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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-2022 City Council Work SessionSTATE 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 , 27 June 2022. Present were Council President Jimmy Conyers , Councilmembers: Jack Burrell (arrived at 4:35 p .m.), and Kevin Boone, Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell , and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Councilmembers Corey Martin and Jay Robinson were absent. Council President Jimmy Conyers called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • Mayor Sullivan began the discussion for the Review of Budget: Revenue and Capital. City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council and explained Sales Tax revenue and growth. She told the City Council the handout is a preliminary draft budget for FY 2023. Ms. Creech bri efly went over all revenues for the budget; and answered any questions. Councilmember Burrell commented revenue projection is good but we need a contingency fee for unbudgeted projects. Ms. Creech recommended putting one million into the Rainy Day Fund . Councilmember Burrell asked about hiring employees and open positions. Mayor Sullivan said the positions are still funded but not all are filled. She asked the City Council for input on Capital Improvements. Councilmember Burrell mentioned dredging at the Municipal Pier and improvements at Fairhope Docks . Counci l President Conyers mentioned the Triangle, Alley Project, K-1 Center, and Civic Center. Mayor Sulli van said she allocated $650,000.00 for the K-1 Center in the FY 2023 budget. Ms . Creech said if we put money into the Capital Projects Fund it would be restricted. The consensus of the City Council was for the Mayor to bring back her list of projects and begin getting projects completed . • The next item on the agenda was to Discus s the Proposed City of Fairhope Safety Handbook. Safety Coordinator Donnie Grice addressed the City Council and explained the need for the Safety Handbook; and answered an y questions . Councilmember Burrell questioned safety training . Mayor Sullivan rep lied it is departmentalized ; and all accidents are inv est igated . These investigations help reduce worker compensation claims and in surance premiums . Councilmember Burrell told employees reducing claims and premiums wil l help fund the largest cost which is salaries . • Councilmember Burrell gave an update on the Airport Authority and mentioned they have a new realtor. He mentioned the AMEA meeting and said that the price of natural gas has increased; and will be passed on to th e consumer. He stated that AMEA has a power plant that gets turned on for peak usage. Councilmember Burrell sa id AMEA is looking into supply chain iss ues ; and wants to hold a Summit for Utility Heads and Superintendents to come to a common ground for solutions . Monday , 27 June 2022 Page -2- • Councilmember Boone gave a brief update on the Personnel Board meeting from last week; and announced the Harbor Board meeting scheduled for July 13 , 2022. • Council President Conyers gave a brief update on the Library Board and commented they are beginning fundraisers for the second floor project. • Planning Director Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Items No . 5, No . 6, and Add On Site Plan; and answered any questions if needed. • Council President Conyers explained Agenda Item No. 7 regarding the Water Conservation Ordinance. Mayor Sullivan commented we are having low water pressure and brown water; and she said our water usage has reach 9 .0 million gallons and our capacity per day is 9.2 million gallons. Mayor Sull ivan said crews were driving around and educating citizens who are watering during the day . She commented we are p utting the ordinance on garbage cans ; Quail Creek Golf Course uses the ponds for irrigation; the Municipal Fountain is using reclaimed water; and we are working on new wells and size of pipes. She also said we are looking at ways to reclaim water and use treated wastewater for flowers . Councilmember Burrell said we could put trigger points in place. • Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Items No. 8, No . 9, and No . 10; and answered any questions if needed . He told the City Council that the getting safety training from the following: Public Works Association as a member; ALDOT at no costs ; United Rentals; and the Auburn Extension Program . Mr. Johnson commented in July the City Council will probably seeing the Alley Project, Gayfer A venue Tum Lanes, Roundabout at Veterans Drive and Triangle Drive, Debris Removal Contract, and Debris Monitoring Contract. • Mayor Sullivan exp lained Agenda Item No. 11 in detail th e following recommendations received by the Government & Economic Development Institute (GED!) with Auburn University , the Fairhope Personnel Board, and Mayor Sullivan for pay increases for City Employees. She gave them the total impact for the rest of this fiscal year and the total for the next fiscal year. An example was given for an employee making $15.00 per hour: $15.00 plus 5% + 1.00 = $16.75 per hour. This is a 12 % increase in pay for that employee. Mayor Sullivan mentioned the Personnel Board is looking at evaluations and merit increase rules. • Councilmember Burrell addressed Agenda Item No. 12 and mentioned Blast Soccer and Recreational/Intramural Soccer. He asked who would run the league? Mayor Sullivan read the reso lution in its entirety; and s tated we do not have the City staff to work the concession stand and wou ld need staff if we do this. She said we do not run the league for baseball, basketball, softball, etc. Mayor Sullivan said s he does not have a problem with this , but staff is short handed and we do not want to run the concession stand. Councilmember Burrell commented if you put stuff in City property, it becomes the City's property. Council President Conyers stated we need to reword this resolution so we are not running the league. Councilmember Burrell said he recommends tabling this resolution or pulling it. He said it needs to be rewritten. Monday, 27 June 2022 Page -3- • Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Item No . 13 ; and answered any questions if needed . Lisa Dahle addressed the Cit y Council and said they have outgrown the parking lot and five other churches want to help with the event. She said last year there were approximately 350 cars ; and Police Officers helped with the event for traffic flow . Ms . Crawford said the only reasons they have to come before the City Council is they are using the Park and streets. She reminded everyone of the Fourth of July Celebration. Council President Conyers briefly went through the Agenda Items and who would explain if needed. He announced we would have a 5-minute break before the City Council meeting begins. There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting was duly adjourned at 6:00 p.m . cil President