HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-2020 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 Monday, 9 November 2020.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Corey Martin,
Jimmy Conyers, Robert Brown, 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 Diseussion of Economic Development Grant
Opportunities. Lee Lawson with the Baldwin County Economic Development
Alliance and Stacy McKean with Grants Management addressed the City Council
and explained HATCH and their entrepreneurs. Mr. Lawson also explained in detail
the grant funding opportunity for the K-1 Center with a disaster declaration the usual
50/50 match becomes an 80/20 match. He asked the City Council to allow HATCH
to apply for the grant to renovate the K-1 Center; and the grant has a 7-year look back
for the main building at the K-1 Center (35,000 square feet). Mr. Lawson said this is
a grant opportunity for HATCH and for Fairhope. Council President reiterated that
the City would be a partnership and all of the K-1 building would not be occupied.
Mr. Lawson replied correct and the "Tech Entrepreneurs" would only occupy 15,000
to 20,000 square feet. Council President Burrell stated a Performing Arts Center
could still be built. The City Council questioned the rooms, basement, and lease for
HATCH and the deadline for the grant. Councilmembers Martin and Conyers love
the idea.
Council President Burrell asked City Clerk Hanks if a resolution would be needed for
the grant application. City Clerk Hanks replied yes for the partnership and to allocate
City funds. Both Mr. Lawson and Ms. MeKean said a resolution was needed for the
application. Ms. McKean said the City must officially approve the grant match and a
drafl of expenses. Councilmember Brown commented this is not the first time the
City has seen this. He said we have a stmctural report from an engineering firm. The
consensus of the City Council was to move forward.
• Councilmember Brown gave an update on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee
who has a list of non-conforming issues. He said they want the City of Fairhope to be
a "Bike Safe City" and bike friendly. Councilmember Brown mentioned the handicap
ramp near Julwins and said the sidewalk needs to be corrected. Building Director
Erik Cortinas said those ramps were built for Federal compliance for that building.
Councilmember Brown also gave an update on the Fairhope Public Schools
Commission. He announced that Fairhope East Elementary is now a STEAM
Certified School.