Committee Meetings August 18, 2025
August 19, 2025

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

  • Details

    Item 150825: This was a request for a \$3 million tax incentive agreement tied to the new Piggly Wiggly construction plan. Instead of building a new store behind the current site, the project will rebuild on the existing location, which will temporarily close the store. The new design adds green space, improves pedestrian safety near the tunnel, provides more parking than before, and solves loading dock concerns. The project will also use the basement for storage, freeing more retail space. The original \$3.5 million request was reduced to \$3 million since construction costs are lower. The committee approved sending the agreement forward without recommendation, pending a public hearing.


    Item 030725: This set the bid date for Green Springs Phase 2. No vote was needed other than acknowledging the scheduled bid opening. Carried over.


    Item 010825: This was funding approval for the Lakeshore and I-65 diverging diamond project. The total cost came in higher than expected at \$29 million, with Homewood’s share at \$5.8 million. Despite concerns, the project was seen as critical for traffic flow, safety, and supporting businesses like Walmart and Sam’s. The committee approved funding from debt reserve accounts. Approved.


    Item 180725: This authorized the city manager to execute a traffic signal and lighting maintenance agreement connected to the diverging diamond project. Approved.


    Item 020825: This was the presentation of the city’s proposed 2025–2026 budget. It outlined \$127 million total, with \$74.8 million for operations and \$21 million for capital projects. It included cost-of-living raises, merit increases, new hires in some departments, and clarified debt service and capital improvement planning. The report was accepted and forwarded for full council presentation. Approved.


    Item 030825: This allowed budget line item transfers to cover tornado debris disposal, vehicle maintenance, water and sewer work, and paving striping. A \$90,000 grant will help offset one project cost. Approved.


    Item 160825: This approved hiring a new audit agency after proposals and interviews. The chosen firm offered strong qualifications and reasonable cost. Approved.


    Item 170825: This was about business license penalties for Southern Veterinary Partners. An audit showed they were undercharged for four years and owed \$310,940. They paid the amount but will request abatement of penalties. Since no representative was present, the item was carried over. Carried over.


Public Works - August 18, 2025


The Public Works Committee approved a request to reconstruct a storm-damaged deck and fence in the city’s right of way at 2824 16th Place South, contingent on an indemnification agreement.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/4fIowkP

  • Details

    Item 040825: This was a request to rebuild a deck and fence at 2824 16th Place South after storm damage revealed the structures were in the city’s right of way. The homeowner explained the fence had been in place since before they bought the house, and the issue only came up during replacement. Photos and surveys confirmed the placement, and the committee agreed the work could move forward with an indemnification agreement. Approved.


Planning & Development - August 18, 2025


The Planning and Development Committee set a September 15 public hearing for an amended development plan at 215 Lakeshore Parkway, allowing Southern Brew Coffee to replace a former barbecue restaurant with a 12,720 sq. ft. dual drive-thru retail building. The committee discussed site orientation, traffic flow, and visibility, ultimately sending it forward with a favorable recommendation.



Agenda: https://bit.ly/3HGwQop

  • Details

    Item 052525: This was a request to amend the development plan for 215 Lakeshore Parkway, allowing Southern Brew Coffee to replace a former barbecue restaurant with a 12,720-square-foot, single-story retail space featuring a dual drive-thru. The applicant explained the setup would operate similar to Sonic or Chick-fil-A, with employees serving customers in their cars. Discussion centered on the building’s orientation, ensuring the front faced Lakeshore Parkway for visibility, and traffic flow was also addressed. The committee voted to send the request forward with a favorable recommendation, with a public hearing set for September 15. Approved.

