HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-2021 Work Session Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA
COUNTY OF BALDWIN
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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 May 2021.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Corey Martin
(Arrived at 4:58 p.m.), Jimmy Conyers (Arrived at 4:36 p.m.), 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 Officer Presentations by Chief Stephanie
Hollinghead ; and introduced O fficer Raymond Clark and Corporal Damien Rehom.
She commented that Officer Clark had arrested a criminal who committed 24 felony
cases within the City of Fairhope. She said this was due to his quick thinking and
remembering seeing the vehicle in question. Officer Clark was presented with a
Certificate of Accommodation. Chief Hollinghead gave a brief synopsis of the
baseball gear story regarding Corporal Rehorn; and announced he was Officer of the
Quarter for the first quarter of the year. She sai d he was nominated and selected by
his peers to receive the Blake Bauer Memorial Service Award.
• City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council and presented the Six Month
Financial Review and gave a quick overview. (See attached Power Point
Presentation). Council President Burrell commented that we are earning more in the
Rainy Day Fund than using the line of credit. He said we should bank the Gas Fund
revenues for Capital Improvements ; and marina fuel is adjusted as needed for sales.
City Treasurer Creech mentione d the funds coming from the U. S. Department of
Treasury and said we will get half first and the other half next year. Ms . Creech said
she has been researching the Treasury site.
• Councilmember Boone stated there would be a Personnel Board meeting on May 20,
2021 in the Mayor's Conference Room .
• Councilmember Robinson gave an update on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee.
He said they want Fairhope to be a "Bicycle Friendly Community." Special Projects
and Grant Manager Jessica Walker stated we need to be able to hit the points to make
this happen.
• Council President Burrell gave an update on the Airport Authority; and sa id they will
begin collecting a two percent tax on goods and services. He said they are looking at
using State funds for the FBO on the East side.
Monday, May 10 , 2021
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• Council President Burrell announced the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning
Organization ("ESMPO") will hold a Public Hearing on May 19 , 2021 at the
Fairhope Satellite Courthouse . He said the ESMPO will have a Special-Called
Meeting on June 9, 2021 regarding the "Bridge Long Term Plan ."
• Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council and began the
Discussion of Balancing Garbage Route Pickup Days via several slides. (See attached
Slides) The City Council requested/suggested to look at future.
• City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council and said she has hired the
Purchasing Manager Trainee who will begin June 1,. 2021 .
• Planning and Zoning Manager Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council
regarding the CBD and parking ; and proposed amendments for same . He said we
need to further educate before voting on the amendments. He mentioned more
broadband companies coming to Fairhope , but first will have to go before Planning
Commission for the 11-52-11 Review. Council President Burrell said modifications
to parking is needed.
• Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council regarding the
Utility Restoration Project that is a team effort and moving smoothly. He mentioned
the Stadium and ADA compliance (bid or coop agreement); and said the issue is
getting concrete delivered. Mr. Johnson said we may have to get our own truck and
pick up the concrete. He stated vendors will not respond to a concrete bid .
• Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and mentioned Fairhope
High School Spring Football game; Fairhope High School graduation on Tuesday ;
pool lobby floor completed ; and working on several landscape projects .
• Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford addressed the City Council regarding
City Sketches and communications; handling several events; and the Nix Center
being open to full capacity .
• Special Projects and Grant Manager Jessica Walker addressed the City Council and
announced the City's ACE recertification has been approved.
• Gas Superintendent Terry Holman addressed the City Council and mentioned they
have had 100 plus calls for generators ; 34 abandoned services found ; and the cast
iron change out estimate is being done. Mr. Holman said he has two more people to
hire .
• Assistant Electric Superintendent Jeremy Morgan addressed the City Council and
said the primary has been pulled on the pier project and lights are on. Mr. Morgan
said he has two positions that need to be filled .
• Human Resources Manager Traveis Cunningham addressed the City Council and
said the City ha s seven new hires and several retirees. Mr. Cunningham said his
Department has bad valuable training in the past few weeks .
Monday, May 10, 2021
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• Assistant Water and Sewer Superintendent Tim Manuel addressed the City Council
and said the water and sewer was hooked up on pier and water samples are being
tested. He said the City has two new employees and three employees to hire. Mr.
Manuel commented we have survived the rain so far today; and Suez will review the
AT&T damage on the $2 million tank.
Mr. Manuel explained Agenda Item No . 18: a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry
Sullivan to inform and submit the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program
(MWPP) Report for 2020 to the Department of Environmental Management. He said
the SSOs are the main issue with a total of 38 from three storms producing over 40
inches of rain . He said that smoke testing is being done in the area; and we are
looking for a flavor or smell for the test, so no one panics. Mr. Manuel stated they
found some issues ; and they will write a letter and then follow up with a house call.
• Building Official Erik Cortinas addressed the City Council and said the Right-of-
Way Ordinance needs some updates and the fee schedule is lower than other
Cities/Towns. He mentioned there are two benchmarks for the Building Department
one is the ISO Rating which is rated like the Fire Department's rating: 10 to 1 rating
with one being the best. He commented the City received a "4" for residential and a
"4" for commercial. Mr. Cortinas said the second benchmark is the "Community
Assistant Visit" which revealed no violations for the first time.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting
was duly adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
City Clerk