[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6179264,"mediaKeyId","5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7","parentId",5131431,"title","Irondale council schedules August ordinance committee meeting to review business permits and ZBA municipal code","audioSeconds",95,"startMs",224000,"endMs",319000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7&start=224&end=319","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7/thumbnail_224000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179264/Irondale-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Irondale-council-schedules-August-ordinance-committee-meeting-to-review-business-permits-and-ZBA-municipal-code","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179264-5bb4ff1fe129bac3b323f8edd2db3b7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166164&Signature=VowHb10a6JuwrdPmHB9FRo~baLoNzmZZdsmMQqE~1e~lyp4DPQZteKI3ZtkRYSlrAENqX1LV3-9ZwT~e5dX59gqs0EGOySeGoP~vpoqjIeBoWBVwH9Pr5ZDxGbaYTOxLSoMxIT3REXjoCG7szVsdgJCYZQuQQGzsRzBxW8XjK3ZQgyISvSuWD7Ayc0korbN83huTds8GVXJdnBb63T35uUyLbDUKBGdjSl9VYdHnYnyZUeEt3A~CyPUIWfHp4hTdqZk7pwkxPDJINz1UVSUTuN3cIvZ6K5qelFkos8DgKsh7Iiy0bhY9ddO3T1kcMRKRmY56YwzuupiS0qvzuPBCUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Irondale City, Alabama","date","2025-07-02T11:46:25Z","article","Councilwoman Cuellar asked the Irondale City Council to schedule an ordinance committee meeting in August to review two items: a tiered approach to business permits for vendors and possible municipal code language to support the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).

Cuellar said some council members had received emails about the business‑permit process and that the committee should “take a look at that and come up with something that's tiered and can really solve some of the issues that came up.” She also reported on attending a recent ZBA meeting and said legal counsel Miss Brasher was able to address board members’ questions; Cuellar recommended code clarifications so board members and future appointees have better guidance.

Why it matters: The council agreed to meet at 5:00 p.m. on an August date (to be finalized) before the regular council meeting so members can review ordinance language and receive materials from legal counsel. Cuellar said she would forward the emails the council received about business permits so members can prepare.

Council members agreed on scheduling and asked the city attorney’s office to provide the existing ordinances and code sections that relate to vendor permits and ZBA procedures. No ordinance or code changes were proposed or adopted at the meeting; the item is a scheduling and preparatory action to review potential ordinance amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 7/01/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilwoman Cuellar asked that the ordinance committee meet in August to consider tiered business permit options for vendors and municipal code clarifications for the Zoning Board of Adjustment; council agreed to a 5:00 p.m. meeting before the regular council session.","taxTitle","Irondale City, Jefferson County, Alabama","taxId",71505,"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},6179269,"Irondale in‑house abatement saves city about half the bid cost for 1908 Fourth Avenue South demolition",72,1832000,1904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7&start=1832&end=1904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7/thumbnail_1832000.jpg","/articles/6179269/Irondale-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Irondale-inhouse-abatement-saves-city-about-half-the-bid-cost-for-1908-Fourth-Avenue-South-demolition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179269-fff8f11d64222cdcd64fa4300e1fdf5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166164&Signature=hFjrLXhwzu7UJJ2zZBl7fu~XFdmNX~FXG7vGmfH0lD~Gl0G8qI4T-1wgEOMRJgCFO4PRr8PrVMTJ~tuJZBWxjDCfgmv9SSEZwCCNSwdv6v-XLE8fva2xOahBW2GGGjyksizaeQn5YcxkiOSbBWfxEtGrtWV5IMiDOEYbPYVVt36iZlI3hCosXFijgV0vGJ-lB47oKAOzFszJRdfy0nAThGFeGaBraI6gm6MgwybN~bvkCYn3qK3B-JA3gfCyngQcPGIS5LqpvBXDAb0fr4Hxy7gkNFAoKdlLLcZ95aoXfwqXEqyNZprhQKld2nHbSUE~pBD1j4FYQkM8xWOygs7RcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Irondale City Council held a public hearing and approved a resolution fixing the cost of demolition and removal for the structure at 1908 Fourth Avenue South at an amount not to exceed $22,223.36.

Mr. Cochran, who presented the item for the abatement board, said the city evaluated outside bids and that the lowest bid received was about $50,000, but the city’s in‑house abatement removed the structure at a cost “less than half of what we got the bids for.”

Why it matters: The council and speakers said performing abatement work in house can deliver material savings on blighted properties and allow more properties to be addressed within the same budget. Council members thanked Cochran and the abatement board for their work and suggested budgeting for consistent in‑house abatement capacity.

The public hearing produced no public comments and the item was moved to the consent agenda and approved. Council members commended the abatement crew’s work and discussed the potential to allocate more budget in future cycles for abatement if efficiencies continue.

