Homewood Pre-Council Meeting - April 13, 2026

The City of Homewood held a pre-council meeting on April 13, 2026, where several procurement and budget-related items were discussed. Key topics included a request to approve a block party event by the Hollywood Garden Club, which required a vote on a special retail liquor license. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a proposed microtransit pilot program in partnership with the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) and VIA, funded initially by an $800,000 grant from the Community Foundation. The pilot aims to provide on-demand transit service within Homewood, with an estimated annual cost of $600,000 for three vehicles, potentially increasing if demand grows. Council members discussed operational details, costs, and potential impacts on existing transit routes. Additionally, budget amendments were proposed to fund legal services for municipal appeals ($30,000), allocate $1.7 million in gas tax funds for road resurfacing and capital projects, and cover $8,700 for an annual subscription to Citybot's AI web chat service. A rezoning request for properties on Montgomery Street was also reviewed, with no immediate issues raised. Several items were scheduled for council votes in two weeks.