The Mobile City Council voted to form a new ad hoc committee tasked with studying and recommending changes to the way the city raises revenue, marking one of the more significant actions to come out of a late-January regular meeting that otherwise saw two contested proposals pushed back for further review.
The newly formed panel will examine restructuring city taxes, fees and other revenue sources, an idea first floated during the 2015 fiscal year budgeting process. Each council member will appoint a representative to the committee, along with two appointees from the mayor’s administration and two more from the city’s state legislative delegation, the latter included in case any eventual recommendations require a public referendum.
Council members postponed a separate proposal that would have significantly altered how animals and fowl can be sold within city limits. District 6 Councilwoman Bess Rich, who has led the effort, said logistical hurdles, including securing legal representation for all parties affected, meant the measure needed more time. The change is expected to have a notable impact on Flea Market Mobile, and Rich set a public safety committee meeting for early February to work toward a final recommendation.
Also delayed was a proposed noise ordinance affecting residential districts, introduced by Mayor Sandy Stimpson. Council President Gina Gregory referred the measure to the public safety committee for further discussion at the same February meeting.
Elsewhere on the agenda, the council heard renewed objections from residents opposed to a previous vote closing a portion of Montclaire Way near Airmont Drive, though members did not comment further on the matter per advice from legal counsel.
In other business, the council approved a rezoning request tied to a new concrete manufacturing facility on Mitsubishi Lane, along with a separate rezoning near Moffett Road to allow expansion of a water treatment facility parking lot. Members also appointed three residents to the city’s newly created Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Contracting Opportunities for Small Business and Minority Owned Firms, with additional appointments expected in early February.
The council additionally approved several smaller funding measures, including money earmarked for Public Safety Memorial Park, an assessment of the historic Church Street Graveyard, lighting improvements at Cooper Riverside Park’s amphitheater and tennis court resurfacing at Medal of Honor Park. A resolution supporting the relocation of the historic Middle Bay Lighthouse to Battleship Park was postponed indefinitely, though officials noted ongoing discussions with private partners could bring the idea back for consideration later this year.