[{"_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",6250116,"mediaKeyId","3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d","parentId",3204313,"title","Religious daycare administrator asks council to align city life-code ratios with Alabama DHR rules","audioSeconds",270,"startMs",4266000,"endMs",4536000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d&start=4266&end=4536","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d/thumbnail_4266000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6250116/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Religious-daycare-administrator-asks-council-to-align-city-life-code-ratios-with-Alabama-DHR-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250116-d58137ad8db154f647acb36c6a05c1d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201267&Signature=dtOU3GgUOvSVPdtAmC7h5A6YBWKGs~KfZ42VxuWpezjm6p0BQtrLIYNOcddPaEnRZQjB6SpFMKXxbZHsulHDvWZhG4PLLp0qIDzUo47n6Qf0ioIDIujZ98G4YPqrLbAH~5WZgeKUNknWyXiDoNS6l1p7qV0fdSjji7G3oc10tgP-xZDpgwRGjB9I4Um5imykuQ~9cT3XPDy1zj~DT2p00V-SB~t931B68YUz8tfxvXopYMRV4RN7fwyec0u0aem1RsK0Vok591~Dn~tt1e-8T6QLpBtFbWv6CaDLRRijC9WjOGp2-soma5NbFv~oF~WTjBK3VYekjrwmqqNhsuxNXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery City, AL","date","2025-05-07T11:55:41Z","article","Bobby Johnson, administrator of Evangel Christian Preschool and a representative for Evangeline Temple, asked the Montgomery City Council to amend the city-adopted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) life-safety code provisions that, he said, led to more restrictive staff-to-child ratios for religious day cares than those allowed by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).

Johnson told the council the change adopted by the city created an unfair competitive disadvantage for church-run day cares, saying the revised code reduced permitted child-to-staff ratios and cut revenue roughly 40% under the church program’s model. He asked the council to remove the section of the NFPA language dealing with ratios and replace it with the DHR ratios applicable to state-licensed day-care centers.

A fire-department official told the council that the ratios in the city’s life-code ordinance had not changed since at least February 2012 and that the department would re-inspect and review the matter. The official said staff would follow up and, if needed, return a recommendation to the council for an ordinance change.

Council members asked the fire department and other city staff to coordinate a reinspection and to report back with findings and any proposed changes to the ordinance or enforcement approach. No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; staff committed to a follow-up inspection and to working with the administration on next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MONTGOMERY CITY COUNCIL MEETING (May 6, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Bobby Johnson, administrator of Evangel Christian Preschool, urged the Montgomery City Council to amend adopted life-safety code language to align staff-to-child ratios for religious day cares with Alabama Department of Human Resources standards.","taxTitle","Montgomery City, Montgomery County, Alabama","taxId",3930,"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},6250131,"Council orders 11 p.m. closing, 30-day insurance requirement after review of Precise Conference Center",801,1850000,2651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d&start=1850&end=2651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d/thumbnail_1850000.jpg","/articles/6250131/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Council-orders-11-pm-closing-30-day-insurance-requirement-after-review-of-Precise-Conference-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250131-ac5d6843c437a04e4ba36e901e1af69c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201267&Signature=lVDjTCH9fGvjscTyYK~K~sODGpD5OIe~cgmgQC3mtrQ48DQ37sTmDhJitOgJCK5iydfrBdT8iYftJ-sYSzZjo4JxOPSgyY6yWKGDWfpyNj1r-7pwo4y7qP5-aFdzktSRda8swUZ7T9UDV6BOLJ6qkdtTkBqoAW2fBo2sOXoQh1eQ9-u3Vaa-JIgmwDIE0YAWGUm-JoiI0OEmoZCJOOCBk7dB~nZyJ2s-LEUWwhYhLtMvvE6dXO1mfh5or5DPEHr8tKb~2gG0eL0uXsghvPBx4yDqvJTRWO9Cl8ALnQMu1OyQWp05maMIcjesJapP38aYmhl8sMLabWU6yZEAsTf4rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery City Council on a unanimous-plus-one vote moved to require the Precise Conference Center at 546 East Patton Avenue to close by 11 p.m. and to provide evidence within 30 days that it is pursuing liquor-liability insurance.

