[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6289769,"mediaKeyId","2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b","parentId",2532130,"title","Huntsville council votes: funding agreements, nuisance abatements, appointments, ordinances and appropriations (Feb. 13, 2025)","audioSeconds",2864,"startMs",396000,"endMs",3260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b&start=396&end=3260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b/thumbnail_396000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289769/Huntsville/Madison-County/Alabama/Huntsville-council-votes-funding-agreements-nuisance-abatements-appointments-ordinances-and-appropriations-Feb-13-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289769-9cf1bf6a2d0b0f09f3d944c4c3f86b5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200591&Signature=G9rpAp67K~9nphA-7BwUp8bv~gReZ5RFm-xTrE5lyYRckwfuuiGJ0OfC2~SHmeFc6rbogE5y-hbdacqD1YSl1qDsBbYbQ465t2BglWy~zYEFwEJg2y~zR3bkkdzYfDfRCPNXff02Ppyo4V5YLRJFj3iZdaexdJxNgEosRDBm~kcAT3mDrwqTQLUd0jO1tbvIXGjwr67qhh0BKzXMLfTOwPm7U6btBWW~dk47fyKvykST8feQLFVpz7X39zgcTAX-z-3tlx73yEmepZGUWQ0dgU9hKloxsG8bwhSOZdKzwAq20LeCs4fWe76xK172BhtH~wlFwThxQ6HtVoGwWqzViQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huntsville city, AL","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","This meeting recorded multiple formal actions. The list below summarizes each item that the council voted on, the motion, who moved or seconded when recorded, and the outcome. Where the record used a voice vote the minutes recorded \"motion carries\" without a roll‑call tally; any roll‑call votes are noted.

Votes at a glance

1) Resolution — Toll Gate Greenway funding agreement (Land Trust of North Alabama)
Motion: Authorize the mayor to enter into a funding agreement between the City of Huntsville and the Land Trust of North Alabama for Toll Gate trail improvements (Project No. 71‑25‑WP02).
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Jenny Robinson; second by Mr. Clang.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote; \"Motion carries\").

2) Resolution — Memorandum of agreement with Delta Omega Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Little Free Library at Lakewood Community Center)
Motion: Authorize mayor to enter into MOA with Delta Omega Zeta chapter to establish a Little Free Library at Lakewood Community Center.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by Mr. Clang.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

3) Resolution — Honors (General Federation of Women’s Clubs 125th Anniversary)
Motion: Approve resolution honoring the organization.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by Mr. Kling.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

4) Public nuisance abatement — 3602 Drake Avenue SW
Motion: Adopt resolution ordering abatement of nuisance at 3602 Drake Avenue (found in violation of the State of Alabama Public Nuisance Act).
Mover/Second: Motion by Mr. Clanks; second by Dr. Robinson (as recorded in minutes).
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

5) Assessment authorization — 1412 Calvary Street NW (demolition/cleanup)
Motion: Authorize manager of Community Development to assess costs for demolition/cleanup; assessment total $4,218.45.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Jackmanson; second by Mr. Clang.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

6) Assessment authorization — 1418 Calvary Street NW (demolition/cleanup)
Motion: Authorize manager of Community Development to assess costs for demolition/cleanup; assessment total $7,291.07.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by Mr. Clang.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

7) Finance committee approval — Expenditures for payment
Motion: Approve expenditures for payment in the amount of $36,176,798.71.
Mover/Second: Motion by Finance Committee chair (recorded as moved); second by Dr. Robinson.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

8) Ordinance — Appropriation from District 2 council improvement funds ($5,000 to Huntsville Sports Commission)
Motion: Approve appropriation for event support.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Little; second by Dr. Robinson.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

9) Resolution — Reimbursement for travel (Council President John Meredith)
Motion: Authorize reimbursement to Council President John Meredith for related travel to Leadership Alabama Class 32.
Mover/Second: Motion by Mr. Little; second by Dr. Robinson.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

10) Resolution — Council travel (Councilmember David Little)
Motion: Authorize travel to Washington, D.C., April 27–29, 2025, for Chamber trip.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by Mr. Little.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

11) Appointment — Police Citizens Advisory Council (Place 7)
Motion: Appoint Chakri Debra Pauli to fill vacancy through 08/01/2027.
Mover/Second: Motion by Mr. Little; second by Dr. Robinson.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

12) Appointment — Alabama Constitution Village and Historic Depot Board (Place 5)
Motion: Appoint Janice Vaughn to fill seat through 06/26/2027.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by the chair.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

