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Finance Committee sets multiple bid dates, approves leases and small budget changes in Oct. 6 meeting
Summary
The Homewood Finance Committee set bid dates for two public projects, renewed a facilities use agreement, approved a small budget amendment and renewed a commercial lease; it also approved a franchise agreement and authorized limited city manager contract authority through October.
At its Oct. 6 meeting, the Homewood Finance Committee approved several administrative items: it set bid dates for public works projects, renewed an annual facilities-use agreement, approved a $5,000 budget amendment for election costs, renewed a commercial lease for City Hall and approved a franchise agreement with a fiber‑optic company.
The committee set the bid-opening date for the Homewood Public Library phase 4 renovation and for the Central Avenue Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) multimodal facility for Oct. 30, 2025, at 3:01 p.m. Staff noted the TAP project would be 80% funded by the TAP grant and 20% by the city and will connect sidewalks between Harbison, the creek behind Harbison and Rosedale to Spring Park.
The committee approved renewal of annual facilities‑use agreements with Soho Social and White Pew for events on the city plaza; staff said the agreement renews standard indemnification and insurance requirements and has been in place for multiple years.
A proposed budget amendment to move $5,000 from a maintenance account to the municipal election account also passed after staff said election costs exceeded estimates.
Councilors approved a one‑year renewal of the commercial lease for Waldrop, Stewart & Kendrick LLP on the third floor of City Hall at $20 per square foot.
The committee also approved a franchise agreement submitted by UD Fiber (a sister company to Southern Light LLC) allowing a citywide franchise assignment to a new entity; Tim Gallagher, representing UD Fiber, said there is no immediate construction plan and the agreement documents an entity name change and long‑term buildout intent. Gallagher provided a commitment to supply a route map to staff.
On city management authority, the committee authorized the city manager to sign contracts approved through the budget process during October, provided the contract amount is below $350,000; contracts above that threshold or emergent matters must come to council.
Several items were dropped from the committee’s agenda for the incoming council to review, including an update to the fiscal policy.
Votes at a glance (selected): Homewood Public Library phase 4 — set bid date Oct. 30, 2025, 3:01 p.m. (approved); Central Avenue TAP Multimodal Facility — set bid date Oct. 30, 2025, 3:01 p.m. (approved); annual facilities‑use agreement renewals (Soho Social, White Pew) — approved; $5,000 budget transfer to municipal election account — approved; renewal of commercial lease with Waldrop, Stewart & Kendrick LLP — approved; franchise agreement with UD Fiber (Unity Fiber Gulfco LLC) — approved; authorization for city manager to sign budget‑approved contracts during October up to $350,000 — approved.
Most votes on the listed items were unanimous in committee. Staff will present bid results and any required contract awards or further approvals to the next council meeting once bids are opened.
