2026-11-03 - City Council

00:22This is the regular meeting of the

00:24Mobile City Council, Tuesday, November

00:26the 3rd. Please stand for our invocation

00:28led by Pastor Heard, Public Safety

00:30Chaplain, and remain standing for the

00:31Pledge of Allegiance.

00:34>> Let us take a moment to enter into God's

00:36presence.

00:42Loving gracious God, we give you thanks

00:45and praise for the gifts of freedom and

00:47life.

00:50We ask your help that we may be able to

00:52use your gifts to your honor and glory,

00:55to be righteous in the way in which we

00:57live, and in the caring for ourselves

01:00and for others.

01:03We ask your blessings for this community

01:05and for its leaders.

01:08We ask for your blessings for the

01:09well-being of all people,

01:12and we pray that we may live in peace

01:14and harmony.

01:16These things we ask in your holy and

01:17blessed name.

01:19Amen.

01:21>> I pledge allegiance

01:23to the flag of the United

01:26and to the republic for which it stands,

01:29one nation under God,

01:31indivisible, with liberty and justice

01:34for all.

01:36>> [snorts]

01:38>> Okay, thank you.

01:53Roll call. President Small.

01:55>> Here.

01:56>> Vice President Gregory.

01:57>> Here.

01:57>> Councilmember Penn.

01:58>> Here.

01:59>> Councilmember Ingram. Here.

02:00Councilmember Reynolds? Here.

02:01Councilmember Fleming? Here.

02:03Councilmember Woods?

02:05>> Here.

02:06>> Statement of rules.

02:07>> Good morning everyone.

02:08>> Morning.

02:08>> It's good to see everyone this morning.

02:11At this time I ask that anyone have any

02:13type of electronic device, including

02:15cell phones, please at this time put on

02:17the off or the vibrate position.

02:19The off or the vibrate position.

02:22Any person that is desiring to address

02:24the Mobile City Council must sign in

02:26indicating the resolution, the public

02:28hearing agenda item,

02:30or resolution before entering the

02:32meeting. When addressing this Council,

02:34the speaker must give his or her name.

02:37Any person that is desiring to address

02:38the Mobile City Council on a non-agenda

02:41item must contact the City Clerk office

02:43no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday

02:45prior to the Council meeting.

02:47The subject that he or she wishes to

02:48express to the Mobile City Council must

02:50be identified and pertain to the city of

02:52Mobile business.

02:54Anyone who has not given proper notice

02:56to the City Clerk office and wish to

02:58speak on a non-agenda item would not be

03:00allowed to address this Council.

03:02Each speaker is allowed 3 minutes to

03:04address this Council. A bell will sound

03:06to indicate the end of 2 minutes.

03:081 minute remain for summarizing. The

03:10second bell will indicate that your time

03:11has expired.

03:13When addressing this Council, there be

03:14no personal address to any individual

03:16Council members. All statements are to

03:18be made to the chair who will recognize

03:20any Council members who wish you to

03:21respond.

03:22To maintain decorum, there be no undue

03:24applause or public outcry allowed. Madam

03:27Clerk.

03:28>> Approval of minutes of October 27th.

03:31>> So moved. Second.

03:32>> Properly moved and seconded. Any

03:33discussion?

03:34All those in favor? Aye. All opposed?

03:37Minutes approved.

03:38>> Communications from Mayor Chair Goddess.

03:41>> Good morning everyone.

03:42>> Morning. [clears throat]

03:43>> Uh today, welcome to the Tuesday,

03:45November 3rd Mobile City Council

03:48meeting. Today is election day.

03:51Uh I'm asking everyone to get out there

03:53and vote. Don't forget to get out today,

03:55vote for the candidates of your choice

03:58uh for our state and federal offices

04:00today. They are all on the ballot. Polls

04:03open are open until 7:00 p.m. Uh and of

04:06course if even if you're in line what

04:087:00 p.m. stop hits, you can still vote.

04:12So,

04:12uh be sure to get out there, let your

04:14voice be heard. I think voting is one of

04:16the most important ways that we can take

04:18part in shaping the future of our city,

04:21our state, and our nation.

04:24Uh so, before you head to the polls, you

04:25might want to take a moment just to

04:27confirm your polling location, confirm

04:29the items you need to bring with you as

04:31far as identification. You can find all

04:33of that information on the Alabama

04:35Secretary of State's website. Uh that's

04:38alabamavotes.gov.

04:41Uh and I'm asking everyone to get out

04:43there, let us have a great turnout, and

04:45do your part by casting your ballot

04:47today.

04:49Um

04:52It is official, the Jimmy Buffett Son of

04:54a Son of a Sailor experience has struck

04:56the right chord with visitors to the

04:58National Maritime Museum of the Gulf.

05:01Over the last few weeks, the exhibit

05:02that explores the immensely popular

05:04musician and his ties to the Gulf Coast

05:07has received national acclaim

05:10uh from several outlets including the

05:11New York Times.

05:13The 6,000 square foot permanent exhibit

05:15is the perfect tribute to Jimmy Buffett

05:18who always considered Mobile to be his

05:20hometown.

05:21I want to thank and congratulate the

05:23museum's executive director Karen Poth

05:26and her staff for helping bring this

05:29truly wonderful exhibit to life.

05:31Uh they've done an incredible job

05:33planning and helping to execute

05:34eye-popping, immersive, and entertaining

05:37exhibits that bring visitors from across

05:39the country to Mobile. Congratulations

05:42on the great success they are having. Uh

05:45if you haven't yet Oh, yeah. Thank you.

05:49Pause Pause for applause. Thank you. Um

05:52if you haven't yet, make plans to go see

05:55this exhibit. It's truly one of a kind

05:57uh and you'll love what you find there

05:59at the National Maritime Museum.

06:01Um finally, it's time to mark your

06:03calendars

06:05uh as we've now turned past Halloween

06:07into November.

06:09For many of the us, that means the start

06:11of the holiday season.

06:13It's certainly never too early to get in

06:15the spirit, and to that end, I want to

06:17invite everyone to join me,

06:19my family at the city of Mobile's

06:21lighting of the tree event this November

06:2420th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Mardi

06:27Gras Park.

06:28Join our events department for a

06:30fun-filled family-friendly celebration

06:33where you can enjoy festive activities,

06:35crafts, photo opportunities, music,

06:37performances, and more. I also hear that

06:41a special guest will be making an

06:42appearance. I promise you don't want to

06:44miss it. Please join us there.

06:47And finally, I do want to mention one

06:49thing that is on the council today. I

06:51want to thank the council for taking it

06:53up on consent. It's an easement for

06:55Alabama Power to check the air quality

06:58in Africatown. There's always concerns

07:01for our residents in Africatown, making

07:03sure their environment is clean and

07:06safe, and and that it's a place where we

07:09can truly celebrate the heritage and

07:11history of of Africatown and the

07:13surrounding communities.

07:15This this ADM-led project testing the

07:18air quality will ensure

07:20that the residents there are enjoying

07:22their neighborhood, their community.

07:25And so, I want to thank the council for

07:26that, and with that, my remarks are

07:28concluded.

07:32>> Adoption of the agenda.

07:34>> So move.

07:34>> Second.

07:35>> Properly moved.

07:37>> Properly moved and seconded. Any

07:38discussion?

07:39All in favor?

07:40>> Aye.

07:41>> All opposed? Agenda's adopted.

07:43>> Appeals, we have request for a waiver of

07:45the noise ordinance on November the 6th

07:48on Saint Francis Street.