13) Reappointment — Special Care Facilities Financing Authority (Redstone Village)
Motion: Reappoint James Flynn for a six‑year term to expire 11/12/2029.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by Mr. Clang.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

14) Nomination — Alabama Constitution Village and Historic Depot Board (Place 6)
Motion: Nominate Tom Anderson to fill an open seat through 06/26/2027; no recorded opposition.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

15) Legal/land use — Vacation of utility and drainage easements (Meadows at Hampton Cove Phase 1 and Retreat at Goose Creek)
Motion: Ordinance authorizing vacation of specified utility and drainage easements.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by Mr. Clang.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

16) Ordinance amendment — City investment policy (Chapter 2 corrections)
Motion: Amend city code to correct and update the investment policy language to reflect departmental structure changes.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by the chair.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

17) Ordinance amendment — Noise and sound associated with vehicles (muffler/noise enforcement)
Motion: Amend chapter on noise to add graduated fines for repeated modifications to vehicle exhaust that create excessive noise (fix‑it first offense; $50 then $250 then $500 on repeat offenses as described in discussion).
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Roberts; second by Mr. Little.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

18) Consolidated new business (20 a–c, 20 e–s)
Motion: Consolidate and approve the listed items.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

19) Resolution — Property exchange agreement with HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (Research Park)
Motion: Authorize mayor to enter into an acre‑for‑acre property swap with HudsonAlpha so city parcels can be combined and sold to Glycos Inc. for a Research Park campus.
Mover/Second: Motion by Dr. Robinson; second by Mr. Clang.
Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

Notes on voting: Many items were adopted by voice vote and recorded as \"motion carries.\" The council recorded a roll call vote only for unanimous consent to consider the long‑term borrowing item (8a); that roll call recorded Councilmember Kling, Dr. Robinson, Mr. Little and the council president voting aye and noted Councilwoman Watkins was absent.

Documents and follow up: For items that levy assessments (Calvary Street properties) the minutes record the assessed totals and direct Community Development to proceed with collection. For the large financing items, finance staff reported market awards and scheduled follow‑up: settlement and closing reports will be provided to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Huntsville City Council Meeting – February 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a range of resolutions, appointments and ordinances on Feb. 13, 2025 — from a funding agreement for the Toll Gate Greenway and a Little Free Library MOA to nuisance abatements, an investment‑policy correction and increased fines for repeated muffler/noise violations.","taxTitle","Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama","taxId",2540,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289773,"Speakers urge city to recognize 19th‑century African American leaders; council agrees to display local historian's materials",597,960000,1557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b&start=960&end=1557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b/thumbnail_960000.jpg","/articles/6289773/Huntsville/Madison-County/Alabama/Speakers-urge-city-to-recognize-19thcentury-African-American-leaders-council-agrees-to-display-local-historians-materials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289773-366b20bd86b031e0ed095834bf4e121e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200591&Signature=RybhGiPQsglTn8lTKM69axV2NgXkMs1XJWx7HPvLPPpXY6yF~SK0IALcPkC29LCRCwgTiKAwF-qGDH2cNnUpC5MrImaX2hjmvRTyT2eD5XrNzcwLu64Ry3-aynnVojCSKo-GM87nNbmRLXtd~bMlS7SqrDBWphAdXu8aztq-Mr2TviWEYaeg6mo-wg6aX-ezFTxQHBKXJz6jF1hUrLi0NLi2cVgmu23FMAu2ZDHsbGbgb6A5wsSgAGya4GlXndyUw2GxbiV6DZUVrGl9GtRJoZow2LACAe08L6-duI8XBbGgX4-NlNYUKUjGZ23SgmY2rSjhcBn4rCefN-Z80QFNOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ali Ballard Conley (presented as the speaker on behalf of local historians) gave a detailed Black History Month presentation tracing nineteenth‑century African American contributions to Huntsville, including business owners, civic leaders, educators and early professionals.

Conley recounted named individuals and institutions — including John Robinson (a livery stable owner), Richmond (Richard) Terrell (barber and bathhouse operator), the Freedmen's Bank branch on Jefferson Street, the Russell Institute (established 1865), Samuel Lowery (one of the first African American attorneys in the 19th century) and several early African American elected aldermen and municipal employees. In her remarks she urged the council to pass resolutions and place historical markers at sites such as the Freedmen's Bank and Russell Institute, to install plaques at the fire station, courthouse and city hall, and to consider sidewalk medallions and wall plaques commemorating named individuals.

