Category: Government
Proponents of a Gaza Ceasefire Resolution Continue Call for Birmingham Council to Pass Measure
Seven Birmingham residents spoke before the City Council on Tuesday urging city leaders to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Read more.
Birmingham Council Approves Incentives for Coca-Cola to Redevelop Former Stockham Valve Site
The old Stockham Valve & Fittings site in Kingston could be rehabilitated under a plan presented to the Birmingham Council on Tuesday. The council approved an incentive package for the $340 million redevelopment project in which the Coca-Cola Bottling Company United of Birmingham intends to build a new campus at the Stockham site. Read more.
Birmingham Council OKS Citizen Observer Patrol Unit Despite Safety Concerns
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday narrowly passed a measure to create a citizen observer patrol unit, with some council members expressing concerns about safety for both the unit and the public.
“In your opinion, do you not think this a liability nightmare for the city of Birmingham,” Councilor Hunter Williams asked city attorneys about the unit, which would be composed of 200 volunteers overseen by the police department.
City attorney Nicole King told the council, “I can say, with the type of training that is in place, that this will be a success, but of course you can never anticipate.”
The council also approved a measure establishing a police department-trained auxiliary police force of volunteers. Read more.
JeffCo Allots $90,000 for Displays Highlighting History of Bham Barons
The Jefferson County Commission voted Thursday to play ball with a baseball historian, approving $90,000 for displays at Regions Field that will commemorate former members of the Birmingham Barons.
Kenneth Cunningham, deputy director of the Negro Southern League Museum, said the project will produce walk-around exhibits at the ballpark the Barons currently call home.
“When visitors attend games, we’re going to have displays along the concourse,” he said. Read more.
Missed Garbage Pickup Is No Joke for Frustrated Residents
Joe Knight demonstrated Tuesday that he can deliver a punchline.
County Commission President Jimmie Stephens told his fellow commissioners during Tuesday’s committee meeting that former Commissioner David Carrington called Sunday to say his garbage had not been collected.
“That was intentional,” Knight quipped as the room erupted in laughter.
But missed garbage pickup is no laughing matter for commissioners and others who are fielding countless complaint calls, not to mention the people making those calls. Read more.
Birmingham Council Nixes Parking Minimums Citywide; Mayor Voices Frustration Over Violence
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved zoning amendments that include removing parking minimums citywide, a measure supporters say will make Birmingham more walkable, bikeable and accessible to public transportation. Read more.
DA Raises Prosecutors’ Salaries to Retain Staff
District Attorney Danny Carr told the Jefferson County Commission on Thursday that he is adjusting the salaries of his deputy district attorneys to help hold onto his veteran crew of prosecutors.
“It’s hard to keep a good lawyer who sees what we see every day, who takes home what we take home every day and does what we have to do under the most strenuous circumstances, in all honesty, making $50,000-something a year,” Carr said. Read more.
Alabama to Begin Working With a Consulting Company That’s Under Criminal Investigation
McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy. Read more.
New Pilot Program Will Offer Housing, Resources to People Leaving Prison
The Birmingham Reentry Alliance will provide wrap-around services to dozens of men and women adjusting to life after prison. Read more.
Birmingham Council Approves $421K in Tax Incentives for Japanese Restaurant
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved $421,833 in incentives for a planned Japanese restaurant in downtown Birmingham, and it changed landscaping, buffering and screening ordinances to increase landscaping requirements and protect trees, among other changes. Read more.
