Council - Regular Meeting

All right. Welcome to our March 9th, 2026 meeting of the city council. I will call this meeting to order. Um we are going to begin. I will do the invocation and then we will turn and face the flag. Uh so everyone will stand. This is a prayer that uh we were uh studying at church at Trinity United Methodist in January and I heard it and it just kind of spoke to me and it kind of spoke to a lot of what we do up here and I felt like I wanted to share it with y'all. So I appreciate you all hanging in there with me on this. Um it is this is a Wesley and Covenant prayer from John Wesley. I am no longer mine own but thine. Put me to what thy wilt. Rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee. Exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full. Let me be empty. Let me have all things. Let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, oh glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant of which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. Face the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right, Mr. Secrets, if you will give us a roll call, please. Yes, ma'am. Councelor Simmons, here. Councelor Sims, here. Councelor Lane, here. Council Armstead here. Mayor Anderson here. Okay, we've got the whole team here. All right. Mr. Seagris sent out the minutes from our meeting on February 23rd. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes and dispense of the reading? Motion to approve. Second. All right. I have got a motion from councelor Armstead with a second from councelor Simmons. All those in favor? I. Any opposed?

All right. And that passes five to zero. Okay, we are going to discuss some board openings here. This is exciting. Um I as sad as we are going to be to lose Justin Russell, he has been an amazing member of the board of education in district one, we are now calling these districts rather than wards to avoid confusion to what we serve. Um but Justin's been amazing and we are going to miss him, but he has served two terms at this point. And so we will be opening tonight the district one board of education opening and that will be open until April the 6th. So we will work with Brian um to make sure that we have um you know social media posts and communication from the city that this is open. If you will share this will be uh the map is on our website. So again this will be the old ward one. So Nick uh Chris or councelor Lane councelor Sims that'll be sort of kind of y'all's area. Yeah. you kind of go up into the old ward one. So if anyone you could think of that lives in that area um for the school board. Um we will take their uh resume and their uh cover letter to Mr. Seagris until April the 6. So that is exciting. Um, tonight we are going to appoint someone to the BCA for the super numerary position and um, Councelor Lane and Councelor Armstead and I did interviews and I got to say, I know we say this every time, but literally these were the two of the most qualified candidates. I I cannot even believe how qualified it was it was it was just an embarrassment of riches. I mean, it's incre it's crazy how talented some of the people that live in the city are. Um, but we will be appointing um, Mr. Dominic Sims to the super numery BZA position and we want to thank both of uh them for coming into uh interview with us and we will be holding on to the other uh applicants resume because he is very very qualified for other positions and look forward to finding another place for him to serve in the city because he is amazing. So we want to thank Mr. Sims and look forward to

working with him. Um do I have a motion for approval for Mr. Sims on the BZA? Motion to approve. Dominic Sims for BCA. Second. All right. I have a motion from councelor Armstead with a second from councelor Lane. All those in favor?

I. Any opposed? All right. And that passes five to zero. So, congratulations to Mr. Sims. Um, okay. We have two positions. Again, we will make sure we get plenty of information out about this. And, um, this will be councelor Armstead and councelor Sims. Um the ward 2 HC position we did not receive any applications for. So we are going to open that up again until April the 6th. And then councelor Armstead the beautifification board for coun for ward 4. Um we will also leave that open again until April the 6th on that. Okay. Now we have got a few items to add from the pre-consil agenda to tonight's agenda here in council. The first is 030326, a request to declare miscellaneous library items surplus brought to us from our library director Judith Wright. 090326, a request for consideration for Jack and Jill of America to use the council chambers brought to us from councelor Simmons and Mr. Seagris. 110326. That item is a request for consideration for an ABC 140 special events retail license for fifth annual crawfish boil benefiting the restoration academy brought to us from the Battery Sports Bar and Mr. Seagris. So with those additions to the agenda, do I have a motion to approve the amended agenda?

A motion to approve the amended agenda. Okay. Is there a second? Second. Okay. I have a motion from councelor Simmons and a second from councelor Lane. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay. And that passes 5 to zero. All right. Old business agenda 080126. Request for consideration of the attorney general opinion regarding the residency requirement brought to us from councelor Lane. Carried over from our February 23rd meeting. Um, can we discuss this?

