Committee Meetings 10/30/23

FINANCE HIGHLIGHTS 10/30/23


1. Committee was presented an update from Homewood Chamber of Commerce. Meredith Drennen, from the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, updated the committee about the upcoming Holiday Open House that starts November 2nd. She also updated plans for expenditures for marketing efforts in the upcoming year.


2. Committee approved a request for consideration for a one-time offer concerning retiree health insurance. In 2021, the city extended an early retirement opportunity, but only a small number of employees chose to seize it. So now the city is presenting another unique chance for many employees who have shown interest in early retirement. From ages 55 to 65, these employees will continue to pay their current health insurance rates, provided they retire by December 31, 2024. To take advantage of this opportunity, employees must inform the city of their retirement plans by December 31, 2023. The city council will vote on this item November 6, 2023.


3. Council approved a request to make changes to the city's credit card purchasing policies. Cards will only be assigned to department heads. In the travel section, itemized receipts will be required for food charges, charges above the rate or not allowed will be deducted from employee's pay. No cash advances or alcohol purchases are allowed to be on city credit cards. Once this new policy is in place, all employees will be required to sign the new policy. The city council will vote on this item November 6, 2023.


Agenda: https://bit.ly/45VEbXk 

Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT 

Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA 



Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.


PUBLICS SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS 10/30/23


1. Committee recommended to council a request for consideration of adjustments to criteria for approval of events impacting normal street flow and access. This includes raising the fee to $250 per race; race details (e.g. route, time, etc) shared with the city via portal 30 days (min) in advance of race; race route signage posted by the race organizer on major thoroughfare intersections and locations that will impact normal neighborhood access (For example – Central Avenue and Manhattan, Roseland Drive and Broadway, etc); race details and map posted on the city website; plans to be reviewed and approved by Homewood Police Department as such not to fully restrict access in/out of neighborhoods; HPD to handle rate adjustments for off duty police support and staffing levels deemed appropriate. The city council will vote on this item November 6, 2023.


Agenda: bit.ly/3M0Qmem

Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT 

Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA 


Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS 10/30/23


1. Committee heard applicants request for consideration to rezone 1906 Courtney Drive from C-1 (Office Building District) to C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping District) and to approve a final development plan to facilitate the proposed redevelopment of the Homewood Piggly Wiggly grocery store. Discussion focused on the proposed area for deliveries that will affect traffic flow on Courtney Drive. Business owners expressed concern about access in and out of the area and when too many trucks may be there at one time. There is a public hearing set for this item November 6, 2023 at 6:00pm.


2. Committee discussed a Public Hearing set for November 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. for consideration to rezone 1300 Columbiana Road from I-2 (Institutional District) to C-1 (Office Building District) to permit the construction of a 20,125 sq. ft., single-story medical office building. The Planning Commission had a vote of 4-5 for an unfavorable recommendation.


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

Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT 

Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA 


Watch the full video to learn more about all the items presented.

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Update: Old Police HQ May Go From Jailhouse to Steakhouse

April 2, 2025
UPDATE: From Jailhouse to Steakhouse? A New Vision for an Old Space! Monday March 31, the city council approved a proposal for a potential high-end steakhouse surrounded by a walkable, family-friendly park, at the long-empty police HQ and jail downtown. This approval means the project can start moving forward, though rezoning, design, and development plans still need city approval. There are no incentives for this project and the developer, Mike Mouron, is covering the cost of building the park, which will stay public property.  Proceeds from the sale of the space that the steakhouse would sit on would be placed in escrow to fund improvements to the city-owned space that would become the park, with the developer covering any costs beyond the escrow amount.

Planning Commission April 1, 2025

April 2, 2025
Planning Commission Highlights April 1, 2025 Case 25.03.02-05: These items are requests for rezoning to accommodate a new community, Creekside, south of Lakeshore Drive near Samford University's campus. The development aims to create a livable, town square-style environment. All items were given positive approvals and now will be considered by the full council. Case RS 24.04.02: This is a request for approval of a Resurvey to re-plat a 1.6-acre subdivision at 1040 Green Springs Highway, comprising five undeveloped lots, which are impacted by topographic and environmental constraints, in order to reduce the width of three of the existing lots from 70 ft. to 55 ft. to facilitate the construction of new, single-family housing. This item received a unanimous positive vote by members and will now be considered by the full council. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4l3ZMpg Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

No April Fools' Joke: Homewood’s 911 Calls Are Changing for the Better

April 1, 2025
Beginning April 1—no, this isn’t an April Fools' joke—Homewood’s 911 call center will officially switch over to Shelby County 911. But don’t worry, calling 911 will still work the same way! If you have an emergency and need police, fire, or an ambulance, dial 911 , and help will come just like it always has. The only difference is that calls will now be handled by Shelby County’s system, which will help first responders get to people even faster. The City of Homewood will still have its non-emergency number, 205-332-6200 . Plus, the fire department will now share a dispatch center with nearby cities, which means they can work together better when there’s a big fire. The new system can handle lots of calls at once, so during big storms or major events, more people can get help quickly. So yes, this change starts on April Fools’ Day, but it’s no prank—just a better way to keep Homewood safe!

