During the Bessemer City Council Meeting on Tuesday March, 4, 2014, the Council:
–         Authorized abatement of weeds at 2803 Arlington Avenue, 2805 Arlington Avenue and 1909 10th Avenue North.
–         Granted the owner additional time to abate weeds at 4021 Dusty Lane.
–         Held a bid opening on two monitors/Defibrillators for the Bessemer Fire Department.
–         Approved an ordinance to supplement and amend the warrant ordinance No. 3502 which authorized issuance of general obligation warrants Series 2013-A to finance New City Hall and Recreational Complex to create subaccount of Construction Fund and related provisions.
–         Authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement between the City of Bessemer and Jefferson County for election services.
–         Approved a substantial amendment to the fiscal year 2013 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan.
–         Authorized the Mayor to execute the Communications Products Agreement between the City of Bessemer and Motorola Solutions, Inc.
–         Authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Pyro Productions, Inc. for the July 4th fireworks display at a cost of $6,000.
–         Authorized the Mayor to enter into a contract between the City of Bessemer and Forestry Environmental Services, Inc. for the Raimund-Muscoda Grinding Project 2014 at a cost not to exceed $46,000.
–         Authorized the preparation and letting of bid proposals for the purchase of one hydraulic knuckle-boom brush and trash loader and one tractor with bush hog for the Street and Sanitation Department.
–         Approved a resolution awarding bid for the demolition of Davis Middle School to the lowest responsible bidder, Meredith Environmental, Inc. for $198,500.
–         Approved a #50 retail beer (off premises only); #70 retail table wine application for RKM LLC to operate the BP Shop at 600 14th Street  South.
–         Approved an occupational tax refund in the amount of $3,172.08 payable to Ashley Rosser for occupational tax withheld in error in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
–         Approved a sales tax refund in the amount of $10,490.86 payable to Mississippi Textile Corp., for sale tax from August 2010 to January 2012.
–         Approved a request to let bids for integrated for the city’s Municipal Finance Software System.
–         Approved the payment of $7,412.17 to Jackson Harris, P.C. for services during the month of December 2013 and January 2014.

The following items were passed during the Tuesday March 18, 2014 Birmingham City Council Meeting:

Revoked the business license(s) issued to GFC Foods, Inc., d.b.a. Good Friends Chinese and Seafood, President, 1720 Dennison Avenue SW, Birmingham.

Other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:

1. Approved an Ordinance authorizing the issuance, execution, sale and delivery of $4,550,000.00 Principal Amount General Obligation Warrant of the City of Birmingham, Alabama and the payment thereof. In conjunction with this ordinance, the Council also approved an Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE CAPITAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, by appropriating $1,950,000.00 to Public Works, Landfill Equipment, $1,010,000.00 to Police Vehicles, $570,000.00 to Fire Vehicles, $160,000.00 to Equipment Management, Fuel Truck, $340,000.00 to Public Works/Vehicles and $500,000.00 to IMS Hardware. For more information please contact the Office of Councilor Valerie Abbott at 205-254-2355.

2. Passed a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to extend an Agreement between Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO) and the City of Birmingham and that JCCEO be authorized to spend the remaining grant funds plus program income for the completion of the remaining houses and NSP3 eligible activities as required by regulations. For more information please contact the Office of Councilor Valerie Abbott at 205-254-2355.

3. Passed a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to issue, on behalf of the City, a firm commitment to allocate $500,000.00 of the City’s HOME funds to Alethia House for the development of thirty (30) units of affordable housing in support of Alethia House’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 2014 funding round, to enter into an agreement and disburse the $500,000.00 from the City’s HOME funds. For more information please contact the Mayor’s Office of Community Development 205-254-2483.

4. Passed a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Project Funding Agreement with the Rotary Club of Birmingham under which the Rotary Club will provide funding in the amount of up to $3,500,000.00 for use by the City in connection with the revitalization and improvement of City-owned property located on First Avenue South, between 20th and 24th Streets, and historically known as the “First Avenue Cut.” For more information please contact the Office of Councilor Valerie Abbott at 205-254-2355.

