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

  • Details

    Item 020226: This item was a request to work in the right of way at 905 and 909 Frisco Street to connect to an existing sanitary sewer manhole. The applicant withdrew the request. The item was postponed indefinitely.


    Item 060226: This request was to extend a yellow curb marking on Linden near Kessler Lane to remove one parking space and improve traffic flow at a tight turn. Business owners supported the change because parked cars make it hard for vehicles to pass safely. The item was carried over.


    Item 090226: This was a budget amendment of 36,907 dollars to hire MGT Impact Solutions for a citywide organizational study. The study will review departments, job roles, staffing levels, and overall structure, and provide recommendations for improvement. The results will be presented publicly and are expected to help guide future planning. The item was sent to council and approved.


    Item 100226: This item authorizes the mayor to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Mountain Brook, Birmingham, and Jefferson County for the Highway 280 bridge improvement project, including new sidewalks leading to the bridge. The county will cover construction costs, and Homewood will only maintain one connecting block. Construction is expected to begin this summer. The item was carried over.


    Item 110226: This was a request to reimburse travel expenses for an out of state conference attended by the city manager. Council discussed the exact reimbursement amount and whether a personal airline credit was involved. Because clarification was needed, the item was carried over.


    Item 120226: This request would allow the public release of recorded interviews of the five finalists for city manager. Council plans to review and discuss it at the next meeting to stay within the required timeline. The item was carried over.


    Item 130226: This item appoints Cale Smith as City Manager and approves his employment agreement. Council discussed salary comparisons with nearby cities and future evaluation increases. The item was approved to move to council.


    Item 140226: This amendment updates the Board of Adjustment ordinance to match the city’s current council manager form of government. It adjusts how members are appointed and clarifies preferred qualifications and residency requirements, while allowing current members to finish their terms. The item was carried over.


Council Meeting - February 23, 2026


Homewood took two important steps Monday night that will shape how our city operates for years to come. By appointing a permanent city manager and investing in an organizational study, Council focused not just on today’s needs, but on building strong foundations for the future. In a unanimous 5 to 0 vote, Council appointed Carl Smith as Homewood’s first permanent city manager and approved his employment agreement. The Council also approved a $36,907 budget amendment to hire MGT Impact Solutions to conduct a citywide organizational study. That review will look at staffing structure, efficiency, and long range planning as the city prepares for the next budget cycle. They approved a little over $1k in travel reimbursement for an out of state city manager candidate, and reappointed William Johnson to the Board of Zoning Adjustments.


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

  • Details

    Item 020226: This item was a request for permission to work in the right of way at 905 and 909 Frisco Street to connect to an existing sanitary sewer manhole. The applicant asked to withdraw the request, Postponed indefinitely.


    Item 080126: This item was for consideration of an Attorney General opinion regarding the residency requirement. There was no discussion, and council agreed to carry it over to a future meeting. Carried over.


    Item 150226: This item was for approval of vouchers covering city expenses for the period of February 10 through February 23. Council approved the vouchers without discussion. Approved.


    Item 090226: This item amended the budget to hire MGT Impact Solutions LLC to conduct an organizational study of city staffing, structure, and overall efficiency. The study will help guide decisions for the upcoming budget year. The amendment moved $36k from the general fund carryover into professional services. Approved.


    Item 110226: This item authorized reimbursement of a title over $1k for travel expenses for an out of state candidate interviewing for the city manager position. The amount covered airfare, rental car, and hotel. Approved.


    Item 130226: This item officially appointed Cale Smith as the city’s first permanent city manager and approved his employment agreement. Council members shared congratulations and noted the historic nature of the decision as the city enters its 100th year. Approved.

