at. They were able to pull her out. He started CPR and went with them to the hospital to treat this woman all while off duty. And he put his ultimate life on the line to make a rescue attempt and went above and beyond the call of duty that we ask our firefighters to do. We're here to help save others. And he did this off duty without any protective gear whatsoever. So, we want to recognize Christian Williams as our firefighter of the month. Thank you, Firefighter Williams, for that truly selfless act of service, for running towards danger when others run from it. Thank you for your service to our city. A perfect example of what we look for in a firefighter. Thank you, sir. Uh, and finally, I'd be remiss, uh, and maybe I was supposed to do this earlier, but I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize our public safety director, Curtis Graves, Chief Jackson, Chief

Glisten, Dr. Gerard Tate, who's out there in the audience, all of our men and women of the Mobile Police Department and Fire Department for the the things you do to serve crime victims each and every day. So, uh, on this spe special week, I want to say thank you again for your service. And that finally concludes my remarks. Councilman Fleman.

Uh, yes. Can I please have the Davidson High School high Q team and coach Dr. Ryan Moody come join us here in the front. Good morning. Thank you. So, this morning I've got the pleasure to recognize the Davidson High School highQ team coached by Dr. Ryan Moody. Uh, and I want to recognize them for participating in a high school IQ team which offers numerous benefits such as academic preparation, teamwork and collaboration, recognition and honor, social and cultural engagement, and personal growth. These benefits contribute to a well-rounded education and prepare students for future challenges in a competitive and dynamic world. This year, Davidson High School's high Q team has proven to acquire these characteristics, and we are very proud of them. and I'd like to congratulate them on winning the HighQ Championship on March 26, 2026. Go Warriors. Let's give them a round of applause.

Welcome Everyone, two, one. Congratulations. So, madame clerk,

adoption of the agenda. So, move second. Properly move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. All oppose. Agenda's adopted. Appeals. We have requests for a wave of the noise ordinance on May the 9th on South Monterey Street between Dolphin and Miguel Avenue on May 15th in Cathedral Square, May 16th on Dolphin Street, May 16th on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, June the 6th on Shelby Street, June 6th on Government Street, and May 1st, 2nd, and 4th on Dolphin Street. So move second to move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

All oppose? Bill passes. Public hearings today is a public hearing to consider the proposed modification of a previously approved plan and approval for property located at 4,800 Mafet Road. Also public hearing to consider the proposed modification of a previously approved plan unit development for property located at 4,800 Mafett Road.

This open up the public hearing for these particular said items. Is anyone president like to address the council on these items? If not, the public hearings are closed. Today is a public hearing to declare the structures at 613 Roof Street, 970 State Street, 1163 Texas Street, 1167 Texas Street, 1213 Texas Street, 1215 Texas Street, and 2513 Carrian Drive, public nuisances, and ordering them demolished.

This open up the public hearing for these particular said item. Is anyone present that would like to address the council? If so, you may come down to the podium by stating your name. and the property that you come down here for. Good morning. My name is Reginald Chamblas and I'm representing 1163 Texas Street, which I grew up in that home. My father and my parent built that home in 1167 Texas Street. I have seen many properties across the city that need to be torn down, but those have withtornown some major hurricanes and they're still standing. So, I do not want them torn down. And as far as trying to get my family to come together and let's fix up 1163. I just need more time. I need more time and we can do that. Um, as far as 1167, immediately when the council woman had told me that she wanted to buy both of those properties, I kind of relaxed everything and here to see I'm on the list for tear down. I have found somebody that will buy it and uh I would like to be able to sell it to them without any further delays so we can put that situation in order. So, I would ask and appreciate that if the council will grant us that privilege to do so.

Uh, Councilwoman Eager, would you like to respond to that or? Yeah. Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, as you shared, as as you stated, you did ask for help in terms of trying to not have this demolished, but you've had ample time to to do so. So, um I'm going to ask that you know we continue to move forward because of the blight situation and um if you asking for more time are you? Yes. And that's more time because you have found someone that will purchase that to take care of the blight.

