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




More

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
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.
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
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.
February 24, 2026
For years, residents have asked for a safer way to cross Highway 280 at the Hollywood Boulevard overpass. What once felt like a long standing concern is now moving forward in a real and visible way. Nearly 20,000 cars cross the bridge every day. Yet it was built in 1960 as a two lane bridge with no protected pedestrian access. At the same time, walkers, runners, and cyclists regularly move between Birmingham, Mountain Brook, and Homewood along this corridor. The need has been clear for a long time. This effort has been discussed for more than fourteen years, bringing together Homewood, Mountain Brook, Birmingham, and Jefferson County. It is a strong example of regional cooperation, recognizing that road users do not see city limits when they drive or walk. An avid runner, Mayor Jennifer Andress facilitated those early conversations, asking how they could correct a serious pedestrian safety issue and strengthen regional connectivity. And now, they are! Phase one focuses on new sidewalks in Mountain Brook and along Hollywood Boulevard from Malaga Avenue up to the bridge. Construction is expected to begin this summer and will take approximately eight months. There will be some temporary lane shifts and possible lane closures during construction, with coordination among the cities to limit disruption. Phase two will widen the bridge, add a third vehicle lane, install a new traffic light at the exit ramp off Highway 280, add a new turn lane onto the existing on ramp to Highway 280 East, and create a protected pedestrian facility behind a concrete barrier wall. That portion is expected to go out for bid in 2027, with roughly 12 months of construction once underway. Funding for the sidewalk phase reflects a broad partnership that includes federal and state support, county participation, municipal cooperation, and private contributions from community groups and local organizations. The bridge widening phase will combine federal transportation dollars with a county match. Homewood has no financial obligation for this project. After years of steady conversations, planning, and partnership, safer passage across Highway 280 is no longer just an idea. It is moving toward construction and becoming part of the way our communities connect.
February 24, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - February 23, 2026 Council moved forward with a proposed $36k contract with MGT Impact Solutions to conduct a citywide organizational study, aimed at evaluating structure, staffing, and long term efficiency, with findings expected before summer budget talks. The firm will spend time onsite meeting with department heads and staff, reviewing job descriptions, benchmarking against peer cities in the Southeast, and offering recommendations on structure, staffing levels, reporting alignment, and workflow improvements. A public presentation of findings is expected before summer budget discussions. Council also reviewed an intergovernmental agreement related to pedestrian sidewalks near the Highway 280 bridge, introduced updates to the Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustments ordinance to align with the council manager structure, and continued discussion on the city manager employment agreement and other carryover items. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3ZWcLQD
February 24, 2026
The Shamrock 5K is set for Saturday, February 28, from 10:30am to 12:30pm . If you are traveling through Edgewood or along Broadway, plan for temporary road closures and traffic delays during that window. This will impact traffic for a few hours so please take a look at the map and plan your route accordingly.
February 19, 2026
Homewood residents will soon see a community survey in the mail. It is your chance to share honest feedback about city services, including public safety, parks, streets, stormwater, trash, the library, and communication. You can also complete the survey online at: https://homewoodsurvey.org/ All responses are confidential and reviewed by an independent third party. Your input will help guide decisions and shape the future of Homewood for years to come. We hope you will take a few minutes to take part.
February 17, 2026
The City of Homewood has selected Cale Smith as the first permanent City Manager in the city’s 100-year history. The Homewood City Council voted Monday evening to authorize Mayor Jennifer Andress to offer him the position. You can watch that meeting above. This milestone follows years of discussion about creating a full-time City Manager role. In 2024, voters approved a referendum to move Homewood to a council-manager form of government. City leaders then transitioned from interim leadership to establishing a permanent position to oversee daily operations and long-term planning. Cale shared this, “I’m thankful for the trust the City Council has placed in me. I care deeply about Homewood and am proud to both serve and live here. This is a community that values its future and expects strong, steady leadership. This permanent appointment brings stability for our staff and our residents as we approach our 100th year. My focus remains on professionalism, transparency, and consistent progress for our city.” Special Assistant to the City Manager Sam Gaston added that he has been impressed with Cale’s leadership and commitment to doing the right things for long term success, including joining ICMA and being selected for Leadership ICMA. Background and Transition Cale has lived in Homewood for over 20 years, and has been employed since 2021, first as Director of Engineering and Zoning, and then most recently as Interim City Manager. He was appointed interim following the departure of former City Manager Glen Adams. The City launched a national and state search process. Applications were posted through local, state, and national municipal associations, including ICMA and the state City Manager Association. The search drew 61 applicants . After review by HR Director Kim Kinder and Special Assistant Sam Gaston, 14 qualified candidates were identified for interviews. Eleven candidates completed initial interviews, and five finalists advanced to extended interviews before the Council’s final deliberation. Why Cale Smith Council members pointed to Cale Smith’s deep knowledge of Homewood, strong infrastructure background, and steady leadership as Interim City Manager. They noted there would be no learning curve, as he is already managing major projects and working closely with staff, Council, and residents. Mayor Jennifer Andress highlighted his leadership on the new comprehensive plan, stormwater improvements, fleet inventory, city communications, citizen survey, and regional partnerships, saying he is already doing the work needed to move Homewood forward. What Happens Next The Council’s vote authorizes the Mayor to extend a formal offer. A negotiated written employment agreement will be presented for approval at an upcoming Council meeting. With this decision, Homewood formally establishes its first permanent City Manager, a historic step in the City’s Centennial year and a significant evolution in its governance structure.
February 10, 2026
City Council approved two new streetlights for some well used spots around Homewood. A new light on Cobb Street near Hall-Kent will improve visibility helping keep children and families safe.
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