Ready, Set, Fish!

In this episode, we break down the key decisions and discussions from the June 2nd Birmingham City Council meeting. Then, get hooked as Councilor Hunter Williams joins us to share the fun, thrills, and big catches coming to the Annual East Lake Fishing Rodeo. Plus, we share updates on upcoming events and other important information you’ll want to know.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:04

Welcome to Motion to Adjourn, the podcast about the work that continues with the Birmingham City Council beyond what happens on Tuesdays during council meetings. All in favor, let it be known by saying aye. Or in the committee meeting. After the official motion to adjourn, the council's continue work on behalf of the city and its residents. Welcome to the motion to adjourn podcast. I am your host, Anaya Kenyon. I serve as project manager for the Birmingham City Council. Today, we are diving into some of the most significant items that were mentioned during Tuesday's council meeting. On Tuesday, the council voted to deny a rezoning request for a boutique antique store on Claremont Avenue. The request would reclassify a residential property as a qualified mixed-use at Low District. During the public hearing, the council heard from the applicant, city staff, and a neighborhood resident. Concerns focused primarily on potential future uses that could arise if the property were rezoned. The council has approved an amendment to its agreement with Tool Bank USA, extending the organization's services through September 30th, 2026. For those unfamiliar, the Magic City Toolbank provides Birmingham's nonprofits, schools, and neighborhood groups with access to a wide range of tools at minimal cost. By eliminating the hurdles of tool ownership, they empower community partners to carry out maintenance, repair, and improvement projects more efficiently. To learn more about the toolbank, visit magiccitytoolbank.org. Again, that's MagicCititoolbank.org. On Tuesday, Council President Pro Tim Latanya Tate joined leaders from the Jefferson County Department of Health, Mayor Randall Wilton, the Offenders Alumni Association, and several community-based organizations to recognize Gun Violence Awareness Month. Let's hear from Pro Tim Tate as she shares why this movement is so vital to the community.

SPEAKER_02 2:19

Well, Birmingham has taken some significant, you know, steps. First of all, investing into the initiatives, investing into community violence, uh interrupters, um, expanding the hospital-based link program from the from the trauma side of the bed where people were, you know, in the trauma unit to the emergency room, interrupting that violence. So, you know, investing in food insecurity, investing in family. So all of that is so important, you know, when you move in an ecosystem because you're completing the person and making that person whole, addressing childhood trauma, addressing mental health issues. So all of these organizations are working very closely, you know, in the ecosystem where we can work with that person to change their life and to get them on the right track to live a productive life. June the 5th through the 7th is the Wear Orange weekend where people are descending wearing orange to end gun violence all over the nation.

SPEAKER_03 3:14

The Wear Orange movement serves as a signature element of Gun Violence Awareness Month. It was created in honor of Hadiah Pendleton, a 15-year-old student who was tragically shot and killed on a Chicago playground in 2023, just one week after marching in President Obama's second inaugural parade. Throughout June, activists, survivors, and community partners organize events such as beautification efforts, rallies, and educational programs to honor those affected by gun violence and to amplify the call for safer communities. To learn more about the Wear Orange movement and how you can get involved, visit WearOrange.org. Again, that's wearorrange.org.

SPEAKER_00 4:05

Hey, it's Counselor Josh Vasa, District 3. Get ready. Summerfest is here. Join us on Saturday, June 20th at George Ward Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day full of excitement, community, and summer fun. Enjoy live music, grab a bite from Birmingham's favorite food trucks, and let the kids run wild in the kids' zone. Explore our vendor market, featuring local businesses and artisans, and don't forget to support the community by contributing to our school supply drive. It's everything you love about summer, all in one place. Don't miss District 3 Summer Fest Saturday, June 20th at George Ward Park. Bring your family, bring your friends, let's celebrate summer together.

SPEAKER_01 5:19

Yeah, thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_03 5:21

So, what makes the annual East Lake Family Fishing Rodeo such a special event for the community each year?

