Birmingham City Council President Johnathan Austin, along with a majority of City Council members and other City officials, spent the March 1, weekend with the Mayor and his staff during a three-day retreat in Point Clear, Alabama.
The retreat was organized by the Mayor’s office and included valuable team building workshops with information for the City Council to stay abreast of and collaborate with the Mayor’s vision and long range plans for the City. Sessions were held regarding economic development, budget priorities, and the comprehensive plan. The Council also voiced their vision in a segment that outlined City Council Priorities such as district needs, legislative focus (federal and state levels), and public safety amongst other topics.
Council President Austin lauded the Mayor’s success of the retreat during this week’s City Council meeting displaying his vintage two car train with “City Council” on one car and “Mayor” on the other with the word city split between the two cars. Council President Austin clasped the cars together to symbolize both legislative branches joining with the common interest of the citizens of Birmingham. “We have to be together as both branches of government, but more importantly because the citizens are what pull us together,” Austin said. “It is important to understand where we come from [referencing the railroad history of Birmingham] but also where we’re going, the only way we’ll be able to get there as a City is together.”
Other City Councilors in attendance echoed the sentiments of Council President Austin by reflecting that the common denominator between everyone is a willingness and desire for both branches to work together and achieve great success for Birmingham citizens.
