2026-09-08 - City Council

00:56This is the regular meeting of the

00:58Mobile City Council, Tuesday, September

01:00the 8th. Please stand for our invocation

01:03led by Pastor Arif Bradley, public

01:07safety chaplain, and remain standing for

01:09the pledge of allegiance.

01:11>> Good morning. Shall we pray? Dear Lord,

01:13we're grateful for this another day

01:15you've made. We pray that you will bless

01:17this day, bless this meeting of our city

01:19council and our city leaders. We pray

01:22your blessing continue to be upon the

01:24city of Mobile as they strive together

01:26to work for a better Mobile. We pray

01:29you'll bless them, bless their families,

01:31bless all that concerns them. And we

01:33pray Lord that every decision made here

01:35today will be unto your glory. In Jesus

01:37name we pray. Amen.

01:43>> United States of America to the standy.

01:56>> Roll call. President Small. Vice

01:59President Gregory

02:00>> here. Council member Penn

02:02>> here.

02:02>> Council member Ingram

02:04>> here.

02:04>> Council member Reynolds

02:05>> here.

02:05>> Council member Fleming

02:07>> here.

02:07>> Council member Woods

02:08>> here.

02:09>> Statement of rules.

02:10>> And good morning everyone.

02:11>> Good morning.

02:12>> It's good to see everyone this morning.

02:13Welcome to our September 8, 2026

02:16meeting. At this meeting, we do have

02:18rules. At this time, I ask if anyone

02:20have any type of electronic device,

02:22including cell phones, please at this

02:24time put on the offer of the barbary

02:25position. the offer the library

02:28position.

02:30Any person that desire to address the

02:31Mobile City Council must sign in the

02:33resolution, the public hearing agenda

02:35item or the public ordinance public

02:38[clears throat] hearing ordinance before

02:39entering the meeting. When addressing

02:41the council, the speaker must give his

02:42or her name. Any person that is desiring

02:45to speak to the council on a non-aggenda

02:47item must contact the city clerk office

02:48no later than 2:00 here on the Thursday

02:50prior to the council meeting. the

02:52subject that he or she wish to express

02:54to the mobile city council must be

02:56identified and pertain to the city of

02:57Mobile business. Anyone who has not

02:59given proper note to the city clerk

03:01office and wish to speak on a non agenda

03:03item will not be allowed to address this

03:04council. Each speaker is allowed three

03:06minutes to address this council. A bail

03:08was sound to indicate the end of two

03:10minutes. One minute remains for

03:12summarizing. The second B indicates that

03:14your time has expired. When addressing

03:16this council, there be no personal

03:17address to any individual council

03:18members. All statements are to be made

03:21to the chair who recognize any council

03:22member who wishes to respond to maintain

03:25the corn. There'll be no do applause or

03:27public outcry allowed. Madam clerk,

03:30>> approval of minutes of September the

03:321st.

03:33>> Second properly move and second. Any

03:35discussion? All in favor?

03:37>> I. All oppose. Minutes approve.

03:41>> Communications from Mayor Chair Godis.

03:43>> Good morning everyone.

03:45>> Morning.

03:46>> Hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day.

03:49um big ticket items on today's council

03:53agenda that I wanted to speak about and

03:55the primary one is the budget. Uh we'll

03:58have a public hearing on the proposed

03:59budget today. Uh and it's our hope that

04:02this budget will continue to strengthen

04:04public safety, continue to improve our

04:07infrastructure, and will continue to

04:10invest in public transportation.

04:12Uh, this budget is going to help us

04:14continue to capitalize on the things

04:16that will make Mobile a city that people

04:18love to live in and want to visit, a

04:21city that works for everyone, and a city

04:24that stands the test of time. And I look

04:26forward to discussing that budget uh,

04:28with you and the council over the coming

04:30days. Uh, exciting news this morning. I

04:34got to see the first second line transit

04:36trolley. I got to take a ride, climb in,

04:41uh, you know, use the microphone to

04:43guide a few of my staff members around

04:44town and point out important pieces of

04:47Mobile. Um, public transportation is a

04:51major focus for my administration.

04:54Accessible and convenient transportation

04:56connects our people, our workforce to

04:58jobs, uh, to workforce development

05:01opportunities. It makes it easier for

05:03visitors to visit our city, see the

05:05sites in Mobile, and explore our

05:08beautiful city. And we hope it continues

05:10and will better support our local

05:13businesses. Uh I believe a city that

05:16moves people. Uh I believe a great city

05:20moves people and that this is just one

05:22more step forward for a mobile that

05:24works for everyone. Whether you're

05:26headed to work or to enjoy all the city

05:29has to offer, Secondline Transit will be

05:31there for you. On the agenda today,

05:33we'll have a first read for an

05:35application for the Federal Transit

05:37Administration grant that would help us

05:40purchase five more trolleys for Second

05:42Line Transit. And I don't plan to stop

05:44until you see trolleys all over this

05:47great city.

05:49Uh, an exciting thing happening this

05:51weekend. I know I'll be part taking part

05:53in it. Uh, the Jimmy Buffett Son of a

05:55Son of a Sailor exhibit is set to open

05:58this Saturday, September 12th, at the

06:00National Maritime Museum of the Gulf.

06:03Uh, you can buy your pre-sale tickets

06:04now and be sure not to miss the more

06:07than 130 unique artifacts that they are

06:10housing in that exhibit. Uh, it's going

06:13to be a permanent exhibit that will span

06:15two floors of the museum, taking up

06:16about 6,000 square ft. It's going to

06:19include an immersive concert experience

06:21featuring never be before seen concert

06:24footage. Uh I had the chance to get a

06:26sneak peek of this last week and it um I

06:30I really words cannot express how

06:32wonderful I think this exhibit is. Uh

06:35you can really feel the emotion uh that

06:38went into building this exhibit. Uh you

06:42can you can see the love that Jimmy

06:44Buffett's family put into helping to

06:46curate and donate artifacts to this

06:48exhibit is truly one of a kind. So if

06:51you're a parrot head or not, be sure to

06:53check out this truly unique glance into

06:56Jimmy's life and his ties to the Gulf

06:58Coast. Um this would not have been

07:01possible without the the genius of

07:03executive director Karen Path, her

07:06staff, and the crew at Project Art

07:08Collective. Uh, I want to thank them for

07:10bringing this exhibit to the public.

07:12It's truly one of a kind, truly unique,

07:14uh, and really incredible. And I hope

07:16you'll all join us this weekend or

07:18sometime in the future to check out the

07:20Son of a Son of a Sailor exhibit. Uh, we

07:23have one proclamation today. Uh, so I'd

07:25like to call up Betsy Fetner with the

07:28Laura Crannle Foundation,

07:31and I'll go ahead and read this.

07:36Whereas gynecologic cancers are among

07:40the leading [clears throat] cancer

07:41killers of women in the United States

07:44and more than 125,000 women will be

07:47diagnosed and more than 33,000 women

07:49will die from this disease from these

07:52diseases this year and the absence they

07:55leave in our hearts will be deeply felt

07:58forever. And whereas the Laura Crannle

08:00Brown Foundation and their state of teal

08:04initiative brings awareness to all gyn

08:07cancers uh to the people throughout the

08:10state of Alabama. And whereas the good

08:12health and well-being of women in our

08:14state and the city of Mobile are

08:16enhanced by increased awareness of gyn

08:19cancers and their symptoms and

08:21treatment. And whereas it is also

08:23crucial that all women in our state and

08:26the city of Mobile take an active role

08:28in learning the symptoms and risk

08:30factors associated with gyn cancers. Uh

08:34developing healthy habits and undergoing

08:36regular medical examinations so that any

08:39occurrence of these diseases may be

08:40detected in their early and treatable

08:43stages. And whereas we reflect upon the

08:45memory of those lost to these diseases,

08:48the bravery of those currently battling

08:51these diagnoses and the need for

08:53increased awareness, screening and

08:55research so that the women of our state

08:58might be spared from them in the future

09:00and encourage all citizens to work

09:02together to raise awareness of gyn

09:05cancers. Now therefore, I,

09:07Spirrocheratus, the 109th mayor of the

09:09city of Mobile, do hereby proclaim the

09:12month of September 2026 as gynecologic

09:15cancer awareness month throughout the

09:17city and encourage all residents of

09:19Mobile to work together to raise

09:21awareness of gyn cancers and do commend

09:24this observance to all of our citizens.

09:26Thank you.

