HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-2024 Harbor Board Meeting MInutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )(
COUNTY OF BALDWIN )(
The Harbor Board met at 4:30 p.m.,
Mayor's Conference Room, 161 N Section St.
Fairhope, Alabama 36532 on Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Members present: Chris Cunningham, Mikeal Donald, Skip Jones, and Hobart “Reed” Key;
Councilmember Jack Burrell. City of Fairhope staff present: Mark Reddit, Harbor Manager,
Nicole Love, Grants Coordinator, and Pat White Parks and Recreation Director. Jennifer
Olmstead took minutes.
The meeting was called to order at 4:27pm.
Minutes from the April 10, 2024 meeting were presented and approved on a motion by Reed Key;
seconded by Skip Jones, none opposed.
Councilmember Jack Burrell discussed the need for lifts to be allowed in the slip holder agreement,
competitive fuel prices and what the council would like to see be done with that property with the
Board. The board discussed lift types and installers for the lifts and what would happen to the lift
after the original slip holder vacates. The board agreed the lifts need to be as uniform as possible.
None of the board members were opposed to lifts being added to the agreement.
Mark Redditt, Harbor Manager provided Report to the Board. The slip occupancy is close to 83%,
June fuel and lease profit is the highest since its start, the marina is now home to one of the widest
catamarans on the Eastern Shore with a 26’ beam, and customers stating that the gas prices are the
best around.
Mark gathered all the ideas and views for the vision of the members and created a list of those items
that were most recurring. There was a consensus of a need for symmetry between Fairhope Yacht
Club and the Marina with a gazebo being placed. Other generalized ideas were making this more of a
public park area, adding space for marine vendors, having improved and more organized parking, and
the need for a ship store or concession area. Citizen Gary Gover questioned the upper parking area of
the property stating that was for public parking allowing access to the public beach and the parking
areas closer to slips were for slip holders. Skip Jones questioned what the current building could be
used for or turned into to go along with the vision. The board passed along ideas of how the
buildings could be used. The generalized consensus was to see this property be utilized as a boating
destination.
The board reviewed officer nominations and elected Mikeal Donald as Board Chairman on a motion
by Skip Jones; seconded by Reed Key, Chris Cunningham as Board Secretary on a motion by Skip
Jones; seconded by Reed Key, Skip Jones as Vice-Chairman on a motion by Reed Key; seconded by
Chris Cunningham, none opposed.
The board reviewed applications to fill the board member vacancy. The board recommends Michael
Nash to fill the vacancy on a motion by Skip Jones; seconded by Mikeal Donald, none opposed.
The Board will call a special work session to further discuss the vision of the property on August 14,
2024 at 4:30 pm at the Fairhope Docks Marina.
Mark Reddit gave an update on the Clean Marina Status. There is one piece that will be completed
on July 15, 2024. Once it has been completed Nicole Love will complete the process of receiving the
certification.
Skip Jones made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Reed Key, none opposed.
There being no further business to come before the Harbor Board, the meeting was duly adjourned
at 5:38 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Olmstead Approved: October 23, 2024