BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Members of the Birmingham City Council this evening didn't pull any punches when it came to their opinions about the region's largest business advocacy agency.

Council members said they are outraged by the Birmingham Business Alliance's decision to select UAB President Ray Watts as its chairman elect.

At the same time, the council expressed support for the UAB Faculty Senate's planned vote of no confidence in Watts' leadership.

Council members also assailed BBA for what they called poor advocacy for the needs of Birmingham and the Birmingham region.

"To me that is just a slap in our face," Council President Johnathan Austin said regarding the selection of Watts, which was Tuesday. "That is absolutely ridiculous."

Austin this evening led the discussion about the BBA and the city's future support of the organization during a committee meeting where six of the nine council members were present.

When it comes to the BBA, Austin called the selection of Watts on the heels of his controversial decision to end UAB football an insult to the city.

Austin noted that the city is a major financial supporter of the BBA and had worked to save Blazer football.

In addition, Austin said BBA shows a bias against the city of Birmingham and the region.

For example, Austin said when a BBA official traveled with him and Mayor William Bell to Germany last week to promote economic development, they spoke mostly about other regions.

"The BBA consistently talked about these different areas as far north as Huntsville for development and not one time talked about this area," Austin said. "Forget talking about inside the city of Birmingham, but this region. We need to take the blinders off and see that the BBA really doesn't have the interest of the city of Birmingham at heart."

Several other council members agreed with Austin.

"I have found them to be less than a good steward for the city of Birmingham, and Birmingham did a great disservice to allow a regional institution to be put in place," said Councilwoman Kim Rafferty.

The BBA was formed through the merging of several other groups, including the former Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"I have dropped any and all faith that I will ever have in the BBA in the future," Rafferty said.

If the budget were up for vote tonight, then city support for BBA would have been on the chopping block.

"Certainly for the next fiscal year I'm looking at putting their line item as zero," Austin said.

"They're not working to help us anyway," added Councilwoman Valerie Abbott.

Abbott has made only mild statements regarding the UAB football until this evening.

"I really have tried to remain positive about UAB, but it is really hard," she said. "I am certainly deeply disappointed in Dr. Watts, but I'm doubly disappointed in the BBA. It's incredibly mindboggling that this is going on in Birmingham, Alabama. We definitely are not masters of our own fate here."

Councilman Jay Roberson took aim at BBA President Brian Hilson's leadership. He echoed his colleagues in criticism that the agency fails to strongly advocate for the city and region.

"I know Mr. Hilson very well, but that leader was selected as a third string quarterback," he said. "I feel disrespected as an elected official of the city."

AL.com efforts to reach a BBA representative this evening so far have been unsuccessful.