HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2021 Harbor Board Meeting MinutesST A TE OF ALABAMA
COUNTY OF BALDWIN
The Harbor Board met at 4:30 p.m .,
Fairhope Docks , 848 Sea Cliff Dr.
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Fairhope , Alabama 36532 on Wednesday, February 10 , 2021
Present were Members: Skip Jones , Scott Douglass, Don Bate , Tom Yeager, and Councilmember Kevin
Boone. The City was represented by Sean Saye and Pat White . Jennifer Olmstead took the minutes .
Skip Jones called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m .
Minutes from the January 13 , 2021 , October 20 , 2020, July 8 , 2020 , April 8, 2020 , and January 8 , 2020
meetings were presented and approved on a motion by Don Bates, seconded by Scott Douglass; none
opposed.
Skip Jones opened the floor to nominations for 2020-2021 Officers of Chairman, Vice-chairman and
Secretary. Tom Yeager nominated Don Bates for Chairman, Scott Douglass for Vice-chairman and Skip
Jones for Secretary. No other nominations were brought forth. The officers of Don Bates for Chairman,
Scott Douglass for Vice-chairman and Skip Jones for Secretary were approved on a motion by Scott
Douglass, seconded ty Tom Yeager; none opposed .
Skip Jones provided the Board with names for applicants to fill the board vacancy -Robert Barry and Gary
Gover. The Board discussed how the City received applications to fill board vacancies . The Board
discussed how to obtain a larger pool of applicants to fill the board vacancy and recommended the City
advertise for board vacancies. A recommended to table filling the vacancy until the City advertises the
vacancy via social media was made on a motion by Skip Jones , seconded by Scott Douglass ; none opposed .
Mayor Sullivan addressed the Board on what she would like to see the Board accomplish and what their
role as a Board is . Mayor Sullivan stated she would like to hold off on a plan and focus on repairs to the
facility that are needed currently . Once those repairs have been completed , she will look forward to ideas
and recommendations that the Board will bring forth.
Sean Saye provided his report. Sean Saye suggested to hold off on the propo al from Christian Preus that
was presented at the January 8 , 2020 meeting. He would like to see needed repairs be done to the current
facility including parking lot repairs and refurbishment of the old office and adding inside storage lockers
in lieu of dock boxes. Once the old office is refurbished , possibly have a fish market or bait shop in the
current office building, a local boat dealer in a portion of the old office and a canvass shop from the old
paint building. He believes that the property has potential for rental income to repair the facility on a pay
as you go situation. A few years down the road a dry storage facility could be incorporated . Kevin Boone
stated he did like the dry storage idea presented by Christian Preus . Don Bates has some concerns with the
dry storage facility -density as well as road usage . He questioned if the City would permit a private owner
to build a storage, and if not , then why should the City be allowed that. Tom Yeager does not like the dry
storage facility. He sees it as direct competition with Fly Creek Marina. Mayor Sullivan did state that the
Fairhope Yacht Club did contact her about the needed dredging of the channel that occurred from Hurricane
Sally. The Yacht Club holds the dredging permit.
Skip Jones discussed the old business of possibly adding the Pier Marina to the Harbor Board's purview.
Combining the two would enhance the City's water entrances. The Council needs to review the Lease and
terms of the pier restaurant and pier marina . Tom Yeager and Skip Jones would still like to see a boat yard
option .
Citizen, Gary Gover addressed the Board . He would like for the Board to circulate the ideas that come
about for citizens to be informed.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2021 at 4 :30 p .m .
There being no further business to come before the Harbor Board , the meeting was duly adjourned at 5 :31
pm .
Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Olmstead Approved: 04/14/2021