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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2026 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, 12 January 2026. Present were Council President Jimmy Conyers, Councilmembers: Jack Burrell, Joshua Gammon, Jay Robinson, and Andrea Booth, Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council President Conyers called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The following topics were discussed: The first item on the Agenda was the Discussion of the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival Foundation ("FACF") Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with the City of Fairhope. Laura English, Jodi Holland, and Stephen Roberts with the FACF addressed the City Council and gave an update on the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival scheduled for March 19, 2026 through March 21, 2026 with 177 vendors. They requested a perpetual MOU beginning July and ending June which is their calendar year. The contract limit and removal of the $20,000.00 fee was questioned and discussed. Councilmember Burrell said we must reimburse the Public Works and Police staff, and we close the streets and sidewalks. Mayor Sullivan replied we never collected a fee from the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. She said we do collect business license fees, sales tax, and lodging taxes. Council President Conyers stated he was okay with longer term and taking out the $20,000.00. Mayor Sullivan mentioned there were two festivals going on at one time: Eastern Shore Arts Center Festival and the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival. Ms. English commented that the FACF pays for all the marketing, all the rentals for bathrooms, port -a -lets, entertainment stage, etc. Ms. English mentioned that Diane Douglas, owner of In The Company of Angels, passed away this week; and she was a volunteer who handled "Adopt an Artist" for the FACF. Mayor Sullivan was asked to get an Economic Impact Study for the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival. The next item on the Agenda was the Discussion on Selection Process of a Consultant for Compensation & Classification Study by Hannah Noonan, HR Director. She said a Request for Qualifications was sent out in October for a consulting firm to handle the study. Ms. Noonan stated there were seven responses that reviewed and ranked lof specific criteria by the Evaluation Team: Hannah Noonan, Mayor Sullivan, City Clerk Lisa Hanks, Personnel Board Chair Genie Johnson, and Council President Jimmy Conyers. The Evaluation Team selected Evergreen Solutions, LLC. The Presentation: "City of Fairhope Safe Streets & Roads for All" was presented by Grants Coordinator Nicole Love and Laurabeth Yates with Kimley-Horn. (See attached Power Point Presentation) Ms. Yates said the goal is to reduce fatalities and serious injuries; and we looked at accidents from 2019 through 2023. She said the City Council will need to adopt the goal and final report. Monday, 12 January 2026 Page -2- Councilmember Burrell mentioned Low Speed Vehicles with increased growth. The Veterans Drive intersection, the Volanta intersection, and the intersection at Triangle Drive, State Highway 104, and Greeno Road were mentioned. Ms. Love said there is an ALDOT representative on the Steering Committee and we work together on projects. The next item on the Agenda was the Presentation: "City of Fairhope Storm Drain Ali Project" presented by Nicole Love, Grants Coordinator and Lindsey Lawrence with the Eastern Shore Arts Center. (See attached Power Point Presentation) Five storm drains were shown along with the location of each. Ms. Love requested that the five storm drains be pressure washed prior to painting. Mayor Sullivan requested one more storm drain being added near Fairhope Elementary School East with a cost of $1,000.00. • Councilmember Burrell announced that the Fairhope Airport Authority meeting will be held tomorrow. • Councilmember Gammon gave an update on the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board. • Council President Conyers gave an update on the Parking Authority and mentioned the appointments on tonight's agenda. • Councilmember Booth gave an update on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee; and renninded everyone of the Champagne and Chocolate Fundraising event for the Library. • Gas Superintendent Wes Boyett addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 22; and answered any questions if needed. • Utility Engineer Noel Berry addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 19 and No. 20; and answered any questions if needed. • City Engineer Richard Johnson addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 16 and No. 17; and answered any questions if needed. • IT Director Jeff Montgomery addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 23; and answered any questions if needed. • Interim Public Works Director John Thomas addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 18; and answered any questions if needed. • Revenue Manager Jennifer Olmstead addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 7; and answered any questions if needed. • Grants Coordinator Nicole Love addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 13; and answered any questions if needed. Mayor Sullivan explained the GOMESA Grant with the help of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program. • Police Chief Stephanie Hollinghead addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 25, No. 26, and No. 27; and answered any questions if needed. • Planning Director Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 6, No. 8, No. 9, No. 10, No. 11, and No. 12; and answered any questions if needed. Monday, 12 January 2026 Page -3- Council President Conyers announced that Agenda Item No. 5 has been pulled at the request of the Montrose Cemetery Association. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:55 p.m. f i{ Ja s Reid Conyers, YR cil President a A. H nks, MM City Clerk ozoZ `qlZ [ Aje ue aay� paunoa S]li3;adoqil[pj Sodoa � b + o� ;el p .o. q�o HZ� 3o A113, • +SS4A Grant Program Overview + SS4A Process Requirements + Leadership Commitment + Next Steps A6�NDA 10 M SS4A Grant Program +Established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) + Discretionary program with $513 in appropriated funds over 5 years (22 —'26) *Program supports the USDOT National Roadway Safety Strategy *Goal of zero roadway deaths using a Safe System Approach *Two types of funding: *Action Plans/Demonstration +Implementation SS4A Action Plan Components Leadership Commitment & Goal Setting Planning Structure ............................................. FJIy."Y Safety Analysis ................................................. 0 Appfl tW - Actloo Dian ooatn•n� Engagement &Collaboration..................................�� �a ._n M�. - - - J Policy & Process Changes .................................. Q v Project Selection & Prioritization ........................... 0 Evaluation & Transparency ................................. SS4A Action Plan Components Planning Structure —Steering Committee + Planning Department *Public Works +Police and Fire *EMS + Parks and Recreation *Communications +Parking Authority +ALDOT + Schools +Bike and Ped Committee *Eastern Shore MPO +Chamber of Commerce + BRATS +Baldwin County Trailblazers SS4A Action Plan Components Planning Structure —Steering Committee Pleteagraan dM mlha voting Platen in the voting Piece a rnn da intM voting •caumn tpr Pountermaaauros paumn for Pountermpawrm • caumntorpauntarme.scree and otM.tmtnglea you think apply arnl.trMcgies you lRe but are 1. he City at Fa�rhope. slower Pn ". atrelegle. you think DO NOT ePphyto the Cuya Falrhope, Vari.ble Speed L! Speed Feedback Sign. Aggmssw Ori—e/Speeding Reduced Lane Width Complete Streets Speed Cushionsrtabtes Flashing yellow A— (FYAs) Positive Offset Lek -Turn Lone. Interaeotrons Signal Timing lrrtprovements Roundabouts Red -Light Fieshere Sidewalks & Side Paths Buffered Bike Lanes Raised/Te.tured Cro.awalks 8lcyele Intersection Treatments Vulnerable Read Use bike del—, bike b-. pointed raising zone, Bic. IPetlestrlana&Bicyaish) Rectangular Rapid Flashing Be.—..(RRFB.) Automated Pedestrian Detection Raised Median. & Pedestrian Refuge Istands Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PH89) Activity Segment A - US-98 _ B - Fairhope Ave C - Section St D - AL-104 E - Morphy Ave F - Bancroft St _G - Twin Beech Rd H - Church St 1 - S Mobile St 1 - Thompson Hall Rd 2 Votes 8 12 6 4 2 1 1 0 5 0 SS4A Action Plan Components Safety Analysis Vulnerable Road User Cc; ,as (all seventies) Fatal Crash Suspected Serious Injury_ 98 Crash All Cashes —I� Sparse }, Dense Mobile o mil' Bay 9 FairhopeA o Murphy Avei oiq ' „1 a7 B6 m �B 0 1.5 3 Miles OLJ e � A - Greeno Rd B - Fairhope Ave C - Section St D - Tnangle or E- Morphy Ave F - Bancroft St G - Twin Beech Rd H - Church St I - S Mobile St .3 - Thompson Hall Rd Mobile Bay Z 0 1.5 3 Miles I i I i I ctT, Of S14OPE+9 a f�S 8 ROADyE° anti Rands for Ui Iiairliope Safe Streets � Roads For All Tab at. Savvy CITY QF 4�ZRHpp� i' �E�S 8 ROPES 66 Improving and expanding pedestrian options would improve the attractive small- town lifestyle and community feeling of Fairhope as well as provide opportunity for exercise and connectivity while decreasing vehicle traffic. 