HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-2020 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 Thursday, 28 May 2020.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Jay Robinson, Jimmy
Conyers, Robert Brown, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Karin Wilson, City Attorney
Marcus B. 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 Discussion of Outside Dining by Community Affairs Director Jessica Walker
was first on the agenda. Ms. Walker addressed the City Council and presented the
Power Point Presentation titled "Fairhope Open for Business." Ms. Walker said The
Economic and Community Development Department, Police Department, and Public
Works Department met last week to come up with a plan we could all agree on that
would meet the dining outdoors desire and also meet the Mayor's desire to project a
festive image that would make people want to come - and stay - downtown, not only
for meals but also to shop.
There was a concern with dining spaces in parking spots due to the safety issues that
mixing pedestrian and vehicular traffic cause. We could not resolve that public safety
threat to a level that all departments were comfortable with.
During the time that COVlD-19 shut down our City, we were in the middle of the
"Fairhope is Open for Business" campaign which was designed to get people out and
shopping and eating downtown during the filming of the "Map of Tiny Perfect
Things."
That is a message we think resonates now more than then. Fairhope IS open for
business, and we want to revive that campaign to get people downtown to help infuse
life once again in our beautiful City.
We want to foster the spirit of community and give people something to celebrate
even as they practice social distancing.
As part of this campaign, you will see picnic tables, tents, patio umbrellas, and flags
go up in public spaces throughout town. We are working to create a festive
atmosphere that will encourage people to have spaces to take breaks, to get takeout
from their favorite restaurants and eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner before visiting our
shops, museum, galleries and more.
The cost to produce this is under $10,000 with the majority of the purchases able to
be re-used in park spaces. Farmers Market, and future special events.