Committee Meetings Oct. 6, 2025

Finance - October 6, 2025


The Finance Committee approved a $507,000 bid for the Shades Creek Greenway Trailhead Pavilion, reallocating unused tunnel project funds to cover the cost. They also set October 30 bid dates for the Library Phase 4 renovation and Central Avenue TAP project, renewed leases for Soho Social’s City Hall Plaza events and a law office, and approved a $5,000 election budget amendment. Members dropped an outdated fiscal policy update for the next council, authorized the city manager to sign approved contracts under $350,000 through October, and endorsed creating a downtown police substation at City Hall using existing furniture funds and up to three dedicated parking spaces for police cruisers.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/3KY7Kmb

  • Details

    Item 080925: This item set a bid date for construction of the Shades Creek Greenway Trailhead Pavilion. The project includes assembling a prefabricated building, major concrete work, and extending water and sewer lines from the soccer park facilities. The lowest bid came in at $507,000, well above the $250,000 originally budgeted. To cover the gap, funds will be shifted from the U.S. 31 tunnel improvements project later in the year. The committee approved the contract with Coston General Contractors for $507,000. Approved


    Item 180925: This item set a bid date of October 30, 2025, for the Homewood Public Library Phase 4 renovation. The committee noted bids will open just before the new council takes office, so this action was only to set the bid date, with approvals to come later. Approved


    Item 190925: This item set the same bid date—October 30, 2025—for the Central Avenue TAP multimodal project, which will extend sidewalks along the creek from Central Avenue to connect with Spring Park. Approved


    Item 2925: The committee renewed the annual facilities lease agreement for SoHo Social and Social Taco to host events on the City Hall Plaza. The agreement remains unchanged, requiring proof of insurance listing the city as an additional insured. Approved


    Item 210925: The city clerk requested a $5,000 budget amendment, transferring funds from the maintenance account to cover higher-than-expected municipal election costs. Approved


    Item 220925: Renewal of a commercial lease with Walter, Stewart & Kendrick LLP for office space on the third floor of City Hall, at $20 per square foot for one year. Approved


    Item 230925: The city manager proposed updating the city’s fiscal policy, but since the new council will oversee the next budget process, the committee agreed to drop the item and let the new council take it up after November 3. Dropped


    Item 240925: Discussion clarified that this was not about the city manager’s personal employment contract but about authorizing him to sign budget-approved contracts during October, provided they are under $350,000. Anything larger or urgent would return to council. Approved


    Item 250925: A new franchise agreement with Unity Fiber Gulf Coast LLC was presented. The company, affiliated with Southern Light, will provide high-capacity broadband services for commercial and municipal use. The franchise is a name and ownership update, with no new construction planned immediately. Approved


    Item 320925: The mayor proposed creating a small police substation inside City Hall, using an unused ground-floor office space to increase police presence downtown. The plan includes minor renovations and use of existing furniture funds, plus dedicating up to three nearby parking spots for police vehicles. Approved


Public Safety - October 6, 2025


The Public Safety Committee voted to raise most parking fines to $50, with handicapped parking set at $500 and fire lane violations at $250, aiming to deter repeat offenders and improve compliance. The committee also approved adding a “No Parking Any Time” restriction around the circle at Wingate Circle to ensure access for emergency vehicles.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/46CLLd8

  • Details

    Item 170925: This was a request from Court Administrator Laura Roberts to raise the city’s maximum fine limit for ordinance and parking violations. She explained that current fines were not enough to deter repeat offenders. She proposed allowing fines up to $500, giving judges flexibility to apply higher penalties when needed. The committee discussed comparisons with nearby cities, the need to discourage chronic violators, and keeping discretion for judges to adjust based on circumstances. After discussion, they agreed to set parking fines at $50 and allow ordinance fines ranging from $1 to $500. The item was approved.


    Item 260925: This request authorized a “No Parking Any Time” restriction around the circle at Wingate Circle. Residents reported that parked vehicles were blocking driveways and preventing fire truck access. The measure will include striping to clearly mark the no-parking zones around the inside of the circle. The committee approved the request.

