Homewood City Council approves development plan, streetlights, permits and surplus vehicle; several items carried over

The Homewood City Council on Feb. 9 unanimously approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions, including amended development plans, public-safety street lights, vouchers, event permits, a surplus vehicle declaration and a budget amendment for a fleet study.

Key votes at a glance

- Homewood Community Church amended development plan (Item 04/1225): Approved 4–0; recorded as Ordinance No. 2969. The plan permits construction of a two-story building totaling 30,797 square feet with associated parking and site improvements on property zoned GERD. The item had a public hearing Jan. 26; Mr. Pugh (building official) presented details to the council.

- Brookdale University Park amended development plan (Item 5-12-25): Approved 4–0; recorded in the meeting as Ordinance No. 2970. The amendment permits construction of a pickleball court on an existing paved parking area at the Brookdale senior living facility; the item had a public hearing on Jan. 26.

- Rebuild Alabama Act annual grant application (O90126): Approved 4–0; recorded as Resolution No. 2612. City Engineer Amy Zeri presented the application; a council member noted a constituent’s concern about congestion at the Bridal/Salter turn that staff should consider during project design.

- Street light in front of 823 Cobb Street (11 0 1 26): Approved 4–0; recorded as Resolution No. 2613. The request, from Randy (last name appears in the transcript as Hanley/Hambly), traffic maintenance superintendent, identified need near a school carpool/back entrance.

- Street light at Greenway Trail and Old Montgomery Highway crosswalk (12 0 1 26): Approved 4–0; recorded as Resolution No. 2614. Council discussed early-morning runners and pedestrian safety at the crossing.

- Approval of vouchers (O70226): Approved 4–0; recorded as Resolution No. 20615. Vouchers covered purchases and operational expenses for Jan. 27–Feb. 9; JJ Bischoff (chief of staff) brought the item forward.

- Miss Alabama organization use of council chambers (Item 1-2-26): Approved 4–0; recorded as Resolution No. 2616. The organization requested use of council chambers for its annual meeting in March.

- Tent permit for Track Shack (030226): Approved 4–0; recorded as Resolution No. 2617. Permit authorizes a tent in the public right-of-way from Feb. 19–23.

- Declare 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe surplus (040226): Approved by unanimous consent and roll call; recorded as Ordinance No. 2971. The ordinance declares the vehicle surplus and authorizes disposal by auction; Mr. Jackson read the ordinance language on the record.

- Budget amendment for Mercury Associates fleet maintenance study (52226): Approved 4–0; recorded as Resolution No. 2618. The study will review the city fleet inventory, future needs and related policies.

Carried/continued items and procedural notes

- A procedural error in calling out a motion number prompted staff and council to set aside a distinct item for correction and carry it forward to the next meeting.

- Item O80126 (consideration of an attorney general opinion related to a residency requirement, brought by Councilor Lane) was carried because Councilor Lane was not present.

- A request to work in the right-of-way at 905 and 909 Frisco Street (sanitary sewer connection) was discussed and carried to the next meeting for further consideration.

What this means: The council completed routine permitting, safety, and asset-management items and authorized a consultant study of fleet maintenance. No material policy changes or new local taxes were approved; several items requiring further information or absent council members were carried to a future meeting.

Next steps: Carried items will return to a subsequent meeting for further consideration; staff will incorporate constituent design feedback into Rebuild Alabama grant work when appropriate.