Homewood council adopts surplus-property ordinance, approves emergency payments and green-lights neighborhood events

The Homewood City Council on April 13 unanimously adopted an ordinance declaring specified city equipment and other items surplus, approved emergency voucher payments to avoid overdue accounts, and approved a permit for the Hollywood Garden Club’s April 18 block party.

The ordinance to declare items surplus was read by Mr. Jackson, who summarized the measure as “an ordinance to declare certain property as surplus.” Councilor Armstead moved for unanimous consent to adopt the ordinance the same night and Councilor Simmons seconded; a roll-call vote recorded five ayes and the measure was adopted as Ordinance No. 29‑75.

The council also addressed late-arriving vouchers. City staff member JJ told the council a short list of roughly five to ten payments were nearing overdue status and should be paid before the next meeting. Councilor Sims moved to approve the emergency payments subject to staff review and Councilor Simmons seconded; the council voted 5–0 to adopt Resolution 26‑35 authorizing those limited, pending payments.

Earlier in the meeting the council approved several other routine items by unanimous votes, including:
• Approval of the March 23 meeting minutes (motion from Councilor Armstead, second by Councilor Simmons; vote 5–0).
• A permit allowing a landscaping bed to extend into the city right of way adjacent to 3200 Whitehall Road (item 120326); Councilor Lane moved, Councilor Armstead seconded; the council approved the request and it was recorded as Resolution 26‑34.
• A permit for the Hollywood Garden Club block party scheduled April 18 (motion by Councilor Armstead, second by Councilor Lane); the council approved the event as Resolution 26‑36.

The council’s actions were uniformly unanimous (5–0) on the recorded votes. Mayor Anders and the full council emphasized these votes were routine approvals intended to keep city operations and community events on schedule. Mr. Jackson noted the surplus ordinance’s exhibit listing the specific items was not read in full at the meeting.

Members also heard a community invocation and presentation from Janaki Patel and Agna Patel on behalf of the BAPS organization, which included an invitation to events May 22–24 and a description of volunteer and outreach activities in the region. Janaki said in the invocation, “May the heavens, space, and sky be peaceful,” and presenters described the new temple project and past community partnerships.

The council will reconvene in this chamber on April 27 for the continued public hearing on a nuisance property and for routine items on the agenda.