City Council - Regular Meeting

So that we can maybe do things, make changes sooner than later than just, you know, whenever there's an issue arise.

Yeah. Needed. And then when we do make these changes, then the follow-up would not necessarily come from that group. It would be us. What is the follow-up? What changes were made and how is it working now? So that's just pretty much what Councilman Woods has said. So that the council is aware. And then on the eight boards, maybe this can be part of the agreement. Which boards are we going to look at? Which boards are we going to ask for? Not just some global go out and look, but are we going to specify?

Right. And I think the mayor said from the beginning, that's where we're really looking for your feedback. Right. I mean, we want your involvement. There's a recognition among this administration. that you're appointing the vast majority of these boards. And so, you know, we ask, let us know where you think her services could be best utilized because we want that in preparing this agreement. We want to know where we can focus her talents.

Anybody else?

Yeah, just briefly. I don't want to beat the horse too hard. But we have to have something. And I hope you can understand this was not your fault. You weren't here. Like, I get it. but I hope you understand and see our perspective that she likely is doing a lot of useful work and she is likely improving the Downtown Mobile Alliance. Without question. All right. Okay. Well, there's no line of sight to that from us other than saying, man, the Downtown Mobile Alliance sure is doing a great job, but I don't think that's enough to guide our decision. So we're going to put forward, I think, some amendments to the contract so that this ongoing dialogue that's had on the 10th floor can be had with us at some level so that we can inform. We don't just appoint these people to the board. We create the board. We're setting up the confines of which they operate on these boards so it can, you know, because I think we have some boards that we'd like to sort of restructure. Think about this, Robert. We went through the whole ARB process. We redefined the ARB with nothing from the consultant that I think was looking at it. I mean, we just sort of had to take everybody's word for it. So we just need to avoid that.

We're happy to consider any language that you want to propose.

Madam Vice President. Yes, ma'am.

And, Robert, to your point, I do want to point out, if you look at the report that she did provide the skeletons, some of the things that Councilman Woods, that he's pointed out, size, strategy, policies, budget, KPIs, and people, it's saying that these are the things they're going to look at. I think what we're saying is that let us see that final report based off of what you said you would look at. So clearly, you know, this is a renowned consultant that's providing outstanding services, but we can't see it, but we clearly see here these are the indicators that she's going to be looking at. So if we can just get that report the current, the desired, just as she outlined in there, I think it's going to help us move forward.

Okay.

But thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Anybody else? Okay. That's it. Thanks, Fred. Appreciate it.

So what do we need? We need a week or two weeks? Two weeks. Two weeks.

Okay.

Okay. 08795, approved purchase order to Dell Marketing for 50 desktop computers. 08798, approved purchase order to Vector Solutions for annual renewal of software and support for managing training, qualifications, evaluations, and equipment. 09799, authorized a one-time cost-of-living adjustment for certain classes of pensioners of the police and firefighters retirement plan.

OK, I believe there were some. Go ahead, Councilman Woods.

Yes, and so lastly, we kind of talked about, again, I could speak for myself, not my colleagues. I'm in favor of doing this, but would like at least some sort of illustration or, I guess, proof of what the potential or projected impact would be on the budget. I know that we don't. I mean, this would take effect budget year on October 1. I guess my ask is, I think I feel we need to lay this over again. I'm a yes on this. I'm a yes all day long to all the retirees. I'm a yes, but again, would like to maybe at least see some sort of projections of the impact. I know that we talked about it being maybe a half million dollar annual impact, but I guess just making sure for our sake that we kind of at least have peace at what the actual impact is. I don't know if that looks like laying this over and doing it at the same time as the budget since we're going to be doing that side by side or i mean could lay it over two weeks and then you know we'll vote on i i guess just whatever it would take to get the you know get kind of justification of the impact on the budget i guess

Okay. So you should have in your inbox an actuarial report about the impact of the cost of living adjustment. But it is, as we stated last time, roughly $450,000 a year. That will be amortized over 30 years for a total impact of about $6.5 million. But you'll have the actuarial report in there. And this is not, again, this is not an unfunded liability. This is something you're voting to fund.

So the executive summary, you know, sort of laying that out?

