Pre-Council Meeting Nov. 10, 2025
November 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

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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