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Home My WebLink About08-10-2026 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, 10 August 2026. Present were Council President Pro Tempore Jack Burrell, Council President Jimmy Conyers (arrived at 4:45 p.m.),Councilmembers: Joshua Gammon (arrived at 4:32 p.m.), Jay Robinson, and Andrea Booth, Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council President Pro Tempore Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The following topics were discussed: The first item on the Agenda was the Presentation by Cody Aloi on the Results of the Fly Creek Canine Source Tracking Study. Grant Coordinator Nicole Love introduced Cody Aloi who went over the attached Power Point Presentation and answered any questions if needed. Councilmember Burrell asked if this would vindicate the City for all of those years accusing wastewater (sewage) being in Fly Creek. Mr. Aloi stated dogs can do this and it is reliable. Councilmember Robinson said we need more data sets for conclusions. These are random screenings with a proactive approach. Councilmember Robinson said this is fascinating and very interesting. • City Engineer Richard Johnson began the Discussion on the 3C Funding Program through the Baldwin County Commission. He explained that this would be for Booth, Founders, and Twin Beech; it will be for the initial phase of the Project. Mr. Johnson said we will do engineering first and then construction; and it will be across three years for completion. (See attached handout) • The Discussion on Submission to Baldwin County Commission's (Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery ("CDBG-DR") Local Government Recovery Infrastructure Program ("LGRIP") in the amount of $2,000,000.00; and authorizes Mayor Sherry Sullivan to sign all necessary documents. If awarded, the funding will pay for the 12" water main loop connector East of Fish River. The total project cost is $2,903,499.18 with the City's match being $903,499.18 by Grant Coordinator Nicole Love. She said ADECA needs to approve the Project. Mayor Sullivan explained the background. Councilmember Burrell stated we would recoup over two years. • Council President Conyers gave an update on the Fairhope Public Schools Commission; and said they discussed the upcoming meetings. He said they were introduced to the new Baldwin County Schools Superintendent. • Councilmember Gammon announced there would be a Tree Committee meeting on August 27, 2026. Monday, 10 August 2026 Page -2- • Councilmember Booth announced there would be a Library Board meeting next Monday. • Councilmember Burrell announced there would be a Fairhope Airport Authority meeting tomorrow night. He mentioned a meeting last week with the Committee of Public Art ("COPA") regarding the art considered at a couple of our roundabouts. Councilmember Burrell said COPA narrowed down from seventy- two applicants to four. He said there were some fantastic artworks to be considered at the Fairhope Clock intersection and County Road 32 and County Road 31 roundabouts. Council President Pro Tempore Burrell gave the gavel to Council President Conyers to go over the City Council Agenda. • City Engineer Richard Johnson addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 5, No. 6, No. 10, and No. 13; and answered any questions if needed. • Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford and Gas Superintendent Wes Boyett addressed the City Council regarding the "Glo Green Event" for 811. She said they had partnered with Riviera Utilities and Lily Jackson and James Wallace are in the audience. Ms. Crawford said Ms. Jackson came up with the idea of a short video for the 811 event which was shown during the Work Session. • Gas Superintended Wes Boyett addressed the City Council and said there were 19,000 811 locate requests last year for the Gas Department. He addressed Agenda Item No. 15; and answered any questions if needed. • City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No.17; and answered any questions if needed. • Grant Coordinator Nicole Love addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 11, No. 12, and No. 14; and answered any questions if needed. • IT Director Jeff Montgomery addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 16; and answered any questions if needed. • Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 8 and No. 9; and answered any questions if needed. • Planning and Zoning Manager Payton