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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-2015 City Council Work Session MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )( COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( The City Council met in a Work Session at 4:30p.m., Delchamps Room, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 23 March 2015. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller, Diana Brewer, Michael A. Ford (arrived at 5:11p.m.), and Kevin Boone, Mayor Timothy M. Kant, City Attorney Marion E. Wynne, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • Councilmember Brewer addressed the City Council and gave an update on the Fairhope Library Board. She mentioned the Library receiving the state's Gold certification of excellence for 2015 by the Alabama Library Association. The Gold Standard is the highest level of achievement attainable by a public library. Councilmember Brewer said a new member will be appointed tonight at the City Council meeting. Councilmember Brewer stated the Education Advisory Committee will meet next week and we will discuss the mid-year review. She commented on the Recreation Board meeting and the discussion of tennis courts. Eight courts are needed and we need to bid on hard courts and soft courts with an estimate of labor required for upkeep of courts. • Councilmember Boone addressed the City Council and gave an update on the Personnel Board. The Evaluation Form was discussed and the updated Compensation Plan Study should be ready in 60 days. The appointments for the Harbor Board will be addressed at the next City Council meeting. • Councilmember Mueller addressed the City Council and mentioned the two appointments for both the Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board and the Tree Committee on the City Council agenda tonight. • Council President Burrell addressed the City Council and said the Industrial Development Board will meet next week. He also gave an update to the Fairhope Airport Authority: the Academy, FAA Grant, the Ladies Plane Race, and the School Open House scheduled for either April or May. He met with two members of the Recycling Committee who told him if we go to single stream recycling our participation would go from 36 percent to 72 percent. Council President Burrell said the Sister Cities Committee meets tomorrow and they are looking at information on a City in Serbia. • Planning Director Jonathan Smith and Chris Gill with Hand Arendall addressed the City Council and explained the need to separate the Sign Ordinance from the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Gill stated the State Statute only gives enforcement in the Corporate City limits. A stand-alone ordinance can have language in it to enforce outside too. He explained the ways the City Council could adopt and the procedures for same. Monday, 23 March 2015 Page -2- Mr. Gill mentioned a moratorium could be in place before the Ordinance gets repealed out of the Zoning Ordinance. Mayor Kant explained how the Sign Ordinance was put into the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Smith said we need to know if you want the enforcement inside the City limits or both inside and outside the limits. The consensus was to definitely remove from the Zoning Ordinance and to enforce signage outside the City limits within the Police Jurisdiction. • Chief Petties addressed the City Council regarding barricades for the parades. He showed a video of Fels and Bancroft during a parade; and discussed the options of metal or cable barricades. Mayor Kant suggested the main route of Saturday could possibly made pedestrian friendly in downtown. Chief Petties mentioned that Mobile fines people for crossing barricades once the streets are closed. • Councilmember Ford addressed the City Council and said the Recycling Committee had a booth during the Arts and Crafts Festival. • Jonathan Smith stated the Central Business Committee met and discussed floor issues, building heights, and land use. He said staff is working on the proposed ordinance. • Councilmember Brewer brought up the Fairhope Avenue Project. Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler explained the remainder of the project and that the whole purpose is for pedestrian safe zones. Ms. Fidler commented the only crosswalk is a mile apart; and we are putting in parallel parking with room for bikes. Mayor Kant said the project is for safe streets and part of the Complete Streets Policy. These median will also help with drainage and less asphalt being used. Councilmember Brewer stated the only issue with the plan is no communication with businesses and residents. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:40p.m. ~&fL City Clerk