5. Referred to the Committee of the Whole a Resolution supporting the redesign and replacement option for the I-20/59 bridge corridor through Downtown Birmingham, as presented by the Alabama Department of Transportation, in the interest of public safety as well as securing the integrity of intrastate and interstate traffic and commerce along this corridor. For more information please contact the Office of Councilor Kimberly Rafferty at 205-254-2348.

6. Referred to Committee of the Whole a Resolution that the Mayor acquire the Carraway Hospital Campus within the next (30) to sixty (60) days. For information please contact the Office of Councilor William Parker at 205-254-2464.

7. Passed a Resolution respectfully requesting the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Magic City event be permanently renamed “The Maxine Herring Parker Relay for Life of Magic City,” which will occur on June 13, 2014 at the Birmingham CrossPlex. For more information please contact the Office of Council President Pro Tempore Jay Roberson at 205-254-2498.

8. Referred to Committee of the Whole a Resolution appointing Leslie Patton and Associates as a consultant to provide assistance with the transition of the Office of City Council and reorganization of Central Staff for an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, from March 17, 2014 – June 30, 2014 and authorizing the Mayor to execute the appointment letter. For more information please contact the Office of the Birmingham City Council President Johnathan F. Austin at 205-254-2678.

9. Approved an Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM” (Case No. ZAC2014-0001) to change zone district boundaries from R-3 Single Family District and R-6 William C. Byrd, III, representing the owners Limbaugh Toyota, BD Toy, LLC, and the City of Birmingham, for parcels of land generally abutting property located at 2200 Avenue T Ensley, situated in the NW ¼ of Section 5, Township 18-S Range 3-West, and the hearing of all interested parties. For more information please contact the Office of Council President Pro Tempore Jay Roberson at 205-254-2498.

10. Approved a Resolution endorsing the City’s Comprehensive Plan entitled “The Plan-City of Birmingham Comprehensive Plan,” adopted by the Birmingham Planning Commission and dated “October 2, 2013,” and the Future Land Use Plan, adopted by Birmingham Planning Commission on February 5, 2014 including all maps, charts, tables, text and other matters bound therein. For more information please contact the Office of Council President Pro Tempore Jay Roberson at 205-254-2498.

Announcements and Reminders:

1. The Public Improvement and Beautification Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Room D & E.

2. The Special Called Administration and Education Committee Meeting is scheduled for Friday March 21, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms D & E.

3. The Joint Budget and Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday March 24, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms D & E.

4. The Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 25, 2014 in the 5th Floor Engineering Conference Room.

5. The Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday March 26, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms D & E.

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, Assistant Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing chiara.morrow@birminghamal.gov or by calling 205-254-2055.

City Releases Mid Year Budget Adjustments

Monday’s Budget and Finance Meeting of the City Council included the proposed mid year budget adjustments with an emphasis on Public Safety departments and community and neighborhood projects.

The list includes funding for:
·        Update to the City’s permitting system
·        Demolition of Abandoned Structures
·        Police Efficiency study (including staffing and beat assignments; the last study was done 30 years ago)
·        28 new police vehicles
·        New landfill equipment
·        New fire vehicles and fuel trucks
·        Street improvements
·        Library improvements
·        Park Improvements (including pool improvements, HVAC repairs and Legion Field updates)

Money from a transfer of completed capital projects, the Adams Inn unused demolition funds (from fund 102), and refinancing of existing debt will be used to pay for the proposed adjustments. Each fiscal year a mid year budget adjustment is done. As previously reported, the City is in the process of shifting its fiscal year to the more common September 30-October 1 year instead of the current June 30-July 1 fiscal calendar.
Currently, the City of Birmingham is one of only a few governments that still have a fiscal year that runs June 30-July 1 of each year.
“The bulk of the City’s revenues come in during January and February making it difficult to make any financial adjustments before the end of the fiscal year,” said Finance Director, Tom Barnett.
City departments hold the line on expenses throughout the year based on the projected revenues. However, this change would allow departments to have a more accurate idea of what is available to adequately serve citizens’ needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. City departments are again holding a tight reign on spending to allow these mid year adjustments to be made reflecting the City’s priorities in spending.
“The budget is our road map through the year. We are constantly making adjustments based on revenues and expenditures,” continued Mr. Barnett.
“We have seen tremendous improvement in our crime numbers. We need to continue to give our Police Department and other public safety departments the tools that they need to keep the City safe and clean,” said Mayor William Bell.
The City Council recently approved $2 million in additional money for the Mow More program to combat overgrown lots, adding the $1 million for the demolition of abandoned structures at the fiscal mid year point, will give a $3 million infusion into cleaning up the City and clearing lots.
Additional budgetary adjustments will be made throughout fiscal year.

