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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-29-2025 City Council Work Session MinutesSTA TE 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 Thursday , 29 April 2025. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Corey Martin (arrived at 4:54 p.m.), Jimmy Conyers (arrived at 4:36 p.m.), Jay Robinson and Kevin Boone, Mayor Sherry Sullivan (arrived at 4:55 p.m.), and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell was absent. Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • The first item on the Agenda was the Presentation by Principal Jenny Breazeale of Fairhope West Elementary School. Ms. Breazeale showed the City Council and audience a short video of some of the uses of the funds from the 3-mill tax. She said the funds support our students. Council President Burrell questioned the average class size. Ms . Breazeale replied the average size is between 17 to 21 students. He also questioned performance metrics . She responded with last year we were a 95 and this year a 96 ; and we are a Title I school. Ms. Breazeale commented attendance is a big issue. She said last year we had a 12.7 percent of 18 plus days absent which is considered chronic absenteeism. She said this year we have a 5 .7 percent chronic absenteeism ; and 52 students have perfect attendance . Ms . Breazeale stated we need to increase "work ethic" for students. • The next item on the Agenda was the Financial Audit presented by Lee Parks with Warren Averett. He said the City once again received an "unmodified opinion" dated March 12 , 2025. Mr. Parks went over the main highlights of the Audit; and answered any questions. Councilmember Conyers stated the City Council used a conservative approach to the budget. Council President Burrell commented the Airport AIP Grants are managed by a Third Party and it was their issue for not reporting and it has been addressed. Mr. Parks thanked the City Treasurer and her team for their help . (A copy of the Financial Audit and other documents are on file in the City Clerk's office). • The Utility Update was next on the Agenda and Gas Superintendent Wes Boyett began by requesting that Agenda Items Number 12 and Number 13 be removed . Council President Burrell stated that Agenda Item Number 13 was 17 .5 percent over the original bid . Mr. Boyett said it was his oversight and took full responsibility . He said the fees were due to time of this Phase being delayed . Councilmember Martin and Council President Burrell both questioned why this was not found before now; and asked was the work already done . Mayor Sherry Sullivan said they have a meeting with GMC Underground to make sure this does not happen again. Mr. Boyett said the company did the work. Councilrnember Martin said it looked like they were nickel and diming us ; and management should have found this before now . Council President Burrell commented we need more explanation . Thursday, 29 April 2025 Page -2- Gas Superintendent Boyett began the discussion his department being sole source and needing to be competitive in this market. He mentioned a rebate on the installation of major appliances of $100 .00 and for seasonal minor appliances of $50 .00 . Mayor Sullivan commented that is could be a credit back on the account. Councilmember Martin sa id we need to look at competitive incentives from others . Council President Burrell said they do not get credit without putting appliances in . He asked for them to prepare something and present to the City Council. Gas Superintendent Boyet t gave an update on the Gas Department and mentioned a Federal Audit being done for the first time . • Councilmember Martin mentioned the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board and the meeting with the City. • Councilmember Conyers mentioned the Library Board meeting , books being reviewed and read , and the Bo ard voted to keep two books in the Teen Section . • Council Presid ent Burrell gave an update on the Recreation Board. • Community Affa irs Director Paige Crawford addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item s No. 18 and No. 19 ; and answered any questions if needed . Council President Burrell explained th e need for the revisions . • Electric Superintendent Ben Patterson addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No . 11; and answered any questions if needed. He said th e 46 KV list project will be on the next City Council agenda. • Water and Wastewater Superintendent Daryl Morefield addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 14 , No. 15 , and No. 16 ; and answered any questions if needed. Assistant Water Superintendent Joe Webber explained Agenda Item No. 14 . • Mayor Sherry Sullivan addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No . 17 ; and answered any que stions if needed . The consensus of the City Council was to reduce the not-to-exceed amount of $10 ,000 .00 to $5,000.00 for Kopesky & Britt , LLC for the closing. • City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No . 1 0 ; and answered any questions if needed. • Police Chief Stephanie Hollinghead addressed the City Counci l regarding Agenda Item No. 20; and answered any questions if needed . There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting was duly adjourned at 5 :55 p .m.