Homewood committees approve several contracts, traffic changes and sponsorships in unanimous votes

Homewood City’s committee meetings on Sept. 8 produced a series of unanimous approvals on construction, traffic and sponsorship items, and a procedural action to remove a business-license waiver request from further consideration.

The approvals include awarding a construction contract for a Green Springs Phase 2 project, hiring a construction engineering and inspection (CEI) firm for the same project, a change order for a residential fence installation, an agreement to replace two Patriot Park parking spaces with compact-car signage, a small sponsorship of the Birmingham Bowl media guide and formal removal of a business-license penalty-waiver request from the committee docket.

City staff reported a competitive bid opening for the Green Springs Phase 2 project, with multiple bidders close in price. The committee voted to award construction and separately approved CEI services. The committee also approved a change order authorizing additional fence work on Kenora and approved a contract to remove two Patriot Park parking spaces — later amended in committee discussion to instead pilot designated “compact cars only” signage for the two end spaces near the park crosswalk. A sponsorship of the Birmingham Bowl media guide was approved as submitted.

The committee also considered a request from the city clerk regarding a business-license penalty waiver for Southeast Veterinary Partners. City staff told the committee that the company had submitted payment and subsequently rescinded the formal waiver request; the committee voted to drop the item from the docket.

Votes at a glance (committee motion, mover/second, tally, outcome): - Award construction contract for Green Springs Phase 2 to Gillespie Construction (bid amount as stated at the meeting: not specified in committee materials). Motion by Mr. Brandt; second Mr. Guatney. Vote: 5–0; approved. - Approve contract for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services with Sain and Associates for the Green Springs Phase 2 project for $85,000. Motion by Mr. Harden; second Mr. Aleman. Vote: 5–0; approved. - Approve change order No. 1 for Gothic Construction to resolve additional field work for a fence on Kenora (homeowner privacy/fence extension). Motion by Mr. Brown; second Mr. Alemon. Vote: 5–0; approved. - Request regarding Southeast Veterinary Partners business-license penalty/waiver — motion to drop the item after staff reported payment was received and the applicant rescinded the waiver request. Motion by Mr. Galtney; second Mr. Alemon. Vote: unanimous; item dropped. - Motion to pilot compact-car signage (and paint) for the two end parking spaces at Patriot Park nearest the crosswalk, followed by an ordinance if enforcement is required. Motion by Mr. Almon; second Mr. Harden. Vote: unanimous; approved to pilot signage and forward for ordinance consideration. - Birmingham Bowl sponsorship ($1,198 as reported at the meeting) — motion by Mr. Galtney; second Mr. Brandt. Vote: unanimous; approved.

The committee record shows these votes were unanimous at the committee level. Several of the items (for example the Green Springs contracts and the compact-car signage) will return to the full council or appear on a future agenda for final council action as required by city procurement or ordinance processes.

Less urgent procedural notes: the committee approved minutes and dispensed with their reading at the outset of the meeting.

Ending: Committee chairs said staff will place several items on upcoming council agendas for final action: the Green Springs contract documents and the ThinkGuard IT backup procurement (presented at the committee; to be added to council new business). The compact-car signage will be piloted and reviewed for effectiveness before any further permanent changes to parking configuration are made.