The action follows a review during which city officials and council members said the venue had operated late-night events, with hours cited as 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., ticketed events, and instances of patrons bringing their own alcohol. City staff described the activity as inconsistent with how conference centers traditionally operate and said the current licensing allowed a gap they intend to close.

Council members and staff said they had received repeated neighborhood complaints about noise, loitering and traffic tied to nighttime events. “If somebody gets drunk inside your venue and drives down the road and kills somebody, y’all are liable for that,” a council member told the owner during the hearing.

Danielle Holmes, who identified herself as the owner/operator, disputed characterizing the business as a nightclub and pushed back on some allegations. Holmes said she had not been required previously to carry liquor-liability insurance and that earlier council guidance had not made that explicit. At one point she said, “I disagree,” in response to an official assertion that the venue was operating as a club.

The council instructed city staff to return to committee to draft clearer definitions and rules that would apply to conference and event centers citywide. Council members scheduled an administrative business review meeting for 9 a.m. the next day to work on a comprehensive definition and enforcement approach; the council also set a 30-day follow-up for the Precise Conference Center matter. The motion passed with seven yes votes and one no vote.

Officials said enforcement details — which department will verify hours and insurance and how penalties would be applied — will be discussed in the business review and in committee work on the ordinance language. The council repeatedly emphasized that if a venue intends to operate as a nightclub or to sell alcohol, it must apply for the proper ABC license and comply with liquor-liability requirements.

The council did not adopt a citywide closing hour for all conference centers at the meeting; several members said that would require separate ordinance drafting and public notice. For the Precise Conference Center specifically, the council’s direction was immediate: close by 11 p.m., pursue liquor-liability insurance and return in 30 days with proof of progress.

Next steps include the administrative business review meeting and a committee process to define “conference center” and related licensing requirements citywide. The council said it intends to return the revised standards to the council for formal consideration.","The Montgomery City Council on a unanimous-plus-one vote moved to require the Precise Conference Center at 546 East Patton Avenue to close by 11 p.m. and to provide evidence within 30 days that it is pursuing liquor-liability insurance.",{"_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},6250121,"Parents call for ordinance after bullet fired at East Montgomery Little League; council vows action",331,2337000,2668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d&start=2337&end=2668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d/thumbnail_2337000.jpg","/articles/6250121/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Parents-call-for-ordinance-after-bullet-fired-at-East-Montgomery-Little-League-council-vows-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250121-3800531b611dac4008bc36a905a99d38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201267&Signature=KTz64cL~ALAZl3siwamOXyH~6zsBBlKhy4LsNDYbzT-9~ZSWodHTuQqeyNdIxMwZ8nV8WqUX98DyJZcxPjcyOOF~~DKmiuusfRl0RegCSuiVPgFTMkbJ-8TJiWK0dYEj~fCGi8UDf7cQrCUUujWk71xNYdlnr9JoLvyL1v-3G~3O4neZAvzWyLC2GI7jad7mIZWiWuQMmnEPE1OCTy9kCEvFAyYFm6E1v6ap5oPZ7AU39HMQeMm4iTtgzx48dvaS3QpbCddnkVEu0OjsTnNQtInMc155XNEmR73gxry-5NjB-o-Ukeqa60O7M4thOPJXLamZ9VCxySmeFGYS-ZTAgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lori Morris, speaking in public communication, told the Montgomery City Council that a bullet was discharged at East Montgomery Little League and urged the council to adopt a city ordinance establishing swift arrest and prosecution for anyone who uses a weapon at youth events.

Morris said she had emailed city officials, county commissioners and state representatives and asked: “What can you do about it?” and “If not me, then who?” She warned that if the city does nothing, “another mother will stand here before you asking why nothing was done when there was still time to prevent tragedy.”

Council members responded that public-safety problems affect parks citywide and not only East Montgomery; several members said they had spoken with police leadership and would pursue multiple approaches. One council member reported contact with the city attorney and said the administration is “working on something” that will need legal parameters. Another council member suggested reintroducing park rangers as an option for visible, on-site presence in parks.

