Mayor Randall Woodfin is pausing the implementation of new rules and definitions under the "Kelvyn Felder Ordinance," intended to curb incidents of violence at problematic nightclubs and other late-night establishments. His move came after the amended ordinance flew through city council with a 9-0 vote.
The proposed ordinance increased security measures, including the requirement of written site and emergency plans. It also named the areas that must have cameras and laid out the specific requirements for those cameras, including an inspection by the chief of police or his or her designee.
"We want y'all to be able to enjoy a night out in this city without worrying about whether you'll make it home. We also want our small businesses to thrive doing what they do best," Woodfin said in a social media post announcing that he would not sign the new amendments to the ordinance.
During the meeting, Councilwoman Wardine T. Alexander said the amendments would "put more teeth" into the city's current plan.
The policy came before the full council from the Public Service Committee with support from the Birmingham Police Department, but that wasn't enough for Woodfin to sign it.
"Thank you to the Public Safety Committee and staff," Councilman Darrell O'Quinn said, explaining that "It tightens up some things and closes some gaps."
"It's been an issue we've dealt with for a long time," he expanded. "It puts a lot of stress and strain on our police department, especially as some of these venues have been very problematic and we're trying to address the situation. Next thing you know, we've got 3-4 police officers working overtime to mitigate any additional potential situations, which is an additional expense taxpayers should have to bear."
In the brief discussion before the bill's passage, Councilman Hunter Williams expressed frustration over complaints and problems he's heard about applicants sending their plans to different places, only for them to get lost or not be accounted for. He asked the City Staff how the council could access the security plans. He was told that the safety plans would be housed within the Birmingham Police Department but would be accessible to members of the council and city staff.
Alexander spoke in support of making the plans more readily available. Woodfin said that the new process for archiving and retrieving the plans would be implemented within a 30-day window.
Councilwoman LaTonya Tate said that every club that comes before the council is currently required to have a public safety plan already filed.
The video of the council meeting can be found here.
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