Pre-Council Meeting - AUGUST 10, 2026
The council discussed two fire damaged apartment buildings on 29th Court South that staff says remain unsafe and unsecured, with public hearings on possible condemnation expected to be set at the next meeting. Council also reviewed The Woods golf and entertainment project and Samford’s proposed South Campus student housing, while discussing a proposed $25,000 City contribution to an emergency assistance fund to help Park at Buckingham residents with relocation costs.
Agenda:
https://bit.ly/4xC5NiA
Details
Board Ordinance Updates; Council reviewed updates to older city ordinances that no longer match Homewood’s council-manager form of government. The changes are intended as housekeeping to bring board procedures and city code in line with the current government structure. Carried Over.
1512 12th Place Drainage; Council discussed extending an existing drainage pipe beneath the sidewalk and into the street gutter. The pipe currently ends at the sidewalk and is causing erosion in the nearby grass and steps. A site visit is planned before the item returns for consideration. Carried Over.
1556 29th Court South Unsafe Structure; Council reviewed one of two fire-damaged apartment buildings on the same property. The building remains open to the weather, has charred and weakened structural materials, possible collapse hazards, and has not been properly repaired or secured despite repeated notices and an extended abatement period. A public hearing will be scheduled as part of the process to consider condemning the building as a public nuisance. Carried Over.
1552 29th Court South Unsafe Structure; Council reviewed the second fire-damaged apartment building on the same property. Officials said the structure remains unsecured and dangerous, with charred structural materials and possible falling or collapsing portions, and noted that previous attempts to secure the property have not been maintained. A public hearing will be scheduled to consider condemnation. Carried Over.
Municipal Budget Process; Council reviewed replacement ordinances updating the city and school budget processes for Homewood’s council-manager form of government. The existing rules still included duties assigned under the former form of government, so the new process directs department heads to the city manager, the city manager to present the budget to council, and council to adopt the budget before the fiscal year begins. Added to the Council Meeting.
The Woods Golf & Social Development; Council reviewed the final development plan for a proposed golf-oriented outdoor entertainment venue in West Homewood. Staff said the project meets city requirements and that engineering, traffic, drainage, landscaping and other required reviews have been completed. Carried Over.
Samford University South Campus Student Housing; Council reviewed plans for two new student housing buildings on Samford’s South Campus with roughly 170 units, one- to three-bedroom layouts and limited first-floor retail primarily serving students. Staff said the project meets city requirements and has been reviewed for traffic, drainage and fire safety, and the development is intended to help address Samford’s growing student housing needs while reducing pressure on surrounding neighborhoods. Carried Over.
Park at Buckingham Emergency Assistance Fund; Council discussed creating an emergency assistance fund for residents facing relocation from the Park at Buckingham because of unsafe building conditions. The city proposed $25,000 in seed funding to help with needs such as moving expenses, deposits and first month's rent, while community organizations and other partners can also contribute. Officials said Homewood students already enrolled for the upcoming school year will be able to remain in Homewood City Schools for the rest of the school year even if their families relocate outside the city, and community partners are organizing additional resources and a resident resource fair. Added to the Council Meeting.
Council Meeting - AUGUST 10, 2026
The City Council approved $25,000 for an emergency assistance fund to help eligible Park at Buckingham residents with relocation costs, and also adopted an updated annual budget process built around Homewood’s new council manager form of government. City Manager Cale Smith presented the proposed $77.9 million FY27 General Fund budget. He pointed that as budget hearings begin, the bigger questions will be, are revenue assumptions reasonable, how much fund balance should be used for recurring expenses, what level of reserves should the City maintain, how much should be invested in capital each year, how should debt be funded, and what staffing and service levels can be sustainably supported.
Agenda:
https://bit.ly/4gchGVs
Details
405 Woodville Lane Public Nuisance; Council reviewed cleanup progress at the property, where significant debris, vegetation and a wooden fence still need to be addressed. The property owner has been working on the cleanup and plans to have a lawn service remove additional material, but officials said the issue has been ongoing since April and formal action is needed so the City can ensure the property is brought into compliance. Approved.
Compact Vehicle Parking Regulations; Council approved a clearer definition of a compact motor vehicle so the City's compact parking rules can be more effectively enforced. Officials later noted that the change is particularly important around Patriot Park, where properly enforcing compact spaces can improve visibility and safety for children and families crossing the street in a busy after-school area. Approved.
29th Court South One-Way Conversion; Council approved converting 29th Court South near the Bell Center to one-way traffic. City engineering staff worked with residents along the street, and officials said those affected supported the change. Approved.
Surplus IT Equipment; Council declared miscellaneous City IT equipment no longer needed for public use. The equipment can now be disposed of through an auction to the highest bidder. Approved.
Municipal Budget Process Repeal; Council repealed the City's previous budget ordinance from 1990 because its procedures no longer fit Homewood's new council-manager form of government. The repeal cleared the way for a new budget process designed around the City's current government structure. Approved.
New Annual Budget Process; Council adopted new procedures for preparing, reviewing and approving the City's annual budget under the council-manager form of government. Department heads must submit requests to the City Manager by June 1, and the City Manager must present a proposed budget at least 45 days before the new fiscal year. Council will then hold detailed public budget hearings before adopting the final budget prior to October 1. Approved.
Overton Drive Pine Tree Removal; Council determined that the request involving private removal of a large pine tree in an unmaintained alley behind 3107 Overton Drive was no longer needed as written because City staff is working through the issue separately. Dropped.
Nonprofit Grant Support Letters; Council authorized the City Manager to sign letters supporting grant applications submitted by nonprofit organizations that already receive financial support from the City. Approved.
Park at Buckingham Emergency Assistance Fund; Council approved $25,000 for an emergency assistance fund administered by HICA to help eligible Homewood residents of the Park at Buckingham with relocation-related financial needs. Assistance will require documentation and payments will be made directly to vendors, such as moving companies or apartment complexes, rather than directly to residents. HICA will track the assistance and is also accepting community donations specifically designated for Park at Buckingham residents. Approved.
Fire Apparatus Antitrust Litigation; Council authorized the City Manager to enter a contingency agreement allowing attorneys to investigate and potentially pursue claims involving alleged antitrust issues among fire apparatus manufacturers. Officials said there is no upfront cost to the City, and hundreds of municipalities nationwide are expected to participate in the litigation. Approved.
Alfred's Alcohol Licenses; Council considered retail beer and table wine licenses for Alfred's at 111 Broadway Street. The business completed its inspections and received no objections from police, fire or the Alabama ABC Board. Approved.
Madeira Liquor, Wine and Beer Alcohol License; Council considered a lounge retail liquor license for the business at 229 Lakeshore Parkway. Police, fire and the Alabama ABC Board reported no objections. Approved.
Lovely Rita's Alcohol License; Council considered a special retail alcohol license lasting more than 30 days for Lovely Rita's at 1722 28th Avenue South. No objections were reported. Approved.
Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget; The City Manager presented the first proposed budget under Homewood's council-manager form of government, totaling about $77.9 million for the General Fund. The proposal includes a 1% employee cost-of-living adjustment, no increase in employee health insurance premiums, about $8.85 million in capital investments, 14 police vehicles, two additional City vehicles, stormwater and creek wall repairs, a new Public Works building, a Salter Road sidewalk project, tennis court resurfacing and technology upgrades. Officials emphasized that the proposal is a starting point and raised longer-term questions about recurring expenses, use of reserves, debt, staffing and sustainable capital funding; detailed public budget hearings will follow before planned adoption on September 28. Discussion Only.
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