Ford stepping down as chamber director

At the Oct. 27 city council meeting, Homewood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tricia Ford  announced  her  retirement from the chamber at the end of the year. Chamber President Trey Schaefer said the chamber will begin searching for a new executive director and promised a “seamless transition” when a new one is hired. The chamber is also preparing to move into its new location, the first floor of the former Board of Education building on Hollywood Boulevard.

Mayor Scott McBrayer congratulated the Homewood Police Department on raising $2,500 through their “Beards for Bucks” fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. The fundraiser will continue until the end of the year, and police officers can pay $100 to grow out their beards for charity.

Other council business included:

• Additional funding was approved for the Rumson Road sidewalk project. The funds will pay for relocation of a sewer.
• Creation of a three-way stop was approved for the intersection of Frisco Street and Mecca Avenue. The intersection is currently a two-way stop.
• The culvert remediation project at 1717 Central Ave. was awarded to Norris Paving, which had the lowest project bid at $137,000.
• The mayor was authorized to enter a business agreement with TASC to administrate the city cafeteria and medical flexible spending plan.
• The finance committee was asked to consider traffic and pedestrian issues at the roundabout at All Saints Episcopal Church.
• The finance committee was also asked to consider authorizing the mayor to enter a three-year renewal contract with Republic Services for recycling services.
• The finance committee was also asked to consider authorizing the mayor to accept the ADT Lifesaver Grant and make any related amendments to the 2014-2015 budget.
• A request to adopt a city investment policy was approved.
• A sanitation department refuse truck was declared surplus and will be traded in as part of the purchase of two new trucks. An arial boom and platform truck, owned by the street department, was declared surplus and will be auctioned.
• The public safety committee was asked to consider a retail table wine license for Lian Hua Supermarket, located at 22 Green Springs Highway, and a retail liquor license for Jim ‘N Nick’s, located at 220 Oxmoor Road.
• The public safety committee was also asked to consider a special alcohol license for Morrison Management Specialist, located at 2010 Brookwood Medical Center Drive.
• The special issues committee was asked to consider constructing a parking pad at 210 St. Charles St.
• A discussion of parking options for South Forest Drive was continued until the next meeting. Council President Bruce Limbaugh said residents of the road have complained about people parking there to eat at restaurants on Broadway Street. Limbaugh said he is not sure yet what the solution will be, but looks forward to solving the parking problem.
• Consideration of sign ordinance variations at 185 Oxmoor Road and 215 Green Springs Highway was continued until the next council meeting.
• Sign ordinance variations were approved for the UPS Store relocating to 429 Green Springs Highway, Suite 161 and a new business called Arts & Antiques, which will be located at 2790 B.M. Montgomery St.
• A sign ordinance variation was rejected for Open Upright MRI at 3105 Independence Drive.
• The council agreed to reconsider the capital projects loan for the purchase of police vehicles, a garbage truck and a bucket truck. This project is currently part of the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget.
• The mayor was authorized to enter a hold harmless agreement with TDG Homewood for the apartment project at 101 Moretti Circle.
• A moratorium was placed on processing pole sign variance applications for a maximum of 180 days. During the moratorium, the council will be considering modifications to the variance ordinance.
• Setting a public hearing for Nov. 17 to consider declaring the properties at 1602 Ridge Road and 924 Irving Road public nuisances due to excessive growth.
• A public hearing was set for Dec. 1 to consider zoning changes at 2501, 2513 and 2517 18th St. South in order to create extra parking for the Islamic Academy of Alabama.
• Changing the November and December meeting dates to Nov. 3 and 17 and Dec. 1 and 15.

The next council meeting will be Monday, Nov. 3.