Birmingham · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Birmingham public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Electric vehicle infrastructure grant
The council was asked to apply for up to $3.5 million in Volkswagen settlement grant funds to install EV chargers and add electric vehicles to the city fleet, with a 20% local match.
Youth climate action microgrants
Birmingham residents ages 15-24 can apply for $1,000-$5,000 microgrants from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund; applications are due October 9.
Floodplain overlay regulation update
A first reading set up a September 1 hearing on updating the city's floodplain rules so Birmingham keeps its standing in FEMA's Community Rating System — which can mean flood insurance discounts for residents.
Historic district survey and Love Your Block grants
Residents from Wylam, Fountain Heights and North Birmingham flagged overgrown lots, junk cars, speeding, and trees dropping limbs onto property — the kind of quality-of-life issues that map directly onto the abatement list the council approved.
Village Creek Stormwater Park floodplain restoration
The city will chase up to $2.65M in FEMA money to restore the floodplain at Village Creek Stormwater Park, though the city must put up a 25% match.
Industrial-residential buffer fund
A new agreement with the county health board sets up a fund of up to $462,500 to plant trees and green space between homes and heavy industrial sites across Jefferson County.