TheHomewoodStar.com
April 2015 • A5
Council passes pro-UAB football resolution By SYDNEY CROMWELL Applause and shouts of “Go Blazers!” filled City Hall Feb. 23 as the city council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the reinstatement of UAB football, bowling and rifle teams. Council President Bruce Limbaugh read the resolution at the beginning of the meeting, calling on the UAB president and trustees to reconsider their December decision to shut down the teams. Homewood is the latest of several municipalities, including Vestavia Hills, to pass such a resolution. After the meeting, Limbaugh said Homewood was slower to pass this resolution because council members felt it was important that such a decision be unanimous. Support for UAB was divided at first, and it took several conversations to come to a unanimous conclusion.
As a group decked in green and gold gathered with the council members for photos, Limbaugh noted that two 2014 Homewood High School graduates, Zach Sims and Mark Allen Rawls, had been on UAB’s football team. Out of the large amount of citizen feedback he received, Limbaugh said one resident’s statement was especially powerful. “He said, ‘I’m a graduate and I feel like UAB students should have the complete college experience,’” Limbaugh said. “I thought that was compelling.”
Council members and city officials pose with a member of the former UAB football team and a copy of the resolution supporting the team’s reinstatement. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
City renames street By MADISON MILLER The Homewood City Council voted 8-0 to change the name of 1st Avenue West to Montessori Way at its meeting on March 16. The request was made by Creative Montessori School, located at 1650 28th Court. Council members Britt Thames and Walter Jones said this change is part of the school’s effort to become more of a focal point in the community. “A lot of people don’t know it’s there and it’s really a jewel in Homewood,” Jones said. The council also heard a request from the
Special Issues Committee to review the city’s current sign ordinance for possible amendments. The ordinance was added in October with an expiration date of April of this year. At the meeting the council also: }} Approved a request for consideration of a no parking sign at the intersection of the alley adjacent to 101 East Edgewood Drive and East Edgewood Drive. }} Set a public hearing on March 23 for consideration to review changes to Zoning Book and referral to the Planning & Development Committee.
}} Accepted a bid for Fire Department uniforms. }} Approved a request for consideration of an additional street light at or near 505 Devon Drive. }} Approved a request for consideration from the Fire Department to declare equipment as surplus property. }} Approved a request for consideration of authorizing Mayor Scott McBrayer to execute on behalf of the city the commercial lease agreement between Hamilton Mortgage Corporation and the city regarding a portion of the third floor of the City Hall building.
}} Approved a request for consideration of an ABC-020-Restaurant Retail Liquor License application for Hart and Soul Coffee Company located at 1014 Oxmoor Road. }} Approved a request for consideration of a resolution authorizing payment of invoices for the period Feb. 23 through March 13. }} Approved a request for American Behavioral to become the new employee assistance provider.