Career Tech and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Month was  February. The students in Mrs. Rucker’s classes planned and executed a project to increase literacy and work together with adults in our community to promote Family and Consumer Sciences education and related occupations. The students designed and made “Dr. Seuss” hats and gave them to local dignitaries to read to children in return for a picture of them reading to a group of children. A gift that will last a lifetime!
Hats were given to: County Commissioner Sandra Little-Brown (read at Brown Elementary), Mayor William Bell, Councilor Jay Roberson (read at Oxmoor Valley Elementary), Police Chief A.C. Roper (read at Minor Elementary), Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Dr. Becky Lee, Regina Hope –Principal (read at Wenonah High School), Virginia Carroll (Librarian, read at Wenonah), Sharon Thompson (Head Custodian at Wenonah read at Wenonah) Ada Blair wore her hat three days. 
 When teachers in the building wanted a hat we referred them to Cody Sutton, 9th grade FCCLA member who picked up sewing the hat in one day! After his first day of working on the hats he went to Mrs. Rucker and said, “I never thought about it before but I think I will buy me a sewing machine and start me a business!” The project was a success! Not only did the children of Birmingham receive the gift of a lifetime, the students at Wenonah received College and Career Readiness Skills.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Councilwoman Sheila Tyson hosted 15 University of Southern California (USC) students recently who visited Birmingham on an “Alternative Spring Break” to tour the city’s rich civil rights landmarks. Each year USC sends a group of students to Atlanta, Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery to learn about the nation’s civil rights history.
“These young leaders from USC were so curious about Birmingham’s history,” said Councilor Tyson. “Members of this community have worked together to develop a city that is attractive to young people. I think that work is paying off and people across the country are starting to take notice of Birmingham.”
The students visited Kelly Ingram Park, the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, and 16th Street Baptist Church with Councilor Tyson and Chuck Faush, chief of staff to Mayor Bell. The students were scheduled to visit Montgomery and Selma later in the week, and participated in a Habitat for Humanity building project in rural Alabama.
“It was really moving to visit places where civil rights leaders lost their lives in the name of equality,” said Markeith Royster, a graduate student in USC’s education program. “Birmingham is beautiful, everyone was so friendly to us, and ate some great soul food while we were here! I can’t wait to visit again.”
Councilor Tyson and Royster met in January at a leadership institute for community organizers and elected officials. At the meeting, Royster expressed his interest in possibly moving to the southeast after graduation to become a teacher. When Tyson learned he was visiting Birmingham for spring break, she promised to take him and his classmates to lunch.
Councilor Tyson said she hopes more universities will send students to tour Birmingham’s landmarks. “Our history is rich, our future is bright, and we’re steadily growing. I truly believe Birmingham has a wonderful story that really resonates with young people.”

