CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: Minutes and Agendas

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The City Council meets every Tuesday

9:00 a.m. - Pre Council Meeting in Government Plaza Conference Room on the First floor.

10:30 a.m. - The Council Meeting begins in Government Plaza Auditorium on the First Floor.

Council minutes for May 11, 2010

MUNICIPAL BUILDING, MOBILE, ALABAMA, MAY 11, 2010

The Council of the City of Mobile, Alabama, met in the Pre-Council Conference Room of the Mobile Government Plaza on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.

Present:
Chairman: Copeland
Councilmembers: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory
Absent: None

The meeting was called to order. The Council reviewed and discussed the agenda for their meeting to be held today at 10:30 a.m.

The Presiding Officer adjourned the meeting.

Approved: May 25, 2010

_______________________________
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

_______________________________
CITY CLERK

MUNICIPAL BUILDING, MOBILE, ALABAMA, MAY 11, 2010

The Council of the City of Mobile, Alabama, met in the Auditorium of the Mobile Government Plaza on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., in regular meeting.

The meeting was called to order by City Clerk, Lisa Lambert.

Reverend Irving Boykin, Mt. Gerizim Missionary Baptist Church, offered the invocation.

The Presiding Officer led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present on Roll Call:

Chairman: Copeland
Councilmembers: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory
Absent: None

STATEMENT OF RULES BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT:

The Presiding Officer stated that all cell phones must be turned off and dispensed with reading the following Rules concerning communications with the City Council with the exception of #2:

1) Any person desiring to address the Council must register upon entering the meeting area. When addressing the Council, the speaker must state his/her name and address.

2) Each speaker is allowed five minutes to address the Council. A bell will sound to indicate the end of 4 minutes. One minute is allowed for summarizing. The second bell indicates the time has expired.

3) To maintain decorum, there will be no undue applause and/or public outcry allowed.

4) When addressing the Council, there is to be no personal address to any individual Councilmember. All statements are to be made to the Chair who will recognize any Councilmember who wishes to respond.

5) Any person desiring to speak to the Council on a non-agenda item must contact the City Clerk's Office no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the Council Meeting. The subject he/she wishes to address must be identified. Any person attending the meeting who has not given proper notice to the Clerk's Office and wishes to speak on a non-agenda item will not be allowed to address the Council.
6) Those persons desiring to speak on agenda items must indicate the resolution, ordinance, appeal, or public hearing item on arrival when signing in for the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The Minutes of April 20, 2010, were approved as submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:

Mayor Jones presented a Certificate of Recognition to Officer William Appling, “Officer of the Month” for April, 2010.

Mayor Jones noted that Reverend Irving Boykin (who gave the invocation this morning) is also a Sergeant with the Mobile Police Department.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:

Councilmember Richardson moved for the adoption of the agenda, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the agenda adopted.

APPEALS:

(1) The Council considered the request of Travis Atkins, Jr., Church Street East Neighborhood Association, for a Waiver of the Noise Ordinance on May 22, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. (District 2).

There being no objections, Councilmember Williams moved that the waiver be granted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Richardson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the waiver granted.

(2) The Council considered the request of Herbert and Paula Rogers, 2519 Murrwood Court, for a Waiver of the Noise Ordinance on May 15, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. (District 4).

There being no objections, Councilmember Williams moved that the waiver be granted, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Richardson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the waiver granted.

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL:

(A) AGENDA ITEMS:

None

(B) NON-AGENDA ITEMS:

(1) Nancy Milford, 135 Confederate Drive, Spanish Fort, submitted the following statement for the record:

“Dear Mayor Jones and Council Members,

For ten years, I proudly served the City of Mobile, with a master’s degree in environmental engineering. I was honored to work with many excellent City employees; many I still consider my friends and trusted colleagues. I am speaking here today to publicly express how I feel about the way the current City of Mobile employees have been treated recently and to comment on the recently passed resolution number 60-203, sponsored by Gina Gregory.

