City Council - Regular Meeting

And always, I got better last week, but forget that new public hearing.

Good evening, everyone. Good evening, everyone. We ask that you please stand. The City Council has now come to order. We're going to begin tonight's meeting with a prayer, followed by 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 flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please be seated.

Approval of the minutes. Make a motion. We approve the minutes. It has been moved and seconded that we approve the minutes. Voting, Mr. Eaton?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Minutes stand to approve. I have a quick announcement followed by two proclamations tonight. First, City Hall will be closed this Friday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth. There will be no delay in this week's garbage, trash, or recycling. For more information, if you need more information, please feel free to contact Tuscaloosa 311. At this time, I'm going to ask Ms. Lisa Young, who is president of the NAACP here in Tuscaloosa County, to please come forward to receive this proclamation. Whereas, speaking of Juneteenth, whereas on Juneteenth, On June 19th or Juneteenth is a special date of significance to the African American communities of Tuscaloosa and to all those who cherish liberties around the world. And whereas in 1865, over two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders stating all previously enslaved people in Texas were free, initiating a grand tradition of joy and celebration. And whereas Tuscaloosa's heritage and history demand a regular observance and recognition of the long road that many have walked and continue to walk by celebrating June 19th as Freedom Day. And whereas it is deeply important to celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Walt Maddox, on behalf of the city council, do hereby proclaim June 19th is Juneteenth in Tuscaloosa and urge all citizens to join me in recognizing the honest observation of history, what the honest observation of history reveals in its path to repair and heal racial reconciliation. Ms. Young, on behalf of the city of Tuscaloosa, I'd like to present you this proclamation and ask that you and any of your guests here please make any statements to our city council.

I just want to thank everybody with the city that has helped to grow Juneteenth in the city of Tuscaloosa. This is something that we could have never done on our own. It's a collaborative effort with the city of Tuscaloosa, with PARA, with Shelton State Community College. And this year, we hope we don't disappoint with the gracious help of Councilman Cassius Lanier. Uh. Mr. Joe Eatman, Councilman Joe Eatman, we plan to continue what we've started. And each year we hope to grow this bigger. I'll say this, that I did not know about Juneteenth until my son brought it to my attention. And we started celebrating it within our family. And then so many people started catching on. And I said, well, we need to do something larger in Tuscaloosa. it's become an event that people actually expect and they look forward to. And we're just so happy that we were able to be the organizers. But I want to recognize that this is definitely a community effort.

And any special dates or times that the public needs to be aware of?

Oh, thank you. So Friday, we will have our Living Legend luncheon. This year, we are honoring Ms. Sue Thompson. Mm-hmm. Definitely a pioneer and a civil rights advocate here in Tuscaloosa. That's been held at Shelton State Community College, CA Fred Campus. Sold out. Each year it sells out. We are over capacity. So we'll be looking for a larger venue. But this Saturday we have the parade that Ms. Vonda Jane has worked so tirelessly on. And when I say that, she has truly been an asset in the absence of Ms. McKinstry, who, you know, due to her business, was unavailable to help in the way that she has. And then we will, after the parade, we'll start at... I won't say Central West so bad. At West Longhorns Middle School, we'll travel to Shelton State Community College up MLK Junior Boulevard. And then we will have the community celebration, which will be this year at the McDonough Hughes Center. And people ask, why did we move from Palmore Park? The heat is just unbearable. And thanks to Para for allowing us to use the storm shelter and the baseball fields behind the McDonough Hughes Center. And everything is free. We will have food trucks and vendors that we hope people come out and patronize. But vendor registration fee, we don't charge anything for anything out there. Power has been absolutely wonderful in partnering with us. And we hope to continue this year after year.

And Ms. Young, I know for me, Councilor Eatman, Councilor Howard, Councilor Henry, and Councilor Lanier, West Lawn will always seem to be Central West. That's the West County. Definitely the West County. So we certainly understand, and we replicate that often as well. It is my opportunity now to welcome an amazing group of individuals who represent an amazing department with the city, and that's our Environmental Services Department team. So I'm going to ask Director Meggs, along with his team members, to come forward. And before I read the proclamation, I decided to print something off screen. Right. So if you see here, so every Friday I get a report of the missed routes that we have in the city of Tuscaloosa. And to the public here, this is a data point that I wanted to show to y'all.

So we have 69,000 opportunities a week to create success.

69,000 pickups, garbage, trash, and recyclables. And our pickup rate, we normally miss somewhere. It's always under 50 a week. But it's now sometimes in the low 20s. Now, we take full responsibility for every miss, although we do know, Mr. Meggs and Mr. Smith, sometimes somebody may have put their trash bin out late or something like that.

We're going to say that it's our responsibility.

