In response to the tragic events of June 23, 2025

Finance - June 30, 2025 The Finance Committee accepted the annual audit showing a $4.9 million fund balance increase, and they approved multiple stormwater infrastructure contracts totaling over $51,000. This includes updating a drainage ditch behind Shades Cahaba Elementary that has long been an issue. Committee agreed to sign agreements for IT security, device management, and copier services. They also discussed a large retroactive insurance premium adjustment of $71,000, and provided an update on the parking deck lease with Dawson Memorial Baptist that is in the final stages of being completed.

You get to help shape our city's future! What if you, the public, had a chance to help shape the vision, goals, and priorities for your neighborhoods, wards, and the city as a whole, years ahead of time? Well, that’s exactly what this plan is for. The City of Homewood is starting work on a new city-wide Comprehensive Plan. This plan will serve as a roadmap for how Homewood grows, invests, and serves its residents over the next 25 years. Homewood’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2007. Since then, a lot has changed, and more change is coming. With the city moving to a Council-Manager form of government , this is a key time to clarify what matters most to residents. The plan will help inform capital improvements, public service priorities, housing trends, transportation needs, and future land use. It will also give newly elected officials clear direction on what the community values. Your Voice, Your City Every resident will have a chance to be involved. This isn’t just a document, it’s a shared vision for Homewood’s future, shaped by the people who live here. The plan will reflect the needs of each of the city’s four wards and identify short, medium, and long-term projects for both public and private investment. Whether it's about where new housing fits, what kinds of businesses we want, or how we move around, this process is about making those choices together. Once underway, there will be many opportunities to get involved, through surveys, meetings, workshops, and other public input events, beginning in early 2026. Current Project Timeline & Funding The first step is selecting a consulting firm to help guide the process. That work is now underway. Notice of Award to Consultant Team: Late July / Early August 2025 Negotiate Scope & Fee: August – September 2025 Notice to Proceed: November 1, 2025 Public Engagement Begins: February 2026 Funding for this project will be split 80/20, with 80% provided by the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPC) , and 20% provided by the City of Homewood. RPC’s role is limited to providing this funding support. They are not involved in developing the plan in any way. Consultant Process Interviews with consultant teams begin soon, and the planning process will officially launch this fall. Although the grant is technically ALDOT-administered funding, Homewood retains full control over the selection and direction of the plan. A review committee, made up of City staff and RPC staff, scored all submitted consultant proposals, based on a standardized rubric. From that process, a short list of firms was invited to oral interviews. A panel of four to five City and RPC staff members (no elected officials) will conduct interviews and recommend a firm to the full City Council, which will make the final decision. Once selected, the RPC will contract with the chosen firm and handle grant administration, but the City will lead the planning process itself. This approach ensures that while outside funding helps cover the cost, the direction and priorities of the plan remain fully in the hands of Homewood’s staff, leadership, and residents. This will be your chance to say what matters and help set the direction for where we’re headed. It’s your city, let’s plan it together.

Council Meeting June 23, 2025 Summary: The city council approved several infrastructure and safety projects, including a stormwater diversion at East Hawthorne and Linwood, Flock cameras with Alabama Power, and a demolition contract for the former Waffle House on Oxmoor Road. A public hearing for Samford's amended Bulldog District plan was delayed due to a legal description error, with a new hearing set for July 28. This hearing is for the buildings being built by the stadium only. The other two buildings were not approved by the BZA last month. See more on that here: https://bit.ly/43xiUW8 Agenda: https://bit.ly/4ngOSOa Meeting schedules & archives: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Details & more news: https://bit.ly/3RjYw3d Expanded: Item 18.05.25: The bid date for U.S. 31 tunnel improvements was confirmed for July 8 at 3:00pm. Carried over Item 01.05.25: The council approved the bid from CT General Contractors for phase three of the Homewood Library interior finishes project. Approved Item 01.06.25: The city approved a demolition contract for the former Waffle House property at 185 Oxmoor Road. Approved Item 02.06.25: The council approved a contract with Alabama Power to install three Flock cameras—two at the soccer fields and one near the West Homewood Athletic Complex maintenance facility. Approved Item 03.06.25: The city approved a contract with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to manage a HUD grant for stormwater improvements in the Mayfair area. Approved Item 04.06.25: The council approved accepting a $10,000 federal library grant through the Laboratory Services and Technology Act, which requires a $2,500 local match. Approved Item 05.04.25: A public hearing was scheduled for July 14, 2025, to consider installing a traffic calming system near Oxmoor Road, Northmoor Drive, and Oakmoor Drive. Carried over Item 05.06.25: The council approved installation of a stormwater diversion device at the roundabout at East Hawthorne and Linwood. There was discussion about durability and neighborhood notice, but it ultimately passed. Approved Item 06.06.25: The council approved a request to pave a section of alley behind 3067 Devon Drive for rear garage access. Approved Item 07.06.25: The council approved installation of a 2-inch sump pump outlet line from two homes on Roseland Drive to Griffin Brook Creek. Approved Item 10.06.25: The council approved a request from Lewis Communications to use the sidewalk in front of Track Shack for a temporary lemonade stand on June 28, after confirming the project had film permitting and city insurance coverage. Approved Item 10.05.25: A public hearing was held for an amended development plan at 800 Lakeshore Drive (Samford University’s proposed Bulldog District). Due to a typo in the legal description, no action was taken. A new public hearing was scheduled for July 28. Carried over The council voted to move all July 7 committee meetings to June 30, due to an extra Monday in this month. For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

The city is adjusting its Edgewood parking strategy as it works out an agreement with Dawson Baptist Church. Dawson has agreed to issue a letter of intent that would allow the City of Homewood to lease its parking deck for public use Monday through Saturday, from 7:00am to 9:00pm. This would provide 325 additional parking spaces on the second, third, and fourth floors of the deck, located just steps from the Edgewood business district. Sundays would remain reserved exclusively for church use. In exchange, the city will carry insurance on the deck during public access hours, be responsible for general upkeep and any damages during its use, and plans to work with Dawson on signage to clearly mark public hours and access information. Because of this new opportunity, the city will no longer pursue construction of the 29 parking spaces along Oxmoor, as previously planned.