The meeting record shows the resolution was labeled in the agenda as Resolution 2025 R124 and that the fixed assessment figure for the demolition and removal is $22,223.36. No appeal or further action on the property was recorded in the meeting minutes.","City abatement staff removed a blighted structure at 1908 Fourth Avenue South for $22,223.36—less than half the lowest outside bid the city received—after a public hearing and placement of the item on the consent agenda.",{"_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},6179274,"Jefferson County grant will fund electronic check‑in at Irondale Senior Activity Center",92,1360000,1452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7&start=1360&end=1452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7/thumbnail_1360000.jpg","/articles/6179274/Irondale-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Jefferson-County-grant-will-fund-electronic-checkin-at-Irondale-Senior-Activity-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179274-8cc11b08cba5d687becefcf5d229e0ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166164&Signature=IbcjtnG7kiLnPz0f~bGRC81IEF~eB-K8ro4am9-fPKrHfjd3N1GaG0COoAaxt3HFEN7XSIyaU2pdCavsw72jLbBR-Tf-aMwhjWf8HpwwOwcBSO-ojf30GqxF52bZXKKIEIVm747fTXQuWIEvrEBwNjy-aHLfX5tQ8GYXKzaLjBnSy~jCTJLHEllluO4FBTG3~q9OCISjPnQG2b~xxzwPL6G5KCVZP7ap5gJMyeedtrJeWsdyVyDQM0QHRjrD1Wucq5NR1S4EjynjQABWAq0g25ibfVM0f5JunW6tzSM5EwWxN~nJSxwODlFju6UgticQWg7OqkH-puKbPDqDxXEZpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julie Wright, director of the Irondale Senior Activity Center, told the council the center has outgrown a paper clipboard system and needs an electronic member management system. Wright said the application called My Senior Center is the most cost‑effective option the center evaluated.

“This grant... covers the first year fees, which is $5,000,” Wright said, adding that the amount includes computer equipment, software, training, data upload and swipe cards. She said future annual subscription fees would be approximately $1,800 and that she plans to seek other grants to cover recurring costs.

Why it matters: An electronic check‑in system will let the center track attendance, send reminders and accept payments, Wright said, which she expects will improve operations as membership grows.

Council members voiced support and asked operational questions. Councilman John London and Councilwoman Cuellar thanked Wright for researching options; Councilman Box asked whether the system can send text messages as well as emails, and Wright said she knew only about email but would investigate whether text functionality is available.

The council approved the community grant agreement with Jefferson County — Resolution 2025 R120 on the consent agenda — authorizing mayor James D. Stewart Jr. or his designee to accept the $5,000 grant for the center and to execute the necessary agreement.","The council approved acceptance of a $5,000 Jefferson County grant to install an electronic check‑in system at the Irondale Senior Activity Center; the center’s director said the first‑year cost covers equipment, software, training and swipe cards and ongoing fees would be about $1,800 annually.",{"_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},6179277,"Nonprofit says water‑bill assistance program could help Irondale residents after county funding shift",352,482000,834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7&start=482&end=834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7/thumbnail_482000.jpg","/articles/6179277/Irondale-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Nonprofit-says-waterbill-assistance-program-could-help-Irondale-residents-after-county-funding-shift","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179277-3f8e7c58247942c2e3e763f16c4874cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166164&Signature=eGcPofLzesWxIw~cz4kbyuoaUzdADe~8ccgbin41Xm8ySd28SDzlVnJ33nhImLdixj4OAPFWhr45NqSgsgAWY9WbxVGhZvyVsU2lB10uKEKL4XLgSpGZ0uy~JGZ9jisDMYs0JNfdS8I3tB1v8mhZ0N33hUydPGWgi72vgMLG1Is4zbyCq0BNtudAYWjvqVioxi2AXV-Y5dZeLxQ9Hm45okCnm6~RPt9j-5YmJspzFCLbXfDEL92TIVBH-KWtRXpBROMB-1ld0H7iuKy1-ZgC4KJ8S8t5XLF9Aq8-Z58R95Hi4yUjtH9dOp1hFdIhqabtwc3cUxiVip~te0q-3bvqIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jamika Baez, executive director of the H2O Foundation, told the Irondale City Council that the nonprofit has provided water‑related assistance in Greater Birmingham for about 20 years and now faces funding changes after a policy referred to in the meeting as SB 330 ended a partnership with Birmingham Water Works.

“We provide up to $500 once per year in support of your water and sewer bill. And if you have a plumbing need, we provide up to a thousand dollars in plumbing repair to those eligible,” Baez said, describing eligibility that requires recipients to be at least 55 years old and/or receiving disability and, for plumbing repairs, to be homeowners.

Why it matters: Councilman Aaron Sims said he invited the foundation to explore whether Irondale could replicate or link to a similar program locally so residents on different water providers would have a place to apply for help.