07:50>> So move.

07:51>> Second.

07:52>> Properly moved and seconded. Any

07:53discussion?

07:54All in favor?

07:55>> Aye.

07:55>> All opposed? Appeal passed.

07:58>> Public hearings, today is the public

07:59hearing to consider the proposed

08:01rezoning of property located at the east

08:04side of Cochrane Causeway, 650 ft north

08:07of Battleship Parkway, from R1 to I2.

08:10>> This open up public hearing for this

08:12particular said item. Is anyone present

08:14that would like to address the council

08:15on this item? If so, you may come down

08:17to the podium by stating your name.

08:21Cut your mic on for me. Just press the

08:22button in front of you.

08:25Thank you. [snorts]

08:26>> My name is Tal Your Kenny, representing

08:27Telcon LLC. My address is 706 Monroe

08:30Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602.

08:34The request is simply to rezone the

08:35property from R1 to I2. We believe the

08:39request is consistent with the

08:40established industrial land use pattern

08:42on both the Blakeley and Pinto Islands,

08:45and it's generally consistent with the

08:47city's future land use map as well.

08:49Uh and it addresses a potential zoning

08:52discrepancy identified in the historical

08:54zoning maps. So, if there's any

08:55questions, I'd be happy to entertain

08:57them.

08:57>> Any questions or comments from this

08:58council?

09:00Thank you so much.

09:01Is there anyone present that would like

09:02to address the council on this

09:03particular said item?

09:07If not, this public hearing is closed.

09:11>> Today is a public hearing to consider

09:13the proposed modification of a

09:14previously approved planned unit

09:16development for property located at the

09:18east side of Hillcrest Road, 290 ft

09:20south of Greilott Road.

09:22>> This opens the public hearing for this

09:24particular said item. Is anyone present

09:26that would like to address the council

09:27on this item?

09:31If not, this public hearing is closed.

09:34Hold on.

09:34>> We do have some um people signed in.

09:40>> Could you just read it one more time?

09:42Mayor I don't think

09:47>> So, this is the public hearing to

09:49consider a proposed modification of a

09:51previously approved planned unit

09:53development for property located at the

09:54east side of Hillcrest Road, 290 ft

09:57south of Greilott Road.

09:59This is in District 6.

10:00>> Mr. President.

10:01>> Uh Mr. Woods.

10:02>> Um I do know there's some

10:03representatives on Would y'all like to

10:04say anything about it? Um or um I I I

10:08have any questions regarding it. um, it

10:11just that it's a putt modification for

10:12a, uh construction of a restaurant, so.

10:15You know, but feel free, now's the time

10:16if y'all if y'all like to say anything.

10:18>> Okay, just open up the public hearing.

10:32It's at the bottom.

10:34There you go. You good. Good. All right.

10:37>> Thank you.

10:38Uh, my name is Lucas Benedetto. Um, I'm

10:41here on behalf of Daniel Holdings LLC,

10:44um, regarding proposed modification of

10:45previously approved plan new development

10:47on Hillcrest Road. Um,

10:49the property is currently zoned B3,

10:51where restaurant use is permitted. Um,

10:53our request is to modify

10:55um, the existing putt to allow the

10:57development of a family-friendly

10:58restaurant, um, on this site.

11:01Um, planning commission reviewed the

11:02application in July and, you know,

11:04obviously recommended approval.

11:06Um, we've worked with planning and

11:07zoning and closely to ensure that we're

11:09following, um, their requirements, um,

11:13for the putt amendment, um,

11:15and ensuring that the um,

11:18site has access parking,

11:20uh, following city requirements for

11:22landscaping, lighting, loading, waste.

11:24Um, and so, we're just requesting

11:26permission to, uh,

11:28make this modification to the putt to

11:30allow this family-friendly restaurant in

11:32this location.

11:33Um, so, thank you for your time,

11:34appreciate it.

11:35>> All right. Any questions or comments?

11:37All right. Thank you.

11:39Again, anyone else present that would

11:41like to address the council on this

11:42particular said item?

11:45If not, this public hearing is closed.

11:48>> [clears throat]

11:49>> Today is the public

11:51Today is the public hearing to consider

11:52a proposed conditional use permit for

11:54property located at 6455 Howell Ferry

11:57Road.

12:00I skipped one, I'm sorry. Pub- Today is

12:02the public hearing to consider the

12:04application to rezone the property

12:05located at 5070 O'Shields Road from R-1

12:08to B-2.

12:09>> This open the public hearing for this

12:11particular said item. Is anyone present

12:13who would like to address the council on

12:14this item? If so, you may come down to

12:16the podium by stating your name.

12:36>> Hi. Um my name's Carolyn Irvin. I live

12:40at 5133 Norton Lane. I've been there for

12:4334 years and I rented a house in Country

12:47Club Village prior to that. Um we're

12:50here to talk about

12:51>> Can you be close to the mic, please?

12:53>> We're here to uh discuss the rezoning of

12:56the property. It was first uh introduced

12:59as about 2 years ago when Mrs. Ha-

13:03Hajizi came to a neighborhood meeting

13:06and said she had purchased this property

13:09and she wanted to build a super food

13:11pack on the land. And um

13:15the residents said that we really didn't

13:18want commercial development in the

13:21neighborhood because the property is not

13:24on Old Shell Road. It's back in the

13:27neighborhood. And then in early 2026,

13:31uh we were invited to a meeting with the

13:34developer who said he wanted to

13:37uh purchase the property and put a

13:39housing development on the land. And um

13:43the purchase was contingent upon the

13:47approval of a subdivision application by

13:50the planning commission. And he showed

13:53us renderings and uh he wanted to build

13:57small upscale shotgun houses on the

14:00property. And he listened to our

14:03concerns and he answered our questions.

14:06And most of the neighbors said we would

14:09prefer a residential property rather

14:12than a business property. But then uh

14:15and then on March 19th, the subdivision

14:19application was unanimously approved by

14:22the planning commission, but not long

14:24after that, the Hajizis pulled out of

14:27the contract and said they were no

14:29longer going to sell him the property.

14:33Um and in July, um

14:36at a neighborhood meeting, um Mrs.

14:39Hajizi presented us with an 11,000

14:43square foot building rendering for the

14:46new food pack. And many people were very

14:49concerned, [snorts]

14:51um and they left that meeting very upset

14:54about the scale of the building and the

14:57rezoning and what was going to go in

15:01there. Um

15:03Now, the rendering has been

15:06scaled back to 6,500

15:09plus

15:11square feet, but it's really not

15:13appropriate for this lot. The property

15:16can't be

15:17accessed from Old Shell Road, and all

15:20the traffic is going to have to enter

15:22the neighborhood at the narrow entrances

15:25at Border Drive East [snorts] or Parkway

15:28East, either of which have traffic

15:31lights. Um neighbors already struggle to

15:35navigate that because

15:37um

15:39when uh

15:41Maple Street Biscuit Company has

15:43delivery trucks, they have to back out

15:46onto Old Shell Road because the road is

15:48too narrow.

15:50Um and it's too tight for them to

15:52navigate. So, um

15:56in addition to the commercial

15:58development with deliveries and waste

16:00management and customer traffic, this is

16:04only going to compound the issues that

16:06we already have at the entrances and

16:09could create a safety issue on Parkway

16:13East with the additional traffic

16:15crossing uh through the crosswalk from

16:18the playground

16:20uh parking lot to Lavretta Park. I mean,

16:24all we need is a child in a

16:27wheelchair to get run over by an

16:2818-wheeler and we'd be all over the

16:31news.