Would you like a motion? And um, Mr. Jackson, do you want a motion on that? You need a motion in a second. Okay. Okay. Forgive me for that. You need a motion and a second for discussion. Okay. Yeah, I'd like to make a motion. All right. I have a motion from Councelor Lane. Do I have a second? to clarify what it what is the motion? The um the motion would be to uh request a cons from a attorney general's opinion for um the residency requirement for the city manager position.

I'm sorry. So, councelor Lane to is your can't discuss until we have a second. Is his motion a motion to approve or a motion to postpone? To discuss to discuss. Motion to disc. No. to vote to approve. The the motion um is to seek a resolution from the attorney general clarifying the residency requirement of the Council Manager Act 1982. So I have a motion from Councelor Lane. Is there a second? A second. I have a second from councelor Sims and I will turn it over councelor Lane.

Okay. Uh this is this is just to go forward to help uh get clarification where the law right now states that to be the city manager you must live in the city of Homewood. U there's other places other cities uh in the state where it doesn't have to be required. Now it's nice that it is here. This has nothing to do where we are today. We Kale lives in Homewood so we have no problem. But going forward, I I just want to pursue this because if there's somebody more applicable who's very qualified, say something happens to Kale or whatever, we have to move forward. And I I just don't think Homewood Homewood deserves the right to pick somebody who's just lives across the street here in Mountain Brook or say Vestavia who cannot find a house in Homewood where they might have a beautiful home in Vestavia or down in Pelum or wherever should not change the fact um the qualifications for being the home of city manager. um we don't our police department, our fire department or even one day hopefully we'll have an assistant city manager coming behind this and I don't think the request will be that he has to live here just he's the only official in Homewood that is required to live in Homewood other than the elected officials. So I would like to broaden our horizon and give Homewood a better chance going forward is the only reason I'm bringing this up. Uh because sometimes um there are more qualifications. It's it's hard to live in Homewood. We're not affordable. I mean I hate to say it. I

mean I'm proud to say we aren't because we we've been here for 50 years. I can tell you. So um that's just my dis my thoughts on it. It's not it's nothing to downplay what we've done. It is just going forward in the future. We need to be able to broaden our prospects.

And I do councelor Lane understand I think some of the intent of what you're saying. Also I just have a fear that you know by going this route it it puts us into a binding situation going forward as well. Um, and I do see that from the current process we've just concluded that we had candidates from not only locally but um, you know, across the nation really. And so given the process we've recently gone through, um, I see that this item could actually be detrimental versus positive uh, at this time. And that's actually why I'm not in support of that at this time. I I would I would also I guess like to I guess ask the question that um if the if this provision was lifted, does it remove or at least put us in a a bad situation having to be in a situation where we would weigh where someone lives. So the the rule right now is you have to live in Homewood, right? If the rule were to come back that you could live wherever at that point are we in a bad situation where we're now going to hold where someone lives as as part of the consideration for whether they would be be considered for the job or not because that that to me at that point feels like we are picking and choosing based upon where they're from and that may not necessarily be something that we desire.

Well, I I'll say this perfect example. Let's say Mr. Sam Gaston was available to be the city manager at the time and Kale was not here. That's just just for instance. And he's been living he's been with Mountain Brook for 31 years living out in um Indian Springs. He's done a great job for 31 years of Mountain Brook. He's probably one of, if not the top one or two in the state that did a great job there. And it does not hurt him living in Greens uh out out there. Maybe the housing market at that time when he took the job, he couldn't afford mountain.

But I guess what I'm what I'm asking is what if the person lived in Seattle? Okay, we don't have to elect him, but we don't have to. But if he doesn't want to, you know, I'm just saying all I'm saying is we shouldn't restrict it to eight square miles when we've got a lot of qualified people, whether it's Jeff DS, whether it's a young lady from Pelum, whe

I guess the question I'm trying to get to is where is is it that is it worldwide at that point? like what we are we opening it up for the world.

