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Commission accepts resignation from longtime Greenwood Cemetery advisory member, considers nonresident participation
Summary
The commission accepted Paul Kinnell’s resignation from the Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Board and directed staff to ask him whether he would serve in a consultative role if the ordinance allowed nonresident participation; commissioners requested a staff report on ordinance background.
On Oct. 6 the Birmingham City Commission accepted the resignation of Paul Kinnell from the Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Board. Commissioners noted Kinnell has served “for a lot of years” and that he offered to remain available in a consultant role after moving out of Birmingham.
City staff told the commission the advisory board is established by ordinance and that most boards require residency; staff said changing the residency requirement would require an ordinance amendment. Staff also reported the cemetery board discussed options at a recent meeting and three of four members favored allowing one or two nonresident members with specified professional qualifications.
Commissioner Ballard moved to accept the resignation and asked staff to contact Kinnell to determine whether he would serve if the city amended the ordinance to permit nonresidents. Some commissioners cautioned against creating a special exception for one departing member and asked staff to provide background on why residency requirements exist and whether other boards should be considered for similar changes.
The commission directed staff to return with background and ordinance language for future consideration; in the interim staff said Kinnell could participate as a private citizen and that a paid consultant (Sherry Arcombe) currently supports cemetery operations.