Yes. You should have it. I don't have it yet.

All right.

We'll resend it. Can we make for every one of them? It's pretty straightforward.

So just so you know, the benefits, the COLA gets paid from the plan. The COLA does not, it's not coming straight out the city's bank account. It's being paid from the plan assets. The plan assets have done very well, actually, especially in the past year. And that letter details that if performance stays above a certain level for the fiscal year, you can almost say it pays for itself from the investment gains that are coming out. But as far as the budget, how we realize this through the budget is the plan benefits and payments increase because of the cola. Every year there's an actuary reports determines the new contribution that seems to be paid. And that's how the city realizes what we truly need to contribute. So market matters. So but if you it's it has been a good year fortunately. So it's not necessarily that the city's contribution will increase at this point because of the cola because of the market performance. So that can get lost in all sorts of actuarial things. But it has been a good year.

So obviously, with this budget year, the unfunded liabilities, we've almost got that. And I think next budget cycle, which you would know better, we're making kind of one of the final smaller ways to catch up on unfunded liability. um i guess kind of the thing is is um obviously uh i think was it 30 years that it's taken to fund uh fund properly fund everything um and again the market's performing i mean i've heard of people get nine percent right now which is incredible um but uh you know my only concern and again this isn't this isn't i'm not a no vote on this whatsoever but you know the market's not always going to be great and uh you know i guess kind of the and again i know that you don't have a crystal ball to say you know in 2040 the city's going to have to make a bigger contribution but i guess um just we were just kind of making sure that what the projections look like so next year and you know kind of maintaining the account per se we'd be looking at maybe six to eight million a year that we budget annually to maintain the the um the pension i believe was is what i guess i was told six seven eight And I guess with this COLA, is that with their potentially all things considered, with their potentially, you know, how much will we be looking at every year, just an increase on that six to eight million potentially with all things normal? Because, again, I know when the market dives down, we're going to, you know, we still got to make a higher contribution.

The increase to benefits is about $490,000 a year, which is in that letter. The total benefits being paid to all the retirees, it's in the, 18 and 19 million a year realm and that's off a plan that is you know high 300s low 400s in assets um i'd have to check that number for you but what i will say is that the the market performance is a nice bonus the the cola certainly pales in comparison to the catch-up payments that we've made over the past few years uh for sure no doubt so i appreciate it thank you

Councilman Williams, I wanted to kind of address market fluctuation, which is apparently what your concern is. The way the plan is built, when we have gains, we certainly take advantage of that, but we also smooth it over a five-year period. We don't accept those gains up front. the same happens with losses in the market or downturns in the market is that we we have that liability but we spread it over five years and it's oftentimes offset by gains hopefully in a five-year period you have more gains than you do losses and we begin to smooth out those that fluctuation so for budgeting purposes and so One of the key things Logan said is that these benefits are being paid out of the plan assets. Now, anything paid out of it, but the liability is always ours. But that's how we try to anticipate market downturns, if that makes you feel any better. I appreciate that. Sure.

Anybody else on this? You ready to vote on this today? You still want to lay it over? What's your?

I mean, this applies to me.

This refers to another report. I mean, we don't have it, the other report, if somebody could send that over to us.

Yeah, that's the, yeah, if y'all want to see it, it's pretty complex, but we'll be glad to give it to you.

I just, I want to make sure I have my head wrapped around what it is exactly we're doing. You have explained it great, but I'm sort of thick-skulled at times, Jim. So, you know, I mean, I'd like to – you all have had a lot of time to work with this and understand it, especially you, Jim, over a long period of time. And we know that there's been discussions going on about it. But, again, I hope you all understand our perspective. The way that we operate is we're not necessarily read in on all these things all the time. And you can't read us in on everything. You're out there doing your executive work. But if it's placed on our agenda, we then have to come up to speed with what we're doing and understand it completely in a very short period of time, amongst many other things. We haven't had it. I'd like to read it and understand it and be able to pick up the phone and call Logan or Jim or whoever and say, hey, this one little part of this or whatever it is, can you explain it to me so I can understand? I mean, that's the intent with this. Hold it to understand it.

One week, two weeks?