I felt offended when the resolution 60-203 was presented because the resolution appeared to be a deliberate, and perhaps a bit underhanded, attempt by some members of this council to step outside the appropriate bounds of power and authority to control employees. As I understand it, Council Members are not legally supposed to give City employees direct instructions in order to maintain a healthy, non-political work environment. Yet reading the resolution, it appeared the ultimate motive was a means for the Council to manipulate the government system by making the hiring and firing process political. The resolution also was an attempt at significantly increasing the percentage of cuts in employee salaries by furloughs, and potentially reducing retirement and social security benefits. Please be advised that the only reason most people choose to work for municipalities are for the benefits such as holidays, retirement, and insurance, not the pay.

I feel that each council member that voted for resolution no. 60-203 publicly expressed a lack of support for the employees. Further, as I understand it from Mr. Dees of the Personnel Board, several of the actions stated in the resolution cannot be implemented because they are not legal. To have put employees through the emotional grinder of this process and to keep this resolution on the “books,” I feel is inappropriate and further insults City employees. I am asking this council to retract this resolution from public record and to make a public apology to the citizens and to employees for passing a resolution that does not contain legal appropriate action. I feel that this resolution was a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.

Recent actions with regards to the budget cut situation appears to be more about instilling a climate of fear and increasing political power over employees, than saving money. For the Mayor to state “Get the List” publicly, after his sales tax agenda failed, set a tone of fear instead of a more appropriate management technique of calming the fears of employees in order to help maintain productivity.

The day of the “Get the List” comment, I had numerous phone calls from panicked employees and was told that City staff was running about trying to calm their fears of layoffs and no work was getting accomplished. If the average employee makes $12 per hour and there are 2500 employees working an 8 hour day, then the Mayor’s comment just cost the tax payers approximately $240,000 in lost productivity in just one day, not to mention the affect on morale. The political ping pong match between the Mayor and the Council continued for two to three weeks so lost productivity costs are probably much closer to $2 million dollars. My heart ached for City staff during this time. I propose to you, the “my way or the highway” authoritarian approach to an economic down turn is not cost effective in the least. I have been employed by many companies that have experienced downturns since the 1980’s and was luckily not subject to this management style.

The lack of an open communication process has also shocked me. Not allowing employees and citizens to openly and freely participate in the process sent a clear and quite disturbing message. Meetings at appropriate times for employees and a vote by the citizens, I am sure would have been appreciated by all. It would have indicated that you care what the taxpayers and employees think. The message of not caring was clearly received by your audience. I am reminded of the child’s folktale about the emperor who had no clothes. The good news is that a much more savvy political audience exists these days, evaluating political performance on motivation, deed, and action, and not rhetoric.

Finally, one councilman expressed to me in our phone conversation that there were just too many employees. This councilman’s general lack of compassion was quite overwhelming. By his comment, it was obvious that he takes very little interest in the faces that keep the City working. For instance, Ms. Vanessa works tirelessly in Public Works all day everyday with a positive attitude and then goes to a second job in the evenings to help better her family. I have never heard her get frustrated.

There is a garbage worker that daily potentially exposes himself to waste, needles, and other hazards by the sheer nature of his job. He does it because he wants some job security and to feed his children. One day he witnessed an older woman struggling and stopped work a moment to help her (she was a friend of mine that later told me of the incident.)

What about another employee who had lost a family member only to hear the layoff ping pong match within the week of his loss. Oh, then there is the fellow that had hired on with several different companies that collapsed, so he excitedly hired on at the City of Mobile for stability only to hear the ping pong game between the Mayor and the Council, with his wife and family on the line. I would like to remind each one of you that you are dealing with lives not just numbers in the “List.”

It is my deepest hope that each one of you takes the time and effort to apologize to the employees for your poor bedside manner. I have worked mostly with the Public Works and Engineering staff during my time in Mobile. Generally, I would say that the honor to work with them was mine and I would not trade the experience for anything. Please take the time to get to know the people in your “List.”’

(2) Addison DuBoi, 6421 Autumn Ridge Road, addressed the Council regarding the issue of freedom of speech and the City’s budget.

