Sims for Hwd

• The City followed a public process utilizing an ad hoc committee to review the available models to place a City Manager. At the conclusion of the process, the recommendation was to pursue the Council-Manager form of government.
• A public referendum was passed in September 2024 to transition to the  model, institutionalizing the City Manager role going forward. This new structure will be implemented in conjunction with the seating of the new Council and Mayor in November 2025. 
• In preparation of this shift, the City Council formed an ad hoc committee to review and interview candidates for an interim City Manager role in December 2024.  In March 2025, an interim City Manager was hired, becoming the first in the City’s history.

• "Speak to Us Homewood" tool for residents to submit issues, concerns and other feedback: https://www.cityofhomewood.com/speak-to-us-homewood 
• Live stream of all Council and Committee meetings, including an online archive of past meetings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs1Om1kenQn_92rrZHj8SZQ
• Posting of the full Planning Commission and BZA case packets, as well as video streaming and an online video archive for rezoning, variance and related requests  Example here from the April 1, 2025 Planning Commission meeting: https://irp.cdn-website.com/441cb6f7/files/uploaded/040125_PC_Agenda.pdf 
• Creation of the “Citizen Connection” to provide meeting summaries and brief updates to residents: https://www.cityofhomewood.com/citizen-connection 
• Creation of a Homewood Police Department app with timely push notifications of alerts and press releases, as well as the posting of a “Weekly Crime Report”.
• Implementation of a monthly “Ward 3 Newsletter”.

• Paid annual insurance premium increases for employees and approved annual merit pay increased amounts.
• Between 2007-2021, the total of cost of living allowances (COLA) increases for City of Homewood employees was 11.8%.  Between 2022-2025, Council increased employee annual cost of living allowances (COLA) by 13%, including:
  • FY 2023: 5%
  • FY 2024: 4%
  • FY 2025: 4%
• Increased the pay of public safety employees by two grades through reclassification during the September 2023 budgeting process, instead of staggering the pay increase over multiple budget years. This resulted in a 5% salary increase at the start of the fiscal year and another 5% increase on the anniversary of the employees hire date during FY 24.  This had to be done over time in conjunction with the JeffCo Personnel Board, but was done all at once in appreciation of the hard work of our employees and in effort to help with employee recruitment and retention.
• Paid annual bonuses to employees every year, based on years of employment with the City.
• Approved the Tier II RSA conversion, providing better retirement benefits to employees.
• Increased the minimum hourly rate for non-salary employees.

• Supported completion of a Stormwater Master Plan: https://irp.cdn-website.com/441cb6f7/files/uploaded/Homewood%20Storm%20Water%20Master%20Plan_Adopted%202023.pdf
• Council funded $4+ million in repairing/replacing storm sewers, creek walls, and related infrastructure.
• These stormwater management activities and improvements led to the City receiving a better FEMA National Flood Insurance rating, improving from Class 9 to a Class 7.  This improvement results in residents who are required to carry flood insurance in receiving a 15% discount on their premiums: https://irp.cdn-website.com/441cb6f7/files/uploaded/NFIP_CRS_field_verification_findings_12.18.2024.pdf

• Parks improvements, including the opening of the Saulter Pocket Park, new playground at Central Park, and Fitness Court near the MegaFields on Oxmoor Road.
• Construction and opening of Phase II of the Shades Creek Greenway.
• Transformation of Green Springs Highway into a boulevard with  improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.  This public investment has been followed by private investment with the opening of new businesses, such as: Ace Hardware, The Edge, Chase Bank, American Family Care and others.

• Special Issues Committee, Chair
• Public Works Committee
• Planning & Development Committee
• Beautification Board liaison
• Ad hoc City Manager Hiring Committee

As Beautification Board liaison, collaborated with members to conduct projects, including: 

• Replacement of the Edgewood Historical Marker in partnership with the Hwd Historical Preservation Commission.
• Annual holiday lighting projects, including the introduction of an annual Menorah Lighting.
• Citywide street sign replacement project to create uniformity in street name signage (black wrought iron sign).
• Quarterly business beautification award
• Launch of a City-wide. Beautification Plan planning process
• Annual creek and street clean-up projects.