Planning Commission Highlights May 6, 2025 24.04.01: This project, which is not associated with the Creekside project currently under consideration, was approved unanimously and will now go before the full council. A representative from Landmark Development presented plans for Samford University’s Bulldog District, focused on adding apartment-style student housing to meet campus residency requirements and enhance campus life with modern amenities. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4jNcIPo Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Finance Highlights May 6, 2025 44.04.25: The Creekside Infrastructure Development proposal has raised many concerns among council members and citizens who believe the plan is simply too big for the community and an overreach in many ways. Comments from councilors and citizens focused on the sheer size and scope of the project that will overwhelm the city in many ways. They point to elements like the tall hotel, massive tax incentive requests, heavy traffic impacts, and questions about whether the housing will truly serve students or just become regular apartments. Despite the applicant’s efforts to frame the plan as a community benefit, several council members feel it doesn’t align with what residents want or what the area can realistically support. This item was carried over until the next committee meeting May 19. 02.04.25: The city’s mid-year budget review delivered encouraging news to council members, with revenues exceeding expectations and spending staying right on track. City Manager Glen Adams, who presented the report, highlighted that capital projects, like police vehicles, were progressing as planned and that the city was ahead of its conservative revenue estimates. While the review covered only through February and final numbers will come later, council members asked for quarterly updates in the future to strengthen decision-making and stay ahead of potential issues. 23.04.25: Committee approved authorizing a contract with Whitehead Solutions for $24,000 to overhaul the city’s core network infrastructure. I.T. Director Brandon Sims explained the project will strengthen cybersecurity, add redundancy, and create better network segmentation, especially for protecting police department systems. Work is expected to start immediately and may finish by August, depending on complexity. Key staff will be fully involved with implementation and will be familiar with the new system. This item will now go before the full council for a vote at the next council meeting May 12, 2025 at 6:00pm. 43.04.25: Committee approved a request from City Manager Glen Adams to create a new Deputy Finance Director/Chief Accountant position. Current contractor’s workflow analysis confirmed there’s enough workload to justify the role, and the Jefferson County Personnel Board has preliminarily validated the position. While the role wasn’t in the original budget, funding would come from the general fund. There was concern about waiting until the next fiscal year to include it in the budget process, but committee members emphasized the urgent need now considering the workload and issues the previous director caused. This item will now go before the full council for a vote at the next council meeting May 12, 2025 at 6:00pm. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4mle5Xp Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

Heads up, residents, paving projects begin Monday, May 5! If your street is on the list, you should receive a flyer with all the details before work begins. Please remove your car from the road and park your cars in the driveway to allow crews easy access. Roads effected: Edgeland Place Forest Brook Circle Forest Ridge Road Forrest Drive Alley Hillbrook Drive Hillmoor Lane Hillwood Drive Millbrook Circle Morris Blvd. Mosselle Cove Northmoor Lane Redfern Street Redfern Trail South Brook Circle Summit Parkway Velmont Drive Velmont Lane

Council Meeting Highlights, April 28, 2025 18.03.25: Council approved a development plan for a proposed project to convert the former Belk space, at the old Brookwood Mall location, into an Andrew's Sports Medicine medical facility, complete with surgery rooms and all levels of care. A spokesman for the ownership group stressed that the renovation is the first step in revitalizing the property. Council members agreed it was important to move forward now, hoping the project will spark future development on the property. Council also set a date of June 9 for public hearings related to the proposed Creekside development by Samford University. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4lYBnCb Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Finance Highlights April 21, 2025 The following items will be considered by the full Council on April 28, 2025, at 6:00pm: 01.04.25 – Request to accept the quote to add Tyler Payments to the existing agreement with Tyler Enterprise Permitting and Licensing – Wyatt Pugh, Building Official 02.04.25 – Request for consideration of mid-year budget review – Councilor Barry Smith 03.04.25 – Request for consideration to pay two past due invoices (2023 & 2024) for Big Sky Environmental – Berkley Squires, Public Services 04.04.25 – Request for permission for the City Manager to execute contracts for Oxmoor Road Diet construction – Cale Smith, PE 05.04.25 – Request for consideration for Council to appoint a temporary judge – J.J. Bischoff, Chief of Staff / Laura Roberts, Court Administrator 06.04.25 – Request for consideration of budget amendment for line item transfer – Chief Broadhead, Fire Chief 07.04.25 – Request for consideration to add a streetlight at 1455 Overlook Road – Randy Hambley, Traffic Department / Councilor Smith 21.04.25 – Request to upgrade the position of Revenue Examiner (18) to Senior Revenue Examiner (21) – Bo Seagrist, City Clerk Agenda: https://bit.ly/42muJOg Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

Heads up, Homewood! Starting Monday, April 21 , parts of surface parking above the city hall parking deck will close for about three months due to scheduled maintenance. The northern section highlighted will be closed for the first six weeks, followed by the southern section for the next six. However, be prepared for possible closures throughout the entire area at any time during the project. The city is working on the weather seal membrane beneath the lot behind SoHo and City Hall—a necessary part of routine upkeep. Unfortunately, this means much of the parking near Ashley Mac’s and City Hall will be unavailable during the project. The pedestrian walkway from the deck to the plaza will stay accessible. Be sure to plan ahead and allow extra time when visiting the area!

The diverging diamond would have drivers temporarily cross to opposite lanes in order to keep traffic at the interchange flowing more smoothly. Design courtesy of Volkert Engineers

Council Meeting Highlights, April 14, 2025 17.03.25 Council approved a request to de-annex 310 Happy Lane from the City of Homewood. A property owner who bought land 23 years ago to develop it into townhomes needs fire access. After failing to get necessary easements and facing road access issues, he asked to de-annex the land from Homewood and return it to Jefferson County to build a single-family home with county fire protection. With no current development plans, he hopes the land may be redeveloped in the future. 16.03.25 Council approved a request for consideration for an ordinance to prohibit parking on the west side of Mamie Foster 18th Place between 28th Ave and 27th Ave. This is to be sure there is space for emergency vehicles to travel that road without being blocked by parked cars. 20.04.25 Council approved a new agreement with ALDOT to move forward with long-discussed improvements to the I-65/Lakeshore Parkway interchange. The project, featuring a Diverging Diamond design, aims to ease traffic congestion that has plagued the area for decades. While council members expressed strong support, some raised concerns about cost overruns beyond the $23 million cap, especially since the city would bear all extra expenses. They agreed to monitor the bid, expected in July, and possibly set a ceiling for acceptable overages. This resolution marks a major step toward modernizing the interchange. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4lrK2Nb Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Walking the Walk: The City’s Ground Game for Better Sidewalks The City of Homewood is committed to maintaining safe, walkable neighborhoods—and our sidewalks play a vital role in that effort. With an annual investment of $75k-$100k, the Public Works Department is working diligently to ensure sidewalks across the city are in great condition and accessible for all residents. And we’re not only fixing what’s already there—we’re also looking ahead. The city has a “Complete Streets” committee working on filling in the gaps where sidewalks are missing.