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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-1981 Regular MeetingSTATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF BALDWIN The City Council, City session at 7:00 p.m., City Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope, 1981. of Fairhope, met in regular Administration Building, 387 Alabama, on Monday, 12 January Present were Mayor James P. Nix; Councilmembers David Ed Bishop, Roy C. White, Trisha Nelson, Sam E. Box, and C.O. McCawley; City Clerk Evelyn Phillips and City Attorney John Duck Minutes of 22 December 1980 regular session were duly approved. The first order of business was the consideration, for final adoption, of an Ordinance to provide for the introduc- tion of fluorides into the City water system. A large group of people was present and an open discussion of this matter was held. Those in favor of fluoridation, led by members of the dental and medical professions, stated there was veri- fiable data gathered under controlled conditions showing no harmful side -effects from fluoridation, showing decreased cases of dental problems, showing tax -dollar savings from less dental care needed by low sambneff income, subsidized - families, and comparing the relatively low cost of fluorida- tion to the high cost of lifelong dental and medical care. Those opposed to fluoridation stated placing the fluorides in the water gives those opposed to it no choice, cases of accidental over -dosages were quoted, it was suggested that those who want it could obtain it by -other methods, and there was one report that plumbing was harmed by fluoridation. Mr. Franklin J. Griffeth request that his remarks be placed in the minutes in full: "Honorable Mayor, Lady and Gentlemen of the Council. My name is Franklin J. Griffeth, I live at 165 Pinecrest Avenue. I wish to express my opposition to the.fluorida- tion of our City water for the following reasons: 1. This would be a violation of our individual rights in receiving medication without consent. I for one do not wish to receive this medication in this method. 2. No one has proven to me that the swallowing of fluoride helps the teeth. Contrarily, I have read where fluoride taken internally has damaged the bone structure of both animal and man. 3. I was informed this date by a dental hygienist that she has a niece that is allergic to fluoride.(Have you made a survey to determine that none of your customers have this allergy.) (1/12/81) 244 4. It would be an added burden on us as already fighting to keep our heads above 5. I am informed that people with kidney those on dialysis can be further damaged taxpayers who are water. diseases especially by fluoride. There are other reasons that I do not have time to go.into. I am especially concerned about the further eroding of what few individual rights we have left. If a person desires to use fluoride, he or she should use a toothpaste containing fluoride. Then it is applied directly to the teeth as a den- tist does. But they should be allowed not to use it if they so desire, I, as a concerned citizen of our lovely city of which I am very proud, strongly urge you to defeat this motion." Mayor Nix closed the discussion by asking for a show of hands in opposition to and in favor of fluoridation. The results: Opposed - 24 For - 22 Councilman White stated he was not prepared to vote on this issue tonight. Councilman Box said he had estimates of $6,000.00 to install the necessary equipment and a cost of from $.50 to $.75 per person and he would like to think about the matter some more. Councilwoman Nelson said she did a lot of research and gathered information from many levels of local and state agencies before introducing the fluoridation ordinance and she would like to see the Council take action soon. Councilman White moved to table the Ordin- ance for further study. Seconded by Councilman Bishop, motion passed unanimously. The following bids on an electric bucket truck were opened: Gaston Ford Steber Chev Truck $23,790.00(D) $16,488.00(G) $22,741.00(D) $16,829.17(G) Chassis Altec In usstries Duncan Manuf. $40,930.00 37,695.00- Councilman Bishop moved to turn these bids over to the Electric Department for study and a recommendation as to which lowest bid meet: meets all specifications. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. City Engineering Consultant, Ack Moore, reported to Council that only a few items are needed to be cleared up by the Attorn- ey on the Waterline Extension(FHA) Project. He stated construc- tion bids could be requested within two weeks. Representatives from the V.F.W. Post, the Elk's Lodge, and the American Legion requested an exemption from purchasing a Club Liquor License from the City. They asked Council to consider that they are service organizations and their funds could be better used in service projects. The Club License (1/12/81) 245 will cost $500.00 under Ordinance No. 656. Councilman McCaw - ley moved to take their request under advisement and give them an answer at the next regular session. Seconded by Councilman Bishop, motion passed unanimously. Realty Partners, Inc., requested another extension on their Performance Bond for landscaping at Baldwin Square. The present extension expired January 8th and due to bad weather, the work is not yet finished. Building Official Lunsford said they had made progress and recommended the extension. Councilman Bishop moved to allow a 60- day extension. Seconded by Councilman Box, motion passed unani- mously. Councilman Box moved to authorize bid requests on a truck and a welding machine for the Gas Department. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Bishop moved to.authorize bid requests on a transrupter for the Twin Beech substation. Seconded by Councilwoman Nelson, motion passed unanimously. Councilman McCawley introduced, and moved for the adoption of, the following Resolution. Seconded by Councilman Box, motion passed unanimously: Resolution No. 1-81 WHEREAS, the City of Fairhope did collect $19,783 for Business Licenses from concerns located in the Police Juris- diction of the City, and WHEREAS, the Fairhope Police Department did expend the sum of $64,380 for police protection; and the Fire Department did expend the sum of $8,447 for fire protection, in the Police Jurisdiction of the City, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the expense of Fire and Police protection in the Police Jurisdiction of the City of Fairhope did exceed the revenue received from Business Licenses issued to locations in said Police Jurisdiction. Adopted this 12th day of January, 1981. or ty (1/12/81) 246 Mayor Nix read the names that had been submitted for consider- ation as Appointees to the Community Appearance Committee. Councilwoman Nelson moved to postpone the appointments until the Council could study the list. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Councilman McCawley moved to request a 90-day renewal of the FEMA Loan at First National Bank. Seconded by Councilman White, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Box moved to authorize final payment to S.J.&.L. , Inc., on the Grand Hotel'Sewer Project less a holdback of $800.00 until some final work is approved by Moore Engineering, and also payment is to clear up a $10.00 charge due Mr. Thelma Bouey $1605.12 due to the City. Seconded by Councilwoman Nelson, motion passed unanimously. Councilman McCawley moved to authorize final payment to Ernest Construction Company on storm repairs to the Municipal Pier less a holdback of $5,000 until some final work is approved by Moore Engineering. Seconded by Councilwoman Nelson, motion passed unanimously. Councilwoman Nelson moved to hear the following business not on the Agenda. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously: Councilman White moved to approve the closing of Fairhope Avenue from Section Street to Church Street, of Section Street from Fairhope Avenue to DeLaMare, and of Church Street from Fairhope Avenue to the parking lot exit during Arts & Crafts weekend of March 20, 21, and 22, 1981; and for the Mayor to write the State Highway Department for the necessary approval on the'closing of Section Street(US 98). Seconded by Council- woman Nelson, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Bishop moved to pay bills as presented. Seconded by Councilman McCawley, motion passed unanimously. Councilman Box moved to hear the following items not on the Agenda. Seconded by Councilwoman Nelson, motion passed unan- imously: Councilman White said he would like to commend the downtown merchants for the many improvements he had noticed, especially along Fairhope Avenue. Councilwoman Nelson said she would like to see parents reminded that bicycles are not to be used in the downtown area and on the sidewalks. City Attorney Duck was asked to check the legal aspects of giving the Fairhope Health Care Nursing Home a dated notice of utility cut-off so clients can be evacuated; even though a suit has been enter- ed for the unpaid bill, cArrent charges keep mounting. Meeting was duly adjourned.