One week is totally fine.

Okay. For those retirees who are in the audience or who are listening, we want to make sure that they understand that we are fully in support of them getting this COLA. It's just a matter of the council being able to understand how it works and how it impacts the budget. And, of course, this wouldn't start like today. So us laying it over does not impact when this would begin.

Madam Chair, I just want to say thank you again because, I mean, I know that it took some time, and you all have done a lot of research, and you all have also weighed a lot of different options. So thanks for doing that, and I would intend to vote on it next week.

Anybody else? All right. 25, 800, 801, 802, accepting a temporary construction easement, a non-exclusive access easement and right-of-way and recreational easement all from R cubed LLC for construction of Three Mile Creek Greenway Trail project segment five. Consent resolutions being introduced. 31808, authorize the mayor to apply, accept, and receive a grant from the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for the fiscal year 2026 CPD microgrants program, 200,000, a local match. 37809, recommend approval to the ABC board for issuance of a retail beer, table, wine, off-premises only license to fast stop. for North University Boulevard. 48, 810, 811, 812 are fixing the cost of demolition of structures. 58, 813, 814, authorized removal of weeds and assess cost for removal of weeds. Weed lien groups 1679 and 1676. 6815, determine an appropriation to the pathway school. Serves a public purpose and approved payment. CIP resolutions being introduced. 01816 authorized agreement with alabama power to relocate facilities within city right of way for construction of intersection improvement at halls mill and demetropolis roads 08817 approved purchase order musical sports lighting to repair lightning strike damage to melavana park soccer field lighting ninety five thousand eight hundred dollars Resolutions being introduced, 01818, authorized service contract with Cone for elevator and escalator inspection service and preventive maintenance at various locations, $750,924. 01819, authorized joint purchasing agreement with Mobile County for bids for items needed for construction and maintenance of roadways, sidewalks, parks, and light facilities.

Yes, sir. Mr. Reynolds? How does this... Are we currently in a joint purchasing agreement with Mobile County? We are. How does it work? We use their buying power combined with ours to buy down price, or is that how it works?

effectively what this does and it's it's it's we've had it in the past um anything that they've competitively bid it allows our purchasing department to purchase the same you know through through that because it's already been competitively did much like we do with the state uh i think with purchasing vehicles and stuff like that that's right that's right so you don't have to put out separate bids yeah if that particular item is exactly what we need we can we can utilize their purchasing contract that they've already bid to you know to make those same purchases

08820. Approve award of item-based bids for medical supplies. 08821. Approve purchaser to active solutions for subscription to active Mustang Microsoft Outlook plugin for public query responses for various city departments. $23,700. 08821. 822 and 823, approved purchase order to CDW government for power supplies and mounting racks, network switches, power supplies, and transceivers. And this is for MPD security cameras and Sanger Theater and Maritime Museum. 0824, approved purchase order to Cone to upgrade central processing units and software for cruise terminal, $29,796.40. 08825 and 826. Approved purchase order to Major League Landscape and LLC and Thomas A. Galloway for storm drainage, vegetation, and debris removal. 08827, approved purchase order to Steven Green for Jimmy Buffett exhibit gift shop items for the Maritime Museum, $28,495.56. 08828, approved purchase order to Struthers Recreation for urethane top coat material for rubber safety surfacing, $16,872. 21-829, authorized contract amendment with Volcker for Broad Street Phase 3, Broad Street from Garrity Street to Palmetto Street, $20,000 increase.

Madam Vice President. Yes, ma'am.

First of all, I do want to thank the administration and specifically Ms. Jennifer Green. I had the opportunity last week to go out and to see some of the work that's happening in District 2, and so I'm really excited about what's about to happen on Broad Street, and I think the public is going to also be excited about that. It's really, again, the beautification and encouraging and making sure that we keep that area modernized for walkability and so forth. My only question on this, and I think I might know the answer, but I want the public to hear it too. I realize that this is just a supplemental fee, an increase of $28,650 of a larger contract. And I noticed that the DBE is not filled out. Is there a reason that there's no information, like it doesn't state that, you know, this is not needed? It's just a blank document. There is not a DBE on this one. Okay. So if it's not one, would they put a form? I mean, would they put something there saying that it's not required or it's

The original contract should have had the DBE waiver, and if it's not in there, I can get it for you. But there's a waiver that goes with every contract that doesn't have one. Volkert has done all the design on Broad Street, which is why they're continuing to do it for continuity. But I can check on that. Right.

