Birmingham · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Birmingham public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Drone fine near entertainment events
A proposed ordinance would add a first-offense fine for unlawfully flying drones near ticketed entertainment events, added to the city's summary disposition fine schedule.
East Lake arts courtyard funding
Up to $22,900 would go to East Village Arts to transform an East Lake courtyard serving artists, residents and students.
Historical Commission appointments
The mayor recommended three members for the Birmingham Historical Commission — two at-large seats and one professional historian seat vacated by Laura Knott's resignation.
Joint park patrol agreement with Mountain Brook
An ordinance would let the mayor sign a three-year deal for Birmingham police to jointly patrol and enforce laws at the 22-acre Alabama Veterans Memorial Park with Mountain Brook.
Veterans Memorial Park joint patrol agreement
An ordinance was published for a three-year interlocal agreement with Mountain Brook for joint police patrol and law enforcement at Alabama Veterans Memorial Park.
AHSAA cheerleading competition at the CrossPlex
The city was set to host the AHSAA Regional Cheerleading Competition on September 24, with up to $25,000 in city incentives to bring the event to town.
Red Mountain Park funding
The Council was scheduled to appropriate up to $250,000 to the Jefferson County Greenways Commission to support Red Mountain Park operations.
Hyundai/Kia settlement
The Mayor would be authorized to join a multidistrict settlement with Hyundai and Kia, presumably tied to vehicle theft-related claims.
Southbound Food Festival funding
The City would give up to $50,000 plus in-kind services for the nine-day food festival running September 18-27 at Pepper Place, Sloss Furnaces, and other venues.
Weed nuisance declarations on 154 properties
274 properties would be declared public nuisances for overgrown weeds, with notices posted and an October 13 hearing set.
Planning commission appointments
Three new Birmingham Planning Commission members and one Regional Planning Commission board member were appointed, shaping who reviews zoning and development cases.
Police community engagement events
Three consent items would fund police-hosted community events: a back-to-school bookbag giveaway at the CrossPlex, National Night Out, and Ice Cream With A Cop in housing communities.
Lexipol police policy subscriptions
The Police Department gets a three-year subscription to Lexipol's policy manuals and training bulletins, costing up to $337,563.30.
Redding Ridge subdivision streets dedicated to the city
The city formally accepted streets, alleys and public grounds in the Redding Ridge Phase 1-A subdivision, putting them into public maintenance.
CDBG Facade Loan for 5812 1st Avenue North
Honeycutt Jr. Enterprises gets a $50,000 forgivable loan to spruce up a building facade in Crestwood North — forgiven if the owner keeps the property, pays taxes, and maintains the facade.
Recall of the Kelvyn Felder Ordinance amendment
The council used its mayoral-recall power to pull Ordinance 26-50 back from Mayor Woodfin before he could act on it, keeping the Kelvyn Felder Ordinance amendment in limbo for now.
Library governance and funding
Two new Library Board members were appointed through 2030, and the council approved several library purchases including nearly $25,000 in new books.
Police K9 purchase and training
The Police Department is getting a new dual detection/tracking K9 with handler training for $18,000, billed as the only source of supply.
Elton B. Stephens Expressway ramp study
The Regional Planning Commission will study possible changes to the EBS Expressway ramp, with the city paying about $15,000 of a $75,000 study.
Hale Springs nature preserve
The city would sign a non-binding deal with the Friends of Shades Mountain and Hoover to pursue preserving the Hale Springs property as a public nature preserve through the Forever Wild Land Trust.
Equipment and facilities purchases
The council approved buying a $480,940 decontamination truck, a five-year Xerox lease up to $1.2 million, fuel dispenser upgrades, pool chemicals and public works grates — routine spending that keeps city operations running.
Water fluoridation support resolution
A council resolution would put Birmingham on record supporting public water fluoridation and opposing efforts to discontinue it — a public health statement with local water policy implications.
ADEM FY 2027 Recycling Grant application (up to $475,000)
The city would apply for up to $475,000 in state recycling grant money to expand curbside recycling and outreach — with no matching funds required from Birmingham.
Rights-of-way mowing contract
The city hired JetMan Supply for a year of as-needed mowing along public rights of way — the routine maintenance that keeps grassy strips along roads from becoming eyesores.
Tax and fee refunds totaling $92,063.83
The city is returning about $92,000 in overpaid business license fees, occupational taxes and sales tax to fourteen taxpayers, including a $50,222.80 refund to Truckworx Inc.
Right-of-way vacations for property consolidation
Two right-of-way vacation cases are in motion: River Brook Realty's 24,658-square-foot vacation near 35th Avenue North, and a newly scheduled March 24 hearing for McWane, Inc.'s 35,493-square-foot vacation on Stratford Road.
Highland Park Pro Shop HVAC replacement
The city is spending $36,150 of insurance reimbursement money to replace the HVAC system at the Highland Park Pro Shop — no new taxpayer money involved.
Saint Rose Academy redevelopment fee waiver
The city waived a $10,625.50 right-of-way fee so Saint Rose Academy can redevelop its Resurvey No. 3 property at 1401 22nd Street South, citing job creation and tax revenue.
Neighborhood association support funding
Several items fund neighborhood life: picnic equipment ($2,500/neighborhood), holiday parties ($500/neighborhood), office supplies ($2,500/association), officer training, and a new Enon Ridge monument sign.