City Manager Jeff Downes
During a January City Council meeting, City Manager Jeff Downes announced that Vestavia Hills was recently ranked as the safest city to live in Alabama by Motovo Real Estate, a real estate research site.
Movoto Real Estate recently released their 2015 list of the safest places to live in Alabama based off of the recently updated 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Vestavia Hills placed first on the list in a tie with Helena. According to Movoto's article, Vestavia Hills had the lowest number of crimes per person in the state. For more information on Movoto's list, click here.
"We are extremely proud of our police department," said Downes, who recognized Lieutenant Brian Gilham during the meeting.
Also during the meeting, City Manager Jeff Downes gave an update on several ongoing projects throughout the city of Vestavia Hills. Downes announced that three fields at Wald Park have received improvements and other fields in the city will be worked on soon.
"We are glad work has been done in earnest," Downes said.
Downes also announced that erosion measures have been put in place at the site of the future Sprouts Farmer's Market on U.S. 31 and the trees are currently being planted at the city's southern interchange.
Also during the meeting, the council:
- Passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of radio equipment for the police and fire departments from E-911 funds.
- Gave conditional use for home occupation at 702 Hampden Place Circle, Lisa Eaker, owner.
- Passed a resolution changing the date of the regularly scheduled council meeting for May 25, 2015 to May 28, 2015 in observance of Memorial Day.
The next City Council meeting will be Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. at City Hall. Items on the agenda include the following:
- An ordinance adopting the 2015 International Fire Prevention Code for the city of Vestavia Hills.
- An ordinance accepting the Cahaba Heights Village Plan, being the 2015 Amendment to the 2008 Cahaba Heights Community Plan.
