The Birmingham City Commission voted Nov. 17 to amend its rules on the time and location of regular meetings and to direct staff to explore using artificial intelligence to help produce meeting minutes.

After extended discussion about meeting length, staff burden and public accessibility, commissioners debated options including an earlier start time, timed agenda slots, a hard stop and formal extension procedures. The commission voted to amend Chapter 2 (administration) to change regular commission meeting hours to 7:00 p.m. until midnight, with the commission able to extend past midnight by majority vote in 30‑minute increments.

Separately, a commissioner proposed directing staff to evaluate AI tools to assist in preparing meeting minutes (not to replace final, approved minutes). The commission approved a motion to discuss using AI at a future meeting and to direct staff to report back with options for pilot use.

City staff told the commission department heads generally supported earlier start times and recommended rules such as a maximum meeting length with a majority vote required to extend—practical changes staff said they would incorporate if directed. The ordinance change and the AI study both passed the commission’s vote.