During the Birmingham City Council meeting on February 3, 2015 Council:
Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement for Feasibility Study for the Birmingham Museum of Art between the City of Birmingham, the Birmingham Museum of Art and Davis Architects, Inc. to develop a concept plan to determine the feasibility of renovating and expanding the Birmingham Museum of Art’s facilities on its current site. The Total cost of the study will be approximately $270,200.00. The City of Birmingham will contribute $100,000.00 to the project and the Birmingham Museum of Art will raise the balance of approximately $170,200.00 from grants, patrons, and other private funding.
Cliff Notes
Did this Item Pass? Approved on the consent agenda
What purpose will this item serve? The Birmingham Museum of Arts, Inc. serves as an international tourist attraction with specialization in the arts and education. This agreement will allow Mayor Bell to enter into a contract with the Birmingham Museum of Art and Davis Architects, Inc. to determine the possibilities of renovating and expanding the Birmingham Museum of Arts, Inc. facilities on its current site.
Next steps: Once funding is in place dates will be determined to begin the feasibility study. For more information please contact the Director of the Birmingham Museum of Arts at 205.254.2565.
Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Loan Credit Agreement with Ezell’s Express Crestwood, LLC under which the City will provide a Birmingham Business Development Loan to Ezell’s in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 for a term of 24 months at an interest rate of 2.74% per annum. The loan will be secured by an Irrevocable Letter of Credit. The loan proceeds will be used in connection with the build-out, equipment and initial start-up costs of a fast-causal restaurant that serves catfish and comfort food, to be located at 7724 Crestwood Boulevard, Birmingham.
Cliff Notes
Did this item pass? Approved unanimously
What purpose will this item serve? To administer a loan credit agreement from the Birmingham Business Development under the City’s provision to assist with the opening of a Birmingham location of Ezell’s Express Crestwood, LLC at 7724 Crestwood Boulevard.
Next Steps: Once the loan is disbursed Ezell’s Express Crestwood, LLC will confirm an opening date. For more information please contact the Office of Economic Development at 205.254.2657.
Status of other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:
1. Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor of the City of Birmingham, Alabama to apply for a grant from the U. S Department of Justice Assistance Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program, Department of Justice (the “2015 Grant”), and to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham for administration of the 2015 Grant which authorizes the City to function as the Fiscal Agent if awarded, to disburse the funds to the parties, and to administer the 2015 Grant program.
Cliff Notes
Did this item pass? Approved on the consent agenda
What purpose will this item serve? Grants are a vital part of acquiring additional funding for the City of Birmingham. This agreement will allow the Mayor to apply for the grant and enter to an agreement to disburse the funds as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Next Steps: Once the grant is processed a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed off by the City of Birmingham Law Department. For more information please contact the Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper’s office at 205.254.1700.
2. Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to issue, on behalf of the City, a firm commitment to allocate $1,300,000.00 of the City’s HUD HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to Princeton Village LTD for the development of up to 96 units of affordable housing in the West End area in support of Princeton Village LTD’s application to the Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA) for Low Income Housing Tax Credits and, if the project receives tax credits from the AHFA in the 2015 funding round, to disburse the $1,300,000.00 to Princeton Village LTD from the City’s HOME funds.
Cliff Notes
Did this item pass? Approved with 1 abstention
What purpose will this item serve? This agreement will allow the Mayor to enter into a commitment to allocate $1,300,00.00 to City’s HUD HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to Princeton Village LTD for housing unit developments in support of Princeton Village’s application for more funds from the Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA) in efforts to receive low income housing tax credits.
Next Steps: If the housing tax credits are received the $1,300,000.00 will be disbursed the Princeton Village LTD from the City’s HOME funds. For more information please contact the Mayor’s Office of Community Development at 205.254.2475.
3. Approved a Resolution accepting the lump sum bid of Alabama Accessibility, Inc., Prattville, Alabama, in the amount of $32,400.00 for ADA Pool Lifts for City-Owned Buildings at McAlpine Park, Grayson Park and Underwood Park, this being the lowest and best bid submitted, and authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Alabama Accessibility, Inc., in substantially the form contained within the proposal documents and in accordance with said bid, providing that the total compensation payable under the contract not exceed the appropriation. [Project Code: PR135CP 003850; GL Account: 135_342.652-005]
Cliff Notes
Did this item pass? Approved on the consent agenda
What purpose will this item serve? The City of Birmingham accepts bids from companies/vendors to provide select services as needed to build and or repair City of Birmingham facilities. The Department of Planning Engineering and Permits (PEP) administers the bid under the Alabama Bid Law. The bid for ADA Pools to be installed in City-Owned Buildings at McAlpine Park, Grayson Park, and Underwood Park was awarded to Alabama Accessibility Inc. with the lowest bid of $32,400.00.
Next Steps: The Department of Planning Engineering and Permits will confirm a start date for renovations to begin. For more information please contact the Department of Planning Engineering and Permits at 205.254.2336.
4. Approved a Resolution accepting the lump sum bid of Richardson Construction Company, Inc., 1003 Bramble Lane, Birmingham, in the amount of $193,000.00, for A.G. Gaston Park Renovations (Rebid), this being the lowest and best bid submitted, and authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Richardson Construction Company, Inc., in substantially the form contained within the proposal documents and in accordance with said bid, providing that the total compensation payable under the contract not exceed the appropriation. [Project Code: PR135CP 003856; Project Code: PR135CP 003843]
Cliff Notes
Did this item pass? Approved unanimously
What purpose will this item serve? The City of Birmingham accepts bids from companies/vendors to provide select services as needed to build and or repair City of Birmingham facilities. The Department of Planning Engineering and Permits (PEP) administers the bid under the Alabama Bid Law. The bid for A.G. Gaston Park Renovations (Rebid), was awarded to Richardson Construction Company, Inc., with the lowest bid $193,000.00.
Next Steps: The Department of Planning and Engineering will select the date for renovations to begin. For more information please contact the Department of Planning Engineering and Permits 205.254.2336.
Announcements and Reminders
1. The Park and Recreation Board will meet Wednesday February 4, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at Legion Field.
2. Councilor Marcus Lundy, Jr., will host the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace Education and Enrollment Day on Wednesday February 4, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the North Birmingham Recreation Center located at 3501 28th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35207.
3. The Joint Budget and Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting will be held Monday February 9, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms D&E.
4. The Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday February 10, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in the 5th Floor Engineering Conference Room.
5. There will be a Special Called Transportation and Communications Committee Meeting on Wednesday February 11, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms D&E.
6. The Public Improvements and Beautification Committee Meeting will be held Wednesday February 11, 2015 in Conference Rooms D&E.
7. The Public Safety Committee Meeting will be held Monday February 16, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Are you unable to attend the Birmingham City Council meetings? Watch Council Meetings on demand. From anywhere in the world you can log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org and click on the tab Watch Council Meetings; or from the comfort of your home, tune to Bright House Cable Channel 340. The Birmingham City Council meetings are free and on demand.
The City of Birmingham will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to enjoy all city services, programs and activities.
If accommodations are required for public meetings, please contact Chiara Morrow, Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing chiara.morrow@birminghamal.gov or by calling 205-254-2055.
