Homewood council approves several administrative contracts and actions unanimously; staff to return on follow-ups

The Homewood City Council approved a package of administrative items on Feb. 2, voting unanimously on a set of contracts, surplus dispositions and project changes. Councilors approved the motions by voice vote; staff said follow-up documents and public notices will be completed as needed.

Key items and outcomes:

Porter White — investment-advising contract: The council authorized the mayor to enter a contract with Porter White to provide investment-advisory and related services and to consolidate the city’s investments under a custodian (staff said Fidelity Investments would be custodian). Porter White representatives described their role as a registered fiduciary adviser and said their fee structure would be transparent and roughly equivalent to the city’s current costs. Staff said the initial work would include an investment-policy update and a consolidation of accounts; preparing a formal investment policy could take roughly 12 weeks. Motion: approve mayor to sign contract. Vote: 5-0.

Paycom — payroll and HR services: Council approved a three-year contract with Paycom to provide payroll processing and human-resources functions, including onboarding, time-and-attendance workflows, expense-reimbursement workflows and tax-filing compliance. Staff estimated an average annual cost of about $128,000 (based on an average head count of roughly 420) and said the partial-year cost for the current fiscal year would be approximately $70,000; staff said funding would come from the contractual services line (account cited as 29520400). Council set a target go-live around May 1, with payroll effective April 20. Motion: approve mayor to sign contract. Vote: 5-0.

Surplus equipment and motorcycles: Fleet director Blake Graves presented a list of miscellaneous items and vehicles the city is declaring surplus, including two motorcycles the staff said will be sold to the City of Ireland (as stated in the meeting packet). Council approved declaring the items surplus and authorizing staff to dispose of them. Motion: approve surplus and authorize disposition. Vote: 5-0.

Kettleworth stormwater project — change order: Council approved change order No. 2 for the Kettleworth stormwater project to account for additional foundation backfill required in trenches under the roadway. Staff said the contractor originally bid a unit price of $139 per cubic yard for foundation backfill but agreed to a reduced unit price of $75 per cubic yard for quantities above the originally-bid amount; the change order increases the contract by $35,005.50, and staff said the project remains within the overall budget. Motion: approve change order. Vote: 5-0.

US 280 / Rosedale Drive resurfacing (LDAC resolution): Council approved a resolution supporting resurfacing work on U.S. 280/Rosedale Drive as part of an ALDOT corridor project; staff said the resurfacing element will proceed even if some other corridor work is delayed. Motion: approve resolution. Vote: 5-0.

Street light at Place and Overlook: Council dropped a previously requested street-light installation after staff confirmed an existing fixture is present but obscured by vines; members instructed public-works staff to clear vegetation. Motion: drop request. Vote: 5-0.

Chamber magazine advertisement: Council approved placement of a full-page, full-color ad in the Chamber’s annual guide; staff said the expense is budgeted in the advertising line. Motion: approve advertisement. Vote: 5-0.

Ending: Councilors approved all items presented in the package by voice vote; several items require staff follow-up on documentation, public notices or agreements before final implementation.