Council response: Councilmember Kling said the presentation only touched \"the tip of the iceberg\" and asked whether the presenter's display materials could be brought to the council floor so the public could view them. Without objection, the council agreed to arrange for those items to be displayed for a period of time and to promote the exhibit.

Why it matters: the presentation cataloged early Black entrepreneurship, education and municipal service in Huntsville and led to a council direction to make the presenter's research accessible to the public via a temporary exhibit on the council floor; the presenter explicitly requested formal city recognition (resolutions and historical markers) at specific locations.

Ending: Councilmembers thanked the presenter and asked staff to coordinate logistics for displaying the research materials; no formal resolution was introduced at the meeting.","A Black History Month presentation documented nineteenth‑century African American businesses, educators and elected officials in Huntsville and asked the council to adopt resolutions and install markers at several historic sites.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289778,"Council approves two city borrowings: $27.175M (Series 2025A) for VBC renovations and $34M refunding (Series 2025B); estimated $3.7M NPV savings",424,2492000,2916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b&start=2492&end=2916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b/thumbnail_2492000.jpg","/articles/6289778/Huntsville/Madison-County/Alabama/Council-approves-two-city-borrowings-27175M-Series-2025A-for-VBC-renovations-and-34M-refunding-Series-2025B-estimated-37M-NPV-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289778-85dea4de390ca1a481a4f0036c767371/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200591&Signature=YhBdz05VZYYY7EYeeg~LHdBJW~e~29kKs8OHWiJC75kQo0ll8LskP9qJuYuTLpYG4nG6sdkJYYBUjXQP5YGtoJYsjvBZgHfCz3R-TGaJdVFolNG6D5ql-iI64RVEe~m5lsvDw22AdThjMF8Xa8xS9PP124tA9ssR2zoiMz6UqQf1Ni2rrO8AyFUwelqoYNAyLSU3sw4g-lvRWxrVwq2Gs2Ln5sOYb99DdHpg-SPqGWTOMtbDHOiMtmik9NyfRbOZ7FiCUnGNlqqg55CwikGTfwMPvAblA6YfO7U64ouElefjtZTDjusZryWdWV7kYT96JGs0oelWbT2mbBm2USh4DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Penny Smith, Huntsville director of finance, asked council to approve two borrowing ordinances: Series 2025A general‑obligation warrants to fund renovations at the Von Braun Center (VBC) and Series 2025B to refund certain outstanding city debt.

Smith said the 2025A borrowing's principal shown in the materials is $27,175,000; with premium that issuance totals about $30 million, and the city will add roughly $10 million in cash to finance a package of VBC renovation projects previously discussed. The 2025B refunding was described as a smaller competitive issuance that reaps present‑value savings.

Smith and the city's financial advisor Marcy Lewis (PFM) reported the city went to market the morning of the meeting. Lewis said the low bid for the Series 2025A competitive sale came from TD Securities with a true interest cost of 3.81 percent. The low bid on the Series 2025B refunding came from JPMorgan Chase with a true interest cost of 3.03 percent; Lewis said the refunding achieves about $3.7 million in net present value savings (about 9.9 percent of refunded principal) and roughly $500,000 per year in debt service savings from 2026 through 2035.

Smith told the council the city had earlier gone to rating agencies and received AAA ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s that underpinned the borrowings. She also told council the city plans an additional negotiated sale to complete City Hall financing (about $6.5 million more to finish a $90 million package) on Feb. 18 and said a larger issuance for school projects (about $150 million) will return later in spring or early summer.

Council action: Council obtained unanimous consent to consider the ordinance at the same meeting (a roll call recorded Kling, Robinson, Little and the council president voting aye; Councilwoman Watkins was absent). After presentation, a motion to adopt the ordinance authorizing the Series 2025A and Series 2025B warrants passed on a voice vote; the council chair moved and Dr. Robinson seconded.

Why it matters: the 2025A borrowing will fund multiple VBC renovation projects previously approved for reimbursement; the 2025B refunding reduces debt service costs through refinancing. Smith framed both sales as part of a multi‑issue financing plan already reviewed with rating agencies earlier in the budget cycle.

