Jefferson County Commission

JeffCo Commission Again Stalls Food Assistance Funding for Questions

Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson pushed for food assistance programs in the March 17, 2022, commission meeting. (Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.)

Sheila Tyson took another swing Thursday at getting federal funding to three organizations with sights set on feeding people.

Once again, her swing came up empty as her fellow Jefferson County commissioners couldn’t agree unanimously to bring the matter up as new business during their morning meeting.

Tyson admitted after the meeting that she held little hope that the matter would come up for discussion and possibly a vote.

“No, I did not,” she said, recounting that she talked to her fellow commissioners before the meeting.

Requests from the three entities for American Rescue Plan Act funds to feed people affected by the pandemic were on the agenda of the commission’s committee meeting Tuesday.

Kikstart Inc. sought an award of $725,250, Mission Alabama sought $64,900 and Christian Service Mission, $190,000. All three requests were held over, with commissioners asking to hear more about how and where each organization is distributing food. Each was on today’s agenda under new business, which could be taken up only if all the commissioners agreed to bring it forward.

Tyson said there should be no more steps required for these organizations to get federal money to help people.

“I know for a fact we approved the process and voted on it way ahead of time, before they even created a website and a portal for the grantees to even apply for the grant,” she said. “That was approved by the commission. You have granted it to Community Food Bank and several other agencies that already receive money.

“You want to take these agencies through another process and it’s not fair. They are the same type of agencies that feed people. That’s what this is for, and I just don’t think it’s fair.”

Likely each entity will appear before the commission in April.

Zoning Requests

Commissioners conducted four zoning hearings. In one, a developer sought to rezone 192.5-acres at Lindsey Loop Road and McClendon Chapel Road to build a 247-lot residential subdivision.

Michael Snelling (Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.)

Michael Snelling, who lives next door to the proposed development, opposed the effort, fearing it would bring in more traffic. He also expressed concern about flooding, which he said already exists in the area.

“They’re building the new (UAB West) Hospital (and) we’re only talking about two miles away,” he said. “There are just all kinds of developments and to me that does not allow for (rainwater) runoff if they keep developing.”

Commissioners denied the application to rezone, suggesting that perhaps a smaller development might fit better in the area.

Rental Assistance in Birmingham

Frederick L. Hamilton, director of Community Services and Workforce Development, this week gave commissioners an update on a request to get COVID-prompted federal rental assistance money from the state of Alabama. That discussion came after the city of Birmingham sought help providing rental assistance to residents in need.

“We requested $3.4 million from the State of Alabama Finance Authority, and they ended up giving us $5 million,” Hamilton said. “We also learned that the city (of Birmingham) had applied and they’re going to also receive $5 million from the state. In addition to that, they’re going to get some funds from the Department of Treasury. They should have what they need to continue to move their program forward.”

To date, the county has spent about $12 million in rental assistance for about 1,800 county residents.