Council - Regular Meeting

Brian, we are ready when you are. Okay, good evening and thanks everyone for joining us tonight uh at the city council meeting May the 18th. Um we normally begin with our proclamations at the beginning of the meeting, but we have a very special guest who's coming to give a state resolution um to our Homewood High School boys track and field team. So we're going to wait and hold that till the end of the meeting. We have a proclamation of the city and we have a state resolution from our state representative David Faulner. So he was here last week and heard about your huge accomplishment and wanted to make sure that the state recognized you as well. So he will be bringing that in and he is coming in on two wheels and should be here about 6:15. So, we're going to hold that to the end of the meeting. I will go ahead and call this meeting to order. We are going to begin with an invocation from councelor Armstead and followed by the pledge of allegiance. So, please stand if you're able. Amen. This 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.

Okay,

Mr. Seers, you want to begin with a roll call, but a roll call? Yes, ma'am. Councelor Simmons here. Councelor Sims, here. Council Lane here. Council Armstead here. Mayor Anders here. We are all here. All right. Um I will begin. Mr. Secret circulated the minutes from our last meeting which was from May 11th just a week ago. Begin with a motion to approve dispense of the reading of those minutes. Motion to approve. Second. I have a motion from councelor Armstead with a second from councelor Simmons. All those in favor I I.

Any opposed? All right, that passes five to zero. All right, board vacancies. Um, we are excited to uh say that we have an applicant that came in at the last minute um for the Ward 2 Arts Council um opening and that was from Mr. Kyle Bass, none other than Mr. Kyle Bass. So I would entertain a motion and a second to approve Mr. Bass for the Arts Council W 2 position. Like the motion to appoint Kyle Bass to the W 2 Arts Council position. Second. All right. I have a motion from councelor Sims with a second from councelor Lane. All those in favor?

I. Any opposed? All right. And that passes 5 to zero. We still have an opening for the HC Environmental Commission um also in W 2. So, um, Bo, should we open that till June 22nd?

22nd. Okay. That'll remain open until June 22nd. So, if you have any interest in in serving on that board, and that's a fun board. Um, send your resume and your cover letter to Mr. Seagris in the city clerk's office. All right, we have three items to add to tonight's agenda. We'll begin with item 170526. Request to vacate a portion of public rideway consisting of a 20 foot alley located between 115 Morris Boulevard and 117 Morris Boulevard. Brought to us from Mr. Pew. Item number 180526. Request for consideration of an ABC020 restaurant retail liquor license for Little Donkey located at 2701 18th Street South. Brought to us by Mr. Seagrist in item 100526 requests to execute an easement agreement with McConnell White and Terry Realy to allow for irrigation and landscaping as part of the US 31 pedestrian tunnel project brought to us from Amy Zary, our city engineer. With those three items, I would entertain a motion to approve the amended agenda.

Motion to approve agenda as amended. Second. All right. I have a motion from councelor Sims with a second from councelor Armstead. All those in favor?

I. Any opposed? Right. That passes 520. All right. Old business agenda 11:0426. We have a public hearing that is set for June the 8th at 6:00 for a request to reszone 2773 and 2777 BM Montgomery Street from current zoning designation C2 neighborhood shopping district to C4 central business district zoning classification to permit the renovation and reuse of the existing buildings for development of a health fitness center brought to us from Conrad in our zoning department and Christine Thornton from Studio Vestage. We will continue to carry this item over until our next meeting June 8th for that public hearing at six o'clock. Next item is 080526, a public hearing set for June 22nd, 2026 at 6:00 for a request to vacate a portion of an unnamed alley adjacent to 200 Virginia Drive brought to us from Mr. Pew. We will also carry this item over until June 22nd at six o'clock for that public hearing. Other new business. First item 010526 a request for consideration of approval for a limited private residential fence encroachment onto city-owned property adjacent to 10 Pomona Avenue brought to us from Donna Dling Dowling and Wyatt Pew and I will reme just remind everybody that we we make motions and seconds before discussion at per moving forward per our Robert's rules or words that we are using right now. So, just a reminder as we go into our items on our procedure. Okay. Is there a motion?

