Pre-Council & Council Meetings Jan. 12, 2026

Council Sets The Interview Process For Hiring City Manager

Pre-Council Meeting January 12, 2026


The January 12, 2026 pre-council meeting discussed the city manager search, with council reviewing interview procedures. HR Director Kim Kinder shared the job was posted December 19 with applications due January 16, listed the minimum qualifications, and said about 40 applications had been received so far. A resident asked why an ICMA credential was not required for candidates. Staff said keeping minimum requirements preserves flexibility given legal timelines and the residency requirement, while still aiming for a highly qualified hire. 


Council also teed up three January 26, 6:00pm public hearings, the condemnation and planned demolition of an unsafe house at 1625 26th Avenue South, an amended plan for Homewood Community Church to build a new two story 30,797 square foot facility behind The Edge with added buffers plus stormwater and traffic controls, and Brookdale University Park’s plan to replace unused parking with a fenced pickleball court with no lights. 


Agenda: https://bit.ly/3NgmgqM

  • Details


    Item 031225: This was a request to consider action on a condemned house at 1625 26th Avenue South. Staff said the city has been trying nuisance abatement since 2023, could not reach the owner, and the structure is open to the elements and unsafe. They explained the city would not take ownership, it would tear the structure down and place a lien on the property for the cost, and any other liens would be dealt with later when the property is sold. Carried over


    Item 041225: This was a request for an amended development plan for Homewood Community Church, a new two story 30,797 square foot building with parking, landscaping, and other site work behind The Edge near Columbiana. The engineer explained parking would largely be on a separate northern parcel and they plan to pipe and cover part of the ditch to connect parking areas, while handling stormwater with detention to meet city rules. Council asked about buffers, fencing, views from Columbiana, traffic, construction access, and the church said no access from Columbiana, no construction access off Columbiana, and a traffic study showed no major impacts, with added landscaping to help with neighbors concerns. Carried over


    Item 051225: This was about a public hearing for Brookdale University Park to add a pickleball court on an unused section of existing paved parking. The presenter said it is for resident recreation and therapy, would have fencing but no lighting, and would be daytime use with no nearby homes directly adjacent on that side. Carried over


    Item 010126: This was about declaring surplus vehicles, equipment, and some City Hall furniture. Council asked how many police vehicles were included, what resale returns are like, and whether a few older police vehicles should be kept parked in visible areas as a crime deterrent instead of selling them. Staff said the decision should involve the police chief and a larger fleet review, and noted many patrol vehicles have very high mileage and engine hours and are being rotated out because repairs can exceed value. Carried over


    Item 020126: This was about approving the stormwater management program plan tied to the city’s MS4 permit under the Clean Water Act. Staff described it as the city’s yearly stormwater “playbook” covering enforcement, construction runoff, spill response, and public education, and said it needs a signature by the deadline. Carried over


    Item 030126: This was about a resolution setting procedures for city manager candidate interviews, with the city attorney item leading the discussion. HR Director Kim Kinder shared the job was posted December 19 with applications due January 16, listed the minimum qualifications, and said about 40 applications had been received so far. Council and a resident asked why an I C M A credential was not required, why the posting window was short over the holidays, and why the job was not posted earlier, and staff said keeping minimum requirements preserves flexibility given legal timelines and the residency requirement, while still aiming for a highly qualified hire. Carried over

Linden Avenue Parking Change Put on Hold

Council Meeting December 22, 2025


At the January 12 City Council meeting, Council discussed a proposed change to on-street parking along Linden Avenue between Reese Street and Oxmoor Road, choosing to carry the item over for more study of the potential solution. Councilors agreed they want a fuller look at safety, existing yellow curbs, and traffic flow in both directions before making a decision that affects nearby residents and drivers. Council also approved budget amendments, stormwater planning, city manager interview procedures, surplus property, and highlighted the upcoming Comprehensive Plan kickoff meetings on January 28–29.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/3ZfK9RP

  • Details

    Item 010126: Approval of the amended agenda to add surplus property and two special retail alcohol license requests discussed during pre-council. The amended agenda was approved.


