[{"_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",6180907,"mediaKeyId","5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d","parentId",5115968,"title","Staff details multiple utility agreements, purchases and HUD plan advertisements for upcoming council action","audioSeconds",486,"startMs",787925,"endMs",1274230,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d&start=787&end=1274","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d/thumbnail_787925.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6180907/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Staff-details-multiple-utility-agreements-purchases-and-HUD-plan-advertisements-for-upcoming-council-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180907-ee4a647b04bbc1d23e0ba2b9557ea1dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207464&Signature=aF-LA56Y9D-A7j4gfPGE4j3Iy2C9gfVed~UiXtNHB3IuQbmfunvr9mMCZ5euTsvPh5HnsGNjbcG6ErlxkZ32ODq9oEiBY~UkrLvy9K2EZR0aXbYEmujzYmMc-hHkYRC~jIYfhHFCgKnfICQzVjsikZIfY1wibkKPTTTpeZADaiNEJ-4~OxNVOWPpMlEYdla4GLnOgqbI9mOp-B5FLtNYy7FVHphrngG69OoZYArOSE4v2T7dCs9~BxaAY4WTOPAs~i0pxvzxLtbbPAxNYhOeC2JIulD9AH12XUZI4M4pB-vw0bt7Vnf1ndHbnQHPA-56wqxMEp6xKddV42FXiPc9Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscaloosa City, AL","date","2025-07-02T06:58:36Z","article","City staff presented a package of administrative items the council will be asked to authorize, covering right-of-way permits, utility agreements for roadway improvements, equipment purchases, HUD-plan advertising, contract amendments and other project actions.

Staff reported authorizations for right-of-way or right-of-entry permits with Charles Spurlin (519 Greensboro Avenue) and Bob Young (Second Avenue), and a facilities-use license with the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority for the Powell gym. Purchasing requests included a previously budgeted 60-kilowatt Generac generator for a bus station, quoted at $43,180, and a Trane 3.5-ton split system for $11,014.

Staff said the Office of Community and Neighborhood Services will be authorized to advertise a summary of the city's proposed consolidated plan and 2025 action plan for CDBG, HOME and other HUD programs, and to advertise the 2025 Analysis of Impediments to fair housing. Staff also recommended an amendment to the city's agreement with Habitat for Humanity to authorize development of four housing units.

Multiple utility agreements tied to the University Boulevard East roadway improvement project were listed: with AT&T, Comcast, SPIRE and Alabama Power. Staff explained that several of those agreements arrived late and were “doubled up” on the projects agenda to meet timing needs. Other items included a right-of-entry permit with the Department of the Army for survey work near the River Market; a proposed assignment and amendment of an airport ground-lease and FBO arrangement at the Tuscaloosa National Airport; and authorization for the city attorney to file legal action against the Alabama Department of Revenue and others regarding SSUT matters, per staff presentation.

Several minor public-works contract amendments and low-dollar emergency or maintenance contracts were described, with amended amounts including $34,000 for elevator maintenance, $52,300 for flooring services, $45,000 for roofing services, $60,000 for carpentry/painting services, and multiple smaller contracts (examples: $78,675; $16,385; $10,392; $6,592). Staff also reported a tentative public-works award of $647,350 to Snow Blanckney Construction for the Linton Barber Shop Plaza project and a cooperative maintenance agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for portions of McFarland Boulevard and Skyland Boulevard and Highway 69.

Staff flagged a chief financial officer draft in the amount of $25,938.25 for right-of-way acquisition tied to University Boulevard East and said the council will be asked to introduce zoning amendment number 15 (approximately 4.03 acres north of 9710 Highway 69) and set July 29 as a public hearing date for that zoning amendment.

Staff answered a council question about why multiple utility agreements were presented together, saying the agreements had come in late from engineering and required a quick turnaround.

