Birmingham City Council roundup: Funding for repairs, organizations
The Birmingham City Council, at its regular meeting for Tuesday, June 12, approved funding to help support several local organizations, voted to spend money for repairs at some local parks and other facilities and approved a funding measure related to education.
The council disposed of its entire agenda on consent, meaning the weekly list of items that are considered non-controversial or that have already been discussed at length by various council committees.
MONDAY FOR REPAIRS
The council accepted a lump sum bid of about $116,000 from Coston General Contractors of McCalla, Alabama to renovate the villa at Avondale Park.
Members also accepted a lump sum bid of almost $315,000 from Coston to replace some playground equipment and other site furnishings at various locations in the city. Those locations were not listed in the text of the resolution.
The city accepted a lump sum bid of $47,500 from McGee Construction of Clanton to replace the boardwalk at Sloss Furnaces.
The council accepted a lump sum bid of $71,000 from Richardson Construction Co. of Birmingham for some renovations at East Lake Park.
Members accepted a lump sum proposal for about $103,000 from Tate Contracting & Excavating in Dora to make drainage improvements at the Church Street Bridge in Ensley.
MONEY FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Members approved a six-month agreement in which the city will pay the Alabama Environmental Council $75,000. The AEC will provide “facilities for collection of certain materials for recycling and (assist) with the collection of materials for recycling,” according to the text of the resolution. The AEC operates a recycling center at 4330 First Ave. S. in Avondale. The money was transferred from a previous appropriation to support the Steel City Jazz Fest, which is not being held in the city this year.
The council approved a one-year agreement in which the city will pay the RESPECT Organization, a Birmingham youth outreach program, $25,000 to facilitate several economic development projects. The projects will include employment skills services and youth educational motivational and enhancement programs, according to the resolution.
The city will also enter into $10,000 agreement with Redemptive Cycles in which the city’s non-profit bicycle shop will provide a variety of community services, including classes in bicycle mechanics, classes in bicycle rider safety and skills, bike valet services to encourage residents to cycle to local events and a no-cost bicycle repair stand at the shop that area residents can use during regular store hours. The money is to come from Councilor Darrell O’Quinn’s discretionary funds.
Using discretionary funds from Council President Pro Tem Jay Roberson, the city will provide support for two organizations that are providing community outreach programs to reduce homelessness and poverty. Project Hopewell will receive $1,000, and Children’s Village is to receive $1,500.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council authorized Mayor Randall Woodfin to execute an agreement with the Birmingham Board of Education in which the city will pay the BOE $3,665,000 to provide school security measures, school academic and athletic support and after-school care and summer enrichment programs. The text of the resolution did not specify the time frame of the agreement.