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Home My WebLink About09-14-2026 City Council Work Session Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA ) COUNTY OF BALDWIN ) The City Council met in a Work Session at 4:00 p.m., Fairhope Municipal Complex Council Chamber, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 14 September 2026. Present were Council President Pro Tempore Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Joshua Gammon (arrived at 4:17 p.m.), Jay Robinson, and Andrea Booth, Mayor Sherry Sullivan, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council President Jimmy Conyers and City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell were absent. Council President Pro Tempore Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • The first item on the Agenda was the Discussion of the FY2027 Budget by City Treasurer Kim Creech. She went over the main sections of the budget and answered questions. (See attached Power Presentation titled "City of Fairhope Budget Review, General Fund & Supported Departments; and Investment in Capital Equipment & Infrastructure") • Councilmember Gammon mentioned there will be a Joint Meeting for the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board with the City of Daphne, and Baldwin County. He said the Tree Committee is looking at frontage requirements. Councilmember Gammon gave an update on the Planning Commission meeting regarding building heights. • Councilmember Robinson stated there is a Recreation Board meeting this week. He also gave an update on the Fairhope Historic Preservation Commission regarding a Certified Local Government ("CLG") grant. • Councilmember Booth gave a Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee update. • Council President Pro Tempore Burrell gave an update from the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization regarding the Mobile River Bridge groundbreaking is close. He said the Bayway will be striped for six lanes. He also gave an update on the Fairhope Airport Authority regarding ground leases, budget, and land transfer. • 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. • IT Director Jeff Montgomery addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 13; and answered any questions if needed. He was questioned about removing or replacing an IT part on the mural on the parking garage with rust on it. • City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 18 and No. 19; and answered any questions if needed. • Planning Director Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 5 with self-imposed R-1; and answered any questions if needed. He mentioned zoning amendments for building heights and said he needed feedback. Monday, 14 September 2026 Page -2- • City Engineer Richard Johnson addressed the City Council and gave an update on the K- 1 Center Project that is near for Certificate of Occupancy; the Magnolia Beach Project which now a reality; and the Henry Stuart House soon to be moved. Mr. Johnson said the K-1 Center looks great and is spectacular now. He also addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 8, No. 9, and No. 10; and answered any questions if needed. Police Chief Stephanie Hollinghead addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 22, No. 23, and No. 24; and answered any questions if needed. Chief Hollinghead said she met with Mayor Sullivan and Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford regarding the Thomas Hospital Foundation event called the "Street Soir6e" on street closures and how long to be closed. • Public Works Director John Thomas addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 11, No. 12, and No. 13; and answered any questions if needed. He said Agenda Item No. 11 needs to be revised to state, "with a not -to -exceed amount of $96,000.00." • Mayor Sullivan addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Items No. 20 and No. 7; and answered any questions if needed. • Councilmember Burrell addressed the City Council regarding Agenda Item No. 6; and answered any questions if needed. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 4:58 p.m. li'Lw►CiC� ck Burrel Council P esident Pro Tempore A� isa A. Hanks, M M C City Clerk C m 2TA Ina] ME[olow 2027 FISCAL YEAR PROPOSED BUDGET BUDGET COMPARISON BY DEPARTMENT CAPITAL EQUIPMENT General Government 161113 81000 Planning 20,000 0 Building 36,000 35,000 Police 661,159 946,500 Corrections 31,000 185,000 Information Technology 75,680 0 Fire 2,7811278 316411243 Human Resources 34,975 e 0 Community Development 462983 141000 Civic Center 10,000 *Includes Rollover Expenses -50.4% -100.0% -2.8% 43.2% 496.8% -100.0% 30.9% -100.0% -70.2% 100.0% BUDGET COMPARISON BY DEPARTMENT CAPITAL EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED) Nix Center Recreation Marina Streets Landscaping Parks Facilities Maintenance/Custodians Fleet Maintenance Quail Creek Golf Course Sanitaton Totals 160,000 160,000 0.0% 211,786 165,915 -21.7% 35,000 0 -100.0% 260,528 423,000 62.4% 