That type of efficiency and effectiveness doesn't happen by accident. It happens because of the leadership of Mr. Meggs and Mr. Smith. It happens because of these amazing public servants that every single day just do a fantastic job for the city. I can't tell you how proud I am of each and every one of you and what an honor it is to work with you every single day. I know that my colleagues, and they may want to say a few words in a second, I know they feel exactly the same way. So let me read this proclamation into the record, but please know it inadequately expresses all of our sincere thanks, and the 115,000 people that called Tuscaloosa home, their sincere thanks for what you do every single day. Whereas trash and recycling collection are two of the most vital services that the city of Tuscaloosa provides as a municipal government, our community recognizes the often thanksless job of trash and recycling professionals. And whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the eradication of many diseases in the Western world is due in large part to higher public sanitation standards resulting from effective garbage disposal. And whereas the proper collection and disposal of waste and recycling are vital to preventing disease, litter, and dumpies. And whereas the City of Tuscaloosa values and celebrates our environmental service workers for their service to our community and their commitment to our citizens and to businesses, we are proud to join them in recognition for Waste Recycling Workers Week. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Walt Maddox, on behalf of a very grateful City Council, do hereby proclaim the week of June 15th through June 19th, 2026 to be Waste Recycling Workers Week in Tuscaloosa and encourage all citizens to join me in extending a heartfelt appreciation to these valuable team members for keeping our community, our Tuscaloosa, clean and beautiful. Mr. Meggs, I'd like to present this to you. I want you to number one, talk about this week and why it's important. Number two, I want you to introduce your team members that are here tonight.

Good evening. Good evening. Y'all know how much I appreciate these guys. We talk about it all the time. We appreciate them, too. We're honored to accept this on behalf of all of ESD. These guys are some of the toughest of the tough. They battle inclement weather every day. Y'all seen what we got this week. Heat, snow, rain, storm, it doesn't matter. They're out there in it. Heavy lifting, early mornings, they handle all of it with ease. I mean, if y'all could just see a part of the daily operation, you would be amazed at what these guys actually do day in and day out. Our community runs smoothly because of these guys. They keep it safe, clean. They take pride in what they're doing. And some of the most resilient guys I've ever seen. That number, you know, that he showed that we take pride in and we talk about it on a weekly basis is because of these guys. They are the star of the show. So I'm going to let them introduce themselves and tell you what they do and how many years they've been here, simply because I think you'll be amazed at some of the guys along GMD with the city. So thank you all again.

Thank you.

John, I'm going to make you come first.

I'm John Smith, Deputy Director of Environmental Service. Today is actually my 23rd year at the city. Wow. I had a work anniversary and couldn't work at a better place. And we just love to serve people and love to serve everyone in our district and the citizens of Tuscaloosa.

Thank you. And congrats.

Good afternoon. My name is Alphonso Platt. I'm the recycling plant leader. July 4th will be my fourth year. Okay. Nice. Awesome.

Chase Watts. I'm the maintenance crew supervisor over the street maintenance division, and I've been here 14 years.

All right. Reginald Smith. I'm a ESD garbage supervisor. Been here almost 24 years, 24 years, 15th of next month.

Jeremy Shirley. I've been with the city 13 years. I'm a heavy equipment operator with trash.

Matt Carr. I'm a floater for the trash department and been here almost seven years.

Good afternoon. My name is Vincent Ellis. I'm ESD recycling supervisor. And July 18th, I'll be here four years.

Hey, how y'all doing? My name is Eric Wiggins. I've been here 21 years. And I'm head of equipment operator. And we look out for y'all, too.

Good guy right there. Good afternoon. I'm Barnes Heath. I'm one of the trash supervisors. I've been here on my 14th year.

I just want to say thank you because I don't remember the last time anybody in my district called me about missing anything out there, and it really makes all our jobs easier when y'all do a great job like that. I truly appreciate you.

Yeah. I appreciate y'all, too. I know I called Chris, and nothing that y'all did, but sometimes the constituents are a little dirty, but y'all take care of everything well, so I appreciate that. I'm honest, so I appreciate y'all.

I just want to say that this past week, I had eight of you guys on the show. We had two from each department, and we spent the entire hour, and it's always one of my favorite shows of the day because I get to brag on you all, and again, like everyone said, you are... Absolutely. One of the most appreciated departments in the city.

There's a lot of reasons I can brag on my city, but you guys are definitely one of them. And I try not to call Chris too much and really don't have to because y'all are awesome at what y'all do. And I mean that. Thank y'all. Even when y'all wave at the kids when y'all come by. So thank you.

I just want to echo everything everybody said. Thank you guys. Y'all do an amazing job. And just thank you for what you do.

Thank y'all.

Thank y'all.

Thank y'all. How you doing?

My guy. What's up, man? I wish every city employee smiled like he did.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Any council announcements tonight?

Well, I will be back at Jack's Saturday.

Okay. Mr. Bell will be back at Jack's. I don't believe we have any departmental announcements. We have no agenda item, or do we have agenda items?

We do not.

Making sure. We have no unfinished business. Consent agenda.

This approves items A through C on the consent agenda.

Move. Make an option. Second. It's been moved and seconded to adopt a consent agenda. Voting, Mr. Lanier. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. And Senate agenda is adopted. Public hearings, clerk.

This approves an on- or off-premises retail beer and table wine license for J.R. Cricket's Tuscaloosa.

So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Ms. Franks?

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Good evening.

