[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6645896,"mediaKeyId","3516356-4626884b2f24415b3a06cfa238a382a9","parentId",3516356,"title","Council approves consent agenda, business grants and YMCA agreement amendment; sets public hearing on car‑wash moratorium","audioSeconds",858,"startMs",2283000,"endMs",3141000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516356-4626884b2f24415b3a06cfa238a382a9&start=2283&end=3141","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516356-4626884b2f24415b3a06cfa238a382a9/thumbnail_2283000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6645896/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Council-approves-consent-agenda-business-grants-and-YMCA-agreement-amendment-sets-public-hearing-on-carwash-moratorium","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645896-4c67ead0b6d6e4d37f29bc48a6664a7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770561588&Signature=DbSI20Id6nlkVIsqc4sQAquWcuejaUHBa4ZgflgsCVWHV4~9ma6Q2QyyHvDK1ovPEXASZrjUZCgM1wTdk1mA94U72w19KdCGw6rPHN-14Ld7JrSRZglMxgAa21rAzgm-yKVPvfqB4hYj2UQfTmM~PgcLuJ1SxtfqkvpcDOX2xhBp5h7fgG52KtuQ3Zt5q-iAS8bqs1jc-7K5nm3ffftiiAwCpzgTc5srnkJ3b4xpvorj2IeMo1Tf~YGbl4VH259sGMFBe8BqdGtZFmwoohd~-60-JzvLAnAlF9biY0BUeckWYpFy7B8XnbYbIiqz3OS1XirFv34GRwzrzsGGgAnXIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Birmingham","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Birmingham City Council approved its consent agenda and voted on a set of resolutions and procedural items during its May 27 meeting. The council voted in favor of the consent agenda and then approved several individual items described below.

Item 9 — Fire department purchase: The council approved a resolution authorizing payment to Zorro Tools Incorporated (Janesville, Wisconsin) for carpentry tools and related parts and accessories for the Birmingham Fire Department in the amount of $2,564.64, \"in accordance with section 3-1-7 of the Birmingham City code.\" Councilors discussed the purchase as small onsite repair equipment handled by fire department mechanics rather than Department of Public Works staff. The item passed on voice vote.

Item 10 — Façade forgivable loan for Lakeview business: The council authorized the mayor to execute a forgivable loan agreement under which Lakeview Oyster House Incorporated, doing business as Moe's Original Barbecue Lakeview, will receive a $50,000 forgivable loan for façade improvements at 7312 Ninth Street South (paints, siding replacement and related repairs). Community Development staff explained the city’s façade program requires a five‑year compliance period and creation of full‑time employment tied to forgivable status; staff said they have helped roughly 40 businesses in recent years. The item passed on voice vote.

Item 11 — Amendment to YMCA project agreement: The council approved an amendment to the project agreement between the city and the Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Birmingham (YMCA) that changes the project collateral for a previously authorized $1,000,000 forgivable loan. Community Development staff said the change replaces an original mortgage as collateral with an irrevocable letter of credit from Regions Bank to avoid a conflict with new markets tax credit financing and to accommodate a larger private financing stake in the project. The item passed on voice vote.

Item 30A — Extended moratorium public hearing: The council set a public hearing date to consider extending the moratorium on automated car washes; the hearing notice will be published at least 14 days prior to the scheduled hearing. The motion to set the hearing date passed on voice vote.

Item 42 — Appointment to Birmingham Civil Rights Institute board: The council confirmed the appointment of Ralph Williams Jr. to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute board, filling a term that expires Sept. 1, 2025. The nomination was moved and the council approved the appointment by voice vote.

Votes and procedure: Many items were approved on voice votes with the chair calling for \"aye\"; no roll‑call tallies naming each member were recorded in the public transcript. The council’s roll call at the start of the meeting identified nine council members present. Items described above passed without recorded opposition during the meeting.

Where relevant, staff said follow-up or additional information would be provided to council members: for example, Community Development agreed to supply additional project details for business easements and plans when requested by the district councilor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Birmingham - Regular City Council Meeting - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Birmingham City Council approved a consent agenda and multiple resolutions at its May 27 meeting, including forgivable loans for a Lakeview restaurant and an amendment to a $1 million YMCA development loan, and set a public hearing on a moratorium extension for automated car washes.","taxTitle","Birmingham City, Jefferson County, Alabama","taxId",3652,"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},6645901,"Magic City Lacrosse asks council for help covering facility and program costs after 17 years",1168,708000,1876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516356-4626884b2f24415b3a06cfa238a382a9&start=708&end=1876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516356-4626884b2f24415b3a06cfa238a382a9/thumbnail_708000.jpg","/articles/6645901/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Magic-City-Lacrosse-asks-council-for-help-covering-facility-and-program-costs-after-17-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645901-07af75769f9a5c61e875135382839338/orig.mp4?Expires=1770561588&Signature=Alav~Uo3qlxKNdzTP~uIHFrieky~6ZYGwh-RIkODKLTRDVrS0y1SrkoETFUKKRrMO~p~IYWP5OjDEhWKpMOGeYEQQFl5BE85kZlEwQwtxS-p3Q0VrDWvfgHexlj3mwWFKQoyj~d9DzbpHQFmtzn-Hz1aNk-or1Au0pKZ9U11KLrWw0nTGwDRqwN4GE8IzukW4gbQVyxia9408xapa-qnW02eMtte9caUCorV6-M5lecTwhaWLj0DRqTg0ReuxkE2ImDD9vx-2qRaA9pI3ucATfZEBC8n4ehpwJkxb09phzXP8VHwvCGmZA1ffSuBeLwh9KqtJJOCLGAbvqGEsAvy~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Yancey Williams, who identified himself as a leader of Magic City Lacrosse, told the Birmingham City Council on May 27 that the program has operated since 2008 and has helped players secure athletic and academic scholarships. \"Our program have fostered over 50 athletic scholarships since 02/2008, over 75 academic scholarships since 02/2008,\" Williams said, and he asked the council and mayor's office for help defraying costs such as facility rental and equipment.