16:32Um

16:35the latest rendering shows that the

16:38Hajizis

16:40uh want to use the alleyway for their

16:42drive to give more space to rear parking

16:44and delivery trucks.

16:46But, there's four homes that back up to

16:49that, and so they're going to have to

16:50deal with

16:52light and noise and dumpsters and uh

16:57loss of privacy, peace, quality of life,

17:00and also their home values are going to

17:02go down.

17:03>> [clears throat]

17:04>> Um

17:06we're already impacted by the additional

17:08noise and traffic from the pickleball

17:11courts that went up there. And um

17:14we anticipate more with the new

17:16playground that's going up. Um and the

17:18creation of a commercial development

17:21will add to these issues.

17:23Now, the Hajizis have said that we're in

17:26favor of it, but honestly, Kenny Nichols

17:29said that

17:31um the neighborhood's sending letters to

17:33the planning commission.

17:35I I did one myself, and uh

17:3887%

17:40are

17:42against it. Thank you very much.

17:44>> Thank you.

17:46Is NYS president would like to address

17:48the council on this particular set item.

17:57>> I

17:59Right side. It's on.

18:01But, you turned it off.

18:02>> You you turn it off. Hit it one more

18:04time. There you go.

18:06>> Good morning. My name is Patricia Clark,

18:07and I live at Three Crest Court, about

18:09200 ft away from the proposed

18:11residential property. I do support Food

18:14Pack as a business.

18:15>> Just drop the mic down.

18:16>> Oh, my mic down. Okay.

18:18I I Food Pack, but I want to express my

18:20strong opposition to this rezoning. It

18:23fails to meet any of the objective

18:24criteria which support an increase in

18:27zoning intensity. For this reason, the

18:29application should be denied. First,

18:32let's be clear that the property was

18:34purchased by this applicant 5 years ago

18:36with full knowledge that it was zoned

18:38single-family residential. It was also

18:41purchased with the full knowledge that

18:42two prior attempts to rezone it for

18:44commercial use had failed. And the

18:47applicant recently received approval to

18:49subdivide it into those six residential

18:51lots, a change that was supported by our

18:53community.

18:55As mentioned, this parcel has a history

18:57of failed commercial zoning attempts,

18:59including as a business parking lot and

19:01as a cable billing office, a precedent

19:04that reaffirms its unsuitability

19:07for business clarification. The city's

19:10comprehensive plan calls for this parcel

19:12to remain mixed-density residential.

19:15Both current businesses at the

19:17neighborhood's entrances were

19:18grandfathered in and they're operating

19:21with use variances to a residential

19:24designation. This proposal, if approved,

19:26would more than double that commercial

19:28space at the entrance to our small

19:30neighborhood and next to our thriving

19:32park. Please discuss the rezoning

19:35criteria. The parcel's current R1

19:38designation was not made in error, as

19:40confirmed by the planning commission and

19:42the Board of Zoning Adjustment. It's

19:44been in place since the city

19:45incorporated the neighborhood and

19:47established its initial zoning.

19:50Secondly, the proposed use is

19:52incompatible with the surrounding uses.

19:54As mentioned, there are four residential

19:56properties that abut that parcel to the

19:58north. Additional traffic intensity on

20:01the two streets without traffic signals

20:03will significantly increase risk to

20:06those children and adults crossing the

20:08from the parking lot to other drivers on

20:11Oakhill Road as well.

20:12The presence of a business-zoned parcel

20:14at this location will lower our property

20:16values and decrease the level of our

20:19health, our safety, and our general

20:20welfare for the neighborhood as well,

20:23and to our increased park visitors as

20:25found by our planning commission. And

20:28there is no capacity need of the

20:30individual business desire to remain in

20:32that location. There are many available

20:34parcels and buildings within a mile two

20:36or less and they would support Food

20:39Pack's operation and would be supported

20:41by the residents of our neighborhood. As

20:43mentioned, there are no changes to

20:45underlying use of the area. For the

20:47greatest benefit of our neighborhood as

20:49a whole, this rezoning request should be

20:52denied. I know the planning commission

20:54received many much public support. They

20:57were in support for Food Pack, not for

20:59rezoning of this residential property. I

21:02support Food Pack, just not commercial

21:04use of the residential property. I would

21:07ask that the city council apply its

21:09standards objectively as you have done

21:11in the past and rely on precedent when

21:14weighing your decision. Support for Food

21:16Pack does not require rezoning a

21:18residential property. Thank you very

21:20much for your consideration.

21:31>> Good morning.

21:32>> Morning.

21:34>> My name is Cindy Irvin.

21:36I live in Country Club Village at 5204

21:39Border Drive South. I have been there

21:42since 1991.

21:44Just prior to the Food Pack opening in

21:47its current location.

21:49I have three primary

21:52oppositions

21:53to this proposal. The first being

21:56traffic.

21:57The second being

22:00water drainage and the third being the

22:03unknowns.

22:04So, regarding traffic, the city was good

22:07enough to build a parking lot

22:10specifically

22:12for Lovretta Park after our neighbors

22:16and the community got together and

22:18upgraded Lovretta Park and put in a

22:20children's playground.

22:23The entrance to that parking lot

22:26is across East Parkway,

22:30which is one of the roads that would

22:32access the new

22:35area that Food Pak wants to build on.

22:39We are currently in an upgrade situation

22:41for our park to make it more accessible

22:45to all throughout the city. It will be

22:48an attraction because it will be

22:50handicap accessible.

22:53There is no way that we're not going to

22:56have more park traffic when this is

22:59really the jewel in the crown of the

23:02city of Mobile to have an all accessible

23:06children's playground. The city is

23:09spending a great deal of money to

23:11upgrade

23:13and they are going to make it even

23:17better than it was previously, where

23:18it's been very well-loved by our

23:21community as well as people across the

23:23city.

23:25This

23:26the way that

23:28um

23:30you enter the park from the parking lot

23:33is across Parkway East. Small.

23:37The second issue with water runoff.

23:40We had previously spoken with city

23:44officials and park and recreation people

23:47about the water runoff issue. We are in

23:51Spring Hill

23:53and water does run downhill.

23:57And the um

24:00the property, the previous park setup is

24:04having to be adapted

24:07to handle [clears throat] the water

24:08drainage that comes across

24:11East border, East Parkway, through the

24:15park, through Lavretta Park, and on down

24:18the hill

24:20onto West Village Circle and even down

24:24um

24:26Brentwood Drive.

24:28It's it's been a huge issue. So, the

24:32city, as I said, they've completely

24:34lifted up the ground level of the new

24:37park and added drainage to accept that

24:42water drawn off runoff that we know is

24:45present.

24:46Unfortunately, if the property at 5070

24:51Old Shell Road becomes a

24:54huge building an impermeable surface

24:59with a parking lot our water drain off

25:02will be worse.

25:05The third issue that I have in

25:06opposition is what I'm referring to as

25:09the unknowns. If this property is

25:12allowed to go from residential to

25:16commercial

25:17then all bets are off as to what will be

25:21in that location.

25:23I understand the Hazizi family and Food

25:26Pack International have great plans to

25:30make their super Food Pack.

25:33But I don't plan to move from this

25:35neighborhood.

25:38Is that all?

25:39>> One more minute.

25:39>> One minute. Um so,

25:43when I looked up what could be allowed

25:46on a commercial property, it includes

25:50drug rehabs

25:52group home settings

25:54um of course retail businesses, Dollar

25:58General has been sniffing around looking

26:00for

26:01um

26:03places within neighborhoods.

