Sydney Cromwell
BJCTA bus talks continue
A BJCTA Max bus leaves one of its stops at the Wildwood Wal-Mart. Homewood and BJCTA officials have been in talks for months about finding the most useful and cost-effective services.
In a close 5-4 vote, the city council voted to continue full funding for the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority’s bus services for three months while the city continues to work toward a new agreement. Funding Homewood’s three bus routes from Feb. 1 to April 30 will cost $66,000.
The finance committee debated the issue prior to the full council meeting. Some committee members, including representatives Britt Thames and Heather Reid, supported the three-month funding decision because it would keep a sense of urgency to the ongoing discussions of new solutions.
Thames also mentioned that engineering, planning and zoning department head Jim Wyatt is currently working with Skipper Consulting on a study of Homewood’s transportation needs and current gaps, and these results should be available within a few weeks. A three-month deadline, he said, would enable to city to act swiftly on any solutions the study provides.
“It keeps the ball rolling, it keeps it front and center,” Thames said.
However, BJCTA officials and other representatives, including Walter Jones and Fred Hawkins, argued for full funding through the end of the 2015 fiscal year with a focus on finding solutions for the 2016 fiscal year. This would give the BJCTA more time to find the best solution for Homewood and better footing for upcoming union contract negotiations.
BJCTA Executive Director Ann August said the city could easily change its contract if the Skipper study produces a solution for 2015. However, the finance committee voted 3-1 to recommend three months of funding, with Jones opposing the decision.
The committee and transit authority officials agreed that discussions had improved and were beneficial to both sides. August mentioned that the BJCTA wants to use Homewood as a template for agreements with other area municipalities.
“To hear that you want our city to be a model for moving forward is very encouraging,” Reid said.
The full council narrowly passed the resolution, and funding talks will continue into the spring.
“It’s a work in progress,” Jones said. “I think we’re on the right path to getting this done correctly.”
Other council business included:
- Approving an amendment to the C-4(b) zoning ordinance to allow hotels into its permitted uses.
- A resolution thanking retired Chamber of Commerce director Tricia Ford for her service.
- Acceptance of the donation of a Dutch Shepherd dog to the police department’s K9 unit. The dog, named Banjo, is being trained by Officer Reggie Sutton and would join current Homewood K9s Shiloh and Justice.
- Carrying over a request to replace a totaled police vehicle.
- Acceptance of a business license fee and franchise payment from the Birmingham Water Works Board.
- Setting a public hearing for Feb. 23 to consider rezoning the properties at 301 Goodwin Crest Drive and 55 and 65 Bagby Drive from Commercial Office to General Business District. The properties would be used as a mini-storage facility.
- The planning and development committee was asked to consider an update on the Rumson sidewalk project.
- Sending a variance to the tent ordinance to the special issues committee to consider. The variance is for Trinity United Methodist, located at 1400 Oxmoor Road.
- Requesting the finance committee to consider authorizing a franchise agreement between the mayor and the Birmingham Water Works Board.
- The finance committee was also asked to consider a bid opening on Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. for fire department uniforms.
- Dropping a request to declare two fire department vehicles surplus property.
- Authorizing the mayor to make amendments to the restrictions, conditions, limitations and agreements for Executive Office Park.
- Authorizing the council president to execute a contract with Marriott Shoals Hotel.
The next council meeting will be Monday, Feb. 9.