More

October 7, 2026
More federal funding is coming to Homewood to address stormwater issues. U.S. Representative Terri Sewell presented a check for $250,000 to the City of Homewood. This funding was obtained through the Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations process and is designated for stormwater improvements. It will be used to provide upgrades and expand culvert capacity in the residential neighborhoods surrounding Edgewood Elementary School to help reduce localized street flooding and better protect nearby homes and infrastructure. This follows an earlier $1 million federal allocation from Rep. Sewell in 2024 that will be used for a drainage culvert project along Griffin Creek in the Huntington Road area. That project continues to work its way through the required process, with construction currently hoped to begin in 2027.
October 6, 2026
The Planning Commission approved a resurvey at 215 West Valley Avenue, where a small restaurant is proposed. The Commission also considered changes for a proposed Dutch Bros too be placed at 832 Green Springs Highway, recommending approval of a reduced landscape buffer, but voting 4 to 2 against allowing full access for traffic to flow to and from Raleigh Avenue. That request now moves to the City Council for the final decision. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4zeIxYR
October 5, 2026
Have a lost pet, need to report a stray or have a wildlife issue? There are several important changes to Homewood Animal Control services beginning Monday, October 5. REPORT A STRAY To report a stray , call Homewood Police non-emergency dispatch at 205-332-6200 . The City of Homewood, Homewood Police Department and Homewood Animal Control are partnering with Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) for these services. FIND YOUR PET If you think your animal may have been picked up by Animal Control, call the Greater Birmingham Humane Society at 205-591-6522 . Stray animals picked up in Homewood are taken to 6227 5th Ave. North in Birmingham until GBHS opens its new facility opens on Sydney Drive, and then they will be taken there. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 11:30am. GBHS is closed Sunday. Fees for picking up an animal may include $50 if the animal is unaltered, a $30 impound fee, a $20 rabies fee if proof of vaccination is not available and a $50 City fee. wildlife issues Call Complete Animal Removal at 205-208-7777 . Homewood Animal Control will not respond to wildlife calls involving animals such as raccoons, possums, snakes, coyotes or foxes. after hours Stray animals will not be picked up after hours. If you report a stray after hours, Animal Control will handle the call the next business day.
September 30, 2026
Concerned about speeding or other traffic issues on your street? There is a process to look at what is happening and determine whether traffic calming measures are needed and what those measures could be. One example is now moving toward a vote. The City received traffic concerns involving Hambaugh Avenue between Columbiana Road and Dixon Avenue, and Dixon Avenue between Broadway Street and Hambaugh Avenue. Traffic data was collected and studied, and both streets qualified for traffic calming measures. The current proposal calls for speed cushions at two locations on Hambaugh Avenue and two locations on Dixon Avenue. The design also takes emergency response into consideration, allowing fire trucks to travel through the middle of the cushions. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal October 12, 6pm at City Hall, 2nd floor Council Chambers . View Drawings of Cushion Locations Visit Traffic Calming Page
September 30, 2026
Concerned about speeding or other traffic issues on your street? There is a process for looking at those concerns and determining whether something should be done and what measures may be appropriate. Traffic calming is not simply putting in a speed hump or adding a sign. It is a process that uses traffic data, engineering standards and input from several City departments to look at what is happening on a street before deciding what, if anything, should change. It starts with a resident submitting a traffic calming request identifying the location and concern. City Engineering reviews the request and collects traffic data so the street can be evaluated using the City’s standards. If the request continues through the process, it receives additional review from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee. Planning, Traffic, Police and Fire also have an opportunity to look at the request. That is important because a possible solution has to consider more than vehicle speed. Things such as the street itself, pedestrian safety, traffic patterns and emergency response can all be part of determining whether a particular measure makes sense. The mayor and the councilor representing the area also review the request before it can advance to the resident petition stage. If the location qualifies and the request continues, affected residents take part in the petition process required by the City’s traffic calming policy. Only after those steps and required approvals are completed can a location move toward an appropriate traffic calming improvement. The goal is not to assume every traffic concern has the same answer. One street may have different conditions and needs than another. The process gives the City a way to collect information, hear from the people who live in the area and determine whether a traffic calming measure is appropriate and safe. Submit a Traffic Calming Request Visit Traffic Calming Page
September 29, 2026
A city budget is more than a list of numbers. It’s a vital infrastructure that reflects the City’s priorities and determines how resources are used to provide services, support employees and invest in the community. On September 28, the Homewood City Council approved the City’s FY2027 budget. The General Fund is approximately $77 million and supports the day-to-day services residents rely on. Sales and property taxes provide much of the revenue, while personnel costs account for approximately $42 million. The approved budget adds three police officer positions and includes investments in street paving, stormwater projects, sidewalk repairs, replacement vehicles and equipment, and other infrastructure needs throughout the City. In addition to the revenue that supports City operations, one cent of Homewood’s sales tax is dedicated to the Homewood Board of Education. That penny is expected to generate approximately $11.5 million for Homewood City Schools this year. This was the first budget developed under Homewood’s new council-manager form of government. City Manager Cale Smith worked with department heads to identify operational needs and priorities and presented a proposed budget to the City Council. Council members then reviewed the budget through a series of public budget hearings, asked questions and made revisions before approving the final budget. The work does not end with this vote. The City plans to provide monthly reports on revenues and expenditures throughout the year, providing a clearer picture of the City’s financial position on a regular basis. City leadership will also continue evaluating ongoing expenses and revenues to work toward a sustainable budget that provides the services residents expect while responsibly managing the City’s resources. View the September 28 meeting below. View Approved Budget View All Details Inlcuding Budget Hearings
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