26:06Um we just don't know what will happen

26:09next.

26:10Um vape stores, ABC stores

26:15um

26:17the the cash checking stores or you or

26:21where you take your car title

26:24and get cash for it, those are all

26:27allowed on commercial properties.

26:30The rendering that the Hazizi family

26:33showed to us in July when we had our

26:36neighborhood meeting

26:39showed several fronts on their building.

26:42>> All right, thank you.

26:42>> Thank you.

26:45>> Is anyone else present who would like to

26:46address the council on this particular

26:47zoning item?

26:53>> Good morning. I'm Linda Saint John, 320

26:55Avalon Street.

26:57I'm president of the Villages Spring

26:58Hill, an organization that has spent 21

27:01years protecting our community and

27:03upholding the integrity of our master

27:06plan. It was developed with the input of

27:08over 600 residents and every department

27:11of the city of Mobile.

27:13Our master plan is a carefully

27:15considered long-term community vision,

27:19not a suggestion. It establishes that

27:21development should follow the

27:23community's plan, not the plan not that

27:25the plan should be compromised to

27:27accommodate development seeking

27:29exceptions with non-compliant

27:32development.

27:33With past support of the city council,

27:35we have successfully opposed previous

27:37attempts to commercially rezone this

27:39property. No other property in the area

27:43is commercially zoned, making this

27:45proposal a significant departure from

27:47the established residential character.

27:50Appropriately zoned commercial

27:52properties are available in the village

27:54that would accommodate this type

27:55development. I personally met with the

27:58applicant and connected her with

28:00property owners with suitable properties

28:02for lease and for sale properly zoned.

28:06Food Pack is the type of business that

28:08we would welcome in Spring Hill, but in

28:11an appropriately zoned location. We

28:14cannot allow sentiment and emotion to

28:16justify rezoning property for an

28:18incompatible use.

28:20This proposed 6,500 square foot

28:23commercial strip center would be located

28:26within a residential neighborhood, not

28:29along Old Shell Road.

28:31Customer traffic and delivery trucks

28:33would be routed through the neighborhood

28:35besides a children's park, creating

28:37serious safety concerns.

28:40The developer claims that a lack of

28:42front parking complies with our master

28:44plan, which we do encourage side and

28:47rear parking along major thoroughfares

28:49with on-street parking. Applying this

28:52standard to a residential neighborhood

28:54is misleading and contrary to the plan's

28:57intent. It also raises serious concerns

29:01that the adjacent Lavista Park parking

29:03lot would become parking for these

29:05businesses.

29:06In March, the Planning Commission

29:08approved a cottage-style residential

29:10development for the same property,

29:12demonstrating that a viable use already

29:14exists under R-1 zoning.

29:17That developer remains willing to

29:20proceed with this residential

29:22development if this application is

29:23denied.

29:25The issue before you is not whether Food

29:27Pack is a desirable business. It is

29:30whether established zoning,

29:32neighborhood protections, and

29:34community-supported master plan should

29:37be set aside to accommodate one

29:40developer.

29:41Approving this request would undermine

29:44years of thoughtful planning and

29:46establish a precedent that would

29:48threaten the fundamental character of

29:50our neighborhoods throughout Spring Hill

29:52for a single business that may not even

29:55be viable in the future.

29:57I want to thank the City Council for

29:59your past support and ask that you

30:01continue to help us protect the

30:02integrity of our master plan for the

30:04long term

30:06by upholding the Planning Commission's

30:08unanimous vote

30:10for denial of this application.

30:13Thank you.

30:16>> Is anyone present would like to address

30:17the council on this particular said

30:18item?

30:21If not, this particular public hearing

30:23is closed.

30:25>> Today is a public hearing to consider a

30:27proposed conditional use permit for

30:28property located at 6455 Hal Drive Road.

30:33>> This open the public hearing for this

30:34particular said item. Is anyone present

30:36would like to address the council on

30:37this item?

30:41If not, this particular public hearing

30:43is closed.

30:45>> Today is the public hearing to consider

30:46the proposed modification of a

30:48previously approved planning approval

30:50for property located at 53 Foreman Road

30:53and 6784 and 6788

30:57Dickens Ferry Road.

30:59>> This opened the public hearing for this

31:00particular said item. Is anyone present

31:02would like to address the council on

31:03this item?

31:07If not, this particular public hearing

31:09is closed.

31:10>> Today is the public hearing to consider

31:11the proposed modification of a

31:13previously approved planned unit

31:15development for property located at 53

31:17Foreman Road and 6784 and 6788 Dickens

31:22Ferry Road.

31:24>> This opened the public hearing for this

31:25particular said item. Is anyone present

31:27would like to address the council on

31:28this item?

31:32If not, this particular public hearing

31:34is closed.

31:35>> Presentation of petitions and other

31:36communications to the council.

31:37>> One minute, uh Madam Clerk.

31:40Uh on last week, uh someone came down

31:42here to the podium and stated that we

31:45wait to

31:46get to date we wait the council wait

31:49till they get to their seat and say

31:51stuff back to them.

31:53Our council rules read as section 2-62.

31:58And it reads as following: Upon the

32:00expiration of the allotted time,

32:03that the person speaking shall return to

32:06their seat or exit the council chamber.

32:10There should be no dialogue between the

32:12person addressing the council and

32:14individual council members.

32:16After person addressed the council and

32:18has returned to their seat or exit the

32:21council chambers,

32:23the presiding officer shall ask if any

32:25council member or council member or

32:27member of the city administration wish

32:29to wish wishes to respond to the speaker

32:32comments or any questions of the

32:34speaker.

32:36So, yes, the rules states that you must

32:40go back to your seat and sit down. Okay?

32:43Madam Clerk.

32:45>> Velena Green.

32:47I'm Pastor Velena Green down in Bay

32:49Community.

32:54I come to you to question you about

32:56discretionary of funding and to state

32:58the law to you about discretion

33:00discretionary of funding.

33:02>> [snorts]

33:02>> Okay. Now, the ethics act talks about

33:07personal gain in Alabama ethics law,

33:10which is Alabama code 36-20-25-5

33:16dictates the public official cannot use

33:18their official position to obtain

33:20personal financial gain for themselves,

33:23a family member, or any business which

33:26the person is associated. If the council

33:28member is a regular tithe paying member

33:32or a leader at a church, diverting

33:35public money to a specific church

33:37directly alters their personal liability

33:40or association, creating an an immediate

33:44conflict of interest.

33:46So, we're guilty of some of that some of

33:48you. Okay? All right. Now, underneath

33:51the freedom of speech,

33:53I've been reprimanded for sitting in

33:55here praying. So, under the first

33:58amendment rights of the US Constitution,

34:01which is our forefathers wrote that, the

34:04right of petition ensures citizens can

34:07request redress or grievances from the

34:10government without fear of retaliation.

34:13Now, I've been blocked for discretionary

34:15money because I speak out about things

34:17concerning the poor. When I come up here

34:19and make petitions, I'm sitting in the

34:21room with three of them that have done

34:23that to me just here recently and with

34:25the four councilmen joining them. Okay,

34:28freedom of religion. We have a free

34:31right

34:33to exercise that clause. Protects the

34:35right to practice any religion without

34:38government interference. So, we have a

34:39right to come in here and pray, y'all.

