If UAB officials bring football back to the turf, then Birmingham city officials are willing to sign one of the first booster checks.

The City Council today approved a resolution pledging $2.5 million to UAB football if the program is reinstated.

The city previously paid $250,000 each year for a block of UAB football tickets at Legion Field.

The resolution proposed today by Council President Johnathan Austin will double that previous commitment to $500,0000 a year for five years if UAB football returns.

Councilwoman Valerie Abbott said she pledged her own "resolution of intent" by pledging $2,500 of her own money for UAB football. She called it her way of showing support for the program the benefited the city.

Likewise, Abbott said the council's resolution solidified Birmingham's commitment to UAB athletics.

In related business, the council again delayed UAB permit requests to access the city's rights-of-way to install water lines at both the Hill Student Center and the Callahan Eye Foundation.

Both items were sent to the council's Committee of the Whole meeting Friday, over the objections of council members Sheila Tyson and Steven Hoyt.

This is the second time UAB's permit requests were delayed.

Austin has said the delays are a result of the council's desire to meet with UAB President Ray Watts to discuss the University's long-term plan. Austin has been a staunch critic of Watts following his decision last year to cancel the football program.

UAB officials have told the city that while they were willing to meet, Watts' schedule is booked this month. Austin said the council would set a special committee meeting, just for Watts, if he agrees to come.