Pre-Council Meeting Nov. 10, 2025

Pre-Council Meeting November 10, 2025


This marked the first time for this meeting. Instead of five separate committees, agenda items are now reviewed during a pre-council meeting, where the full council and mayor discuss all policy matters.


The council and mayor discussed a holiday live music request for downtown, reviewed finances showing about 2.9 million dollars in net income, and approved shifting 127,000 dollars to finish the library renovation. They set November 24 hearings for projects including the Piggly Wiggly expansion, Our Lady of Sorrows rezoning, Andrews Sports Medicine offices, and a new Valvoline. Other items included a Brookwood road closure for construction, a neighborhood Hot Wheels toy box, new stop signs, a Lakeshore water line, and city manager contract authority.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/47PsswC

  • Details

    Item 101125: This item was a request from Homewood Life magazine to host live holiday music in the city right of way in front of Track Shack on December 6, 13, and 20 from 1 to 3pm, with small groups of musicians, no tent, and coordination with nearby businesses and the menorah setup, the council plans to bring this back for a vote on November 24, this was added to the council meeting.


    Item 011125: This item was a presentation from Carr, Riggs & Ingram on the city’s year to date general fund income statement and a summary of all city bank account balances through the end of August, the projected net income is about 2.9 million dollars and the report will move forward for formal acceptance on the consent agenda, this was added to the council meeting.


    Item 180925: This item was an update on Phase 4 of the Homewood Public Library renovation project, bids came in about 127,000 dollars over budget and Acting City Manager Cale Smith proposed moving that amount from the US 31 tunnel bond funds so the final phase for the children’s area, auditorium upgrades, and administration space can proceed while the tunnel project is delayed until 2026. They will revisit funding the tunnel project spring of 2026, the contract and budget adjustment resolution are prepared for council action, this was added to the council meeting.


    Item 190925: This item was an update on the Central Avenue TAP multimodal project, bids were opened and the low bid came in well under budget, but staff is still working with the contractor to confirm the lighting package meets the city’s specifications, the council agreed they are not ready to move forward yet, so this was carried over.


    Item 011025: This item was a preview of an amended development plan for the renovation and expansion of the Piggly Wiggly on Oxmoor and US 31, the plan shifts the main entrance to the south side near CVS, upgrades parking and landscaping, coordinates with the future tunnel and underpass project, and keeps deliveries on the back side, the Planning Commission sent a favorable recommendation and the council will hold a public hearing on November 24.


    Item 021025: This item was a request to rezone a lot at 1690 29th Court South from C1 Office Building District to I2 Institutional to match the rest of the Our Lady of Sorrows campus, the change will let the church consolidate several parcels, including a lot under the existing parking deck, into a single institutional lot without affecting public alleys or known easements, the Planning Commission recommended approval, the council will hold a public hearing on November 24.


    Item 031025: This item was a request to amend the development plan for the Wildwood medical campus to create new lots and add access and parking to support Andrews Sports Medicine, the plan adds two new vehicle entrances, parking that also serves a previously approved building, and some changes to mall space to create more leasable area, the Planning Commission sent a favorable recommendation, the council will hold a public hearing on November 24.


    Item 041025: This item was a request for a final detailed plan for a Valvoline Instant Oil Change facility in the Green Springs Shopping Center, the proposal replaces an old bank with a mostly brick two bay oil change building, reduces pavement, and adds landscaping, council members asked for stronger screening and landscaping to better match the Green Springs design goals and raised concerns about bay doors facing Green Springs and the growing number of service centers there, updated renderings and zoning checks will be brought to the public hearing, the council will hold a public hearing on November 24.