So just to clarify, what you're saying is that the waiver would have been a part of the original contract.

Original contract, yeah. It doesn't go with an amendment. We typically don't put that in. Okay.

Thank you so much. Okay.

Thank you. Anybody else?

21830, authorized contract with Planning Next for revision planning and community engagement support for capital improvement project 135,000.

What is this? It's just a contract with Planning Next. Is there a specific? I understand. Is that with the one ahead of us?

I should have stayed. Sorry. Planning Next is a group that we've been working with for many years. Both Shayla and I use Planning Next. This particular contract with our department is our new contract with them. They do a variety of things. They help us with our community engagement, first and foremost. Those of you that have been to our community engagements, St. Louis, MLK, Broad Street, Langan Lake, Greenway Trail, all of the products and things you see. our presentations, our boards. Those are things that they help us with to communicate our complex information to the public. And we find them very helpful and we get a great response. They also help us with our website. They also work with us on our CIP documents. So that five-year plan that we work on, the online board that your citizens can view, they also help with that. So they're a great asset to our team and they've been working with the city for over a decade. Just overall work.

I was looking for like a specific

So it's basically helps almost every project we have in our department, and they're great to work with. Huge asset.

Thank you. 21831, authorized contract with Round Blip LLC for Be Like Blippi Tour Kids Concert, $35,000.

Yes, sir. I just want to say, as someone that has consumed a lot of Blippi, I'm very excited about this. It's going to be very successful, and I'm looking forward to having it and hosting the District 6. I'm very excited about that. I mean, I've consumed a lot of Blippi over the years.

So, Josh is be like Blippi.

Fire trucks, everything.

01832, Authorized Agreement with Life Investment Group for Community Liaison, Africatown Welcome Center, Youth Jobs Programming and Consulting Services, 90,000. 01833, Authorized Agreement with RMGA Inc. and Businesses, Richard Mandel Golf Architecture for Business Plan and Architectural Consulting Services for the Azalea City Golf Course, 60,000. 25, 834, except a recreational easement from the University of South Alabama for segment five of the Three Mile Creek Greenway Trail Project.

Before we move on, can we get a little bit more information on the agreement for the Azalea City Golf Course, exactly what this is going to entail?

It's a long contract. I sent the mayor notes and I'm coming up here. One of the things we wanted to do was bring someone in and do a master through our committee. Richard Mandel was referred and I went and did some research and he, I had an opportunity to speak with him on the phone and him to send us a proposal. And it's really for him to come into a full assessment of the golf course. So he's going to come in, he's going to do walkthroughs with all of the different courses committees and groups that's out there to find out the usability of it, the tee times, the operations, the maintenance operations, and look at all of that. He's also going to be reviewing all of the past plans we had, how it's changed over time, and then give us a recommendation at the end of what we need to do to move forward to fixing that in a phase plan because we all know that we won't be able to do this in one whole sitting, but he's going to put it in a phase plan. One of the things he do offer on the back end as well, because he's an architect, he can also do the design on the back end for a different fee. So the biggest part where I was a fan of him is that he's going to do engagement with the actual users of the golf course. So he includes community engagement in a part of his process. He's well known. I went through a couple of other colleagues and they highly recommended him as well. So he's been doing this quite often.

Okay. sounds good yeah i just want to say thank you shonda i know that you've been working hard on this and the group the volunteers that have been putting in their time i appreciate all that you're doing i look forward to seeing an outcome that's going to be positive for azalea city golf course i think it's a tremendous asset for the city and um i think it gets so much play because it's very popular and i can't wait to see it be the first class facility that it can be and as far as money goes i mean i believe this is located in district seven and you know and i believe this is a city golf course and i think you know at least a portion of district seven funds should be made available

Well, if we're going to start that, then every other city facility in town should be paid for by individual CIP. So, yeah, I don't think that holds a whole lot of water. But thank you, Shonda. Appreciate it. Azalea City is already a really nice course and a great amenity for the city. So I look forward to seeing all the improvements moving forward. Thank you.

