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Birmingham City Council extends affordable-housing closing, OKs ARPA shelter funding and regional hazard plan; authorizes litigation actions
Summary
At its May 26 meeting the Birmingham City Council approved a six-month extension on conveyance of a 5.25-acre Smithfield site for affordable housing, authorized an ARPA amendment to fund up to 15 micro-shelters, adopted a regional hazard mitigation plan and approved several litigation- and settlement-related resolutions.
The Birmingham City Council on May 26 approved a package of items that included an extension for an affordable housing conveyance, an amendment to an ARPA-funded shelter agreement, adoption of a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan and authorizations to pursue litigation and settle workers’ compensation claims.
Councilors voted to allow Smithfield Phase 2 LP an additional six months to close on about 5.25 acres adjacent to the former H. Parker High School for a purchase price of $1,000 so construction tied to the Choice Neighborhood federal grant can proceed. Megan Venable Thomas, the city’s director of community development, told the council the extension is required by the affordable housing finance agency to align timing for the developer’s 9% tax-credit application. Council discussion included questions about why the closing deadline shifted; a councilor asked for more timely communication on similar items in the future.
The council also approved a resolution amending an agreement with Faith Chapel Christian Center (doing business as Faith Chapel Cares LLC) to allow use of ARPA funds — not to exceed $1,224,125.77 — to develop and operate up to 15 micro-shelters for residents experiencing homelessness and to extend the operating term through Aug. 31, 2027. Administration said the amendment aligns the operating agreement with ARPA spending timelines because the provider began operations after the original award.
Separately, the council adopted the 2026 Division G multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan, a regional document covering roughly six counties and more than 80 jurisdictions. Darius Avard, natural hazard administrator, and Tracy Hayes, deputy director of Planning, Engineering and Permits, said adoption is required for the city to apply for federal hazard mitigation and disaster-preparedness grants.
In executive-session-originating business the council approved a set of litigation-related resolutions. One resolution authorized the mayor and city attorney to investigate and prosecute potential claims against fire truck manufacturers and their affiliates for alleged anticompetitive conduct and to retain outside counsel on a contingency basis. Another authorized similar action regarding potential claims against telecommunications companies tied to alleged lead contamination. The council also approved settlement-authority resolutions for two workers’ compensation claims, each with a specified not-to-exceed amount.
Other approved actions included reappointing Yolanda Hardy to the Birmingham Public Library Board (term to Dec. 30, 2030) and awarding a contract to Carr Development LLC for a Columbia Street drainage project at $67,654.40. Several consent-agenda items were approved earlier in the meeting; a motion for unanimous consent to take up two ordinance items together was deferred to next week.
Votes at a glance - Item 12 (ordinance amendment): extension for Smithfield Phase 2 LP conveyance (~5.25 acres at $1,000) — Approved (announced unanimous) - Item 13 (resolution): Faith Chapel ARPA amendment for up to $1,224,125.77 to fund up to 15 micro-shelters — Approved - Item 14 (resolution): Adoption of 2026 Division G multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan — Approved - Items 15 & 16 (resolutions): Authorize investigations/prosecution of potential anticompetitive conduct regarding fire truck manufacturers and telecommunications lead-related claims — Approved - Items 21 & 22 (resolutions): Worker’s compensation settlement authorizations — Approved (amounts specified in docket) - Item 23 (resolution): Reappointment of Yolanda Hardy to the Birmingham Public Library Board — Approved - Item 26 (resolution/contract): Carr Development LLC — $67,654.40 — Approved
The council’s actions on housing and shelter funding advance projects tied to federal and ARPA resources; the hazard plan adoption preserves eligibility for federal mitigation grants. Several councilors asked for improved pre-vote communication from administration on timing and background materials. The council adjourned after a public-comment period in which residents raised separate concerns about the proposed data center ordinance and sought additional procedural safeguards.
