By Nathan Prewett
For the Tribune
CENTER POINT – Center Point City Council met on Thursday night beginning with an overview of the finalized draft of the Center Point Comprehensive Plan. Afterwards several residents spoke up during public comments on shootings that have occurred over the last three weeks.
photo by Bethany Adams
A representative from the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham gave a presentation on the plan, which outlined different ways to improve the city. Among them was traffic calming techniques, resurfacing roads, safety projects and marketing the city to potential businesses.
The plan suggests marketing the fire district’s ISO Class 1 rating, considered to be the highest rating a district can achieve.
All council members were present except for Councilwoman Linda Kennemer, who was absent due to medical reasons.
The city’s problem with crime in recent weeks was brought up during pre-council. Council President Roger Barlow said that the city will contact the Justice Department and have a team come to Center Point to perform an analysis and propose solutions.
The analysis was said to take around 12 to 26 months to complete but will not cost the city anything.
“It could not come at a more appropriate time,” Barlow said.
Center Point has experienced a spate of gun crimes in the last several weeks, namely with a shooting that occurred at a carnival on April 15, which resulted in multiple people being injured. On April 24 a man was shot in an attempted robbery and shootings were reported at an apartment complex on April 26, the night before the council meeting at City Hall.
Residents voiced their concerns during public comments and tensions briefly flared regarding what the city is doing to deter crime.
“Do I have to worry about my husband going to work and being shot?” asked resident Sharon Wilbourn at the podium.
Barlow assured the crowd that the city is working on the problem with crime and reminded that the council would vote to have Justice Department about analyzing and determining solutions through the Commitment to Change program.
“I’m doing all that I can about it,” he said. “I am doing all that I know to do. If somebody has constructive comments I will be glad to listen to them. Our goal is to have zero crime in Center Point. But that’s not realistic. I’m concerned about this issue.”
Barlow and Mayor Henderson also mentioned the security cameras recently purchased, which they believe will help alleviate some incidents of crime in the city. Suggestions were made by residents, including putting more money into the Public Safety Department.
Resident Christy Falligant brought up an abandoned house on 1700 Fifth Place Northwest that burned down in 2014. The structure is now collapsing and the grass is uncut. She said that the house is a danger to children trying to get in.
Barlow said that he was “just as frustrated” and has been speaking to the city attorney about the issue. He said that if an ordinance regarding the house does not appear on the agenda at the next meeting it will in the meeting after that.
In other business the council voted to amend the zoning ordinance before voting unanimously to adopt the Comprehensive Plan. The council then voted to consider a Five Mill Ad Valorem tax ordinance. Barlow said that the ordinance should generate $525,000 annual revenue.
A town hall meeting will be held at the next council meeting to hear from the public about the ordinance’s feasibility.
The council voted 3-1 on a resolution authorizing the city to submit a second level application for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.
In new business the council voted to consider a resolution to contract with Game Day for field maintenance at the Sports Complex. They also voted to consider a resolution to authorize the mayor to begin negotiations with the Sheriff’s Department on hiring two additional deputies.
The council tabled a resolution to allow Jefferson County to use the Senior Center for elections. The resolution will be discussed at the next meeting. The council then approved an architect for the Center Point Community Safe Space.
Authorization for the mayor to contact the Justice Department about the Commitment to Change program was passed.
After regular business was concluded Mayor Henderson announced that Center Point High School Principal Van A. Phillips was selected for Alabama Secondary Principal of the year and will be representing the state at the National Association of School Principals in July.
Before the meeting was adjourned Councilman Bobby Scott addressed the concerns about the problem with crime.
“In light of the recent events I just want to let everyone who spoke know that we do hear you and we’re working on solutions to make the city better,” he said. “I know we don’t all agree on the way that should be done but it would be nice if we could work with each other.”
Councilman James Howell echoed Scott’s sentiments.
“A lot of you have some good ideas,” he said. “Don’t wait until council meetings. Feel free to call us anytime if you have something going on. And I would encourage everyone to not say that Center Point is going to hell. If you live in Center Point try to say positive things about the city.”