I have ABC application for Visionary Ventures Group, LLC, doing business as JR Crickets Tuscaloosa. They're applying for a retail beer on or off premises and a retail table wine on or off premises. They are located at 1130 University Boulevard, Suite B6, which is located in the University Center Shopping Center. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Here's the aerial view. The occupancy is capped at 108, and here's a view of their menu. All my reports have been filed with the city clerk. TPT will give their report, and then the applicant.

Thank you. Officer Branscombe.

Good evening, Mayor, Council. Pertaining to the application before you, the police department, we have no issues with it.

Thank you. Do we have any questions for Ms. Franks or Officer Branscombe? Seeing none, is the applicant here? Yes, sir. If you would, please come forward and give your name and address. Yes, sir. Name and address.

Eric Boyd, 7712 Finley Street.

What city? North Park. Okay. All right. Any questions for the applicant?

When are you going to open?

Sir?

When are you going to open?

We opened like seven months ago.

Okay. Yeah. Well, good. Welcome to District 4. Belatedly, but I'll come by and eat.

Y'all made it through yesterday? Yeah, we had a little while going in, so we're getting that fixed as we speak. Good. I hate you had to deal with that. That's how we deal with it. I said, hey, you had to deal with it. Oh, yes, yes, yes, sir.

Any other questions for Mr. Boyd? All right, Mr. Boyd, thank you very much. Thank you. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against? Seeing none, voting Mr. Eatman.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Retail beer and table wine license is approved. Good luck. Clerk.

This authorizes execution of a development agreement with Delaney Group, LLC.

So moved. Second. It's been moved and seconded. At this point, we do not have any staff reports. Does the council have any questions for any of our team members that are here before I open up the public hearing? Seeing none, this is a public hearing. So anyone who would like to address the city council is welcome to do so. We will begin at five minutes per person and then see how long and where that takes us. And it's first come, first serve. So Ms. Parsons, I see that you're You're moving forward. If you would, please come forward and give your name and address.

Sure. I'm Linda Parsons, 2 Forest Lake Drive in Tuscaloosa. This is my 30th year teaching in business schools, and before that I worked as a CPA for 12 years. It is that experience that shapes what I'm going to say to you tonight. In business, the basic rule is simple. A company has to bring in more money than it spends. Owners look at future costs and future revenues and decide whether or not a project is worth doing. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. That's normal business risk. I reviewed the proposal that had been presented to the finance committee and the resolution that's being considered tonight. I'm concerned about the Springbrook project. It looks to me like the developer has decided already that the project will not make enough money on its own. Land acquisition and development costs are greater than the revenues that are available on the site. So instead of choosing a different project, they are asking the city and by extension the residents of Tuscaloosa to take on the business risk and to make the project profitable for them. Tax incentives can make sense when there's a community benefit that is clear. And I don't see that benefit in this case. And my concerns fall into three categories. First, businesses that are proposed don't offer anything that's new in this market. Secondly, the incentive package would likely reduce the city's overall sales tax revenue. And finally, the job numbers in the proposal don't seem realistic. And I'll elaborate on each of those points. First, I love coffee. I buy a latte every morning, almost every morning on the way to work, and I have several places to go currently. I can go to Scooters, Seven Brews has two locations. I can go to Panera, Strange Brews, several Starbucks opportunities. If a new shop opens, I will probably try it, but I'm not gonna start drinking more coffee. I'll just shift where I buy it, and the same applies with the quick service restaurants in the proposal. Every burger bought at a Culver's is one that's not bought at a nearby Freddy's. If we give incentives to the new businesses, we're basically asking those existing businesses to subsidize their new competition. On the second point, When I buy coffee at any of the existing shops that I mentioned, I pay a sales tax that gets remitted to the city. Under this proposal, if I buy that same coffee at a Dutch Brothers or another similar coffee shop as proposed, the sales tax I pay will be returned to the developer. That means every customer who chooses one of these businesses takes money out of the city budget. Overall, that likely means less sales tax revenue for Tuscaloosa. Third, the proposal that I saw listed a wide range of potential employee counts that would be generated. The low end was about 182 people and the high end was about 216. There's no breakdown of how many of those are full or part-time, so I don't know what the full-time equivalents are. But the reality of the types of businesses that I saw proposed is that they're using fewer, not more, employees. Many of these types of businesses use kiosk or mobile ordering or delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash. These trends reduce the number of customers facing employees. We need cooks and baristas, but not those who wait on and interact with customers. On top of everything I mentioned earlier, I'm also concerned about the length of the incentive. Many agreements of this type cap either the total amount or the number of years, whichever comes first. The original proposal that I saw said the six businesses being proposed would likely generate $465,000 a year in sales taxes. If 90% of that, which is in the resolution tonight, is returned to the developer, it would take almost 14 years for them to recoup the $5,750,000 that they're asking for. That seems like a very long time for businesses of this type. But the resolution that I saw that you're voting on tonight has extended that time. window to 25 years. And that seems that they would still get the full incentive even if the sales tax revenue is only $255,000 a year. That's 60% of what was originally estimated. So it seems that the original estimates might be too high. Otherwise, I don't know why the 25-year window is necessary. I will conclude by saying that these companies that are being proposed would mostly shift sales from existing businesses. And because of that, the city would likely have a reduced sales tax revenue. So for that reason, I ask you to deny the request. The city should not be asked to guarantee a profit nor to take on the business risk that belongs to the developer.