Rogers addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 18; and answered any questions if needed. • Development Services Manager Mike Jeffries addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 19; and answered any questions if needed. • Building Official Erik Cortinas addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 7; and answered any questions if needed. Monday, 10 August 2026 Page -3- There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Reid Conyers, ncil President (/ L a A. anks, MMC City Clerk Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Wastewater Detection Canine Program Fly Creek Pilot 1 :ILL 111.1 . dni Dauphin Island Sea Lab Alabama Center for Marine Education and Research Purpose Assess the presence of human -associated wastewater contamination in Fly Creek and to evaluate the operational performance of a trained wastewater -detection canine. Pie�N ate urceQr5o to waste e5t1g3�xon5• Goads o{ {��e\d �n4 eed 5� an inn°\at�ve approac and e{{iue��yaod fo11o,-0p actjoos• •. 1mprOve the paboratOry testy g . Better Large , Creek• � host F y canin e• oblectjves thro 9 detectJon \o�at'on5 Water' r;or�ty �aSte . Samp\e'P with a ana�ys`s e� Sa ep�lts with dab°r tyre d P\Oyme�t. . Scre e . Co1{irrr1 PsSess P er{ormance{Or o Canine Source Tracking Project Workflow 0 G G 0 0 O Q Site Selection Review Existing Field Collection Canine Screening Laboratory Results & Interpretation & Data Analysis Comparison Next Steps •wr J — Identify priority locations throughout the Fly Creek watershed. Evaluate existing water quality data, sewer maps, and previous reports to guide sampling strategy. I Collect water samples from targeted locations in Fly Creek. Screen samples using a trained wastewater - detection canine. Analyze samples in the laboratory to detect wastewater markers. Use results to refine strategy and guide future monitoring. Compare canine results with lab results to evaluate accuracy and performance. Interpret findings and recommend next steps for future wastewater source tracking efforts. Site Selection/Existing Data Review Sites were selected using existing water quality information Existing data helped identify areas with recurring bacteria concerns and public -use relevance. • Non -Viable Samples Collected Samples O High Bacteria- No Sewage — Fly Creek Study Sites in Fly Creek Watershed canoe,wen D, Canine Screening • Samples were screened using a single-blind process. • Handler did not know which samples contained wastewater. • Ensured canine results were based on odor detection, not handler influence. Laboratory Analysis E. coli Testing Shows when bacteria levels are elevated. MSC Virus Testing Helps identify whether human wastewater may be present. Why It Matters: Bacteria test shows possible problem areas MSC indicates whether the problem is likely human -derived. *Together, the lab results validated the canine results* Laboratory Results The four locations with the highest bacteria counts also had the lowest values for the coliphage viruses (human indicator). Male -specific E. co/i (MPN/100 Sample Location Coliphage (PFU/100 mL) mL) FCMO 360.9 <5 FCSP 721.5 TNTC FCDH 25.4 TNTC FCDT 2,419.6 <5 FCBA ` 2,419.6 <5 FCSW 123.4 TNTC FCSE 133.4 TNTC FCCS 533.5 <5 FCHN 516.3 <5 UTHR 2,419.6 <5 FCCT 8.4 TNTC FCHO 2,419.6 <5 Canine Results Note canine did not respond to the four locations with high bacteria FCDT, FCBA, UTH R, FCHO But ... the canine DID respond to spiked samples SHS2 & SHS1 Blank Neg NA FCDT Neg NA FCHO Neg NA Blank Neg NA FCCS Neg NA SHS2 (Spiked) Pos Strong FCMO Neg NA FCBA Neg NA SHS1 (Spiked) Pos Strong Blank Neg NA FCHN Neg NA Blank Neg NA UTHR Neg NA Key Findings • 12 samples were collected from priority locations in Fly Creek. • Several locations had elevated E. coli levels, indicating the presence of bacteria only. • Male -specific coliphage testing indicated the elevated bacteria were likely not associated with human wastewater. Key Findings Cont. • canine screening was consistent with the laboratory findings and correctly identified the positive samples. • Demonstrated that canine screening can quickly identify potential human wastewater sources. Proposed Next Steps • Additional canine screening in Fly Creek to build dataset. • Apply results to better target follow up testing, infrastructure repairs, and mitigation efforts. • Use canine to screen infrastructure. • Technical assistance for expanding wastewater -detection canine deployment. • Support