This a motion to to approve or is this a motion to move forward to this discussion? All motions have to be for or positive made in the positive. So it would be a motion to approve. Motion to approve.

I have a motion from councelor Lane. Is there a second? And without a second the item dies. So the motion for councelor Lane. Any second? Okay, that motion fails to carry without a second. So, that motion fails. So, 010526 fails. Next item, 020526, a request for consideration of a resolution in support of Jefferson County's fiscal year 26 SS4A application brought to us from our city engineer Amy Zeri. As a reminder, this is the Oxmore connectors little Ox uh AVA compliant bringing sidewalks into compliance and also connecting along Oxmore from 31 to Havenwood. Is that right? Havenwood. Okay. And I would entertain a motion to approve.

Motion to approve. Second. Okay. I have a motion from councelor Armstead with a second from councelor Simmons. All those in favor?

I. Any opposed? All right, that passes five to zero and that is resolution 2654. All right, next item 060526, a request to delegate limited authority to the city manager regarding budget transfers brought to us from Mr. Smith. Without objection, we will carry this item over and continue our discussion uh at our June 8th meeting. Next item 070526, a request to levy an additional amount to certain residential permits for deposit into the Alabama Construction Trade Academy fund brought to us from Mr. Smith. As a reminder, this is a $20 amount on new build permits and this is an ordinance. Correct, Mr. Merl. This is

That is correct.

Okay. So, I would begin with a motion for a first reading. Yes. Thank you. an ordinance levying an additional $20 on each residential building permit issued for the construction of new detached single family dwelling in the city of Homewood to fund the Alabama Construction Trade Academy fund. Whereas the Alabama legislature adopted act 2025 398 authorizing counties and municipalities that operate residential building and inspection programs to add up to $20 to certain residential permits for deposit into the Alabama Construction Trade Academy fund. And whereas city council of the city of Homewood finds that workforce shortages in the residential construction trade affect availability, cost of housing, and desire to participate in the funding mechanism authorized by law. And whereas the city council further finds that levying an additional amount to certain residential permits for deposit in the fund would be in the public interest and serve a public purpose. And whereas the city council further finds that any such levy should include reasonable reporting, accountability, and termination provisions. Now therefore, be it ordained by the city council of the city of Homewood, Alabama as follows. Section one. Pursuant to set act, there is hereby imposed an additional fee of $20 in addition to any other amount authorized by law for each building residential building permit issued by the construction of a new detached single family dwelling within the permitting jurisdiction of the city of Homewood, Alabama said fee to be paid prior to the issuance of permit. Section two, that for purposes of this ordinance, the fee shall only apply to principal building permit issued with the construction of a new detached single family dwelling. Fe shall not apply to various other permits unless otherwise authorized by the city council. Section three, that all fees collected by the city pursuant to this ordinance shall be remitted to the fund subject to requirements and conditions stated in the ordinance as otherwise required by applicable law. Section four, as a condition of the continued remittance of this under this ordinance, the fund administrator of the fund or any successor entity receiving or

administering the funds generated by this ordinance shall provide the city council no later than June 1st of each year the following. A an annual program report describing the use of funds remitted pursuant to the ordinance and B an audited financial statement prepared by an independent certified public accountant. The annual program report shall include at a minimum A the percentage of students who complete the applicable program and transition into full-time employment or advanced certification and b data tracking the number of program graduates who remain employed in the construction related trade at six month and 12-month marks following graduation. The city may request additional reasonable information concerning the program performance, geographic reach, and funds attributable to the permit collected by the city. Section five, that the collection of the fee authorized by this ordinance shall cease automatically without further action of the city council upon 30 days if the fund administrator of the fund, any successor entity receiving or administering funds generated under this ordinance, the Alabama Construction Trade Academy, or any related statewide academy network through which the program operates ceases to operate or ceases to accept funding under the authority of said act. Section six, the city reserves the right to discontinue the levy or remittance of the fee authorized under this ordinance upon 90 days written notice following a majority vote of the city council. Section seven, the city council may designate appropriate city, excuse me, the city manager may designate appropriate city staff to authorize and implement the administrative procedures necessary to implement this ordinance. Section 8, this ordinance shall become effective as of the date upon its adoption of the city council. Section nine, any part provision or provision of this ordinance declared unconstitutional or invalid by any court competent jurisdiction, although the parts provision sections of this ordinance thereby not affected, shall remain in full force and effect.

