Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-2021 Work Session Meeting 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 July 2021. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Jimmy Conyers, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Councilmembers Corey Martin and Jay Robinson were absent. Council President Jack Burrell 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 Repairs and Tree Services at Bayview Park by Public Works Director Richard Johnson . He told the City Council that it was a prominent live oak on the bluff with a multi trunk with a fissure and termite issues. He said we need to trim and cable tree to allow it to heal. Mr. Johnson stated this process is a way to preserve the tree; and the success probability is good. He explained in depth the cabling process. The consensus of the City Council was to move forward and leave the resolution on the agenda. • The Discussion of Road Annexations , Acceptance and Maintenance from Baldwin County Commission a section of Scenic Highway 98 (a/k/a Main Street) and a section of Nelson Drive was next on the Agenda. He said that the section of Main Street ends at Northern Triangle property and stops at the bridge. Mr. Johnson mentioned that Nelson Drive 's drainage is not the best, but does drain eventually. The consensus of the City Council was to move forward with the annexations. • Councilmember Martin gave "kudos" to the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board for their hard work with the Triangle property and Fairhope Single Tax Corporation. • Councilmember Boone mentioned the Harbor Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday. • Council President Burrell announced that the Airport Authority meets tomorrow. He mentioned the "Clock" property and the landscape architect for the property: trees , sitting areas, and pavers. Council President Burrell suggested for each Councilmember to meet with the Mayor to review ideas; and move the project along. He mentioned the Marina Plan that had been presented to them ; and said there is a grant for the property and if granted could move quicker toward the Plan. He said this is a different pot of money than GO MESA. Monday, July 12 2021 Page -2- • City Treasurer Kirn Creech addressed the City Council and said the budget is moving forward. She commented budget meetings are in process. Ms . Creech said that FEMA projects are moving forward but some have been delayed: Electric and Marina claims. She stated the line of credit is still available with no balance. Ms. Creech said FEMA has paid 75 percent of reviewed and obligated claims. • Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and said the ADA Project at Volanta has been delayed due to rain. He said the electronic video board should be here by the end of month. Mr. White stated they have been removing trees for the four new ball fields. Counci lmember Martin addressed the Field Rental Agreement issue and said this agreement will be for all leagues. He said we are separating Youth Soccer from Club Soccer. Mr. White commented he agreed with the City Council with the separation of clubs. Councilmember Martin stated a future hotel must be prepared for sports tourism. • Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council and said he wanted to brag on our City Treasurer with her work with FEMA. He commented she had patience with ridiculous questions dealing with FEMA representatives. Mr. Johnson said we had a 1 :00 p.m. meeting on Friday and only had one issue. He mentioned the City C lerk Lisa Hanks hand ling the Hurricane Sally insurance claims. Mr. Johnson mentioned two projects that may delay and/or detour traffic: Twin Beech Project and ESMPO Gayfer turn lane project. • Mayor Sullivan said she had dinner with Mayor Hellmich and said our FEMA Team is being recognized. • Special Projects and Grant Manager Jessica Walker addressed the City Council regarding the Letter of Intent for barricades; the HMGP grant for 9 generators was approved with a 75 /25 match ($187,500 City match); and requests sent to Representative Carl to earmark K-1 Center for the BCEDA grant and use $600,000.00 toward our match. • Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford addressed the City Council and stated the Fourth of July Celebration was phenomenal. Ms. Crawford said she was working on the parking deck shuttle that should be here in several months . She commented a wall mounted electric charging outlet is being installed for the shuttle. Ms. Crawford said there will be two shifts for volunteers from Monday through Saturday. She said the shuttle is a six seater with wheelchair ramp . Council President Bu rrell stated it should first be used for passenger using parking deck; and we want people to use the parking deck. • Water and Sewer Superintendent Jason Langley addressed the City Cou ncil and thanked Councilmembers Boone and Martin for going on the ride around. He told the City Council he hopes to earn their trust. Mr. Langley said the only Agenda Item is the truck replacing the 5500 Ram that is no longer made. Monday, July 12 2021 Page -3- • Chief Stephanie Hollinghead addressed the City Council and announced this year's Back to School Red, White & Blue event will be on July 31, 2021 from 10:00 a .m . to 1 :00 p.m. at Fairhope United Methodist Church. She said there will be free food, back packs, and schoo l supplies . • Gas Superintendent Terry Holman addressed the City Council and mentioned they are also having truck issues. He said the Gas Department has over 60 existing homes requesting service. Mr. Holman said he has two candidates for the open positions, but has recently lost three employees . Mayor Sullivan commented this is a trend throughout the State. She said we are posting on multiple sites looking for qualified candidates . An update was given on the Church Street Project. Counci l President Burrell questioned a bonus for employees for those that recommend a new employee . Mayor Sullivan commented that we have some suggestions. • Human Resources Manager Traveis Cunningham addressed the City Council and said there is a Personnel Board meeting this week to discuss a new member and the Compensation Study. Mayor Sullivan said she was reviewing job description and organizational charts for each department. • Mayor Sullivan addressed Agenda Item Number 19 and said thi s is just housekeeping for the Nix Center. She said the job descriptions are for a Senior Services Manager and a Rental Facilities Assistant II. Ms. Crawford commented Kim Ryland has completed her six-month probationary period and is doing a phenomenal job; and this will be putting her in a new pay grade. Council President Burrell stated you cannot change the salary by creating a Senior Services Manager and defunding the Facility Service Coordinator. Councilmember Martin replied they are creating a new position and can set salary. It is like adding two positions into one. Council President Burrell stated you are creating a position and defunding a position. Ms. Crawford sai d we are looking at th e Auburn Job Council President Burrell said you should create Senior Services Manager position and defund Rental Facilities Assistant II position; then then create Rental Facilities Assistant II position and defund full-time Faci lity Service Coordinator. Council President Burrell commented we need to make sure we do these things correctly. • Assistant Electric Superintendent Jeremy Morgan addressed the City Council and said that they cut the line on Greeno at Recreation Center for the strip mall. He explained Agenda Item #16 for the Morphy Avenue substation which will be aesthetically pleasing and is a tremendous idea for site. Mr. Morgan said that Jay Robertson with Sawgrass is here if you have questions. Councilmember Boone said that the road was moved further down. Monday , July 12 2021 Page -3- • P lanning and Zoning Manager Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council and commented that both Agenda Items Number 9 and Number 10 are both site plan reviews ; and briefly explained both. Mr. Simmons told Councilrnember Boone that moving the road was a second revision. He also wanted to clarify that is not a strip mall at Volanta but an approved PUD . Mr . Simmons briefly mentioned the Comprehensive Land Use Plan ; and announced Mike Jeffries was promoted to Development Services Manager. Mr. Simmons briefly explained the Agenda Items for his Department. • Building Official Erik Cortinas addressed the City Council and explained The Reserve is the last of the plan reviews with a pass through cost. He mentioned the developments moving forward: two Publix stores, the USA building , four subdivisions with land disturbance permits, and Fairhope Airport projects. Mr. Cortinas said he has an ICC amendment to clarify storage building s for Council approval. The Agenda Meeting was held during the Work Session under Department Head Updates. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:56 p.m.