    Item 021125: This item was a request to allow the city manager to sign a contract with Royal Jackson DC for logistics work, council members had already received and reviewed the contract, there were no further questions, this was added to the council meeting


    Item 031125: This item was a request for the mayor to sign the employment agreement for the city manager, the contract for Cale Smith was drafted effective November 3 to match his appointment date, legal counsel advised that the council’s motion should make the approval retroactive to that date, this was added to the council meeting


    Item 041125: This item was a request to authorize the city manager to sign contracts up to 100,000 dollars, which is actually a reduction from prior authority, the city attorney reminded the council that they still hold ultimate responsibility for all contracts even when signing is delegated, there were no objections to the framework, this was added to the council meeting


    Item 051125: This item was a request to temporarily close the road section along the north side of Brookwood Village next to the former Belk building during the Andrews Sports Medicine construction, the contractor explained that heavy equipment, demolition, and truck traffic in that area make it unsafe for the current mix of walkers, runners, and parked cars, pedestrian access will remain via the wide sidewalk and bridge connections while the road itself is closed for the project duration, this was added to the council meeting


    Item 061125: This item was a request to place a shared “toy box” for Hot Wheels cars at 507 Morris Boulevard, the resident proposed a small, mailbox style structure with parking slots for toy cars, and after talking with neighbors and staff, adjusted the location to a strip near his driveway on his side of the right of way, an indemnification agreement will be used, this was added to the council meeting


    Item 071125: This item was a request to install a three way stop at Waverly Drive and Windsor Drive (Avalon area), the city engineer found that sight distance there does not meet engineering standards and recommended an all way stop to improve safety, the council plans to do a first reading of the stop sign ordinance so neighbors can comment before final action, this was added to the council meeting


    Item 081125: This item was a request to allow Birmingham Water Works to install a 12 inch water line along Lakeshore Boulevard in the city right of way, this work is part of a larger water line extension that turns in front of Target and runs down to a future entrance, staff confirmed it fits within franchise and right of way use, this was added to the council meeting


    Item 091125: This item was a request to install a stop sign on the Westover Drive approach to Shades Road behind Edgewood Elementary, the intersection is currently uncontrolled even though it carries a lot of school traffic and has a marked pedestrian crossing, the engineer recommended a stop sign and ADA ramps to better protect walkers and clarify right of way for drivers, this was added to the council meeting


More

Yacht Rock Saturday, April 11

April 10, 2026
FREE live music is coming to downtown, Saturday, April 11 . Join the Homewood Arts Council for the Yacht Rock Spectacular at SoHo Square Plaza from 5:30pm to 7:30pm . Enjoy classic hits from the 1970s and 1980s made popular by artists like Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Ambrosia, Toto, and Christopher Cross. See you there!

Planning Commission April 7, 2026

April 8, 2026
The Planning Commission discussed a request to rezone two properties on Montgomery Street from a neighborhood shopping district to a central business district so a local fitness studio could move into a larger space. There was discussion about parking and noise, with a nearby property owner raising concerns about overflow parking and loud music. The applicant explained that parking would meet requirements with about 21 spaces and that the business operates by appointment, limiting traffic. They also shared plans to add soundproofing to reduce noise. The owner agreed to restrict certain uses on the property, including no drive-throughs, gas stations, liquor stores, smoke shops, auto parts stores, or theaters. The Planning Commission approved the rezoning with conditions tied to the site plan, parking, and use restrictions, and it will now move to City Council with a positive recommendation Agenda: https://bit.ly/3PQ7et2

Sprucing Up Our Street Corners

April 6, 2026
As part of spring cleaning across Homewood, crews have been replacing old and aging street signs. So far, about 547 of the city’s roughly 572 signs have been updated, with the remaining to be finished by the end of May. They are made in house by our Traffic Department, led by Randy Hambly. His team designs, produces, and installs them. This includes street name signs, parking signs, speed limit signs, and warning signs like school crossings, pedestrian crossings, dead end signs, and stop ahead signs. Producing these in house saves money each year and allows crews to respond faster by designing, making, and installing signs without waiting on outside vendors. On average, the city makes about 250 to 300 signs each year. Materials are sourced from trusted suppliers, including one based in West Homewood, which allows for quick turnaround on orders and keeps the process moving efficiently. This is one of many ways the Traffic Department works each day to serve our residents and keep things running smoothly across the city.

