City Council Meeting 8.13.19 Recap

Here’s the video from the meeting:

And here’s a recap of some of the items the City Council discussed by the Council:

Item 25— BRT Bus Purchase

A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement with the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA), under which the City will provide FTA Tiger Grant funds to the BJCTA for the purchase of up to fifteen (15) 40’ CNG Transit Buses for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project under the BJCTA’s current contract with New Flyer of America, Inc., such purchases to be in an amount not to exceed $602,500.00 per bus, for a total amount not to exceed $9,037,500.00 for the purchases of the buses.

The City Council has approved this funding for the purchase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses. The new, fixed-route system, branded as the Birmingham Xpress, will feature a total of 15 compressed natural gas-fueled buses that will arrive at every 15 minutes at each stop. If additional funding is needed for the vinyl wrapping for the buses, it would also come out of the grant funds.

Item 29 — Board Appointments

A Resolution recommending three (3) nominees for appointment to the Jefferson County Board of Equalization.

The Birmingham City Council appointed Janie Adams, Starr Culpepper, Karen Wadlington to the Jefferson County Board of Equalization. The Board consists of three members who serve as a quasi judicial review panel for property owners who wish to challenge the market value of their property. Market values set by a Property Appraiser may be changed by the Board when a property owner can prove the appraised value is not based on the property’s fair market value.

The Board’s mission is the equalization of Real Property in Jefferson County by establishing fair and reasonable market value using appraisal methodologies and practices as set by statutory requirements and the Alabama Department of Revenue. We adhere to the laws of the jurisdiction while serving the taxpayers with knowledge and respect. The Board of Equalization will operate in an environment that is conducive to our taxpayers and to the professional and personal growth of its employees.

Item 31 — Speed Hump

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to expend funds in an amount not to exceed $8,000.00 to place a speed hump/bump in the Winewood area on the southern end off Winewood Road, pursuant to §11–47–19, Code of Alabama, 1975, said funds to come from the Echo Highlands Neighborhood Association Funds. Echo Highland Neighborhood Association Funds will be transferred to the City of Birmingham Transportation Department for installment of the speed hump. The quote Number Q1912552 for $7,120.25.

This item was amended to have the funding source be the City’s Department of Transportation, instead of the Echo Highlands Neighborhood Association. The City’s DOT will install the temporary (not concrete) speed hump, based on traffic data they have collected. Previously, the installation of new speed humps has been a difficult process, but now the City is taking measures (such as this “pilot” project”) to actually see how these speed humps affect safety concerns.

The City also hopes that the Police Department’s purchase of more radar guns will detract speeding, and thus accomplish the same goal that speed humps otherwise would.

If citizens and Neighborhood Association feel that a speed hump is necessary in their neighborhood, they are encouraged to contact the City’s Department of Transportation at 205–254–2450

Full Agenda

Upcoming Meetings

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

1:30 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. — Police & Fire Pension Board Meeting — Conference Room “A”

Monday, August 19, 2019

12:30 p.m. — Parks and Recreation Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — City Council Chambers

2:00 p.m. — Joint Governmental Affairs and Public Information Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — City Council Chambers

4:00 p.m. — Joint Transportation Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — City Council Chambers

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

9:00 a.m. — Pre-Council Meeting — City Council Chambers; 9:30 a.m. — Council Meeting — City Council Chambers

2:00 p.m. — Joint Utilities/Technology Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Rooms “D&E”

3:30 p.m. — Joint Public Safety Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — City Council Chambers

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

9:00 a.m. — Park Board Meeting — Maxine Herring Parker Board Room, Legion Field — 400 Graymont Avenue West