an approach to help Fairhope respond faster to water quality concerns. QUESTIONS? -w. Memorandum From: Richard D. Johnson, P.E., CitY g En ineee To: Jimmy Conyers, Council President Thru: Sherry Sullivan, Mayor CC: City Clerk; Treasurer; Project Staff, File Date: July 24, 2026 Subject: Request for Work Session and Resolution Authorizing C3 Funding Application for Twin Beech Corridor Improvements Mayor Sullivan and President Conyers This month the Baldwin County Commission introduced its C3 Program (Connecting Communities Collectively), an expanded and rebranded $120 million infrastructure initiative formerly known as the 30 Cubed Program. The program funds local transportation and roadway improvements through a 50/50 cost -share partnership between Baldwin County and participating municipalities. Unlike many state and federal transportation programs, these local funds do not carry the same administrative and compliance burdens. Several Baldwin County municipalities have already submitted requests for C3 funding. County representatives have encouraged the City of Fairhope to submit an application as soon as possible due to the high level of anticipated demand and the possibility that available funding could be committed quickly. The City currently has matching funds proposed within the FY2027 Capital Budget, positioning us well to pursue this opportunity. The City Council has reviewed the findings and recommendations of Neel-Schaffer's Twin Beech Corridor Study Report (January 2026), and both the Traffic Safety and Control Committee and City Council have expressed support for advancing the following priority recommendations: • Construct a roundabout at the intersection of Founders Drive and Boothe Road, identified as the preferred long-term solution. • Install RRFBs, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and pedestrian refuge improvements at appropriate crossings. • Improve crosswalk markings and corridor -wide visibility enhancements. • Upgrade the US 98 and Twin Beech Road intersection through signal optimization and geometric improvements, including additional turn lanes. The Twin Beech Corridor serves as a vital east -west transportation route connecting residential neighborhoods, schools, recreational facilities, commercial areas, and US 98. The Corridor Study identified safety, pedestrian accessibility, and future capacity improvements as important investments needed to accommodate continued growth while improving mobility for all users. Accordingly, I respectfully request that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit an application and supporting letter to the Baldwin County Commission requesting C3 funding for the Twin Beech Corridor Improvements Project. The proposed project would focus primarily on construction of the Founders Drive/Boothe Road roundabout while also advancing associated pedestrian, safety, drainage, utility, and roadway improvements within the corridor. I recommend submitting a request for a total project value of $5 million, to be completed over two fiscal years. Under the C3 Program's 50/50 cost -share structure, the proposed funding plan would be as follows: Baldwin County C3 Contribution: $2,500,000 City of Fairhope Contribution: $2,500,000 o FY2027: $1,500,000 (included in the current proposed budget) o FY2028: $1,000,000 (to be included in the FY2028 budget) The proposed project phasing would include completion of engineering design, utility relocation coordination, drainage improvements, and any necessary right-of-way activities during FY2027, followed by roadway construction and geometric improvements during FY2028. C3 funds may be utilized for: • Preliminary Engineering (PE) • Construction Engineering & Inspection (CE&I) • Right -of -Way Acquisition (if required) • Utility Relocations • Construction This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in one of Fairhope's most important transportation corridors. Through a partnership with Baldwin County, the City can accelerate needed safety and capacity improvements, leverage local resources, and enhance regional connectivity while responding proactively to continued growth. Therefore, I recommend approval of a resolution authorizing submission of a C3 funding request for the Twin Beech Corridor Improvements Project. Thank you for your consideration. RDJ y 4r i� e i 1 t d RL NEEI-SCHAFFER TWIN BEECH COORIDOR STUDY FIGURE a Solutions you cm , build upon ALTERNATE 2 IMPROVEMENTS 5.,4