Amwaste Update
The City of Homewood Finance Committee received an update from
Amwaste detailing the first 13 weeks of their garbage service for the city. Representatives outlined many of the hurdles they had faced and their plan to address issues that still arise. They explained many of the missed pick ups were either an underestimation of trucks needed, broken down trucks, or mis-communication among their employees that led to carts being missed. With over 6,400 residential addresses in Homewood, the issue of repeated missed pick ups in a particular area was improved tremendously as new drivers learned the routes.
Adding to this issue, was an original estimation that 400 homes would utilize the "back-door" pick up provided for residents qualifying for a medical disability or 65 years of age or older. However, the response exceeded over 800 residents requesting this service. A smaller truck is used for this route to better navigate narrow streets and tight turnarounds, such as cul-de-sacs. A second truck was acquired to expand this specific service and has reduced missed pick ups.
Trucks start their routes at 6:00am after a safety meeting every morning. Amwaste is striving for an earlier finish time. Mondays & Tuesdays are finishing up around 5:30pm while Thursdays & Fridays are done by 1:30pm. Amwaste's goal by their six-month mark, February 2024, is a finish time for Mondays & Tuesdays by 3:00pm.
With over 166,400 pick ups, Amwaste is reporting a 99.3% success rate, with a goal of 99.7%. To help achieve this mark, Amwaste has employed a staff member dedicated soley to handling ticket submissions through the SeeClickFix portal. Automatic ticket clearance before an issue is resolved no longer occurs. We encourage residents to submit a ticket HERE with any problems, as this process is crucial for data collection to improve overall service.
REMINDERS
- Monday and Tuesday are mixed pick up days. Anything and everything is allowed in the cart including household trash and recycling. If your pick up is missed on this day, the subsequent pick up will still be taken to RePower. Learn more about RePower HERE.
- Everything in carts on Thursday and Friday goes to the landfill.
- Carts should be facing toward the street, within two to three feet of the curb, so that the truck’s arm can pick up and empty the bin.
- Carts should NOT be located within four feet of any fixed object (mailbox, fire hydrant, etc.), in any direction.
- On pick up days, please make every effort to park cars away from carts to allow trucks to reach them.
- Do not pile bags around carts. Make every effort to place all bags inside the cart. It is okay if the lid is slightly or even fully open. If you have a larger load, contact the city’s Public Works Department at 205-332-6819 to let them know and the claw truck can come and retrieve larger loads.
If you would like to watch Amwaste's update given Monday, November 13, 2023, watch the video below:
More
Here you will find all details related to the upcoming 2025-2026 budget.
Pickleball courts are officially in the works for Homewood! The City has included funding in the proposed 2025–26 budget to build four new outdoor pickleball courts at the Homewood Athletic Complex , located next to the Mega Field and behind the tennis courts. Plans for the courts were drawn up earlier this summer with input from engineering and electrical design teams. The project includes: Four regulation courts with permanent nets and fencing Court colors featuring a blue playing surface, red “kitchen” zones, and white lines Benches with shade canopies and bleachers for spectators Lighting as an " add-on option" in th e bid package so costs can be managed This project is only included in the proposed budget right now . The full city budget, including these courts, will be voted on at the September 29 City Council meeting . If approved, the City will then open the formal bidding process for construction. Once built, the new courts will expand recreation opportunities at the athletic complex and provide a dedicated space for one of our community's fastest-growing sports. Watch the budget proposal HERE , go to 02:03:10 to find it.
