On a stormy morning, the Birmingham City Council approved going forward with two projects aimed at resolving flooding issues.

The council approved a contract for $108,487.50 with Gillespie Construction for the 3262 33rd Avenue North drainage improvements project. Council President Pro Tem LaTonya Tate said the project answers concerns among constituents in her District 9.

“We know that flooding issues have become a lot more prevalent in recent years, and I’m glad to see this capital project moving forward to bring relief for our residents,” Tate said is a statement. “It’s definitely a safety hazard, and something my neighbors and I have spoken about at length.”

The council approved a second contract to pay Gillespie $56,705 to repair two eroded areas on the slope behind a softball field at George Ward Park.

“George Ward Park is one of the city’s most loved and utilized green spaces, and I’m thrilled to support long-awaited erosion repairs and drainage improvements,” Councilor Josh Vasa said. “These critical upgrades will strengthen the park’s slopes, protect our trails and ensure this space remains safe for families to enjoy for years to come.”

First Homeless Summit Set for Monday, Reports From the National Conference

City leaders also touted a summit on homelessness being held in the city on Dec. 1. The State of Homelessness: Redefining Community, an event hosted by the city and One Roof, will bring together faith leaders, nonprofits, business representatives, civic partners and government leaders to talk about Birmingham’s homelessness response and what’s needed going forward.

Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the event and to register in advance. It is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at Regions Field.

Homelessness was a big topic among city leaders from across the country who attended the National League of Cities Conference last week in Salt Lake City, several councilors said.

“I know there was a lot of interest in what we’re actually doing in Birmingham,” about homelessness, said Council President Wardine Alexander, who during the conference was reelected regional director (South) for NLC’s National Black Caucus of Elected Officials.

Six members of the council attended the meeting, she said.

Councilor Crystal Smitherman said she was looking forward to sharing her thoughts with other council members after sitting in discussions about affordable child care and the use of AI in city government, among other topics.

Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, who was reelected to the league’s board of directors last week, said one of the discussions the board had was about the movement toward shifting federal responsibilities onto the local governments and how states and cities will need to respond. He said he talked about how the city and local nonprofits and businesses responded when SNAP food assistance was cut off during the federal shutdown, and that gave him a moment to be proud of the city.

New Councilor Josh Vasa also attended the conference and said it enlightened him on several issues.

“The issues that we face in Birmingham are relevant across the country,” Vasa said.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a three-year, $2.55 million contract with iSeek Solutions, in Homewood, to provide project management resources for the city’s Information Management Services office.
• Approved giving $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to make renovations to the Dr. Lawrence Pijeaux Library, including roof repairs and mold removal.