Thank you.

I'm Marianne Rosenzweig at 1704 Deering Place. I am here to speak to on this issue tonight on behalf of the Original City Association, the OCA. I'm a member of their board of directors. My remarks are gonna be brief. First and foremost, the OCA is adamantly opposed to the city granting any kind of tax incentives to a commercial development that totally flies in the face of the Elevate Tuscaloosa plan, especially at a tax incentive of this magnitude. And I say this because this project does nothing to enhance what Tuscaloosa has to offer its residents in terms of the quality of lives. or attracting visitors to our city. Instead, approval of this proposal would only drain tax revenues that could be used for better purposes, such as contributing to the financial health of our city or retaining money in reserves for future critical projects that are likely to arise, such as sewers and road issues. This section of McFarland Boulevard is already an unattractive commercial corridor, retail corridor. The OCA opposes giving any tax incentives to bring in more commercial establishments that would just replicate and compete with the existing businesses in this area and particularly not create any high paying jobs. If the city is considering granting any tax incentives for development, the OCI believes that the incentive should be for companies that would bring high-paying jobs, high-wage jobs that would grow Tuscaloosa's economy. rather than detract from it. Lastly, as a neighborhood association, the OCA is dedicated to protecting the quality of life of our downtown historic residents. And for that reason, we oppose the city granting a tax incentive for a commercial development that would very significantly undermine the quality of life for the residents in another part of the city, and that is Springbrook, which is composed of single-family residences. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Anyone else wish to address their city council? If you would, please give your name and address.

Good evening. My name is Derek Collins. Good evening, Mayor, Council. I'm speaking in opposition to the proposed Spring Book Development Agreement. I want to be clear that I support economic development, I support new businesses, and I support job creations. I support investment in Tuscaloosa. What I do not support is asking existing residents to bear the burden of development where there are other opportunities available. This proposed project would be developed on what the agreement described as 23 former residential lots in the Springbrook area, where 19 of the 23 have already been displaced and four are just waiting for their lease to not be renewed. At the same time, this project is located immediately adjacent to one of the most heavily commercialized corridors in Tuscaloosa. We already have significant commercial development along McFarland Boulevard, and there are other opportunities for redevelopment throughout the city. My question is simply why here? Why should a residential community be sacrificed when commercial development could occur elsewhere? I believe development should improve the lives of the people who already live here, not force them to choose between their community and someone else's economic opportunity. And I also encourage the city and the developer to continue discussing this with the residents and explore alternatives that allow economic growth without displacing families or eliminating residential opportunities. Growth is important, but how we grow matters. And I don't have a problem with the incentives been given out. If y'all could find a way to make it work with like in that Springbrook corridor, but not affecting any of the homes. If you are going to do some with the homes, maybe like redevelop them or try to get more families in that little corridor and use the tip of the road near the. highway to build something. I don't really know, but I don't think it should be that Delaney should be given $5.75 million over 25 years with a 90% tax generative, whatever it said in there. But it doesn't seem right to me because there are families already living there. If you want to build some, I can find you somewhere here that is perfectly fine for you to throw it, even if that's in District 7, District 6, 4, 5, 3, 2, 1. There's places here, but not Springbrook, not where there are already families. And it's just, I don't know, I don't think it's right to tell somebody, hey, you got to go because we want to bring business here. That's it. Have a great day.

Thank you.

Please give your name and address.

My name is Mike Burnett. I'm actually live in Springbrook, so I think I have a little bit of an opinion about this. But I'm only here because my son, Crawford, is working on his Eagle Scout, and he's working on his communication merit badge. And we decided we would just pick this random city council meeting to go to in the summer, and he didn't have scout meetings. And so we have a Springbrook group, but it's total news to me that there was any discussion about Springbrook. Just so interesting to me the number of people that come down here and talk about Springbrook that don't live in Springbrook. I mean, it's just, anyway. So I'm just so glad, so thankful that I just randomly ended up here when I had a chance to talk about my neighborhood. I've lived there since 1988.

Anybody here been here, been in Springbrook longer than that?

