Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events And Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bessemer council approves Second Chance job fair, park use and small nonprofit disbursements
Summary
At its June 2 meeting the council authorized use of city facilities for a West Jefferson Second Chance Hiring Fair and a men’s mental-health 3K run, approved temporary street closure and small discretionary appropriations for community events, and authorized several business licenses and nonprofit disbursements.
The Bessemer City Council on June 2 approved a set of community-focused resolutions and routine business items including a Second Chance hiring fair, park use for a 3K run, a temporary street closure for a Father’s Day celebration, two small nonprofit appropriations and routine business licenses.
Key approvals: The council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 660-26 authorizing the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office (Bessemer Division) to use the Bessemer Civic Center at no cost for a West Jefferson County Second Chance Hiring and Job Fair scheduled for July 30, 2026. District Attorney Lynneice Washington described the office’s twice-yearly hiring fair and requested facility use without charge.
Event and small-amount funding approvals: The council approved Resolution No. 661-26 to close 5th Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets for a Father’s Day celebration on June 20 and to authorize a temporary utility pole and a $500 appropriation from District 1 discretionary funds. It approved Resolution No. 662-26 to allow use of DeBardeleben Park on June 13 for the Rickney B. Hunter 3K Run (men’s mental health awareness). Bryonda Collins, co-founder of the Rickney B. Hunter Foundation, requested park use and public-safety support.
Nonprofit disbursements and licenses: The council approved a $10,000 disbursement to the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama to support services benefiting Bessemer residents (Councilor Porter recorded an abstention). Councilor Cleophus King secured a $250 discretionary appropriation to the Nick Bell Mentoring Memorial Foundation and the council approved business-license items for Chateau Bevvy Winery and a retail wine/tobacco license.
What councilors said: Bessemer Utilities Director Jerry Yarbrough told the council the Community Action Agency has provided more than $1 million in assistance to Bessemer residents over the past three years. No council dissents were recorded on the event permits or the smaller appropriations (one abstention recorded for the $10,000 nonprofit disbursement). The meeting proceeded to other business after the votes.
Next steps: City staff will coordinate facility scheduling, police/fire support for events, and process license paperwork and disbursement payments.
