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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-2021 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, 22 March 2021. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Corey Martin, Jimmy Conyers , Jay Robinson, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell , and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • The first item on the Agenda was the Working Waterfront Team Presentation . Special Projects and Grant Manager Jessica Walker and Scott Hutchinson with Goodwyn Mills Cawood addressed the City Council and presented the new scope of work for the project. Mr. Hutchinson mentioned the following changes: redo the intersection at top of hill ; redo asphalt and parking; make pedestrian friendly; new and improved fountain; no North Beach ; place pavilions at both North and South areas; make ADA compliant down Bluff (ramp); place more sidewalks at top of bluff; etc . The City Council questioned parking, greenspace, seawall , and is there flexibility in scope of work. Mr. Hutchinson commented it is a vertical plan and it is flexible. Mayor Sullivan mentioned there will be a swim platform and crabbing decks. • The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation ("FSTC") discussion was next on the Agenda. Mayor Sullivan addressed the City Council, on behalf of the FSTC , and said they may partner with the City on the Arts Alley Way Project. Mayor Sullivan said the main reason Lee Turner was coming to the meeting was to ask you about possibly letting FSTC donate a parcel of land in front of River Mill Subdivision just past Walmart. She said they would do all improvements and tum over to City for a park. She commented that the FSTC would do all improvements , drainage improvements, sodding , park equipment, and picnic tables . Mayor Sullivan stated the FSTC did not want to do these improvements which will cost over $100,000.00 unless the City accepted the parcel donation. Council President Burrell asked Chief Hollinghead her opinion of the parkland. She replied there would be no issue for park. The consensus of the City Council was to move forward , and said it is a good idea. • Special Projects and Grant Manager Jessica Walker addressed the City Council regarding the Discussion ofHMGP Grant Funding and Letter of Intents. See attached handout for two HMGP : priority are the generators and then the safe room. She said there is a 25 percent match by the City . Mayor Sullivan stated these are $1,000,000.00 per project which is a good threshold. The consensus of the City Council was to move forward with the grant projects. Monday, March 22, 2021 Page -2- • Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council regarding the Discussion of the NRCS Projects . See attached handout that explains all three projects . Quail Creek Project (Channel Restoration), Fairwood Drive Project (Side Slope Stabilization), and 204 , 206, 252, and 254 N. Summit Street Project (Side Slope Stabilization). He said we are allowed one time once bids are open to request additional funds; and this is the only Federal money that does not get caught up since it is for environmental safely . Councilmember Martin said for clarification we can request additional funds . Mr. Johnson explained the agreements and funds requested. • Councilmember Conyers announced that the Museum Advisory Board and the Recycling Committee have received applications for vacancies; and will have for the next City Council. • Councilmember Martin gave an update on the Recreation Board. He said the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board met and discussed appointments and reappointments ; and the Triangle . • Council President Burrell gave an update on the Airport Authority: refinancing of Bond Series 2021, new consultant under contract, and bond counsel being used for best way to fund hangars. He commented the Recreation Board is still working on the Field Use Agreement which will be used instead of Franchise Agreements. • City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council and explained the need for the Purchasing Manager Trainee who does a critical function of the City; and said she was not asking for additional staff. Planning and Zoning Manager Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council and explained the need to change the Administrative Assistant (20H) to a Planning Clerk (22H) with more duties. Ms. Creech announced that Jill Cabaniss is leaving the City of Fairhope and her last day will be April 2 , 2021. • Special Projects and Grant Manager Jessica Walker addressed the City Council and announced the City 's ACE Recertification will done by the end of April. • Public W arks Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council and explained the status of the following Projects: Sidewalks repaired and Arts Alley Way. • Planning and Zoning Manager addressed the City Council and thanked Mayor Sullivan for all of her work on the ETJ Bill. He told the City Council that the applications deadline for the Planning Commission is this week. • Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford addressed the City Council regarding the Eastern Shore Optimist Eastern Sunrise Service. She said the lights will be out of the trees this week; and the Easter Bunny will downtown from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday . • Golf Director Bobby Hall addressed the City Council and gave the wall credit to Jeff Williams and Pat White . He gave a golf update; and reminded everyone that the Mayor 's Tournament is Friday . Mr. Hall thanked Olin Scott for his help. He mentioned the USGA Women's Amateur Tournament being held a Lakewood Country Club this year. Monday, March 22 , 2021 Page -3- • Gas Superintendent Terry Holman addressed the City Council and gave an update on the following projects: update on gas mains ; a new rectifier preapproved by the County to be set at County Road 1; Equix beginning on Church Street with new gas main ; explained inventory is sues ; going door to door for locations on unknowns ; update on unprotected services ; and Magnolia River will inspect emergency valves and numbering. • Assistant Electric Superintendent Jeremy Morgan addressed the City Council and mentioned the openings to list and hire ; Electric Superintendent posting; truck for 2022 ; Distribution 46 work; and Christmas lights. • Water and Sewer Superintendent Jason Langley addressed the City Council and gave an update on the following projects: installed Grand Hotel Water Meter with help of welder from Gas Department for lid ; Work on Greeno Road, County Road 3, Ferry Road and Kenney ; County Road 32 the sewer was hit by lightning; old pumping station upgraded on pier; and new equipment has arrived. Councilmember Conyers questioned generators for the rain event in the next few days. Mr. Langley replied five generators with companies on standby . • Human Resources Manager Traveis Cunningham addressed the City Council and stated they were posting jobs on social media and specialty sites . • Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and thanked Jason Langley and crew ; metal roofs at Founders ; pool upgraded and repaired ; Rotary Youth Club basketball court completed; working on wall at Quail Creek; and nice bed at Quail Creek between holes. • Building Director Erik Cortinas addressed the City Council regarding the River Mill Property. Mr. Cortinas said he met with FSTC and this work will be very helpful for the area . He mentioned the Hazard Mitigation Plan that will be coming soon for City Council approval. There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting was duly adjourned at 5 :53 p .m. ~~ City Clerk