There were a number of items on the agenda for this weeks Birmingham city council meeting.
Several items were apart of the cities consent agenda, however we did still speak with councilors regarding various infrastructure upgrades and public safety improvements being made.
Park improvements in District 7:
Multiple parks are getting some upgrades near Birmingham’s Belle Haven community.
Both Germania and Wiggins park will be getting a face-lift.
These two projects come with a price tag of just under $700,000.
These are two projects that District 7 Councilor Wardine Alexander says the community has been waiting for.
The money comes from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
$3,000,000 was allocated to Birmingham’s District 7.
The various improvements include upgrades to lighting, seating, new signage, as well as basketball courts and walking lanes.
“This is actually 2 of 3 park projects included in our ARPA dollars funding, it also includes Oxmoor Valley park. So with Germania and Wiggins park, these are two older parks that really needed some love and care,” said President Pro-Tem Alexander.
“This gives our residents the opportunity to utilize these parks, to get out, enjoy the green space, bring families out,” Alexander added.
Councilor Alexander says the city’s parks and recreation department has already began assessing costs for the different items that will need to be purchased.
There is no set completion date yet– but says that progress is being made now that they have moved out of the development phase in to bidding.
Sidewalk improvements in Birmingham’s District 3:
More than $1,000,000 in sidewalk improvements is coming to Birmingham’s District 3.
Councilor Valerie Abbott is over district 3, and has been very vocal about the need for improvements previously.
SEE ALSO:Birmingham amphitheater area to see sidewalk, street upgrades despite council frustration
Birmingham city Council President Darrell O’Quinn says it’s something community members have wanted as well.
This is part of the cities ongoing effort to make all infrastructure ADA accessible.
These improvements look like ramps, and ensuring sidewalks meet the minimum width requirements.
O’Quinn says that sidewalks are something that have been often overlooked– many throughout the city decades old.
He says several councilors have allocated some of there American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars towards this.
The city is also being intentional in improving sidewalks near their transit corridors.
“In areas that touch the bus rapid transit route or the Birmingham express route…wanna make sure the sidewalks are in good repair there,” Said O’Quinn, noting that many BRT riders walk to the bus stops.
SEE ALSO:Growth, speed, convenience: $14M for public transportation in Jefferson County
O’Quinn says the work is being done on a continuous basis.
Opioid Settlement Funding to aid public health:
Birmingham leaders have decided to join in on a settlement that will provide funding to help combat the opioid epidemic in the city.
It’s similar to other class action settlements the city has joined in previously, taking action against companies distributing these drugs
Councilors believe the funding is having a positive impact.
City council President Darrell O’Quinn says the city of Birmingham has already received over $4,000,000 in funds combatting the opioid epidemic, some of this coming from the statewide settlement with companies Cardinal Health and Cencora.
O’Quinn says the funding is being allocated through the city attorney, and there are guidelines for how the funds must be used.
The funds will go towards things such as Narcan for first responders, and the cities drug nuisance abatement team.
According to the Jefferson county coroner there was a 9% increase in opioid deaths, from 376 deaths in 2022 to 411 deaths in 2023.
So far in 2024, with 215 opioid related deaths, there has been a nearly 48% decrease for the year so far.
In other news:
The city council is remaining tight-lipped about Councilor J.T. Moore’s recent arrest.
SEE ALSO: Birmingham councilman charged with DUI in Mobile County while in city vehicle
Moore was arrested in mobile county earlier this month for DUI.
He was found passed-out on the side of I-65 driving a city vehicle.
Council representatives and members declined to comment Tuesday Morning regarding Moore’s whereabouts and possible consequences.
Additionally, a public hearing regarding the fate of the East Lake Safe Streets initiative was set to be held Tuesday, November 12th. The meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum.
SEE ALSO:East Lake Extension: Project ‘Safe Streets’ sticks around
Council representatives say there has not yet been a new public hearing date set.