We're the only state one state there's two states us and I believe Arkansas if I'm not mistaken are the only two states where this law is anywhere out of the 48 states that you must live in the city as a city manager. Okay. Matter of fact, outside there's only 14 si there's only 14 cities in the municip in the entire state of Alabama after out of 467 14 of them have this law. The others all the other 430 who are running their cities whether it's Huntsville, whether it's Hoover, they don't have to live in their city. There's only 14 municipalities in the state of Alabama under this law. Now, we've got a I mean, I don't see why we're restricting oursel. Why can't we be like the other 442 cities?

Well, we don't know what the attorney general opinion will be, the attorney. Well, no, that we don't know that. But, you know,

so we're going by the statute that the state created. I agree. And we don't know what the attorney general and I, you know, we have had discussion with our city attorneys about this. Um, and they have consulted with the Alabama League of Municipalities that interpret it to mean I think we have, like Winslow said, I think there's some I think if we get it absolute, you know, yes, then they have to be here day one, that that could be to our detriment. that that you you see what you're saying. Believe Miss Tally said I see what you're saying because it has to be here day one or whether it's six months. We don't know when or where.

But at the same time, if we pass this, if we get them to do this, then they don't have to be here day one because they can still stay across the street on the other side of uh the Center Point, whether it's in Trustville, whether it's downtown Birmingham. If we I think for me it's the unknown of what the attorney general is going to come back with. Right. That's what I'm saying. if it passes but you don't know the question is what can the attorney general all he can do is say no we're going to stay where it is so what's we are back to square one so there's no dam there's nothing wrong with asking if you don't ask in life you cannot receive

well I think that that's actually from my understanding when I referenced it being binding that that is a danger I mean if they say that they must be in the city on day one of their job then that becomes definitive and there's not a transition period period. It's not It's not like that right now. It doesn't say that. That's right. And if we ask for an attorney general opinion, then we become subjected to that possibly being the answer. I agree. But they would have to change it for the other 14 cities. Okay. The everything be if that's the way it is. But I'm saying you you really risked worried about what he's going to change it to make it worse than it is now.

You're saying change it. Um but I think what we're look what you're saying is you're asking for an interpretation. If he provides the interpretation as such then it's not a change it is the law.

Right. But then it is the law now anyway. Okay. The next question is what does h what how does that how do we move on forward? Uh Keith uh what where do we move on if we get this approved to go to the attorney general? Then can we not get him speak with them at another level? How does that work? I mean, what's the outcome? My I'm trying to get to an outcome. How do I get to that outcome where there is no problem? It's just, hey, anybody can be the city manager at Homewood who's qualified living in the area. That's all we can say is within the city limits of nine square miles. We can make it to where we we can put a we can not Seattle. We can make it where it is in the county of Jefferson County. You must live in the county of Jefferson County or something.

But I think you're talking about the what the policy could be. The attorney general is going to give us an opinion on what the policy is based on how it's written. So we can't ask him if it's going to be advantageous to us then we want it as law. You know, we're going to get the opinion as his interpretation. Now I want to not change policy. Well, how do we go to change the law? What do we need to do to do this? And I think going to attorney well work with our state representatives and state senators. That would be what I mean not this session. There's only 11 days left, but next, you know, start. Yeah. This Yeah, this I agree. That's correct. That's a future advocacy issue and not an AG opinion. Um, and that would be my

perspective on that. That is correct.

Then why am I directing it to the attorney general? the attorney general opinion. Uh the resolution has five questions uh the council's considering asking the attorney general that are interpretive questions. The attorney general cannot change the law. The attorney general can offer a non-binding interpretation that's given a lot of difference by courts. And the five questions that are in the resolution are what would be sent to the attorney general to change the law. It's a legislative issue. I've learned nothing. [laughter] I mean, [clears throat] so I mean I mean so so so was the point to go to attorney general,

right? I don't I think that that is the point. Well, but I'm getting that from our the only reason that was brought up because my our city attorney told me that's what we need to do. I told you if you want to get clarification on when the city manager needs to become a resident, ask the attorney general. I also circulated a privileged email to this council twice expressing pros and cons that I will not restate in public. So yeah, if I have a motion in a second roll call vote. Mr. Seekers, ma'am.

