Community center success, traffic in this month's Mayor's Minute

Dear friends and neighbors,

It’s hard to believe the summer is almost gone. I promised in an earlier Mayor’s Minute I would send the latest numbers on the membership status of the Homewood Community Center. As of July 15, the average daily attendance at the pool is 756. 

We have had 42,136 people use the pool since it opened, and the highest amount ever used by the previous pool was 32,188. We have had more than 10,000 use the weight room since it opened and averaged around 155 people per day, compared to the previous weight rooms’ average attendance at 70. In addition, we are averaging 246 people per day in the gym and game rooms compared to the previous average of 61 per day. That’s quite a difference. I think it is safe to say the new center has been a tremendous hit this summer and trust you have been one of the many enjoying the facilities.

I know I say this every year, but with school starting, it is so important to watch out for the children. Most of them will be excited and walking to school, some for the first time. Please remember to slow down and look out for them just as you would your own. 

While on the subject of traffic, I would like to address some of the concerns my office has received over the past few weeks about the parking and traffic at Broadway Street and Carr Avenue. As you know, we have some popular businesses in the area, and parking seems to be at a premium. It has gotten to the point that this has become a public safety issue, since my fire trucks cannot come down Carr to Broadway when making a call in that direction. There are simply too many vehicles parked along Carr and Broadway. This also causes some sight distance issues when trying to turn left onto Broadway from Carr. 

Painting curbs yellow to restrict some of the parking has helped very little. In an effort to alleviate the dangers and the congestion, I have proposed to the council some recommendations in order to help with this public safety issue. I have asked council to prohibit parking at Carr and Broadway and utilize one of the lanes on short Saulter as an alternative. There is enough room to parallel park 27 cars in one of the unused lanes, which will make that intersection easier to navigate. I have also asked them to consider putting in a sidewalk and some decorative lighting to enhance the area and allow parking for the businesses there as well as create parking for Tribute Park. I believe, if done correctly, we can adequately address the public safety issues and enhance the area at the same time. 

Continuing with the thought of public safety, I would like to also thank the Homewood Police Officers (in particular the Patrol Division) for their hard work this summer in helping to deter speeding within our neighborhoods and roadways. They traditionally patrol their beat and answer calls they receive when help is needed. A new request for them to increase the number of speeding stops can certainly take a toll on the officers and adds to their already high demand to answer service calls in a timely manner. One day alone yielded 116 service calls. Over the past year, patrol has increased their activity nearly 57 percent, and the number of stops and tickets has increased dramatically thanks to the efforts of Patrol. 

For this reason, I am seriously considering creating a new Traffic Division of the Homewood Police Department. This division would focus strictly on traffic and violations, thereby increasing the safety of our residents. We currently have a Motor Scout Unit, and they do a great job. There are just not enough of them. The Motor Scouts work traffic and respond to accidents. Most of you would be amazed at the amount of activity the Motor Scouts produce on any given day. Of course money is always an issue when budgeting for these items, but I will give it serious consideration in this upcoming budget process, and I know you have always supported anything the council and I have proposed in the way of public safety.

Our city remains strong and businesses continue to come to Homewood. Our two newest businesses to the SoHo district will be PT’s at SoHo and Chicken Salad Chick. I know you will welcome and support them as you have our current businesses in our great city. 

Revenues are up, and I am currently asking the council to assist me in maximizing our potential for our Economic Uncertainty Fund (Old Rainy Day). Cities are prohibited by law from investing money in certain plans unless it is in a program deemed safe. Our fund currently has around $10 million, and we have the potential for that money to grow at a better rate than we are currently receiving. There will be more to come about this important topic in the future, but I at least wanted you to know it is being discussed. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your mayor. 

Sincerely,

Scott McBrayer

Mayor

City of Homewood