Planning Ahead for a More Efficient Fleet

Pre-Council Meeting February 9, 2026


A key item from this meeting was the proposal to bring in Mercury Associates for a comprehensive fleet maintenance study, that will review current fleet operations, right size vehicles across departments, and update outdated policies and procedures. This will provide data driven decisions about how the city manages hundreds of vehicles across departments and how taxpayer dollars are spent long term. The goal is to improve efficiency, control costs, and better inform upcoming budget decisions. 


Council also agreed to move several items forward to the council meeting, including a request from the Miss Alabama Organization to use council chambers for its annual meeting, permission for sewer work in the Frisco Street right of way tied to residential development, and approval for Track Shack to place a temporary tent in the right of way for its annual sale. The item related to a proposed no parking ordinance on Linden Avenue was carried over for further discussion.



Agenda: https://bit.ly/4tsmTOA

  • Full Meeting Details

    Item 010226: This item was a request to allow the Miss Alabama Organization to use the City Council chambers for its annual meeting. The group is based in Homewood. City Clerk Bo Seagrist described it as a goodwill gesture and a chance for future collaboration with the city. The group will sign a standard facility use agreement. This item was added to the council meeting.


    Item 020226: This request involved permission to work in the city right of way at properties on Frisco Street to connect new homes to an existing sanitary sewer manhole. The project combines multiple lots and requires running sewer laterals through a public alley due to topography and access limits. County officials have approved the design, and staff explained safety and access considerations, including fire protection and turnaround issues. This item was added to the council meeting.


    Item 030226: This item was a request from Track Shack to place a tent in the city right of way for a multi day sales event in February. Staff noted this has been approved the past two years and replaces activity that once came with the Mercedes Marathon weekend. The request includes updated dates and an indemnification agreement. This item was added to the council meeting.


    Item 040226: This item was a request to declare a 2020 Chevy Tahoe as surplus. Staff explained the vehicle was totaled and the city is trying to recover insurance funds. This item was added to the council meeting.


    Item 050226: This item was a request to amend the budget to hire Mercury Associates for a comprehensive fleet maintenance study. Staff explained the study will review current fleet operations, right size vehicles across departments, and update outdated policies and procedures. The goal is to improve efficiency, control costs, and better inform upcoming budget decisions. The study cost will be paid from carryover fund balance. This item was added to the council meeting.


    Item 060226: This item involved a proposed no parking ordinance related to curb markings on Linden Avenue. Staff clarified the item description was incorrect and that the issue requires ordinance action. Because a council member needed to be present for further discussion, the item was held. This item was carried over.

More

Pre-Council & Council Meetings March 23, 2026

March 24, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - March 23, 2026 Council worked through a short agenda, focusing on a few key items including a request to use a parking space for a crawfish boil in April and a proposal tied to landscaping extending into the right of way near Whitehall. They also reviewed surplus equipment headed to auction, an HVAC repair needed to keep part of a HPD functional, and a shift in authority for signing opioid settlement agreements to the city manager. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4bKstE3

Pre-Council & Council Meetings March 9, 2026

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

Garbage & Debris Reminders

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.

BZA Meeting March 5, 2026

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

Dawson Parking Deck Now Open to the Public

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.

A Safe Way to Cross Highway 280 is Coming!

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 great 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.

Pre-Council & Council Meetings Feb. 23, 2026

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

Traffic Advisory for Saturday Feb. 28

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.

Citizen Survey: Help Guide Homewood’s Future

February 19, 2026
THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED Homewood residents saw a community survey in the mail. It was your chance to share honest feedback about city services, including public safety, parks, streets, stormwater, trash, the library, and communication. All responses were 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 thank you fr participating.

Cale Smith Named Permanent City Manager

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.
More Posts