    Item 011225A: Request to restrict on street parking along the east side of Linden Avenue from Reese Street to Oxmoor Road. Council members wanted more time to review the area in both directions and consider curb markings before making a decision. The item was carried over.


    Item 081225: Request to approve budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2026. Council had discussed the changes previously and confirmed the adjustments were needed to align spending. The amendments were approved.


    Item 020126: Request to authorize the Mayor to sign the Stormwater Management Program Plan. This plan supports required environmental compliance and ongoing stormwater efforts. The request was approved.


    Item 030126: Request to adopt a resolution establishing procedures for City Manager candidate interviews. Council agreed the process was clear and appropriate to guide the upcoming search. The resolution was approved.


    Item 040126: Request to approve vouchers for the period of December 23, 2025 through January 12, 2026. Council reviewed expenses, noting several routine and previously approved costs. The vouchers were approved.


    Item 010126A: Ordinance to declare various vehicles, equipment, and City Hall furniture as surplus property and authorize disposal by auction. Council agreed the items were no longer needed for city use. The ordinance was approved.


    Item 050126: Request for an ABC 160 special retail license for Birmingham Hotels LLC, doing business as Aloft Birmingham Soho Square. Police and Fire reported no objections. The license was approved.


    Item 060126: Request for an ABC 140 special retail license for Kathy G. and Company for the No Show Ball Gala at 400 Shades Creek Parkway. This was a one time event license with no objections noted. The license was approved.


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Reese Street Courtyard Project Variance Request Denied

January 9, 2026
At the January 8, 2026 meeting, the Board of Zoning Adjustments denied a request to reduce the required landscape buffer from 15 feet to 5 feet for the planned mixed use retail, office, and medical project on the vacant lot at 1707 Reese Street, called 'Reese Street Courtyard.' Located right behind Nall Daniels Animal Hospital, the concept has been in the works for several years and is meant to add new businesses and much needed parking. The board focused on the fact that the plan chose to build more parking than required. That decision created the conflict with the landscaping rules, rather than a hardship tied to the property itself. The BZA also approved a front setback variance to allow a master bedroom to be added to the front of the house at 3410 Avalon Road, and approved a fence repair variance at 300 Woodland Drive. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4qcchBd

State of the City - Tuesday, Jan. 20

January 7, 2026
Join the City of Homewood and the Homewood Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, January 20, at 11:30am at the Valley Hotel . As part of the monthly luncheon, Mayor Jennifer Andress will share updates, city highlights, and the vision for 2026. Registration is required and closes Jan. 14: https://bit.ly/49m1VHP

Planning Commission Moves to Reshape the Green Springs Corridor

January 7, 2026
The only item for the Planning Commission meeting, January 6, 2026, was a request to amend the zoning ordinance for the Green Springs Urban Development District (GURD) by removing “minor vehicle repair” as a permitted use. The discussion stemmed from concerns raised after approval of the Valvoline oil change project, (see link to video here: https://bit.ly/4qaJZqY ) with both the Planning Commission and City Council expressing that similar vehicle-focused uses do not match the long-term vision for the Green Springs corridor as a more pedestrian-friendly, connected boulevard. Staff explained that removing this use would prevent future oil change or similar facilities from locating in the district, while existing businesses could continue operating as nonconforming uses without expanding. Commissioners also discussed the lack of a clear definition for “minor vehicle repair” in the zoning code and agreed it would be helpful for the city to formally define the term. Several residents spoke in support, citing past zoning decisions on Green Springs and urging a more holistic approach tied to the upcoming comprehensive plan. After public input and discussion around the upcoming citywide comprehensive plan, the Planning Commission voted to recommend deleting minor vehicle repair from the GURD, 6-0 with one abstention, and asked City Council to consider adding a clear definition for the minor vehicle repair. This item will no go before the full Council for a vote. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4jtpgfu

Piggly Wiggly Closes Dec. 31 For Renovations

December 31, 2025
The Homewood Piggly Wiggly closes today, Dec. 31, at 6:00pm, prices are being reduced today as shelves are cleared. This is a temporary pause as the store begins a major redevelopment. Plans include a larger and updated store, more parking, improved traffic flow, safer access for children using the nearby tunnel, and new green space. The store is expected to reopen by the end of 2026.

