Girls Inc. of Central Alabama was presented with the 2013 Girls Inc. Affiliate of the Year Award, as well as recognition as an Honor Roll Affiliate for the second year in a row, at the Girls Incorporated Region IV Conference.  Region IV includes over 20 local chapters in the Southeastern United States.

During the Birmingham City Council Meeting held Tuesday, December 17, 2013, Council: 

Approved an Ordinance amending Title 12, Chapter 14 of the General City Code 1980 to add a new chapter to establish regulations for mobile food vehicles and pushcarts in the City of Birmingham, Alabama. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Steven Hoyt at 254.2304. 

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

1. Approved an Ordinance amending Title Two “Zone Districts,” Article II “Commercial Classifications,” Section 1, Subsection 2.21, Section 3, Subsection 2.38; Article III “Industrial Classifications,” Section 2, Subsection 2.21, and Title III “Miscellaneous,” Article VI “Supplementary Regulations and Modifications,” by adding Section 21 “Payday Loans (Deferred Presentment) and Title Loans” to the City of Birmingham’s Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 90-130 as amended), filed by the Zoning Advisory Committee of the Birmingham Planning Commission, in order to regulate these types of businesses within the City of Birmingham. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Jay Roberson at 254.2418.

2. Placed on consent a Resolution relative to the application of Yarbrough Festival Foodservice, Inc. for a Special Events License 140 to be used at BBVA Compass Bowl Street Festival, January 3, 2014 on Magnolia Avenue and 20th Street. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Steven Hoyt at 254.2304.

3. Appointed L’Tryce Slade and Michael Morris to the Birmingham Planning Commission.

4. Re-appointed Kevin Owens to the Birmingham Parking Authority.

5. Approved an Ordinance authorizing the issuance, execution, sale and delivery of $4,225,000.00 principal amount General Obligation Refunding Warrant of the City of Birmingham, Alabama, and the payment thereof.

6. Placed on consent an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement for Project Closeout, Termination of Leases and Transfer of Assets among the City of Birmingham, The Public Park and Recreation Board of the City of Birmingham and McWane Science Center under which The Public Park Board, the City and McWane Science Center agree to terminate:

(1) a Master Lease dated September 8, 1995, under which the City leased property located between 18th Street and 19th Streets North and 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenues North to The Public Park Board;

(2) a 1995 Sublease Agreement, under which The Public Park Board leased the property to McWane Science Center; and (3) a 1997 Sublease between The Public Park Board and McWane Science Center; and The Public Park Board and the City will transfer title to the property, equipment and fixtures to the McWane Science Center. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Marcus Lundy, Jr. at 254.2302.

7. Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Project Agreement with Lewis Communications, Inc. under which Lewis will establish within the City a facility located at 2030 1st Avenue North in which it will employ initially not less than fifty (50) employees to provide advertising, communications, publishing and related services for the business community and the City will provide financial incentives totaling $375,000.00 to Lewis in support of the project, payable in five annual payments of $75,000.00 each. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Marcus Lundy, Jr. at 254.2302.

8. Set a public hearing January 28, 2014 to consider the adoption of an Ordinance “to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham” (Case No. ZAC2013-00019) to change zone district boundaries from R-3 Single Family District to R-5 Multiple Dwelling District, filed by Mike Mouron of Capstone Real Estate Investment, owner, for property located at 4447 Montevallo Road, and situated in the SE¼ of Section 27, Township 17 South, Range 2 West., Birmingham.

9. Set a public hearing January 28, 2014 to consider the adoption of an Ordinance “to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham” (Case No. ZAC2013-00023) to change zone district boundaries from B-6 Health and Institutional District to R-6 Multiple Dwelling District, filed by David G. Ellis of Arlington Properties, Inc., representing the owner, Baptist Health Systems, Inc., for property located at 801 Montclair Road, and situated in the NE¼ of Section 33, Township 17 South, Range 2 West, Birmingham. 

Announcements and Reminders:

1. The Public Improvement Committee scheduled to meet on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 4:00 p.m., is CANCELED.

2. Councilor Marcus Lundy, Jr. will host a second District 9 Affordable Care Act Town Hall Meeting on today, December 17, 2013, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., North Birmingham Library Meeting Room, 2501 31st Avenue North, 35207. For more information, call the office of Councilor Marcus Lundy, Jr., at 254.2302.

3. The Parks Recreation and Cultural Arts Committee Meeting scheduled on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 12:30 p.m., is canceled.

