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Council sets hearings and extensions after weed-nuisance report lists dozens of properties
Summary
After receiving a May weed-nuisance report, the Bessemer City Council granted extensions, ordered abatement where owners had cut properties, and set a July hearing date to consider 52 properties cited for code violations.
The Bessemer City Council dealt with a lengthy weed-nuisance report at its June 2 meeting, granting case-by-case outcomes, extensions and a future hearing date for multiple properties cited for overgrown vegetation and other maintenance violations.
Why it matters: City officials said enforcement protects neighborhoods and public safety. The report listed dozens of addresses with parcel numbers and status notes; sanitation staff asked the council to act on the list and to set a formal hearing for other properties.
What happened at the meeting: Sanitation and Ordinance Inspector Aleria Harper presented the May 5, 2026 weed-nuisance report listing properties with statuses such as 'returned not cut,' 'received cut by owner,' and 'returned incomplete.' Resident Maria Canela (1504 6th Avenue North) told the council her property (listed as item 76) had been cut and cleaned; Inspector Harper asked the council to grant her an extension to June 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Councilor Donna Thigpen moved that items marked not cut be deemed incomplete or not cut, that extension requests be extended to June 16, and that items reported as cut by owners be abated. The motion passed unanimously.
Looking ahead: The council also approved setting a separate hearing to consider 52 properties on July 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (presentation had indicated a proposed hearing date of July 7 for a related list; the clerk later stated the request to set a hearing date of July 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.). City staff will proceed with notices and any abatement actions required by ordinance.
Public input: Residents were allowed to speak during the hearing; Maria Canela’s statement that her property had been cut was noted and the council handled extensions and abatement requests by motion and vote.