As far as 1167, but as far as getting some money to fix up 1163 Texas Street, I'm in the process and we are doing that. Now, I do have a Tallahassee address. So being back and forth, it limits the time and unfortunately the yard was in such bad shape. So it has taken most of the priority just to be able to get up in there. And then as far as somebody breaking in and demolishing, well, I won't say demolishing, but ramshacking the place. Belongings kind of have sentimental value. So going through them, I'm trying to get to make sure we don't throw away nothing that would be, I would say, valuable or at least what's that word for things that have um

sentimental value. Sentimental value is the word I'm looking for. Thank you. So, Mr. President, based on the fact that he's concerned about the sentimental value and needing time to get those things out, I I would request that we grant 60 days That would be acceptable. Definitely would be acceptable. And I do believe we can I do have the names of the people that's working on the closing for 1167 if I need to submit them. And um I'm I'm anticipating that we can be closed no later than next week. Later than next week, I would say. So requesting for 60 days for both properties. Correct.

Pardon me. 1163 and 1167 60 days. Correct. Correct. Okay. 60 days. All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you.

Good morning, council mayor. My name is Theodore Williams. I'm the resident at 613 Bruce Street. And I want to say that uh I have a permit to do some cleaning on the property. And I'm doing that now. But currently I'm out from work for the last 45 days, sick leave, trying to get a doctor at least me to get back to the job, my job, Home Depot. On the job, I have a bunch of people who are trying to help me, but due to my health and everything, I have not been able to do that anymore. Lose my job out there on antibiotics, cleaning in the heat. But I want to get it presented. I've cut the grass in the front, cleared it, and I'm trimming the bushes today and recutting and still cleaning. And I'm asking for some more time because I want to The house is 50 years of my life in it. And if you look at it, it's been one of the nicest homes on the street, and I've tried to keep it that way. I'd like to see it either restored or torn down with dignity. Somebody can savage the bricks, the old Chicago bricks. I want to get some estimates, but I don't want anybody to come in until I clear around the property and get it presentable enough for them to walk in. So, I'm asking for some additional time. Let's see whether it's feasible for me to either restore the home or tear it down. I need time to get some proper estimates because looking at what the appraised value is, which I got a notice in the mail today. It went up 10,000. I mean, they charge me another $10, but it's only a thou uh $10,000. So, I don't know what tear down and all that. I need to get some people in that's willing to help me. I got two billers in our family, but I don't want to waste anybody's time. So, let me get back to work. The doctor should send the right corrected paperwork in today. I've been working on them for a week to do it. Next thing, don't get it right. Hopefully, I get it right today. Get

back to work. Give me a little time and if I'm not doing right, then do what you need to do. But I want to get a little time to get chance to do some some more work on it. Beautiful property and I I really think we could do something with it the neighborhood. Councilwoman Inger, would you like to respond on that? Thank you, Mr. President. Um 60 days. I requested we give it an extension of 60 days. Yeah, you won't be sorry. I appreciate it and thank you so much. I appreciate it. let anybody come by want to and if you find somebody want the property at a decent price, it may be worth me selling it to them. But I have the time to do it and I thank you all for that opportunity. Okay. Thank you so much. Am I free to go?

Yes, sir. I need to get to the dock and get that excuse. Yes, sir. Thank you. All right. Good morning, everybody. I'm the property owner of 2513 Carrian Drive. My name is Alex Calo and I need 30 more days to get my permit pulled. Uh just waiting on engineering stamp. We'll give you 60 days. Six day. Yes, sir. All right. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Is anyone else would like to council about these particular set items? If not, the public hearings are closed.

Presentation of petitions and other communications to the council. Tyra Jackson. Tyler Jackson present. Mal clerk. John Rob.

