Council catch-up: Greenways and first-responder drones
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Huntsville approved millions for greenways and a $25,000-per-month contract expansion with a local company that provides drones for police use.
At the start of the meeting, the city council recognized Alabama A&M University's 150th anniversary with a proclamation and a resolution.
- Council member and alumna Michelle Watkins reflected that "a former slave would start a university that is now internationally known."
Catch up quick: In a connection to AAMU and the city's PARC project, the council approved roughly $1.78 million for the Meek Greenway, as well as $1.76 million for the Tollgate Greenway.
- The almost 1.8-mile, 12-ft-wide Meek Greenway will connect Stallworth Drive at AAMU to Highway 72. Work will include a paved parking lot, per the city.
- The 1.65-mile Tollgate Greenway will connect the Bankhead Parkway parking lot to Monte Sano State Park, funded also by $500,000 from the Land Trust of North Alabama and $150,000 from Huntsville Utilities.
- A $321,000 contract was also approved to replace the Peter Fagan Railroad Bridge over Pinhook Creek downtown, part of the PARC project.
Zoom in: A one-year, $25,000-per-month contract with Huntsville-based Skyfire AI approved Thursday extends the city's "Drone as a First Responder" program.
- The city currently contracts with the company for two employees on weekdays, from 3pm to 11pm, and the contract adds two more employees to cover weekends, per City Attorney Trey Riley.
What they're saying: "This is a first responder program," he said. "I just want to be clear, they don't just fly around randomly filming people."
What we're watching: Members of the public continue to speak out against City Detect at council meetings, expressing mainly concerns over data security related to the plan.
- The proposal to equip city garbage trucks with AI-enabled cameras will go before council again Sept. 25, after a vote was postponed in July.