Council approves consent agenda, sets multiple public hearings and honors Miles College band

The Birmingham City Council on Jan. 6 approved the consent agenda after several items were withdrawn for separate consideration and set public hearings on multiple property vacations and zoning changes.

Clerk guidance: the clerk read a multi-page consent agenda and noted withdrawals (including items 57, 206, 74, 239 and 132). Councilor Crystal Smitherman requested item 22 be removed; after separate discussion that item was approved later in the meeting.

Public hearings set: the council scheduled hearings for Feb. 10, 2026, and Feb. 17, 2026, on several items including the vacation of right-of-way parcels, rezonings to permit a motorcycle training facility and a vehicle rental company, and other property matters. The clerk and the president confirmed each hearing date and the council approved the motions to set the hearings.

Honoring Miles College: Councilor Crystal Smitherman brought the Miles College Purple Marching Machine before the council to recognize the band's back-to-back ESPN Band of the Year titles. Professor Snipes thanked the council, described band participation as a way to keep students out of trouble and to build opportunity, and said, "We have scholarships available for any musician in Birmingham." Several students introduced themselves and councilors offered congratulations and local connections to the college.

Why it matters: The consent agenda advances routine city business efficiently, while the public hearing dates create official opportunities for public input on property vacations and zoning changes. The Miles College recognition highlighted local educational and cultural achievement and indicated scholarship pathways for Birmingham students.

What happens next: Citizens can attend the Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 public hearings to weigh in on the listed items; the council will receive further reports on removed consent items and project updates as requested.