Baez said the foundation historically assisted more than 1,200 individuals and more than 586 households annually and that the program paid plumbers directly up to $1,000 per eligible household. She said the foundation cannot currently pull a precise list of Irondale recipients under its former partnership model, but that the organization can run ZIP‑code reports and now uses an in‑house intake system called Empower for direct referrals.

Council members asked operational questions. Councilman John London asked whether the foundation could identify the number of Irondale residents served; Baez said that data could be pulled from the foundation’s records but was not immediately available. Councilwoman Cuellar asked whether the foundation requires multiple estimates for plumbing repairs; Baez described an existing agreement with participating plumbers that requires pre‑ and post‑work photos and a signed agreement and said the foundation pays a maximum of $1,000, with the homeowner responsible for costs beyond that unless a plumber donates the difference as in‑kind service.

Councilor Vaux asked specifically whether plumbers sometimes provide in‑kind services for amounts above the foundation’s cap; Baez confirmed that occasional in‑kind arrangements exist and that the foundation works to build relationships with plumbers who will partner on reduced or donated services.

No formal action was taken at the meeting. Council members asked the foundation to provide further details and ZIP‑code breakdowns of past recipients so the council can consider whether to pursue a local program or partnership.","Jamika Baez of the H2O Foundation described a program that previously partnered with Birmingham Water Works to provide water‑bill and plumbing assistance; council members asked for data on Irondale residents served and discussed exploring a local version of the program.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179284,"Irondale officials praise rapid storm response as residents warn of night driving hazards",948,137000,1085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7&start=137&end=1085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131431-2038ff08d089ffa2f3fe182c7c6fd7e7/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6179284/Irondale-City/Jefferson-County/Alabama/Irondale-officials-praise-rapid-storm-response-as-residents-warn-of-night-driving-hazards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179284-ac430c168307d3e4ee5da014b2d2cd20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166164&Signature=hDthtxZk3vMA-ndXNvhJ7QQ~sVv1rWmjoxaoXhwGSqDZolBcfFeGRb0W28pAj4Ki1UViBPsBYDyAuoDIphL7OKKCO8~1wCm3brRxTVXn49Df8CmCXDIV-NpHbar1oKD7UyFPduwZjIsBdsOyyh8kbdUvm-3mVUR-texoCKKjfMkJurtBCtUcy9Ws-i~abeD5JEPHsJpBoyr3CF~MRq75eooM50HTAFVouYd0Fa~eLTPlmvMxaj9CRoCkcg0Y4M4o2cq8t2drQuV2T0HRJ173uyjzTUxitixvoM263xr50hDig1EsJLZ8xbpGnStwMTRsO48z8~WYZc5kHxgkS1Gpfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. said in a letter read at the Irondale City Council meeting that “Friday storms on June 27 tested our community, but I'm proud to report that our city's response was outstanding.” The letter named public works and water-department employees for their work restoring streets and clearing debris.

The comment came during a council meeting where several members and residents described extensive storm damage and a large cleanup effort. Councilman Aaron Sims summarized the municipal response, saying it was “literally an all hands on deck” effort as police, fire, water and public works crews worked through the night to clear trees and damaged lines.

Why it matters: Council members credited in-house city crews with fast removal of storm debris and restoration of services, a factor residents said limited damage to homes. At the same time, citizens urged caution on dark streets after outages and road hazards that followed the storms.

Council members repeatedly thanked public works and first responders for what they called a prompt, coordinated effort. The mayor’s letter singled out station employees by name for “exceptional service” and noted coordination with outside partners on debris disposal.

During public comment, resident Judy Wilson described an incident on Belmont Road where a driver struck a power pole. Wilson said emergency responders had to wait until utility crews secured the scene and that power was not restored until about 2:00 a.m. She urged drivers to “slow down and obey the speed limit” and to be cautious around crews working in dark conditions.

Council members acknowledged the safety concern Wilson raised and emphasized continuing cleanup work; several council members said they had seen crews clearing large, mature trees that had fallen and ripping up water lines in places. No formal new policy or ordinance was proposed at the meeting; council members limited actions to public thanks and scheduling follow-up items for other agenda matters.

The council also approved routine consent items related to storm recovery work during the meeting’s consent vote. The meeting record shows continuing cleanup remains under way and that crews will continue to address remaining debris and infrastructure repairs.","Following severe storms on June 27, Irondale City leaders praised public works and first responders for cleanup and infrastructure repairs while public commenters urged caution on dark roads and slower driving after a power-pole crash.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Irondale council schedules August ordinance committee meeting to review business permits and ZBA municipal code

Irondale in‑house abatement saves city about half the bid cost for 1908 Fourth Avenue South demolition

Jefferson County grant will fund electronic check‑in at Irondale Senior Activity Center

Nonprofit says water‑bill assistance program could help Irondale residents after county funding shift

Irondale officials praise rapid storm response as residents warn of night driving hazards