Council Meeting March 31, 2025

April 1, 2025
Council Meeting Highlights, March 31, 2025 Item 06.02.25: Council approved a request for consideration of an unsolicited proposal regarding the old Police Headquarters. Developer Mike Mouron presented the idea of turning the site into a steakhouse, surrounded by a walkable, family-friendly park. This approval now means plans will move forward on this development. There will be rezoning development plans that will still have to come before the city to be approved. Te property has been vacant for a long time, and that not only is this developer offering to do this with no incentives, he will also foot the bill to build the park that will remain city property. Item 04.03.25: The council approved allowing the mayor to sign a contract with EDT, Inc. for design services to plan a new crosswalk and parking layout at the main downtown intersection. The city will also replace the blinking lights with stop signs. Item 06.03.25: Council approved an Ordinance to prevent parking at the Saulter pocket park for non-park visitors. There will now be a time limit you can be parked there and it will be enforceable for police. 19.03.25 Council approved a request to hire an Executive Assistant Position (Administrative Analyst) to assist Glen Adams, the new city manager. This will be funded through the general fund Agenda: https://bit.ly/4lbE9n5 Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Road Closed - Kenilworth Drive

March 20, 2025
Heads up! As part of the stormwater project currently in-progress, Kenilworth Drive at Ridge Road will be closed for about two weeks, tentatively starting around March 31 . During this time, if you're heading up the hill on Kenilworth, you'll have to turn left onto Ridge Road. Only the folks in the first two houses on Crest Drive can access Kenilworth, and anyone coming from Ridge Road must turn right onto Kenilworth. Be sure to plan your route accordingly!

Committee Meetings March 17, 2025

By Brian Wallace • March 18, 2025
Finance Highlights 03/17/25 Item 06.02.25: Committee approved a request for consideration of an unsolicited proposal regarding the old Police Headquarters. Developer Mike Mouron has floated the idea of turning the site into a steakhouse, surrounded by a walkable, family-friendly park. There was a lot of discussion about whether or not other entities should be allowed to offer a design or solution for this piece of land. Mayor Wyatt explained how the property has been vacant for a long time, and that not only is this developer offering to do this with no incentives, he will also foot the bill to build the park that will remain city property. The council will now discuss this at the next council meeting March 31, 2025 at 6:00pm. Item 04.03.25: The committee approved allowing the mayor to sign a contract with EDT, Inc. for design services to plan a new crosswalk and parking layout at the main downtown intersection. The city will also replace the blinking lights with stop signs. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4kyKxVc Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA Watch the full video above to learn more about all the items presented.

Traffic Alert - Lakeshore Blvd

March 17, 2025
Traffic Alert! Starting Tuesday, March 18, Lakeshore Blvd, in front of Brookwood Mall, will have daily lane closures from 9am to 3pm for about a week . Crews will be upgrading light signal loop detectors. Plan your commute accordingly.

BZA March 12, 2025

March 13, 2025
Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) Meeting Highlights: March 12, 2025 Items 250301 & 250302: BZA members approved two sign variances for a new development in West Homewood. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3XQodMT Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

Council Meeting March 10, 2025

March 11, 2025
Council Meeting Highlights, March 10, 2025 Item 20.02.25: Council approved a request to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with Trane through the end of fiscal year 2025 to cover maintenance. It does not require additional budget funding. Since replacing the old chiller—original to the building—City Hall has reduced annual electricity use by over 14%. The previous system was outdated and inefficient, struggling to keep up with demand. The new chiller, installed by crane, has significantly improved performance and energy efficiency. Since May 2024, the City has saved over $40,000 in energy costs. Despite a 6% increase in electricity rates, annual electricity costs have dropped by more than 8%. The updated control systems provide better management of heating and cooling, allowing for more precise adjustments by zone and time of day. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3FheybT Upcoming meeting schedules: https://bit.ly/3bvufcT Archived meetings: http://bit.ly/2UiSIaA For all the details about this meeting watch the video above.

City Hall Cuts Energy Costs by $40K+, Saving Taxpayer Dollars

March 6, 2025
Since May 2024, the city has saved over $40,000 in energy costs, even with a 6% increase in electricity rates. Replacing the aging chiller at City Hall has significantly improved efficiency, reducing energy use by more than 14% and lowering annual electricity costs by just over 8%. The new system, along with upgraded control features, allows for better energy management, ensuring heating and cooling are used more efficiently across different zones in the building. The original purchase of the chiller in 2023 included a year of free service, which ended in early fall of 2024. A new service agreement has been proposed to cover maintenance through the end of the current budget year, ending on September 30. The cost for the remaining six months is $12,120, with a quarterly payment of $4,040. Though initially believed to be included in the budget, the contract was not listed under the general fund’s contractual services. However, because this agreement only covers the period after the free service ended, it does not require additional budget funding. The finance committee has approved the agreement, and it will go before the full council for a vote on March 10 at 6pm. You can watch the report below, item 20.02.25.
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