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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-17-1979 Regular Meeting126 STATE CF ALABAMA X COUNTY OF BALDWIN X The City Council, City of Fairhope, met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. City Administration Building, 387 Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 17 December 1979. Present were Mayor James P. Nix; Councilmembers David Ed Bishop, Jack A. Stipes, Sam E. BcK, Sr,. and C.O. McCawley; City Attorney John Duck and City Clerk Evelyn P. Phillips. Councilwoman Trisha Nelson arrived late due to a prior meeting. After meeting was called to order by Mayor Nix, Councilman McCawley asked for the following correction to the minutes of December 3rd regular session: The minutes stated that Ordinance No. 643 established a Liquor License Tax of $50.00 per year plus 10% of the purchase price paid for all liquor or wine to be resold in the City and its Police Jurisdiction; when it should have siad the License Tax and percentage amount would be one-half, or $25.00 plus 57, of purchases, in the Police Jurisdiction. Minutes were duly approved with this correction. Mayor Nix then presented the National Oceanagraphic & Atmospheric Admin- istration's Public Service Award to Lt. Cecil Clemens of the Fairhope Police Department. The Award was given to the Police Department in recognition of their outstanding service to the Public during Hurricane Frederic on 13 Sept. 1979. The next order of business was a statement presented by the Mayor: "Upon receipt of a letter from the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation voicing their objection to the Beach area as a possible site for a Civic Center, I asked our City Attorney to research the State Supreme Court decision rendered when the 1964-1968 City Council wanted to build a Civic Center in Knoll Park. Based upon his opinion that to build a Civic Center in the Beach area would require the approval of the Tax Col- ony ---plus the objections to this site by a number of our citizens --- this site should not and will not receive any further consideration. There is'not a person at this Council table who wants to build a Civic Center anywhere unless a majority of the citizens want one. As soon as plans and cost projections are complete, financing and repay- ment ability fully explained on the remaining available site, or any other site that may become available, I will call for a public referen- dum at the earliest possible date so that the people of Fairhope can make the final decision on the future of a Civic Center'! A general discussion followed the Mayor's statement which covered a wide range of ideas and thoughts about a Civic Center. Mr. George Metzger felt a Citizens Committee should hold public hearings as to whether or not a Civic Center is needed, Mrs. Jame McElroy volunteered her services for such a cannittee, Mr. Ian Robertson is in favor of a referendum, Mr. Gary Sandell feels a Munic- ipal complex would be better than just a Civic Center, Councilman McCawley stated other matters need attention, and Councilman Stipes intorduced a Resolu- tion calling for no expenditure of City funds until certain criteria is met. (Dec. 17'79) 127 Councilman Stipes then asked to wait until Councilwoman Nelson arrived before asking for adoption of his Resolution. This being the date set for opening bids on lights for the Tennis Courts and Ballfield, the following bids were opened: Nix & Bennett $15,125.00 Stuart C. Irby $ 9,069.36 Mack Electric $ 8,611.20 Hatfield & Co. $14,607.00 Councilman Bishop moved to accept the low bid provided specifications are met. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Bids on a specialized truck and body for the Electric Department were opened. Bidders were Thomas Pontiac, Gaston Ford, Stever Chevrolet, Fontaine Equipment Co., Altec Industries, and Duncan Equipment Co. Due to the techni- cality of the.bids, Councilman Bishop moved they be turned over to the Elec- trical Superintendent for study and that they be brought back to Council's next session for action. Seconded by Councilman Stipes, motion passed unan- imously. Mr. Bob Pope presented a revised Lease Agreement on the Yardarm Restaurant at the Municipal Pier. Councilman Stipes moved to take the lease under advise- ment for study by the Harbor Board, with a report to be made of findings at the next Council session. Seconded by Councilman Bishop, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Box moved to amend the Resolution adopting the State Retire- ment Plan for City Employees effective 1 December 1979 to make it effective 1 January 1980. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Bishop brought up the question about Library employees not being covered by the City's insurance and retirement programs as are other City employees. This will be taken Linder advisement. Councilwoman Nelson arrived at this point and Councilman Stipes placed a motion for the adoption of his Civic Center Resolution. Motion was seconded by Councilman McCawley and the vote was: AYE - Stipes and McCawley. NAY - Bishop, Box and Nelson. Resolution was not adopted. Councilman Box moved not to appoint a Complete Count Committee for the 1980 Census. Seconded by Councilman Bishop, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Box moved to continue the practice of awarding a $50.00 Christmas bonus to each City employee and a gift of a turkey or ham to members ,of City Boards this year. