City Council Meeting Recap 12.3.19
Here’s the video from the meeting:
And here are a few of the main items the Birmingham City Council approved at the December 3rd, 2019 Meeting:
After a thorough presentation and discussion at the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, the Birmingham City Council approved agreements with 7 organizations to receive funding from the City through the Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (or BOLD) program. The 7 organizations chosen through the City’s Request for Proposal and Community Engagement Process as they appeared as items on today’s Council meeting agenda are:
ITEM 11
The Birmingham World Trade Center will receive $50,000 to develop its organization, provide referral and direct services to local businesses interested in import/export activities, and host capacity building and trade mission events. They will also provide virtual and physical tenant services to mission and trade organizations to “soft land” in Birmingham.
ITEM 12
The Birmingham Business Alliance will receive $150,000 to manage and source economic development projects in line with the clusters set forth in IEO’s strategic plan, focused on high-growth “scaleups” that disproportionately create jobs and wealth when compared to other small businesses.
Further, the BBA will generate a talent recruitment program focused on statewide colleges and universities — particularly HBCUs — to introduce and recruit students to Birmingham
ITEM 13
The Birmingham Business Resource Center will receive $50,000 to provide technical assistance to at least fifty (50) minority- and women-owned businesses to prepare for increased contracting opportunities from the 2021 World Games, BRT expansion, BJCC development, and other capital projects. BBRC will work with the City and World Games to help businesses get certified and win opportunities to contract in these projects.
ITEM 14
Jefferson State Community College will receive $46,087.46 to build upon the current Center for Workforce Education’s initiatives as well as its partnership with The Women’s Fund, which provides education, transportation, and childcare support to women who have taken the first step toward achieving financial independence for themselves and their children.
To help single mothers and their children move into economic security, while also increasing and developing a skilled workforce for Birmingham, the program will provide the skills needed to work as an entry-level information technologist and scholarship opportunities for single mothers of children served by Jefferson County Head Start.
ITEM 15
REV Birmingham will receive $152,431 to provide technical assistance to at least fifty (50) minority- and women-owned retail, restaurant, and tourism-aligned small businesses to prepare for increased foot traffic and tourism created by the 2021 World Games. REV will conduct site visits, workshops, and individualized assistance, and they will track the employment and revenue impacts of these services.
ITEM 16
The Salvation Army will receive $50,000 to provide ongoing assessment and case management for 100 participants, and occupational training for 30 of these participants. BOLD funding will support program and student cost, including tuition, books, fees, licensures, and other participant support services such as childcare, transportation assistance, work uniforms and tools. Participants will also receive follow-up support for nine months after exiting the program, in order to assess success and ensure participant stability.
ITEM 17
The Women’s Fund will receive $80,000 to strengthen its social innovation efforts in Birmingham’s East Lake neighborhood by investing in a scalable systems-change approach to increase economic opportunity for women and children.
In acknowledgement of the constellation of roadblocks that exist for women seeking employment, BOLD will provide 12 families wrap around services offered at The Birmingham Family Hub, and will support the Women’s Fund’s advocacy for the 2Gen approach to poverty alleviation.
Full Agenda
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
9:00 a.m. — Park Board Meeting — Maxine Herring Parker Board Room, Legion Field, 400 Graymont Avenue West
12:00 p.m. — Special Called Planning & Zoning Committee Meeting, 5th Floor Conference Room, City Hall
Monday, December 9, 2019
3:30 p.m. — Joint Budget and Finance Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Rooms “D & E”
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
9:00 a.m. — Pre-Council Meeting — City Council Chambers; 9:30 a.m. — Council Meeting — City Council Chambers
3:00 p.m. — Joint Economic Development Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Rooms “D & E”
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
12:00 p.m. — Joint Planning and Zoning Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — 5th Floor Conference Room- City Hall
1:30 p.m. — City of Birmingham Firemen, Policemen, Retirement & Relief System Pension Board Meeting — Conference Rooms “D & E”