SPEAKER_01 5:28

Yeah, you know, it there's a lot of things that make it special. I think that you I have been doing it every year since I have been on the council, um, which now I have been here nine years. Um, and it's something that uh grows somewhat every year, but has absolutely amazing attendance, rain or shine. We've been out there years where it's been raining and there's still several thousand folks out there. But one of my favorite things is, you know, we give away free shirts uh while they last to the first come, first serve kind of thing. And the kids' excitement, and some of the parents' excitement when they get the shirt and then they wear the previous year's shirt at at that next fishing rodeo. Um and some people are wearing shirts from, you know, three, four, five, six, eight years ago because they come every single year. Um, and it's one of those things where it's something that we can do to enjoy our public spaces, to enjoy our parks. A lot of times people um come to me and complain about there's not enough programming or things for families to do in our public parks. Um and so I think that this is something that that that is special. It coincides on the um the state's uh fishing day, which means that that people do not have to have a fishing license um to fish. Um and so it is something that um it's one of those things where there's one one day um a year in the state of Alabama where you do not have to have a fishing license, and we always put the fishing radio on that day. Um and and you know, when you have uh something that that um is otherwise not as utilized because East Lake Park, while it's heavily utilized, there's there's never 4,000 folks around it fishing. You might have one or two. Um but that's because it's it's more fun when it when it's stocked. And so we have 2,000 pounds of catfish that we put in the day before, um, and then we have a shotgun start that next morning so everybody gets a fair share uh uh at trying to be an angler that day and catch whatever they can catch. Um but you know, there's there just to to your question, there's just so many reasons why it's such a special day. And and when you when you're out there, you realize it's not just folks from District 2 or it's not just folks from you know the East Lake community, it's really folks from all over uh the area, all over uh central Alabama and Birmingham that come to it. And I think that that also speaks to how unique it is, is when you have that many folks showing up from all over the city, all over the metro area, um to to spend time uh in one of our public spaces outdoors.

SPEAKER_03 8:16

Oh yes. And I heard you mention that the event will happen rain or shine, and that the lake is filled with over 2,000 pounds of catfish. So, what all does it take to make an event like this happen?

SPEAKER_01 8:27

Yeah, so you know, we we plan um all year and then we start planning the day after for the next year. So I think that that um that this year we're actually gonna do 2,500 pounds of catfish. We uh work with uh fisheries down from uh southern Alabama to come bring them up uh and and stock the the lake. And um, you know, it's something that uh, like you said, rain or shine, I think everybody always has a good time. There's so much going on other than just the fishing. Um, you know, we have food trucks and we have different vendors out there, we have um bouncy houses and things for the kids once they get tired fishing, which might happen sooner than later depending on how hot it is or whatever. There's there's always other activities for families that make it more of a family environment. And so with that, you know, we give prizes and we'll have you know every kind of prize imaginable. So it's not just the biggest fish or largest fish, it's you know, there's a there's a smallest fish as well. So it's it's always fun to see um the kids excited to catch something and then run it up to see if they can get a prize um for whatever that competition is.

SPEAKER_03 9:42

And what kinds of local partners or organizations are participating this year?

SPEAKER_01 9:47

Yeah, we always have really good community support. Um, and I think that that's um, you know, there's a lot of reasons for that. But um we always have Coca-Cola, Roughner, Mountain Publix, Hibbits, uh, Birmingham Public Library, and we'll always have some more vendors other than that uh as well. But those those folks are are are showing up um always. And and we have so many folks out there that um they come come every year, set up, set up tents, help educate the public on different um on different whatever their organization does, um, and they they really view it as a time where they can connect with the community just because the amount of community members that are out there. Um some years we have uh people show up from from Alabama Fish and Wildlife to uh to help educate folks on you know on what you are required to do about with the state laws when it comes to fishing or outdoor activities. Um and we always have a good showing from from all of our vendors um when we're out there.

SPEAKER_03 10:54

And you've touched on this a little bit, but why do you feel events like this help strengthen community connections in Birmingham?

SPEAKER_01 11:01

Yeah, I think that when when anytime that there's a safe way for the for families to get together and enjoy public spaces, um and there's something that really um it you know it enables teaching uh younger generations, I think that that's something that's positive. I think that that's something that um that those children when they're growing up they remember, they remember their parents, they remember their grandparents taking them to it. Um and I think that there's a a lot um to say about the number of people showing up. And when there's when you look around East Lake, the entire lake is filled with with folks, with children, with people relaxing. Some people even bring grills, grill out, and make it, you know, ri really make it from seven to one o'clock. Um so it's anytime you can you can get that many folks and families together and have something constructive going on, and it's a memory that's being made for that family, um, I think it's something of value. And the best part of all is it's free. You know, there's so many things that people want to do with their kids, and there's always an exorbitant price tag to it. Um and uh this is this, you know, there is no price tag to this. You do have to bring your own rod and reel and bait. We'll have some bait, but we you know we can't have enough bait for all 4,000 folks. Um but we but we you know we want it to be something that's special for the community. So that's why, you know, there's no cover charge or admission charge or just something that's free. And I think that that um it's really hard to find things that don't cost anything for a whole family to attend uh in the summertime when school's out.

