Birmingham City Council Highlights 1.23.24
ITEM 37
On Tuesday the Birmingham City Council approved the submission of the City’s legislative agenda for this upcoming session with the Alabama Legislature, with one amendment.
The amendment withdrew the item requesting for the City’s authorization to opt out of the Jefferson County Personnel Board, with Councilors citing dissatisfaction with the current hiring process and the city’s ability to offer more competitive wages. It’s important to note that even if a bill were signed into law, that does not mean the City would automatically be withdrawn from the JCPB.
In 2023, the City of Trussville requested a similar bill that was approved by the legislature. However, they have not altered their relationship with the JCPB.
During the meeting, the Council heard from leadership from the Fraternal Order of Police who opposed the move. Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander explained that the City wanted to avoid any unintended consequences and made a motion to withdraw that portion of the legislative agenda.
“The intent of this measure is not to take away any protections for employees, it is about the City’s ability to properly staff unfilled positions,” Pro Tem Alexander said. “I appreciate the feedback and conversations we’ve had regarding this important issue.”
Beyond the one contentious item that was withdrawn, the City’s legislative agenda lays out several key items to improve the quality of life for residents as well as the city’s ability to tackle important issues.
Those include: Enhanced fines for littering , dumping and weed abatement, foreclosure authority on properties that are nuisances, amending the AL Land Bank Act, seeking funding for Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and enabling legislation to create Birmingham Housing Trust Fund.
Because Alabama is not a home rule state, the City is partially restricted when it comes to passing legislation, thus highlighting the importance of the annual legislative agenda that lays out the City’s priorities.
ITEM 35
The City Council approved a resolution submitting a bid for the City to host the preliminary rounds of either/both the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournaments.
The City would provide financial support for the 2026 fiscal year as well as assist with site selection efforts. In 2023, Birmingham hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and received and economic impact of around $10 million.
“This is huge for the City’s effort to continue to be a destination for major sporting events. Last year was a very successful and I’m proud that we were able to build off of that,” Councilor Crystal Smitherman told reporters following Tuesday’s meeting. “I think it’s great for our young people to be able to experience something like this and I look forward to more conversations about how we can bring even more events like this to the Magic City.”
Councilor LaTonya Tate Appointed to Serve on National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee
Birmingham City Councilor LaTonya Tate has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Public Safety and Crime Prevention (PSCP) Federal Advocacy Committee.
Councilor Tate, who chairs the Council’s Public Safety Committee, was elected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on public safety. The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA.
“It is an honor to be able to represent Birmingham through an organization like the National League of Cities,” Tate said. “I’ll be working with legislators from across the country on ways to improve public safety, and develop holistic strategies to address issues surrounding crime and violence intervention, especially among our young people.”
As a member of NLC’s PSCP Committee, Councilor Tate will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities, towns and villages before Congress, with the administration and at home.
“NLC’s federal advocacy committees play an important role in helping policymakers in Washington understand the issues and challenges facing America’s cities, towns and villages at the local level,” said NLC President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA. “I’m thrilled to have Birmingham City Councilor LaTonya Tate serve on NLC’s Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee this year, and look forward to working with her to strengthen the federal-local partnership, and grow our common knowledge of the issues and opportunities facing our communities.”
For more information on NLC’s federal advocacy committees, visit:
https://www.nlc.org/advocacy/federal-advocacy-committees/
