Bessemer council approves food-distribution site, coach training stipend and community grants; adopts water-tank contracts

The City Council of Bessemer, Alabama met Jan. 13 and approved a set of resolutions covering community services, parks programming and utilities maintenance.

Councilors voted to allow the Jefferson County Family Resource Center to use the parking lot at 2023 1st Avenue North to distribute food boxes to Bessemer residents at no charge. Attorney Killings told the Council the nonprofit will notify the city if inclement weather requires date changes rather than returning to Council for approval. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

The council also authorized Mayor Kenneth E. Gulley to accept a $2,500 stipend and in-kind Positive Coaching Alliance training through an agreement with the National Recreation and Park Association. Kenneth E. Gulley Recreation Center Director Makeda Smith said the program will provide up to 25 complimentary training seats for staff and volunteer coaches across the Center’s sports programs and that training will be conducted both online and at the recreation center. Councilors approved the item unanimously.

Two discretionary appropriations to the Latch & Live Foundation were approved: $500 from District 1 to support a warming program and $1,000 from District 3 to support a Senior Circle meeting scheduled for Feb. 4, 2026. Attorney Killings stated the district councilors requested the allocations. Both measures carried; Councilor Chester W. Porter recorded an abstention on each allocation.

The council also adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute 11 separate water storage tank maintenance and inspection agreements with American Tank Maintenance, LLC for named Bessemer tanks. Attorney Killings cited ADEM Administrative Code Rule 335-7-7-.04 as the regulatory basis for periodic tank maintenance. In response to Councilor Teco Stephens’ questions, Mayor Gulley said the 15th Street tank is fairly new and does not require service at this time, and Bessemer Utilities Director Jerry Yarbrough said the Woodland Hills tank is scheduled for full rehabilitation this year. The water-tank agreements passed unanimously.

During council member remarks, Councilor Chester W. Porter announced a Human Trafficking Symposium for Jan. 26 at the Kenneth E. Gulley Recreation Center and said the Latch & Live warming station would open the following day at Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. Citizens at the meeting raised utility-account concerns; Mayor Gulley said “delinquent residents are required to pay half of their utility balance at Bessemer Utilities and are given three months to have the account paid in full.” Councilor Porter noted the city set aside $1 million in ARPA funds last year to assist residents with utility hardships.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 001-26 (parking lot use for Jefferson County Family Resource Center) — adopted (ayes: King, Stephens, Thigpen, Porter, Collier). - Resolution 002-26 (NRPA agreement/$2,500 stipend for Positive Coaching Alliance training) — adopted (ayes: King, Stephens, Thigpen, Porter, Collier). - Resolution 003-26 (District 1 $500 to Latch & Live warming program) — adopted (ayes: King, Stephens, Thigpen, Collier; abstention: Porter). - Resolution 004-26 (District 3 $1,000 to Latch & Live Senior Circle) — adopted (ayes: King, Stephens, Thigpen, Collier; abstention: Porter). - Resolution 005-26 (authorize 11 water-tank maintenance contracts with American Tank Maintenance, LLC) — adopted (ayes: King, Stephens, Thigpen, Porter, Collier).

The council adjourned following routine items and public comments.