Council Meeting 11/06/23

City Council meeting, November 6, 2023. Highlights of some of the items discussed:


1. Item 08.10.23 & 09.10.23: Council approved rezoning 1906 Courtney Drive from C-1 (Office Building District) to C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping District) and approved a final development plan to facilitate the redevelopment of the Homewood Piggly Wiggly grocery store. 


2. Item 10.10.23: After a lengthy public hearing that had dozens of citizens speak for and against a proposed rezone of 1300 Columbiana Road, Second Presbyterian Church, from I-2 (Institutional District) to C-1 (Office Building District), the applicant asked to carry this item over to work through more options in light of all the comments shared. Council approved carrying it over to the next council meeting which is November 27, 2023. 


3. Item # 14.09.23: Council approved a request to make changes to the city's credit card purchasing policies. Some of the highlights of the new policy include only assigning cards to department heads; in the travel section, itemized receipts will be required for food charges; charges above the rate or not allowed will be deducted from employee's pay; no cash advances or alcohol purchases are allowed on city credit cards. All employees will be required to sign this new policy. 


4. Item # 19.10.23 Council approved a request for consideration for a one-time offer concerning retiree health insurance. In 2021, the city extended an early retirement opportunity, but only a small number of employees chose to seize it. So now the city is presenting another unique chance for many employees who have shown interest in early retirement. From ages 55 to 65, these employees will continue to pay their current health insurance rates, provided they retire by December 31, 2024. To take advantage of this opportunity, employees must inform the city of their retirement plans by December 31, 2023.


5. Item # 07.03.23: Council approved a request for consideration of adjustments to criteria for approval of events impacting normal street flow and access. This includes raising the fee to $250 per race; race details (e.g. route, time, etc) shared with the city via portal 30 days (min) in advance of race; race route signage posted by the race organizer on major thoroughfare intersections and locations that will impact normal neighborhood access (For example – Central Avenue and Manhattan, Roseland Drive and Broadway, etc); race details and map posted on the city website; plans to be reviewed and approved by Homewood Police Department as such not to fully restrict access in/out of neighborhoods; HPD to handle rate adjustments for off duty police support and staffing levels deemed appropriate.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/49ppI8S

Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT 

Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA 


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UPDATE: Council approved the $3M incentive plan, August 25  The Finance Committee reviewed a new tax incentive agreement tied to the long-awaited Piggly Wiggly redevelopment. The revised plan calls for rebuilding on the current site, which means the store will temporarily close during construction. The updated design adds more green space, provides a safer route for children using the nearby tunnel to school, improves traffic flow, and resolves earlier concerns about truck deliveries. Parking will also increase compared to today’s layout. Earlier this year, the store’s owners proposed building a brand-new location behind the current store. That plan raised concerns about traffic, loading docks, and pedestrian safety. After months of discussion, the developers scrapped that version and returned with a new design that many now see as a much stronger fit for the community. Because this plan is less expensive and slightly smaller than the original, the incentive request dropped from $3.5 million to $3 million. The committee voted to advance the incentive agreement to the full Council for a public hearing scheduled for August 25. After that, the next step is to go through the development plan process, starting in October, with the Planning Commission.
August 19, 2025
Finance - August 18, 2025 The Finance Committee advanced a $3 million tax incentive agreement for rebuilding Piggly Wiggly on its current site with added green space and safer pedestrian access, sending it to public hearing on August 25. The committee also approved funding and agreements for the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. Committee reviewed a $127.5 million FY25–26 budget plan with $21 million in capital projects, authorized budget transfers for storm debris cleanup and paving, selected a new audit firm, and carried over a $310,940 business license penalty request. Agenda: https://bit.ly/47BSvbY
August 12, 2025
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Mayor’s Statement on Jefferson County District Attorney Decision on June 23, 2025, Officer Involved Shooting August 6, 2025 "We have received the results of the District Attorney’s investigations into the shooting of Jabari Peoples. We note that the District Attorney found the “shooting is deemed justified” and that no criminal charges will be filed against the Homewood Police Officer involved in this matter. We can’t imagine the anguish of the Peoples’ family in the aftermath of this tragic event and hope the community will respect the District Attorney’s decision, which he says is based on the facts and the law." Alex Wyatt Mayor of Homewood 
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What started as an idea to turn Homewood’s long vacant, old police property, into a steakhouse and park, has now been pulled off the table. Developer Mike Mouron, who brought the concept forward, decided to withdraw his plan and financial support after facing public criticism and legal filings. The plan aimed to rezone the property at 1833 29th Avenue South from industrial to commercial, allowing for a restaurant and community green space. Mouron offered to fund the park portion of the property through the sale and personally cover any extra costs. Also targeted in the backlash, the City of Homewood had to respond to a lawsuit and dissolve a temporary restraining order. The City stood by how it handled the process. The judge agreed and ruled in favor of the city, dismissing the case with prejudice and ordering the plaintiff’s (Kevin Misso) bond to be forfeited. Despite the legal victory, after facing ongoing personal attacks, Mouron chose to withdraw his proposal and not pursue the project further. Even though it has now been withdrawn, by law, a public hearing will still be held, as advertised, August 11. The council will then officially close this item. Mayor Wyatt expressed hope that future city leadership will “figure out the best path forward” for a property that continues to sit idle. For more background: Committee Meeting February 17, 2025 From Jailhouse to Steakhouse Legal Filings Mayor Wyatt Announces Withdrawal
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