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Home My WebLink About09-23-2024 City Council Work Session MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( ) ( The City Council met in a Work Session at 4:30 p .m., Fairhope Municipal Complex Council Chamber, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 23 September 2024. Present were Council President Corey Martin , Councilmembers: Jack Burrell (arrived at 4 :3 5 p.m.), Jimmy Conyers, and Kevin Boone (arrived at 4:35 p.m.), Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell , Attorney Christopher S. Williams, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Councilmember Jay Robinson was absent. Council President Martin called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m . The following topics were discussed: • The first item on the Agenda was the Executive Session . At the request of the City Attorney, Marcus E. McDowell, the City Council will rise from the meeting to go into Executive Session based on Alabama Code § Section 36-25A-7(a)( 4) to discuss security plans, procedures, assessments, mea sures, or systems, or the security or safety of persons, structures , facilities , or other infrastructures, the public disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to be detrimental to public safety or welfare . The approximate time to be in Executive Session is 45 minutes. Councilmember Burrell moved to go into Executive Session . Seconded by Councilmember Boone , motion passed unanimously by voice vo te . Exited the dais at 4:37 p.m. Returned at 5 :32 p.m . • The next item on the Agenda the FY2025 Budget Review by City Treasurer Kim Creech. (See attached handout) Councilmember BmTell commented there is a lot for him to go through; and said he is not ready to pass the budget right now . Council Pre sident Martin clarified the budget now splits Recrea tion and Parks; and splits Police and Corrections. He said we should table it since one Councilmember is not comfortable with the budget; and we could call a special-called meeting to adopt if needed. City Clerk Lisa Hank s sai d that Agenda Item s No . 13 and N o. 14 are part of the FY2025 Budget. • The Review FY2025 and FY2026 Sanitation Rates was next on the agenda (See attached handout) Councilmember Burrell questioned pickup and charges. He did comment the rates are extremely good rates based on private companies. • Co uncilmember Conyers sa id the Library Board is holding a special-called meeting to go over policies based on the State's mandates . • Water and Wastewater Director Daryl Morefield addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 11 ; an d answered any questions if needed. Mayor Sullivan mention ed that ARP A funds will be u sed too. • IT Director Jeff Montgomery addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No . 17 ; and answered any que stions if ne eded . • City Engi neer Richard Johnson addressed Agenda Items No . 19 , No. 21 , and No . 22; and answered any questions if needed . Monday, 23 September 2024 Page -2- • Planning Director Hunter Simmons addressed Agenda Items No . 5, No . 8, and No. 9; an d answered any questions if needed . He thanked the Baldwin County Trailblazers for all of their work with this matter. • Public Works Director addressed the City Co uncil regarding Agenda Items No . 18 and No. 7; and answered any questions if needed . • Human Resource s Director Hannah Noonan addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No . 6; and answered any questions if needed . • Grant Coordinator Nicole Love addressed the City Co uncil regarding Agenda Items No . 10 and No . 20; and answered any questions if needed . • City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed th e City Council regarding Agenda Items No . 15 and No . 16 ; and answere d any questions if needed . • Mayor Sherry Sullivan addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No . 23 and No. 24 ; and answered any questions if needed. There being no further bus ness :~ come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 6:00 p .m. I I Corey Martin, Council President City Clerk CITY OF FAIRHOPE FY 2025 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS FY 2025 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS I . Investments in critical infrastructure to maintain and improve quality of life in the City of Fairhope continue to be our primary focus, by utilizing external funding sources where applicable and the strategic use of our reserves . • $56.2 Million in Utility System Improvements • $1.8 Million in road resurfacing, on-street parking and drainage projects • $2.9 Million in traffic and transportation improvement projects 2. Protecting our natural environment for the enjoyment of all patrons by maintaining safe , clean, aesthetically pleasing City parks and designated recreation areas and facilities. • $8 Million in parks and facility investments Quality of life projects: • $5 .2 Million