Coaches and parents testified about the program’s local impact. Sharon Acuff, a teacher and coach, said lacrosse is \"the fastest growing sport in America\" and that the program provides equipment and has produced competitive teams that retain players. Coach Keevan Staples described lacrosse as life-changing for participants. Parents described their children’s positive experiences; one parent said her son \"looks forward to it every year.\"

Williams and coaches said the team plays at Crestwood Park and that youth participation includes about 27 girls and 14 boys. He said the program is self-funded and requested help lowering facility rental costs and other support from the city. Williams also said the program aims to expand to middle schools next year and then to high schools in the following years.

Council members praised the program and offered to help connect coaches with Parks and Recreation and Birmingham City Schools. Council President O'Quinn and Councilor Clark both thanked the group; Clark noted a former participant who now works at Neighborhood Housing Services and encouraged stronger ties with the school system. Council members said the new fiscal year begins July 1 and that budget or program assistance would likely be considered in the fall. \"Our new budget year really starts July 1. So we can't give you anything immediately,\" a councilor said, but asked the group to follow up in the fall.

No formal city funding decision was made at the meeting; several councilors urged follow-up with Park and Recreation to secure fields and with school officials about including lacrosse in school programs.","Representatives of Magic City Lacrosse told the council their youth lacrosse program has produced college scholarship winners and asked the mayor's office and council to help with facility rental and program costs; council members pledged follow-up with Parks and Recreation and school officials.",{"_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},6645906,"Councilors press transit authority, city staff over sudden route cutoffs and stop signage",475,342000,817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516356-4626884b2f24415b3a06cfa238a382a9&start=342&end=817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516356-4626884b2f24415b3a06cfa238a382a9/thumbnail_342000.jpg","/articles/6645906/Birmingham-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Councilors-press-transit-authority-city-staff-over-sudden-route-cutoffs-and-stop-signage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645906-8993f8c17647f04f712623bd50f30fe0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770561589&Signature=I4vWrbEU~gnJ2Ux9SfOxcGJySt8ALASd4HfYJ1TnaSFm1jox0QW1ANwji8GsVVA20fmW7lAP3sRkyNJwiiiznb7gab11Pklex3TP0hnIs~9K061IgO35uxoVApiYCsviqwvMdGEWrmwK3govQLULJBMBNwVL4wtwyoYwgPLMLXOd6Vq4VIAMGbJF2XXEkCQM4uyFfCTMV6KuXutJXTmlWNXTq9oxG5JtV2oH~RCb32m0bpr~-cbJWvmGET0BM0SknKiDHO8JIJ3jEoWT9lAQ4ppwl~z2qSO-ndE6FWil8i7qHQMV-I~ZJqYGD6ovy5H~Xo6q-UYX0ePc8zNoidnNbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Abbott said signs recently went up in her district announcing that transit service had been discontinued and asked whether the council or mayor’s office had been notified in advance. \"I noticed signs went up in my district saying that transit service was being cut off,\" Councilor Abbott said during the May 27 Birmingham City Council meeting, adding that residents and elected officials should be told in advance when routes are changed.

Chief Mitchell, speaking for city staff, said the mayor’s office and council will coordinate with the transit authority and with Charlotte Shaw and other board members so council members get better notice when routes are changed. \"We will work with them to make sure that you're better informed about decisions that they make that we don't have control over,\" Chief Mitchell said.

Councilors and staff discussed two practical concerns: whether the transit authority had removed physical bus-stop equipment and how the city’s zoning rules that grant reduced parking near transit would apply when a fixed route is discontinued. Councilor Abbott warned that parking relief tied to proximity to transit could become invalid if routes are eliminated: \"Our zoning ordinance gives grace to people on their parking if they're near transit. So if transit has been discontinued, then we've allowed people to have less parking than is normally required because they're near a transit route which has disappeared.\" That point led staff to say they would inquire about the parking/zoning implications.

Several councilors expressed frustration that some route changes appeared to have been implemented with only signage at stops and little other public notice. A council member identified in the record as Glenaris said, \"They've already cut off service,\" indicating at least some changes were already in effect.

The council did not vote on an ordinance or directive during the discussion. City staff committed to (1) follow up with the Birmingham‑Jefferson County Transit Authority on the communication plan for route changes, (2) ask whether physical stop signs or equipment will be removed and (3) report back on zoning/parking implications where transit service was removed.

The exchange occurred during the mayor's communications and early general business portion of the May 27 meeting and ended with staff agreeing to investigate and report to council members.","Council members pressed city staff about recent signage announcing cancelled bus service in parts of the city, asked for clearer coordination with the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and raised potential parking and zoning impacts where transit service was removed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda, business grants and YMCA agreement amendment; sets public hearing on car‑wash moratorium

Magic City Lacrosse asks council for help covering facility and program costs after 17 years

Councilors press transit authority, city staff over sudden route cutoffs and stop signage