Council Meeting August 25, 2025
August 26, 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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BZA Meeting September 8, 2026

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The Board of Zoning Adjustments approved variance requests for 1409 Ardsley Place and a new covered front porch at 109 Edge View Avenue. The board denied a request at 104 Edgewood Boulevard to allow 57.92 percent impervious lot coverage, but staff agreed to work with the homeowners on possible repairs and screening that could meet the code. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4gnRpor

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Special Called Council Meeting Sept. 3, 2026

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The City Council reviewed a proposed process and evaluation form for the city manager’s six month and annual performance reviews. The Council will take up the procedures during Pre-Council on September 14, then entered executive session to discuss the potential redevelopment of an existing commercial property. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4ynxYlK

Planning Commission Sept. 1, 2026

September 2, 2026
The Planning Commission approved two property resurvey requests along Oxmoor Road, including one that could support parking for a future redevelopment at 184 Oxmoor Road. A request for 215 West Valley Avenue and the case involving 832 Green Springs Highway were carried over to the October 7 meeting. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3SsbhNX

2027 Budget - Where Does the Money Come From?

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2027 Budget - Where Does the Money Come From? The City Council will begin reviewing the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget on Tuesday, September 8 at 4:00pm. The hearings will give the Council an opportunity to examine the proposal fund by fund, make adjustments and determine the City’s priorities before considering the final budget, Monday, September 28. During this first budget hearing, the City Manager will present updates to the overall budget and discuss revenue available to support it. One important source is sales tax. Broken down, that sales tax looks like this: Four cents go to the State of Alabama. Two cents go to Jefferson County. Four cents go to the City of Homewood, and then within that: One penny is dedicated to the Homewood Board of Education. One-quarter penny supports capital projects. The remaining City sales-tax revenue supports other City needs. In the proposed budget, each penny is expected to generate approximately $11.57 million. That estimate matters. If sales tax collections are higher or lower than expected, it can affect how much the City can spend. The Council will consider City’s estimated revenues, how much money should be kept in reserve and what level of spending can be sustained long term. The presented General Fund is approximately $77.9 million, but that number will change based on information gathered since the presentation on August 10th. The Council will also make changes throughout the hearing process. The proposed budget was prepared under Homewood’s new council-manager form of government. Under the new process, the City Manager develops and presents a proposed budget, and the City Council reviews, revises and ultimately adopts the final spending plan. All budget hearings are open to the public and will be live streamed and recorded. Additional hearings are scheduled to begin at 4:00pm on September 15, 17 and 21, with September 24 reserved for a final hearing if needed. The Council plans to consider adoption of the FY27 budget on Monday, September 28. Fiscal Year 2027 begins October 1. All figures remain proposed and are subject to change until the City Council adopts the final budget. Complete Budget Hearing Schedule

New Finance Director

August 25, 2026
Please join us in welcoming Aspen Collins as Homewood’s new Finance Director. Aspen brings more than 20 years of local government experience to the City. She most recently served Mobile County as Deputy Finance Director and Deputy County Administrator. She has also served as Finance Director for the Tuscaloosa and Bessemer housing authorities, along with roles as Finance Director and City Manager in two Nashville suburbs. We are glad to have Aspen bring that experience to Homewood and look forward to the work ahead.

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You can't climb on him anymore... but beginning Monday, August 17 , you can lean on him to help you navigate information from across the City. Who are we talking about? Our new website chatbot, Bugsy! This little guy will help you find information, get answers to your questions, and connect with the services you need quickly and easily. Bugsy will be available 24/7, and can speak more than 70 languages. We're one of the first cities in Alabama to launch this specific type of tool, and we hope Bugsy, in his new role, continues to be a helpful part of our community for many years to come. About Citibot The City of Homewood is partnering with Citibot , a leader in AI-powered communication solutions for local governments, to provide this great resource. Based in Charleston, SC, Citibot LLC was founded in 2016 with the mission of making government services accessible to all. Citibot CEO Bratton Riley was inspired by the power of conversational chatbots to help governments become more accessible and accountable. “Expectations for quality customer service are always rising,” said Riley. “Cities and counties like Homewood are leading the way, implementing technology that enhances efficiency and improves access to essential information and services.” Citibot provides AI-powered chatbot solutions that enhance communication between residents and local governments. Using smart text messaging and web chat, Citibot enables residents to quickly get answers, report issues, contact staff, and receive real-time alerts. Learn more at http://citibot.io .
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