investment for K-1 Center (Grants $3.5M) 3. Personnel Costs • Salaries are budgeted at a 16% increase in comparison to FY24 Budget as FY24 personnel costs were budgeted flat to FY23 . FY25 Budget r epresents the absorption of Merit and COLA increases in FY24 while also accounting for vacant positions as well as new positions and Merit and COLA increases for FY25 . • 21 New positions between Utilities and General Government FUND DESCRIPTION General Fund Sanitation Fund Gas Fund Electric Fund Water/Sewer Fund Capital Projects Fund Impact Fees Fund Gas Tax Fund Rebuild Alabama Fund Municipal Capital Improvement Fund TOTAL FY 2025 BUDGET AMOUNT 52,421 ,361 4,430,596 15,799,927 30,619,070 63 ,233 ,776 19,247,418 2,471,750 116,500 186 ,500 230,000 $ 188,756,898 FY 2025 TOTAL BUDGET BY FUND Year to Year Budget FY 2024 FY 2025 % Comparison by Fund Change General Fund 48,579,239 52,421,361 5.6% Sanitat ion Fund 3,923,975 4,430,596 12.9% Gas Fund 12,718,816 15,799,927 24.2% Electric Fund 29,441,368 30,619,070 4.0% Water/Sewer Fund 46,915,082 63 ,233,776 34.8% BUDGET COMPARISON BY FUND Capital Project Fund 15,451,822 19,247,418 24.6% Impact Fees 1,719,111 2,471,750 43.8% Gas Tax Fund 104,000 116,500 12.0% Rebuild Alabama Fund 160,000 186,500 16.6% Municipal Capital Improvement Fund 212,000 230,000 8.5% Totals 160,225,413 188,756,898 17.8% ■ Ad Valorem Tax ■ Local Taxes ■ Licenses and Permits ■ Charges for Services ■ Intergovernmental ■ Recreation ■ Other Revenue ■ Transfers FY 2025 General Fund Revenues By Source Other Revenue \ 11% \ Recreation ""\ 5% \ Intergovernmental ----....: 1% Charges for Services 9% Licenses and Permits 12% Transfers Ad Valorem Tax 21% Local Taxes 35% FY 2025 Budgeted Expenses by Function of Government ■ General Government ■ Public Safety ■ Public Works ■ Culture and Recreation ■ Economic & Community Dev ■ Debt Service ■ Transfers ■ Staff Agencies & Appropriation Staff Agencies & Appropriation Transfers 9% Debt Service '\. 0% l "' Economic & Community Dev -----\ 2% ------ Culture and Recreation 23% Public Works 17% 3% I General Government 21% Public Safety 25% UTILITIES INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE GAS DEPARTMENT ($5.BM) Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Phase II & Engineering for Phase Ill I -10 Gas Main and CR 64 Widening Project New Meters, Regulators & High-Pressure Valves Additional Upgrades and Improvements ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT ($2.SM) 44 KV Loop for Redundant System Lighting Improvements Traffic Light Upgrades -N. SectionNolanta and N. Section/Gayfer Replace 4-lane Lights (Greeno Rd) Additional Upgrades and Improvements WATER DEPARTMENT ($2 I. I M) Water Storage Tank Upgrades at WTP #2 16"WTM Hwy 181/FairhopeAve/Gayfer Rd to CR-13 Phase ( I of 2) -24" Water Distribution Trunk Line from WTP#2 to CR 13 along Fairhope Ave. Testing for New Wells & New Well Construction Water Treatment plant # I and well #5, #6 and #IO upgrades Water Treatment plant #3 Tower rehab Additional Upgrades and Improvements WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT ($24.1 M) 181 Force Main Upgrades Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades 3 New Regional Sewer Lift Stations Generators/Bypass Pumps Force Main Upgrades -Support of RESTORE project Additional Upgrades and Improvements INVESTMENT IN EQUIPMENT INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL EQUIPMENT Recreation ($280K) Vehicle Field Equipment (Mower, blower, & field groomer, aerator) New Weather Warning System Street Department ($547K) Front End Loader New Vehicle Equipment Trailer Tri-Axle Dump Trunk Totaling more than $1. 7 million • Library ($91 9K) • The Haven ($ I 59K) • Rotary Youth Club ($57K) • Airport Authority ($3 I SK) • Community Partners ($212K) • Eastern Shore Art Center • Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce • Downtown Fairhope Business Association • Ecumenical Ministries • Baldwin County Economic DevelopmentAlliance • Mobile NEP • Others 21 New positions • I New Planning position • 5 New Public Works positions • I New Econ & Comm Dev position PERSONNEL • I New Police position • 2 New Recreation positions • 2 New Electric positions • 4 New Water positions • 5 New Wastewater positions • I New Sanitation position • 27 reclassifications (PT to FT), promotions, etc. Sanitation Revenue FY2025 FY2026 Recommended Recommended Residential Cost per Month Type New rates New rates Single Family $ 20.00 Per cart $ 23.00 $ 25.00 Apartment House $ 20 .00 Per cart $ 23.00 $ 25 .00 House Trailer $ 20 .00 Per cart $ 23 .00 $ 25.00 Backdoor Service $ 23 .00 Per cart $ 28 .00 $ 30 .00 FY2025 FY2026 Recommended Recommended Commerical/Non-Residential Cost per Month Type New rates New rates 96-Gallon Cart 2x Week $ 25.00 Per cart $ 30 .00 $ 34.00 96-Gallon Cart 3x Week Percart $ 40 .00 $ 45 .00 96-Gallon Cart 4x Week Per cart $ 50.00 $ 55 .00 96-Gallon Cart 5x Week Per cart $ 60 .00 $ 65 .00