HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-2019 Harbor Board Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )(
COUNTY OF BALDWIN )(
The Harbor Board met at 4:30 p.m.,
Civic Center, Delchamps Room , 161 N Section St.
Fairhope, Alabama 36532 on Wednesday , March 13 , 2019
Present were Members: Skip Jones , Tom Yeager, Bob Riggs , Scott Douglass, Chris Cunningham and Don
Bates. The City was represented by Tom Kuhl, Sean Saye and Sherry-Lea Botop. Jennifer Olmstead took
the minutes .
Skip Jones called the meeting to order at 4:28 p.m .
Minutes from the February 13 , 2019 special called meeting were presented and approved on a motion by
Bob Riggs , seconded by Don Bates; none opposed.
Skip Jones asked Tom Kuhl to provide an update regarding the City's activities at the Fairhope Docks . The
City Council approved the dredging of the Fly Creek Channel and dredging should start immediately . Bob
Riggs suggested the possibility of an add-alternative for adding rip rap to the break-water area. Tom Yeager
suggested the possibility of hav ing City workers do part of the work to adding the rip rap to save expense.
The contractor hired to do the dredging is M & N of Alabama LLC .
Sean Saye provided his update. There is now an ice machine and the City is working on an agreement to
have bags of ice purchased for sale. The fence has been removed and the Conex building is gone as well.
The roofing from the Conex building was repurposed and used to create ladders; several have already been
installed. Sean did say he has had a few individuals come by the Marina showing interest in the possibility
of running a boat yard there. Sean provided that the transient dockage revenue from August 2018 until
present was around $5 ,000. Bob Riggs stated that he thought the transient dockage rates are too high and
other marinas in the area offer better rates as well as "perks" being given to entice boaters to their marina.
Skip inquired about the installation and funding of bulkheads and dock replacement on A-Dock and the
first section of B-Dock. Tom Kuhl stated that the funding was budgeted and there has not been a bid let
out due to Engineering not being completed.
Sherry-Lea Botop provided information about a marina study that was done in May 2017 . She clarified
that the BP funds the City will be receiving will not be used for funding at the Marina. She went over the
process of how the City is achieving the Clean Marina status . Sherry-Lea provided information on funding
options and said she is looking for funding options for the Fairhope Docks . Don Bates provided information
about the Watershed management plan for Fly Creek.
Skip Jones stated that he would like the Harbor Board to come up with a resolution to present to the City
Council regarding the future land use at the Fairhope Docks. After discussion , a motion made by Scott
Douglass and seconded by Don Bates was brought forward to recommend the funding to hire a Marina
Development Consultant to perfonn an economic and demographic feasibility study at a cost not to exceed
$20 ,000. The Board discussed the motion with city input . Skip Jones called for a vote on the motion after
discussion. Yays : Scott Douglass, Skip Jones , Don Bates and Chris Cunningham ; Nays: Tom Yeager;
Abstains: Bob Riggs. The motion for recommendation passed .
Sherry-Lea told the Harbor Board she would provide the Harbor Board with the scope of work for review
before the next scheduled meeting or earlier through a special-called meeting.
Skip Jones allowed citizen Gary Gover to make a comment. Mr. Gover recommended to coordinate
transient slip rates with the rates being charged at the Pier . Skip Jones infonned Mr. Gover that the Lessee
of the Pier is able to set the rates at the Pier.
There being no further business to come before the Harbor Board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:25
pm.
Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Olmstead Approved: 8/14/2019