Springbrook, excellent. See, we got one here. There used to be a wall. that ran along the service road didn't go all the way, and there was a wall. And there were people that wanted to live there. And ever since they took that wall out, no one wants to live there. Anybody you care about living on McFarland Boulevard, one lane of traffic from 18 Wheelers, and just loud, you don't want to live there. You go from Duncanville all the way to Gordo, and about the only non-commercial property is right there on 82. Maybe not, maybe not Gordo, but definitely Coker. So it's just one of these things, you're in a situation where you need, the houses are falling apart. They were built after World War II on very small square footage, very, you know, everything was rationed. And they're just really in a situation where, you know, I walk the neighborhood every day, and it is so ugly. That front of that neighborhood, you know, there was an empty field where the hotel is, Town Center Suites, and it was ugly. We'd have to call and say, please come mow it, and they'd park trucks there. Now there's this beautiful hotel there. And so you can say, you know, hey, I live behind Town Place Suites. I live behind Buffalo Wild Wings. But please don't look at that and just stretch it ugly, that if we're not careful, it's going to turn into what's across the way next to... what used to be Presleys. Between Presleys and Firestones have been these houses forever. They're not ADA compliant. They don't have the right electrical in them. They don't have the right HVAC. There's a long list of things. So you've got... You cannot just let this front of this neighborhood rot forever. I mean, like I said, there's vacant houses. There's all these stray cats that people are trying to feed. And, you know, you just... I know people, hey, people don't love progress. I get it. Nobody wants progress. It's always traffic. There's always some reason not to have progress. But you've got this. It's like beachfront property that someone says you can't put a condo on it. I mean, you know, it's just one of those deals where this is a commercial corridor. It needs to be some kind of commercial property. We will have a wall that insulates Springbrook from all that, and it will be so much better than all this just the trash. You need to walk through there. Y'all need to drive through there. There's my city councilman right there. That island is what we used to call it. That front island is so bad. It is just trash. It's just depressing because it's just gone to a certain point. And I thought it was a done deal anyway. But I mean, when it comes to the money, I mean, I get it. Some people are like, why should they get extra money? But look, that's the way development is. Mercedes got money. You go through the line. Anybody that's ever come here and done anything that's had any value, gets a break. You like it or not, they get a break. You cannot go back. There's no way to go back to these things. Nobody wants to live on McFarland Boulevard. So just, you know, as you can tell, I was unprepared to do this, but I'm just speaking from the heart. I mean, nobody wants their loved ones living on McFarland Boulevard that close to that much traffic. It needs to be commercial. That would be the best use for everybody. Thank you. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to address City Council? If you would, please come forward and give your name and address.

My name is Amanda Mulkey. I live in Council 5. Kip Tyner is my councilman. But once upon a time, I lived in Springbrook. And when I moved into Springbrook, it was a wonderful neighborhood. These are all post-war houses. They have small but fairly generous lots. They're single-family homes. And they were homes that were accessible to working families. They were affordable. They were adequate. When I moved into that neighborhood, most of them were well-maintained, even cute little houses, appealing little houses. But then something started to change. Mr. Burnett refers to the front island. The front island started to change. Those houses were going on the market, and they were being bought one by one by various landlords that were associated together. And y'all may remember what I'm referring to. And that went on for a few years, and as those landlords collected rent, they weren't putting the maintenance back into the homes. And so I watched the adorable neighborhood that I moved into that was still adorable in the rest of the neighborhood and still had lots of longtime residents and homeowners. We watched that front island gradually decline. go into disrepair, become dilapidated, not because of the nature of the neighborhood, but because of the lack of care of the owners of those properties. So then the owners of those properties came to the council and said, we would like to redevelop this front island of the neighborhood because it is blighted. Well, I... Posit to you, what caused the blight? The lack of care and the lack of maintenance caused the blight. And it was a hotly contested issue that had to go to a tiebreaker to get rezoned. And that horse is out of the barn now, right? So if a developer wants to come along and take a bulldozer to every one of those single family homes that have nurtured families for decades, then a developer could do that, and a developer might do that, and a developer wants to do that, but a developer wants the people of Tuscaloosa to give them a reward for doing that beyond what they will make from the rents from building more commercial real estate. Now, I know you all have driven down Skyland Boulevard, you all have driven down 15th Street, you all have driven down McFarland Boulevard. I ask you to think about how many burger restaurants do you all pass? How many coffee places can you go that are coffee shops or a Dunkin Donuts or a coffee counter at Target or at Barnes and Noble? We have lots of them. How many places can you get your oil change? We got lots of them. How many empty parking lots do we have? How many empty buildings do we have? How many relatively new empty developments do we have? Now, I know that tax incentives are a tool that cities now regularly use to encourage development, and I can totally see using the tax incentives to encourage development in a way that we don't already have, or to fill a need that's not filled. For instance, if there's an area that doesn't have a grocery store, perhaps we give an incentive to someone to bring a grocery store. We've got lots of burgers, we've got lots of fries, we've got lots of coffee, we've got lots of chicken fingers, we've got lots of car washes, we've got lots of oil change places. We got lots of empty space too. So, you are asked tonight to decide, are we going to reward an out of town developer to bring more of what we've already got. That person isn't gonna spend, or that company ain't spending their money in Tuscaloosa. They are in Mobile. They are paying salaries in Mobile. They have lawyers in Mobile. They have accountants in Mobile. They do their banking and their business in Mobile. They aren't spending that money here, which would then generate tax revenue and jobs and such. And these aren't high paying jobs like industrial development might bring. These are low paying service jobs that have a lot of turnover and the people, the hard working people in those jobs often can't afford to live and need further assistance. So I ask you to consider all of that and vote with the people of Springbrook. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to address city council tonight? Yes ma'am, if you would please come forward and give your name and address.

