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 Members dropped an outdated fiscal policy update for the next council, authorized the city manager to sign approved contracts under $350,000 through October, and endorsed creating a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
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