HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-27-2014 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 Tuesday, 27 May 2014.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller,
Diana Brewer (arrived at 4:35 p.m.), Michael A. Ford (arrived at 4:35 p.m.), Mayor
Timothy M. Kant, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Councilmember Kevin Boone and City
Attorney Marion E. Wynne were absent.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:35p.m.
The following topics were discussed:
• Erik Cortinas, Building Official, addressed the City Council regarding the
following items :
1) 705 Cedar A venue was discussed and the possibility of the house being
purchased through disaster mitigation. Mr. Cortinas mentioned the house was
built in the 1970s and there are 11 documented flood losses. The City will be
submitting a Non-Disaster Mitigation Grant to purchase this property which is
usually a 75/25 match. The property appraised for approximately $245,000
which would make the City 's match approximately $61,000. The application
should be completed by next week. The Alabama EMA evaluation process
would be complete in mid to late December. Mayor Kant mentioned the property
has been in two litigations with both being settled out of court by our insurance
company at the time. Council President Burrell questioned other affected homes
in the area. Mayor Kant replied there are two upstream; and commented we need
to remove this home and make a retention pond to help with drainage issues. The
consensus of the Council was to move forward with the grant application.
2) The Library HV AC was the next item discussed by Mr. Cortinas. He stated
the audit of the system revealed 20 items with 15 of the items being bad sensors .
He mentioned roof issues and that the manufacturer of product and the installer
are blaming each other. Mr. Cortinas said the maintenance budget has already
been exceeded; and he mentioned the slate replacement is also being looked at.
• Jim Kellen, Secretary for the Education Advisory Committee, addressed the City
Council with the EAC recommendations for three of the Fairhope schools. Mr.
Kellen mentioned a new vetting process this year called "STEAM" which
replaced "STEM." The Professional Development request for $25,000 passed
with five for the request and four against it. This item was discussed and
explained by Janice Kinard who recently attended one of the conventions and
came back with nineteen and one-half hours for a two day session. Each request
was discussed briefly and questions answered. All of the other requests passed
unanimously by the EAC. Councilmember Brewer stated the criterion does not
say we cannot fund Professional Development.
Tuesday , 27 May 2014
Page -2-
• Jennifer Fidler, Public Works Director, addressed the City Council regarding the
Baldwin County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan. Council
President Burrell questioned private landfills and stated a lot of waste is going to
Mobile; and if fees are increased , we hurt our private landfills. Mayor Kant
replied that we negotiated tipping fees to be lowered last time. Ms. Fidler
commented that the City of Fairhope paid $24 per ton the first year, $25 per ton
the second year, and $26 per ton the third year. The City is now paying $30 per
ton. Mayor Kant stated there was an issue raised at today 's Baldwin County
Commission meeting with Daphne 's C&D landfill. Mayor Kant said he was
concerned with costs and small businesses. Ms. Fidler stated we need to keep
tipping fees as low as we can for us and other municipalities.
• Councilmember Brewer gave an update of the Recreation Board. Springhill
College wants to hold the SEC and NAIA Collegiate Ultimate Frisbee
Tournament at Founders Park and will be requesting the City to waive the field
use fees , but not the maintenance fee .
• Councilmember Ford brought up the Knoll Park Committee and commented they
need to meet. Councilmember Mueller replied we do not need a large committee
for the park and said he was working with Peggy Dyson to schedule a meeting .
• Council President Burrell mentioned the Fairhope Airport Authority will be
applying for a FAA Grant for approximately $1.2 million for enhancements.
• Councilmember Brewer announced the Fairhoper 's Community Park grand
opening has been delayed until August 1, 2014.
There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting was
duly adjourned at 5:48p.m.
~w
City Clerk