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WEBVTT WVTM 13’S DAN ODLE JOINS US WITH MORE ON WHAT OUR LEADERS PASSED EARLIER TODAY. DAN: SEVERAL BIG ITEMS BEFORE THE COUNCIL TODAY. COUNCILORS APPROVED $1.7 MILLION BIRMINGHAM-BASED SHIPT TO EXPAND. THE GROCERY DELIVERY COMPANY IS GROWING, EXPECTED TO ADD NEARLY JOBS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. 900 THE CITY HAS A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP BUSINESSES WITH THE COST OF RECRUITING A TALENTED WORKFORCE. COUNCILOR JOHN HILLIARD SAYS IT’S A GOOD USE OF MONEY FOR A KEY DOWNTOWN BUSINESS. >> WE HAVE TO HAVE A FLAGSHIP BIRMINGHAM AND IN OUR CITY TO MOVE FORWARD. SO TO PASS THROUGH DOWNTOWN AND SEE THAT SHIPT EMBLEM UP ON THE JOHN HAND BUILDING, IT’S VERY IMPORTANT. DAN: THE COUNCIL ALSO INVESTING IN FIGHTING CRIME. APPROVING NEARLY $600,000 FOR THE SHOTSPOTTER PROGRA PART OF THE MONEY WILL EXPAN SHOTSPOTTER COVERAGE NOW FOR THE ENTIRE CITY. THE TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS POLICE TO SEE IN REAL-TIME WHEN AND WHERE GUNS ARE FIRED. >> WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO CATCH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO CHOOSE TO SHOOT, AND I DON’ CARE EVEN IF IT’S CELEBRATORY. DAN: POLICE SAY SHOTSPOTTER HELPS THEM SOLVE CRIMES AND BETTER PROTECT CITIZENS. AND IF YOU HAVE UNPAID PARKING TICKETS, YOU MAY BE GETTING A BREAK. TODAY, THE COUNCIL APPROVED AN AMNESTY PROGRAM. IT’S FOR PARKING TICKETS AND SOME MOVING AND NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS. BASICALLY, YOU HAVE 60 DAYS PAY YOUR TICKETS AND THE CITY WILL WAIVE ALL LATE FEES. IT RUNS FROM JULY 17 TO SEPTEMBER 17. BUT CITY LEADERS SAY DON’T EXPECT AMNESTY FOREVER. IN FACT, THE MAYOR SAYS PEOPLE IN THE MAGIC CITY CAN EXPECT TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS BEGINNING NOW. SHERI: WHEN IT COMES TO BIRMINGHAM-BASED SHIPT, THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION IS ALSO EXPECTED TO DISCUSS AN INCENTIVES PACKAGE FOR THE COMPANY. THE COMMISSION PRESIDENT WOULDN’T COMMENT ON THE DEAL TODAY. BUT HE DID TELL US IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP BUSINESSES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, AS WELL AS BRING IN NEW ONES. ACCORDING TO A LEGAL NOTICE PRINTED ON JULY 1, THE COMMISSION COULD VOTE ON UP TO $720,000 IN INCENTIVES LATER THIS WEEK. SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MET WITH THE CITY LAST WEEK TO TALK ABOUT POSSIBLE SOLUTION THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD DISCUSSED INCLUDED DECLARING BANKRUPTCY, FURLOUGHS FOR EMPLOYEES OR EVEN DISBANDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION DECIDED TODAY IT WON’T OFFER ANY HELP TO THE CITY UNLESS IT IS ASKED. IAN: BEEN LESS -- >> WE

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