Councelor Simmons, no. Councelor Sims, no. Councelor Lane, yes. Councelor Armstead, no. Mayor Anders, no. And so that does not pass. 1 to four. All right. Next item under other new business 06226 request for permission to put yellow stripe on the curb at Lynden brought to us from councelor Lane. We carried this item over from our February 9th meeting and we have not had a reading of this item at this time. So, can we get a reading from one of our city attorneys?

Yes, ma'am. This is an ordinance to further regulate traffic in the city of Homewood, Alabama on or along a portion of Lynen Avenue in the city of Homewood, Alabama, and to provide penalties for the violations thereof. Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Homewood as follows. Section one that it should be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or association to park. Cost to be parked or permit to be parked any motor vehicle is defined by the highway code of the state of Alabama on or along the western side of Lynen Avenue as depicted in exhibit A attached to the ordinance. Section two, that the violation of any section of this ordinance shall constitute a misdemeanor, and any person, firm, or corporation violating the provisions thereof on conviction shall be punished is provided in section 1-8 of the code of ordinances of the city of Homewood, adopted and approved by the city council and mayor of the city, or as the same may here and after be amended. Section three, that the chief of police for the city is authorized and directed to erect and install or cause to be erected and installed on the street referred to here and above and as defined in exhibit A, appropriate lines, markings, and/or no parking signs at the places described in section one hereof. Section four, that if any part, provision or section of this ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all of the parts, provisions, or sections of this ordinance not thereby affected shall remain in full force and effect. Section five, that the provisions of this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the city council.

Okay. So, we've set a precedent that anything that sort of involves the public, we will wait until our next meeting. So, without objection, we'll carry this over till March 23rd. Okay. goes to a public hearing. Uh not a public hearing. Um just that we anything sort of involving the public, we've sort of let it breathe, as you will, like we've read the first we've done the first reading, but that we've waited two weeks to vote. So without objection, we'll carry this over till the 23rd. Okay. Brian had I mean uh Brian had photos of that if they need to if it needs to be shown. Okay. Right now or is there we go.

There it is. Right. This is what we're talking about. problem making turns and going there. Once that curb is uh yellowed all the way to where we where the red roof goes up there. Okay. Yeah. If that's if that's yellow, then hey, it's over with. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Real simple.

Okay. Awesome. All right. Well, we will revisit this on March 23rd at our council meeting. So, thank you for that item. Next item 100226, request to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement between Homewood, Mountain Brook, Birmingham, and Jefferson County relating to the eventual comprehensive bridge improvement construction project that will include pedestrian accessibility near the current Highway 280 bridge at Hollywood Boulevard brought to us from myself. Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve. Second. All right. I have a motion from Councelor Armstead with a second from Councelor Simmons. All those in favor? I any opposed?

All right, that passes 5 to zero and that is going to be resolution 2624. Just to reiterate, no payment from Homewood at we've paid made a payment in 2018. Uh but nothing moving forward. This is phase one. This will be the sidewalk. So, thank you all for that support. [snorts] Mount Brook is also passing theirs tonight or voting on theirs tonight. All right. Next item 140226, amendment of ordinance number 1405 section 2 entitled board of adjustment composition terms and amendment of ordinance number 1405 section 3 entitled board of adjudgement adjustment appointment regular members brought to us from our city attorneys. Who is the lucky person who's going to get to do the first reading on this?

It's me until my voice runs out there [laughter] and then Jay will take over. M

whereas the city council did previously adopt ordinance number 1405 section 2 and section 3 on May 11, 1981 which are contained respectively within chapter 17 article 2 sections 17-21 and 17-22 of the city of Homewood Code of Ordinances. Ordinance number 1405 section two is entitled board of adjustment comp composition terms and sets forth the composition and terms for members of the city of Homewood Board of Adjustment. Ordinance number 1405 section 3 is entitled Board of Adjustment Appointment Regular Members and sets forth the appointment process for regular members of the board of adjustment. Whereas the city council has determined it to be in the public interest to amend ordinance number 1405 sections 2 and three. Now therefore be it ordained by the city council of Homewood Alabama as follows. One, the city council does by the adoption of this ordinance amend ordinance number 1405 section 2 previously adopted by the city council on May 11, 1981 to read in its entirety as amended as follows. The board of adjustment shall consist of five regular members. Four of whom shall be appointed from each of the four wards in the city and who shall reside in the ward for which they are appointed. One of whom shall be appointed from the city at large and two of whom shall be super numerary members who shall be appointed from the city at large. All of whom shall be appointed for terms of three years or until the respect respective successors are duly appointed. Except that in the first instance, one regular member shall be appointed for a term of three years, two regular members shall be appointed for terms of two years, and two regular members shall be appointed for terms of one year, and thereafter each regular member appointed shall serve for a term of three years or until a successor is duly appointed. The two supernumemerary members of the board shall be appointed for terms of three years to serve at the call of the chairman of the board and each of the

