The Birmingham City Council approved multiple consent and action items on Tuesday, including the sale of a cemetery lot, a water testing services agreement with the Birmingham Water Works Board, a relocation housing payment, board appointments and a contract to replace the Highland Park pro shop HVAC system.

Votes at a glance

- Oak Hill Cemetery lot sale (Item 9): The council approved the sale of lot 906 spaces 456 to Sam Parker and Claire Parker for $15,000 and authorized the mayor to execute conveyance documents. Stuart Oates, executive director of Oak Hill Cemetery, described the cemetery as a near-capacity site and noted its historical features. Vote: unanimous approval (yes: 9).

- Birmingham Water Works Board testing agreement (Item 10): Under an ordinance pursuant to Act 1969-916, the council authorized the mayor to enter a local cooperation agreement with the Birmingham Water Works Board for water-sampling services (organic, inorganic, wet chemistry and microbiological analysis) on an as-requested basis for up to two years; total city payments will not exceed $89,660. Vote: unanimous approval (yes: 9).

- Relocation housing payment (Item 15): The council authorized the director of finance to pay Caleb Jones $30,400 as a relocation housing payment for a project (TBPBH.1602) at 648 Pratt Highway. Vote: unanimous approval (yes: 9).

- Park and Recreation Board appointments (Item 18): The council appointed Jason Avery, Larry Holman and Ronnie Rice to staggered terms on the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board. Vote: unanimous approval (yes: 9).

- Highland Park pro shop HVAC contract (Item 20): The council accepted the low bid from McAfee Construction Inc. of Tuscaloosa in the amount of $1,817,000 to replace the pro shop HVAC at 33100 Highland Avenue. Council members questioned why only one bid was received and noted the project's complexity; city staff said the procurement complied with Alabama bidding requirements and that specialized capability was likely a factor. Vote: unanimous approval (yes: 9).

Council discussion and context

Councilors asked questions on several items before voting. For the HVAC contract, Councilor Valerie Abbott pressed city staff on why only a single bid was received and whether abatement or electrical work was included; staff said the project scope is complex and that advertising complied with state bid law. For Items 11'13 (discussed during consent consideration), staff clarified that accepting state funds allows the city to execute grant agreements but contracts that obligate funds would return to council for approval.

All listed items passed the council. Where specific background or follow-up was mentioned, staff noted contracts, engineering approvals and permitting would be completed before implementation.