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Stipes moved to place order for a Leaf Vacuum based on bids previously received, or if bids obsolete, request new bids. Seconded by Councilman Bishop, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Stipes reported there are no fire plugs on Oswalt Street from Nichols to Fels and asked that Mr. H.C. Taylor check on this situation and report his findings at next re gilar session. (Dec.17'79) Mayor Nix reported that the Water Users Agreements had been sent out on the new Waterline Extension and the response has been a little slow. The mayor reminded everyone that at least 1000 subscribers must be signed up before any further steps can be made on this project. City Engineer Ack Moore reported progress on the Grand Hotel Sewer Line Project; bid -letting date for this project is scheduled for January 11, 1980. Councilman Box moved to pay a partial invoice for engineering services to Moore Engineering on the Grand Hotel Sewer Line Project in the amount of $9,801.00. Seconded by Councilman Stipes, vote was: AYE - Box, Stipes, Nelson and McCawley, NAY - 'none. ABSTAIN - Bishop. Motion carried to pay the invoice. City Superintendent Phil Rutherford reported on his meeting with the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation relative to improvements on Morphy Avenue from Greeno Road east to the City Limits. The projected cost of the project is $48,900.00; $40,000 to be paid by the Tax Corporation and $8,900 by the new Shopping Center, no City funds involved. It was also suggested that the engineering be assigned to Mr. Claude Arnold. Councilman McCawley so moved with a second by Councilman Stipes. Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Bishop moved to hear the following business not on the Agenda. Seconded by Councilman Stipes, motion passed unanimously: Councilman Box introduced Ordinance No. 644, an Ordinance making all misdemeanors, violations, and unc ssi ie o enses (as per the new State of Alabama. Criminal,Code) crimes against the City of Fairhope. Councilman Stipes then moved to suspend the rules in order to complete action on this Ordinance. at this time. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, vote to suspend was: AYE - Nix, Stipes, McCawley, Box, Bishop, and Nelson. NAY - none. Motion passed unanimously. Councilman Box then moved for final adoption of Ordinance No. 644 Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion to adopt passed unanimously. Councilman Box moved to hear the following business not on the Agenda. Seconded by Councilman Stipes, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Box moved to reappoint Mr. Jim Reid as Municipal Judge for the City of Fairhope. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Mayor Nix reported that he had been advised we would be able to purchase 12% more power from the Southeastern Power Association this year. Mayor Nix also reported that no bids were received from gasoline suppliers. Councilman Bishop moved we continue to purchase gasoline from our present suppliers. Seconded by Councilman Stipes, motion passed unanimous- ly. Councilman Stipes moved to hear the following business not on the Agenda. Seconded by Councilman Bishop, motion passed unanimously: Councilman Stipes reported some four barge -loads of concrete piling cutoffs were available for use at the Fly Creek Fish Docks. There is no charge for the material however, the transportation charges would be some $20,000. If the cutoffs are wanted.., the cost would be equally split between, the City and the Yacht Club. Councilman Stipes is to study this proposal and report back to Council next'session. 129 (Dec.17'79) Councilman Bishop moved to remove the Baldwin County Commissioner's bill on Reappraisal from the list of Bills to Pay until we can get an an- swer as to whether or not this.invoice represents final payment, or if not, how much more will be due. Seconded by Councilman Box, motion passed unan- imously. Councilman Stipes moved to hear the following business not on the Agenda. Seconded by Councilman Bishop, motion passed unanimously: Councilman Stipes moved to have Moore Engineering write the specifica- tions on repair to the Municipal Pier(from Frederic). Seconded by Council- man McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Stipes moved to pay bills as presented (with the exception of the Baldwin County Commission invoice) . Seconded by Councilwoman Nelson, motion passed unanimously. Councilwoman Nelson moved to hear the following business not on the Agenda. Seconded by Councilman Box, motion passed unanimously: Councilwoman Nelson asked if the City provides lights or warning sirens for the vehicles of the Volunteer Firemen since she had noticed some vehicles were so equipped and some were not and she felt the ones without warning devices were a hazard and would like to bring the matter to Council's attention. It was explained the devices were purchased by the individuals, not provided by the City due to various rules which regulate such matters. Meeting was duly adjourned.