City Council Meeting Recap 8.20.19
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 2 — Storage Facility Appeal
A public hearing of an appeal from Segal Edward Drummond, Jr., President of Montclair Storage LLC relative to the suspension of an application by Creative Structures, Inc. to construct a mini-storage building for a self-storage facility located at 720 Montclair Road, Birmingham in accordance with Ordinance №19–86.
Last month the Birmingham City Council passed a six-month moratorium to prevent new self-storage facilities from operating in Birmingham.
On Tuesday the Council approved an appeal from representatives with Montclair Storage LLC who had obtained the permits to expand their facility before the moratorium went into effect. The storage facility currently operates in what used to be one of the buildings associated with Montclair Baptist Medical Center that is now closed. The company is now expanding the facility on that site.
The moratorium, which was submitted by Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, also leaves room for an additional 90-days if more time is needed to evaluate current zoning. During the public hearing portion last month, the majority of business owners and residents who spoke were in favor of the moratorium.
“We have a responsibility to make sure properties achieve their highest and best use,” O’Quinn said. “If you look at our budget and revenue, it’s impossible to miss the fact that a lot of it comes from businesses, sales tax and occupational tax. It’s hard for me to believe self-storage for this area is the highest and best use.”
According to the majority of the Councilors who spoke on the issue, the storage facility on Montclair Road does not impede on walkability or overall quality of life in the area, which is one of the stated purposes of the moratorium.
Item 3 — Weed Abatement
A Resolution authorizing the abatement of the nuisances existing on [372] properties and the costs of such abatement to be assessed against and constitute a lien upon such properties, and the hearing of all interested parties:
The City of Birmingham’s Code Enforcement division has a multi-step process to abate and assess costs for abandoned properties with overgrown weeds. First, a City Inspector will send the property owner a notice that their property has overgrown weeds. A picture will be taken, and a certified letter will be sent, notifying the property owner of a two-week period to address the issue. If no substantial progress is made, a “posting”, or notice, is placed upon the property, letting the property owner know that the property will be on the City Council agenda as a public nuisance. After the City Council votes to approve the item, the property will appear a second time on the agenda (as all the properties in Item 3 were today), authorizing the City to actually abate the weeds. Finally, the nuisance properties will appear on the agenda for a third time, once the costs have been assessed against the properties.
Item 13 High School Kick Off Classic
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement with Birmingham City Schools, City of Birmingham, and the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, under which two (2) “High School Classic” football games will be held at the historic Legion Field Stadium, on Saturday, August 24, 2019, the City shall contribute the sum of $20,000.00 and provide public safety services
In an ongoing effort to maximize the use of Legion Field, this Saturday, August 24th, will feature two high school football games billed as the “Birmingham Kick Off Classic”.
The first game will be Parker High School vs. Carver High School at 4pm, followed by Ramsay High School vs. Minor High School at 7pm. Online tickets can be purchased at
Each school will get the keep the proceeds from advance ticket sales online.
Full Agenda
Upcoming Meetings
Monday, August 26, 2019
12:30 p.m. — Joint Special Called Parks and Recreation Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — City Council Chambers
3:30 p.m. — Joint Budget and Finance Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Rooms “D & E”
Tuesday, August 27, 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 Administration/Education Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Rooms “D&E”
3:00 p.m. — Joint Economic Development Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Rooms “D &E”
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
8:30 a.m. — Joint Planning and Zoning Committee and Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting — 5th Floor Conference Room
3:30 p.m. — Committee of the Whole Meeting — Conference Rooms “D & E”