Hi, everyone. Lib Davis, 2427 10th Street East. I live in Alberta. And I'd like to make a comparison for you all. Not too long ago, I stood right here when you wanted to give tax incentives for Leland. Leland Shopping Center was totally torn up during the tornadoes, OK? And you graciously granted tax incentives to Mr. Pate to do that. And I stood with that. I don't stand with this now because here's the difference. The difference is, and I'll be brief, is that Leland was decimated. Our area was decimated. However, this was done, this area out of Springbrook was a well orchestrated maneuver by the owners of the property. and they should not be rewarded for allowing properties to fall in disrepair in order to apply and get incentive money. So compare what we have done at Leland to give incentives for tax money for someone who wants to do something as opposed to someone who has basically made this an orchestrated maneuver by not fixing the properties that were there and allowing this to happen and now turning around and saying, well, they're all in disrepair. We need to tear them down. We need to put up this development. So please consider that when you're talking about this, and I would appreciate it if you did not give them the tax incentives after they made their own bed and they're going to lay in it. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to address? Anyone else wish to address the City Council?

I'd like to give something to the City Council and to you.

Thank you.

You got the information about that petition in the email. Susie Smith, 17 Springbrook. The Springbrook issue, as Mr. Bill Wright called it in the May 22, 2024 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, seemed to have been settled on July 25, 2017, with the City Council's vote, Mayor Maddox breaking the tie vote, to approve the rezoning of one-fifth of Springbrook from R2 residential to BN commercial, conditioned on the development as a PUD. The City Council vote ignored official documents in force at the time, the 2007 Future Land Use Plan and the District 7 Plan that protected Springbrook from commercial development, as well as two Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations to deny the petition and the robust and unwavering opposition of Springbrook residents and other Tuscaloosa residents through speaking at multiple meetings and signing hundreds of petitions over two years. Puzzling and disturbing events continued with the Planning and Zoning Commission's approval to assign corridor commercial land use to the rezoned property instead of limited commercial on the framework land use and character map. Next, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved general commercial zoning for the property in one framework meeting, then approved changing it to neighborhood commercial, the appropriate zoning for commercial property in a neighborhood, in a subsequent meeting, and finally, at the request of Mr. Henry and Mr. Corder, and with the support of Councilor Lanier, changing the zoning from neighborhood commercial back to general commercial in the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of October 7, 2024. Representing Springbrook investment members Allen and Sarah Henry, Lynn, Melinda, and Blake Corder, Robert and Suzanne Young, and Wendell Barton, from the submitting of the first rezoning petition in May 2015 to assuring the land use and rezoning they desired, Mr. Corder and Mr. Henry implemented their plan to ensure Springbrook Investments received the most money they could squeeze out of that Springbrook property. The basis of their plan was reliance on what I call C-R-W-P-I-P, close relationships with people of power, or as some in the South call it, the good old boy network, or in Alabama, the big mule network. With certain city staff lending their aid and certain elected and appointed officials lending their votes, Springbrook Investments members are now one step away from achieving their goal of flipping the Springbrook property for the big bucks. Follow the money. Mr. Delaney said on March 24th that not getting the incentives would be a deal killer. Approving the tax incentives will first and foremost enable him to insure for Springbrook Investment members the handsome payday they have long waited for for nine years. I will channel Cassandra, the figure from Greek mythology who had the gift of prophecy and also the curse of no one believing the truth of her predictions with my own predictions about commercial development in Springbrook. The dinky development Dulaney Property Group proposes will not realize any measure of success in the long term. The traffic into and from the businesses will ultimately be off-putting to customers and many customers will opt for going through Springbrook rather than fight traffic getting from and back to McFarland Boulevard. Ultimately, customers will tire of the hassle and return to similar businesses they frequented in the past. Springbrook will be irreparably and permanently harmed by commercialization of one-fifth of the neighborhood. This situation reminds me of a bit of the prayer Mayor Maddox delivers at the beginning of every city council meeting. Give us wisdom to know what is just and the strength to do what is right. I call on you to heed your full wisdom regarding this issue, recognize what is just, and have the strength to do what is right by voting against the resolution for economic development assistance to Delaney Property Group. And if you would indulge me just for a moment, I'd like to make a comment about last week's city council meeting. It's very brief. I'll give you 30 seconds. Okay. Let me get to it. Since rezoning notices were planted in Springbrook neighborhood in June 2015, I've had many interactions with many city staff members, spoken one-on-one with elected and appointed city officials, and addressed the city council, pre-council meeting, the city council meeting, city council committees, the planning and zoning commission, and the zoning board of adjustment. No matter the situation, I have always been treated with courtesy, respect, and professional behavior. Well, with the possible exception of Stephen Rumsey on an occasion or two. It has never mattered that the person I interacted with held the opposite view from mine of the issue at hand. That is, until last Tuesday City Council meeting when Mr. Lanier, the City Councilor for District 7, where I live, took Council meeting time to attack me personally. apparently because I have a different view of his from about the city of Tuscaloosa rewarding taxpayer dollars of $5.75 million to the private Delaney Property Group to replace one-fifth of Springbrook neighborhood where more of his constituents live with a know-nothing commercial development.

Ms. Smith, you've exceeded your time, and council rules of procedure prohibit this, so thank you.

Okay.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to address City Council tonight? If you would, please give your name and address.