Good morning. I'm John Rob. 308 Wacker Lane North and I'm president of Friends of Mobile Trees. Uh, two points about Airport Boulevard. one, with the new airport opening this year, uh, Airport Boulevard will no longer go to the airport, and I think that's going to be confusing to folks coming from out of town. Uh, and it's something that needs to be looked at in terms of a name change. Uh we could name it after a, you know, former prominent citizen, a former mayor in particular, or um my thought was we could look at Joe Kaine Way, which is kind of rolls off the tongue and the road does lead from Rag Swamp uh down to the parade route. So I think it's something that would be very unifying and representative of Mobile. Um the second point is we planted uh 22 uh Savannah Holl's out on Airport Boulevard and they look great. Uh and we we want to move ahead with phase two from uh Providence Lane out to Schillinger Road and we've gotten absolutely zero response from the Tree Commission. This is an old issue. I've been here several times before about the tree commission. Uh they rarely meet. When they do meet, they really don't do anything. And you can see that by looking at their minutes. Um, and councelor Woods, who is your appointee on the tree commission?

Directly all questions and answers to me. Sir, well, I would ask you to ask uh councelor Woods who is Go ahead and finish your statements, sir. Go ahead and finish your statements. Well, I had a question because they won't tell me who appointed them, which council person appointed which tree commissioner. They won't tell us. the chair. The chair is his

the chairman, Mr. Mr. Rooks. Okay. Yeah. I just got a a text message from him this morning that he's finally going to meet this afternoon uh at 4:30, but they only meet for half an hour cuz the building closes at 5:00. So, that's a problem, too. But I think you as the appointing authority needs to look at the people that you appointed the tree commission and find out why they're not meeting and discussing our tree policy. It's very important for the long-term health of the city.

That's it. Yes. And I would like some kind of a response from the council on behalf of our 1,200 members. What? So, so you asked who is it representative? So, we told you was the chair. So, what else? You each have a representative on the tree commission and they're not doing anything. Yes. So, I'm speaking to you all collectively, not individually. Okay.

Who who is responding? Well, the state just passed a law about a week ago giving state authorities authority to supervise appointees on the various boards on the state level. But I don't see any kind of accountability at all here in the on the city level. Yeah. Are you Mr. President, Vice President?

Thank you, Mr. Rob, for coming down. I appreciate it. I for one will make sure to reach out to my appointee and and I think I can speak for the other members here on the council that we will do the same to make sure that they understand. We expect them to meet. If they are not meeting, you know, why is it because there is no business and they are not meeting because of that? we we need to know and to look back again at the state law that created the tree commission to make sure that they are upholding their responsibilities according to the law. So I will do that and I will make a request of all of my colleagues to do the same. Well, we want to go on the record as saying that they're not meeting their requirements under the state

and I know we've had issues with that in the past and we have tried to address it. So we will continue that with a new effort. Thank you, Mr. President.

Yeah, Mr. Uh, thank you for coming down, Mr. Rob. And I I will um I will make sure I I contact Mr. Rook and I I'll personally ask him to notify me when when they're meeting um so that I can at least stay a breast of when they're meeting and and their actions. Um I do know uh as far as um out of all the appointments that I have, uh I probably talk to Mr. Rook the second most after my solid waste authority. So I will ask for more frequent updates. I'll ask him to notify me when they're meeting and then I'll do my best to try to attend those that I can. So, quum or no quorum. So, and you all have discretionary money. So, if you wanted to support this project,

Madam Clerk. Okay. Estella Troder.

Good morning. Good morning.

Morning. I signed up for um how the city council does not hold the mobile housing authority for due process when it comes to the residents. For many years, many of the residents have been abused and the due process does not work for them. And that's because of the airport by any means necessary. Even though you know they their civil rights were being violated as long as reaching the goal for the airport was reached. You allowed it. There are two articles by the langap. the resignation of the two um executive directors Wilson and Curry when it comes to due process. These packages that you gave them um says a lot. Um, I'm I'm I'm really stunned standing up here because they tried to get me to sign a settlement agreement, illegal settlement agreement, because of the fact that I spoke out against the abuse. The settlement agreement was written so many pages, you would thought that I killed somebody and it was illegal. You knew it was illegal. Hood knew it was illegal. Um, what's the one who represented me knew

that it was illegal? The attorneys that y'all got us that hood give them money to represent us. They thought I was going to sign it to shut up just like Curry and the rest of them. Y'all paid them good to shut up. You don't want to give me a dime after abusing me? and you were dead wrong just to get your airport. It needs to be a federal investigation. Millions and millions of dollars that was stolen from us where you were supposed to rebuild. Did that money go to the airport? Curry was getting $8,000 a month for fees for the golf uh you know being a member at the golf club, $1,000 for his vehicle and a whole lot of other stuff. And he wasn't the only one. So everybody's getting rich around here, getting benefits off of what's going on, the development, everything. And to my understanding, a lot of folks with the city is benefiting off of all of this. That's why you let us be abused.

