Commission accepts resignation from Greenwood Cemetery advisory member; staff asked to check nonresident participation rules

The Birmingham City Commission accepted the resignation of Paul Canel from the Greenwood Cemetery Advisory Board at its Oct. 6 meeting and asked staff to report back on whether the ordinance governing that board can be amended to allow nonresident members.

Commissioner Ballard explained that Canel has moved outside Birmingham and had offered to remain in a consultative role. City Manager Ecker told the commission that the membership rules are set by ordinance and would require an amendment to permit nonresident board members. The city’s contractor who supports cemetery coordination, Sherry Arcomb, was identified as the city’s paid consultant for cemetery operations; staff said Canel could attend meetings and provide public comment even without formal membership.

The commission discussed options including recruiting additional residents, keeping the board size as currently configured, or drafting ordinance language to permit a limited number of qualified nonresidents. Several commissioners said they preferred to solicit resident candidates first; staff reported the advisory board’s preference at a recent meeting was to maintain the current resident‑only composition and attempt resident recruitment.

The commission voted to accept Canel’s resignation and requested staff call Canel to confirm whether he would be interested in serving if the city amended the ordinance to allow nonresidents, and to prepare background on the ordinance and options for future meetings.

Why it matters: The advisory board advises on cemetery operations and maintenance; the discussion reflects a balance between preserving local representation on advisory bodies and tapping outside expertise when needed.

Next steps: Staff will report back with ordinance language and a recommendation; Canel may continue to provide input as a member of the public.