Michael Delaney with Delaney Property Group, Mobile, Alabama. And I am the developer for Springbrook Development. I wanted to get up here tonight not to really discuss the development, but I would like to thank the council for working with us to get what I believe is an agreement that holds the developer accountable to timelines, to certain new tenants, to make this a reasonable development for the city of Tuscaloosa so that they can get some return on their investment. And I've been up here for a couple days. It's been great. I've got a son that is, starting Alabama next fall, so I got to experience the whole Bama bound, and I've lived here in the past for five years after college, and it's been a great experience, eye-opening. This university is great, and I really just want to appreciate, I want to let the council and the city know how much we appreciate the opportunity for this, and And hopefully we can get started here soon and help with some more new retail development for the city of Tuscaloosa.

Thank you all. Anyone else wish to address city council tonight? Going once. I'm going to close. Yes. If you would, please come forward and give your name and address.

My name is Thomas Downes. I moved here to 1036 Brandywine Road in 1989 to work in the finance department at the University of Alabama, where I taught students for 27 years in zero net present value and the things driving investment. and assets valuation. And my work in asset valuation, mainly in tax policy, I presented at the University of Chicago on financial accounting. Tax policy is what I work on. And what we have here is an opportunity to see where we really have embodied equity that is needed to be released. And this is what you're trying to do with your money and your funds, is to find the best use for the money that's flowing. When you have an 80-year-old neighborhood so close to the arches of Interstate 20 that we've worked so hard to put these arches here, to make it possible for me to drive from across the river and quite frankly, get down to the interstate. One light, I can make it to it most, nearly any time of day. Passing by Springbrook on the white, Right there, an 80-year-old neighborhood. You can't make an 80-year-old neighborhood. You can revive an 80-year-old neighborhood. It has the latent equity that needs to be fed. It needs to build a wall. that was taken down because the wall does protect the neighborhood and the people that come off that interstate that don't come to Bama Bound, but they know where the heck Tuscaloosa is. I first passed through here in 1972. You don't have neighborhoods that are old and close to the highways unless they're protected. But when they are protected, goodness gracious, they're noticed, they're seen. Because to have families living in small houses, to have children and dogs walking the streets, and people come And they do get off the road. And they do take 10 minutes to go look around. And you have there the potential to have many families. But you do have to shelter that front island. We know this to be true. And we know that it's not going to cost $5 million with a payback period that is quite frankly too long. My work, investment tax credit, asset valuations, tax rates, tax policy, all the way. We're not seeing that which is right in front of us that has the value. And these are the households. that we can put together. And when we can put them in an 80-year-old house and they have nice streets to walk around, that's even better. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to address City Council tonight? Seeing none. I'm going to close the debate. Mr. President, I wasn't going to speak on this issue because this is a council action, but I do want to take a moment to respond to one of the comments that were made or alleged that city staff had been working in collusion with the developer on this project. Certainly, comments made about us as elected officials are fair. We are put on the ballot. We are subject to that criticism and should take that criticism, whether accurate or not. That's fair. But to allege people like Tom Bobbitt, Scott Holmes, Ashley Kreitz, Emily Hayes, Brendan Moore have worked in collusion with the developer on this, we're lucky. We are lucky to have these type of public servants who care about this city, who have done, in my opinion, an excellent job of providing the council the facts in this case, both good and bad, pros and cons. Those remarks are certainly not fair to them and their families. They didn't put their name on a ballot. And frankly, they deserve better. As their boss, I was not going to let it go, because I can tell you that I see what they do every day with the people of Tuscaloosa, and we're fortunate to have them, whether this passes or not. They have done their job and done it well, and they would never sacrifice their integrity for anyone, not for me, not for a developer.

They would never do that to themselves, their family, or this community that they love.

Thank you, Mr. President. I will open it up to any council comments at this time. Seeing none, I will call for a vote beginning with Mr. Lanier. Yes.

No. No. Yes. Yes.

Yes. The measure passes 4-2. Resolution and ordinance is not of a general nature or permanent operation, clerk.

This authorizes the creation and implementation of the 2026 School Supplies for Parking Tickets program.

So moved.

Second.

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

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolution passes. Clerk.

This authorizes a grant application for the United States Department of Homeland Security.

So moved.

Second.

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

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolution passes. Clerk.

This authorizes a permissive use agreement with PARA for the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center. So moved.

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

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes submission of an application for a grant under the 2026 ESG program.

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

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This rescinds the fiscal year 2025 minor public works contract with One Call Services LLC. So moved.

Second. Moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Eveman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes execution of a professional services contract with Gray Matter Consulting.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Ritchie Quality Cut Services. So moved. Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Eatman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Dakin Applied Americas Incorporated.

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

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Building Specialties Company Incorporated. So moved. Second.

Then moved and seconded by Mr. Eatman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes a minor public works contract with Straight Line Fence, LLC.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes a fiscal year 2026 as needed minor public works contract with Jackson Security Systems.

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

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes disbursement from District 6 improvement funds. So moved.

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

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This amends the resolution authorizing acquisition by condemnation proceedings for the Patton Lake Park project.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Riedman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. I'm sorry. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes the Office of Community and Neighborhood Services to advertise a summary of the city's 2026 action plan. So moved. Second.

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

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted. Clerk.