Outcome and next steps: these items were presented for council authorization and will appear on upcoming agendas for formal action; the transcript records staff presentations and questions but not final roll-call votes on these agenda authorizations during pre-council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuscaloosa Pre-Council Briefing - Jul 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a package of administrative items for council authorization including utility agreements for University Boulevard East, purchases for a generator and HVAC equipment, HUD-plan advertising, contract amendments and a tentative public-works award.","taxTitle","Tuscaloosa City, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama","taxId",4830,"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},6180912,"Council to consider IDA candidate and reappoint long-serving Indian Rivers board president",214,562995,777065,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d&start=562&end=777","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d/thumbnail_562995.jpg","/articles/6180912/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Council-to-consider-IDA-candidate-and-reappoint-long-serving-Indian-Rivers-board-president","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180912-154bdc5901b99368160eac1c9d0c3ff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207464&Signature=aeWVd2bvI-zh3yI26ydvuPG4L8iqd4vMUDEHqU-YU~UmWPlsp5COnC1jm4n~9gj8AcK5O3HR1XzJW8UkJS6p~sVmk9duuYlHGOzzb2C42tPCncQ~KjdyoVUuhe6uHF5FMYT5HYJION39d0AIBVnQnWgK5atm3ICqS2q9XwATXPLBHTDOEIstPBxgZqd5ArxpmSQ2jQcjmqio-O150ISwG7e~EpcGvROW7wthU~Ibrc59kaAX3pamRjfQdl5FIqdZMLRNbRL~v9vIVfoX2twvEbncKHOL6I3YZQXFCLDB1-Ik8qPFtBex6VuDoF5ljSW50jflcsgmAVsQ8kAPCgNg7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported that the city accepted 12 resumes for one open seat on the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), a four-year term vacated by Carl Jamieson, and recommended Josh Taylor for council consideration.

“'We accepted 12 applications or 12 resumes,'” the presenter said, noting that one applicant is not a city resident and therefore ineligible for the seat. The presenter said the office will place the recommendation for Josh Taylor on the next council agenda.

Staff also reported two other board matters. For the Jameson Vandergrath Foundation board of directors, one current director (Mr. Pohold) does not wish to be reappointed and the city will accept resumes for two weeks to fill that vacancy. For the Indian Rivers Behavioral Health Board of Directors, staff said Board President Barbara Friedman Brown — who has served since the late 1990s — has indicated willingness to continue serving but that the term is six years; staff asked whether the council preferred to accept new resumes or reappoint her. Council members expressed strong support and said they would reappoint Brown.

Outcome and next steps: staff will place the IDA recommendation for Josh Taylor on the next agenda, accept resumes for the Jameson Vandergrath Foundation vacancy for two weeks, and proceed with reappointment of Barbara Friedman Brown unless the council requests otherwise. No formal roll-call votes were recorded in the pre-council discussion for these appointments.","City received 12 resumes for a Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority seat and staff recommended Josh Taylor for the four-year term; council indicated it will reappoint Barbara Friedman Brown to the Indian Rivers Behavioral Health Board seat if she agrees to continue.",{"_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},6180917,"Planning staff presents rezonings for Bowers Park development and 30-unit duplex project 'The Avenue'",262,181895,444555,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d&start=181&end=444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d/thumbnail_181895.jpg","/articles/6180917/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/Planning-staff-presents-rezonings-for-Bowers-Park-development-and-30-unit-duplex-project-The-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180917-c56bce704f148d9821e7b2f3ec6b7eb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207464&Signature=mFsBwEtzbJwsyZyCz-ZiPsD-irfpKf6Mr7oyma-iuqjbjm5AW8KBA9gqcz86Z7bvz~sIXQO8rrPD9rIis-kEkUtYk8kMxnLshVLt54p0-C8UJV65kFuzOFs0TAzDVvIOBYW1FdQl6fMSe5Pxv13a3JXUtnDm1muoAudreRvowST39mLjpINkKwFEloJBK~XadFpDBkEJvrqP0c9xsPc~XUEZoMxUuttOpcY3Jzh5n3i5qixNBB4xe9l4aiNVzt9Lj5-R~JHwUXDSgijY6hpPU~djliPqvQKYx2EjvEC1bxvXMn5vcTz11iOQPRmRZHawz9DL-QRi85hHwxxZOKzJ-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented two related rezoning applications for a residential subdivision near Bowers Park and a separate rezoning to allow a 30-unit duplex development known in the presentation as The Avenue.

The larger project near the west side of Bowers Park includes two rezoning portions. Staff said the northern portion would rezone acreage from SFR-1 to SFR-2 and accommodate 51 of the development's 65 total lots; the homes were described as one- to two-story houses of about 1,300 square feet, with a stated price range of \"$2.75 to $3.25\" as presented to the council. The southern portion would allow 14 lots under SFR-3 density rules. Planning staff said both portions conformed to the city's framework and were unanimously recommended for approval by the planning commission.