Good job, Mr. Merl. Okay, as we have been doing, we have had the first reading and we will carry this over until our June 8th meeting for a roll call vote on that item. All right. Next item 1600526 request for consideration of approval of vouchers for a period of May 12th through May 18th brought just from Mr. Bishoff and Kelly Lee and Mr. Seist. Any Do I have a motion to approve? Motion approve. Motion from councelor Lane. Is there a second? Second. Second from councelor Armstead. Any I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Any questions? Any

vouchers? Okay. I like a short week. That was fun. Just having a week worth. Um, okay. We have a motion and a second. Um, all those in favor? I.

Any opposed. All right, that passes 5 to zero and that is going to be resolution 2655. All right. Now, we're moving on to our additional items and Representative Faulner, we have moved you to the end of the we're almost done and so we're like we'll just power through the meeting and then let you catch a breath and we will come back around to you guys. All right. Uh item 170526, a request to vacate a portion of public rideway consisting of a 20ft alley located between 115 Morris Boulevard and 117 Morris Boulevard. Brought to us from Mr. Pew. We are setting this public hearing for June the 22nd and you want to vote on that. Is that right, Mr. Merl? Do you need to vote on that or we just set the public hearing?

You do not need to vote. Okay. So, we will set that public hearing for June 22nd at 6:00 here in these chambers. Next item 180526, a request for consideration of an ABC license brought to uh restaurant retail license for Little Donkey at 2701 18th Street South. Brought to us from Mr. Seagris. Is there a motion? and a second for approval. Motion to approve. Second. I have a motion from councelor Sims and a second from councelor Simmons. And since we have the motion in the second, I will add that we have all the approval we need except for fire which we are waiting for. So would is that motion for pending approval of fire?

Yes. Um second as well. I was definitely wanting Mr. Secrets to clarify that. So, I will amend my motion then to include pending um letter of approval from fire or no objection from fire. Yes. And the reason why I was trying to get it on tonight is because we won't meet again until June 8th and you know want uh little donkey to have every opportunity to go ahead and get rolling as swiftly as possible. Yes, sir. He's here somewhere. I saw him earlier. Okay. All right. So, that sec that motion and that second stand with the addition of um uh approval from fire. So, all those in favor? I I Any opposed? All right. And that passes 5 to zero.

All right. Our last item of the evening, um item 100526, a request to execute an easement agreement with McConnell White and Terry Realy to allow for irrigation and landscaping as part of the US 31 pedestrian tunnel project. Is there a motion for this item? Uh motion. Motion to approve. Second. All right. I have a motion from councelor Armstead with a second from councelor Lane. All those in favor?

I I enthusiastically I. Any opposed? All right. That passes 5 to zero. And that is resolution 2656. Okay. We're going to jump up to the beginning of the uh agenda. And so we want to recognize our Homewood boys track and field team for their state championship. Um I have a proclamation to read. Uh, but most importantly, Representative Faulner has uh something from the state. So, I'm going to meet you at the podium and let you go first and then we'll get the boys up here and get lots of pictures. And we're so excited. And coaches, too, of course.

Come on up. Coaches coaches.

So this is Representative David Parker. And so David has district 46. District 46. That's right. A large part of Homewood. And so he has been a representative for about 10 years now. Is that right? 12. 12 years. 12 years. Okay. So we're so excited and he like I said he heard we us talking about the teams and how great everybody was doing but you guys won the state champ and so he wanted to come up here and repres recognize you from the states.

