Birmingham City Council approves funds for new homes

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The Birmingham City Council, at its regular meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 21, voted to approve the expenditure of up to $487,000 to build some new homes in the city.

Members authorized an agreement to pay the Central Alabama Housing Alliance up to $200,000 in HOME funds to construct up to four low- to moderate-income single-family housing units and make infrastructure improvements at various locations in the city.

HOME funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the HOME Investment Partnership.

The Council also approved an agreement with the Titusville Development Corporation under which the city will pay up to $287,000 in HOME funds to build as many as two low-to-moderate income single-family housing units and make infrastructure improvements in North Titusville.

Both agreements were submitted by Woodfin and recommended by the Director of Community Development and the Budget and Finance Committee.

As part of its consent agenda, the council also passed several ordinances to make small amendments to the city’s budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019.

In an amendment to the capital fund budget, members approved transferring $45,500 from the Holocaust Memorial Gardens and $37,500 from the Shuttlesworth Vehicular/Pedestrian Bridge and appropriating $83,000 to a chiller for the Birmingham Museum of Art.

ANOTHER COUNCIL DEPARTURE

Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Jay Roberson is resigning his seat as of Sept. 10. Roberson, who represents District 7, made the announcement at a press conference August 16.

According to numerous media outlets, Roberson said he’s stepping down because his wife received a promotion with Alabaster City Schools and the whole family is moving to Alabaster.

And there be two additional Council vacancies to fill when councilors Lashunda Scales (District 1) and Sheila Tyson (District 6) leave to assume their newly won seats on the Jefferson County Commission.

According to the state Mayor-Council Act, the other members of the Council are to vote to fill the seat. 

The next municipal election in the city is scheduled for August 2021.

“I think we should have an election,” said Councilor Steven Hoyt. “It’s too long a term to not give people a choice.”

Hoyt also said that it’s better if the Council does not have the make the pick. “I think it gets a little political… when somebody chooses a leader for somebody else,” he said.

UPDATE Tues., Aug. 21, 4:30 p.m. Post updated to include information regarding Councilor Jay Roberson.