SPEAKER_03 12:43

And for our last question, for our first-time attendees, what is one thing that they should know before coming out on Saturday?

SPEAKER_01 12:50

Yeah, you know, it starts right at seven o'clock and we end um at one o'clock. The uh the best thing that you can do is make sure that you remember to bring, you know, rod, reel, uh fishing hooks, um, and bait. Uh we will have, like I said, we will have some bait out there, but it's first come, first serve. We'll have uh shirts uh of all different sizes from um for first come, first serve as well. Those go pretty quickly. So if you want a shirt, get out there at seven. Um and then we'll have a lot of other giveaways and stuff for kids to you know be able to enjoy. We'll have live music. Um, and then you know, if you need something to eat or stay cool, um, you know, bring that in the cooler as well, because sometimes it it's it's hotter out there than you realize.

SPEAKER_03 13:43

Thank you, Counselor Williams, for sharing those insights and for all the work that goes into making the East Lake Fishing Rodeo such a meaningful event for our families. And thank you to everyone listening. Be sure to come out on Saturday, June 6th. Enjoy the fun and support this great community tradition. We'll see you at the lake.

SPEAKER_02 14:03

Hey, it's President Pro Tim Latanya Tate. This June, Birmingham City Council honors Gun Violence Awareness Month. We remember those lost, support survivors, and stand strong together for safer communities. Gun violence is preventable. Awareness is powerful. Join us in building a safer Birmingham.

SPEAKER_03 14:39

Here are some updates and upcoming events that you should know about. The District 6 Farmers Market is almost here. Join us on Saturday, June 13th at 1.30 p.m. at Memorial Park for fresh produce, local vendors, community vibes, great food, and even better people. Come early and enjoy free peaches, free flowers, and five dollar vouchers while supplies last. Whether you're a foodie, a health enthusiast, a supporter of local businesses, or someone who simply loves a good community gathering, the District 6 Farmers Market is the place to be. Hey, District 3, let's talk about your summer plans. We have a free, family-friendly event coming to George Ward Park on June 20th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be live music, food trucks, a kids' zone, and a vendor market. And while you're there, we're looking to support our students living in District 3. So we would love it if you would bring some new school supplies along with you to donate. Make your plans now to spend a wonderful summer morning with us at George Ward Park. The Safe Summer Series is back. Join the District 7 office for their Safe Summer Series concert on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21st, starting at 4 o'clock PM at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Get ready for performances by Cut Close, JP Capone, Keith Washington, and Logan the Entertainer. Come out and celebrate with Council President Wardine Alexander and the District 7 office. Bring your father, bring your family, and let's enjoy an unforgettable evening together. Get ready for a D6 Fest weekend. Join Counselor Crystal Smithman for a full weekend of fun. Starting Friday, June 26th, the festivities kick off with a D6 Fest comedy show at the Grove, beginning at 8 p.m. Then on Saturday, June 27th, start your morning by supporting a local favorite during brunch at Toasted Yolk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Later that day, the D6 Fest continues at Memorial Park starting at 3 o'clock p.m. Come out and enjoy giveaways, food trucks, a kid zone, musical performances, and so much more. Then on Sunday, join us for a service day, beginning with church service and a food box giveaway at First Baptist Church of Mason City at 10 a.m. Then we'll close out the weekend later that evening with a taste of West End at Arlington House starting at 4 45 p.m. You don't want to miss this. Don't forget, our motion to adjourn mailbag is open, but we need it filled with your questions. Mailbag is your chance to connect directly with your city. Got a question, suggestion, or concern? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at bhamalcitycouncil at gmail.com and let your voice be part of the conversation here on the Motion to Adjourn podcast. Again, that's BHAMAL City Council at gmail.com. Remember, together we're building a stronger community. One idea at a time. Thanks for listening to Motion to Adjourn. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast to learn more about your city and local government. Also, follow us on our socials on Instagram and Facebook at City CouncilBeham. Until next time, stay informed and stay engaged.