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

2025-26 Budget Info & Hearings

August 27, 2025
Budget Hearing Schedule City Hall, 2nd Floor, South Conference Room

New Piggly Wiggly Plan Moves Forward

August 19, 2025
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.

Committee Meetings August 18, 2025

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

Council Meeting August 11, 2025

August 12, 2025
Council Meeting August 11, 2025 The council approved multiple contracts, leases, and licenses, including a parking deck agreement with Dawson Memorial Baptist, a library renovation design contract, and an ABC license for Seeds Coffee. Several public hearings were set for August 25 for nuisance properties, and a Piggly Wiggly plan, while the rezoning plan for the former police station site was dropped. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3V0BcK0

Mayor Wyatt Statement on DA's Decision

August 6, 2025
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 

Long-Vacant Police HQ Still Waiting for a New Chapter

August 5, 2025
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

Committee Meetings August 4, 2025

August 5, 2025
Finance - August 4, 2025 The committee approved dropping the Kenilworth Stormwater project and referred a large-scale lighting project to budget hearings. A representative from Recovery Resource Center presented a detailed proposal on using opioid settlement funds for assessments, training, and community outreach, which will be discussed further during budget hearings. The committee also approved a lease agreement with Navigate Wealth Management, authorized funding for UPS battery replacements, and approved design services for the library renovation Phase IV. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3U99gU6

Planning Commission August 5, 2025

August 3, 2025
Planning Commission August 5, 2025 The Planning Commission approved a request to replace the former Caster’s BBQ at 215 Lakeshore Parkway with a drive-thru-only Seven Brew Coffee stand, despite discussion over the building orientation facing away from the shopping center. The commission also voted to rescind its previous approval to subdivide the old police headquarters property since the rezoning plan was withdrawn , and announced there will be no September meeting due to lack of cases. Agenda: https://bit.ly/46MvnHy

Council Meeting July 28, 2025

July 29, 2025
Council Meeting July 28, 2025 Council covered routine business including approval of several resolutions and ordinances related to budget amendments, surplus property, stormwater diversion, municipal court staffing, and equipment purchases. Council unanimously approved Sanford University’s stadium housing project which is housing right next to their football stadium.  Agenda: https://bit.ly/4f9rDBQ Meeting schedules & archives: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT

Committee Meetings July 21, 2025

July 22, 2025
Finance - July 21, 2025 The Finance Committee approved a long list of budget-related items including surplus library equipment, a new municipal court prosecutor, and the final change order for the Kenilworth stormwater project, which finished under 10% of the original bid. Other approvals included money for a new pothole patching equipment and truck, various budget transfers for fire and police departments, setting an August 19 bid date for Green Springs Phase 2, and approving money for a city ad in the Chamber’s Centennial Map Guide. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4l1bbFm
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