RESOLUTIONS HELD OVER:

ACCEPT STREETS AND DRAINAGE FACILITIES FOR CONTINUOUS MAINTENANCE OF OAKLEIGH WAY IN OAKLEIGH PLACE. The following resolution which was introduced and read at the regular meeting of Tuesday, May 4, 2010, and which was laid over for one (1) week to the regular meeting of Tuesday, May 11, 2010, was called up by the Presiding Officer.

RESOLUTION 45-198-2010

Sponsored by: Councilmember Hudson

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MOBILE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that street described as follows:

Those streets in “Oakleigh Place.” Said street being named “Oakleigh Way” is hereby accepted by the City of Mobile and that the street and drainage facilities as constructed have been dedicated to, approved by, and accepted for continuous maintenance by the City of Mobile.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; whereupon Councilmember Hudson moved to table the resolution, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Richardson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution tabled.

SUSPENSION OF RULES FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS BEING INTRODUCED FOR FIRST TIME.

Councilmember Richardson moved for the suspension of the rules for the immediate consideration of Resolutions 01-204 through 31-212, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The Presiding Officer declared unanimous consent granted for all items.

RESOLUTIONS BEING INTRODUCED:

AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT WITH YUMUL INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES, LLC, FOR LEASE OF THE CREW SHOP AND PHONE CENTER IN THE ALABAMA CRUISE TERMINAL. The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Richardson.

RESOLUTION 01-204-2010

Sponsored by: Mayor Jones and Councilmember Carroll

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that the Mayor and City Clerk be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to execute and attest, respectively, for and on behalf of the City of Mobile, the Agreement by and between the City of Mobile and Yumul International Enterprise, LLC. A copy of said Agreement is on file in the office of the City Clerk.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Richardson moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Gregory, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution adopted.

AUTHORIZE CONTRACT WITH PPM CONSULTANTS, INC., FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED THEODORE FIRE STATION, $7,800.00. The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Richardson.

RESOLUTION 21-205-2010

Sponsored by: Mayor Jones and Councilmember Williams

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that the Mayor and the City Clerk be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to execute and attest, respectively, for and on behalf of the City of Mobile, a contract, by and between the City of Mobile and the company listed below, for work as outlined in the contract attached hereto and made a part hereof as though set forth in full, subject to the company signing the contract and furnishing the required bonds and insurance. A copy of said executed contract will be on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

Name of Company: PPM Consultants, Inc.

Project Name: Environmental Assessment for the
Proposed Theodore Fire Station

Estimated Cost: $7,800.00

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Richardson moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Gregory, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution adopted.

AUTHORIZE GRANT APPLICATION TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO RENOVATE SPACE AT WOODCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR USE AS A CITY COMMUNITY FACILITY. The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Burrell.

RESOLUTION 31-206-2010

Sponsored by: Mayor Jones and Councilmember Burrell

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that the Mayor is authorized to submit an application for grant funding in the amount of $75,000.00 to Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) needed to complete the renovation of 4,200 square feet of space at Woodcock Elementary School. Should the application be awarded, the space to be renovated will be used as a community use facility for activities and programs to be offered by the City of Mobile’s Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) when completed. Projects offered at the renovated facility will include, but not be limited to, therapeutic arts and crafts, student study/recreation areas, senior citizens activities, computer classes and storage areas. Additionally, should the grant be awarded, the Mayor, or his designee, is authorized to complete the required administrative actions needed to secure the grant funds from the funding organization. Finally, it is further resolved, there are no matching cost or cost sharing requirement to be incurred by the City of Mobile by accepting the grant.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Burrell moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Following comments by Councilmember Burrell, the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution adopted.

AUTHORIZE GRANT APPLICATION TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND BUILDING MATERIALS FOR THE MOBILE REGIONAL SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER. The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Burrell.

RESOLUTION 31-207-2010

Sponsored by: Mayor Jones and Councilmember Hudson

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that the Mayor is authorized to submit an application for grant funding in the amount of $5,000.00 to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) needed to purchase equipment, supplies, and building materials for the Mobile Regional Senior Community Center. Additionally, should the grant be awarded, the Mayor, or his designee, is authorized to complete the required administrative actions needed to secure the grant funds from the funding organization. Finally, it is further resolved, there are no matching cost or cost sharing requirement to be incurred by the City of Mobile by accepting the grant.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Burrell moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Following comments by Councilmember Hudson, the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution adopted.

RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE ABC BOARD FOR ISSUANCE OF A RESTAURANT RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSE FOR PARTY GRA BAR AND GRILL, 3211 SPRINGHILL AVENUE (DISTRICT 1). The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Richardson.

RESOLUTION 37-208-2010

Sponsored by: Councilmember Richardson

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that the following application to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board of the State of Alabama, is hereby recommended for grant of such license by said Board.

Type of Application: Restaurant Retail Liquor

Submitted by: Roc Roc, LLC

Location: Party Gra Bar and Grill
3211 Springhill Avenue

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Richardson moved to lay over for two (2) weeks, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution to be laid over for two (2) weeks to the regular meeting of Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE ABC BOARD FOR ISSUANCE OF A CLUB LIQUOR CLASS (CLUB) LICENSE FOR SHAKY JAKES ROCKIN COUNTRY, 3679 AIRPORT BOULEVARD, SUITE A (DISTRICT 5). The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Copeland.

RESOLUTION 37-209-2010

Sponsored by: Councilmember Copeland

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that the following application to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board of the State of Alabama, is hereby recommended for grant of such license by said Board.


Type of Application: Club Liquor Class II
(Club)

Submitted by: Q & A, Incorporated

Location: Shaky Jakes Rockin Country
3679 Airport Boulevard, Suite A

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Copeland moved to lay over for one (1) week, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Richardson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution to be laid over for one (1) week to the regular meeting of Wednesday, May 19, 2010.

ASSESS COST FOR REMOVAL OF WEEDS, GROUP #1418. The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Richardson.

RESOLUTION 58-210-2010

RESOLUTION ASSESSING THE COST OF REMOVAL OF NOXIOUS OR DANGEROUS WEEDS IN FRONT OF OR ON CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND IN THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA

WHEREAS, an itemized report in writing has been made to the City Council of Mobile, showing the costs of removing noxious or dangerous weeds on or in front of the hereinafter described parcels of land, a copy of such report having first been posted on the Council Chamber door more than three days prior to the meeting at which the report was received, and the City Council having heard the report, together with any objections which may have been raised by any of the property owners liable to be assessed for the work of cutting such weeds, and the City Council being of the opinion that such report in all respects be confirmed:

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOBILE as follows:

Section 1. The amount set opposite each described parcel of real property contained in exhibit "A," a copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and made a part hereof as though set forth in full and known as Group #1418, shall constitute special assessments against such respective parcels of land; and each such parcel of land is hereby assessed with the amount set opposite its description; and the assessment hereby made and confirmed shall constitute a lien on and against each such respective parcel of land for the amount of each respective assessment so made; and the report made to this body of the costs of removing the noxious or dangerous weeds on or in front of the respective parcels of land is hereby in all respects confirmed.

Section 2. It is directed that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Tax Collector of the City of Mobile, and it shall be his duty to add the amounts of the above respective assessments to the next regular bills for ad valorem taxes levied against the said respective lots and parcels of land for municipal purposes, and such amounts shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary municipal taxes are collected, and shall be subject to the same penalties and same procedure on foreclosure and sale as in the case of delinquency as provided for ordinary ad valorem taxes.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Richardson moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution adopted.

ASSESS COST FOR REMOVAL OF WEEDS, GROUP #1426. The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Richardson.

RESOLUTION 58-211-2010

RESOLUTION ASSESSING THE COST OF REMOVAL OF NOXIOUS OR DANGEROUS WEEDS IN FRONT OF OR ON CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND IN THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA

WHEREAS, an itemized report in writing has been made to the City Council of Mobile, showing the costs of removing noxious or dangerous weeds on or in front of the hereinafter described parcels of land, a copy of such report having first been posted on the Council Chamber door more than three days prior to the meeting at which the report was received, and the City Council having heard the report, together with any objections which may have been raised by any of the property owners liable to be assessed for the work of cutting such weeds, and the City Council being of the opinion that such report in all respects be confirmed:

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOBILE as follows:

Section 1. The amount set opposite each described parcel of real property contained in exhibit "A," a copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and made a part hereof as though set forth in full and known as Group #1426, shall constitute special assessments against such respective parcels of land; and each such parcel of land is hereby assessed with the amount set opposite its description; and the assessment hereby made and confirmed shall constitute a lien on and against each such respective parcel of land for the amount of each respective assessment so made; and the report made to this body of the costs of removing the noxious or dangerous weeds on or in front of the respective parcels of land is hereby in all respects confirmed.

