Birmingham City Council Highlights 10.22.24
Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority honored at Council
Today, the Birmingham City Council welcomed members of the Omicron Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for a presentation in honor of their centennial celebration.
Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander, a longtime member of the organization, spoke to the importance of community service and how being an AKA has helped shape her life.
“This organization has been a vital force in Birmingham for over 100 years now,” Pro Tem Alexander said. “I remember when I was first initiated into this chapter, and I kept thinking how happy I was to be a part of this. That was almost 40 years ago. I’m thrilled to have everyone here today for us to recognize this chapter’s contribution to the city of Birmingham.”
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) is the first historically African American sorority, founded in 1908 at Howard University. It is known for its commitment to community service and leadership development, especially in areas that impact the African American community and underserved populations
We were honored to be able to welcome over 50 women from this storied organization this morning.
ITEM 15
The Birmingham City Council approved a lease agreement for the former Buffalo Rock Distribution center to house Birmingham Police and Fire Department operations and equipment.
The lease agreement also has the option for the city to purchase the 109,000 square foot facility for $7 million.
“This warehouse space is sprawling and kind of ideal for storing the equipment that is utilized by our first responders, whether it’s training equipment, vehicles, what have you. The City of Birmingham has a lot of equipment that needs to be stored and secured,” Council President O’Quinn said. “I think the option to eventually purchase the facility is something that is very much needed because our current equipment management facility is sandwiched between a road and a railroad track and there is limited space to expand operations.”
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Lease Purchase Agreement between EDWARD B. LUMPKIN, JR. and the City of Birmingham, under which EDWARD B. LUMPKIN, JR. will lease with the right to purchase space totaling approximately 109,882 square feet of certain property known as the former Buffalo Rock Building located at 34 West Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, Alabama, 35209 for the sole purpose of conducting business operations related to City of Birmingham Fire and Police Department activities for a term of six (6) months commencing October 2024, and ending on April 30, 2025, in an amount of $45,000.00 per month. The City of Birmingham is hereby given the option to purchase the leased premises at any time for a purchase price of $7,000,000.00.
ITEM 63
One of Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander’s ARPA-funded projects was approved by the Council on Tuesday. According to Alexander, this drainage project in the Garden Highlands Neighborhood has been a major issue for residents in the past.
She allocated roughly $230,000 of her office’s ARPA funding for to make this project a reality in her district.
“Over the years I’ve continued to advocate on behalf of our residents for the need to have this drainage issue addressed. I’m beyond grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for their leadership in passing the American Rescue Plan Act, which has made a tremendous impact in our communities and addressing infrastructure projects like this one,” Alexander said. “Flooding is something that we’ve seen more and more of recently and is an issue that puts our residents in harm’s way whenever we see heavy rainfall. I’m very excited to see this item move forward for our residents.”
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
A Resolution accepting the lump sum bid of Southeastern Sealcoating, Inc., 1330 Adamsville Industrial Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama 35224, in the amount of $231,679.80, for 2300 Wenonah Oxmoor Road Drainage Improvements, this being the lowest responsible and responsive bid submitted, and authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Southeastern Sealcoating, Inc., in substantially the form contained within the bid documents and in accordance with said bid, providing that the total compensation payable under the contract not exceed the appropriation. [Funding Source: FIN039RM 999999_010 — American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), District 7]
