Council approves 2014-2015 budget

At its Sept. 22 meeting, the city council approved the $55 million city budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. This includes $40.8 million for the general fund and $1.2 million for debt services. Ward 3 representative Walter Jones said the finance committee expects $52.3 million in revenue, with carryover funding from 2013-2014 making up the rest of the funds.

The budget includes $215,300 for merit raises, $900,000 for new police vehicles and $350,000 for two new garbage trucks. The council allocated $600,000 for road paving, including $400,000 from last year’s budget for the Valley Avenue resurfacing project. Sidewalk projects were budgeted for $365,000, which includes $265,000 from the 2013-2014 budget.

Phase II of the greenway project received $1.1 million, and engineering for the I-65 and Lakeshore improvement project was budgeted for $100,000. The West Oxmoor improvement project received $450,000, which includes $400,000 from last year’s budget.

A full version of the 2014-2015 budget will be available on the city website, homewoodal.net, by the end of the week.

Other council business included:

• The properties located at 708 Carr Ave., 2827 16th Place S. and 2831 16th Place S. were declared public nuisances due to excessive growth.
• A public hearing to consider rezoning 1728 26th Ave. S. from Attached Dwelling Unit District to Neighborhood Shopping District to increase parking for the former site of Dorothy McDaniel's Flower Market. The issue was carried over to the next meeting.
• The public hearing also included consideration of amending the final development plan for 1659 28th Ave. S. This issue was also carried over.
• Approval of a sign ordinance variation for Highway 55 Burgers, Shakes and Fries, a new business opening at 437 Green Springs Highway Suite 141.
• Approval of a petition of annexation for 1709 Hillbrook Drive into the city limits of Homewood.
• Setting a hearing for Oct. 13 to consider a sign ordinance variation at 185 Oxmoor Road.
• Approval of a two-way stop sign and crosswalk at Grace Street and Gainswood Road.
• Approval of an off-premises retail beer license for Homewood Encore Shell, 2908 Independence Drive.
• Rejection of a request to consider proposals and quotes for insurance coverage. The council will move forward in making an agreement with Travelers Insurance for property and liability insurance.
• Authorization for the mayor to enter a sales contract with Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus in order to sell Ladder No. 4.
• Approval of funding for five additional street lights on Berry Road. The lights will cost $640 per year to operate.
• Approval of amendments to the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget.
• Approval to enter a contract with Lalor Bynum Partners to provide a staffing proposal at a cost of $6,400 in the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget.
• Approval of a request to appropriate $350,000 for employee benefit packages in the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget. The tiered bonus system would give different amounts depending on employee longevity. The council was divided on the benefits of this system, and the final vote was 6-5 for this proposal.
• Approval of a request to reduce the budget for the Jefferson County Transit Authority (JCTA) from $260,000 to $130,000. Jones said this decision was made because Homewood no longer has representation on the JCTA board.
• Referral to the special issues committee a request to consider a sign ordinance variation for 185 Oxmoor Road.
• The special issues committee was also asked to consider concerns about zip codes and voting..
• The finance committee was asked to review life insurance policies for long-term employees.
• Approval of closing Brookwood Lane between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Oct. 11 for the Station 103.7 The Q “Just Show Up Show.” The show will last from 5 to 8 p.m. and is free to the public.

The next city council meeting will be Monday, Oct. 13.