09:30[applause]

09:41Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. Um,

09:44I'm my name is Betsy Fetner and I'm the

09:46U programs manager for the Laura Crandle

09:49Brown Foundation and our mission is

09:52three-fold. Um, first, we raise funds um

09:55for early detection research. Um we

09:59provide financial and emotional support

10:01for women undergoing treatment for ging

10:03cancers and we also spread awareness.

10:06September is our awareness month and so

10:08that's why we've asked to be here with

10:10you guys and um a big part of our uh

10:14awareness campaign is um celebrating

10:17survivors. Um, I am joined today by

10:20staff members of MCI, Mitchell Cancer

10:23Institute. Um, and also some

10:26very brave survivors that would also

10:28like to speak to you this morning.

10:34We would like to say to Mayor Sharon

10:36Goddis and his council, the city

10:39council, I'm sorry, his cabinet and the

10:42city council. We thank you because Laura

10:45Crannle stood for

10:48so many things. She was powerful in her

10:51living and she was powerful after her

10:54demise. There are so many women who have

10:58fought living with gynecological cancer.

11:02And as we know, many women who have

11:05passed with stage 4 cancer now have an

11:08opportunity to live after so much

11:11research has been put into it. And I

11:14stand as an ovarian cancer survivor. And

11:17because of such research, I'm allowed to

11:20stand before you today healed. and I am

11:23so grateful.

11:28[applause]

11:30>> Um Danny ODM and I was actually pleased

11:33to be able to stand here in front of you

11:34all and accept the proclamation for

11:36cervical cancer awareness previously. Um

11:39so I'm back. I'm in my third year of

11:41remission from cervical cancer and I'm

11:43proud to stand here in the gynecological

11:45cancer awareness month with my survivor

11:48sister and accept this proclamation.

11:50Thank you all.

11:51>> Thank you all.

12:35Thank you all very much for what you do.

12:37With that, my remarks are concluded.

12:40>> Councilman Pan.

12:46Morning.

13:00>> Good morning.

13:01>> Morning.

13:02>> Can I have Britney Moore to come down to

13:05the podium?

13:18I have a proclamation. Whereas National

13:21Truck Driver Appreciation Week is

13:23observed across the country the second

13:26full week of September. It's an

13:28opportunity to honor the professional

13:30truck drivers who transport the food,

13:33medicine, building material, retail

13:37goods, and other necess necessity

13:40community depends on every day. And

13:42whereas this recognition is especially

13:45meaningful in Mobile where the port of

13:48Mobile, I 10, I65 and major in

13:52industrial corridors generate commercial

13:55truck traffic throughout our area. A

13:58fivemile section of I 10 in Mobile

14:00County alone carry approximately 70,000

14:04vehicles each day while the port

14:06containers facility handles more than

14:09500,000

14:11TEUs annually

14:13continuing throughout this region by

14:15truck rail and other modes. Professional

14:18truck drivers are essential to mobile

14:21transportation network port operation

14:24industries and local economy. Whereas

14:27Home20 LLC is a local commercial

14:30transportation service company focused

14:33on supporting supporting professional

14:35truck drivers. They currently provide

14:38TWWIC escort service of the Alabama

14:42State Docks, a pilot escort service for

14:45oversized and overweight loads. Their

14:48long-term vision is to advocate for and

14:51help address the need for safe, secure

14:54truck parking and driver focused

14:56resources in the Mobile area. And

14:59whereas Home 20 continues to grow, they

15:03always welcome opportunities to identify

15:06and support safe spaces for professional

15:09drivers to park, rest, and reset while

15:12traveling through Mobile Community. And

15:14whereas during truck driver appreciation

15:17week, Home 20 encouraged local business,

15:20schools, churches, organizations,

15:23residents to participate by offering

15:25discounts, donation, meals, giveaways,

15:28and thank you cards or other acts of

15:31appreciation. Now therefore, I,

15:33Councilman Corey Penn of District 1 and

15:35the members of the Mobile City Council

15:37do hereby recognize September the 13th

15:40through the 19th, 2026 as National Truck

15:43Driver Appreciation Week in the city of

15:45Mobile, honoring the men and women who

15:48helped keep Mobile and America moving.

15:51Done this day in the city of Mobile on

15:54the 8th day of September. Can we give

15:55them a big hand today?

16:00>> [applause]

16:02>> Thank you to the city council. Thank you

16:03to the city of Mobile. Thank you,

16:05Councilman Pin. I had a speech written,

16:07but Councilman Pin kind of covered

16:09everything. Um, I really do hope that

16:12this recognition can be the beginning of

16:14continued conversations and partnership

16:16between Home 20 and the city of Mobile

16:18as we work to address some of the real

16:20challenges that he spoke about such as

16:22the lack of safe and secure parking, the

16:25appropriate prices for drivers to park

16:27and rest and the the access to basic

16:29amenities and services in the Mobile

16:32area. Thank you for recognizing the men

16:34and women that keep Mobile and America

16:37moving. Thank you.

16:38>> Thank you.

16:41>> [applause]

17:08>> I don't know.

17:26We have mad clerk.

17:27>> Adoption of the agenda.

17:29>> So moved.

17:30>> Second.

17:30>> Probably moved and second. Any

17:32discussion? All in favor?

17:34>> I.

17:34>> All oppose. Agenda's adopted.

17:37>> Appeals. We have requests for a wave the

17:38noise ordinance on September the 20th at

17:41113 Dolphin Street and September 12th at

17:44518 Dolphin Street.

17:46>> So move

17:47>> secondly move and second. Any

17:49discussion? All in favor?

17:51>> I.

17:51>> All oppose. Appeal passes.

17:54>> Public hearings today is the public

17:56hearing to consider the proposed

17:57reszoning of property located at 320 and

18:00330 Western Drive from B3 and I1 to I1.

18:05This open up the public hearing for this

18:07particular said item. Is anyone present?

18:08I would like to address the council on

18:10this item.

18:13If not, this particular public hearing

18:15is closed.

18:19Today is a public hearing to consider

18:21proposed reszoning of property located

18:24at 255 Church Street from T5.2 to T6.

18:29>> This open the public hearing for this

18:31particular sad item. Is anyone president

18:33would like to address the council may

18:34come down to the podium by stating your

18:36name?

18:38>> Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of

18:39the council. I'm Jay Watkins with

18:41Maynard Nexon, 11 North Water Street,

18:44sweet 2429 360602. Here representing the

18:47owner of 255 Church Street, which is

18:50directly behind this building. It's

18:52currently the Quality Inn. Um the

18:54applicant would like to uh demolish that

18:57building and go back up with a mixeduse

18:59project. I've spoken with some of you

19:01about it. Um, we're here to answer

19:03questions if you have any and would

19:05reserve the rest of my time for any uh

19:07rebuttal if there opposition or anyone

19:09wishing to speak in opposition to this

19:11application. Any questions or comments

19:13from this council?

19:15>> Thank you, Mr. President. I first thank

19:17you, Attorney Watkins, um, for this

19:19project and again everything you're

19:22doing in terms of your the owner for

19:24revitalizing that area. My question to

19:27you, um, you'll notice in the staff

19:29comments, it speaks to the fact that the

19:32adjacent areas surrounding the site must

19:36be higher um, in terms of the increase.

19:40My first question is, how many floors

19:44would the proposed uh, unit have? But

19:47this time, we're getting our

19:49entitlements in place first, getting our

19:51zoning correct, and at that point, we

19:53would then spend the money to get the

19:55design drawings to figure out how much

19:56parking we need, how much of the site

19:59would need to be parking deck, and then

20:01how many rooms on top of that. Um, when

20:04those design drawings are are finished,

20:06they would be submitted to the city

20:07through CRC and also through the ARB

20:10given that this is a historic district.

20:12So the the city would have several

20:15opportunities to to review that and have

20:17quote, you know, kind of another bite at

20:18the apple to approve or disapprove the

20:20applicant's plan. At this point, I would

20:22anticipate it being similar in height to

20:25the Admiral Sims or the Holiday uh

20:28that's there at Clayurn and um

20:31government. And so that's uh 15 16

20:34stories to be compatible. This building

20:36is 10 stories and so kind of in

20:39character in keeping with the

20:41surrounding uh properties close to the

20:44the site that they're talking about

20:45redeveloping.

20:46>> Okay.

