UPDATE: At the Sept. 29 City Council meeting, the proposed ordinance addressing encampments and related activities on public property received its first reading but did not move forward to a final vote. The council will take up the encampment ordinance again on Monday, October 13. The proposed ordinance is designed to regulate activities such as camping, sleeping in vehicles, and storing personal property on public property. It gives police a clear process to address encampments while requiring notice and warnings before removal. The proposal was drafted in consultation with the Police Department and modeled after similar ordinances in other cities. Mayor Elect Jennifer Andress added that this ordinance represents a first step, giving police new tools to address encampments, while the City continues exploring all options to support long-term solutions to keep citizens safe. Councilor comments emphasized the complexity of the issue, with public safety, mental health, and community impacts all being considered. After discussion, a unanimous consent was not reached to allow for a vote. This means the ordinance will automatically carry over to the next council meeting, October 13, and then council members will vote whether to enact this ordinance. Mayor Wyatt explained that this is a standard process, that ordinances must either be adopted by unanimous consent after the first reading or move to a second reading at the next scheduled meeting. SEE PROPOSED ORDINANCE HERE ____________________________ The Public Safety Committee addressed concerns about encampments, homelessness, and public safety in a packed meeting with residents and business owners. The committee unanimously approved drafting an ordinance to ban encampments and prohibit overnight sleeping in parks and vehicles on public property. Once approved by the council next Monday, the committee will continue reviewing additional measures to keep neighborhoods safe and explore what other ordinances can be enacted under federal and state law to combat these issues. Residents shared stories of unsafe encounters near schools, parks, and businesses, including harassment, drug use, and indecent exposure. Many parents said they no longer allow their children to walk or play outside. Police Chief Tim Ross acknowledged the increase in encounters but reassured citizens that Homewood remains safe. Robberies, for example, are down 82% over the last two years, with only five this year compared to more than 100 in past years. Chief Ross explained the challenge officers face under state law that most misdemeanor crimes must be witnessed in person to make an immediate arrest, requiring residents to report incidents and sometimes work with a magistrate to pursue charges. He also noted that a federal court has ruled panhandling is protected free speech, limiting enforcement options. However, disorderly conduct, trespassing, indecent exposure, and other crimes remain enforceable, and police continue to act within those boundaries. But they cannot pick someone up and move them out of Homewood without their consent. Council members stressed the importance of reporting every incident so police can act or direct victims to the magistrate for warrants. They emphasized that the city must work within constitutional limits but is committed to giving officers every tool possible, like stronger ordinances, increased patrols, and adding three new officers to the upcoming City budget.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will hold a public involvement meeting to discuss access management and signal modifications on US-31 from Old Montgomery Highway to Ventura Avenue. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 28 , at Homewood City Hall, 2850 19th Street South, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. This will be an open house meeting without a formal presentation. Residents will be able to review project information and maps, ask questions, and discuss the project with ALDOT staff and designers. Project details will be available online after the meeting HERE Comments can be submitted at the meeting, or by mail, email, or voicemail through Friday, November 14, 2025. Ward 4 residents are encouraged to attend and share feedback on this project that will impact traffic flow and safety in the area. PROJECT NUMBER: ATRP2-37-2024-278

Beginning the week of Oct. 6-10 , The Green Springs Highway Improvement Project will get underway. It includes adding a sidewalk on the east side of Green Springs between Broadway Street and Woodmont Drive. The project also includes resurfacing and restriping. Work is scheduled to begin between October 6 and October 13 and will take about five months to complete. Please use caution when traveling through the area, and plan ahead for possible traffic delays.

Council Meeting Sept. 29, 2025 Council approved a retaining wall, nuisance cleanup, a fire station design contract, and a Greenway pavilion bid. A new fiber optic franchise with Lumos and a sweeping encampment ordinance were delayed due to each failing to garner unanimous consent. Other approvals included new streetlights, two-hour parking in Edgewood, and a corrected appropriation for the Exceptional Foundation, before passing the 2025–26 budget with raises, bonuses, and capital projects. The meeting closed with moving tributes to outgoing councilors Andrew Woolverton, Jody Brandt, Carlos Aleman, and Andy Gwaltney, recognizing their years of service, leadership, and contributions across West Homewood, finance, public safety, and city development. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4nt7n1m

Stand with those who serve! The Homewood First Responders 5K is Saturday, October 18 . Your participation directly supports the Homewood Police Foundation and the Homewood Fire Department, strengthening the resources that keep our community safe. The race begins and ends at the Trak Shak on 18th Street, moving through downtown Homewood and surrounding neighborhoods. Along the route and at the finish, you’ll see the men and women of the Homewood Police and Fire Departments, with patrol vehicles, fire trucks, and McGruff the Crime Dog on site. 🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/3lXf3f0

Finance - Sept. 22, 2025 The Finance Committee approved several items including money for a fire station design contract. They also discussed a $1 million county reimbursement for Lakeshore DDI, October 2 bid date for the Shades Creek Greenway pavilion, money for new South Lakeshore streetlights. Agenda: https://bit.ly/48r9Y7l

Council Meeting Sept. 15, 2025 The council approved bids for Green Springs Phase 2, compact-only parking at Patriot Park, new no-parking zones in Edgewood next to Otey's, and crosswalk realignments at Oxmoor and Saint Charles. Council also approved a Seven Brew Coffee development at Wildwood, nuisance cleanups across several properties, a ThinkGard disaster-recovery contract, and honored Councilor Melanie Geer for five years of service. Agenda: https://bit.ly/46mfmWR

Beginning Monday, September 15 , crews will start work on the Oxmoor Road section running from West Oxmoor to West Oxmoor, starting across from Barber Court. The road will first be milled down on September 15–16, followed by the installation of new speed tables September 17–19. Central Paving will return the week of September 22 to resurface the roadway. These upgrades are designed to prepare the surface and add traffic-calming measures, ensuring safer travel through the neighborhood.

Departmental budgets for Admin/City Manager and Finance Sept. 24, 2025