Uh, thank you so much. I would like for our attorney to respond to that, please. Sure, Mr. President. Um, as I appreciate it with regard to get a little bit closer to mic. Sure. With regard to housing complaints and enforcement, there's nothing that the city council can do with regard to enforcement. that that's that's not in your purview as the legislative body. And my suggestion is to you if anybody is doing anything wrong, go and file a lawsuit. Just that simple. Uh Madam Clerk Reggie Hill

and please put your phones on silent, please. Thank you uh madam city clerk to the citizens and stakeholders of mobile greetings. Reggie Hill uh is my name paraphrasing the late great state senator Michael a figures the washing machine needs an agitator to get the clothes clean. So in that same spirit I rise today to continue these pertinent conversations uh pertaining to our city's rules economic development and public safety. Um let's start with the rules please. this morning. Uh it was suggested that you all don't control the creation uh or modification of administrative policy. I'm here to remind you, however, that the legislative body makes the law. And so if you pass a structure of compliance, this is what every mobilian and anyone who plans to visit here has to comply with. It's very simple. Um we need to be uh really careful how we determine the rules for uh obtaining a certificate of need for ambulance service in the city. uh since it's being held over, I will reserve uh my remarks for the coming days. But I will say, however, it is interesting uh that we're wanting to hold businesses uniquely accountable. Uh yet, we don't have the vehicle inventory list. We'll get to this in a little bit because we see another million dollars on the uh agenda today. Uh we don't have an evaluation metrics for our performance contracts and yet we still see the need within our communities of what's going on. and we're dishing these resources out uh week after week and we haven't heard anything that's going on with the rent and maybe somebody can update us on what's happening with that as well. Um I want to commend the city for placing $2 million worth of drainage projects uh on today's agenda. The only issue is we don't know what the list of those projects specifically are. Um, I also am excited uh to see that we have what is this uh $6 million for a construction project that citizens have been asking about for quite some time, but yet we don't have the plans. So, yet

again, we're arguing about a lot of these things, but these things are making the agendas worth millions of dollars. And we don't know what they represent. And these are taxpayer dollars. And it's not easy to go to the courts if these things are coupled together. They're linked together. these things are working cohesively against the citizens. So, we have to bring it here where our taxpayer dollars represent. I want to look at this public safety component. Uh we we're looking at like what is this? Uh $27,000 uh going oh, excuse me. Let me get to this part first. This first read component cuz I want us to stop doing these things on the first read, but we got $27,000 that's going towards some furniture today. Now, mind you, if this was in a new space or something to that extent, it might be a little different. But when we're talking about going for the business of a former person in administration, Mr. Sandy Simpson's family member, this is something that a citizen may want to come up and ask about, but we can't get just $1,000 over to something that's going to prevent crime in the city of Mobile. Whereas, well, we get to the idea of a million something dollars. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but this last budget cycle, we said we were going to bag back on all of the vehicles going towards Mobile Police Department. But yet, we see what is this what four agendas in a row where it's been like a million dollars each of those times and we don't have a list. So, I would just like to see us put that same level of enthusiasm into that are going to work. Thank you for using the floor. Continue remarks next week.

Ordinance. Ordinance is held over 06018. Ordinance to amend chapter 6 ambulances and other medical transportation of the Mobile City code. Move later one week. Promptly move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

All oppose. I laid over one week. CIP resolutions held over 09,47,48 and 409 are transferring funds from capital project cruise terminal replace roof parapit to capital project cruise terminal disembark ramp transfer funds from capital project cruise rollup doors gangway to capital project cruise terminal equipment and miscellaneous transfer funds from capital project cruise terminal elevator upgrades to capital project cruise terminal disembark ramp So move second properly move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. All oppose? Item pass.