34:42Y'all are out of order when you tell us

34:44we cannot. You're out of order when you

34:46tell us we talking to ourselves cuz we

34:48praying in tongues. That's wrong. That

34:51had you just violated

34:53the US Constitution and the Bill of

34:54Rights. Know your law.

34:57And God's got a higher law that

34:59jurisdiction out of you.

35:01Okay, right to a peaceable assembly

35:04guaranteeing the right to gather

35:05peacefully for protest, demonstrations,

35:07or other collect action. I just had that

35:10done by my mayor and

35:13Chief Barber with the US with the

35:15attorney in agreement of that for the

35:18black market that we can't do a black

35:19market. Ask my councilwoman, can you

35:22please pay the $376

35:24for us to have the black market? And my

35:26rights were violated.

35:28And I said, I don't want to go back to

35:30my committee and tell them we can't do

35:33this.

35:35So I ask you for a public investigation

35:38on this.

35:39When we question about properties, we're

35:41violated. When the properties are taken

35:44illegal and torn down in the black

35:46community, we're violated. We're

35:48retaliated against. So let this enter

35:50into the record.

35:51>> Thank you, ma'am.

35:52>> In the name of Jesus.

35:56>> Mr. President.

35:57>> Uh Vice President.

35:58>> Just a um

36:00if I could um we've got uh these um

36:05presentations and um

36:07to the to the council, but what I wanted

36:09to say is um for the folks who were here

36:11for the public hearings, um we will not

36:14be voting on these today. It is a first

36:16read. In case you wanted to go ahead and

36:19leave, it's up to you. Just wanted to

36:20let you know that we will not be voting

36:22on any of the rezonings today. So it's

36:25up to you. But you know, you were very

36:28much welcome to stay here for our entire

36:30council meeting.

36:36>> Matthew Miller.

36:51>> I'll wait for them.

36:53Good morning. Good morning. My name is

36:55Matthew Miller, and thank you for

36:57allowing me to address the council.

36:59Ladies and gentlemen, I believe the

37:00Crichton Leprechaun is more likely to

37:02walk through the doors of this

37:03auditorium than we are to recover the

37:05$14.7 million

37:07that was sent to fraudsters.

37:09I really sure hope I'm wrong.

37:11I watched last week's pre-council

37:13discussion, and what city officials

37:15disclosed was alarming.

37:17Six finance directors since 2021,

37:20nearly 100% turnover in accounting and

37:22accounts payable staff since 2023,

37:25months of communication and misplaced

37:27trust between city staff and a

37:29fraudster,

37:30and that was there there was already a

37:32warning.

37:34In August, nearly $1 million was sent to

37:36fraudsters. Thankfully, it was

37:38recovered.

37:39That was your alarm bell ringing. Did

37:41you hear it?

37:43The August incident should have prompted

37:44serious questions about how the payment

37:46was handled, what safeguards failed, and

37:49whether other taxpayer funds were at

37:51risk.

37:52Then came the October 2nd request for

37:55$14.7 million.

37:57Finance Director Gwyn said he was not

38:00involved in that request. He and the

38:02mayor learned of the fraud October 16th.

38:05Two weeks.

38:06Mr. Gwyn described these payments as

38:08routine, working like clockwork for 18

38:11months.

38:12Routine does not make verification

38:14optional. So, what changed after August?

38:17How did we go from recovering nearly $1

38:19million

38:20to losing $14.7?

38:23Taken together, does any of this sound

38:25like adequate leadership, supervision,

38:27and proper financial controls?

38:29City leadership should be able to answer

38:31these questions about its own

38:33operations.

38:34Mayor Stimpson has requested that

38:36citizens direct their anger at the

38:38fraudsters.

38:39Frankly, the citizens don't know who the

38:41fraudsters are.

38:42But, we do know who is supposed to be

38:44running our city.

38:46The citizens of Mobile deserve a

38:47municipal government that operates

38:49efficiently, effectively, and

38:51competently, and a government that our

38:54city can take pride in, not the butt of

38:56jokes.

38:58We work, pay our taxes, and entrust you

39:00all to manage that money responsibly.

39:03So, when $14.7 million leaves the city

39:05treasury and goes to fraudsters,

39:08citizens are entitled to ask, "Who was

39:10asleep at the wheel?"

39:12In my view, the mayor failed to lead,

39:14his executive team failed to supervise,

39:16and the council failed at oversight. It

39:19should not take $14.7 million loss of

39:21taxpayer money for everybody to wake up.

39:24Accountability must reach the executives

39:26of city operations, and I believe Mr.

39:29Gewin should be removed as finance

39:30director. And any other city executives

39:33whose actions failed at oversight, who

39:35allowed this catastrophic

39:37catastrophic loss, should also be

39:39removed. Accountability also requires an

39:42acknowledgement of what happened, and

39:44the citizens deserve a direct, sincere

39:46apology,

39:48and acceptance of responsibility.

39:51We deserve to hear, "I'm sorry this

39:52happened." And council members, we

39:55deserve a full accounting. May I have

39:57one more minute?

39:59Hold public hearings, put documents

40:01online, publish questions and answers,

40:05publish a timeline of events, and

40:07establish who had the payment authority,

40:10and what controls failed.

40:12Some of these are outside the scope of

40:14the FBI investigation, and they can be

40:16made public.

40:17Give citizens the answers in public, and

40:20involve us in the discussion.

40:22That also means giving residents enough

40:24time to speak at this council.

40:273 minutes is not enough to address the

40:28council about the failures of this

40:30magnitude.

40:31Citizens deserve more than 3 minutes to

40:33address a $14.7 million loss of taxpayer

40:37dollars.

40:38Someone needs to own this failure, and

40:40someone needs to fix it. Ladies and

40:43gentlemen, this is our city.

40:45This was our money,

40:47and taxpayers have already paid for this

40:49failure.

40:50We shouldn't have to pay for the next

40:51one.

40:53That's all I have to say. Thank you.

40:54>> Thank you.

40:56>> Estella Trotter

41:13Good morning.

41:14>> Good morning.

41:21>> It's time to clean house.

41:24Many city officials must go.

41:28Many, many times

41:30we scam ourselves.

41:32The citizens of Mobile have reported to

41:34this city government over the years

41:37profound financial mismanagement and you

41:40disregarded

41:42it instead of reporting it to the proper

41:46entities.

41:47The same people associated with

41:49financial controversial

41:51uh financial issues sit on city

41:55government

41:57boards,

41:58committees, councils, agencies,

42:02commissions, authorities,

42:04whether they are judges, lawyers, CEO

42:08CEOs, and directors.

42:12Taxpayers are the CEOs.

42:14The city of Mobile will

42:17will have citizens

42:19Let me get this straight.

42:22Okay, the city the the the the

42:27tax

42:27taxpayers are the CEOs. The citizens of

42:30Mobile will have citizens to recover

42:32money by showing this city government

42:35that they are no kings and queens.

42:38Taxpayers elected

42:41two

42:43city of

42:46I judge judged it down shortly.

42:49Okay, um

42:51taxpayers elected city officials to

42:54serve their best interests and not their

42:57own.

42:59We must protest, boycott, and put some

43:02projects on hold in order to show you

43:06that we mean business.

43:09$1 million scam was not reported

43:13and in

43:16this was 2 months earlier than the $14.7

43:19million.

43:21How can the city council, in the same

43:24building as the mayor's office,

43:28not know

43:30that $1 million

43:31scam had taken place?

43:34Impossible.

43:38Money is rerouted all over the place

43:41during the re-

43:43development.

