Birmingham City Council meeting highlights: June 12, 2018

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Birmingham City Council

During the Birmingham City Council Meeting on June 12, 2018, the City Council voted on the following items:

  1. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an agreement with Alabama Environmental Council, under which Alabama Environmental Council will preserve in the public interest or aid in the preservation of areas in Birmingham which are scenic, ecological, geological, biological, historical, or of recreational importance. Alabama Environmental Council will combat environmental deterioration by providing facilities for collection of certain materials for recycling and assisting with the collection of materials for recycling. The term of the agreement shall be for Six (6) months in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00.Was this item approved? Yes

    What does this mean? The Alabama Environmental Council (AEC), formerly Alabama Conservancy, was established in 1967 before the first Earth Day, before the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, and before the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. They were the first environmental advocacy organization in the state. The AEC serves Alabama as a leader in recycling program development and advocate for reduced landfill use. The Alabama Environmental Council manages the Avondale and Bessemer recycling centers.

    The AEC is a statewide, nonprofit organization engaging citizens toward sustainable living and stewardship of the environment. Nearly 2,000 tons of recyclables are processed at their centers annually.

    Next Steps: For more information, please contact the Office of the City Council at 205.254.2294

  2. A Resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement with The Birmingham Board of Education (BOE), under which the BOE will provide the following goods and services (1) School Security Measures (2) School Academic and Athletic Support; and (3) After School Care and Summer Enrichment Programs, and the City shall deliver funds to the BOE in the amount of $3,665,000.00.Was this item approved? Yes

    What does this mean? This is the City of Birmingham’s annual appropriation to the Birmingham Board of Education. Instead of the appropriation being a “blank check”, the City’s funds will specifically be used for funding security at Birmingham City Schools, extracurricular and athletic programs during the school year, as well as for summer enrichment programs.

    Next Steps: For more information, please contact the Office of the City Council at 205.254.2294

  3. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the RESPECT Organization (“RESPECT”), pursuant to Amendment 772 of the Alabama Constitution of 1901 to provide public money and things of value to a private entity for purposes of promoting the economic and industrial development of the City, under which RESPECT will assist the City in facilitating various economic development projects including employment skills services, school dropout, youth educational motivational programs, and youth educational enhancement programs and training services to inspire and motivate parents, students and young adults to improve their lives, stimulating the local economy and yielding increased employment for young adults and RESPECT will assist in the promotion of economic development growth and sustainability within the City, and the City will pay RESPECT an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 for a term of one year.Was this item approved? Yes

    What does this mean? The purpose of the RESPECT Organization is to expose, highlight, recognize, motivate, challenge, inspire, award and reward the youth of Birmingham, particularly the West End Community; in ways that will bring them up to new levels of “respect”. They want to show the city, state, nation and world, there is a remnant of this generation that remains in touch with morality, accountability and productivity. Their calendar of events includes their annual Back to School Rally and Parade, noted as the #1 back to school rally in the nation, gathering over 20,000 youth in attendance, as well as their:

    Annual Thanksgiving Benefit Concert – This concert brings together local middle and high school choirs. Proceeds gained from this outreach help to Habitat for Humanity, school choirs, and needy families.

    The P.R.O.M.I.S.E. (Professionals Reaching Out Motivating Inspiring Students to Excel) opportunities for students to interact with professionals through motivational speakers and apprenticeships.

    School Rallies – tours to schools to encourage our youth to “RESPECT” (Respect Every Single Person Ever Created Today)

    Steve Green Scholarship Fund – awarded to students for academic excellence

    Next Steps: For more information, please contact the Office of the City Council at 205.254.2294

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Meeting highlights provided by the Birmingham City Council Public Information office.