4. A Special Called Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 4:00 p.m., in Conference Rooms “D&E.”

5. Councilor William Parker will host the District 4 Holiday Festival on Thursday, December 19, 2013, at the Shields Conference Center at W.C. Patton Park, 3969 14th Avenue South, 35234. For more information, call 254.2464.

6. Members of the Birmingham City Council will volunteer in the community on Saturday, December 21, 2013, 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m., at the Community Kitchens of Birmingham, located at Grace Episcopal Church in Woodlawn. Grace Episcopal Church is located at 5712 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35212.

7. The Budget and Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, December 23, 2013, 4:00 p.m., Conference Rooms D & E.

8. In observance of the Christmas Holiday, Birmingham City Hall is closed on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 and Wednesday, December 25, 2013.

9. In observance of the New Year’s Holiday, Birmingham City Hall is closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2013.

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 244. 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 John Long, Senior Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing John.Long@birminghamal.gov, or by calling 205-254-2036.

Birmingham City Council Passes New Food Truck Ordinance

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday passed a new food truck ordinance, establishing new regulations by which the different types of mobile food service businesses can operate.
The new ordinance creates food zones, establishes operating restrictions from brick-and-mortar restaurants, sets operating hours and addresses parking at the city’s right-of-ways.
“The ordinance that we passed today addresses the concerns of both the brick-and-mortar industry as well as the food truck industry,” said Council President Johnathan Austin.
“Ultimately, the citizens of Birmingham will have many options for dining.”
The license fees for mobile vendors were set at the Tuesday, November 5 city council meeting. Food trucks, pushcarts, ice cream trucks, lunch wagons will be required, under the expanded business code, to pay fees based on the annual revenues they report.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved new zoning rules for payday and title lending businesses operating within the city limits. The new regulations require at least 2,000 feet between existing and new operators.
The new zoning rules are in response to the issue of “clustering” of these types of businesses.
“Today’s resolution was good for the citizens of Birmingham as well as the business community whose desire is to relocate into a progressive market without the inundation of predatory lending agencies,” said Councilwoman Lashunda Scales, who brought forth the original ordinance.
“By the Council’s passage of today’s zoning restrictions, we can reduce the number of payday and title pawn businesses in neighborhoods that are in dire need of community and economic development infrastructure,” Scales said.
A moratorium restricting the issuance of new licenses to businesses categorized as “payday loan and title lending” was passed last Tuesday. The moratorium extension expires in June of next year, but has been sustained for over two years. A public hearing on the ordinance was also held last Tuesday.
Implementing zoning restrictions is the most the City can do to address the proliferation of these types of businesses, which Councilor Scales believes hinder economic development. City officials plan on petitioning the state legislature to introduce further legislation during the 2014 session.

MONTGOMERY – Attorney General Luther Strange has announced that Alabama has joined 42 other Attorneys General in submitting a letter to the Secretary of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), voicing strong support for the federal agency’s proposed nationwide investigation of patent trolls.
Patent trolls make baseless claims of patent infringement to extract fees or settlements from consumers. They acquire patents solely for this purpose. Consumers, small businesses and nonprofit agencies are often targeted because they have purchased or used off-the-shelf commercial products that rely on common, everyday technology. These products include printers, scanners or wireless routers.
In early October, the FTC announced its plan to conduct a wide-ranging investigation of known patent trolls, also known as patent assertion entities. The proposed investigation would arm consumer protection authorities with valuable intelligence as they escalate actions against abusers of the patent system.
Recently, a number of states have taken action against patent trolls whose activities run afoul of state consumer protection and unfair trade practice laws. Although much has been discovered through investigation of specific patent troll entities, the business structure and operating methods of other such entities remain unclear.
In addition to Alabama, the states whose Attorneys General signed the December 17 letter to the FTC include Nebraska, Vermont, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and West Virginia.
Attorney General Strange asked Alabama businesses who may have experienced patent trolling to let his office know. “If you believe your business may have been affected by patent trolling, or if someone attempts this with you, please let us know. You may contact my Consumer Protection Division by calling 334-353-1831 or through my webpage, www.ago.alabama.gov.”