Avis Lewis, who addressed the council after Morris, said she had contacted the city attorney and asked that staff work on options; Lewis said park rangers could be valuable. Council members said they would engage with Chief Grayboys and Chief Hall of the Montgomery Police Department and promised to consider solutions that cover city parks broadly.

No ordinance was adopted at the meeting. Council members said they would pursue administrative and legal options quickly and work with police and the city attorney to identify enforceable steps to protect youth events and neighborhood parks.","A parent asked the council to adopt a city ordinance to ensure swift arrest and prosecution for anyone who fires a weapon at youth events after a bullet was discharged at East Montgomery Little League; council members and staff said they will pursue legal options, consider park rangers and work with police and the city attorney.",{"_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},6250126,"Mayor Reid highlights modest tax growth and launches downtown ambassadors and storefront matching program",479,136000,615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d&start=136&end=615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3204313-d11d5e4eeaef4eeb9144667abdeb356d/thumbnail_136000.jpg","/articles/6250126/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Mayor-Reid-highlights-modest-tax-growth-and-launches-downtown-ambassadors-and-storefront-matching-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250126-85276f473c6500c658b3d3d27a3304a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201267&Signature=FsppP~6Qry23sXIMj6iXUVnKyUMTtRkdvAk8IPv3JC-PDed7DJ~ddnjD34xjagwE0vTsGBpbYg2~DeVrQTeMJCmZXWa4SXz2SkimFFM4LyXpvl6Lot-Ndol8VPjLtcXe5fwGLFrVjdVyMN5E-86Xba02EtV6cq5PLiWTW7jWuXADHl8akbMdEiEy2Y7sPu7oIPoPIAW5Cct9yYD080j5ytUR0so1chMadOgyIIyGU6robH9tahnCXsXBtErReLVN52Kjt~3E3ZojW88wNSz0tPLdH7mL6dgrXLyA~qzJOTZADIr5bWFsgN-LznuGRBBd4oAVJu5ApuqZn7PqFvZCZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Reid delivered a financial update and announced downtown and community investment programs during the Montgomery City Council meeting.

Reid said sales-and-use tax collections increased 3% in April compared with the same month a year earlier, which he said amounted to more than $412,586 in additional revenue year over year. He reported lodging-tax collections showed a sharp month-to-month anomaly because one hotel submitted two months’ payments in April; lodging tax was up about 21% in April compared with the same period in fiscal 2024. Gasoline-tax receipts were reported to be up about 8% year over year for April, and alcoholic-beverage tax revenue showed roughly 7% year-over-year growth.

As for downtown initiatives, the mayor announced a Downtown Montgomery Ambassadors program run by Block by Block that will deploy eight full-time ambassadors to provide environmental maintenance, hospitality and business outreach, patrolling on foot and bicycle and using a smart tracking system. Keiser Property Group donated an operations space, and the ambassador program is supported by the city and the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. Reid also described an “Open on Main Street” storefront brand initiative, managed by the Department of Community and Economic Development through Access Montgomery and Main Street Montgomery, offering a 50% matching grant up to $15,000 for storefront upgrades; applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.

Reid recognized recent community-center ribbon cuttings and said the Sheridan Heights Community Center renovation included roughly $2,900,000 in improvements, including a renovated gymnasium, ADA upgrades and a new gaming room. He invited the public to the grand opening of Fire Station Number 10 at 9 a.m. Friday, May 9, on South George Street. He also thanked parks and recreation, planning, inspections, permitting and engineering staff and community partners for work on the projects.

The mayor framed the announcements as investments in downtown vitality and neighborhood amenities; no council action was required on the announcements.","In his mayor’s report the mayor said sales-and-use tax rose 3% year over year in April, announced a Block by Block downtown ambassadors program with eight full-time ambassadors and a storefront improvement matching program offering 50% matches up to $15,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Religious daycare administrator asks council to align city life-code ratios with Alabama DHR rules

Council orders 11 p.m. closing, 30-day insurance requirement after review of Precise Conference Center

Parents call for ordinance after bullet fired at East Montgomery Little League; council vows action

Mayor Reid highlights modest tax growth and launches downtown ambassadors and storefront matching program