43:45It's not transparent

43:49or it's very vague.

43:52Many developers and contractors' hands

43:56are not clean, as well.

44:00I saw a contracting company walking this

44:02building today, and this is the

44:04unfairness of all of this. Everybody has

44:08an agenda.

44:09I also saw a contracting company walking

44:11here today.

44:13At least 25 to 30, if not more,

44:17white males to black

44:21males.

44:22We're going to revisit the fact that

44:25black developers are not represented.

44:34>> Reggie Hill.

44:37I'm always leaving something.

44:48>> Thank you, Madam City Clerk, to the

44:50citizens and stakeholders of Mobile.

44:52Greetings, Reggie Hill uh my name.

44:54There's an extreme uh economic

44:56retaliation absorbed uh by those who

44:59choose to speak truth to power.

45:02Um nonetheless, the voice has need a

45:03voice, and I would be doing a disservice

45:06by remaining silent during uh times like

45:09these. In such a spirit, I rise today to

45:10continue these pertinent conversations

45:12pertaining uh to our city's business.

45:15With malice towards no one, with charity

45:18for all, let us strive on to finish the

45:22work. President Abraham Lincoln.

45:24Do we have any update uh on our budget

45:27increase to the municipal enforcement uh

45:29department and how that might be helping

45:31to alleviate blight and actually contact

45:33with residents beforehand before we have

45:35to demolish the properties? I know we

45:36increased that. We just want to see

45:37where is that going. If we can have an

45:39update on that, it'd be greatly

45:40appreciated. Uh do we have any updates

45:43on uh the safe passage or any other

45:45other proposed youth initiatives um that

45:47we've been touting at these meetings the

45:49past several months so we can just know

45:50what's going on with the performance

45:51contracts as well as well. I know

45:53there's a lot of money into that, and I

45:55know all the stuff going on, but we got

45:56to be able to walk and chew gum at the

45:58same time the city must still operate.

45:59So, hopefully we can get an update on

46:01that stuff as well. Um I want to look at

46:04when we go into this FY28 budget uh that

46:07we don't do away with the services that

46:09we're expecting to have in place. I

46:11can't dive deep into this as Mr. Miller

46:12mentioned, we don't have enough time uh

46:14to speak to these matters, but I do want

46:16to at least put it on the record. I'll

46:17get to the surface of that. Um we also

46:19brought up a great a great point. I'll

46:21come back to it. Uh well, matter of

46:23fact, let me just go to it now um

46:25because I want to thank my neighbor for

46:27giving an additional minute last week uh

46:29so that we could dive into this. I also

46:31want to thank the gentleman from

46:32District 4, the only one that I've seen

46:33out of the eight major cities to

46:35actually take any ownership on this

46:36rather kind of pointing the finger

46:38anywhere. But then, I want to thank Mr.

46:40Penn for actually bringing up probably

46:42the most important question about the

46:43bank report. Uh Mr. Miller was confused

46:45about to where we don't know the

46:47process, but we do know who operates the

46:49bank account. So, I'm not understanding

46:50why if somebody just overdrafts their

46:52account for a penny, the bank can point

46:54to them directly where those funds went.

46:56So, why haven't we been able to get

46:57something from the bank to let us know

46:59what's actually going on? Uh these

47:01creations of this committee, I would

47:02like y'all to look at uh section 15 - 41

47:05through 15 - 44 of the Mobile City Code.

47:08I think we can amend that so that we can

47:10bring back a civic group, not

47:11necessarily giving over all this fiscal

47:13oversight to this potential ad hoc

47:15committee, but something that would work

47:16directly maybe with OBG so that we can

47:19have, just like the civic board that

47:21existed before, and maybe we can have

47:22some oversight from the citizens' input

47:24to prevent um all of this.

47:26Uh I do want to highlight this one

47:28piece. Uh in the story Demolishing the

47:30Mobile Civic Center, this is coming from

47:32the uh Alabama Supreme Court uh

47:34appellate brief that went up regarding

47:35this case. Uh pricing and a plan

47:37reported by Ms. Andrea Ramey of NBC 15

47:39WPMI 15 News December 17th, 2024. She

47:42writes, "Mobile City leaders say there

47:44are cost overruns um

47:47with demolishing the Mobile Civic Center

47:49due to unforeseen

47:51issues." And I only need about 30

47:53seconds, please.

47:57Thank you so much. Uh

47:58Mobile City leaders say there are cost

48:00overruns with demolishing the Mobile

48:02Civic Center due to unforeseen issues.

48:05The city approved a $1.3 million change

48:07order on that Tuesday. We did submit our

48:10construction documents yesterday to the

48:12three pre-qualified companies that is

48:13due back to us with the actual cost of

48:15the new construction by February 7th.

48:18So, we should know whether or not we're

48:19still on budget at that point. That's

48:22the major hurdle we have." And this was

48:24stated by Mr. uh James Barber at the

48:25time. So, the only point I'm The only

48:27reason I bring that up,

48:29a lot of times we might not understand

48:31things when they're put out to us in our

48:32faces, but we can use underlying terms

48:34to see where we're getting. A lot of the

48:36answers are already here. I'm not saying

48:37this to be facetious facetious or

48:39bragadocious. Look at the documents, and

48:41I think we might be able to get to where

48:43we needed to go if we really want to

48:44resolve this problem for $14.7 million

48:47in the city. Thank you for your input.

48:51>> Nina Dorch.

49:01>> Good morning. My name is Mina Dorch.

49:04I had so much planned to say, but I'm

49:05just going to cut it very short.

49:08Under the Zahabi Act, the council has

49:10the council has independent oversight

49:12and investigative authority. I'm asking

49:15the council to exercise that authority

49:17by formally placing it inde- placing the

49:19following, excuse me, formally placing

49:21an independent forensic investigation

49:24and 10-year financial controls review on

49:27the council's agenda. Engaging a

49:30qualified independent forensic

49:32accounting firm with no conflicts of

49:34interest. Examining the $14.7 million

49:38transfer, the August incident, payment

49:41authorization and ver- verification,

49:44internal controls, and other areas of

49:46financial exposure. Requiring written

49:49findings, public reporting to the

49:51fullest extent permitted by law, and a

49:53corrective action plan with clear

49:55timelines. With my HR experience, the

49:57significant turnover in finance,

50:00particularly in accounting and accounts

50:02payable, is alarming. It raises

50:05questions about the continuity,

50:07training, oversight, and whether

50:09financial critical controls are

50:11consistently being followed. Turnover

50:14alone does not establish wrongdoing, but

50:16it does warrant examination. I am also

50:20concerned about how the council members

50:22learned of the August incident, and why

50:25the public still does not still does not

50:27have a complete picture of what

50:29happened. Who the money was paid for?

50:31How did we retrieve the funds? We still

50:33have no answers. An independent review

50:36does not have to be viewed as an attack.

50:39We're not attacking any particular

50:41individual. I'm not. Um, nor the

50:43administration. And it can be an

50:46opportunity for both sides to work

50:48together, identify weaknesses,

50:50strengthen financial controls, and

50:52protect the city's future.

50:55I have started a petition and I reached

50:57out to the city clerk about how this can

50:59be started and how to submit it back to

51:02the council,

51:03um but like I said, this is not about

51:05attacking the administration. It's about

51:07protecting public funds and

51:09strengthening our government.

51:11So, my question really is, Council

51:14President,

51:16what specifically is

51:18preventing the council from initiating

51:20this review, and could this not be an

51:23effort led by the council with the

51:24administration's support and

51:26cooperation?