Public Works - October 6, 2025


The Public Works Committee discussed a homeowner’s request to install steps and a handrail in the city right-of-way at 421 Devon Drive due to the property’s steep driveway. Members agreed more detailed plans, materials, and drawings are required before any approval, directing the applicant to work with the building department and city manager to resubmit under the new council in November. A separate request to close the road through Brookwood Village for construction of the Andrews Sports Medicine facility was formally withdrawn.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/4mQ9uLG

  • Details

    Item 270925: This was a request to install steps and a handrail in the city right of way at 21 Devon Drive. The homeowner explained that the steep driveway creates safety concerns, especially for elderly visitors and small children. Council members discussed two options—a handrail only or stairs with a handrail—but agreed they needed detailed drawings, materials, and measurements before approval. They advised the applicant to work with the city’s building department and city manager to develop a full plan that meets code and ADA requirements, then return for approval under the new council. The item was dropped.


    Item 280925: This was a request to close the road through Brookwood Village until April 2027 for construction of the Andrews Sports Medicine facility. The applicant withdrew the request before discussion. Council members briefly noted the road is city-owned and commonly used by pedestrians and cyclists, expressing concern about potential impacts if closure is reconsidered later. The item was dropped.

Planning & Development - October 6, 2025


The Planning and Development Committee pulled two items off of the table to drop them. No other business.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/4nD4D1w

More

Piggly Wiggly Closes Dec. 31 For Renovations

December 31, 2025
The Homewood Piggly Wiggly closes today, Dec. 31, at 6:00pm, prices are being reduced today as shelves are cleared. This is a temporary pause as the store begins a major redevelopment. Plans include a larger and updated store, more parking, improved traffic flow, safer access for children using the nearby tunnel, and new green space. The store is expected to reopen by the end of 2026.

Apply to Serve as City Manager

December 30, 2025
Applications are now open for Homewood's City Manager. This role will help guide the city through its new council manager form of government. It is a chance to work with a dedicated team, lead daily operations, and help shape what comes next for Homewood. Applications are open through January 16, 2026. View the job description HERE APPLY HERE

Christmas Tree Disposal

December 29, 2025
What to do with those Christmas trees? Christmas may be over, but your tree can still do some good. Real trees can be reused in simple ways: Cut branches for yard mulch Add pieces to garden beds to protect plants Use smaller limbs for outdoor habitat or compost.  You can also dispose of your tree easily in Homewood. We have bins at the Homewood Library or the West Oxmoor pool parking lot. Drop off your trees and/or cardboard boxes at those locations. Or you can place your tree at the curb for pickup on your trash day, and the claw truck will get them.

Pre-Council & Council Meeting Dec. 22, 2025

December 23, 2025
Pre-Council Meeting December 22, 2025 This pre-council meeting was brief, with three public hearings carried to January 12, including 1625 26th Ave S, Homewood Community Church’s amended plan for a new 30,797 square foot two story building, and Brookdale University Park. The main discussion was an FY 2026 budget amendment cleanup to fix fund deficits, using carryover fund balance and corrections without changing current operations, plus a quick look ahead at an on street parking ordinance on Linden Avenue. Agenda: https://bit.ly/44KjgsG

We Are Listening!

December 18, 2025
We are listening! We recently spent time hearing directly from residents about how the City communicates. The message was clear: people want information they can trust, delivered in ways that fit their daily lives. This conversation was an important first step in a larger effort to better understand what matters most to our community and how we can continue to improve. Based on this feedback, the City of Homewood is looking at steps to improve how we communicate using these as a beginning guide: Be a trusted source of information Using clear, short messages Pushing information through the channels residents use most, directly to them Promoting our website as a place to find important information Highlighting how residents can report issues and share feedback  This is a starting point. The City plans to continue gathering public input and refining how we communicate over time. We appreciate everyone who shared their perspective and look forward to additional opportunities to listen, learn, and improve how we serve our community.