supernumemerary members shall be eligible for reappointment. Supernumemerary members of the board shall be appointed from the city at large in the manner here and after provided in section 17-23 which incidentally for the council's benefit is not part of the amendment. Section two that the city council does by the adoption of this ordinance amend ordinance number 1405. Section three previously adopted by the city council on May 11, 1981 to read in its entirety as amended as follows. [laughter] All appointments of regular members of the board shall be made by the governing body in the following manner. The duly elected council member from each respective ward of the city may place a nomination the names of one or more persons who are bonafide residents of and qualified voters in the ward of the city represented by the respective council member nominating such persons. The governing body by majority vote shall select and appoint one such person as the regular member of the board from that ward of the city. The mayor may place in nomination the names of one or more persons who are bonafide residents of and qualified voters in any ward of the city of Homewood. The governing body by majority vote shall select and appoint one such person as the regular at large member of the board. Priority shall be given to nominees who possess knowledge of or experience in matters related to planning, architecture, engineering, real estate, legal, construction or related fields. The governing body shall give due consideration and substantial weight to nominees submitted by the council member representing the ward and to the nominees submitted by the mayor. If however a majority of the governing body determines by a vote at a duly called public meeting that none of the nominees submit submitted by a wards council member are qualified under the standards set forth herein. Then any member of the governing body may nominate one or more additional qualified purpose persons who are bonafideed residents of and qualified voters in that ward. The

governing body shall in that case select by majority vote a member of the board from said nominations. If a majority of the governing body determines by a vote at a duly called public meeting that none of the nominees submitted by the mayor are qualified under the standards set forth herein, then any member of the governing body may nominate one or more additional qualified persons who are bonafideed residents of and qualified voters in any ward of the city. The governing body shall in that case select by majority vote a member of the board from said nominations. Section three, all other sections of ordinance 1405 shall remain in full force and effect, including sections 14,56 and 7. Section four, that this ordinance as amended shall become effective as of that date upon its adoption by the city council or as otherwise becoming law. And mayor, with your permission, I think a clarifying statement for the council may be helpful.

Okay. What I just read as part of the amendment um includes the original language where the BCA members are appointed on a staggered term that is inconsequential and not really in effect for future appointments. Okay. Because we are you're already in the staggered right. Okay. Okay. So, we've had the first reading of this and we want to pass this before the BZA or we want to vote on this before the BCA changes their bylaws. They're going to vote on their bylaws. So, do I have a motion for unanimous consent? Motion for unanimous consent. Second. All right. I have a motion from councelor Armstead with a second from councelor Simmons. All those in favor? I.

Any Oh, no. I'm sorry, Mr. Sega. Roll call vote. Sorry. Roll call vote on unanimous consent. My bad. Okay. I have a motion for unanimous consent and I have a from councelor said it was second from councelor Simmons. Mr. Seagris, please roll call vote. [laughter] I'm sorry. Yes, ma'am. Councelor Simmons. Yes. Councelor Sims. Yes. Councelor Lane. Yes. Councelor Armstead. Yes. Mayor Anderson. Yes. Okay. Now we are moving on. Do I have a motion for approval? Motion to approve 140226. Second. Okay. I have a motion from councelor Sims with a second from councelor Armstead. No. Roll call vote. Sorry, Mr. Secret. Sorry. Councelor Simmons. Yes. Councelor Sims.

Yes. Councelor Lane. Yes, councelor Armstead. Yes, Mayor Anderson.