51:28>> Yeah, I'll be uh happy

51:30happy to answer that question. We have

51:32the Finance Committee meeting on this

51:34afternoon, and the council has submitted

51:37several questions, and we're waiting for

51:39some answers. And once we get those

51:40answers, then we'll navigate ourselves

51:43from there.

51:44>> Okay.

51:45Thank you.

51:45>> Thank you.

51:50>> Consider resolutions held over.

51:5340 948 declare the structure at 906

51:56South Broad Street a public nuisance and

51:58order it demolished.

52:00>> So moved.

52:00>> Second.

52:01>> Properly moved and seconded. Any

52:02discussion?

52:03All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Item

52:06passed.

52:07>> Resolutions held over 211141 authorize

52:10professional services contract with the

52:12Bloom Group.

52:13081155

52:15approve item base bid for diesel fuel.

52:18081157 approve purchase order to Five

52:21Cast Proprietary Limited for one-year

52:23subscription for open-source

52:25intelligence software. 081158

52:29approve purchase order to SHI

52:31International for one-year subscription

52:32to Adobe Acrobat Sign Studio and

52:35Creative Cloud software.

52:37211161

52:39authorize contract with Hanslo to

52:42provide tennis lessons and clinics.

52:44251163

52:46consider the purchase and sale agreement

52:48and accept the warranty deed for the

52:50acquisition of 455 Crawford Lane. 371164

52:55consider the application of

52:57Tiffany Monique Williams for certificate

52:59of public convenience and necessity to

53:01operate a sedan service.

53:03471165

53:05and 1166 consider the

53:07of a public alleyway

53:10and a vacation fee as a condition of the

53:12vacation of a public alleyway adjacent

53:14to property located

53:17north of 144 Highland Avenue. 03 1170,

53:22establish an ad hoc advisory committee

53:25on financial transaction security.

53:28>> So move.

53:29>> Second.

53:30>> Properly moved and seconded. Any

53:31discussion?

53:32All in favor?

53:33>> Aye.

53:34>> All opposed? Item passes.

53:37>> Ordinances being introduced 64039

53:40through 64044.

53:43>> By council rules, these will lay over

53:45for 1 week.

53:47>> Consent resolutions being introduced 03

53:501171

53:52appoint Spencer Ruggs Jr. to the Board

53:54of Adjustment. 371172,

53:57recommend approval to ABC Board for

53:59issuance of a special events retail

54:02license for Ward City

54:04R&B on Government Street. 581173

54:08and 1174, assess cost for removal of

54:11weeds and declaring weeds noxious groups

54:151678 and 1685.

54:18601175

54:19through 1178 are determining an

54:21appropriation to Calloway Smith Middle

54:23School Marching Cougars Band Booster

54:27Club and Azalea City CDC serve a public

54:30purpose and approve payment.

54:33>> Move to waive the rules for immediate

54:34consideration of these items.

54:40>> [laughter]

54:41>> We have to waive the rules for these

54:42items. I know we sort of departed from

54:44that a little while ago, but we have to

54:45waive the rules.

54:46>> Oh, yeah.

54:48>> Thank you, Mr. Arrington.

54:51>> Properly moved and seconded. Any

54:52discussion? All in favor?

54:53>> Aye.

54:54>> All opposed? Rules waived.

54:59>> Consider the items as read and motion to

55:01approve.

55:02>> Second.

55:03>> Properly moved and seconded. Any

55:04discussion? All in favor?

55:06>> Aye. All opposed? Item passes.

55:12>> Resolutions being introduced 011179

55:16through 25

55:171197.

55:19May we wave the rules for immediate

55:20consideration of resolutions 08-1180,

55:251181, 1182,

55:281183, 1184, 1185, 1186, 87, 88, 89,

55:361191, 92, 93, and 1197 with the rest

55:41being laid over for 1 week.

55:43>> Second.

55:43>> I have a mover and a second. Any other

55:45discussion?

55:46All in favor? I. All opposed? Rules

55:49waived. Madam Clerk.

55:52>> 0811

55:54081180,

55:5681, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 are approved

56:01in purchase orders

56:04to Southern Realty Management LLC, Prime

56:07Professional Concrete Pumping and

56:09Finishing LLC,

56:11Safe Haven Company LLC,

56:15Thomas A. Galloway, Invasive Management

56:18Services Inc.,

56:20H. F. Glod Construction,

56:23Butler Complete Services LLC

56:26for storm drainage vegetation and debris

56:28removal. 081187,

56:31approved purchase order to Wilkin

56:33Wilkins Miller for annual audit of

56:36police and fire pension fund. 081188,

56:39approved purchase order to Turner Supply

56:41Company for plastic barricades and solar

56:44barricade lights. 081189,

56:47approved purchase order to Servicewear

56:49Apparel for uniform items.

56:51081191,

56:53approved purchase order to The Hiller

56:55Companies for sprinkler system repair

56:58parts installation.

56:59081192,

57:01approved purchase order 1192 and 1193,

57:05approved purchase order to Vulcan

57:09Inc. for school zone traffic signs

57:12and brackets decals.

57:1525 11 97 authorized easement to Alabama

57:19Power Company to provide new underground

57:22service to John Kidd Park.

57:24>> So moved.

57:24>> Second.

57:25>> Proper move and second any other

57:26discussion?

57:27All in favor?

57:28>> Aye.

57:29>> All opposed? Resolution passes.

57:33>> Call for public hearings.

57:3441 11 68 call for public hearing to

57:37consider the proposed rezoning of

57:40property located at 5685 I-10 Industrial

57:43Parkway from B-3 and I-1 to I-1 schedule

57:47December the 8th.

57:4941 11 98 call for public hearing to

57:52consider amending the downtown

57:54development district regulating plan to

57:56update the zoning map to rezone property

57:59located at 255 Church Street from T-5.2

58:03to T-6 schedule December 8th.

58:06>> So moved.

58:06>> Second.

58:07>> Proper move and second any other

58:08discussion?

58:09All in favor?

58:10>> Aye.

58:11>> All opposed? Public hearings called.

58:14>> Announcements, council meeting on next

58:16Tuesday, November 10th will begin at

58:1810:00.

58:20>> Okay.

58:21District 2, Councilwoman Ingram.

58:23>> [snorts]

58:24>> Greetings uh District 2 and the citizens

58:26of Mobile. I'm excited to share with you

58:28my experience from last Friday. I had

58:31the opportunity to attend the um the

58:34Bridging the Gap program that's uh

58:37facilitated by our Mobile Police

58:38Department. And for the program, it was

58:41the students at Williamson High School.

58:43And the program focuses on building

58:45trust between our youth and law

58:47enforcement. Uh I was afforded the

58:49opportunity to experience the

58:51challenges. And what was so exciting

58:53about it is that we had these different

58:55scenarios. I was able to do the home

58:57encounter and traffic stop. And I think

58:59that's so important for our youth that

59:02they have these experiences, that we

59:03build these relationships so that we can

59:05build the trust. And of course that

59:07leads to more uh that strengthens the

59:09relationships. So again, I want to just

59:11give uh kudos and a shout-out to our

59:14Mobile Police Department, Public Safety

59:16uh for this program and continuing this

59:18in our community.

