City manager gives update on roundabout, stormwater

Vestavia Hills City Manager Jeff Downes updated the Vestavia Hills City Council about several projects at the Dec. 12 meeting.

The city recently held a series of meetings with residents to discuss stormwater issues on upper U.S. 31 and Shades Crest Road. Downes said they were well-attended and the input gathered at the meeting will now be used by the city’s design and engineering departments to present recommendations during the city’s strategic planning session early next year.

The city is also re-emphasizing the need for public feedback on the city’s sidewalk master plan. Residents can give input on Vestavia Hills Listens.

Downes also gave an update on a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Pump House Road and Sicard Hollow Road. The city currently has half of the project’s drawings and expects to receive a full set of drawings in early 2023. The existing estimate for the project is roughly $2 million. Jefferson County previously committed to paying $1 million. Downes said if everything goes well, the city may be able to go to bid for the project by the spring of 2023.

In other business, the council declared Fire Department equipment as surplus, agreed to refund the state of Alabama a little more than $8,500 due to a tax error and dedicated the former Vestavia Hills Civic Center to the Vestavia Hills Board of Education.

The council also heard from former council member and county commissioner David Carrington, who expressed concerns about a lack of signage and direction on Gentilly Drive, which saw the addition of an island when Pizitz Middle School moved to its new campus.