Votes at a glance: Irondale council approves cellphone-in-school-zone ordinance, multiple consent items; decorum resolution fails

Council action in brief: The Irondale City Council approved an ordinance that prohibits operating a handheld wireless telecommunications device while driving in a school zone, approved several routine consent items (see list below), and rejected a proposed resolution to establish formal decorum and conduct standards for council meetings.

School-zone cellphone ordinance: Councilman London introduced an ordinance to prohibit operation of handheld wireless telecommunications devices in school zones. After questions and clarifications from the city attorney about definitions and exceptions, the council approved Ordinance 2025-O-07. The city attorney explained the ordinance removes devices that are permanently affixed to a vehicle from the definition and allows hands-free systems, so hands-free Bluetooth or permanently installed speaker/microphone setups are not prohibited under the ordinance as written.

Consent items and purchases: The council approved a consent package that included: - Renewal of an inmate housing agreement with an outside agency (resolution…