59:20I also want to share some events that

59:22are coming up in District 2. On

59:25Wednesday, I will be attending the Big

59:27Brothers Big Sisters Year of Youth at

59:29Crown Hall um November the 4th. So, I'm

59:31excited about that. But, also uh on

59:34November the 7th, uh at 7:00 p.m., we'll

59:37have a free concert at Cooper Riverside

59:40Park. It's the Port City R&B. And I

59:42encourage you to come out. It's a time

59:44that we can fellowship, get together

59:46with your neighbors, and just sit back

59:48and relax and enjoy some um uh R&B

59:51music.

59:52In addition to that, as you know, today

59:54is election day. And it's not just an

59:55election day. It's again a reminder of

59:58our democracy. And your vote is your

1:00:00power. So, in order to exercise that

1:00:03power, you have to get off the sideline.

1:00:05You have to attend and participate and

1:00:07get out and vote. So, let your voice be

1:00:09heard. Make sure that you get out and

1:00:10vote today. Take a friend. Take a

1:00:12neighbor. But, make sure you vote. And

1:00:14that concludes my announcements. Thank

1:00:16you.

1:00:16>> Uh thank you, Councilwoman Ingram.

1:00:18District 5, Councilman Fleming.

1:00:20>> No announcements.

1:00:22>> District 6, Councilman Woods.

1:00:24>> No announcements.

1:00:28>> Yeah, that would make sense.

1:00:30Uh we do have a Finance Committee

1:00:31meeting at 1:00 on the ninth floor in

1:00:33the conference room.

1:00:34>> All right. Thank you.

1:00:36>> District 1, Councilman Penn.

1:00:37>> Thank you, Mr. President. This past

1:00:39week, I had the honor to return back to

1:00:41Hall of Fame Elementary School, where I

1:00:43attended to speak to some young people

1:00:45who um received honors um from

1:00:49participation to attendance to their

1:00:51academics. Um and it was great being

1:00:53back at the school that helped change my

1:00:55life. And now, also, I'm able to serve

1:00:58as their District 1 council member. Um I

1:01:01also had the opportunity to join my

1:01:03colleagues with a conversation at South

1:01:06Alabama with young students. Um it was a

1:01:08great opportunity to engage this

1:01:11generation about politics, how it works,

1:01:14and how to get involved.

1:01:16And then I um had opportunity to attend

1:01:19the game South Alabama great stadium,

1:01:21and I'm just encourage everybody from

1:01:22the city of Mobile to get out and let's

1:01:24support our Jags. They have a great

1:01:27band, great football, great experience.

1:01:29So, come out and support South Alabama.

1:01:32I also

1:01:34had community conversations with

1:01:36Councilman Corey Penn this past Sunday.

1:01:38It was an opportunity to address the

1:01:40$14.7 million.

1:01:42I did it immediately. I want to be able

1:01:43to be transparent and share any

1:01:46information. We did that on Sunday, and

1:01:49so that was a great turnout. I have some

1:01:51questions, and we're able to be able to

1:01:53ask those questions in the finance

1:01:55committee meeting coming up today. And

1:01:58then

1:01:59we got to get out and vote, guys. As I

1:02:02already you see the the vote sticker on

1:02:05my jacket is because I already voted,

1:02:08but I just want to encourage everyone to

1:02:10get out and vote. Your voice matters.

1:02:13You have to vote. This past weekend I

1:02:15actually before the game, I went and

1:02:17knocked on doors and just telling

1:02:19people, "Hey, it's time to vote. You got

1:02:21to get out and vote on November the

1:02:233rd." And so I encourage everybody in

1:02:25here, if you haven't vote, make sure you

1:02:26get out and vote. Tell a friend, tell a

1:02:29family member to get out and vote today.

1:02:32We will have our next District 1

1:02:34community meeting November the 17th.

1:02:36More information, check your email. It

1:02:38will be at Ashland Place Church, but

1:02:40make sure you are subscribe to my email

1:02:43blast so you're able to get that

1:02:45information.

1:02:47And I just want to join in my colleague.

1:02:49This Saturday we're going to have a

1:02:50awesome time. Port City R&B.

1:02:53We have three different DJs and as well

1:02:56as surprise guests. So, you won't know

1:02:59who that surprise guest you you need to

1:03:01show up to see who that person who who

1:03:04we will be having in Mobile. So, come

1:03:06out Port City R&B right here on the

1:03:09beautiful Mobile waterfront. It's a

1:03:12quality life. It's giving the

1:03:13opportunity to engage and enjoy our city

1:03:17from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Thank

1:03:20you, Mr. President.

1:03:21>> Thank you, uh Mr. Penn.

1:03:23District 4, Councilman Woods.

1:03:24>> No announcement.

1:03:25>> District 7, Vice President Gregory.

1:03:27>> Thank you, Mr. President. Um I joined

1:03:30Councilman Penn and Woods as we

1:03:33had the opportunity to meet with and get

1:03:35to know some of the um young people over

1:03:37at University of South Alabama to talk

1:03:40government and politics. And I happened

1:03:43upon a young lady from my hometown. We

1:03:45didn't know each other. She's a bit

1:03:46younger than me. But uh as we were

1:03:49getting to know one another and just

1:03:50talking about things, I did learn also

1:03:53that she is on the same track that I

1:03:55took in college. She is majoring in

1:03:57broadcast communications with a minor in

1:03:59political science. And just, you know,

1:04:01had a great conversation with her and

1:04:03all of these young people are just so

1:04:05bright and so interested in getting

1:04:07involved in their community and their

1:04:09state and their country. So, it's really

1:04:11refreshing, I think, for all of us to be

1:04:12able to do these kinds of take these

1:04:15kinds of opportunities with these young

1:04:17people. So, it was a very great It was a

1:04:19great opportunity for all of us as well.

1:04:20And appreciate South Alabama for holding

1:04:23these events every year. And um on the

1:04:26voting, uh we've all talked about the

1:04:28need to get out to vote. If you have not

1:04:30yet, don't forget to turn your ballot

1:04:32over to vote in favor of the

1:04:35pay-as-you-go program. And uh I want to

1:04:39uh

1:04:40And the reason I'm saying this is uh

1:04:42because so much of what is in that

1:04:44pay-as-you-go program affects us as a

1:04:46city. One in particular project is right

1:04:49in District 7. And that is finishing the

1:04:52widening, the sidewalks, the bike path

1:04:55on a portion of Ziegler Boulevard that,

1:04:57as you all know, there was a gap there.

1:04:59So, it will finish the widening project

1:05:01for Ziegler Boulevard. So, I'm

1:05:03especially interested in that one

1:05:04particular part of the pay-as-you-go.

1:05:06But, it really does provide a lot of lot

1:05:09of funding for throughout for the city

1:05:11throughout all of our districts. So, I

1:05:13encourage you to vote and be sure to

1:05:15turn your ballot over.

1:05:17>> Uh thank you, uh Vice President Gregory.

1:05:19And I'd like to follow behind the mayor

1:05:22and my colleagues on the council to

1:05:23encourage every citizen that's able to

1:05:26go out and vote on today. Many people

1:05:28have lost their lives, shed blood for us

1:05:30to have a right to vote. And we don't

1:05:33have to count no beans in a jar no more.

1:05:35All we have to do is just go to the

1:05:36polling to polling polls and uh show our

1:05:40IDs and vote. And uh next week I will be

1:05:43sharing some very important dates uh for

1:05:45some things that's happening in District

1:05:473.

1:05:49Anything from the administration?

1:05:50>> Motion to adjourn.

1:05:52>> Second.

1:05:53>> Properly moved and second, any

1:05:54discussion?

1:05:55All in favor?

1:05:56>> Aye.

1:05:56>> All opposed?

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