AG Announces Arrest of Mobile Police Officer on Charges of Income Tax Evasion, Filing False Returns
 
MONTGOMERY– Attorney General Luther Strange has announced the arrest of a Mobile police officer on charges of state income tax evasion and filing false tax returns. Donald Pears, 61, surrendered at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.
Attorney General Strange’s Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a Mobile County grand jury on December 9, resulting in Pears’ indictment.
Specifically, the indictment charges Pears with four counts of evading his personal income taxes and four counts of filing false income tax returns under penalty of perjury. The charges involve alleged violations involving the years 2007 through 2010.
No further information about the investigation or about Pears’ alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Pears faces a penalty of five years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine for each of the counts of income tax evasion, and three years imprisonment and a fine of $100,000 for each of the counts of filing false returns.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Bill Lisenby and thanked Alabama Revenue Commissioner Julie P. Magee, Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Counsel Glen Powers, and agents of the Alabama Department of Revenue.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Ball Cap Bandit Pleads Guilty to Eleven Bank Robberies
HUNTSVILLE — A Huntsville man who was dubbed the Ball Cap Bandit because he often wore a ball cap during his crime spree pleaded guilty today in federal court to 11 counts of bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr.
CEDRICK LAMOND HICKS, 33, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins to 11 counts of bank robbery. Ten of those were in Alabama and one was in Tennessee. Hicks’ sentencing is scheduled March 25 in Huntsville.

The date, location and amount of money stolen in the robberies Hicks pleaded guilty to are as follows:

•    Feb. 22, 2012, Regions Bank, Madison Street, Huntsville, $2,870.
•    March 23, 2012, First Jackson Bank, Sutton Road, Huntsville, $1,894.
•    April 30, 2012, Renasant Bank, U.S. 72 West, Madison, $3,500.
•    Aug. 2, 2012, Peoples Bank, U.S. 431 South, Guntersville, $890.
•    Aug. 8, 2012, Traditions Bank, Alabama 67 South, Decatur, $7,243.
•    Sept. 19, 2012, First National Bank of Pulaski, South First Street, Pulaski, Tenn., $23,067.
•    Nov. 27, 2012, Regions Banks, Lee Street, Rogersville, $8,009.
•    Jan. 7, 2013, Peoples Trust Bank, Military Street South, Hamilton, $9,000.
•    March 6, 2013, ServisFirst Bank, Meridian Street, Huntsville, $6,575.
•    Sept. 18, 2012, Cadence Bank, U.S. 431, Albertville, no money taken.
•    Nov. 26, 2012, Traditions Bank, Second Avenue NW, Cullman, no money taken.
Hicks faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each robbery.  The government also will seek restitution for the victims of his crimes.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Stuart Burrell is prosecuting the case.

Cash For Crooks Div. of Refuge In Trouble Times (RITT) would like to spotlight the murder deaths of Keith Orlando Hilson and RaSheed Ali Ward.
It was a Wednesday evening in the 4600 Block of Terrace S in Central Park. The game was on, children outside playing this warm June 17, in 2010 when all of a sudden a car pulled up. Keith came from a house where his niece lived with her mother. He had words with someone in a car, shots ranged out from an AK-47. Hilson was hit five times in the face, he fell dead on the streets. RaSheed stood a few feet away talking to his friend, was hit in the abdomen, he died 1 hour and 5 minutes later at UAB hospital. His friend was hit in the arm and part of his hip; he survived but he has not said a word to the police, neither has the woman where Hilson had exited her home. There is a $20,000 reward.   Will you help?  Someone out there that early summer evening saw something.  Since that day in Central Park, eight families have moved.  If you know or heard anything call 205-254-7777. You will receive a number. NO NICK NAMES PLEASE. You may also text from your cell phone CRIMES7777. You will never have to appear in court.
Make the call; help take a bite out of crime. RITT works faithfully with the law-enforcers and the city leaders to help stop violence. We work with every entity of the community in the spirit of unity and love to improve the lives of our children. Will you consider? Don’t let it be your child before you pitch in to help. Violence in any form affects us all when it hits a community, a neighborhood, a home and/or a family.  Minister Ward would love to help you find the person who is responsible for your loved one’s cold case; e-mail us at odussasplace@yahoo.com or you might call 205-240-9910.  Remember Reality is, “When it happens to you.”

The Birmingham Police Department would like your help in locating:
Donald Hopkins, age 45, of Birmingham, Alabama.
Hopkins is described as: B/M, 5’7” Tall, 160 lbs., Black Hair and Brown Eyes.  It’s unknown what type or color clothing he was wearing.
Hopkins was last seen on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Hopkins suffers from schizophrenia and has not been taking his medication.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the whereabouts of Donald Hopkins, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Special Victims Unit at 297-8413, 328-9311 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.

Homicide Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department reports that a suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with a homicide investigation. The victim was discovered on Friday, May 17, 2013, at approximately 2:45 a.m., in the 1200 block of Rayfield Drive.

The victim has been identified as:
Arthur Green, B/M, 22, of Birmingham, Alabama.

The suspect has been identified as:
Jimbroski Peterson, B/M, 20, of Pleasant Grove, Alabama. A Capital Murder warrant with no bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.