Yeah. And this um I I am so honored to get to do this and I mayor council thank you'all for giving me the chance to recognize this dean. Uh winning a state title was big. Uh so you'll look back on this and the reason I'm late is I wanted y'all to hear all the good stuff. council does like Emma does. I know that was riveting discussion for you guys. So, I thought that was good. I'm actually I'm very sorry I'm late. I was coming back from Montgomery and I I got here as fast as I could within the bounds of the law. Uh maybe a little above the bounds. Um and uh yeah, but um and and this is another little I'm going to take this this is not going to mean lot coaches over here. All right. So, council and mayor, I am going through my office down in Montgomery and I'm like, what are these resolutions? So, I am going to fall on the sword and it won't mean much to you guys and it's probably totally different coaches. I know it's different coaches,

but I've come across resolutions for the boys cross country team that I did for Homewood winning the 6A state championship and it was done January 2017 and it lists it listing the boys in the I hopefully y'all were born. Um, and so anyway, I have coach if you can get those. It's got the players and the coaches. Uh that was y'all's team is so you got a real track record here. And this is the second consecutive. Uh correct. So you apparently won something in 2017 over here.

Okay.

Oh my gosh. Who would run run for office? Who would run? Oh my gosh. Okay. Well, as y'all can tell, I'm not a runner. The only time I run is if somebody's chasing me. But

on behalf of the state of Alabama, I want to uh read this resolution to you congratulating the Homewood High School boys draft and field team for winning the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association 6A State Outdoor Championship. Whereas highest congratulations are proudly presented to Homewood High School boys track and field team for winning the 2026 Alabama High School Athletic Association a state outdoor championship at Gulf Shores Municipal Track May 2nd, 2026. Whereas the Homewood Boys won their second consecutive outdoor track and field state championship this year, scoring a total of 76.5 points, a full 8.5 points over second place finisher Northridge. Homewood's team qualified 25 boys for the state championship meet and had athletes score in 12 out of 18 events. The team also won the 4 by 800 metal relay in 749.85. It's a little faster than I would. Whereas state champions included Isaiah Davis in the 800 800 mm I mean excuse me

millime 800 meter

sorry it was a quick drop up here 800 meter run and 4 by 800 meter relay Charles Stone in the 1600 meter run and 4 by 800 meter relay Davis Holly in in the 4 by 800 meter relay and Nico Davis in the 4 by 800 meter relay. In addition, Davis Griffin was the Javelin state champion who also competed in the 4x 100 meter relay and Tomman Felton was the long jump state champion who also competed in the 4 by 100 meter relay. Whereas Homewood's impressive track and field team also includes Henry Seagull, who competed in the 300 my eyes 3200 meter run.

Are you here? All right, there we go. John Martin in high jump and triple jump. Beckham Newell in the 4x100 relay. Jonas Harrison in the 200 meter dash and 4 by 100 meter relay. John Esser in the long jump and triple jump. Levi Dizo in the pault. Clayton Cron in the full. Hudson Busy in the 4x400 relay. Canon Tutor in the 4x400 meter relay. Rollins Jones in the 4x400 meter relay and Liam Lind in the 4x400 relay. Whereess of these student athletes is a testament to the leadership of head coach Logan Kernut uh who is aided by the support of of Homewood High School and assistant coaches and it lists all the assistants. uh and the achievements of the Homewood boys track and field team bring great pride to Homewood High School, city of Homewood and the entirety of Jefferson County. Now therefore, be it resolved uh that highly commend and congratulate the Homewood High School boys track and field team for winning the 2026 6A state championship and for representing the school in the state of Alabama with the highest degree of sportsmanship and excellence. From the House of Representatives to go on the wall with these other resolutions and we can do since we kind of recognized second consecutive. Maybe we have to do one for last year. Probably it's probably in my office somewhere. But uh hopefully this is on the wall and then coach I'm going to give these to you uh to hand out your