Apply to Serve as City Manager

December 30, 2025
Applications are now open for Homewood's City Manager. This role will help guide the city through its new council manager form of government. It is a chance to work with a dedicated team, lead daily operations, and help shape what comes next for Homewood. Applications are open through January 16, 2026. View the job description HERE APPLY HERE

Christmas Tree Disposal

December 29, 2025
What to do with those Christmas trees? Christmas may be over, but your tree can still do some good. Real trees can be reused in simple ways: Cut branches for yard mulch Add pieces to garden beds to protect plants Use smaller limbs for outdoor habitat or compost.  You can also dispose of your tree easily in Homewood. We have bins at the Homewood Library or the West Oxmoor pool parking lot. Drop off your trees and/or cardboard boxes at those locations. Or you can place your tree at the curb for pickup on your trash day, and the claw truck will get them.

Pre-Council & Council Meeting Dec. 22, 2025

December 23, 2025
Pre-Council Meeting December 22, 2025 This pre-council meeting was brief, with three public hearings carried to January 12, including 1625 26th Ave S, Homewood Community Church’s amended plan for a new 30,797 square foot two story building, and Brookdale University Park. The main discussion was an FY 2026 budget amendment cleanup to fix fund deficits, using carryover fund balance and corrections without changing current operations, plus a quick look ahead at an on street parking ordinance on Linden Avenue. Agenda: https://bit.ly/44KjgsG

We Are Listening!

December 18, 2025
We are listening! We recently spent time hearing directly from residents about how the City communicates. The message was clear: people want information they can trust, delivered in ways that fit their daily lives. This conversation was an important first step in a larger effort to better understand what matters most to our community and how we can continue to improve. Based on this feedback, the City of Homewood is looking at steps to improve how we communicate using these as a beginning guide: Be a trusted source of information Using clear, short messages Pushing information through the channels residents use most, directly to them Promoting our website as a place to find important information Highlighting how residents can report issues and share feedback  This is a starting point. The City plans to continue gathering public input and refining how we communicate over time. We appreciate everyone who shared their perspective and look forward to additional opportunities to listen, learn, and improve how we serve our community.

Scam Alert! Cyber-Criminals Impersonating City Officials

December 15, 2025
If you pay invoices to the City of Homewood, you need to be aware of this scam and potential cyber fraud! The City has recently been made aware of cyber-criminals impersonating city officials and sending fraudulent invoices to residents who have applied for Planning Commission or Board of Zoning Adjustment cases. If you receive an invoice and have any questions about its authenticity, please contact the City’s Finance Department directly before making payment: ap@homewoodal.org

Hot Wheels Swap Spot

December 9, 2025
The City Council approved a request to place a shared toy box for Hot Wheels cars along the edge of Morris Boulevard. Andrew Elliot, the driver behind this project, worked closely with neighbors and hopes it will become a small gift to children who pass by. The idea grew out of the Elliott family’s own story. Their boys love Hot Wheels, and they first saw something like this while visiting grandparents. Their five year old helped build the box with his grandparents, and both boys plan to serve as ‘Hot Wheel-brarians.’ They already have an inventory ready so empty spaces can be filled again. They have spent many hours racing cars at home, naming each one, and turning simple toys into fun family championships. They hope this box invites other families to get outside and enjoy the surprise of finding a new car on a walk or a bike ride. Their hope is simple: “We hope the box serves as a blessing to others in the neighborhood! What's the most exciting toy / hot wheels car for a kid? A new one that you don't already have! Part of the ambition is that it gets kids around the neighborhood excited to go out on a family walk, bike ride, etc. - knowing it will result in bringing a new hot rod home!” Stop by and feed your inner vroooom!
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