Resolutions held over. This is 08411. Approve purchase order to CDW government for annual renewal of Cisco malware protection and network security software. 08417 approved purchase order to Styver Ford for super crew pickup trucks. 09419 transfer funds from capital project convention center capital to capital project convention center mechanical improvements to replace the existing chiller. So moved second discussion all in favor. All oppose. Item passes. Ordinances being introduced 64019 through 64020.

By council rules these two ordinances will be laid over for one week. Consent resolutions being introduced 09422 through 6438. Move to wave the rules for immediate consideration of these resolutions as read. Second properly move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

All oppose. Rules w. Madam clerk. 09422 transfer funds from district 2 discretionary account to the housing improvement program to assist with security and monitoring system for affordable housing structure located in district 2 37423 424 425 and 426 are correcting resolution 37395 to change the license recommendation to the ABC board to add a lounge retail liquor class 2 license to Cottage Hill package on Cottage Hill road to correct the res to correct resolution 37397 to change the license recommendation to the ABC board from specialty retailer of consumable hemp products licensed to retail food store consumable hemp products license Piggly Wiggly on South University Boulevard 37425 is recommending approval to the ABC board for issuance of a retail beer on off premises license to Chipotle Mexican Grill on Highway 90 West and recommending approval to the WC board is visual of a lounge retail liquor class to license to Hillwood Liquors on Hillrest Road. 40 428 declared the structure at 970 State Street, a public nuisance and order demolished. 40431 432 are declaring structures at 1213 and 1215 Texas Street and ordering them demolished. 58434 assess cost removal of weeds weed lean group 1672 6435 approve award a special bonus to the firefighter of the month 60436 resend resolution 60283 adopted on March 17th in its entirety for 60 437 and 438 are determined appropriations to Spring Hill College and United Way Southwest Alabama sub public purpose and approved payment

so moved second proper Move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. All oppose. Item passes. 40 427 429 430 and 433 are declaring the structures at 613 Roof Street, 1163 and 1167 Texas Street and 2513 Carrian Drive. Public nuisances and ordering them demolished. Motion to delay for 60 days. Second properly move and second. Any discussion? All in favor?

All oppose? I laid over 60 days. CIP resolutions being introduced. 09439. Move to wave the rules for immediate consideration of this resolution as read. Second. Properly move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. All oppose. Rules wave. Madam clerk. 09439. Transfer funds from parking garage fund parking lot revenues to capital project E0043 for the purchase of standard downtown signpost. So move second to move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? All oppose. Item pass.

Resolutions being introduced. 08440 through 21453. Move to wave the rules for immediate consideration of resolutions 08-440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 446, 447, and 448 with the rest being laid over for one week. Second proper movement second. Any discussion? All in favor?

All oppose? Res clerk. Resolution 08440,441, 442, 443, and 444 are approving purchase orders to Butler Complete Services, Gains Utility Construction Company, Invasive Management Services, JJ Quality Homes, Southern Realy Management Company for Storm Drainage, Vegetation, and Debris Removal. 08446, approved purchase order to MFVS Corporation for Furniture for Mayor's Office spaces. 08447 approved purchase order to send some equipment for rental of two debris vacuum trucks. 08448 approved purchase order to SHI International for an annual renewal of MS Office 365 and PowerBI software subscriptions.

So moved. Second. I have to move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. All oppose. Item passes. Announcements. Addition five. Councilman Flynn.

Uh, thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to have another congratulations to our firefighter and officer of the month and for their selfless work they do for our city. Uh, congratulations again to the Davidson High School high IQ team. And then I would um just like to remind the citizens of District 5 and District 1 of of the Dolphin Street I65 corridor project going on. Um, uh, I've seen a few little traffic delays in that area. just remind everybody to be patient, watch out for the workers. Um, make alternate routes if you need to. It's just kind of part of these projects or what we need as a growing city to improve infrastructure and traffic flow and safety. Um, so with that being said, I appreciate everything the administration's doing to help push this project along and um, that's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Fleman. District 2, Councilwoman Ingram.