Separately, staff described a request to rezone 1720 Third Avenue East from SFR-1 to SFR-5 to permit a 30-unit duplex residential project (15 duplex structures). Staff said the units would be sold -- not rented -- and that the development plan includes a retention pond and a dog park on an open-space lot the presenter described during the meeting as approximately \"12,000 to 15,000 square feet\" (the transcript also contains a conflicting smaller figure that was not resolved during the discussion). The presenter said the duplexes would contain three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and a single-car garage with an additional parking space; the layout was described as conforming with local patterns, and planning commission recommended approval.

Council members raised questions about long-term pond maintenance and siltation, noting prior issues with man-made ponds in other developments. Staff said the pond would be included in the homeowners association maintenance responsibilities, and the developer indicated the HOA would maintain the pond. A council member expressed concern that silting could become the city's problem later if maintenance lapses.

Outcome and next steps: planning staff reported unanimous planning commission recommendations for both rezonings. No final council vote on the rezonings was recorded in the pre-council transcript; items will proceed to formal council agenda for action and public hearing as required by city procedures.","Planning staff described two rezonings for an overall 65-lot development by Bowers Park (portions rezoned to SFR-2 and SFR-3) and a separate rezoning to SFR-5 at 1720 Third Avenue East to permit 30 duplex units for sale; planning commission recommended both unanimously.",{"_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},6180922,"City staff moves to condemn two long-vacant Tuscaloosa houses after year of inaction",152,19055,171620,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d&start=19&end=171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5115968-a45db994d8ba687081e4cb3d423d319d/thumbnail_19055.jpg","/articles/6180922/Tuscaloosa-City/Tuscaloosa-County/Alabama/City-staff-moves-to-condemn-two-long-vacant-Tuscaloosa-houses-after-year-of-inaction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180922-34677db800983631304b9e9b7f5e9c34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207464&Signature=V~fxFtDN3tdQ56K88o3sS4frAX5AY6Q-tEMySSkc8gHnGeNuTwpDsvT30q7XW4vX9QtWAc6YBgUQKmJdSWXzOsSOrOnk0-ElPeaexjQELASmZ~9cjYXBxiRwpKl1v7D4hsLh6J40MDV~GulbDBlaGAXxxycwRIqpk~4lEu61YJoonmZ7L5T5KSirbKuX8xTBHWwaH7MXomDkWtK-RVuXNzyqz-87LRtrXxA6ihhV2AanbDE0HPcbusGXoh6H74wV2VyagYv8D-evSEp3TK7xmsVGldOvddSxksUdfLdD3164r~v-YMAf6Xx78umbcaigojOvh~fMs-KViz8WD9Z23A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the Tuscaloosa City Council during pre-council to place two long-vacant houses — 1308 Royal Oaks Court and 52020 Fifth Avenue East — on the condemnation list after owners failed to complete repairs or undertake permitted work.

The properties were described to the council as follows: 1308 Royal Oaks Court was a “burn house” from a fire in April of last year, and city staff said the owners have been contacted but have not responded. For 52020 Fifth Avenue East, staff said an owner had pulled a permit and reported intent to save the structure but that on recent drive-by inspection “it doesn't look like anything's been done.”

“'Our motion is just to go ahead and condemn. If they come with a plan, y'all can hear them out,'” City staff said, urging condemnation for both properties while leaving the door open for owners to present remediation plans.

Council members asked for clarifications about the fire date and whether the owners had insurance. Staff replied that the fire occurred in April of last year and that they did not know whether the property owner had insurance. Staff also reported prior attempts to resolve the 52020 Fifth Avenue East property through property-maintenance processes and said family members had disagreed about how to proceed, prompting the condemnation action.

Outcome and next steps: staff reported the properties were being placed in condemnation for follow-up; no formal council vote on condemnation was recorded in the pre-council discussion. Staff said owners who come forward with a remediation plan may be heard by the council before final action.

The council will receive staff follow-up and any owner plans at a subsequent public meeting.","City staff asked the council to place 1308 Royal Oaks Court and 52020 Fifth Avenue East into condemnation after owners failed to repair fire damage or complete permitted work; owners may present plans if they appear before council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff details multiple utility agreements, purchases and HUD plan advertisements for upcoming council action

Council to consider IDA candidate and reappoint long-serving Indian Rivers board president

Planning staff presents rezonings for Bowers Park development and 30-unit duplex project 'The Avenue'

City staff moves to condemn two long-vacant Tuscaloosa houses after year of inaction