Council Meeting August 25, 2025

Council Meeting August 25, 2025

The council meeting major actions included adopting a $128.5 million budget proposal with funding for a new fire station, fire trucks, stormwater projects, and the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. Budget hearings will go over this proposal in detail over the next few weeks. Council approving $3 million in incentives for a redesigned Piggly Wiggly expansion, hiring a new audit firm, addressing Edgewood traffic safety, multiple nuisance property hearings, and improvements tied to the Dawson parking deck lease.

Agenda: https://bit.ly/3JvRmZE

Details
030725: This was about the Green Springs Phase II project. The bid opening had just taken place, but since results still need to be reviewed in committee, the council agreed to carry it over until a recommendation is ready, carried over

180725: The city manager requested approval to sign traffic signal and roadway lighting agreements tied to the Lakeshore and I-65 project. Finance had recommended approval, and the council passed three related resolutions without opposition, approved

010825: The council considered funding the Lakeshore and I-65 diverging diamond project. Finance recommended approval, and members commented that it had been a long-time priority. The resolution passed, approved

020825: The proposed 2025–2026 budget was presented. It outlined $128 million in total funds with priorities including a new fire station, major road improvements, stormwater projects, and school funding. Finance recommended accepting the report, and the council did so, approved

030825: Budget amendments were considered to cover lingering tornado debris removal costs and a few other transfers. Finance had recommended approval, and the council passed it, approved

150825: A tax incentive agreement with Piggly Wiggly was discussed. Developers changed course from a new store plan to enlarging the existing location, reducing their request from $3.5 million to $3 million. The council held a public hearing and passed the incentive, approved

160825: The city selected a new auditing agency. Finance recommended Moses, and the council voted to confirm the choice, approved

340425: Safety issues at Oxmoor and St. Charles were discussed. After input from business owners and city staff, the council approved removing the eastbound center turn lane striping, approved

040825: Permission was requested to reconstruct a deck and fence on 16th Place South that had been damaged by storm. Public Works supported it with indemnification, and the council passed the resolution, approved

100725: A public hearing was held for a Southwood Subdivision homeowner requesting a covered porch addition closer to the property line than normally allowed. Neighbors’ support and stormwater review were included. The council approved the amended development plan, approved

080825: A public nuisance case for property at 405 Woodville Lane was heard. The owner had shown only minimal progress and requested more time. The council agreed to carry it over to September 29, carried over

090825: A public nuisance case for 509 Broadway Street was considered. With little progress made, the council declared it a nuisance, approved

100825: A case for 718 Broadway Street was reviewed. The property had been thoroughly cleaned before the hearing, so the council dropped it, dropped

110825: A case for 228 Hall Avenue was presented. The owner had cleaned the property, and the council dropped the item, dropped

120825: A case for 3016 Firefighter Lane was reviewed. The property had been cleaned up enough to meet standards, so the council dropped it, dropped

230825: The council authorized the mayor to sign a grant agreement with Jefferson County to fund paving on West Oxmoor, approved

240825–300825: Multiple nuisance property hearings were set for September 15 (locations included State Farm Parkway, Make for a Drive, Central Avenue, West Lakeshore Drive, Hanover Road, Carr Avenue, and Forest Park Drive), carried over

310825: Permission was requested to place a construction dumpster in the City Hall parking lot during a renovation project. The council debated timing and placement but approved it contingent on coordination with other construction, approved

330825: The council approved a $3,500 contract for an ADA ramp near the Dawson parking deck, approved

340825: A contract for stairway gating at the Dawson deck was considered to restrict pedestrian access to the top level. Despite concerns about cost, the council approved it, approved

320825: Approval of vouchers was delayed because the finance chair was absent, but the council approved them contingent on his review later in the week, approved

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On-Demand Rides Coming to Homewood

April 28, 2026

Microtransit is officially coming to Homewood, adding an on-demand option to move around our city. It works just like ride sharing whereby riders will be able to request a trip through an app and get picked up nearby, with routes designed in real time to keep trips efficient and wait times low. What makes this especially important is how the pilot is being funded . The initial phase, running from July 2026 through September 2027, is fully funded through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham , at about $792,000. This allows the city to launch the service without immediate long-term cost commitments. After that, projected annual costs are expected to be around $610,000 to $630,000, depending on how the service is adjusted over time, with up to three vehicles operating during set service hours. This pilot approach gives Homewood time to see how people actually use the system, where demand is strongest, and how the service can be refined. It also keeps flexibility built in, with the ability to adjust hours, coverage, and fleet size based on real data. City leaders are optimistic that this will become a convenient and meaningful way for many in our community to get where they need to go. To learn more about this program check here: https://maxtransit.org/ondemand/ You can also VIEW THE PRESENTATION presented to the Council on April 13, 2026.

Pre-Council & Council Meetings April 27, 2026

April 28, 2026

Pre-Council Meeting - April 27, 2026 Pre-Council discussed several projects, including improvements to the US 31 pedestrian tunnel and a new parking lot at the former Oxmoor Road Waffle House site, both now heading toward May bid openings. They also discussed a budget transfer to restore a damaged traffic signal and began early conversation around a Central Avenue property tied to access, parking, and future development questions. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3OK6Xrj

Parking Deck Closed For a Week

April 16, 2026

Parking Alert The Dawson parking deck will be closed to the public, April 20 through April 24, for cleaning and restriping. Plan ahead for alternate parking in that area for the week.

Your Home Could Be a Film Location

April 15, 2026

Over the years, many films, tv shows, and commercials have been shot right here in Homewood. Now there is a push to keep that momentum going, and your property could be part of it. So what do you do? Take photos of a property you own and upload them using the button below. Once submitted, your location becomes visible to industry professionals looking for places to film. If there is interest, the film office will reach out directly. Film Birmingham has brought together all 34 municipalities in Jefferson County to create a more film friendly region. It is a coordinated effort to highlight what makes communities like Homewood stand out, from our neighborhoods and parks to our downtown and unique spaces. If you own or manage a property and want to take part, you can submit it through Film Birmingham’s site. It is a simple step that helps showcase Homewood and opens the door for more projects to come here.

Pre-Council & Council Meetings April 13, 2026

April 14, 2026

Pre-Council Meeting - April 13, 2026 Key items the Council discussed was a proposed microtransit pilot program that could help people move around the city a little better, and a rezoning request on Montgomery Street tied to new investment and redevelopment. There was also discussion around funding shifts for paving and stormwater, along with new tools like an AI tool to improve how residents get information on the city's website. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3Ov9pSw

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 the city close to $24k 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.

Busy Day Saturday April 25

April 5, 2026

Block Party Join the Homewood Library Foundation Block Party on April 25 from 4 to 6:30pm at the library. Enjoy food, music, and a relaxed time with friends and neighbors. Tickets are sold at the door. $25 for ages 21 and up, $10 for ages 4 to 20, and free for ages 0 to 3. LEARN MORE

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

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