20:47And and lastly, can you speak to that

20:50particular uh comment in terms of the

20:53fact that when you and I spoke, you

20:54know, we talked about the other uh the

20:57height of the other buildings or the

20:59number of floors, but this specifically

21:01addresses the fact that the adjacent

21:03buildings are not um you know, they're

21:05not T6, they're T 5.2, and we're trying

21:08to go to T six. under the DDD, under the

21:11downtown development district code, if

21:13you're upzoning in a T2 uh T T52 to T6,

21:19you you the ordinance states that uh the

21:22permits is permitted if there's an

21:24adjoining property that is the same um

21:26designation.

21:28First, I think the planning commission

21:30has a lot of discretion under the code

21:32to look at all facts and circumstances

21:35surrounding the application. Uh in this

21:37instance, we had no one appear at the

21:39neighborhood meeting in opposition to

21:41this plan. We had no one at the city

21:43council come I mean the planning

21:45commission come and speak in opposition

21:46to this. So as a result we really didn't

21:48put on much of a case. But if we were to

21:50have put on a case we would talk would

21:52have talked about the fact that the the

21:55site now is six stories. This building

21:59is 10. The Admiral Sims is 12. Holiday

22:03in is 16. for this stretch of Church

22:07Street to have been originally zoned

22:09T52, which has a fourstory limit,

22:12doesn't seem to be accurate. And so,

22:16under the zoning ordinance, one of the

22:19criteria for seeking a resoning would be

22:21that there was a mistake when that

22:22zoning map was put in place. And so

22:26either number one, there was a mistake

22:28and so all of this strip should have

22:30been T6 which would allow the height

22:32we're seeking or there was a mistake in

22:34zoning this side of Church Street which

22:38would have made it adjacent to the site

22:40we're seeking to reszone now. And so

22:43first I would say that the the planning

22:44commission has discretion. There are a

22:46number of provisions within the planning

22:48uh code in the in the zoning ordinance

22:50that call for certain acreage sizes or

22:53width to depth ratios on lots or um flag

22:56shapes and stuff like that that the

22:58planning commission has discretion to

22:59wave given the facts and circumstances

23:02of each case. Um, and on top of that, I

23:06think there's a very substantial

23:08argument to be made that this whole

23:10strip of Church Street probably should

23:12have been zoned T6 to begin with, given

23:14that all of the existing structures that

23:16are on this stretch of Church Street,

23:18this building, the Admiral Sims, the

23:20Holiday Inn, and the site we're seeking

23:21now is already all over the 4oot limit.

23:25>> Okay. Thank you, Attorney Watkins.

23:27>> Yes, ma'am.

23:29>> No one else. All right. Thank you.

23:31>> Thank you. is NY's president would like

23:33to address the council on this

23:34particular said item.

23:38If not, this particular public hearing

23:40is closed.

23:42>> Public hearing to consider the proposed

23:43reasonzoning of property located at 2665

23:46Government Boulevard and 604 and 610

23:49Mandrel Street from R1 and B2 to R1 and

23:52B3.

23:53>> This open up the public hearing for this

23:55particular said item. Is anyone present

23:57that would like to address the council

23:58on this item?

24:02address it.

24:06>> Yeah. Yes, sir. 26 No, 2665 Government

24:10Boulevard and 604 and 610 Mandere

24:13Street.

24:16>> If not, this particular public hearing

24:18is closed.

24:19Public hearing to consider the proposed

24:21reszoning of property located at 2694

24:24Government Boulevard and 2750 2754 and

24:282756 Brookley Avenue from R1 B1 and B2

24:32to B3.

24:34>> Just open the plin here for this

24:35particular sad item. Is anyone president

24:37like to address the council on this

24:39item? And so you like come down to the

24:40podium by stating your name.

24:45>> How you doing? I'm Robert Momeer. I

24:47actually live behind one of the lots

24:50that's uh I live behind the buffer lot

24:53that they're uh proposing to be the B3

24:57[clears throat] and uh I I was not able

24:58to attend. They had two other meetings

25:00that I was not able to attend, but they

25:05indicated that that current B1 buffer

25:08lot would just be a fenced in property.

25:11So then my question is why do they need

25:13to change it to B3

25:16if that's what they're proposing?

25:19>> U

25:21[clears throat]

25:23so essentially by bringing in that

25:25additional lot it would have created a

25:27splitzoned parcel. So we would be

25:30looking for one zoning classification

25:32for the entire parcel. So, while they

25:34have no plans for development, that

25:36subdivision would have required that

25:38those two parcels be brought together

25:40under one zoning, one single zoning

25:42classification.

25:46>> Um, so they're saying to get the B3,

25:48they have to make it all the same. Is

25:50that what you're

25:53>> uh So, the way the staff views a

25:56subdivision, you wouldn't want one lot

25:58having two different zoning uh

26:00classifications. So in this instance,

26:03the applicant sought the the B3 to have

26:06one uh single zoning classification for

26:08the entire entire resubdivided parcel.

26:12>> Okay. I just thought the whole idea of a

26:14buffer zone was a buffer zone, you know,

26:16problem.

26:19So I'm just uh and I I they actually had

26:23meetings I was unable to attend. So

26:25that's my fault. But um

26:31I guess there's no answer to my

26:33question, but uh I was just trying to

26:35figure out why why they couldn't keep it

26:36be one as a buffer zone. And I

26:38understand what you're saying that the

26:40to do to switch to be three.

26:44I guess I don't know why they have to

26:46have them all as in and that's just

26:51>> all right. when when you've got two

26:53different parcels having two different

26:55classifications

26:57that that complicates the development

26:59process. So, it is our policy that

27:01through the subdivision process that a

27:03legal lot be recorded as one single

27:06zoning designation and not be split in

27:08two. And and keep in mind that this part

27:11parcel was already developed for this

27:13purpose. So, they're just expanding the

27:16uh project, but show no plans for uh

27:19development of that second parcel at

27:21this time. Okay. Okay.

27:23>> Vice President,

27:23>> appreciate your help.

27:24>> Vice President and Councilwoman Ingram

27:27um if you wouldn't mind um coming back

27:30just had one quick question for you. I

27:31understand that you were questioning the

27:34why do you need the buffer and then uh

27:36the bringing the whole lot together

27:38under one classification. Were you here

27:40to tell us that you are opposed to a B3

27:43or you were just confused about why this

27:46was being done?

27:48um

27:52from B1 to B3

27:54uh their setbacks go from 5T to a

27:58possibility of zero feet. Um and

28:01currently it's just a uh auto parts

28:04storage

28:06which I don't think anybody in the

28:08neighborhood has any problem with. You

28:09know, they're closed. They don't make a

28:11lot of noise. Nobody there at night. Um,

28:14but I guess going to the B3 would open

28:16them up to different possibilities.

28:19Uh, and that was

28:22from the people I've spoke with on my

28:23street and we were right behind it was

28:26their only fear. Um, that there could be

28:29late night stuff or, you know, it could

28:32change

28:34uh

28:36what the property becomes. It just opens

28:38them up. And I understand them wanting

28:40to get as much possibilities that they

28:42can to makes them be able to sell it

28:44easier or uh but um that was our only

28:48concern.

28:52>> M

28:52>> y thank you

28:53>> uh councilwoman.

28:54>> Thank you Mr. President. And so, you

28:56know, as I hear Miss Bo shear out again,

28:59it was to conform to the business and

29:01residents that's already the way it's

29:03already zoned to make it um one zone,

29:05but more importantly, is it have they

29:07been operating this way for like 35

29:09years? Is that what I read?

29:11>> Yes, ma'am. Um this this parcel has been

29:14operating as as this current use. Um

29:17I'll have to get the actual date for

29:19you, but it it's been over a period of

29:21time that it's been used. And I just

29:23want to say if that didn't answer your

29:24question, you know, please feel free to

29:26reach back out to me. You can send an

29:28email and we can try to get you

29:29something, you know, in writing

29:30explaining the why behind it.

29:33>> Thank you.

29:33>> NYS President would like to address the

29:35council on this particular sad audience.

29:36So you may come down to the podium by

29:38stating your name.

