Salamanders saved and sidewalks in the works: Feb. 11 City Council Meeting

J.J. Bischoff, chief of staff, was presented with an award of thanks during the Feb. 11 city council meeting for his efforts to preserve the lives of spotted salamanders during their January migration.

Last year, approximately 42 salamanders were killed crossing the road, but thanks to a barrier set up by Bischoff, it's estimated only one died this year. The award was presented by Michelle Blackwood, president of Friends at Shades Creek and representative of the Homewood Environmental Commission (HEC).

At the council meeting, the HEC presented its 2013 priorities. The HEC studies environmental issues of concern in Homewood and provides information to the council and helps educate the public. The HEC meets on the second Thursday of every month in Room 101 in the Homewood Public Library.

The city council also met with residents of Berry Road to discuss sidewalk plans that would dramatically shorten lot sizes along the road. The option to have the sidewalk built into the road has been presented, but original estimates showed the plan costing twice more than having the sidewalk extend across the lawns. The neighborhood has the potential to connect the Homewood sidewalk chains. The council agreed not to make any definitive plans until bids have been placed to see the actual cost of the various options for the sidewalk's location.

Other items discussed at the meeting included:

• Permission was granted to work within the City Right of Way at the intersection of Woodbine Drive and Columbiana Road to update the Lakewood Hills neighborhood signs.
• A request to consider making St. Charles and Highland Road intersection a four-way stop passed.
• $50,000 was appropriated to the Fire Department for vehicle repairs.
• The ABC application for the Brookwood Village Target was approved.
• Consideration to rezone Assisted Living and Independent Living for senior residents to a vacant lot at 260 Goodwin Crest Drive will be discussed March 25.