Thank you, Mr. President. On Saturday, April the 18th, I was joined by President CJ Small as we celebrated the third annual CLB community extravaganza. We had over 20 different organizations to participate and over 200 residents to um attend across Mobile. This event was made possible because organizations such as 100 Black Men, the Strikers, Spire Gas, the Second Liners, Kappa Alphasai, Delta Sigma Theta, and many others gave their time and resources to make this impact possible on the lives of others. We were also um afforded the opportunity to award three scholarships to Williamson High School seniors. And more importantly, we were also able to help some citizens that were in dire need of utility assistance. Again, I just want to thank the residents that came out and participated and the organizations for all of their efforts. I also want to thank um the residents who attended our all communities meeting on Thursday at Harness Park. Uh again, um we had residents to attend from various um uh areas, neighborhoods throughout the community, and we appreciate your attendance and your engagement. But I want to uh give a special shout out to the leadership team from recreation in the parks. Um the staff really went above and beyond the call of duty in terms of doing just special uh providing a special touch to make it more engaging and welcoming for the citizens. So, thank you, Mr. Collins and Miss Pedawway for your exceptional support. And also, I want to continue uh again recognize uh Mr. Graves, our public service director, and the homeless outreach team for their efforts. This weekend, I received several calls from residents and local businesses uh sharing the improvements that they've they're experiencing and

how you can tell the difference um in the last three months. So, thank you all for your leadership and what you're doing. And lastly, on May 5th at 100 p.m., um there's an administrative service committee meeting and the topic will be focused on an update with Mobile Housing Authority and uh again, Vice President Gregory and Mr. Woods will serve on that committee with us. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. District 4, Councilman Reynolds.

Thank you, Mr. President. This weekend we uh attended on Sunday the annual uh mudbottom revival on Dog River. It's a fantastic event. Great way to spend a Sunday with nice folk music and just folks everywhere having a picnic under the the uh Oak Hammocks. Uh it that event is put on by the Dog River Clearwater Revival and their mission is to create an environment where families, children, citizens, workers and visitors work and play in a clean, safe and accessible Dog River wershed. They work to implement projects identified in the wershed management plan to c educate all citizens about their impact on the wershed and empower people to take positive action through stewardship, volunteerism, and community leadership. This organization is a great asset to our city that really care about Dog River. Uh, and for all you river folks that heard the music this weekend, that's where it was coming from. It was coming from the Mud Bottom Revival. And next year, I hope to see everyone out there enjoying a nice Sunday afternoon under the Oakanics. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilman Reynolds. District 6, Councilman Woods.

Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I just want to briefly uh say thank you to to Shayla, Shondaanda, and and Nick. Um, this beautiful piece of work here, uh, the the annual report for the team formerly known as public works. Uh, thank you for all you do and thank for all your team does. Um, each each respective team. Uh, you know, Director Anderson, I saw Matt Anderson riding around on Thursday, which is trash day and um in our area of the woods here. And it's just amazing to see what your team accomplishes week in and week out. and and thank you for all that y'all y'all do across the board for for all three I guess separate departments that I guess kind of formerly known as public works. Um and I do want to say thank you too to the special events Mobile department. Uh this weekend's kites over Mobile was great. Uh it was an amazing opportunity. I can't tell you I mean it it was a a battleship park was full of kites. Uh took the knuckleheads down there and um unfortunately our shark kite attacked the large gorilla kite uh not once but twice. So, um, if you saw somebody running down the causeway, that was me, not once, but twice. And, um, after the second time, we decided that it's best if we pack our kites up and just go get our face painted. But, um, thank you again at special events. It's it's opportunities like that that the city offers, um, you know, continually throughout the year to to gather together. And I know for us it's a it's a it's a fun day whenever we get to take the boys down and do something um, not only, you know, by ourselves, but, you know, as a community. So, thank you for that. And, um, I just want to want to give a plug for the events department. That was an excellent event. Thanks for all you do and um thank you for um for not kicking us out because our kite kept attacking the gorilla. So that's it. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Woods. District one, Councilman P.

