Council passes resolution supporting restoration of UAB football
During the Feb. 9 meeting, the Vestavia Hills City Council passed a resolution urging the UA Board of Trustees and UAB President to reconsider the cancellation of the UAB football program.
"This is not a resolution we have taken lightly," said Mayor Butch Zaragoza. "UAB has a major impact on our city."
The resolution states that several citizens of Vestavia Hills attend, have attended or work at UAB and the mayor and the City Council believe in the values of the community which athletics provide to the college environment and experience.
The resolution asks the UA Board of Trustees and UAB President "to reconsider the discontinuation of the athletic programs that were recently cancelled" and encourages them "to be more transparent in their decision making that not only affects the University, but the municipalities that support athletics and academics at UAB."
Several council members spoke about the importance of a governing body showing transparency in decisions.
"UAB is a public university with public funds. It should be very clear what is going on," said Councilman Steve Ammons. "This hits very close to home for me."
Vestavia legislator Jack Williams was present for the meeting. Williams plans to introduce a bill in Montgomery that would restore UAB football.
"As a member of the legislator, I want to thank you for the support," Williams said to the council. "We have fought a difficult battle and I think this sends a strong message."
Several UAB football players also addressed the council during the meeting. 1997 VHHS graduate Percy Coleman spoke about his time playing for Buddy Anderson at VHHS and going on to play football at UAB.
"I know that my success has been related to football, " Coleman said. "I will always be a Vestavia Hills Rebel and a UAB Blazer at heart."
UAB football player Timothy Alexander also shared his personal journey with the council.
"I was the only guy on the team that was paralyzed from the waist down. I just wanted to play football," Alexander said. "I've talked to a lot of guys from the Vestavia Hills community. This is important and I wanted to come here and thank you all for what you are doing."
Also during the meeting, the council:
- Adopted an ordinance accepting the Cahaba Heights Village Plan, which is an amendment to the 2008 Cahaba Heights Community Plan. "This is an illustrious masterpiece of what could be and a guiding principal of what Cahaba Heights should be," said City Manager Jeff Downes.
- Passed a resolution adopting the 2015 International Fire Prevention Code.
- Passed a resolution accepting a bid for a cardiac monitor/defibrillator for the Vestavia Hills Fire Department.
The next City Council meeting will be Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. at City Hall.