HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-2021 Work Session Meeting MinutesSTA TE OF ALABAMA
COUNTY OF BALDWIN
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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, 27 September 2021 .
Present were Council President Jack Burrell (arrived at 4:16 p.m.),
Councilmembers: Corey Martin ( arrived at 4: 15 p.m. ), Jimmy Conyers , Jay Robinson
(arrived at 5:52 p .m.), and Kevin Boone (arrived at 4:26 p.m .), 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: 16 p.m.
• The first item on the Agenda was the Di scussion of the FY2021-22 Budget. City
Treasurer Kim Creech explained the process for tonight 's discussion. The Gas Fund,
Electric Fund, and Water & Sewer · Funds were deliberated and questions were
answered. (See attached handout) Council President Burrell commented that Gas and
Electric look good. Council President Burrell stated we have completed over
$12,000,000.00 projects without borrowing money . Mayor Sullivan commented it
will be over $14,000,000.00 after the AMI Project.
Ms . Creech said there will only be 2 percent transfers to the General Fund which is
less than other municipalities . Short-term borrowing was discussed for the Water and
Sewer upgrades ; and Ms. Creech gave an example shown on pages 19 and 20:
$10,000,000.00 at 2 percent interest. Councilmember Conyers said this example is
based on borrowing now. Ms. Creech said there is a niche market for this .
Councilmember Conyers said we need to lock it in for lower interest rate. Council
President Burrell asked would it be wise to get a second opinion for upgrades. Mayor
Sullivan commented the engineering has already been approved. Councilrnember
Boone said the size of the line s is correct for City growth; and the site is best for the
City.
Council President Burrell qu es tioned Well #5 for budget. Water and Sewer
Superintendent Jason Langley sai d Well #5 will be shut down due to manganese; and
Well #4 is not far behind. Mr. Langley stated that Well #3 only has a trace of
manganese and iron . Councilrnember Martin commented this site is best for water
and size of transmission. Council President Burrell asked if Well #5 is treatable . Mr.
Langley replied ; it would cost approximately $500,000.00. Mayor Sullivan said we
test and if high , we get a third party to test again. Councilmember Conyers asked if
project were prioritized. Councilmember Martin asked for a simple schematic for the
projects.
Ms. Creech mentioned a resolution on the agenda to transfer $750,000.00 to Capital
Projects Fund from Sales Tax in the General Fund. Longevity Pay was discussed for
City employees: 1 to 4 years would be $2 50.00 ; 5 to 14 years would be $500.00; and
15 or more years would b e $1,000.00.
Monday , 27 September 2021
Page -2-
Council President Burrell commented it is time to give back to the public. He said
debt has been paid; and now it is time to do something, i .e., K-1 Center, Civic Center
or Recreation Parks .
Council President Burrell brought up the Library Budget for discussion.
Councilmember Conyers said the Library has requested $898,000.00 and wants
salary increases that are long overdue. Library Director Tamara Dean addressed the
City Council and stated a beginning salary of $10.00 per hour is not competitive . Ms.
Dean said she wanted to raise the base to $11.00 per hour and then next year $12 .00
per hour. Mayor Sullivan stated that we still have the same problem at the Recreation
Center and Golf Course. Councilmember Conyers said he does not want to deplete
reserves or give raises without backing and support .
Mayor Sullivan questioned the Library not being opened during COVID. Ms. Dean
replied most of our part-time employees are high risk . Council President Burrell
proposed $859,000.00 for the Library Budget. Councilmember Martin said if the
money is there , he was okay . Mayor Sullivan commented she could find the funds.
Council President Burrell said we could raise Sales Tax projection by $25,000.00;
and commented he could not be lieve the Library only recovered $1,000.00 from
COVID. He said other entities recovered funds lost , i.e., churches are getting funds
for not getting tithes. The consensus of the City Counci l was to increase the
appropriation to $859,000.00. Mayor Sullivan thanked the City Council, Treasury,
and Department Heads for their work on the budget.
• Counci l President Burrell gave an update on the Recreation Board. He mentioned the
Field Use Agreement; and the agreement with the Soccer Community . The Soccer
Community Agreement with the City of Fairhope would be $35,000.00 per year
revenue to the City. Council President Burrell said they wou ld not be using public
property for free; and it would se parate the Recreation League from Soccer Club on
the books. Councilmember Martin said we want to be le ga l with this agreement for
the City.
• Public Works Director Richard Johnso n addressed the City Council regarding the
HY AC for the Council Chambers and explained the need for replacement. He said
this HY AC has given us 35 years of serv ice.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting
was duly adjourned at 6:00 p.m .
@ IM~ ~anks,MMC
City erk