18th Street Paving Begins April 6

April 4, 2026
Crews will begin milling and paving 18th St South from Oxmoor Rd to Rosedale Drive starting Monday, April 6.  Work will take place at night beginning at 8pm and finish each day before morning traffic to help reduce impacts.

BZA Meeting April 2, 2026

April 4, 2026
At the April 2, 2026 meeting, the Board of Zoning Adjustments approved a fence variance on Irving Road to improve accessibility, and a carport enclosure on Edgemoor to create more livable space without changing the home’s character. The board also approved additional signage for a Lakeshore Parkway business to help customers better find the location, while a couple of cases were pushed to May at the applicant’s request. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4duWxpB

Pre-Council & Council Meetings March 23, 2026

March 24, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - March 23, 2026 Council worked through a short agenda, focusing on a few key items including a request to use a parking space for a crawfish boil in April and a proposal tied to landscaping extending into the right of way near Whitehall. They also reviewed surplus equipment headed to auction, an HVAC repair needed to keep part of a HPD functional, and a shift in authority for signing opioid settlement agreements to the city manager. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4bKstE3

Pre-Council & Council Meetings March 9, 2026

March 10, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - March 9, 2026 Amy Weis, caretaker for Sims Garden, shared an update on plans to become a stronger community resource and teaching space. The garden is a city owned park with deep local history. Councilors also reviewed a budget amendment for Trane services that helps manage City Hall systems and saves money, discussed a retaining wall at 521 Edgehill Drive that extends into the right of way, and considered an annual spring cornhole series in front of City Hall. Agenda: https://bit.ly/40n8iXl

Garbage & Debris Reminders

March 9, 2026
Homewood uses two services to collect garbage and debris . Each one handles different materials: Amwaste – Garbage and Recycling The Amwaste truck collects household garbage and recycling on your regular pickup days. Household garbage should be bagged and placed in your garbage cart, and boxes should be broken down before putting them in the cart. Carts should be placed out by 6:00am on your pickup days. Reminders: Residents can place up to three carts at the curb. You can use other types of cans/carts as long as they are 45 gal and larger. They don’t have to be an Amwaste or Republic cart. As long as you have one black Amwaste cart, or blue Republic cart, Amwaste will not provide any more. But if you have not received a black Amwaste cart, request one here. If you have (3) bags or less of small debris, leaves, pine straw, grass clippings, or small limbs, place them in your garbage cart to be picked up by Amwaste, not at the curb. City of Homewood Claw Truck – Debris and Bulk Piles The City of Homewood operates a “claw truck” that collects large debris piles such as tree limbs, brush, and other bulk yard debris placed at the curb. The truck runs weekly Monday through Thursday based on your neighborhood schedule, and residents do not need to request pickup. Please do not place debris near mailboxes, utility poles, signs, walls, or storm drains. The truck has to position itself to reach your debris pile. Reminders: Small debris, leaves, pine straw, grass clippings, and small limbs should be bagged, and you must have a minimum of (4) bags to place at the curb to be picked up by the claw truck. If you have (3) bags or less, they must go in your garbage cart for pick up by Amwaste, and will not be picked up by the claw truck. Single branches will not be picked up. It must be a pile. All construction or landscaping debris must be removed by the contractor.

BZA Meeting March 5, 2026

March 8, 2026
At the March 5, 2026 meeting, the Board of Zoning Adjustments reviewed several variance requests, approving a signage request for Pickleball Kingdom on Lakeshore Parkway and a second story setback at 422 Woodland Drive, while denying requests at 504 Hampton Drive, 301 Ascot Road, 837 Forest Drive, and the carried over case at 320 Le Prado Circle. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4b98PBj

Dawson Parking Deck Now Open to the Public

February 26, 2026
The deck is open! The 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of the Dawson Baptist Church parking deck are now open for public use during these hours: Monday-Saturday 7:00am - 12:00am This provides over 300 additional parking spaces for the Edgewood business district. We are grateful to Dawson for making this space available for the city to lease and for partnering with us on a solution that serves the whole community.
More Posts