to the members of the team. Uh it's got their names and what they won or where they scored. And uh uh thank you council and mayor and you guys coaches. Congratulations. You made All right, stay safe, Representative Faulner, because we're gonna get a picture. So, don't go far. All right, I'm going to read the proclamation from the city and then I would love to hear from anyone who would like to speak. So, we are here to hear what you guys have to say. We want to hear about your experience and then we'll get a picture with everybody. So, um this is a proclamation from the city of Homewood recognizing the Homewood High School boys track and field team for winning the AHSAA class 6A state championship. Whereas the Homewood High School boys track and field team has demonstrated extraordinary athletic achievement, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance throughout the 2026 season. And whereas the Patriots earned the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A state championship through outstanding performances, dedication to excellence, and unwavering commitment to representing the city of Homewood with pride and integrity. And whereas the Homewood boys track and field team won its second consecutive outdoor track and fields ch state championship this year, qualified 25 boys for the state championship meet and won the meet by 8.5 points over Northridge. Athletes scoring in 12 out of the 18 events. And whereas the accomplishments of these student athletes reflect countless hours of hard work by the team members, coaches, trainers, school administrators, families, and supporters who encouraged and guided them throughout the season. And whereas the Homewood High School boys track and field team has brought great honor and recognition to the city of Homewood and serves as an inspiration to young athletes and the entire community. And whereas the mayor and city council of the city of Homewood desire to publicly recognize and commend these remarkable student athletes and coaching staff for their championship achievement and their exemplary representation of Homewood both on and off the field of competition. Now therefore, I, Jennifer Andress, mayor of

the city of Homewood, Alabama, do hereby proclaim recognition and congratulations to the Homewood High School boys track and field team for winning the AHSAA Class 6A state championship and extend the appreciation and pride of the citizens of Homewood for this outstanding achievement this day, 18th day of May, 2026. So, all right, coach, you want to come speak? That's right. That's right. Uh thank you all. We appreciate just the uh the opportunity uh to be here. Uh you know, these guys, it was nothing that the coaches did. It was all the athletes. I mean, they accomplished everything. I mean, they put in the hard work. You know, they just listen to us uh every so often to to get them there. Um but these guys, uh you know, we have just a handful of them here. Uh we're glad these guys could make it. Uh, you know, I wish our whole entire team could actually be here. Uh, but it's all all the congratulations and everything they've done. It's all due to these guys and their hard work. Uh, because running track isn't easy. You know, you put yourself on the line every single time that you step to the line, whether it's what a field event, running event, whatever it may be. Uh, and these guys do that every single time. So, we're just happy that, you know, they're here tonight. Thank you again, guys, for recognizing them and we appreciate all that you do for us. Um, we do had an amazing team this year, but also nothing could be done without our coaching staff. I thoroughly believe that we have one of the best coaching staffs in the state, and that's with coach Cornet's leadership and coach Kelly's leadership as well. Um, he's more of a coach to us. He's also like a father figure. Um, he's been there everywhere. And then we're also very blessed to have a very large coaching staff where most of us both are coached by a lot of different um, coaches with our events. And that's not a lot that's not very common when you come around different high schools. So, we're also very blessed to have a lot of different coaches that are very skilled and most of them did run a college. But our team is not just good athletes, it's also

really good people. So, we're also very blessed to have very really good family camaraderie as well.

And so, I don't know if you guys want to come down for the picture. Thank you, guys. I want y'all to know mayor was actually love one day right That's how you're really proud of. Congrats.

Congratulations. Thank you. All right, wrap this up. Okay, we still have announcements to do. So, I'm gonna hand it over to Councelor Simmons and ward one. All right, this end of the Mr. Smith, you're distracting everybody. All right, councelor Simmons.

Uh, thank you, Mayor. Uh I don't have much other than um I was invited to Hall Kent last week for um well the STEM teacher had a science fair that I was not able to attend. Uh but I see that Kale went to the um to the event and was thoroughly impressed which I'm not invention convention.