29:43>> Hey, my name is Jeremy Milling with

29:45Milling Commercial Realy. Um I've

29:47handled this property for a number of

29:49years for the current property owner. am

29:51also a part of the group that's

29:54proposing to redevelop it. So, I thought

29:55I might just address his question. Uh

29:58there's absolutely no intention to

30:00develop that lot. Um consistent with

30:03what uh Miss Bo was saying is that, you

30:06know, it will be continued as a buffer

30:09lot. Um the intent of this whole project

30:12is that property's kind of been sitting

30:15vacant uh in the rear 32,000 for a long

30:18time. the property owner who had Mobile

30:21Supply Company, which was an air

30:23conditioning distribution company um was

30:25there. I think it operated under a

30:27variance for over 30, excuse me, over 60

30:30years. Um we've had a very difficult

30:33time leasing the property because of the

30:37kind of fact that it was operating under

30:39a variance, more like a B3, but it was

30:41zoned B2. And so there's a fair amount

30:44of renovation needs to be done to the

30:46property. We're going to put a new roof

30:48on it. We're going to paint it. We're

30:49going to rellandscape it. So, kind of

30:51try to bring it back to life. Um I do a

30:54lot of warehouse kind of storage um work

30:57and there's a a need for it in the

30:59community. Um and so um I think it'll be

31:03a good thing. We did have a a community

31:06meeting. Nobody showed up. Um if this

31:09gentleman has any more questions, I'm

31:11happy to to address those, but there's

31:13no intent to develop that lot at all.

31:16>> All right.

31:17You have question.

31:19>> All right. Thank you so much.

31:20>> Thank you. Does NY's president would

31:21like to address the council on this

31:22particular said item?

31:25>> If not, this particular public hearing

31:27is closed.

31:28>> Public hearing to consider the

31:29reasonzoning of property located at 4460

31:32Dolphin Island Parkway from R1 to ML.

31:36>> Is anyone president like to address the

31:38council on this particular said

31:39property? I mean public hearing.

31:44So come down to the podium by stating

31:45your name.

31:47I'm Don Banks. Uh chairman and members,

31:50I just want to uh very briefly say that

31:53I'm here to support that reszoning. If

31:55you go down and look at that piece of

31:57property as it is now as opposed to what

31:59it was, it was basically a piece of

32:02swamp land with two derelch shrimp boats

32:04leaning on their sides. Now it's been

32:07cleared. There's commercial activity

32:09going on. Uh, it just looks good and

32:12it's taken a piece of property from

32:15worthless pretty much to something that

32:17benefits the community and the the

32:20residents down there very excited that

32:22this is going on. It's giving them um

32:25something to look forward to.

32:27>> All right. Thank you.

32:28>> Yes. Is NYS President would like to

32:30address the council on this particular

32:31said item?

32:34>> If not, this public hearing is closed.

32:38Public hearing to consider the proposed

32:40reszoning of property located at 4213

32:42and 4221 Spring Valley Drive South from

32:46R1 and R3 to R1.

32:48>> Is anyone president would like to

32:50address the council on this particular

32:51said item?

32:55If not, this particular item is closed.

32:59Public hearing to consider the proposed

33:01reszoning of property located at the

33:03northwest corner of Fair Fork Road and

33:07Moffett Road from R1 to B3.

33:09>> This open the public hearing for this

33:11particular said item. Is anyone present

33:12that would like to address the on this

33:14item? So, you may come down to the

33:15podium by stating your name.

33:20>> Put my glasses on first. Hang on.

33:22>> Yeah. Okay. Get a little bit closer to

33:24the mic.

33:24>> Morning, city council. My name is Tissa

33:27Steiner and my family and I live on

33:30Moffett Road directly across from where

33:33campers and more want to expand their

33:36business by reszoning it to increase the

33:38sales of recreational vehicles.

33:42Although I'm just one person, I feel h I

33:45have an opinion on this action because

33:47my opinion matters and it will affect me

33:50and my family as well.

33:52The reason I oppose this happening is

33:55because I have lived at this address at

33:586325 Moffett Road since 1981.

34:02So I know how bad the traffic is,

34:04especially where we live. There are no

34:07traffic lights from House Ferry Road to

34:11the east and Chingerry Road to the west

34:16to slow cars down. So people basically

34:19go as fast as they want to in that area.

34:22Any additional traffic from a business

34:24in this area is really dangerous,

34:26especially if you're pulling in and out

34:28on Moffett Road. Um the turning lane to

34:32where to turn onto Barefork Road begins

34:35just east of our driveway. You go up

34:38just a little past our driveway and then

34:39you're supposed to get in the turning

34:41lane onto Mafet Road. I mean on to Bear

34:44Fork Road.

34:46No one waits until they're past our

34:48driveway to get into this lane to turn

34:51onto Bear Fork Road. They use the

34:54turning lane as a third lane going east

34:57and are in this lane long before they

34:59get to Bear Fork Road. It makes it

35:02really dangerous here because once

35:03they're in the middle lane, they won't

35:05get over for you.

35:09Um, any additional traffic coming from

35:11this RV business will only make it

35:13harder to get in and out of our

35:15driveway.

35:17And lastly, here's where it all began.

35:20We were only able to build our house 56

35:23ft off of Moffett Road, very close to

35:27the road. I don't know anyone who wants

35:29to have an RV business or really any

35:31type of business in their front yard. I

35:34know none of the city council members

35:36would want that. Who wants to walk out

35:39in their front yard and have to look at

35:41RVs staring back at you all day long? It

35:44reminds me of a permanent campground,

35:46but not in a good way because I want to

35:49be able to leave them at the campsite

35:51and I wouldn't be able to. Thank you.

35:54>> Thank you,

35:56Vice President.

35:57>> Thank you for for coming down. Um, since

36:00you live so close by, did you attend a

36:03community meeting with the applicant to

36:06get information on the resoning?

36:09>> I did, but there was, excuse me, I did

36:12go to a meeting, but there wasn't anyone

36:13there, but the Mr. Bird, the surveyor,

36:15and the lady that sold the property.

36:18Okay. So, the applicant himself was not

36:21there.

36:21>> No, ma'am.

36:22>> Uh, how many people attended the

36:23meeting? three including me because it's

36:27what 300 feet from the site and that's

36:31that usually is why not many people are

36:33there if there are not many residential

36:34areas around

36:35>> where I live we have

36:37>> the Shers Pashi Arena to the west and

36:40Magnolia Grove no excuse me Shers Pashi

36:43Arena to the east

36:45>> and Magnolia Grove Boulevard to the west

36:48we're there all by ourselves and so

36:51believe it or not there's a lot of

36:53traffic right there in that one section

36:55and nobody pays attention to what lane

36:58they're supposed to be in. And I was

37:01told that they're going to put the

37:02driveway almost in front of our house,

37:05making it really hard to get in and out

37:08of our driveway and really to cross

37:10Moffett Road to go like to the west.

37:14Yeah.

37:14>> Um and I mean I know that they'll

37:18probably end up building it there. And

37:20it it's just the aesthetics of it as

37:22well. you know, they already have

37:24campers and more further down and now

37:27they just want to expand the business

37:29and

37:31it just hurts my feelings because we've

37:33lived there for 45 years and now for the

37:37next 45 years we're going to be looking

37:38at RVs and I can't even afford to buy an

37:41RV, but they're going to be there

37:42anyway. So, I just I just thought I

37:45would come down here and express my

37:47feelings

37:49>> and um let you know how I felt. Well,

37:52you are definitely a neighbor who would

37:53be most impacted by this. I understand.

37:55>> I will. I will. Unless somebody comes

37:57and builds next door to the Sher Post

38:00Arena. Um, I'm there by ourselves

38:03basically. So,

38:04>> okay.

38:04>> Thank you for your time.

38:05>> Oh, well, you're welcome. I haven't seen

38:07all of the the renderings or plans yet

38:10as to exactly where the ingress and

38:12egress would go. I mean, I've seen what

38:13what we have, but um and where they

38:17intend to put things, but sometimes that

38:19can that can change uh depending on um

38:22>> it looks pretty big from the the drawing

38:24that I have from the surveying company.

38:26There's going to be a lot of RVs there.

38:29And

38:29>> well, I think there were what, three

38:30lots, an A, B, and C lot. Yeah. With

38:32mobile homes, uh campers, and then they

38:35didn't have specifics for I think the

38:37last

38:37>> I was told that they're going to put RVs

38:40in. They already have A developed.

38:43They're they're wanting to develop B.

38:45This is why I am down here. And then

38:47they're actually going to sell section

38:49three, which

38:52part of it is located on Bare Fort

38:55Barefor,

38:56>> excuse me, Barefork Road. They're going

38:57to put motor I mean mobile homes there

39:00to sell.

39:01>> Yeah.

