Council changes drug testing provider

by

The Homewood City Council voted to switch to AlaCOMP to provide drug tests for their employees, following discussion about the level of service provided by Ascension St. Vincent’s.

Drug testing will now be provided by AlaCOMP, except for after-hours testing, which will be done at UAB Highlands. The finance committee will continue to discuss whether to change providers for other worker’s compensation issues.

Harold Parker, who handles drug screening from the city’s side, had raised concerns about long wait times, a lack of sample cups and more. Ascension maintained they had addressed individual concerns and said long wait times were due to the clinic serving as an emergency room for employees.

The council also narrowly voted to not approve a sign variance request from Homewood Theatre, located at 1831 28th Avenue South, Suite 160. Kyle Bass, executive director of the theater, had requested six electronic message board signs to advertise coming shows. The signs would have operated between dusk and 11 p.m.

While Council President Alex Wyatt said he appreciated the theater and did not have a problem with the signs proposed, there was concern, echoed by other members of the council, that approving the request would open the door for other businesses to ask for electronic signs throughout the city, which “scares me to death,” Wyatt said.

Voting for the request were: Melanie Geer, Carlos Aleman, Barry Smith, Jalete Nelms and Jennifer Andress. Voting against the request were: Wyatt, Andy Gwaltney, Andrew Wolverton, Nick Sims, Walter Jones and John Hardin.

In other news, the council:

  • Approved paying just under $1,800 for an ad in the Homewood Chamber of Commerce magazine
  • Set a bid date of March 13 for the Delcris Drive sidewalk project
  • Approved paying appropriations to the West Homewood Neighborhood Association and ClasTran
  • Set a public hearing for Feb. 27 to consider condemning 1509 Beckham Drive
  • Carried over a sign variance request for 169 State Farm Parkway
  • Rezoned 2900 16th Place South from attached dwelling unit to neighborhood preservation district
  • Set a public hearing for a sign variance request at 201 Greensprings Highway for Feb. 27
  • Approved vouchers