17 Community Pop-up Events 725 Location Specific Comments Somehow control golf carts. They do what they please, not treating themselves as a motor vehicle. MW 1Q9 SS4A Action Plan Policy & Process Changes *Reviewed plans include: *Fairhope Comprehensive Plan *Fairhope Walkability & Wayfinding + Eastern Shore MPO LRTP +Public ROW Accessibility Transition • 1 Components Checklist Plan Carrespondinp City W Fairhope Plan © Complete Streets Policy Guidelines • ADA Transition Plan O Multi -Modal Plan Q Traffic Impact Study Guidelines (w/ Safety) Comprehensive Plan • Pavement Management Plan • Subdivision Regulations OStandard Street and Sidewalk Design Specifications • = Has Plan O = Mentioned In Other Plans) *Identifying alignment with transportation safety +Developing recommendations for improvement Accessibility Transition Plan (2021) Fairhope Walkability & Wayfinding The Scale of Walkability Fairhope Comprehensive Plan (2024) Fairhope Comprehensive Plan (2024) On -Going Pavement Plan Subdivision Regulations (2007) Subdivision Regulations (2007) Zoning Ordinance (2022) 0 = Does Not Have Plan SS4A Action Plan Components Project Selection & Prioritization 0 1.5 1 1 1 1 3 Miles I Prioritization Score Low High nk Prioritization Weighting SS4A Action Plan Components Project Selection & Prioritization �C IA IB D F E H G J I Section St/Veterans Drive Greeno Road (US-98) Fairhope Ave Triangle Drive / AL-104 Bancroft St Morphy Ave Church St Twin Beech Rd Thompson Hall Rd S Mobile St (Scenic Highway 98) Greeno Rd (US-98) City Limits Fairhope Pier i Section St / Veterans Dr Bayou Dr S Church St Fels Ave 3 Young Street R Fairhope Ave Fairhope Ave Pecan Ave Manley Street Normandy St City Limit Morphy Ave Thompson Hall Rd Magnolia Ave C R-13 Bay Meadows Ave Nelson Dr 58.06 57.69 41.07 35.73 34.03 30.29 28.17 25.26 23.73 23.14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 GREENO ROAD (US-98) Rom City Umhs to Manley Road Speed UmU C Lat C 4 VehiciesjDay `• t %t.; C1814 s C NCI C {harattlfbYHtS wwM N e r.w..4rN Nr.lr rrwtRi elW •ro eeeewn w! eN Reu �nalsa. rlane foRmrM.w.n.+d r ID Coumermea.un Ber;; Summary r, • hee..ienen. rmhmn..nYw �.r.<awar.srwo.�+.e..,ne., r.ewW n+wwo.r UUewap.�M..wxy Merry M� o.+r a... ro'.•y �.rs. �. ww.,p w.+r••wr1..e...�..i.....e -� vw. u.w Y. rweuvwy a.,Yr.r.e �«-r n.ow. • NM T 01ee1e1 s. reM hMr +a.e.M ae e.sw.+r ti! 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N. •+V e...n'b+•.h N.wI� rwh o.w n,.rr m w Pw.r.r.mr n�ur �t Cost khedWe PnJM M1eadi— t I 1 or 4Q'1RH 04t e.�IpTgF�S R NOP�S�o�Q SS4A Action Plan Components Leadership Commitment &Goal Setting *Public commitment from a high-ranking official and/or governing body in the jurisdiction to an eventual goal of zero roadway fatalities and serious injuries. + Commitment includes either: *Target date to reach zero +One of more targets to achieve significant declines in roadway fatalities and serious injuries by a specific date d Leadership Commitment & Goal Setting Suggested Commitment: The City of Fairhope commits to making progress toward a long-term goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries, with an interim goal of maintaining their current fatal and serious injury crash rate trend, which equates to an approximate 50% rate reduction by the year 2035. Leadership Commitment & Goal Setting 25 v 2,0 T Ln 0 5 c/n 06 ti r LLL 05 I' 2919 2020 0.919 1 _ _ 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 Fatal & Serious Injury 5-Year Avg — — Expon. (Fatal & Serious Injury 5-Year Avg) (Crash rate expressed in crashes per 10,000 residents) 4M a Next Steps +1/12 (Today) —City Council Presentation +Submit Final Report +Adopt Final Report +Implementation Grant Application ME Questions/Discussion rl I 40 fm U fto 40 i .49. 4 4m -. Jp 46 'm What and Why17 ? • What? • Main goal - to create art on and around some of our storm drains to make them stand out in a visually appealing manner to raise awareness about the connection between storm drains, urban stormwater runoff, and pollution • Audience - the project focus is on high school students but the target audiences are residents and visitors . Why? • Important for our youth, residents and visitors to understand that all our storm drains eventually lead to Mobile Bay. Want to promote that ONLY RAIN BELONGS IN THE DRAIN. • Aligns with our goals for reducing litter entering the Bay • As part of our MS4 permit we are required to do Education and Outreach and we are always looking for unique and creative ways to reach our audiences. VP'AO' Or IF - M-E wn Late AN Where? • Approximately 10 storm drains around the City - primarily in the downtown area and near the three schools. Who? • Eastern Shore Art Center • Grant submission and management • Provide space for reception and unveiling of selected art design • Possibly have prints or originals of the winning designs for display • Media promotion • Fairhope High School Art Depeornent • Art students will compete for storm drain designs • Students will learn about water pathways, conservation efforts, etc. to help inform their paintings. • Winning students will paint their art on the storm drains with the help of art liaisons from ESAC and oversight from Public Works • Pelican's Nest • Create a Field Experience Day to explain the "why" behind the project • Students will learn about water pathways, conservations efforts, etc. to help inform their art submissions • City of Fairhope • Assist in selecting the storm drains to be painted • Assist with grant writing • Help selecting winning designs • Media promotion 1- rm V i s est SCIENCE LAB • a—