Company launches 5-week mini educational series
by Jessica Jones

Transparency Throughout the System

The Birmingham Water Works (BWW) is committed to non-discriminatory service and provides service to all customers throughout its service area regardless of what location customers live in, work, or visit. That is why the company’s primary goal is to provide the highest quality water to its customers and to be responsive to the needs of the entire community. The BWW vows to maintain, preserve, and conserve our most precious resource, water, in order to ensure the supply for future generations.
As a result of the company’s financial condition, the board’s current bond rating is AA with Standard and Poor’s and Aa2 with Moody’s – both of which were recently upgraded – a rating that places the utility among some of the highest rated water utilities in the nation. The recent upgrades also saved the company’s ratepayers money. The BWW attributes Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s recent ratings upgrades to the work of its efficient governance model, a model the company says works best for its ratepayers, bondholders, and stakeholders.
While the BWW maintains that the governance model has worked effectively for over 50 years, legislation was introduced last year to revamp the current composition of the board. However, the BWW continues to assert that the board functions properly and efficiently. Although the BWW has no intention of changing their system, they do recognize that the company should better communicate to legislators, local elected officials, and to the customer how the Board works to meet daily and long-term goals.
Additionally, as an all-inclusive company, the BWW values transparency and welcomes the public to take part in public meetings, which includes rate discussions. The utility also encourages the public to attend budgeting workshops, which allows the dialogue between consumers and the company to remain open. Ratepayers have several opportunities to attend budget workshops and board meetings where rates are discussed before any final decisions on the rates are made. Rates are discussed at least 60 days before they are approved and they are approved 30 days prior to taking effect. The budgeting process is as follows:
•    Budget parameters are submitted.
•    Scenarios and options for board consideration are submitted.
•    At least three open budget workshops are conducted and at least three board meetings are held to discuss budget and potential rate increases.
•    The board votes on a new budget at least 30 days before it goes into effect.
Furthermore, where transparency is concerned, the BWW is interested in open and honest discussions. Discussions on rates last a minimum of 60 days where during this time open meetings and deliberations are held. The Board also operates under Alabama’s Open Meetings Act and it uses the rate stabilization and equalization model to determine its rates.
BWW refinanced  $23 million of existing bonds and an issuance of over $70 million dollars in new money bonds for capital improvements during 2013. Wall Street’s support of these bond issues during tough economic times is a testament to BWW’s financial strengths.
In addition to fair and reasonable service, consumers pay an equitable rate regardless of class and location. BWW customers pay less money for higher quality water than other consumers locally and in the southeast.
In reviewing the past 12 months, numerous BWW employees rose to the occasion and made stellar system improvements and achievements. Throughout the year, the company heightened its reliability through several capital improvement projects that enhanced the quality of the system. Those projects helped assure the company’s ability to deliver water to more than 200,000 connections, which service more than 14,000 fire hydrants that provide water and fire protection throughout its service area.
The BWW continued to excel in receiving awards throughout 2013, a few of those include the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s Optimized Plant Award, American Water Works Association (AWWA) Phase Three and Four Awards, the AWWA’s Alabama/Mississippi Section Senior Plant Operator of the Year Award, the 2013 Top 125 Training Award from the nationally recognized Training Magazine (second consecutive year), as well as the American Water and Pollution Control Association’s Charles W. White Award.
The company’s Pipe Tapping Team won its 10th National Championship during AWWA’s Annual Conference Exhibition 2013 (ACE13) after having received their 5th World Championship at the 2013 World Water Cup. Additionally, the BWW’s Top Operators won their 3rd National Championship at ACE13.
The BWW’s ultimate goal is to continue to provide water with the best quality and taste, as well as to provide quality service to all of its customers, while upholding transparent and open communications system-wide.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting, the Birmingham Airport Authority Board of Directors received a Terminal Modernization Project update during the last scheduled meeting in 2013.
Jeff Hart of Brasfield & Gorrie Contractors, Terminal Modernization Project manager, outlined the work completed since the last board meeting in November. Storm piping has been completed and fine grading has begun yet delayed due to weather the last two weeks while other work on the building’s interior continues to progress. Work on Concourse C includes exterior wall construction, interior wall framing, and exterior panels have been started. Drywall on the north side of the terminal is in progress and the front exterior paneling will begin at the end of the month. “When you compare the renderings drawn by the architect in 2010 and the building’s aerial photograph taken just last month, the project is really taking shape and they have done a good job of seeing it through,” said Hart.
The Birmingham Airport Authority’s project coordinator, Tom Wesley, reported no major changes to the projects financial status report. The project is slated to be complete by summer 2014.