Birmingham City Council Highlights 2.14.23
Here are a few of the legislative highlights from Tuesday’s Birmingham City Council meeting, in case you missed it.
On Tuesday, the Birmingham City Council honored the life and legacy of John R. Hatcher III, a social activist and civil rights leader.
John R. Hatcher III was born in Birmingham during the Jim Crow Era — to a father who was heavily involved in the local NAACP. Hatcher would take what he learned from his father across the world, and ultimately to his home in California — where he has just been honored by the Biden administration.
It was announced recently that a federal post office in Oxnard California will be named in his honor, a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to uplifting others.
“He started the Young Democrats in North Birmingham, he opened a health clinic for people in the 1960s when there wasn’t a lot of access in the community and he helped register over 10,000 people to vote,” said Councilor LaTonya Tate, who is the niece of Mr. Hatcher. “I am delighted to be able to stand here in Birmingham and help uplift the story of my uncle, a man who helped touch so many lives.”
His daughter, Stacy Luney explained that when they were planning his memorial service, there wasn’t a church big enough in the area to accommodate the crowd.
“We had to get the community center that could hold about 2,300 people and when they were setting it up, we had so many people reaching out to help saying ‘we wouldn’t be in business today if it wasn’t for your dad,’” Luney recalled.
In 1988 Birmingham, acknowledged Hatcher II’s involvement in the civil rights movement paid tribute to Hatcher II by memorializing 29th street in Birmingham, AL. with his name. John Hatcher III took those lessons to heart, and continued his father’s work in California. Hatcher III was nationally recognized as a social activist, civil rights advocate, community leader, and humanitarian. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and also was hired by the Department of the Navy as Housing Specialist and later in his career as an EEO officer. He was the leader of the Ventura County Chapter of the NAACP for nearly 40 years
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, it’s important for us to elevate the stories of people like the Hatcher family who made innumerable impacts on the pursuit of justice for all people. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed H.R. 5659 [5] Tuesday, December 27th (five years after the death of Ventura County civil rights leader), designating the U.S. Postal Service facility at 1961 N. C St. as the John R. Hatcher III Post Office Building after the civil rights leader.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SHORT FILM ON THE LIFE OF JOHN R. HATCHER III
ITEM 6
The Council approved an item allowing for a grant application to be submitted to Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bloomberg Public Art Challenge Grant for up to $1,000,000.00 in funding to support public art projects that celebrate creativity, enhance urban identity, encourage public-private collaborations, and strengthen local economies with no matching funds required from the City.
According to the application, the host city will submit the application on behalf of local artists and organizations. The grant funding will be utilized for the installation of public art projects. There will be 10 winners selected and they will be announced in Fall 2023.
Tuesday’s vote is the first step in the process.
TRASH BINS UPDATE
The Council received an update about the distribution of the 2nd phase of universal trash bins for the city. The Mayor’s administration is currently finalizing the list of the next 25,000 households that will receive their bin.
Here is what you need to know:
Each Birmingham residential home will soon receive a new 96-gallon garbage bin. The roll out of the new bins will happen in four phases, with the first phase already being completed.
By deploying large uniform bins to every household, trash collection services will be changed to once a week throughout the city.
The bins will be collected using new automated side loader trucks. No trash or boxes should be placed on or beside the new bins. There must also be 3-feet of clearance on either side of the bin so the trucks can load them.
Each bin will have an RFID tag, which will ensure bins are at the correct household and to prevent theft.
If you have any questions, please visit https://www.birminghamal.gov/ for more information
BOARD APPOINTMENTS
There are two terms expiring on the Commercial Development Authority. The five-member body partners with the City to create economic development opportunities that expand the tax base of the City.
The qualifications to serve are as follows: Member may not be an officer of the state, county or city. Must be a duly qualified elector of the city. The term limits are four years.
All interested parties, please submit your resumes to India.Bailey@Birminghamal.gov