This authorizes execution of the 2026 Tuscaloosa County Emergency Operations Plan.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Eadman. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This authorizes contract amendment number two with Tyler Technologies. So moved. Second.

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

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolutions adopted, clerk.

This authorizes a one-time lump sum payment to retirees through RSA.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded by Mr. Reidman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Resolution is adopted. Clerk?

This authorizes a contract with Med-In LLC and declares a bid law exemption.

So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded. Voting is for Lanier. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Resolution is adopted. Ordinance of resolutions of the general nature of permanent operation for introduction. Clerk?

This annex is approximately 1.05 acres located north of the Gaineswood subdivision near 4178 and 4202 Rice Mine Road Northeast. So moved. Seconded.

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

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes

Moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Edmund. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes

Moved and seconded. Voting Mr. Reedman. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Date is set. Clerk.

This sets June 30th as a date for a public hearing to consider approval of an entertainment license for Barrio Fiesta Mexican Grill.

So moved.

Second. Second.

Move and second. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Susie Smith, 17 Springbrook. I'd like to finish what I started a moment ago. Last Tuesday City Council meeting when Mr. Lanier, the City Councilor for District 7 where I live, took Council meeting time to attack me personally, apparently because I have a different view of his, from his, about the City of Tuscaloosa awarding taxpayer dollars of $5.75 million to the private Delaney Property Group to replace one-fifth of Springbrook neighborhood where more of his constituents live with know-nothing commercial development. His word implies that he takes my vocal opposition to the tax incentives for the developer as a personal affront to him. I'm sorry for that. That is not the case. Mr. Lanier would do well to keep in check his emotional reactions to people he doesn't care for, to cultivate some manners, and to learn to be respectful of those who disagree with him, especially his own constituents, rather than scolding them in public for having a point of view that they are fully entitled to have. I hope that Mr. Lanier's behavior last week was a one-off and that in the future, no citizen coming before this council with her concerns, comments, or requests will have to experience similar ridicule and false accusations as I did.

Anyone else wish to address their city council tonight? If you would, please come forward and give your name and address.

OK, I'm back again. Liv Davis, 2427 10th Street East. I have something I would like to address. Now, most of you know me. Some don't. And most of you know that my husband, Mike, is usually with me. Now, my husband is disabled. He has to use a walker, or he has to use a rollator, and he's also on oxygen. Since the front doors have now been closed completely, where handicap accessibility is limited, we can no longer come to the meetings unless someone else provides a ride, which my friend did, because I depend on my husband to drive me for anything here. To park in the parking deck and to walk from the parking deck all the way to the chambers is impossible for him and many others. I have called the city and spoken to a couple of people about this. I don't just complain without making a suggestion. My suggestions were to either have the city have a wheelchair available down by where the policeman sits, for a family member or someone to be able to provide transportation with a wheelchair, since people cannot walk. The other suggestion was to get one of those little carts, like have somebody in the city drive it, because if you know where you come in, it's all uphill. And then you have to walk down the hall, and you have to go to the elevator, and you have to go down to two from up on the top floor. So I would like to put this to a city council to maybe do some review on it, get a committee to look into it, something so that my husband, again, and many others who cannot do it at this time, can have accessibility from the garage to city council for the city council meeting, for the planning and zoning hearings, for all the things that we used to take very pride in coming and participating in whereas now we cannot so i would appreciate if you guys would look into that that would be really great thank you miss davis we agree with you miss johnson and i were just talking this is actually something that her and her team are working on that we know we need to deliver and so

You're exactly right, and it's something that is in process for us to hopefully.

I really appreciate you guys looking into it because Mike really wanted to come tonight, but he couldn't.

Yeah.

And I'm dependent on him driving.

You're right, and I suspect hopefully in the next 90 to 120 days you will see a difference.

Okay, thank you so much, everyone.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to address their city council tonight? If you would, please give your name and address.

Derek Collins, 1102. I'm off Springbrook, guys. No more of that for me. I just wanted to speak briefly about representation and attendance. Over the past several months, I have attended many city council meetings and public hearings. One thing I have noticed is that it has become increasingly rare to see a full council presence, so I'm proud of you guys tonight because all of you are here. I understand that emergency happens, people get sick, family matters arise, and life can get in the way. This comment is not directed to any one of you individuals, but however, every council member represents thousands of citizens. When residents elect someone to office, they expect that person to be present, engaged, and participate in decisions that affect their district. The issues before this council are important. Okay. They involve millions of taxpayer dollars, development projects, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and the future direction of their city. Those decisions deserve full attention and participation of the elected officials chosen to make them. If an elected official finds that other commitments consistently prevent them from attending meetings and representing their constituents, then perhaps they should reevaluate whether they can continue serving in that role or seek reelection in the future. Public services is a commitment. Citizens are represented only when their elected representatives is present and participating. I appreciate the members who constantly show up to do the work and represent their districts, and I hope we can continue striving for full participation from the entire council. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to address city council tonight? Subject to the exercise of the mayoral veto, in ordinance of the general nature of permanent operation, all applicable departments hereby order to otherwise implement council policy as seen to this day enacted. Do I hear a motion to move? Move to adjourn. Second. Moved and second to adjourn. Voting Mr. Lanier. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.