Call for public hearings. 41835, call for public hearing to consider the proposed rezoning of property located at 320 and 330 Western Drive from B3 to I1, scheduled September the 8th. 41836, call for public hearing to consider the proposed rezoning of property located at 255 Church Street from T5.2 2T6 scheduled September the 8th. 41837 call for public hearing to consider proposed rezoning of property located at 2665 Government Boulevard and 604610 Mandrill Street from R1 and B2 to R1 and B3 scheduled September 8th. 41838 call for public hearing to consider the proposed rezoning of property located at 2694 Government Boulevard and 2750 2754, 2756 Brooklyn Avenue from B1 and B2 to B3 scheduled September the 8th. 41839 call for public hearing to consider the rezoning of property located at 4460 Dauphin Island Parkway from R1 to ML scheduled September the 8th. 41840 call for public hearing to consider the proposed rezoning of property located at 4213 and 4221 Spring Valley Drive South from R1 and R3 to R1 scheduled September 8th. 41841 call for public hearing to consider the proposed rezoning of property located at the northwest corner of Fairfork Road and Moffett Road from R1 to B3 scheduled September the 8th. 41842 Call for public hearing to consider the application of K CARES 4U LLC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a sedan service scheduled August the 18th, 41843. Call for public hearing to consider the application of Midtown Cart Transpo for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a golf cart service August the 18th. Announcements.

Any announcements?

Madam Vice President.

Yes, sir. Mr. Penn.

I really want to give a big shout out to Shonda Smith. I'm just giving you a spotlight shout out. Positive. I gave you a call last week about some situations in my district that I mean, it was like I drove down the street. They already cleared it out, cut the grass. And I just want to commend your work, everything your team is doing. I know it's hard. It's a lot of rain that we've been receiving. And but You did an awesome job on that. I also want to highlight the City of Mobile. Sunday morning, I get to church and people saying, thank you. And I'm like, what did I do? Thank you. And they said they had an amazing time at the City of Mobile event in Josh District. for the inflatable, adult inflatable. So, Janiyah, thank you for you and your team, everybody who made that happen. I didn't get a chance to go out. We had a lot of back-to-school events. So, by the time it was for that event, I was tired. And so, but it looked like it was a great time, great turnout. And I just want to commend the CineMobile. We're doing an amazing job, you know, from parts and risks to events to cutting grass. It's work. But I just want to thank you to the team. Thank you, Madam Vice President.

Okay, Councilman Woods?

Yes, ma'am, and since we did bring up budget and meetings, and there might be other committee meetings, I just want to do a quick run through since we have now entered August. So we're looking at Tuesday, obviously the budget will be over to us probably maybe like 4.59 on the 20th, I believe. And then Tuesday, August 25th, be the official budget message release, announce the budget hearing on the agenda. Budget hearing will be September the 8th, and then we'll also that day have a finance committee meeting on the proposed budget at 1 o'clock. Tuesday, September 15th at 1 o'clock, we'll have a follow-up finance committee meeting from anything that takes place between the 8th and the 15th. And then the anticipation is that that'll go on the agenda the same day, and then we'll take it up as a second read on September 22nd. And I'm in my best Councilmember Dave's channeling his spirit. The Finance Committee wouldn't anticipate any questions to be prepared and ready to be talked about without delay, and then follow-up questions on September 15th so we can keep the budget moving along. That's it for me.

And also, in my best Joel Daves, if you want to have an amendment for any sort of financial change, remember, money's got to come from somewhere, from something. Anybody else?

We have some resolutions under $50,000 we want to look at. 08821, 08822, 08823, 08824, 08825, 08826. 08826, 08827, 08828, 21829, and 21831. All right.

Anybody else? All right. We will see you downstairs.

Usually you ask the administration if they have anything.

Sorry. Does the administration have anything?

This is the actuary.

Thanks, Jim.

Jimmy, do you have an extra? I gave mine to Lisa.

Thank you.

All right. With that, then, we'll see you all downstairs.