271,394 1902994 -29.6% 45,000 70,000 55.6% 0 6,000 100.0% 38,800 32,000 -17.5% 761300 1191000 56.0% 883,511 350,000 -60.4% 5,685,507 6,356,652 11.8% *Includes Rollover Expenses 3 General Government ($8K) • Equipment Building ($35K) • Vehicle Police ($946K) • 5 Vehicles and Equipment ($594K) • Animal Control Vehicle and Equipment ($75K) • Handheld Radios ($64K) • Dispatch Center ($168K) • Body Cameras ($45K) Corrections ($185K) • Vehicle(S85K) • Cell Improvements ($50K) • Camera and Server ($50K) ($300K) Radios ($250K) Extrication Tools ($50K) Community Development ($14K) Downtown Shuttle Center ($1 OK) Restaurant Stove Recreation ($147K) 2 Vehicles ($90K) Tractor ($49.5K) Camera Server ($7.5K) Y ,03337 i4 J_OHN DEERS_ i Streets ($423K) • New Street Sweeper(S365K) IA • Recording Monitor for Stormwater System ($18K) • Undercarriage for Excavator($40K) Landscaping ($65K) • Mower(S50K) • Enclosed Trailer(515K) Parks ($70K) • Utility Tractor (S40K) • Lighting ($30K) Facilities Maintenance/Custodians ($6K) • Kaivac Cleaning Machine Fleet Maintenance ($32K) • Welder($16K) • A/C Recharge Machine ($16K)''' C Quail Creek Golf Course ($119K) r CT 03899 • New Beverage Cart ($22K) _ • Quail Creek Software ($35K) OIL • Spray Rig ($62K) Sanitation ($350K) • New Auto Side -Loader Garbage Truck BUDGET COMPARISON BY DEPARTMENT INFRASTRUCTURE General Government 19,000 18,000 -5.3% Building 0 402000 100.0% Police 133,040 310441721 2188.6% Corrections 100,000 63,980 -36.0% Information Technology 322,065 2841158 -11.8% Fire Uw"- 357000 0 -100.0% Recreation 2,376,620 1,994,417 -16.1% Civic Center 120,000 .." '135,000 12.5% Museum/Welcome Center 515,500 4732712 -8.1% Nix Center ,wr 2371036 399,663 68.6% *Includes Rollover Expenses BUDGET COMPARISON BY DEPARTMENT INFRASTRUCTURE (CONTINUED) Marina Streets Landscaping Parks Fleet Maintenance Quail Creek Golf Course Sanitation 880,000 289,005 65,800 55,000 14,550 3191750 165,000 Non -Departmental 523,500 Capital Projects Fund 221092,292 To fi;�lS 28,263,158 *Includes Rollover Expenses 858,810 564,150 81,000 716,050 35,000 66,765 125,000 291,921 -2.4% 95.2% 23.1% 1201.9% 140.5% -79.1% -24.2% -44.2% 15,899,587 -28.0% 25,091,934 91 POLICE General Government ($18K) • Replace HVAC Building ($40K) • Building Improvements Police ($3M) • New Precinct Corrections ($35K) • A/C Unit ($15K) • Boiler Room Plumbing ($20K) Information Technology ($215K) • Fairhope Park Notification System ($35K) Replacement Server ($180K) 4 Recreation ($1.7M) • Lighting Improvements ($450K) • New Barnwell Park Building ($175K) TA • Design of a New Basketball Gymnasium ($125K) • Parking Improvements for Recreation Center/Volanta ($550K) • HVAC Replacements for Recreation Center ($33K) • New Door Operator for Elevator at Recreation Center ($40K) • Parking and Entry Improvements at Founders ($55K) • Park Equipment Improvements ($200K) • Improvements to Youth Baseball Fields ($26.5K) Civic Center ($50K) • Kitchen Drain Repair Museum/Welcome Center ($29K) • New Roof 11 _ - JAMES P. NIX CENTER fm, - -- , , Nix Center ($85K) • Building Maintenance Streets ($267K) • Electronic Speed Signs ($12K) • Roundabout Art Project and Landscaping ($255K) Landscaping ($50K) • Greenhouse and Well Improvements at Nichols Ave. Fleet Maintenance ($35K) • New Lift ($15K) • Automatic Gate for Fleet Maintenance Yard ($20K) Sanitation ($1 OOK) • New public access off of Pecan Ave for landfill and recycling operations F I Parks ($641 K) • New Bathroom at Colony Nature Park ($100K) • Pier Ave Boat Ramp Parking and Park Rehabilitation ($100K) • Relocation of the Henry Stuart House to Flying Creek Nature Preserve ($421K) • Bollards at Flying Creek Nature Preserve on Main Street ($20K) Non -Departmental Facilities ($140K) Parking Garage ($40K) • New Elevator Door Library ($25K) • HVAC System Test Boys & Girls Club ($75K) • Gutters and Downspouts rrp• t CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND ($8.3M) Tennis Court Improvement ($150K) • Lighting Improvement Foundation Park ($500K) • Bathroom and Path Improvements ($350K) • Sitework ($150K) Skateboard Park ($31 OK) • Design and Relocation of Skate Park Paving Projects ($450K) • County Road 13 from Intersection of Morphy Ave to Northern City Limits Twin Beech Corridor($1 M) • County Road 44 and Boothe/Founders Intersection Improvement North Beach Upgrades - Engineering Design ($125K) • Wetland Engineering Design Sidewalk Projects ($300K) • New Sidewalk - Nichols from US98 to Bishop CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND ($8.3M) City Wide Street Resurfacing/Misc. ($600K) • FY27 Resurface Project Drainage Improvements ($565K) • North Ingleside and Cedar Drainage Improvements ($465K) • FY2027 Capital Drainage Projects ($100K) Bulkhead Improvements ($300K) • White Ave and Nichols Ave Bayfront Parks South Triangle Park ($2.5M) • Flying Creek Nature Preserve Phase III Transportation and Pedestrian Infrastructure($1.2M) • Intersection of SR-181 and SR-104 Airport Industrial Park ($250K) • Engineering and Design 15