Ending: Finance staff said additional auctions and a negotiated sale tied to City Hall and school financing will be presented to the council in the coming weeks.","Council approved ordinances authorizing General Obligation Warrants Series 2025A to fund renovations at the Von Braun Center and Series 2025B to refund prior debt. The city confirmed AAA ratings from Moody’s and S&P and reported net present value savings of about $3.7 million from the refunding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289783,"Huntsville presents Big Spring Park East master plan with ADA access, pavilion and public art; demolition of old City Hall underway",953,1465000,2418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b&start=1465&end=2418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532130-cc5cb8a6861b60eaf95910c9f794f26b/thumbnail_1465000.jpg","/articles/6289783/Huntsville/Madison-County/Alabama/Huntsville-presents-Big-Spring-Park-East-master-plan-with-ADA-access-pavilion-and-public-art-demolition-of-old-City-Hall-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289783-afee2a2879393ccef6b09f2d8712ffc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200591&Signature=ctZFHpCueneeEh0LxHeqsPhedTShnsY1PeIH1h4xJx~r3b2J1pIvoywJ~TTPKBSdqOnOBlGBJ4QJlAkFPWyVlhiGeRS9LukWqr1sMfZ46yZlCJ7CDJmp6D0cQAT0gy4UxXW~~mGY06~h58Y4ZkhhzF-f1tHNZL7-AWTowXYfqoFgI7GEYIvd~ZQsWPe9FOz2niQZ8eApOwhC9bFgdKi6YkfEzGqZ2s1HDW8eZPvMIKDRZA~TNgnv-kMzZRP1N2fQj45jdbdIOov~KQVQOTFW4mCl49z5bl2VQaSJypp1vb2DLe~df7S734N0CVBAsHuSwgyt-3T7S-563DFCGIX~rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Hamilton, Huntsville city administrator, presented council with the master plan to expand Big Spring Park East into the footprint of the soon‑to‑be‑demolished old City Hall and spoke through the project's design features and schedule.

Hamilton said the city is removing the old City Hall and plans to expand the park across to the AT&T building. \"Because Big Spring Park is literally, and, you know, in spirit, the center of our city,\" Hamilton said, \"this is not the last time you're gonna see this.\" The presentation described three distinct elevations across the site and two ADA‑compliant switchback routes to provide accessible passage from Church Street up to the upper plaza near City Hall.

Hamilton told the council the plan includes: a hardscape civic plaza near Fountain Circle designed to accommodate formal events; a three‑season pavilion with overhead garage‑style doors that can be closed when not in use; new public restrooms; an intermediate terraced plaza that can serve as a stage overlooking the lower lawn; a small child‑scaled play feature; and an ‘‘art walk’’ of coordinated works that Arts Huntsville is contracting to install along switchback landings.

Why it matters: the plan aims to increase daily park use while providing reservable civic space and improving accessibility for people with mobility challenges. Hamilton emphasized the project is still in design and will return to formal review bodies: \"You'll still see that in the future,\" he said, noting the presentation was an update, not a final approval.

Design and schedule details: Hamilton said demolition of the former City Hall is already in progress and expected to be completed \"approximately June of this year.\" The city expects to advertise construction bids in July 2025, begin construction mobilization in August–September 2025, and build for about 12–14 months, targeting late 2026 for completion. The master plan carries several site constraints the design must address, including significant elevation changes across the footprint and the visually prominent AT&T building along the park edge. The team plans tree plantings, terraced seating and public art to soften that edge.

Council response and next steps: Council members praised the plan during discussion. Councilmember Kling asked whether reusable pieces of the old building’s marble could be made available to the public; Hamilton said the city would explore options. Councilmember Jenny Robinson praised the addition of restrooms and the natural‑play elements as good fits for the park. Hamilton said staff will present the project again to the planning commission and other public groups during the design phase and offered to bring the presentation to community meetings.

Hamilton identified Bostic landscape architects as the lead design firm and Mark Thomas (General Services) as the city’s project manager. He said Arts Huntsville is contracting with an artist to place public art elements along the switchbacks. Hamilton also said conversations with AT&T about site treatments are ongoing but that the city has not reached a mutually agreeable alternative use for that building.

Ending: Hamilton invited council and community groups to request a roadshow presentation of the design; he said more detailed design, permitting and construction contracts will return to council in the months ahead.","City staff showed council a master plan to expand Big Spring Park into the former City Hall footprint, adding switchback ADA access, a reservable pavilion with roll-up doors, public restrooms and an Arts Huntsville public‑art program; demolition is underway and construction is expected to begin late summer 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Huntsville council votes: funding agreements, nuisance abatements, appointments, ordinances and appropriations (Feb. 13, 2025)

Speakers urge city to recognize 19th‑century African American leaders; council agrees to display local historian's materials

Council approves two city borrowings: $27.175M (Series 2025A) for VBC renovations and $34M refunding (Series 2025B); estimated $3.7M NPV savings

Huntsville presents Big Spring Park East master plan with ADA access, pavilion and public art; demolition of old City Hall underway