Wednesday morning a bill that would make changes to the city of Birmingham’s Mayor-Council Act was approved by the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation committee 10-3, with 5 abstentions.
The bill, HB 515, now moves to the full House for a vote.
AL.com reports the bill’s sponsor, Oliver Robinson (D) of Birmingham, said it would balance the power between the mayor and council and have good long-term benefits for the city. Robinson serves as the vice chairman of the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation.
There was some concern about whether or not the delegation would support the legislation after a passionate public hearing held last Monday at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Council President Johnathan Austin had asked for the council to be consulted about any proposed changes to the legislation. This follows a three-hour public meeting held by the City Council about the proposed legislation at City Hall in March.
Proposed changes include prohibiting the City Council from abolishing, changing, or creating new agencies without approval from the mayor. It would give the mayor appointing authority for three major city boards: The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority; the Birmingham Water Works Board; and the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board. HB 515 also prohibits councilors from serving as voting members of city boards and calls for the election of new council president and president pro-tempore every two years.
State Representative Rod Scott (D) of Fairfield asked to delay action on the bill to create a committee to undertake a comprehensive study of changes. His motion failed 3-7 with eight abstentions.
Other proposed amendments by State Representative John Rodgers, including one that would have limited the mayor’s term to eight consecutive years, were not successful.