39:01>> So, to me, it's it's just going to make

39:04the neighborhood I mean, to me, it's

39:06just going to not a happy place to live,

39:09you know? It's going to degrade the

39:12neighborhood. It will make it hard if I

39:14ever want to sell our property because

39:16who's going to want to unless I sell it

39:18to somebody else as a retail, who's

39:21going to want to live across the street

39:23from an RV park, you know?

39:25>> I know you none of y'all would want to

39:27live there because when you open your

39:29front door, you're going to have a sea

39:31of RVs.

39:32>> Yeah.

39:32>> So, well, I understand. Um, were you

39:36part of the recent annexation? I'm not

39:38sure exactly where your house is. Were

39:39you part in this recent annexation to

39:41come into the city or were you already

39:43part of the city?

39:43>> We're we're part we're actually part of

39:45our property. We have 4 acres there

39:48>> and part we have a lot of frontage on

39:50Mafet Road. Part of it is actually in

39:52the city of Sims and our part is still

39:56in the city of Mobile.

39:57>> Okay. So you are not part of the annexed

39:59area.

40:00>> No. All right. I know that little area

40:01out there gets a little confusing

40:03sometimes as to where the line actually

40:04is. Yeah. Uh, we used to own the section

40:08where they built Magnolia Grove Parkway

40:10to go into the golf course. My

40:12father-in-law actually donated that to

40:15the city for them to build that. And um,

40:18that used to be nothing but woods right

40:20there, believe it or not.

40:22>> Maybe some of y'all remember that a

40:23long, long time ago, but now it's so

40:25developed. And now that's developed, but

40:28now they want to build across the

40:30street. And like I said, I'm opposed to

40:32it. I I wish that they would stay where

40:35they're at because they already have

40:36quite a big area where they already have

40:39RVs. So anyway, that's just how I am.

40:43>> Thank you very much.

40:43>> Thank you, Mr.

40:45>> Is President would like to address the

40:47council on this particular said item.

40:49And so you may come down to the podium

40:50by stating your name.

40:52>> Morning. Hey, I'm Cynthia Bird. I'm the

40:55realtor on this project. Um, so Michael

40:59Andress has the business right there

41:01beside uh that was all that's his land

41:04and that he owned it the whole time and

41:07they when they annexed it they zoned it

41:09R1 instead of adjacent to his in my

41:14opinion should have kept it you know the

41:16you know commercial zoning but uh we did

41:19have a meeting and we did talk uh to our

41:22uh our lady here and um you know from

41:26what you know I know She doesn't want to

41:28see RVs for sale or mobile homes for

41:30sale, but it that's what it is. It's a

41:32sale place, but she's not opposed to

41:35like if it was a restaurant or something

41:37like that. It's just a matter of what it

41:39was, I think. But nobody can guarantee.

41:42We haven't closed on it, so I can't

41:44guarantee that they'll close to be a

41:46mobile home sales, but um anyway, I just

41:50wanted to tell you that we did um you

41:53know, and then also that their side is

41:55going to be commercial also. So, they're

41:57not going to want residential prices for

41:59it because they're right there on next

42:01to Magnolia and on a thoroughare on

42:03Moffett Road. So, that will also, if

42:05it's ever sold, I'm sure be considered

42:08as a commercial property. So anyway, I

42:11get it. You know, that people don't want

42:13to look at certain things, but um you

42:16know, it it is uh not different from

42:18what's already there. It's just moving

42:20down a little bit.

42:22>> So that's all.

42:24>> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Um just a

42:27matter of um note here on the u the

42:30zoning classification and you mentioned

42:32it. When we annex an area, as this

42:35property was annexed, if it's vacant

42:37property, which it is, it is

42:39automatically zoned for residential

42:41single family homes because that's just

42:43how it how the law states. So, I

42:46understand that um the gentleman you are

42:49representing already has property

42:51adjacent to where this application is

42:53and he's got I think campers there,

42:56camper sales.

42:57>> So, he's just asking to expand his

42:59business, I think, is what it is.

43:00>> Yeah. and then sell part of it that

43:02would be mobile

43:03>> and then sell part to somebody who would

43:05then sell mobile homes.

43:06>> Yes, ma'am.

43:07>> Nobody would be living in these mobile

43:09homes.

43:09>> No,

43:10>> not a Okay.

43:11>> I mean, they're new sales.

43:13>> New sales. New sales. Okay. And I

43:15understand that there not that many

43:16neighbors who are right there on Moffett

43:18Road. I mean, it's

43:19>> No, ma'am.

43:20>> Moffet Road has certainly changed a lot.

43:21Uh, and

43:23>> Magnolia Grove Parkway is across the

43:25street and it is all residential. So,

43:27you know, there is that. And of course,

43:28traffic is a horrible issue out there.

43:30>> Yeah, we actually have ours was zoned.

43:33They just annexed us in as well at my at

43:35my office.

43:36>> Yeah.

43:36>> So, in that same annexation,

43:38>> that same area. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I know

43:39where it is. Okay. All right. Thank you.

43:41>> Thank you.

43:42>> Is anyone president would like to

43:44address the council on this particular

43:45said item?

43:47If not, public hearing is closed.

43:51Public hearing to consider adoption of

43:52the 2026 202 27 general fund and capital

43:56improvement fund budgets. This opened up

43:59the public hearing for this particular

44:00said item. Is anyone president would

44:02like to address the council on this

44:03item?

44:12Yes. Hoping you may come down to the

44:13point by stating your name.

44:16[clears throat]

44:18>> Thank you. Uh, madame city clerk, um,

44:21Reggie Hill is my name. Because there is

44:24a uh, committee meeting uh, today and we

44:28see this on the agenda. Again, I won't

44:30get too extensive. Uh, but I did want to

44:32make sure that at least a citizen was

44:34here to participate in this process. Uh,

44:36I know that the uh, previous committee

44:38chair, Mr. Davis, would not allow for

44:41public comments during times like these.

44:43Uh I do want to commend Miss Gregory who

44:45hosted a public safety committee meeting

44:47before where she did allow citizens to

44:48participate. Maybe we can adopt that in

44:50the future cuz uh there's a lot of money

44:52here at the table. U but I just want to

44:54touch a few notes. Again, like I said,

44:56I'll say something more formal uh in the

44:58coming weeks. Is anyone familiar uh

45:00that's sitting up here with the

45:02operations administration department? Uh

45:05if if it's something that I just

45:06overlooked in the past, please let me

45:08know. Uh but I feel that our department

45:10heads should be able to uh handle those

45:12responsibilities that I believe this

45:14department represents and that would

45:16save us $495,244.

45:20Um by keeping traffic engineering level

45:22uh we are able to put $355,652

45:27into grant administration's operating

45:30capital. uh making their previous

45:32operating capital $391,67

45:35and the grant administration capital

45:37total to $917,799.

45:40Uh we've seen over the the past several

45:42years that our granting department uh

45:44does an amazing job. Uh they go out and

45:46find a lot of resources that I think are

45:47beneficial to the city. I think this is

45:49the time we can begin looking at how we

45:51can put more resources into the citizens

45:53hands. Uh put more resources into

45:54nonprofit organizations hands, into

45:56small business's hands. And if we put

45:58that $917,000

46:00there, that's how we can free it up. Um,

46:02let's keep the the the fleet management

46:04operating capital uh level uh which

46:07would give us $2,695,210

46:11uh which could be used towards vans uh

46:13at our recreation centers. Uh we know a

46:15lot of organizations have great plans,

46:17but they just don't have the means to

46:18facilitate those uh projects, and this

46:20will be a way that we can find the

46:21resources to do it. Um, I'm confused as

46:24to why we're taking $43,000 from

46:27community center operating, uh, $117,000

46:30from athletics operating, and $40,000

46:33from parks operating, which give us

46:35$200,000 that have been basically taken

46:37from parks and recreation. Now, this has

46:38been moved around. Please let me know.

46:40Now, this is something going towards

46:42personnel increase. We know that there's

46:43something that really hasn't come to

46:44this table. Uh but it's something that I

46:46think is very important where a lot of

46:48personnel feel that they're being

46:49overlooked. Uh with the cost of living

46:50adjustment raises and other departments

46:52getting funds and those not and they

46:54kind of work around the clock all

46:56throughout the week. We should take a

46:57look at that. Please. I'm glad to see

46:59the increase uh for teen programmings.

