Council approves the Riverchase sewer force main emergency

Last Monday we walked through the council agenda before the meeting (our October 12 post). Here is what was adopted.

The Riverchase sewer force main

The city’s resolution list shows Resolution 9017-26, “A Resolution Declaring an Emergency for the Riverchase #1 Force Main Replacement Project,” approved October 12, 2026 (City of Hoover, Resolutions 9000–9049). The Hoover Sun’s recap describes it as “an emergency declaration to replace the No. 1 force sewer main in the Riverchase sewer system after serious problems were identified” (Hoover Sun, October 13, 2026).

What we still could not confirm: the cost, the contractor, the schedule, and which part of Riverchase the line serves. Neither the recap nor the city’s own meeting summary gives those details (City of Hoover, October 12, 2026). We will keep looking, including in the meeting minutes once they are approved.

250 Riverchase Parkway

Resolution 9016-26, which authorizes the mayor to execute a subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement and an estoppel certificate related to the city’s lease at 250 Riverchase Parkway, was also approved October 12 (City of Hoover, Resolutions 9000–9049). We found no reporting that explains it, so we will leave it there.

The other large items

• Police drones and body cameras: the council approved a $6.75 million contract. The department will double its first responder drones from two to four and add unlimited storage for body-worn camera video (Hoover Sun, October 13, 2026)
• Hoover Lake House: the council voted 5-1 to award the contract to Coston General Contractors, the lowest of eight bids. The figures differ by source, so we give each one as reported:
• The Hoover Sun reports an $827,152 construction contract, plus $32,000 for design, $40,000 for security and cameras and $50,000 for fiber, which puts the total at more than $900,000, including about $108,000 in contingency (Hoover Sun, October 13, 2026)
• The city’s summary gives Coston’s base bid as $818,800 and notes this is the third time the project has been bid (City of Hoover, October 12, 2026)
• Business license code: the council held first readings of four amendments covering insurance company licensing, issuance fees, and payment of city licenses and license fees tied to rentals and leases of real property (Hoover Sun, October 13, 2026). These have not been adopted, and no fee amounts were reported. We will not describe what they change until we see the text.

The next regular council meeting is listed for October 26 (City of Hoover, 2026 City Council Meetings). The agenda was not posted when we checked.