Yes. And so that passes unanimously [clears throat] 5 to zero and that becomes ordinance number 2972. All right. Nice job, everybody. That was a big one. Thank you guys for hanging in there with that one. Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Take some gargle with salt water when you get home. Um, okay. Uh, next item is 100326. request for consideration of approval of vouchers for a period of February 24th, 2026 through March 9th, 2026. Brought to us from Mr. Bishoff and Kelly Lee our accountant and Mr. Secret. Um, any discussion on this item or if not, I would consider a motion for approval.

Motion to approve. Second. All right. I have a motion from councelor Sims and a second from councelor Simmons. I will say, you know, I always love seeing the dog stuff come through. I always fun Titan and shadow and I love um that our TAP grant was in there. So that was good to see a lot of police academy, a lot of folks going to the police academy. Um and then our ambulance service, Amwa, and then our Shelby 911. So we had some some of our um really important vendors on there. So, um, I have a motion from councelor Sims and a second from councelor Simmons. All those in favor?

I. Any opposed? All right. And that passes 5 to zero. And that is going to be resolution number 2625. All right. Um, now we are going to move to uh next item which is from our uh pre-consel uh items 030326. a request to declare miscellaneous library items surplus brought to us from Judith Wright. Um, do we have an ordinance for that to read tonight? We do. Okay, let's go ahead and have a reading first. Yes, if we can get a first reading, please.

An ordinance to declare certain property a surplus section one. It is hereby established and declared that the following described personal property of the city of Homewood, Alabama is no longer needed for the public or municipal purposes and is therefore declared surplus property. The property to wit miscellaneous Homewood public library obsolete and/or damaged items identified in exhibit A hereto section two that the city manager and city clerk be and they hereby are authorized and directed to dispose of the property by auction to the highest bidder. Okay. I'd like to make a motion for unanimous cons unanimous consent. Second. All right. I have a motion for unanimous consent from councelor Sims and a second from councelor Simmons. Can we have a roll call vote, please, Mr. Se? Yes, ma'am. Councelor Simmons.

Yes. Councelor Sims. Yes. Councelor Lane? Yes. Councelor Armstead? Yes. Mayor Andrew? Yes. So, that passes 5 to zero. Is there a motion to approve this list uh for miscellaneous library item surplus? Motion to approve the list. Second. All right. I have a motion from councelor Simmons with a second from councelor Sims which reverse that from the other. Uh roll call vote, please. Mr. Seag. Yes, [clears throat] ma'am. Councelor Simmons. Yes. Councelor Sims. Yes. Councelor Lane. Yes. Councelor Armstead. Yes. Mayor Anders?

Yes. And so that is going to be ordinance 2973. Is that correct? Okay. Next item is 0923 request uh 26 I'm sorry 090326 request consideration for Jack and Jill of Americas to use the council council chamber chambers excuse me brought to us from councelor Simmons and Mr. Secret. Uh is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve. Second. All right. Okay, I have a motion from councelor Armstead and a second from councelor Simmons. And all those in favor? I

I. Any opposed. All right, that passes 5 to zero. And that becomes resolution number 26. 26. A fun little little number there. Okay. And lastly, um 11:036 request for consideration for an ABC 140 special events retail license for fifth annual crawfish boil benefiting restoration academy um for brought to us from the Battery Sports Bar and Mr. Seagris. Anything to report on that? I know we talked about this. Just that we did receive the approval from the ABC. Okay. And that this will not be a resolution. This was just just you know just giving them permission.

All right. So, we'll still take a vote. If there is uh if there are no questions, a motion uh will be entertained. Motion to approve. Motion from councelor Simmons. Do I have a second? Second. All right. Second from councelor Armstead. All those in favor? Any opposed? All right. And that passes five to zero. All right, guys. It was a long night. Okay. Um announcements. We always want to start in Ward One. What's going on in Ward One?

