City Council Meeting Recap 4.30.19
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 17
An Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE CAPITAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, by transferring $13,796.59 from Powderly Library Improvements, $2,333.05 from Library Repairs and Improvements, $10,600.70 from Library Renovations and appropriating $26,730.34 to Wylam Library.
The Council has passed the final funding needed for the construction of the new $1.6 Million Wylam Branch Public Library.
The old, 2,000 square foot building will be replaced with a 6,000 square foot building. The new library is slated to open in January 2020. Demolition is expected to start in May.
Item 18
An Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, by appropriating $1,882,130.00 t Non Departmental, Transfer to Fund 102 Capital Improvement, $500,000.00 to Non Departmental, Transfer to Fund 103 Neighborhood Revitalization Fund, “TO FURTHER AMEND THE CAPITAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, by appropriating $500,000.00 to Healthy Food Initiative, $550,000.00 to IMS, Mainframe Replacement, $55,000.00 to IMS, Scanning (i.e. for Municipal court, $510,000.00 to Equipment Management, Equipment (i.e. to purchase 2 Street Sweepers), $267,130.00 to City Council Chamber Renovation; and “TO FURTHER AMEND THE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, by appropriating $500,000.00 to Healthy Food Initiative.
Mayor Randall Woodfin’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity is working to introduce an Ordinance that attempts to alleviate the the issue of access to healthy food in food deserts by limiting the development of new Dollar Stores.
The proposed would establish a “healthy food overlay district” that would create a new set of rules for farmers markets and mobile grocers, including increasing the number of days farmers markets could be open per year from 78 to 156 and loosening restrictions on mobile grocery stores — motorized vehicles or trailers from which food items are sold. It also would allow for community gardens within the overlay district to sell produce on-site.
The $500,000 passed by the Council for the Healthy Foods Fund will offset the costs of opening stores in areas of the City that have been designated by the USDA as food deserts. There are 149,000 Birmingham residents living in food deserts, and this funding, as well as the proposed Ordinance is part of the strategy for seriously addressing that. This funding can help reduce distribution costs, ensure that stores can be sustained where food stamps are often used, and help grocers bear the costs of opening a new store.
Item 20
A Resolution expressing the Birmingham City Council’s support of Senate Bill 98 which will amend the existing crime of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree to provide that a person commits the crime if he or she possesses two or more ounces of marijuana and would prescribe new criminal penalties based upon the prior violations.
Alabama State Senator Bobby has introduced Senate Bill 98, which would change currently law to create a minimum of 2 ounces of marijuana as the standard for possession in the first degree and making it a Class C felony, 1 to 10 years in prison.
Singleton’s bill would also create a system of fines for marijuana possession of less than an ounce. Under the proposal, a person charged with possessing less than an ounce of marijuana would face a fine of $250, and the fine would double on the third offense.
The bill also establishes a new standard for marijuana possession in the second degree, which is based on possession of more than an ounce, but less than 2 ounces of marijuana. The charge would be considered a Class D felony, which includes a sentencing range of 1 to 5 years, but to be served in a community corrections facility rather than prison.
If Senate Bill 98 is signed into law, less than an ounce of marijuana becomes a violation punishable by fine of not more than $250 for the first two offenses and not more than $500 for the third offense and beyond. One to two ounces is a misdemeanor, and two or more ounces is a felony.
Full Agenda
Upcoming Events
Friday, May 3, 2019
6:00 p.m. — Huffman High School Senior Awards Banquet and Cameron Humes Pt. 2 — Huffman High School, 950 Springville Road — Councilor Clinton Woods, District 1
Saturday, May 4, 2019
10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. — District 1 Pastor’s Breakfast — Springville Road Library, 1224 Springville Road — Councilor Clinton Woods, District 1
Monday, May 6, 2019
12:30 p.m. — Joint Parks and Recreation 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, May 7, 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 Public Improvements Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Room “A”
3:30 p.m. — Joint Public Safety Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — City Council Chambers
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
8:30 a.m. — Joint Planning and Zoning Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — 5th Floor Conference Room-City Hall
Saturday, May 11, 2019
9:00 a.m. — East Side Health Fair — Northeast YMCA, 628 Red Lane Road — Councilor Clinton Woods
Board Vacancy
There are currently 3 vacancies on the Downtown Redevelopment Authority. The deadline to apply is May 31st.
To apply, please visit the City’s Boards and Agencies portal:
The Downtown Development Authority exists to promote trade and commerce. To upgrade, improve, modernize and expand existing buildings and o locate new facilities in the central business district of the City.
