City Council Meeting Recap 4.7.20
Here are a few of the main items the Birmingham City Council discussed at the April 7th, 2020 Meeting
Items 3–5
The Council Voted to delay three items dealing with the removal of a tree located at 801 17th Street North on City property. The tree in question would be removed to make room for a billboard owned by Lamar Outdoor Advertising.
According to Councilor Valerie Abbott, who opposes the removal, the tree is not harming city property. “If you just trim back the limbs, it will alleviate the problem for the Alabama School of Fine Arts. It’s not hurting any building that belongs to the City of Birmingham,” Abbott said. “There’s nothing wrong with the tree, it just needs some trimming.”
Here is the item as it appeared on the agenda:
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Construction Right of Way Agreement between the City of Birmingham and Lamar Outdoor Advertising wherein the City would permit Lamar to cut down a tree located at 801 17th Street North, which, due to new Ramp construction, obscured the view of one of its existing outdoor signs. In return for the removal of the referenced tree, Lamar, at its expense will raise the sign frame attached to the back of the Boutwell Auditorium which, due to the new ramp is currently totally obscured. All costs incurred as a result of this Agreement will be the responsibility of Lamar, with no expenditure from the City.
The Council delayed the items for four weeks while the City continues to deal with the COVID-19 health crisis.
Item 6
The Council unanimously approved an item to fund the construction of the canopy outside the Birmingham Museum of Art, a project that has been discussed for some time.
Here is the item as it appeared on the agenda:
An Ordinance amending Ordinance №20–40, adopted by the Council March 17, 2020, to read: “TO FURTHER AMEND THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, by transferring $35,700.00 from Museum of Art, R&M Buildings & Facilities and appropriating $35,700.00 to Non Departmental, Transfer to Fund 102 Capital Improvement Fund, and “TO FURTHER AMEND THE CAPITAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, by appropriating $35,700.00 to Museum of Art, Canopy Project.
Addendum Item 16
The Council unanimously approved an item to appropriate $500,000 for hazard and overtime pay for City employees working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 health crisis.
In total, 1978 employees and first responders will be included in the allocation.
Here is a breakdown by department:
Finance: 29
Fire: 607
Mayor’s Office: 10
Municipal Court: 90
Planning Engineering and Permits: 100
Police and Corrections: 922
Public Works: 220
The funding will be for one month as the City deals with the COVID-19 health crisis. According to the documentation, hazard pay is for employees exposed to “virulent biologicals,” which is defined as “work with or in close proximity to materials of micro-organic nature which when introduced into the body are likely to cause serious disease or fatality and for which protective devises do not afford complete protection.”
As it currently stands that money is not reimbursable. City officials are currently exploring options with additional federal funding in the case that the hazard pay needs to be extended.
“As the city grapples with this public health crisis, our first responders are out on the frontlines protecting the public and responding to calls across the city,” said Councilor Hunter Williams, chair of the Public Safety Committee. “We are committed to doing everything in our power as elected officials to provide them with the protection and resources they need to do their jobs and remain safe during this time.”
