Homewood City Council approves ADA ramps and crosswalks, awards fire-maintenance contract and signs off on multiple variances and budget moves

Homewood City Council on May 6 approved a set of public-safety and administrative measures, including two ordinances to add Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps and pedestrian crosswalks at several Oxmoor Road intersections, a one-year maintenance contract with Compass Fire, and a series of budget transfers and sign variances.

The meeting, chaired by Walter Jones, opened with roll call and routine appointments. On an item of procurement, Chief Broadhead told the council the city summarized bids and recommended awarding the fire facilities maintenance contract to Compass Fire, the lowest responsible bidder, with a one-year total of $16,660 and a three-year total of $49,980. “We are confident with them,” Chief Broadhead said, explaining the company has worked for the city before. Council approved the award as resolution 24‑53 by unanimous vote (8–0).

Why it matters: the contract covers sprinkler systems, extinguisher servicing, hood systems and monitoring in most city buildings, ensuring regular inspection and contracted hourly rates for repairs are available.

The council also moved several routine budget adjustments requested by finance. Councilor Smith reported finance recommended transferring $34,000 from fund balance to vehicle maintenance and $750 to the natural-gas line; the council approved that transfer (resolution 24‑54) 8–0. A separate transfer of $1,500 each for memberships/subscriptions and tuition into vehicle maintenance (resolution 24‑56) was also approved 8–0.

A separate administrative item authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with Verizon Wireless after a committee recommendation; the council approved that authorization (resolution 24‑55) 8–0.

Transportation and pedestrian safety were central to the meeting. Public safety committees brought two ordinances directing the installation of ADA ramps and pedestrian crosswalks — one covering Oxmoor Road at Seminole Drive and East Hawthorne, and a second covering Oxmoor/Claremont and West Hawthorne intersections. After a first reading and committee recommendations, the council approved both ordinances by unanimous consent (ordinances 28‑98 and 28‑99). The ordinances direct the chief of police to install the ramps and crosswalks and declare drivers must yield to pedestrians within the new crosswalks.

Sign variances were handled largely during public-hearing items. After staff briefings and brief council discussion about scale and illumination, the council approved three individual sign-variance items: a wall sign variance for a top-floor tenant at 3125 Independence Drive (resolution 24‑58) passed 7–1; a logo-size variance at 401 West Valley Avenue (resolution 24‑59) passed 7–1; and a package of variances for Southern Intermediate Care at 1944 28th Avenue South (resolution 24‑60) also passed (vote recorded as passage). Council discussion noted that external illumination remained an option where internal illumination was restricted and that operating hours informed the illumination question.

Other business: the council approved angled on-street parking at 65 Old Montgomery Highway for Covenant Presbyterian pending an indemnification agreement (resolution 24‑57), approved vouchers (resolution 24‑61), and approved a trusteeship signatory change added to new business and passed as resolution 24‑62.

Executive session: before adjournment the council voted to enter an executive session on a motion that passed on a roll-call vote, 6–2. The mayor was absent; the council said the session would last less than 10 minutes. The meeting returned to open session and adjourned until May 20, 2024.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 24‑53 — Award fire facilities maintenance contract to Compass Fire (one year $16,660; three year $49,980): passed 8–0. (Chief Broadhead recommended; moved by Councilor Smith.)
- Resolution 24‑54 — Transfer $34,000 to vehicle maintenance and $750 to natural gas: passed 8–0. (Finance committee report.)
- Resolution 24‑55 — Authorize mayor to sign Verizon Wireless agreement: passed 8–0. (Reported by finance.)
- Resolution 24‑56 — Transfer $1,500 (memberships/subscriptions) and $1,500 (tuition) to vehicle maintenance: passed 8–0.
- Ordinance 28‑98 — Install ADA ramps/crosswalks at Oxmoor/Seminole and East Hawthorne/Oxmoor: adopted by unanimous consent (8–0).
- Ordinance 28‑99 — Install ADA ramps/crosswalks at Oxmoor/Claremont and West Hawthorne/Oxmoor: adopted by unanimous consent (8–0).
- Resolution 24‑57 — Add angled parking at 65 Old Montgomery Highway for Covenant Presbyterian (pending indemnification): passed 8–0.
- Resolution 24‑58 — Sign variance at 3125 Independence Drive (Wyatt Pew): passed 7–1.
- Resolution 24‑59 — Sign variance at 401 West Valley Avenue (Birmingham Wholesale): passed 7–1.
- Resolution 24‑60 — Sign variances at 1944 28th Avenue South (Southern Intermediate Care): passed (vote recorded in meeting).
- Resolution 24‑61 — Vouchers approved: passed 8–0.
- Resolution 24‑62 — Change trustee account signatories (item added to agenda): passed 8–0.
- Executive session motion: passed by roll-call vote 6–2.

What to watch next: several sign-variance and development items were referred for public hearings set on May 20, 2024; the council will revisit those items with public comment and staff reports on that date.