That's it. Invention convention. Um sounds like we've got some extremely talented third and fourth graders. Um so I'm not surprised and and always tout um um my folks in ward one especially at Hall Kent uh who's dear to my heart. So uh thanks uh to Kale for going out and supporting uh those kids. That I'm sure that means a lot to the teachers and the students there and that speaks a lot about you and your support to the city. Um also congratulations to the uh track team. And last but not least, congratulations to the seniors at um Homewood High School for graduating. Um that's a huge accomplishment. But also for the all the students that are advancing um into the other grades as well. I know, you know, school is never easy. Um I know it's tough on the students and also tough on parents sometimes when we're trying to coach them through. Um, but job well done to the the children and a job well done uh parents for all that you do for your kids. That's all I've got. Thank you.

Very nice. All right, Council Sims.

Okay. Um, I'd just like to add to your comments about the uh science fair uh that Miss Brandt facilitated. I'll say I went along with my son Charlie and JJ and um JJ was Mr. Popular there. It was amazing. That's a lot of lot of a lot of people coming up giving JJ a hug. He's Mr. Mr. Popularity in there. And um Charlie as well. Obviously the kids want thought it was cool that he was there. So I just kind of participated and enjoyed all the exhibits. Uh really amazing creativity by the school um and the students on a fantastic event. So happy to to have taken part. And then also just a broken record over here. Want to remind everybody that you have an opportunity to come back here tomorrow night for the comp plan presentation at 6 pm and also on Wednesday there's the open office hours for the workshop at the board of education from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Um so after or before you vote on Tuesday also head on over to the board of education for open office hours and that's all for me. Thanks

council. being a short week. I guess it's a short week. Feels like it. Anyway, and uh I like to say the same as U. Councelor Sims. I mean, you you stole the thunder again. We're going to have to we're going to have to go around the corner. I used to always sit that was my seat down there at the end of every meeting and I like by the time it got down to me, I had nothing. Like 11 people spoke and I had nothing. So I I I feel your pain. Okay. So I'm gonna leave it to you. Well, councelor Armstead, I feel the same as counselor Lane. Uh, Mr. Merrill, uh, excellent reading tonight. That was uh, expert class. It was centilating. It really was.

So, otherwise, that's all I have. And, uh,

Okay. Well, I got to go uh, Amber Broadhead always brings me into the fourth grade at Edgewood every year and I do a presentation on local government and uh, it was a lot of fun this year. Uh, Mr. Smith was featured this year for the first time. Well, you guys were all featured other than Nick for the first time, too. So, um, but it's a great little presentation and the kids are really, uh, is Alabama day and they hear from all kinds of people, cheap broadheads there, of course. Um, so that's always a lot of fun. Tomorrow is election day. So, if for those of us who used to vote at Shadeskah, we will be here at city hall. Um, and so the school board is also a new location. Um, so wherever you voted in the um, you should have received something from the county telling you where to vote, but we are not voting in the schools anymore. Um, so I will not be with you all tomorrow night. I will be up at channel 13 with Mayor Stewart and Mayor Deris, but I will be with you at the board of education on Wednesday. Um, next Monday we are doing the MURF workout at station one. Is anybody joining us? City attorneys. Okay.

No, I'm No, I'm absolutely modifying it. I I already talked with Brian Bick today about my modifications. There's also half Murfs and they bought they bought 15 new weight vests and so you can do that. I'm not doing that but you can do that. But I have friends coming. I have people I work with are coming and my friends are coming. Kelly's coming. You met earlier tonight. Um so that's at 8:00 station one. And we'll be kind of doing it in shifts because when the um night shift gets off, they're going to go straight into their workout. They're probably going to start before we get there at 8. And then there's going to be watermelon and bagels. And we have like anyway, it's going to be really fun. So, I think we have a few police officers coming. It's It's always a great way to do uh Memorial Day. And um let's see. City Hall will be closed for Memorial Memorial Day, speaking of that. So, everybody, please have a great holiday. And with that, we are adjourned.