Ward One. Ward One. We're doing some good things. Um I had an opportunity on Sunday uh to visit an organization called Kids Connection. um um which it it's uh through Dawson um but they do a unique thing there where they um they serve local children in need and offering clothing, shoes, toys, books and more. Um so the way it works, caregivers come in by appointment and they can um you know shop, literally shop. I mean that the um the organization has it's a it's in a large building and they've done an amazing job of separating all the clothes, you know, baby clothes to, you know, all the way up to pre-teen um um clothing. And it's a really neat organization. They they lean a lot on volunteer work. So, and the only reason I mention this because I I I have made it um my duty to to actually volunteer for the organization because they're doing they're really doing some great things. Um but also they also take donations too. Um so if you do have donations available um um please do so. They're right off of um um Citation Court. It's 105 Citation Court.

And what was the name of the organization again? It's called Kids Connections.

Kids Connections. Yeah. Um, but you know, I I I got a tour yesterday and and and just I was just amazed at this at the things that they're doing. I mean, not only, you know, they get an opportunity to shop, but they also invite, you know, individuals in if they need to have a conversation or even, you know, join in prayer. Um, so it was a really, really neat deal. Um, so please, please, um, keep them in mind. If you've got some things and items that you would like to uh donate, clothing, kids clothing or toys or anything or if you want to buy anything new, they'll take that as well, which I which I plan on doing as well. Um that's one thing. Um Hall Kent had a uh talent show, which I always look forward to their talent show um every year because I'm I'm amazed at how talented our kids are. Um um and especially, you know, to get my daughter to get up and sing or in or dance um is that's my youngest daughter. Um to do that is very tough and she was brave enough to do that. I say that because I I think things like this teach kids to have it. It grows their confidence. Um um cuz a lot of times, you know, we all know as adults things happen to us and sometimes our confidence uh uh uh kind of withers a little bit through things that we experience, but you know, when you have these opportunities and these kids and this where they shine their light, I think it was amazing. So, I do want to shout out Amanda Limbar uh who kind of ran the show. Uh Rebecca Yetberg who uh helped and aid in the deal as well. And then um which this was a surprise um officer Walker um who was the the officer there at Hall Kent um who greets the kids you know at the

front door giving them high fives. You know I didn't recognize him because he was in a suit um and I'm always used to him being in a uniform and he could just kind of throws up the you know the peace sign every time I see him. But it was good to see him in a suit and out of his element. I could tell it was a little awkward for him a little bit, but he was still having fun because he knew all the kids. I mean, all the kids were so excited that he was up there uh doing his thing. Um, but yeah, that those are the two things that I had that that that's going on in in ward one. Um, and the last thing I'll mention, um, well, two things I got. Uh, so I'm I'm excited about tomorrow, um, I'm doing a a I'm a judge for a chili cookoff at Sanford. It's the staff

in advisory. So, I was invited to be a judge there. So, I'm I'm I'm I think I'm excited about it. I I've already started taking my proton pump inhibitors, which which is the it's Nexium or any of those other things. I sorry I apologize for using the medical term there. I'm in medical so it didn't in my head. So, I apologize for that, but I've already started taking that um praise and I'm going to take some Tums with me as well uh just in case. Um, [laughter] but I'm excited about that and looking forward to participating. And the last thing I I went to a local Publix here. Um, there was a young man. Um, I this was today. I was just shopping for a few items just on the way to another meeting. And the young man, as we were talking, he said to me, he said, "Paul, I have love and compassion for everyone." And that resonated with me. I think we all need to consider that. I know when we are in this world and we get beat up and time and time again, we develop these almost callous and these these this these feelings and these, you know, these ne sometimes negative feelings and this young man just in in a simple way was a reminder of how we all should be treating each other and that's with love and compassion.

That's all I've got for you. Pretty good. Nice. Councelor Simmons, what's going on in W two?