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to join in with my colleagues um telling um public safety director Graves, our chief um for um the MPD um as well as our fire chief, they are doing an amazing job in our city. We have some great leaders. So, thank you for your service. Um, and to the employees, as you see, they got the awards today. Um, that's what it's all about, serving our city, serving our community. Um, and thank you to Mr. Young and Mr. um, and the Ransom Ministry. Um, me and Councilwoman Gregory share that area on my road. Um, and it looks amazing. So, thank you so much for your support. This week, we will have um, I will be supporting the Bay Area Women Correation um, annual neighborhood cleanup day. They celebrating Earth Day April the 22nd and the 23rd. Um, join us to clean up and beautify the Trenton Gardens community. Um, you can meet up at the Dots Community Center on on those days between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Someone will be out each hour um, cleaning up, doing things to serve our community. And so, I'm so grateful for the leadership of this organization. Also, this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. um mothers involved against um gun violence will now have um rise against violence. Um it's it's basically we're asking everyone to come out um to Figures Park, bring your your bicycle, your tricycle, whatever you like to use. Um and and they're going to support they're going to have different u vendors there. Um but it's an amazing event held by a great organization. Um, and I I truly want to thank everyone who's making this happen. Um, I will be that of support. And then as well on May the 19th, we will have our community meeting in the Tommoville community. Um, it will be at held at John Laf floor, the greatest high school, and it will be at 6:00 p. p.m. So, we look forward to have everyone there. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilman Pan. Mr. 7 Vice President Gregory.

Thank you, Mr. President. And I just want to join my colleagues in in thanking the folks who took care of the trash and leftover items uh on Moffett Road. As Councilman Pin mentioned, we share that area at Moffett and I65. What Ransom and our city's homeless services did with Kendall Young and his team was just amazing. And it's really great to see this continuing on, not just cleaning up the debris that is left over, but helping the these folks who are without homes to get services and to help direct them toward finding a place to stay, a safe place to stay. So, thank you for all the work that you do, uh, Director Graves and and everybody. And of course, to our two chiefs, thank you continually. Thank you for for all that you do in our in our city. I know you hear from me quite a bit uh with requests and I appreciate the the fast service. So, thank you for all that you do. Coming up this weekend, I will be with the Omega Lamplighters out at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. They are having their senior day at uh the church. Uh these young men will be graduating. The Omegas, if you don't know, uh it's an organization that's dedicated to helping young men from Mobile High Schools to develop their leadership skills to, you know, to grow personally and professionally. and their strive is always toward greatness. So, I look forward to being there with these young men and their families to congratulate them and um uh wish them the best, you know, on their on their futures. That's a great group. Coming up on Tuesday morning, I will not be here for pre-consil because I will be with the Child Advocacy Center on Tuesday morning next week. This is their annual fundraiser. Uh it is the Serve It Up with Love tennis tournament. will be at the Copeland Cox Tennis Center welcoming everybody to come in for this really wonderful um tennis tournament that provides much neededed funding for the child advocacy center. And I think if you are a tennis buff or you just like hitting a ball and you would like to be a part of this tournament, there's probably still room for you out there on

Monday and Tuesday. So just give them a call and see if you can set something up. I look forward to seeing all of the tennis players and um also the the kind of funds that that that they save that they not save but they um generate for the child advocacy center is much needed and and very well used. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Vice President Gregory. And greetings to the citizens of District 3. Please mark your calendars for May the 19th, 2026. On Tuesday at Mercer Elementary School, we will have our district community meeting for the Dog River, Pleasant Valley Road, AA Road, and the Morningside community. Again, that would take place on Tuesday, May the 19th at 6:00 p.m. Do we have anything from administration?

If I may, um, one thing I failed to do when talking about our annual report, which is I highly suggest everyone take a look at that. This doesn't come together without the Mobile Communications Department and the communications team headed by Jason Johnson. Uh Aaron Briers specifically spends a quite a bit of time on all of these publications and I just want to give them a shout out and a thank you. Thank you. Motion to adjurnn. Second move and second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. All oppose? Opposed.