Section 2. It is directed that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Tax Collector of the City of Mobile, and it shall be his duty to add the amounts of the above respective assessments to the next regular bills for ad valorem taxes levied against the said respective lots and parcels of land for municipal purposes, and such amounts shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary municipal taxes are collected, and shall be subject to the same penalties and same procedure on foreclosure and sale as in the case of delinquency as provided for ordinary ad valorem taxes.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Richardson moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution adopted.

APPROVE APPLICATION FOR PAUL COVERDELL FORENSIC IMPROVEMENT GRANT TO UPDATE OLD EQUIPMENT USED BY CRIME SCENE TECHNICIANS. The following resolution was introduced by Councilmember Richardson.

RESOLUTION 31-212-2010

Sponsored by: Mayor Jones

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to file with the U. S. Department of Justice a grant application for financial assistance in the approximate amount of $173,014.00 for the Mobile Police Department’s Identification Unit. This application will be filed under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor, or his designee, be authorized to accept said grant if offered and to sign any agreements or other documents in connection with the grant application and to provide any information required by the U. S. Department of Justice and any other federal agency.

The resolution was read by the City Clerk; and unanimous consent for its immediate consideration being granted, Councilmember Richardson moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Hudson, and the vote was as follows:

Ayes: Richardson, Carroll, Burrell, Williams, Hudson, Gregory, Copeland
Nays: None

The vote was then announced by the City Clerk, whereupon the Presiding Officer declared the resolution adopted.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

City Clerk Lisa Lambert announced that next week’s City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010.

The Council President noted that the City of Mobile will host the Alabama League of Municipalities Conference next week which necessitates the postponement of Tuesday’s meeting to Wednesday, May 19, 2010.

The Council President cited several statistics regarding the LPGA Bell Micro tournament which will be held in Mobile May 13-16, 2010.

Council President Copeland also reported that Lori Thomas will arrive in Mobile on Sunday, May 16, 2010, for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Tennis Tournament at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center.

Councilmember Williams concurred with the Council President regarding the benefits to the City of Mobile from the LPGA tournament.

Councilmember Gregory stated she spoke at the League of Women Voters’ meeting last night, and she thanked the League for the opportunity to meet with them.

Councilmember Richardson announced that he will hold his Trinity Gardens community meeting on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Dotch Community Center. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Councilmember Richardson outlined an ordinance he plans to sponsor dealing with parking on the grass at City parks and the subsequent fine for violation of such ordinance.

Councilmember Hudson expressed her enjoyment in participating in the grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market located on University Boulevard and Cottage Hill Road.

Councilmember Hudson said she will be the guest speaker at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church Jubilee Club on Thursday, May 13, 2010.

Councilmember Hudson stated she would appreciate the assistance of the administration in accepting the $20,000.00 that has been contributed by the Mobile County Commission to the Medal of Honor Park pavilion project. Councilmember Hudson noted that the J. L. Bedsole Foundation and the White-Spunner Foundation have also made contributions of $20,000.00 and $5,000.00, respectively, to the project.

Councilmember Burrell said that he attended the Decree of Justice ceremony yesterday morning at sunrise, along with Mayor Jones and other business leaders, who offered prayers for a fair process, and the protection for all of the entities involved, in the tanker contract competition.

Council President Copeland wished a speedy recovery for Barbara Ratliff, the wife of Bud Ratliff who is the Executive Director of the Mobile Bay Sports Authority.

The Presiding Officer adjourned the meeting at 11:09 a.m.

Approved: May 25, 2010

_____________________________
COUNCIL PRESIDENT

_____________________________
CITY CLERK

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