HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-2017 Special MeetingMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
Special Meeting
February 9, 2017
The Fairhope Airport Authority met on February 9, 2017 at 4:30PM in the
Delchamps Suite, Room 1, in the Civic Center at 161 N Section St.
Present was Joe Mc Enerney, Chairman, Jack Burrell, Pam Caudill, Tom Scheck &
Chip Groner. Absent was Ray Hix. Vince Boothe was unable to attend but
listened to the meeting by phone conference. He did not vote on any agenda
items and was not counted for the purposes of establishing a quorum. Also
present was Josh Myrick and Mayor Karin Wilson. Cynthia A Boothe took the
minutes and the meeting was "streamed" live.
Review and approval of hiring a new bond counsel to represent the Airport
Authority: Joe McEnerney presented proposals from two law firms to represent
the Airport Authority in the refinancing of the existing debt. After a group
discussion Chip Groner made a motion to hire Thomas Longino of Longino Public
Finance to represent the Authority, second by Pam Caudill and unanimously
passed.
Review and approval of hiring the Rushton Stakely law firm to represent the
Airport Authority: Joe McEnerney stated that he wanted to recommend the
Authority hire the Ruston Stakely law firm to represent the Authority in the
allegations against the Authority that are have been sent to the Alabama State
Ethics Commission and the Alabama Attorney General's office. After a group
discussion, a motion was made by Pam Caudill to hire Dennis Bailey of Rushton
Stakely Law Firm, second by Chip Groner and unanimously passed.
Other Business: Vince Boothe expressed concerns that due to delays in the
refinancing of the debt due to the lack of support from the Mayor's office, the
Authority will have to pay an additional $160,000.00 in interest over the life of the
$7,445,629.00 debt. The additional interest expense is due to the nearly 40 bps
increase in interest rates over the last 60 days. Mayor Wilson voiced her
opposition to this statement and an active discussion between Mayor Wilson and
Authority members ensued.
After the discussion was completed Pam Caudill made a motion to go into an
executive session to discuss pending litigation, second by Chip Groner and
unanimously passed. The Authority members then went into executive session at
5:05PM.
The meeting was reconvened at 5:35PM. After Chairman Joe McEnerney asked if
there were any other comments, City Attorney Tut Wynne stated that after some
research he felt that Mayor Wilson should have been allowed to attend the
executive sessions of the Authority Board. Authority attorney Josh Myrick stated
that he did not feel that was correct and would research the matter further.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:43PM.