Special issues committee carries over West Homewood noise and odor discussion

No decision has been made regarding noise and odor in the area of Buffalo Rock and Mayfield Dairy.

At its Jan. 4 meeting, the special issues committee chose to carry discussion over to the next committee meeting on Jan. 18. Buffalo Rock was not present at Monday’s meeting, and the committee decided the two weeks were necessary to allow Buffalo Rock to do some testing on odor problems in the area.

The company’s presence at the next meeting would also allow for discussion of the noise and light problems residents have discussed, said Ward 4 Representative committee member Alex Wyatt.

While Buffalo Rock was not at the meeting, the committee received an update from Mayfield/Barber’s Dairy representative. Ed Becker said samples have been taken from the manhole where Buffalo Rock and Mayfield/Barber sewer lines come together. These were sent to Atlanta, and they expect to have results by Wednesday.

The results, Becker said, would show if different chemical compounds are present after the lines intersect, as opposed to originating at the Mayfield/Barber plant.

Eddie Allen, plant manager for Mayfield Dairy, added that they plan to change out the carbon media in the main scrubber system, which helps absorb odor before it leaves the plant. The media typically lasts for four months, and they will change it out after about two months as a precaution.

After listening to the Mayfield/Barber representatives, committee member Walter Jones said he was concerned about a lack of progress.

“I just feel like we’re having the same conversation we had in December,” Jones said. “We’re just talking in circles. We’re not making any progress here. We’re not getting to the results.”

Jones suggested the city determine what processes it could go through to get back to where the city was in December.

“We didn’t have unacceptable living conditions in this city four months ago, and we still do today,” said Peter Wright. “That is a long time.”

The committee agreed to contact and meet with Buffalo Rock prior to the next committee meeting in order to facilitate more productive discussion. Jones also suggested city officials discuss what can be done in regard to noise and light coming from Buffalo Rock.

Also at the special issues committee meeting, the committee:

• Moved to send before the council applications to increase the number of Board of Director members on the Homewood Downtown Redevelopment Authority and Industrial Development Board to 13 members.
• Heard a request for a sign ordinance for the Shrimp Basket on Green Springs Highway. The committee first saw a proposal on Dec. 14. The awning was deemed “too busy” and a “toned down” version was presented tonight. The council asked for a few minor adjustments to be made and brought to the Jan. 11 public hearing.
• Sent consideration for a variance to the cell tower ordinance to the council.
• Heard a request for consideration of a sign variance for a new restaurant, Holler and Dash, to be located at 2801 18th Street South. The committee requested a public hearing for the ordinance to be set for Jan. 25, which would also include discussion of a mural that is proposed on the side of the building.

During the public safety committee meeting, the committee:

• Heard from Homewood Police Chief Tim Ross regarding traffic issues at the intersection of West Oxmoor Road and Huntington Glen/Park. Ross said the police department has recognized a speeding problem in the area and had taken several steps to remedy the problem, including increased enforcement. Ross suggested placing a permanent speed detection device in the area to deter drivers from speeding. The device costs around $6,500, Ross said. The committee recommended the purchase of the device go before the finance committee.
• Ross also spoke on the growing coyote problem in Homewood. He said the city’s problem is similar to that in surrounding municipalities and noted that the police department does not have the ability or training to trap coyotes; they would only interfere if a coyote was vicious or seemed rabid or sick, he said. He recommended hearing from a nuisance control service currently used by the City of Hoover, and the committee agreed to invite a representative to speak at a committee meeting.
• Decided to do a traffic study at the intersection of Oak Grove Road and Raleigh Avenue to determine if a three-way stop would be beneficial.
• Approved consideration of a liquor license for Real and Rosemary, located at 1922 29th Avenue South.

During the finance committee meeting, the committee:

• Moved to carry over a discussion on proposals for informational and directional signs in downtown Homewood.
• Approved a request for consideration to increase a previously-approved purchase offer for the Fox property for the Greenway Trail Project. The offer was previously $240,000, but the property had an appraised value at $280,000. The increased offer was approved, although grant funding means the City of Homewood will not have to pay the entirety of the $40,000 difference.
• Approved amendments to the FY 15-16 budgets, including a request to consider Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for judicial salaries per state code and consideration to use remaining funds from West Homewood Phase 1 to add fencing and seating to the corner of Oak Grove Road and Raleigh Avenue. Up to $3,000 was approved, contingent on the extra funds available from Phase 1. The fencing will look like fencing in the Edgewood business district.