New member, new budget at Monday's city council meeting

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Barry Wise Smith was sworn in as the Ward 4 Place 1 representative before the Aug. 25 City Council meeting. Judge Alan King administered the oath to Smith, who was surrounded by her husband Kyle and sons Hardy and Thomas. She took her place on the council immediately after.

“This is an amazing opportunity and I’m so pleased,” Smith said. “I’m very excited to get to work.”

As part of her council duties, Smith has been assigned to the Public Safety, Special Issues and Planning and Development Committees. Smith is also the council liaison for the Homewood Arts Council. Ward 4 Place 2 Representative Heather Reid resigned her temporary positions on the Special Issues and Planning and Development Committees and was reassigned to the Finance Committee.

Mayor Scott McBrayer also gave a brief presentation of his proposed budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. His total budget of $55.7 million includes $40.8 million for the general fund, $5 million for the capital projects fund and $4.8 million for debt service. The Board of Education was allotted $15.1 million. McBrayer noted that due to limited funds, some of the year’s capital projects would have to be prioritized, especially the West Oxmoor Road project.

McBrayer asked the council members to consider cost-saving measures on health insurance and whether there would be enough surplus in the budget to provide employee bonuses at the end of the year. The council members were given copies of the complete 2014-2015 proposed budget, which has been sent to the finance committee for review.

Other council business included:

  • Approval of an ordinance limiting parking on Carr Avenue, adding new parking spaces to Short Saulter Road and adding decorative lights and other fixtures in the area. The council approved $31,000 for the project.
  • Authorization for the city attorney to file suit against the owners of 1106 Irving Road, which has been declared a public nuisance. The suit will require the owners to fix problems on the property and reimburse the city for money spent cleaning up excessive growth.
  • Approval of an extension for the owner of 2827 and 2831 16th Place S. to get the properties in compliance with city codes. If the properties are not cleaned sufficiently by Sept. 22, they will be declared a public nuisance due to excessive growth.
  • A proposal of a four-way stop at Roseland Drive and East Glenwood Drive was sent back to the Public Safety Committee for a new traffic study.
  • Approval of a restaurant retail liquor license for Oak Hill Bar and Grill, 2835 18th St. S.
  • Approval of hiring Raymond James Financial Services to update the city’s investment policy.
  • A vote to reject Act 2014-429 of the Alabama legislature, which would grant a one-time lump sum payment to retirees or the beneficiaries of deceased retirees of the Retirement Systems of Alabama.
  • Approval to vacate an alley on Kensington Road.
  • Authorization for the mayor to enter an agreement for cell phone service with Verizon, which Ward 3 Place 2 Representative Walter Jones said would provide “tremendous savings” for the city.
  • Authorization for the mayor to enter an agreement with Engineering Design Technologies, Inc. The company will provide professional consulting and design engineering services for the West Homewood Redevelopment Project.
  • Setting a public hearing for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. to consider two sign ordinance variations, at 3054 Independence Drive and 24 Green Springs Highway. The hearing will also include consideration of declaring 708 Carr Ave. a public nuisance due to excessive growth.
  • Setting a public hearing for Sept. 22 to consider rezoning 1728 26th Ave. S. from Attached Dwelling Unit District to Neighborhood Shopping District. The hearing will also include consideration of amending the final development plan in the MXD Zoning District for the property at 1659 28th Ave. S.

The next city council meeting is Monday, Sept. 8.