47:02Uh but if we use the the same existing

47:05models uh to and expect something

47:08different in results with our teenagers,

47:10I think it's still going to be a waste

47:11of money. uh we need to implement those

47:12funds towards uh projects that have data

47:14proven records um and that actually

47:16improve the quality of life for our

47:17young people. Um does the city uh hall

47:20overhead increase include the back rent?

47:22Uh we haven't really heard anything

47:24about that. I'm not sure there's

47:25negotiations going behind, but we see

47:26this increase for overhead. It'd be

47:28great to get some information on that.

47:29Um, by giving the Mobile Metro Jail $12

47:33million, which is still an increase uh

47:36from the previous budgets, we save

47:38$3,250,000

47:40for proactive safety measures, re-entry

47:43initiatives, uh, proper training for MPD

47:46and replaces the money we plan to take

47:48away uh, from the public library. Even

47:50though that's just $500,000, I think

47:52that goes a very long way and they need

47:54that and that's a source to be proactive

47:56when it comes to public safety. Um, do

47:58we have a plan to get the millions of

48:01dollars back uh that we've given to the

48:03DA's office? Uh, we also see that

48:05there's $1.2 million budgeted uh for

48:07this cycle. And I think if we are asking

48:09questions about how we get uh money back

48:12for things that may affect the least of

48:13these, I think this is something that we

48:15should be considering the same way when

48:17we're just giving money over to other

48:18agencies within the city uh or the

48:20county rather, which should be getting

48:22resources from the state. um because the

48:24matters under $15,000

48:27uh don't come up for a vote anyways. Uh

48:29I think it's prudent that we keep Mr.

48:30Cherry G's discretionary level uh

48:33discretionary spending rather at level

48:35and this saves us $65,000. Now there's

48:37something else that's out there that

48:38might be more prudent for us then we

48:40need to see that but it's just a line

48:41item on the budget. Um why is there a

48:44$1.1 million increase uh to legal

48:47liability? So we can just get uh uh some

48:49clarity on that. And for time sake, uh

48:52while public safety is important in the

48:54city of Mobile, Alabama, it is not the

48:56most important issue, infrastructure is.

48:58So we don't have time to go into that.

48:59So I don't want to see us taking

49:01resources away from infrastructure funds

49:03because we have a serious drainage issue

49:05here in the city of Mobile. And that's

49:06weather range 5 to 10 15 minutes,

49:08whatever district that you're in, but

49:09especially down here in districts one

49:10through three where the infrastructure

49:12is a lot older. So we just need to be

49:13very cautious about how we're going to

49:14move those funds around. We continue to

49:16mark some days. Thanks for the floor.

49:19>> Is NY President I'd like to address this

49:20council on this particular said item.

49:24>> Mr. President,

49:25>> uh Mr. Reynolds,

49:25>> I want to say thank you to Mr. Hill for

49:27coming and speaking. It would be a shame

49:30if we were introducing a $450 million

49:33budget and no one came and spoke. So,

49:34thank you for speaking.

49:37>> Is NYS present? If not, this particular

49:40club hearing is closed.

49:43>> Presentation of petitions and other

49:44communications to the council. Robert

49:46Clapton.

50:08>> Good morning to the council.

50:09>> Morning Gagas and to the administration.

50:14I'm Robert Clapton.

50:16I'm here today

50:18as a citizen of Mobile, also an advocate

50:23and I am someone who believes that the

50:25taxpayers's dollars

50:27should be used responsibly and fairly.

50:32I understand that a city has a

50:34responsibility to examine every

50:36expenditure,

50:39but I'm asking the council to res

50:40reconsider

50:42one to consider one simple question. Are

50:45we applying the same financial standard

50:48to every city supported event?

50:53proposed. The proposed budget eliminates

50:56the city's $400,000 contribution to the

51:00port city classic and the $100,000

51:03contribution to the bridge builder

51:06classic while increasing the Gulf Coast

51:09challenge from $500 to [snorts]

51:11$600,000.

51:13I agree economic impact shouldn't

51:16matter, but then it shouldn't matter

51:20equally.

51:22According to the Mobile Sports Authority

51:24figures, the 2024 G Coast Challenge

51:28generated an estimated 6.29 million

51:31dollars in economic impact to the city

51:33of Mobile.

51:35Whereas the Port City Classic generated

51:37an estimated 4.55 million. And if we do

51:40the math on that, we will see that for

51:42every dollar invested in the G Coast

51:46Challenge. In the G Coast Challenge, the

51:48city made $12.58.

51:54And if we look at it, the Port City

51:56Classic, the city generated

52:00$11.36

52:03for every dollar invested.

52:06So both events were producing millions

52:09of dollars in economic activity for the

52:11city of Mobile. That raises a reasonable

52:14question.

52:16Before eliminating port eliminating the

52:19port city funding, have we compared the

52:22return on investment using the other

52:26the other uh events that Mobile have?

52:29I recommend that the city establish a

52:31citywide event performance standard for

52:34every major event receiving significant

52:37taxpayer support

52:40is reviewed or

52:43available for the public. Dollars spent,

52:46attendance, visitors from outside hotel

52:49rooms, etc.

52:51How much e economic activity is

52:53generated for every dollar of every

52:56event before we eliminate? Let the let

52:59let everyone know what's going on here.

53:01Is every event creating at least $11.36

53:07for every dollar invested? Just a

53:10question.

53:12Can I one more minute?

53:13>> Yeah. No. Can was will somebody gr one

53:15more minute?

53:16>> Yes. One more minute. Thank you, sir.

53:20But anyway, we need to apply that uh to

53:23every other major event receiving

53:25substantial city funding. If an event

53:28isn't performing, let's fix it, review

53:31it, reconsider the investment, or

53:34eliminate it.

53:36This should not be about one event

53:37versus another. It is not about

53:40politics.

53:41It's only about fairness, transparency,

53:45and measurable results.

53:48Therefore, I respectfully ask the city

53:50to the council to reconsider eliminating

53:52Port City Classic funding. Instead, make

53:55FY 2027, our fiscal year 27 performance

53:59year for we examining things that I just

54:02explained

54:03and I want to thank you as I know you

54:06will let the numbers determine what

54:08happens next. So, we're going to ask the

54:10taxpayers to trust us with their money,

54:13their investments, etc.

54:15Let's use or show them the same

54:17financial your stick is being used for

54:20all events. Thank you very much for the

54:22jobs that you're doing. I appreciate the

54:23time. Thank you,

54:26>> Reggie Hill.

54:34>> Thank you again, uh, madam city clerk,

54:36to the citizens and stakeholders of

54:37Mobile, greetings. Uh, Reggie Hill is my

54:40name. I rise today to continue these

54:42pertinent conversations pertaining uh to

54:44our city's business because we are in

54:46the budgeting season. Uh the remarks

54:48regarding investigations and municipal

54:50enforcement. I'll say those for another

54:51time just so we can stay on course here

54:52and I can be brief. Um last week I had

54:55the opportunity of attending a community

54:57meeting with uh the city CDC and I had a

55:00chance to speak with a spokesperson from

55:02the second line transit system. Now

55:05while I was given a lot of information,

55:07I was not clear still on the routes. So,

55:10I want us to be very uh cautious and

55:12maybe somebody could uh ask this

55:13question in today's uh committee

55:15meeting. Uh we we just want to make sure

55:17that our seniors and those who depend on

55:19getting to the doctors or whatever other

55:21uh responsibilities they have are taken

55:22care of and we don't have anything on

55:24the books right now certain to ensure

55:25that those routes will remain um in

55:27place. Um I also want to look at this

55:30idea that I didn't see the G Coast

55:32Technology Center uh in the budget this

55:34year. Uh maybe I overlooked this.

55:36Somebody please let me I know in

55:37previous budget it had been uh made its

55:39own line item. It had been pulled away

55:41from public safety and this year I don't

55:43really see a line item that's on there.

55:44So we can just get some information on

55:46that. Um it it would be very very

55:48appreciative. Um now this may be a

55:51controversial statement but I feel is

55:52necessary to state it. Uh while I am 39

55:56uh years old, when I was in school, we

55:58didn't have all the police force that

56:01were there. Now, we may have had some

56:02security guards that were outside uh

56:04making sure kids didn't skip, you know,

56:06stuff like that. People didn't just

56:07leave campus and go get something to

56:08eat, things of that nature. But as far

56:10as like police patrolling the school,

56:13that was non-existent. And I think like

56:15because we are taking this reactionary

56:17approach, we're making it common to keep

56:20these type of individuals around

56:21children. I want them to have

56:22relationships with the peacekeepers of

56:24the city. We should be able to have

56:25that. That should be something that

56:27we're all focused on. But I think we

56:28should invest more into education,

56:31invest more into our teachers, and find

56:32ways. Uh, Mr. Smile back in the day used

56:34to always re recommend, hey, let's write

56:36this letter to the state delegation.

