Birmingham City Council
Council Delays Vote on MLB Youth Academy
The Birmingham City Council delayed a scheduled vote Tuesday on an agreement for a Major League Baseball-supported youth academy in the city. The program was planned for George Ward Park, but the council passed a separate resolution asking the park board to consider other locations instead.
Birmingham Council Supports Renaming CrossPlex for Langford, Question Parker’s Bid to Bring Oakland Raiders to Legion Field
Mayor Randall Woodfin and members of the Birmingham City Council announced Tuesday that they would support changing the name of the Birmingham CrossPlex to honor former Mayor Larry Langford, who died last month.
Jefferson County Commission Plans Town Hall Meeting to Explain Sewer Rate Increases
Jefferson County Commissioners had a lengthy discussion during their committee meeting Tuesday about setting a town hall meeting to focus on rising sewer rates as a result of the county’s bankruptcy.
North Birmingham Neighborhoods ‘Have Taken a Beating,’ Work to Unite Over Pollution Concerns
The EPA Superfund cleanup and ABC Coke’s proposed air emissions permit have dominated health concerns of residents in northern Birmingham neighborhoods for months. Now officials and residents of several neighborhoods there are attempting to form a coalition to broaden the concerns to other sources of possible pollution.
A Life Remembered: Hundreds Line Up to Pay Their Respects to Larry Langford
Hundreds of mourners had already walked by the rose-covered casket in the center of Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex by the time the visitation for Larry Langford was scheduled to begin.
Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, 72, Dies
One of Birmingham’s most colorful and memorable mayors died Tuesday. Larry Langford, 72, died Tuesday evening at a Birmingham hospital.
Push to Rewrite Mayor-Council Act Shaping up at Birmingham City Hall
In a recent meeting during which two new Birmingham City Council members were appointed, councilors gave clear signals that they’re ready to take on a rewrite of the law that governs separation of powers in Birmingham’s municipal government.
Birmingham City Council Appoints Two New Members
Two new representatives will join the Birmingham City Council next year, after being appointed Tuesday to fill vacancies left when former council members Lashunda Scales and Sheila Tyson were elected to the Jefferson County Commission.
Woodfin’s First Year: Priority Remains on Neighborhoods
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin began his second year in office Thursday. When he was elected, he pledged to improve the quality of life in the city, and make it a safer, more economically vibrant place.
Birmingham Council Approves Funds for Transit Authority, With Conditions
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve funding for the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and a handful of other organizations, including the Birmingham Business Alliance, Create Birmingham and REV Birmingham.
Woodfin Calls for Civility at City Hall; Councilor’s Criticism Continues
Mayor Randall Woodfin called for greater civility between his office and Birmingham City Council on Tuesday, following weeks of escalating tension. The tension culminated with Woodfin and most of his staff being absent from council’s Oct. 30 meeting.
Firehouse Ministries Loses City Money in Racially Charged Dispute
Tensions continued through the week between a Birmingham City Council member and Mayor Randall Woodfin over the council’s Tuesday decision not to contribute $1 million over five years to the Firehouse Ministries Homeless Shelter.
Crime Reduction Plan for Birmingham Coming Next Month
Several months after taking the job, Birmingham Police Chief Patrick D. Smith is expected to deliver a comprehensive plan for crime reduction to the City Council next month.
Birmingham Council Approves Cameras to Help Fight Crime
Birmingham police will soon have extra eyes to spot crime. The City Council today approved an agreement with Alabama Power to install 100 cameras around the city.
The List Is In: 13 Apply to Fill Roberson’s Seat on the Birmingham Council
Thirteen people have applied to fill the seat of former Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson, who announced his resignation last month.
Filling in the Blanks: Birmingham Council Fine-Tuning Process to Find Replacements for Three Councilors
With this week’s resignation of President Pro Tem Jay Roberson, the Birmingham City Council faces the unusual task of appointing three new members by the end of the year.
Appeals Court Ruling Allows Fight for Minimum Wage Increase To Continue
A federal court ruling allows Birmingham minimum wage workers to continue to push for higher pay.
‘Gentlemen!’ Gas Station Safety Debate Turns Heated, Ends With Rebuke
Tempers flared on the Birmingham City Council during Tuesday’s meeting over a proposal to revoke the business license of a gas station where several people have been killed.
City Offers Help to Renovate Homes in Blighted Neighborhoods
Two big economic development projects in Birmingham might pay off for city neighborhoods. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced a program today to spend $1 million on home renovations in blighted neighborhoods.
Racking Up Tickets in Birmingham? It’s Amnesty Time
If you have unpaid parking tickets in Birmingham or tickets for minor traffic offenses, the city is giving you two months to pay. No extra fines. It's part of the city's latest amnesty program.
Birmingham City Council Approves $436 Million Budget
The $436 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 includes basic support for city services and a small cost of living adjustment for employees. But some funds and requests will be handled differently.
Mayor Appoints New Police Chief Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith, a veteran administrator in the Los Angeles Police Department and a native of Tuscaloosa is Birmingham’s new police chief. Mayor Randall Woodfin made the announcement today.
Birmingham Lands New Pro Football Team For 2019
Birmingham is getting a new professional football team and Legion Field is getting a new tenant. The Alliance of American Football League, led by television and film producer Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Pollian, announced Monday it will include Birmingham in its initial eight-team line up.
Council Proposes Changes to Birmingham Mayor’s Budget
The Birmingham City Council wants to restore funding for neighborhood associations and several non-profits in its proposed changes for Mayor Randall Woodfin’s 2019 budget. The council submitted its budget counterproposal to the mayor on Tuesday.
National Neighborhood Leaders Meet in Birmingham
More than 800 people from around the country are in Birmingham this week for the annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference. Local neighborhood leaders say this is their time to show off Birmingham.
Birmingham Explores Electronic Payment Options for Meters
If you park at a meter in downtown Birmingham or on Southside, you’d better be carrying change. But maybe not for long. The city is considering electronic payment options for parking meters.
Woodfin Presents First City Budget Proposal
The Birmingham City Council heard Mayor Randall Woodfin’s first proposed spending plan today, then set a budget hearing for May 14. The mayor says, the city has to make some tough decisions.
Mixed Response For Birmingham Horse Carriage Rides
In a few weeks, horse drawn carriages will be plodding around the streets of Birmingham, taking people around the city. The city council unanimously approved the carriage service last week. Some are excited about the new service, while others have serious concerns.
Birmingham Council Approves $90 Million For Stadium, BJCC Expansion
The City of Birmingham will contribute $90 million over the next 30 years toward a new downtown and an expansion of the BJCC. The council voted 6 to 3 on Monday for the plan following a four-hour and at times contentious debate.
Birmingham City Council Backs New Downtown Stadium
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted to back a proposed $305 million downtown stadium and expansion of the BJCC. At the urging of Mayor Randall Woodfin, the council approved a “resolution of intent” to contribute its share -- $90 million –toward the project.
BJCC Stadium Far From a Done Deal
Proponents of a stadium at the BJCC in downtown Birmingham got a boost earlier this month when the Jefferson County Commission agreed to set aside 30 million dollars toward the facility. While it may be a significant step, a stadium is far from a done deal.
Birmingham’s Millennial Mayor Moves to a Different Beat
One week from today, Randall Woodfin takes office as Birmingham’s 30th mayor. His rise to the big office on third floor of City Hall is a move Woodfin has calculated for years, even though he’s just 36.