Scam Alert! Cyber-Criminals Impersonating City Officials

December 15, 2025
If you pay invoices to the City of Homewood, you need to be aware of this scam and potential cyber fraud! The City has recently been made aware of cyber-criminals impersonating city officials and sending fraudulent invoices to residents who have applied for Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Adjustment cases. If you receive an invoice and have any questions about its authenticity, please contact the City’s Finance Department directly before making payment: ap@homewoodal.org

Hot Wheels Swap Spot

December 9, 2025
The City Council approved a request to place a shared toy box for Hot Wheels cars along the edge of Morris Boulevard. Andrew Elliot, the driver behind this project, worked closely with neighbors and hopes it will become a small gift to children who pass by. The idea grew out of the Elliott family’s own story. Their boys love Hot Wheels, and they first saw something like this while visiting grandparents. Their five year old helped build the box with his grandparents, and both boys plan to serve as ‘Hot Wheel-brarians.’ They already have an inventory ready so empty spaces can be filled again. They have spent many hours racing cars at home, naming each one, and turning simple toys into fun family championships. They hope this box invites other families to get outside and enjoy the surprise of finding a new car on a walk or a bike ride. Their hope is simple: “We hope the box serves as a blessing to others in the neighborhood! What's the most exciting toy / hot wheels car for a kid? A new one that you don't already have! Part of the ambition is that it gets kids around the neighborhood excited to go out on a family walk, bike ride, etc. - knowing it will result in bringing a new hot rod home!” Stop by and feed your inner vroooom!

Pre-Council & Council Meeting Dec. 8, 2025

December 9, 2025
Pre-Council Meeting December 8, 2025 Council members walked through the upcoming agenda, and heard updates on items like restricting a few on street parking spots on Linden Avenue, adding a crosswalk at Shades Road and Westover Drive, tightening oversight of vouchers and credit card use, and cleaning up shared dumpsters behind downtown businesses. The highlight was an item to appoint Sam Gaston to serve as Special Assistant to the City Manager, bringing his decades of experience to help guide Homewood through its transition to the new council manager form of government and support long term planning. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3YdB0J5

Homewood Strengthens Its Leadership Team

December 8, 2025
Homewood has voted to appoint Sam Gaston as the Special Assistant to the City Manager. This is a steady step as our city moves into a new form of government. Sam will work with city leadership and help guide the transition as we look to find a permanent City Manager. Sam brings 45 years in local government management and planning. He recently retired after more than 32 years as the City Manager of Mountain Brook. His roots run deep in public service. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in public administration from Auburn University. He has served as president of the International City County Management Association, the Alabama City County Management Association, the Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the Homewood Mountain Brook Kiwanis Club. Mayor Graham Smith of Mountain Brook offered this statement, "Sam’s decision to serve in Homewood is a gift to our entire region. He is one of the most respected municipal leaders in Alabama," she said. "His experience and steady leadership will be exactly what Homewood needs as it moves into this new government structure. Mountain Brook has benefited from his wisdom for decades and now our neighbors in Homewood will share in that same strength." Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress shared this, "We are excited and grateful to welcome Sam Gaston to Homewood as Special Assistant to the City Manager," she said. "Sam is the gold standard for city managers in Alabama. He encouraged our move toward a Council Manager form of government and we are thankful to have him join Cale Smith in this important season." We are proud to welcome Sam and look forward to the experience he will bring to our city.

Sign Up For Text Alerts

December 8, 2025
Homewood is rolling out text alerts. You can sign up for as many as you like, or choose 'HWDALL' to receive all alerts. Even if you subscribed before, you will need to sign up again using the info below: Text HWDALL to 38276 to receive ALL alerts Text HWDINFO to 38276 to receive news alerts only Text HWDSTREETS to 38276 to receive street closure info only Text HWDEMERGENCY to 38276 to receive emergency alerts only Text HWDGARBAGE to 38276 to receive holiday garbage schedule alerts only.
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