56:38Let's tell them what they should do

56:39more. And we don't really hear any of

56:41that anymore. And this is something I

56:42think that we really need to look at

56:44before we put resources into that. Now,

56:46we have family intervention officers,

56:49community intervention specialists,

56:50things of that nature. I think that

56:52works. You know, we need to find ways to

56:53get to the root of this cause. But just

56:55saying that we're going to keep policing

56:57our way out of these matters. I think

56:58that's why we keep having to come back

57:00to the table and do this stuff over and

57:01over again. So, as we look uh into this

57:04budget, I mentioned how we can save $2

57:06million if we kept police funding level,

57:09which could go to these things. Uh I

57:11want to say ditto to what President

57:12Clapton said. I think we should keep the

57:14resources there uh for the H.B.CU

57:16events. And I'm going to have to wait

57:18till next week to come back and address

57:19the housing component of this. But

57:20again, I do not want to see us taking

57:23infrastructure resources to go towards

57:26uh housing projects. Thank you. be on

57:27the floor.

57:30>> Apostle Valenia Green,

57:44Apostle Balina Green, Down to Bay

57:46Community. I come here today to plead

57:48the cause for the defenseless,

57:51to plead the legal cause

57:54for the poor, the disabled, the

57:56downtrodden. Now, I came before council

58:00several times and talked about my

58:02mother's disability and how she was not

58:04served, and how she was [clears throat]

58:06failed in that court system over there.

58:09I've spoken concerning this in great

58:12detail March 10th. In great detail did I

58:16speak and the mayor

58:19as generous as he is came outside that

58:22door and held me for a minute. I do not

58:26understand why council says that I have

58:28not spoken about

58:30the disabled and the handicapped and

58:33continuously about my mother and what

58:35happened with her and what I endured as

58:38a petitioner seeking health care for her

58:40and it was dropped.

58:44I ask you

58:47to investigate

58:51what has happened with the disabled,

58:53with the poor blacks and the poor

58:54whites, with the handicap over in

58:57probate court.

59:00I ask you

59:02today to stand at righteousness in

59:05order. Many of you have disabilities.

59:08How can you forget?

59:11and then to send someone to try to

59:13diagnose me and say something is wrong

59:15with me because I'm speaking out for the

59:17poor and the needy.

59:19I'm sorry, you do not know my title.

59:23One of the things that the apostle is

59:25supposed to do is carry a governmental

59:27anointing. It's supposed to reach down

59:30in government.

59:32I plead the cause of the poor, the

59:34needy, and the downtrodden.

59:36The needy can be any of you. when I come

59:39in my community and talk people out of

59:41murdering folks because of the

59:44unrighteousness.

59:46I'm supposed to do that as the pastor.

59:48Now, if you've been following pastors

59:50that don't do that, I'm sorry.

59:53You failed the Holy Ghost because that's

59:56one of the things that the Holy Spirit

59:58tell us. I'm supposed to have

59:59compassion. Many of you, I've stayed up

1:00:01nights praying for your souls, praying

1:00:04for things that God showed me going on

1:00:06in your family.

1:00:08That's called order.

1:00:11Who was Dr. King? Can you answer that?

1:00:15Who was he? What did he believe in? Did

1:00:18he not lead a group of people for

1:00:21righteousness? Did he treat all people

1:00:24the same?

1:00:27Why? Why do I get the condemnation for

1:00:30speaking up for the poor from this

1:00:32administration, this council?

1:00:35Why am I constantly targeted and made

1:00:37fun of and tell me something is wrong

1:00:39with me? Do you have a doctrine in in

1:00:43healthcare in in the medical field

1:00:46or have you been lost?

1:00:50Thank you.

1:00:55Estella Estella regarding 09978.

1:01:09[snorts]

1:01:18Greetings everyone.

1:01:21Uh, I'm here to speak on the

1:01:26resolution that the mayor put in for the

1:01:28Taylor Landing Project, which is the

1:01:30>> full name.

1:01:31>> Oh, my name is Estella Troder.

1:01:33>> Thank you.

1:01:34>> And I'm here to talk about the

1:01:37Taylor Landing Project, which is to

1:01:40rebuild for Well, that's the part that's

1:01:45nontransparent.

1:01:47Who are you building for? because you're

1:01:49gonna tear down Oakland apartments. Most

1:01:52people call it Baltimore apartments, but

1:01:56you're not clear

1:01:58and it's non-transparent

1:02:01as far as you're asking for

1:02:04close to $2 million to fill in a

1:02:07financial gap, which the mayor gave um

1:02:15an article concerning the Mobileia

1:02:17Housing Authority is the reason why

1:02:20developer the the developments, housing

1:02:23developments uh in the deplorable

1:02:27federal violations and the conditions

1:02:31for many many years. But when I came and

1:02:33sounded alarm for many years, you said

1:02:36you didn't have nothing to do with it,

1:02:38but when you want money, it becomes

1:02:39relevant, which is a part of your

1:02:41gentrification.

1:02:43Is this going to be a rad project where

1:02:46private investors end up owning the

1:02:48property? The people in Oakland can move

1:02:50in it and then they can turn around and

1:02:52sell it and then the people don't have

1:02:55anywhere else to go that they can afford

1:02:57again.

1:02:59Um

1:03:01to be funded by through through

1:03:04community development block grant

1:03:06disaster funds is what you're asking

1:03:08for.

1:03:10This was a created this this disaster

1:03:13was created by man, not by God. So why

1:03:17should you get

1:03:20block grant money to fund it?

1:03:25And I'm going to

1:03:27this needs to be a federal probe. all

1:03:30the destruction over the years of

1:03:32housing where it has been reported to

1:03:35all to HUD,

1:03:39legal services, fair housing,

1:03:42the NAACP,

1:03:45uh the of course the city mobile and

1:03:48nothing was done about it for many, many

1:03:50years. But yet now you want

1:03:53money.

1:03:56It's non transparent.

1:03:59The incompetent housing board you say

1:04:01won't participate in the voucher program

1:04:04otherwise you said passed by the mobile

1:04:07city count that the resolution passed by

1:04:09the mobile city council allows the

1:04:10developer to apply for state tax credit

1:04:12if those credits are not granted the 5

1:04:14acres of land previously given to the

1:04:16project will revert back to the city. So

1:04:19that sounds like you've already sold it.

1:04:23It'll be reverted back to the city. It's

1:04:25non transparent.

1:04:29Sarah Clark regarding 31980.

1:04:39[snorts]

1:04:49>> Hey y'all. I'm Sarah Clark. Um I

1:04:51actually haven't spoken in Mobile

1:04:52before. Um, but I wanted to thank the

1:04:56mayor first off. I actually was somebody

1:04:58who reached out to you on Facebook

1:04:59during your campaign and was like, "Hey,

1:05:00what are your thoughts on transit?" Um,

1:05:02I wanted to thank you for putting your

1:05:03mouth money where your mouth is on that

1:05:05um, and investing in transit. I do think

1:05:08I So, I haven't really looked into how

1:05:11the trolley buses are or how they would

1:05:13work, but I do know that the headways

1:05:16are abysmally bad. Like, nobody's going

1:05:18to take the bus when it only comes once

1:05:19an hour. That's just not how that works.

1:05:21So, I think like absolutely investing in

1:05:24like the actual buses themselves is

1:05:26wonderful, but what we really really

1:05:29need is better headways. So, if we could

1:05:30get funding for that, that that would be

1:05:32a really good thing. Um,

1:05:34and I um

1:05:38yeah, no, that's all actually. And if

1:05:40there's any if you're like willing and

1:05:42able to talk afterwards, I would love to

1:05:44talk more about it. Um I haven't I used

1:05:46to be a little bit more involved on the

1:05:49um like civic engagement front when it

1:05:50comes to transit and I I fell off on

1:05:53that just because of my schedule and

1:05:55this it was hard to make these meetings.

1:05:57But I do think I'm going to probably

1:05:58have to start making time for it again.