Thank you. Um, well, just as a followup to the chili judging uh that councelor Simmons is going to do tomorrow night, I had an opportunity to judge at the chili cookoff for the exceptional foundation this past Saturday with Mayor Andress and JJ and uh Chris Nani with the community foundation was there as well. And my son Jackson helped a little bit and it was a lot of fun. It was a great event. happy to see a turnout um really that possibly sa surpassed last year's which you know when you change locations you're not sure how the turnout's going to be but I would imagine they exceeded expectations it was a great event the weather was fantastic and love to see everybody come out and show such support for exceptional foundation um speaking of events in our community we've got Saturdays coming up the Bell Center 5K so another opportunity to support those great organizations in our community. Uh, another thing I want to mention is so a Saturday ago we went to Han Kaya, the sushi restaurant right there by Ruby Sunshine. And in the process, we parked in the Dawson deck and walked over and it was fabulous. It was so awesome and nice. And my honestly, my my wife was kind of like, why are you pulling in here? like, you know, try when you go into a deck, it's kind of like at first a little bit if you haven't been in there before, you don't know what to expect. You don't know how hard navigation's going to be. You don't know if you'll find a spot. You don't just you're worried about convenience. It the lighting was great. We pulled to a spot, walked right out the door, took a sidewalk straight over to that area. I mean, it was almost like we valeted. It's It was really fantastic. So, wanted to mention that again. appreciation to Dawson for uh partnering with the city on that. And also tomorrow night is Edgewood Night Out on the Edgewood strip. So encourage everyone to have your dinner out in

Edgewood. Proceeds go to the Edgewood Elementary and also rumor has it it's also will be a good time to pick up Girl Scout cookies. So that's it for me. Thank you. That's right. All good. Okay. Councelor Lane, what's going on in W three? Okay. Nothing that too much exciting uh except for I'd like to congratulate the ladies Samford basketball team for making the NCA tournament

first time in many well they made it during the co year with they canceled the tournament on so sad other than that but I'd like to congratulate them that u if you want to have some fun sometime well next year potentially Go watch Sanford. They they put out good good uh athletics. That's all. Thank you so much. All right, councelor Armstead.

So, the Homewood Patriot Marching Band uh will be the first American band to participate in the Corso Under 2027 uh Dutch Flower Parade. So, you know, once again, shout out to Homewood Patriot Band uh marching bands. excellence and uh I just wanted to shout them out. Um there are uh six educators who are have become national board certified um and I'd like to name them uh each uh Sims Bowen from Hawin Elementary. Uh Mary Helen Douglas at Edgewood Elementary. Um Emily Magcguire and Jamie Wilson at Shades Gahaba. Um Adam Oliver and Lily Walker at Homewood High School. So, um, just excellent. Uh, I think there's like a lot of excellent things happening at our schools once again and, uh, just great to be able to highlight that. Um, Parks and Wreck, uh, will have its annual Easter egg hunt coming up on March 28th. So, um, guess we'll get ready for that and see who can actually sniff an egg out. Um, aside from that, I appreciate those words, uh, Councelor uh, Simmons, and, uh, that's all I have.

All right. Thank you so much. I saw the candy in the vouchers for for the uh for the yeah the event. So, um okay, let's see. This is the most fun time of year because there's so much going on. Um first of all, tomorrow uh not tomorrow, I'm sorry. March 14th, city hall will be lit orange for autism awareness. Um this Saturday, there's so much going on. Um we first of all, I will be at the Bell Center 5K. I'll be running with Daniel Chaplain. So Daniel, everyone remembers Daniel holds a he's in the Guinness Book of World Records for running a half mar with Down Syndrome running a half marathon in every state. So yeah, he's amazing. So he and I are going to do the 5K together at the Bell Center. Um and then I need to truck on over to the Kowanas Pancake Breakfast. If anyone needs tickets, I have those for sale for $8 each. Um but proceeds will benefit the Homewood Public Library. We were at the library this year instead of at um the exceptional foundation like we always are. Um the chili cookoff was a complete blast. Um you know a little sad that it wasn't in Homewood and Sarah you know said that of course but it was just slam-packed and so much fun and um my dog I think also enjoyed it very much. It was a great time and just I love the way the stage was set up up on top of the parking deck and really I mean I just thought they did a great job with that space. Um it was great to see everybody there. And then um let's see. The Taste of Homewood is going to be next Thursday the 19th right downstairs from 5:30 to 8. And uh agree with you about Sanford Women. Uh they do something fun for the tournament selection. I'd love to go to that. So I can't I couldn't go today at 2, but I I definitely would love to go do that. Um and so we'll be here on the 23rd. So our next meeting is going to be on the 23rd. will be lightly attended but um because I know some of you guys will be out on spring break but we are excited to have you guys uh who will be here and so we thank you all for being here tonight and with that we are adjourned.