More

October 7, 2026
More federal funding is coming to Homewood to address stormwater issues. U.S. Representative Terri Sewell presented a check for $250,000 to the City of Homewood. This funding was obtained through the Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations process and is designated for stormwater improvements. It will be used to provide upgrades and expand culvert capacity in the residential neighborhoods surrounding Edgewood Elementary School to help reduce localized street flooding and better protect nearby homes and infrastructure. This follows an earlier $1 million federal allocation from Rep. Sewell in 2024 that will be used for a drainage culvert project along Griffin Creek in the Huntington Road area. That project continues to work its way through the required process, with construction currently hoped to begin in 2027.
October 6, 2026
The Planning Commission approved a resurvey at 215 West Valley Avenue, where a small restaurant is proposed. The Commission also considered changes for a proposed Dutch Bros too be placed at 832 Green Springs Highway, recommending approval of a reduced landscape buffer, but voting 4 to 2 against allowing full access for traffic to flow to and from Raleigh Avenue. That request now moves to the City Council for the final decision. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4zeIxYR
October 5, 2026
Have a lost pet, need to report a stray or have a wildlife issue? There are several important changes to Homewood Animal Control services beginning Monday, October 5. REPORT A STRAY To report a stray , call Homewood Police non-emergency dispatch at 205-332-6200 . The City of Homewood, Homewood Police Department and Homewood Animal Control are partnering with Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) for these services. FIND YOUR PET If you think your animal may have been picked up by Animal Control, call the Greater Birmingham Humane Society at 205-591-6522 . Stray animals picked up in Homewood are taken to 6227 5th Ave. North in Birmingham until GBHS opens its new facility opens on Sydney Drive, and then they will be taken there. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 11:30am. GBHS is closed Sunday. Fees for picking up an animal may include $50 if the animal is unaltered, a $30 impound fee, a $20 rabies fee if proof of vaccination is not available and a $50 City fee. wildlife issues Call Complete Animal Removal at 205-208-7777 . Homewood Animal Control will not respond to wildlife calls involving animals such as raccoons, possums, snakes, coyotes or foxes. after hours Stray animals will not be picked up after hours. If you report a stray after hours, Animal Control will handle the call the next business day.
September 30, 2026
Concerned about speeding or other traffic issues on your street? There is a process to look at what is happening and determine whether traffic calming measures are needed and what those measures could be. One example is now moving toward a vote. The City received traffic concerns involving Hambaugh Avenue between Columbiana Road and Dixon Avenue, and Dixon Avenue between Broadway Street and Hambaugh Avenue. Traffic data was collected and studied, and both streets qualified for traffic calming measures. The current proposal calls for speed cushions at two locations on Hambaugh Avenue and two locations on Dixon Avenue. The design also takes emergency response into consideration, allowing fire trucks to travel through the middle of the cushions. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal October 12, 6pm at City Hall, 2nd floor Council Chambers . View Drawings of Cushion Locations Visit Traffic Calming Page
September 30, 2026
Concerned about speeding or other traffic issues on your street? There is a process for looking at those concerns and determining whether something should be done and what measures may be appropriate. Traffic calming is not simply putting in a speed hump or adding a sign. It is a process that uses traffic data, engineering standards and input from several City departments to look at what is happening on a street before deciding what, if anything, should change. It starts with a resident submitting a traffic calming request identifying the location and concern. City Engineering reviews the request and collects traffic data so the street can be evaluated using the City’s standards. If the request continues through the process, it receives additional review from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee. Planning, Traffic, Police and Fire also have an opportunity to look at the request. That is important because a possible solution has to consider more than vehicle speed. Things such as the street itself, pedestrian safety, traffic patterns and emergency response can all be part of determining whether a particular measure makes sense. The mayor and the councilor representing the area also review the request before it can advance to the resident petition stage. If the location qualifies and the request continues, affected residents take part in the petition process required by the City’s traffic calming policy. Only after those steps and required approvals are completed can a location move toward an appropriate traffic calming improvement. The goal is not to assume every traffic concern has the same answer. One street may have different conditions and needs than another. The process gives the City a way to collect information, hear from the people who live in the area and determine whether a traffic calming measure is appropriate and safe. Submit a Traffic Calming Request Visit Traffic Calming Page
September 29, 2026
A city budget is more than a list of numbers. It’s a vital infrastructure that reflects the City’s priorities and determines how resources are used to provide services, support employees and invest in the community. On September 28, the Homewood City Council approved the City’s FY2027 budget. The General Fund is approximately $77 million and supports the day-to-day services residents rely on. Sales and property taxes provide much of the revenue, while personnel costs account for approximately $42 million. The approved budget adds three police officer positions and includes investments in street paving, stormwater projects, sidewalk repairs, replacement vehicles and equipment, and other infrastructure needs throughout the City. In addition to the revenue that supports City operations, one cent of Homewood’s sales tax is dedicated to the Homewood Board of Education. That penny is expected to generate approximately $11.5 million for Homewood City Schools this year. This was the first budget developed under Homewood’s new council-manager form of government. City Manager Cale Smith worked with department heads to identify operational needs and priorities and presented a proposed budget to the City Council. Council members then reviewed the budget through a series of public budget hearings, asked questions and made revisions before approving the final budget. The work does not end with this vote. The City plans to provide monthly reports on revenues and expenditures throughout the year, providing a clearer picture of the City’s financial position on a regular basis. City leadership will also continue evaluating ongoing expenses and revenues to work toward a sustainable budget that provides the services residents expect while responsibly managing the City’s resources. View the September 28 meeting below. View Approved Budget View All Details Inlcuding Budget Hearings
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