Finance - June 16, 2025 Homewood Mayor Alex Wyatt announced a shift in Edgewood parking plans after securing a letter of intent from Dawson Baptist Church to lease their parking deck. Also approved was a demolition contract for the former Waffle House property, a new bid for interior library renovations, three Flock cameras with Alabama Power, and a grant management contract for Mayfair stormwater funds. And a $10,000 grant will boost library collections for teens and children.

Golf Carts Are Not Allowed on Public Roads in Homewood The Homewood Police Department has received reports of both children and adults driving golf carts on public roads. We want to remind all residents that traditional golf carts are not street legal under Alabama law and may not be operated on public roadways in Homewood. Children are never permitted to drive golf carts on public streets, under any circumstance. There is an important difference between golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs). What Counts as a LEGAL Road Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) in Alabama? To qualify as a legal LSV, the vehicle must: Be registered with your county and display a valid tag Be insured, just like a standard vehicle Include required safety features (seatbelts, headlights, mirrors, turn signals, child restraints if needed, etc.) Be operated by a licensed driver age 16 or older Only be driven on roads where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less Properly registered and insured LSVs that meet these criteria may be driven on public roads in Homewood by licensed drivers. For everyone’s safety, please follow these rules and talk to your children about the dangers and legal restrictions of operating golf carts on streets.

Council Meeting June 9, 2025 Agenda: https://bit.ly/3Hx7xoy Meeting schedules & archives: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Summary: Samford University withdrew all rezoning and development plans tied to its proposed Creekside District projects. The city approved contracts for Fire Station No. 1 and design work at 185 Oxmoor Road, along with support for Jefferson County's Safe Streets grant and a zoning amendment allowing drive-thrus only in Wildwood Center. A new Field Plans Examiner role was approved, and hearings were set for the U.S. 31 tunnel, Bulldog District plan, and Oxmoor Road traffic calming. Expanded: Item 09.04.25: Rezoning request for 1601 Parkview Lane and 600–601 University Park Place as part of Samford University’s proposed Creekside District West. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 10.04.25: Final development plan for the same property under the Creekside District West proposal. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 11.04.25: Rezoning request for 1891, 1919, 1921 South Lakeshore Drive, and 1100 University Park Place under the Creekside District East plan. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 12.04.25: Final development plan for the Creekside District East properties. The applicant withdrew the request. Dropped Item 16.05.25: Contract with MBA Engineers for concrete slab design at Fire Station No. 1. Approved Item 17.05.25: Contract to provide engineering design services at 185 Oxmoor Road and fund transfer. Approved Item 18.05.25: Set bid date for U.S. 31 tunnel improvements for July 8 at 3:00pm. Carried over Item 19.05.25: Field Plans Examiner position was discussed and recommended for approval. Approved Item 21.05.25: Resolution supporting Jefferson County’s Safe Streets and All Implementation Grants. Approved Item 22.05.25: Survey funding for a right-turn lane on Cobb Street. Approved Item 13.05.25: Zoning amendment to allow food and beverage drive-thrus only in Wildwood Center. Public hearing was held and the change was approved. Approved Item 10.05.25: Bid opening for Homewood Library Interior Finishes Phase 3 was scheduled for June 10. Carried over Item 35.04.25: Public hearing on traffic calming system for Oxmoor Road set for July 14. Carried over Item 37.04.25: Homeowner at 214 Edgewood Blvd was approved to keep planted trees in the right of way with indemnification. Approved Item 10.05.25: Public hearing set for June 23 for Samford University’s Bulldog District residential plan at 800 Lakeshore Drive. Carried over Item 10.06.25: Request for right-of-way work in front of the Trak Shak was added to the agenda and referred to Special Issues Committee. Carried over Item 08.06.25: Approval of city vouchers from May 20 through June 9. Approved Item 09.06.25: Establishment of an ad hoc committee to plan the 2026 Homewood Centennial Celebration. Approved For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) Highlights June 5, 2025 SV 25.06.01: This was for three variance requests from Samford University for three new residence halls. These projects aim to help meet the university’s 75% on-campus residency goal, which has grown harder as enrollment increases. Samford requested height variances up to 52.5 feet, explaining that building up rather than out helps preserve green space. City staff explained how Samford’s development plan, which is separate from this request, had been reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission, with a final public hearing scheduled for Monday, June 23, before the full city council. Ultimately, the board approved one of the three height variances (for Stadium Village) and denied the other two (West Village East and West). SV 25-06-02: This item was for a privacy fence built atop a retaining wall that slightly exceeded height limits. Despite neighbor support, that variance was denied. SV 25-06-03: This item was for a new three-foot picket fence for safety on a corner lot; this request was approved. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3HHlAru Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.