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Council members Johnathan Austin and Sheila Tyson both have proposals to support UAB football. (Right) UAB quarterback Cody Clements in the second half of game at Legion Field, Oct. 11, 2014. (Al.com/Hal Yeager)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Birmingham City Council members are joining the call for more independence for the University of Alabama at Birmingham as the fate of the school's football program remains uncertain.

The council Tuesday will vote on a resolution from Council President Johnathan Austin supporting the UAB football program and its impact on the Birmingham area.



In addition, Councilwoman Sheila Tyson is pledging her support for state legislation to either create a separate board of trustees for UAB or ensure equal representation for all three schools within the University of Alabama system.



"It's a shame that once again we have to have this discussion about UAB," Austin told AL.com. "One of the biggest problems is we obviously have trustees who don't have the best interest of UAB in mind."



Alarms sounded earlier this month when UAB football supporters said a university-wide strategic plan could recommend eliminating the program. In addition, they cited the lack of any scheduled non-conference games beyond 2016.



"The school has earned the right to determine its own destiny," Tyson said, noting the school's economic impact to the city and state.



For years, the 15 member board has been accused of favoritism toward the Tuscaloosa campus.



Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, in 2012 sponsored a bill that would have created separate boards for both UAB and UAH.

Rogers said he would return in the 2015 legislative session with another bill to reconfigure the current board to a 5-5-5 body to guarantee equal representation for all three campuses.



"I'm proud to support Rep. Rogers' bipartisan effort to finally give UAB the autonomy it needs to continue growing," Tyson said.



Mayor William Bell, himself UAB alum, made earlier statements supporting the football program. Bell noted that the team, with new coach Bill Clark, is improving in both performance and game attendance at Legion Field.



But he also said that retaining a viable UAB sports program would require far-reaching commitments from the public and private sectors.

Bell went on to stress the need for better amenities for the team and promised to work to foster support to build those facilities.