    On Thursday, March 13, State Representative Juandalynn Givan and Senator Rodger Smitherman honored the A. H. Parker High School Boys Championship Basketball Team with Parker Day at the Capitol. Givan and Smitherman rolled out the “red carpet” for the players and cheerleaders in attendance. The Thundering Herd trampled away 39 years of frustration in the AHSAA state basketball tournament at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex Area with a 56-46 victory over Ramsay. Governor Bentley greeted the players as well as posed for a group photo with players, coaches and cheerleaders. The team was recognized by the Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard in the House of Representatives and by Senator Smitherman on the Senate floor, where the players were presented with a resolution on behalf of the state as well as greetings from the Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey, Jefferson County Senate Delegation Leader Jabbo Waggoner and Senate Pro Tempo Del Marsh and Senator Pricilla Dunn. Senator Smitherman stated “that Parker honored the state with their victory as well as with their resilience over the past 39 years in never giving up.”
Rep. Givan presented each player with a medal and a certificate, also presenting Principal Darryl Hudson and Tyrus Moss, Athletic Director, with a resolution and medal for their leadership at Parker. Givan spoke to players and their families about the importance of “greatness and being great as well as knowing that they are great because God made them uniquely and distinctly themselves and that each one has to realize his or her potential to be even greater.
Executive Director of the AHSAA, Steve Savarese, brought greetings on behalf of the athletic association and cited the championship sprit that Parker has always been known for.
Representative Oliver Robinson formally with the San Antonio Spurs was the keynote speaker. Robinson in his comments impressed upon each player,” to be champions on and off the field, he stressed the importance of being productive citizens as well as the importance of a quality education.”
Greetings were brought by President Jonathan Austin, District 5 of the Birmingham City Council, as well as Council Pro Tem Jay Roberson, the Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus Napoleon Bracy and Senate Minority leader, Senator Vivian Davis Figures. Ron Bufford from Alabama Power Company, a proud Parker Alumni, spoke of the purple and white pride that Parker Alumni have and what the A.H. Parker High School means to the State and this nation, he rallied the crowd with excerpts from the school song;” there is no other high school we love like Parker, we sing and shout her praises until the day we die.” He ended with “when we bleed we bleed purple and white.”
The team was treated like royalty and the true champions they are.

“Forty-seven-year-old startup” finds time-honored values pay dividends today

BIRMINGHAM, AL (March 18, 2014) – Birmingham-based o2ideas is taking aim at its second half-century of doing business, by reinvigorating its mission and unveiling a new agency website and social media presence.

The “47-year-old startup” agency, founded by Chairman and CEO Shelley Stewart back in 1967, has for most of its history quietly served clients by relentlessly employing the time-honored values of respect, hard work and relationship-building as it crafts innovative creative work for its clients.  The agency continues to gain new clients and grow existing ones it has partnered with for many years.

In mid-2013, Stewart appointed a leadership team to take the agency into its sixth decade of doing business in Birmingham and across the country.  That move provided a great opportunity for the company to refocus its 65 team members on an invigorated brand and mission for the future.  The agency’s new website, www.o2ideas.com, clarifies that mission and is designed to both attract new customers and inform the general public about its unique work and culture.  The company’s social media presence on platforms such as Twitter (@o2ideas) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/o2ideas) also has a fresh face and an engaging, ongoing stream of content.

“Kindness, respect, loyalty, dedication and the notion that all of us working together can make a great idea happen – that’s how we’ve grown our business and lasted this long.  We understand the importance of putting people first – clients, families and each individual who walks through our doors. Forging great relationships is one of the most successful keys in business.  That’s what has gotten us this far, and what will carry us forward,” Stewart said.

Stewart said o2ideas works for some of the best-known brands at both the national and regional level.  One national client, however, is not a company, but a non-profit reaching millions across the country.  “Our branding and grassroots work with The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation has been experienced by some 17 million children and adults across 49 states.  We are a national partner of the Foundation, which provides kids and adults with tools designed to improve the nation’s high school graduation rate.  We reach people where they live, right in their communities.”

“It’s amazing to see how our agency values have stayed the same even as the advertising and public relations industry changes every day,” said Howard Pearlstein, Creative Director at o2ideas.  “What we’ve done with our mission and creative direction is to formally nail down our values and say to the world and our team that we intend to be around a long time.  Our mission is rooted in creating amazing work, making clients happy, having fun and doing it all again tomorrow.  It’s about selfless leadership and focused talent working for the best interests of our clients.”

The Birmingham Police Department reports that cold case homicide detectives have charged and arrested a suspect in connection with a 2011 homicide investigation.  The incident occurred on July 10, 2011 at approximately 11:30 p.m., at 2127 7th Avenue South, Hospitality Inn.

The victim has been identified as:
Fredrick Scheinert, W/M, 54, Transient

South Precinct officers arrived at the incident location to investigate a report of person down. Upon arrival, officers located the victim inside a hotel room floor lying face down. Birmingham Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced the victim deceased on the scene. The victim was taken to the Coroner’s Office for an autopsy. Later the coroner found the victim had sustained blunt force trauma to the body which resulted in his death. Investigators exhausted several leads but were unable to obtain the critical piece of information needed to identify a suspect.
On March 11, 2014, cold case detectives obtained a murder warrant on one suspect after obtaining the necessary information that linked the suspect to this case.

