Birmingham City Council Roundup

The Birmingham City Council, at its regular meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 19, had a fairly light workload. Members dispensed with most of its business — including some relatively small expenditures — as part of its consent agenda.

• The Council approved an agreement between the city and Urban Impact Inc. under which the nonprofit will receive $10,000 in return for the following services: Presenting the annual “Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz and Cultural Festival” in the Historic 4th Avenue Business District downtown; hosting a lecture and concert series at various locations every Tuesday in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month; and hosting a year-end conversation with stakeholders of the Historic 4th Avenue Business District regarding current and future plans for the area. 
• Members approved a resolution submitted by City Council President William Parker approving the expenditure of up to $10,000 for goods and services related to activities in the city associated with Rosa Parks Day the week of Dec. 1-7. The state celebrated its first Rosa Parks Day on Dec. 1, 2018, after its approval by the Alabama Legislature.
• The Council passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office to spend up to $10,000 to host a cleanup day in District Five with neighborhood officers, leaders and constituents. The item was submitted by Councilor Darrell O’Quinn.
• Members passed a resolution approving the expenditure of up to $7,500 to host the city’s annual Magic City Holiday Parade at Birmingham City Hall and Linn Park on Sunday Dec. 8, at 4:30 p.m. 
• The body authorized the mayor’s office to execute an agreement with The Links Foundation under which the organization will receive $7,500 to provide community outreach services and exhibitions for poor and needy Birmingham citizens in the areas of the arts, financial literacy and health and wellness. The funds will come from Parker’s District 4 discretionary funds. 

As part of its regular agenda, the Council approved an agreement between the city and Jefferson County regarding routine maintenance and repair of portions of Barber Motorsports Parkway. The city will manage the vegetation growing along the parkway, and the County will be responsible for any repair, resurfacing or other maintenance of the roadway and ditches in the right-of-way.

Members also set two public hearings for December 17 regarding zoning cases.

• Property owner Dr. Ingrid Straeter-Knowlen has requested that the zoning at 2114 10th Ave. S. in Five Points South be changed from B-3, community business district, to MU-H, mixed-use high. The request was filed by Robert Bruner.
• The other hearing will deal with the city’s plans to rezone all of the properties in the West End community.