1:06:00Um not just because of transit but

1:06:01because of things like I don't know I

1:06:03was driving down government the other

1:06:04day and saw those banners out there and

1:06:05I was like okay well I guess the queer's

1:06:07got to start making time for city

1:06:08council again. So here I am. y'all will

1:06:10be seeing me more and um I appreciate

1:06:12all of the support that you guys do and

1:06:13the work that you do and I know it's a

1:06:15thankless job sometimes. So, thank you

1:06:18all of you.

1:06:21Ordinance is held over 64034

1:06:25considered reszoning of property located

1:06:27at 1509 Navco Road from B2 to B3.

1:06:32>> So move second properly move and second.

1:06:35Any discussion? All in favor? I. All

1:06:38oppose. Item pass.

1:06:40>> 64036.

1:06:42Consider the proposed reszoning of

1:06:44property located at 97 Center Drive from

1:06:47R1 to R3.

1:06:49>> Mr. President,

1:06:51Mr. uh let's bring this to the table

1:06:53first.

1:06:54>> Uh so move second proper move and

1:06:57second. Any discussion? Mr. uh Fleming.

1:07:01>> Uh yes. [clears throat]

1:07:02Uh concerning this resoning request, uh

1:07:05the planning commission recommended to

1:07:06deny this resoning request from R1 to

1:07:09R3.

1:07:10Um planning commission's rationale

1:07:12consisted of several factors including

1:07:15current development trends, how it would

1:07:17adversely affect the neighboring

1:07:18properties potentially cause the loss

1:07:21and property values and the

1:07:23infrastructure not really being in place

1:07:25to accommodate uh the proposed

1:07:27development. I met with a group of

1:07:29neighbors and heard from other residents

1:07:31in the area who share these concerns. So

1:07:35for that reason, um I recommend a no

1:07:38vote. Do not support this resigning

1:07:39request.

1:07:41>> Any other discussion?

1:07:43All in favor?

1:07:45All oppose?

1:07:47>> Item item fail. Madam clerk,

1:07:52>> resolutions held over 01954.

1:07:55Authorized agreement with Richard Coney

1:07:58to provide tennis teaching pro services.

1:08:0108956

1:08:03approved purchase order to Cone to

1:08:05rebuild convention center exhibit hall

1:08:07escalators.

1:08:0808957

1:08:10approved purchase order to Thompson

1:08:12tractor for a diesel forklift.

1:08:1621

1:08:18959 authorized contract renewal with

1:08:20Southern Earth Sciences for annual

1:08:23landfill sampling requirements.

1:08:25So moved.

1:08:26>> Second.

1:08:27>> Probably moved and second. Any

1:08:28discussion? All in favor? I.

1:08:31>> All oppose? Resolution passes.

1:08:34>> 08958

1:08:36approved purchase order to MCCI for

1:08:38annual renewal of laser fish document

1:08:40management software.

1:08:42>> Move to hold over for one week.

1:08:44>> Second.

1:08:44>> Probably move and second. Any

1:08:45discussion? All in favor?

1:08:48>> All oppose. Item laid over for one week.

1:08:50Ordinance is being introduced 64037

1:08:54through 64043.

1:08:56Per council rules, these will lay over

1:08:58for one week.

1:09:01>> Consent resolutions being introduced

1:09:0337964

1:09:05through 6965.

1:09:07>> Move to wave the rules for immediate

1:09:09consideration of these resolutions as

1:09:11read.

1:09:12>> Second option second. Any discussion?

1:09:14All in favor?

1:09:16>> All oppose? Rules wave. Madam clerk

1:09:19>> 37964 recommend approval to the ABC

1:09:22board for issuance of a special events

1:09:24retail license to Mobtown's picnic popup

1:09:27on Cadam Street.

1:09:29>> So move

1:09:30>> I'm sorry go ahead madam clerk

1:09:336965

1:09:35determine an appropriation to the child

1:09:37advocacy

1:09:39center inc serves a public purpose and

1:09:42approve payment. So move second

1:09:44>> prop move and second in discussion. All

1:09:47in favor I.

1:09:48>> All oppose. Item passes.

1:09:50>> Resolutions been introduced 01966

1:09:54through 25981.

1:09:57Move to wave the rules for immediate

1:09:58consideration of resolutions 01968,

1:10:03969,

1:10:05970, 971, 973,

1:10:09976,

1:10:11and 977

1:10:14with the rest being laid over for one

1:10:16week.

1:10:17>> Second.

1:10:17>> Promptly move and second. Any

1:10:19discussion? All in favor? I.

1:10:21>> All oppose? Rules wave. Madam clerk,

1:10:25>> 01968

1:10:27authorized memorandum of of agreement

1:10:30with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

1:10:32and GF Coast highintensity drug drug

1:10:35trafficking area for the fiscal year 26

1:10:38Haida program 089690

1:10:43and 971 are approving purchase orders to

1:10:46A andd Crumbwell Concrete and

1:10:48Construction Butler Complete Services

1:10:51and Thomas A. Galloway for storm

1:10:54drainage, vegetation and debris removal.

1:10:5608973

1:10:58approved purchase order to traffic and

1:11:00parking control for traffic data

1:11:03collectors.

1:11:0508976

1:11:07approved purchase order to Greybar

1:11:09Electric for decorative street light

1:11:11poles with top mounts and LED fixtures.

1:11:1509977

1:11:17approved stipen to Captain Matthew James

1:11:19Cunningham for expenses acrewed

1:11:23while attending the FBA National

1:11:25Academy.

1:11:26>> So moved.

1:11:26>> Second.

1:11:27>> After the move and second any

1:11:28discussion? All in favor?

1:11:31>> I.

1:11:31>> All oppose. Resolution passes.

1:11:34>> Announcements.

1:11:35>> District one. Councilman Pin.

1:11:37>> No announcements.

1:11:38>> District two Councilwoman Ingram.

1:11:40>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, greetings,

1:11:42District 2. I want to start with

1:11:43reminding you that we have a District 2

1:11:45monthly virtual chat this Thursday

1:11:48starting at 700 p.m. You can find that

1:11:51link in your newsletter and also on the

1:11:52website um on Facebook. I encourage you

1:11:55to attend. We will be doing a summary

1:11:57and a followup from our September 8th

1:11:59finance committee meeting regarding the

1:12:01budget. So it be an opportunity if

1:12:03you're not able to attend the actual

1:12:05committee meeting, you will be able to

1:12:06get the updates on Thursday. Also on um

1:12:11this Saturday coming up, I am serving as

1:12:13the guest speaker and that's going to be

1:12:15for the third annual international

1:12:17fashion show and exhibit at James Seals

1:12:21starting at 400 p.m. So we encourage you

1:12:23to come out and participate. And lastly,

1:12:26uh this Friday, September the 3rd, I'm

1:12:29sorry, the 11th marks the nationwide

1:12:3125th anniversary of September the 11th,

1:12:332001 attacks. I encourage District 2 and

1:12:36the city of Mobile to remember, reflect,

1:12:38and educate future generations about the

1:12:41loss, the bravery, and unity shown on

1:12:43that day while we continue to honor many

1:12:46lives lost and affected. And lastly, I

1:12:49have the honor today of having Ronan

1:12:51Rich, a sophomore from USA majoring in

1:12:54political science to shadow with me

1:12:56today. So, Ronan, if you would stand and

1:12:58if we can welcome you. Thank you, Ronan.

1:13:00Glad to have you.

1:13:03And that concludes my announcements.

1:13:04Thank you.

1:13:05>> Thank you, Councilwoman Inger, District

1:13:064. Councilman Reynolds.

1:13:08>> Hey, Mr. President. Just want to remind

1:13:09the residents of District 4 that we're

1:13:11having a community meeting on September

1:13:1329th at 6 p.m. at Mobile Christian. Hope

1:13:15to see you there.

1:13:17>> You hear that, Miss Sue?

1:13:19>> All right. Make sure you take your whole

1:13:20crew.

1:13:21>> All right. Thank you, Mr. Rum. This

1:13:25District five, Councilman Fleming,

1:13:27>> no announcements.

1:13:28>> District six, Councilman Woods,

1:13:29>> no announcements.

1:13:30>> District seven, Vice President Gregor,

1:13:32>> no announcements. Do we have anything

1:13:34from administration?

1:13:35>> Motion to adjurnn.

1:13:37>> Second.

1:13:38>> Properly move and second. Any

1:13:39discussion? All in favor? All oppose.

1:13:42Mean is adjourned.

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