The suspect has been identified as:
Gregory Chancey, W/M, 36, of Birmingham, Alabama. A  Murder warrant with a $60,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.

Cash For Crooks Div. of Refuge In Trouble Times (RITT), PO Box 28083, Birmingham, Al.  35228.
Our lights shine on the death of 24-year-old Derrek Phillips, who was found shot to death in his apartment around 7:20 a.m. on September 20, 2013. The police were called; neighbors reported hearing gunshots earlier. Anyone with info on this crime or any Cash For Crooks cases are to call 205-254-7777 (CRIME STOPPERS) or go online using the SUBMIT A TIP tab at the top of the page. NO NICK NAMES. If your tip leads to an  arrest/conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of any cases here, you will recieve a cash reward; you will remain ANONYMOUS. RITT works with State and Local Law-enforcers to solve these cases. Will you help put an end to the Invisible Body Bag?  If there’s a case you would like to see lit up, e-mail odussasplace@yahoo.com or call Minister Ward at 205-240-9910. Always remember Murder never makes an anouncement when it comes and you should not let cold cases sleep as its victims. Don’t wait til it creeps to your door, get involved now. Thank you

Fourteen first-year teachers in Alabama schools have received $1,000 grants for classroom materials and supplies from the Alabama Power Foundation.
“These grants provide crucial support for first-year teachers all over our state and we are especially grateful to the Alabama Power Foundation for providing this needful investment in our educators,” said Milla Boschung, dean of the University Alabama’s College of Human Environmental Sciences. Boschung chairs the foundation’s new teacher grant committee.
The foundation has been providing new teacher grants since 1995. “Our educators have a critical role in preparing leaders of tomorrow and we are honored to assist them by providing these grants,” said Foundation President John Hudson.
Grant candidates were submitted by the state’s education programs. Winners were selected by a committee that included education administrators. Each winner graduated from a state-approved teacher program at an Alabama public four-year college or university.
Here are the grant winners, the schools where they teach and the colleges where they earned their degrees:

•    Sara Arsman, McDonnell Elementary – Athens State University
•    Annette Chambers, Oliver Elementary – Troy University
•    James (Jake) Craft, Burkette Center – University of Alabama at Birmingham
•    Kristan Etheridge, Griggs Elementary – University of South Alabama
•    Kristin Flannagan, Deshler High – University of North Alabama
•    Jake Green, Piedmont High – Jacksonville State University
•    Christopher Johnson, Davis-Emerson Middle – University of Alabama
•    Ella Johnson, Marbury High – Auburn University Montgomery
•    Shannon Lee, Clanton Elementary – University of Montevallo
•    Loryn Lemberg, Buckhorn High – University of Alabama in Huntsville
•    Nicole Mitchell, W.F. Burns Middle – Auburn University
•    Reginald Pearson, Westlawn Middle – Alabama A&M University
•    Bobby Jay Sparks, Payne Elementary – Alabama State University
•    Alvin Wiggins, Jerry Lee Faine Elementary – Troy (Dothan Campus)

The Alabama Power Foundation awards more than 1,000 grants annually with non-ratepayer money and has assets of more than $140 million, making it one of the largest corporate foundations in the state. The foundation has given more than $135 million through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships. To learn more about the foundation and how to apply for a grant, visit www.powerofgood.com.

Rachel Stoves of Birmingham was recently crowned Miss Teen Birmingham 2014. The pageant competition was held Oak Mountain High School on February 9.
Rachel is the daughter of Roy and Angela Stoves of Birmingham and her siblings are Ashley and Ryan Stoves. Rachel is the granddaughter of Carrie Wright Morgan of McCalla, Alabama. She is an active member of The Guiding Light Church under the leadership of Bishop Jim Lowe.
Rachel is a graduating senior at Leeds High School. She is a member of The National Honor Society with a 3.8 GPA; International Thespian Society and Media Editor of  The Quill and Scroll National Honor Society. She is currently President of the FBLA 2014 and active in the FCCLA; also a member of the Green O’Dears Dance Line.
Rachel was awarded a one week all expense paid trip to Orlando, Florida, representing Birmingham, Alabama to compete in the 2015 National Pageant Competition awarding over $30,000 in cash, scholarships and prizes