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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-28-2021 Work Session Meeting 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 Monday , 28 June 2021. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Corey Martin, Jimmy Conyers (Arrived at 4 :37 p.m.), Jay Robinson, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks . 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 Proposed Grant for improvements to the 40-Acre Co lo ny Property. Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and explained the grant funding for this low lying beautiful property . His recommendation is for a lake stocked with fish , disc golf trail , host tournaments , and walking trails. Councilmember Martin said this is a great opportunity for our Community ; and this will be a family area with fishing hole , stocked pond , and walking trails. Councilmember Robinson stated this is a great idea ; and a good start for our acquired property. Councilmember Boone commented the geese would love it. He said it was a great idea. Council President Burrell also said this is a great idea ; an d a fishpond is good and is easy to stock. Special Projects and Grant Manager Jessica Walker addressed the City Council and said the funding is not ready yet. She said the grant is for tourism and economic development opportunity. Mr. White said he had estimates for the project: $100 ,000.00 for lake , $50 ,000.00 for engineering services, and $7,0 00.00 to $8 ,000.00 for disc go lf. The consensus of the City Council was to move forward with the grant application . • The Discussion of Plans for American Rescue Plan Funds was next on the Agenda. City Treasurer Kim Creech along with Water and Sewer Superintendent Jason Langley addressed the City Council to explain the process and suggestions for funding. Ms . Creech handed out a brochure titled, "U.S. Department of the Treasury : Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds." She said the City could reimburse for loss revenues which is under $500,000.00 . Ms. Creech state d the first payment would be $9 70 ,000 .00 and the Federal Bid Process must be followed to use these funds. Mr. Langley mentioned two Lift Station Projects that need replacing : Valley and Lakewood . Council President Burrell said the Mayor as Utility Superintendent needs to seek priority for projects. After further discussion, the consensus of the City Council was to move forward with recommendations. Monday, June 28 , 2021 Page -2- • Public Works Director Richard Johnson and Sanitation/Fleet Maintenance Supervisor Dale Linder addressed the City Council regarding the Discussion of Interlocal Agreement between Emerald Coast Utilities Authority and City of Fairhope. Mr. Johnson explained the changes to the new agreement; and said we would be paying ECUA at fixed rate of $15.00 per ton and right now we are receiving $5 .00 per ton. He mentioned Baldwin County looking at building their own Murph. Council President Burrell said this is not a good deal. Councilrnember Martin agreed with Council President Burrell. Mr. Johnson agreed this is not a good deal ; and commented 80 percent is not purchased by any market. Council President Burrell said they are on the losing end if we do not agree. Councilrnember Conyers said he understands the fluctuation, but this is not a good deal. Mr. Johnson mentioned that Daphne is paying $30.00 per ton and takes to Magnolia Landfill. Mr. Linder explained that the City of Fairhope is little compared to Florida Municipalities and Counties. He said the profitability would not be as high for us . Mr. Johnson agreed to go back and negotiate again with ECUA. • Councilmember Martin gave a Recreation Board update on the ball fields and ADA compliance at the stadium . He stated the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board met and discussed the Triangle property . • Council President Burrell mentioned the Fairhope Airport Authority and the recent appointment Lee Shelton . He announced Mr. Shelton passed away Friday morning ; and asked everyone to keep his family in their hearts and prayers. • City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council regarding the following items: Fly Creek Tree Removal Project and receiving reimbursement; Sewer Phase I first payment received; and IRS Audit going well. Ms. Creech and Billing Supervisor Jason Jarvis explained Agenda Item #22 and the need for better customer service overall . Ms. Creech explained the agreement ; and said this will help prevent write offs with reminders, apps , link to pay now, etc. Council President Burrell questioned soliciting by vendor and hounding citizens. Ms. Creech said she negotiated the fees from 2.10% to 1.72%. • Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford addressed the City Council and reminded everyone of the Fourth of July Celebration with the Baldwin Pops at 7:30 p .m. and the Fireworks Show at 9:00 p .m. Ms. Crawford announced Glow in the Park on July 8, 2021. Ms . Crawford discussed Agenda Item #19: 5,000 LED lights for Lighting of the Trees . She said Jeremy Morgan and staff will put up this year. Council President Burrell said if they get paid overtime, employees are happy . Mayor Sullivan said the Electric and Public Works Departments will work together on this project. • Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and said the ADA Compliance Work is going well. He said the Summer Camps are also going well. Mr. White explained and answered questions on Agenda Items #16, #18, and #2 0. Monday, June 28 , 2021 Page -3- • Assistant Electric Superintendent Jeremy Morgan addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Item #14 for on-call engineering services ; and mentioned the System Study and the Substation outage due to an insulator exploding. • Water and Sewer Superintendent Jason Langley addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Items #12, #13 , #15 , and #21. Mayor Sullivan said Larry with S. E. Civil is timely and local. Mr. Langley explained the need for Kimley-Hom with two new aquifers and a new 24 inch pipe. Assistant Water and Sewer Superintendent Tim Manuel said that last year for water to get back in town with 16 inch pipe, we were already at 85 percent capacity. Councilrnember Boone commented you will be using this pipe in the future or could be using now. Councilmember Martin questioned if a 24 inch pipe is large enough since last year a 16 inch pipe was large enough a year ago. Mr. Langley said a former employee said that was large enough. Mayor Sullivan said that the Restore Act funds will pay for the RSA lift station. • Planning and Zoning Manager Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council and commented that there are no parking meters in our plan for Downtown Fairhope. He mentioned again a Parking Committee for the Central Business District. 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 5:59 p.m. City Clerk