The next meeting will be held on May 11 at 6 p.m.
17 Comments
Ron Hyche
This is one messed up area. These little pop up cities are unique.Gardendale does not want the DOJ in their business but Center Point invites the DOJ in their business. I wonder if the City of Pinson could get the DOJ to be at the head of the table also., Then we would be one happy family in the pop up city connection.
Kevin Small
I don’t think this city has 12 to 26 months. What a ridiculous do nothing Mayor and council.
And while it is easy to look down our noses at Centerpoint, this failed leadership is putting residents lives in danger and hurst the surrounding cities who are trying to do right by their citizens.
Paul Pale Coney
Too many Blacks in Centerpoint
Sharon Blackwood Wilbourn
Ridiculous, if Barlow doesn’t like what you say he threatens to throw you out. I’d like to thank Raymond Olan for sticking up for me and others when Barlow tried his bullying. Some of us aren’t intimidated by him. After the meeting our Mayor said on 42news that we all just need to settle down.
Matthew Richardson
Just 3 shooting incidents this year brings DOJ to Center Point? Yet Birmingham has had dozens.
Matthew Richardson
It used to be an awesome place. Skate Haven was the place to be back in the day. Hit the 25¢ Hamburger Stand and cruise the parkway. Sure there were usually a couple parking lot fights every weekend. We were kids that fought like men. We didn’t need guns. It’s a damn shame what has become of Center Point!!
Matthew Richardson
Is there anything that all these shootings have in common? I know the mayor says “This could have been any city”, but I can’t help but think that all these shootings have some common link.
Sharon Blackwood Wilbourn
A mayor and most of the council that don’t care. Also while the city of Birmingham is cleaning up their city they are giving vouchers for section 8 housing to those that lived In the public housing there and sending them to CP. Get ready cause Birmingham is shutting down another and sending more to CP.
Matthew Richardson
While I agree the people running the city seem like kids playing house, I think your second explanation is the bigger issue.
Laura Wilson
These are all kids who think it’s “cool” to have, show off and play with guns. These are kids who to “fit in” are expected or dared to carry a gun, or even shoot someone and if they don’t they are “gay” or “soft” etc. This is the problem and this is a problem that I don’t think a city can fix. I don’t think a city should have to fix it. When I was younger, my parents taught me not to play with guns and also WHY I shouldn’t play with guns…and I didn’t. I understand having them for protection or for hunting, but just to have a 14 year old carrying around a gun to look cool in front of their friends? That’s where the problem is.
Kevin Small
This could have happened in any city? Really? The. mayor Tom, why doesn’t it happen in other cities. It’s not happening in Clay or Pinson or Fultondale or any of the bigger cities. It is happening in Centerpoint while you guys are focusing on stop signs, people are getting killed.
Tere Vermillion Sizemore
My parents were forced out of their neighborhood in 2000. They didn’t want to leave just because the neighborhood was changing but the new “neighbors” didn’t like them and started spray painting nasty graffiti in front of the house. Graffiti that the grandkids could not be exposed to. They had to leave after 31 years in CP. The new type of neighbors were and are the issue.
Get rid of section 8 and bad mortgages to people who can’t afford them.
Scott White
What do you suggest?
Scott White
Three in the last couple of weeks.
Scott White
Get out if the Birmingham city corporation. I lived at RainTree in the 80’s. I would not drive through it now in a armored vehicle
Joe Domnanovich
Center Point could move their Revenue Cams to the high crime areas where they will do some good.
Gwendolyn Wardlow
It’s going to get bad everywhere people. You can’t run from it. You can’t outspend it. Mankind cannot direct their own steps, mankind will dominate mankind to his injury and the love of your fellow man will continue to cool off. People move to a “better” neighborhood just to exchange one type of crime for another. Living next door to someone who swindles folks out of their retirement is no more no honorable than living next door to someone who’s a purse snatcher in the “hood”.