Finance - Sept. 8, 2025 Finance Committee previewed a centennial visitor guide logo, awarded Green Springs Phase 2 to Gillespie Construction, targeting an October start, dropped a Southeast Veterinary Partners penalty waiver after payment was made, and opted to mark two Patriot Park car spaces “compact cars only” to improve crosswalk visibility. The committee also renewed a Birmingham Bowl sponsorship, and previewed adding a ThinkGard backup and disaster-recovery contract, around $60,000 annually, to replace the underperforming data backup system currently in place. Agenda: https://bit.ly/46aeQuT
Budget Hearing Schedule City Hall, 2nd Floor, South Conference Room
Council Meeting August 25, 2025 The council meeting major actions included adopting a $128.5 million budget proposal with funding for a new fire station, fire trucks, stormwater projects, and the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. Budget hearings will go over this proposal in detail over the next few weeks. Council approving $3 million in incentives for a redesigned Piggly Wiggly expansion, hiring a new audit firm, addressing Edgewood traffic safety, multiple nuisance property hearings, and improvements tied to the Dawson parking deck lease. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3JvRmZE
UPDATE: Council approved the $3M incentive plan, August 25 The Finance Committee reviewed a new tax incentive agreement tied to the long-awaited Piggly Wiggly redevelopment. The revised plan calls for rebuilding on the current site, which means the store will temporarily close during construction. The updated design adds more green space, provides a safer route for children using the nearby tunnel to school, improves traffic flow, and resolves earlier concerns about truck deliveries. Parking will also increase compared to today’s layout. Earlier this year, the store’s owners proposed building a brand-new location behind the current store. That plan raised concerns about traffic, loading docks, and pedestrian safety. After months of discussion, the developers scrapped that version and returned with a new design that many now see as a much stronger fit for the community. Because this plan is less expensive and slightly smaller than the original, the incentive request dropped from $3.5 million to $3 million. The committee voted to advance the incentive agreement to the full Council for a public hearing scheduled for August 25. After that, the next step is to go through the development plan process, starting in October, with the Planning Commission.
Finance - August 18, 2025 The Finance Committee advanced a $3 million tax incentive agreement for rebuilding Piggly Wiggly on its current site with added green space and safer pedestrian access, sending it to public hearing on August 25. The committee also approved funding and agreements for the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. Committee reviewed a $127.5 million FY25–26 budget plan with $21 million in capital projects, authorized budget transfers for storm debris cleanup and paving, selected a new audit firm, and carried over a $310,940 business license penalty request. Agenda: https://bit.ly/47BSvbY
Council Meeting August 11, 2025 The council approved multiple contracts, leases, and licenses, including a parking deck agreement with Dawson Memorial Baptist, a library renovation design contract, and an ABC license for Seeds Coffee. Several public hearings were set for August 25 for nuisance properties, and a Piggly Wiggly plan, while the rezoning plan for the former police station site was dropped. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3V0BcK0
Mayor’s Statement on Jefferson County District Attorney Decision on June 23, 2025, Officer Involved Shooting August 6, 2025 "We have received the results of the District Attorney’s investigations into the shooting of Jabari Peoples. We note that the District Attorney found the “shooting is deemed justified” and that no criminal charges will be filed against the Homewood Police Officer involved in this matter. We can’t imagine the anguish of the Peoples’ family in the aftermath of this tragic event and hope the community will respect the District Attorney’s decision, which he says is based on the facts and the law." Alex Wyatt Mayor of Homewood
What started as an idea to turn Homewood’s long vacant, old police property, into a steakhouse and park, has now been pulled off the table. Developer Mike Mouron, who brought the concept forward, decided to withdraw his plan and financial support after facing public criticism and legal filings. The plan aimed to rezone the property at 1833 29th Avenue South from industrial to commercial, allowing for a restaurant and community green space. Mouron offered to fund the park portion of the property through the sale and personally cover any extra costs. Also targeted in the backlash, the City of Homewood had to respond to a lawsuit and dissolve a temporary restraining order. The City stood by how it handled the process. The judge agreed and ruled in favor of the city, dismissing the case with prejudice and ordering the plaintiff’s (Kevin Misso) bond to be forfeited. Despite the legal victory, after facing ongoing personal attacks, Mouron chose to withdraw his proposal and not pursue the project further. Even though it has now been withdrawn, by law, a public hearing will still be held, as advertised, August 11. The council will then officially close this item. Mayor Wyatt expressed hope that future city leadership will “figure out the best path forward” for a property that continues to sit idle. For more background: Committee Meeting February 17, 2025 From Jailhouse to Steakhouse Legal Filings Mayor Wyatt Announces Withdrawal