Birmingham council approves $250,000 park grant, greenway maintenance deal and $2.78 million in police vehicles; several permit transfers cleared

The Birmingham City Council on Aug. 19 approved a $250,000 appropriation to the Jefferson County Greenways Commission to support Red Mountain Park, authorized a three‑year maintenance agreement for Shades Creek Greenway and the Claremont Avenue walking trail, and voted to buy 60 police vehicles, among other items.

The council approved a funding agreement with the Jefferson County Greenways Commission that will provide the city up to $250,000 for park operations through June 30, 2026. Daryl Washington, identified at the meeting as CEO of the Jefferson County Greenways Commission, described the appropriation as an annual allocation historically provided to support park staffing and visitor services. "This is an annual appropriation that, the mayor has given us since about 2019, 2020. We maintain staff the parks, and this is particularly for safety and public visitor experience and enjoyment," Washington said.

Council members also approved a revised intergovernmental agreement that authorizes city funding of up to $130,000 per year for three years (total not to exceed $390,000) for maintenance of the Shades Creek Greenway and the Claremont Avenue walking trail. City and commission officials described the arrangement as a pilot of the commission's capacity to maintain multiple…