Homewood council delays on-street parking ordinance; members raise delivery enforcement concerns
Summary
Councilors agreed to carry first-reading action on an on-street parking ordinance to Jan. 12 and discussed downtown delivery vehicles blocking 18th Street; staff said HPD will be asked to enforce and two parking-focused officers are being hired.
Members of the Homewood City Council decided on Dec. 22 to delay action on a proposed on-street parking ordinance until the Jan. 12 meeting and spent remaining time discussing enforcement of delivery vehicles downtown.
The chair noted the ordinance (introduced by Amy) and asked whether the council wanted to vote tonight or hold it for Jan. 12; one councilor said, "I say hold it over," and the body agreed to postpone consideration rather than take a unanimous-consent vote.
Councilors described recurring problems with delivery vehicles stopping in a travel lane on 18th Street during business hours, leaving store operators unable to move traffic. A councilor urged calling the Homewood Police Department when the blockage occurs. Staff said the city is hiring two officers specifically to assist with parking enforcement and that a future police substation in the area will also increase on-site enforcement presence.
The council did not adopt an ordinance tonight; the item will be on the Jan. 12 agenda for further consideration. Staff said they will coordinate with HPD on enforcement in the short term and that the council can consider ordinance language and enforcement resources at the next meeting.
The discussion was procedural and enforcement-focused rather than policy-changing at this session; councilors and staff recommended a week-by-week approach to enforcement during the holiday period and follow-up once new officers are on duty.
