The Personnel Committee of the Birmingham Public Library board of trustees met in closed session Thursday to discuss personnel matters but will not make its findings public until a written report is shared with the full board before its May 8 meeting. Read more.
The top three candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor found more to agree on than disagree on during a debate Wednesday night. Sue Bell Cobb, James Fields and Walt Maddox all favor expanding Medicaid, bolstering workforce development and adopting a lottery, for instance. They each support legalizing medical marijuana, funding improvements to roads and bridges, and providing a quality education to all the state’s children. They all said they believe this is the year a Democrat can win the highest office in this crimson red state. Read more.
The Birmingham Public Library board of trustees spent an hour Tuesday in an executive session called to discuss “complaints and possible litigation involving an employee under the supervision of the library board.” Afterward, the board announced a meeting of the Personnel Committee would be held Thursday morning. The executive session and committee meeting follow pointed public criticism of the library’s new executive director. Read more.
April 10, 2018 – When Jefferson County commissioners announced they were presenting $69 million to public schools in the county with the reallocation of the 1-cent sales tax, they said another check was coming. Tuesday, commissioners announced that subsequent check is on the way, and they will be distributing another $13,221,000 to schools. Read more.
April 10, 2018 — The Birmingham City Council approved two revenue-generating ordinances during Tuesday’s meeting — one allowing for earlier alcohol sales on Sundays and the other extending the city’s 1-cent sales tax indefinitely. The first of those, nicknamed the “brunch bill,” will allow restaurants in the city to service alcohol for on-premises consumption starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Previously, restaurants had been barred from selling alcohol from 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays, a rule that still applies to retailers selling alcohol for off-premises consumption. The sales tax extension proved more controversial, with two councilors expressing concern over how the revenue was being spent. Read more.
Update: Library Personnel Committee Meets in Closed Session, Will Report to Library Board Next Month A survey asking the Birmingham Public Library’s 285 employees about staff morale was conducted last week amid growing concerns over employee dissatisfaction and public criticism of the library’s new executive director. James Sullivan, president of the BPL board of trustees, said the staff survey was prompted in part by concern about unfavorable comments from BPL employees in response to an online article about the library’s new executive director, Floyd Council. “We’ve seen the comments, and we are taking everyone’s concerns seriously. We are doing the survey to see what people are saying and to gauge morale. Whatever they say, we are going to address and take appropriate action,” said Sullivan, who has served on the board since 2016 and was reappointed in 2018. Comments posted by people who identified themselves as BPL employees detailed concerns about Council’s treatment of employees, his management style and the loss of key personnel who resigned in recent months. Read more.
Mayor Ed May II has won the first round in his battle with the Fairfield City Council. A Jefferson County judge issued a preliminary injunction in May’s favor Monday. The injunction prevents the council from stripping the mayor of most functions of his position, which had been reduced to a largely ceremonial job. It also temporarily restores the original functions to May, including the power to hire and fire, and sets aside the appointment of City Clerk Mary Roberson as city manager. Read more.
Candidates running in Alabama’s June 5 primaries periodically must file reports with the Secretary of State’s Office naming their contributors. Here are contributions through the end of March for candidates in the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and chief justice races. Read more.
Candidates running for lieutenant governor recently filed campaign finance reports listing contributors to their campaigns. Here are contributions of $2,500 and up declared by each candidate. Read more.
Candidates running for chief justice recently filed campaign finance reports listing contributors to their campaigns. Here are contributions of $2,500 and up declared by each candidate. Read more.
