The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About08-09-2021 Work Session Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF BALDWIN ) ( ) ( The City Council met in a Work Session at 4:30 p.m., Fairhope Municipal Complex Council Chamber, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 9 August 2021. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Corey Martin (Arrived at 4:53 p.m.), Jimmy Conyers, Jay Robinson, and Kevin Boone (Arrived at 4:34 p.m.), Mayor Sherry Sullivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council President Jack Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • Council President Burrell gave an update on the Airport Authority and mentioned a 2% tax and hangars on East side. • Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Items Number 12 , 16, 17, 18 , 19, and 24 . Council President Burrell questioned finger pier replacement and suggested adding a couple more finger piers . Mr. Johnson said the good news is when this is complete almost 100 percent of the bulkhead would be less than 7 years old . He said a complete survey would be done before and after dredging ; and mentioned the Fairhope Yacht Club has dredged 45 - 48 percent of their half of the channel. He stated the bid is ale carte or all areas could be done for $150 ,000.00. Council President Burrell questioned the difference in the resolution , memo , and e-mail included in packet. Councilmember Conyers suggested putting a not-to-exceed $150 ,000.00 for the dredging. The consensus on the City Council was to change the resolution. • City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council and answered Council President Burrell 's question of where the dredging funds would come from . Ms. Creech explained a budget adjustment from Sales Tax to Capital Improvements for dredging and elevator; and suggested $175,000 .00 to cover both. Ms. Creech explained Agenda Item Number 15 regarding the Symbol Clinic. Mike Molyneaux addressed the City Council to explain Symbol Agreement and need for same. He mentioned the possible savings for healthcare and medication costs; and less time for employees not being at work. Mr. Molyneaux said this is a lifestyle intervention ; and it addressed everyone on the City's health insurance. He said it is less expensive with no copay for visit or medication ; and generic medication is dispensed pre-packaged. Councilmember Martin questioned medications on-hand and whether he used nurse practitioners or doctors. Mr. Molyneaux said there are diversion savings and trend savings. Council President Burrell told Department Heads this is an incentive for hiring with a clinic next door, no wait time , and maintenance drugs. He said this is quality of life for City employees. Monday, August 9, 2021 Page -2- Mr. Molyneaux stated the clinic will be able to do COVID-19 tests and vaccines . Mayor Sullivan said it is very convenient; and said she used Foley's clinic with little to no wait. Council President Burrell stated the clinic will be located at the Pecan A venue building. Mayor Sullivan estimated completion for the clinic would be January 2022. Ms. Creech commented the incentive is no copay, little wait time, and free generic medication . Councilmember Martin said compliance is hug e . • Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and gave an update on the ADA Project at Volanta that is moving more quickly . Mr. White said he said the jumbotron will be installed next week with poles 18 feet deep. • Water and Sewer Superintendent Jason Langley addressed the City Council and mentioned brown water complaints . He said we are having a drier season and using more water. Mr . Langley said they are flushing hydrants to clear up the water ; and the water is safe drink. He said this is not a health issue. Mayor Sullivan explained Agenda Item Number 1 O; and said these are preventive mec:tsures to protect citizens of Fairhope. • Fire Chief Chris Ellis addressed the City Council and said they were training fire fighters tonight. He explained Agenda Item Number 20 and said these headsets are needed for communication during calls. • Community Affairs Director Paige Crawford addressed the City Council and told them her hats off to City Clerk Lisa Hanks for pressing the insurance company for the Hurricane Sally claim for the Nix Center. She said the claim more than doubled after Ms. Hanks asked for them to retook at the bui lding . Ms . Crawford also thanked Public Works Director Richard Johnson for his help too. • Assistant Gas Superintendent Jeremy Little addressed the City Council and mentioned Terry Holman still in the hospital ; and thanked the City Council for driving around with him to see projects. He gave a couple of shout outs for budget help from City Treasurer Kim Creech and Senior Accountant Aislinn Stone. He also mentioned Wes Boyett and Mark Davi s stepping up to help last week. • Golf Director Bobby Hall addressed the City Council and gave an update on Quail Creek Golf Course. Mr . Hall said they are still having issues with bike riders , four wheelers, joggers, and walkers on the cart path. • Human Resource s Manager Traveis Cunningham addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Item Number 13 and the need to hire and train a new dispatcher before Ms. Lebeaux retires. Council President Burrell commented we need to add to the resolution "and once the dispatcher retires the position will be defunded." • Assistant Electric Superintendent Jeremy Morgan addressed the City Council and gave an update on the Morphy substation and Volanta substation. Mr. Morgan explained Agenda Items Number 9, 22, and 23 . • Special Projects and Grant Manager Jessica Walker addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Item Number 27 an appointment to the Parking Authority. She also gave an update on the Marina Plan and an application for a "Tourism Grant" for the total project. Monday, August 9, 2021 Page -3- Council President Burrell suggested adding breakwaters to the plan as well as dredging at the Municipal Pier and adding breakwaters . Ms . Walker said this is a 75 /25 match grant. • Building Official Erik Cortinas addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Item Number 14 and why this reso l ution is needed ; and he said FEMA has already approved it. • Development Services Manager Mike Jeffri es addressed and explained Agenda Items Number 5, 6 , and 7 . Council Pre s ident Burrell questioned the 50% commercial and asked for parking to be precluded to determine the 50 %. Mr. Jeffries replied that paved parking is not considered commercial; and the Central Business District mixed-use must be reviewed by the P lanning Department. Councilmember Martin asked for short-term rentals to be explained. Council President Burrell questioned the minimum of 50% in any zoning and asked City Attorney McDowell to look at this. • Monica Gray, owner of Southern Charm Picnics Company, addressed the City Council and explained Agenda Item Number 8: a franchise to do Pop Up Picnics at Magnolia Beach Park (park with Dolphin Sculpture). • Council President Burrell explained Agenda Item Number 11 and the need for a Councilmember to be a Board memb er. • Mayor Sullivan briefly explained Ag enda Item Number 23 ; and exp lained the AMEA funding and charging stations. She also explained in -depth Agenda Items Number 25 and 25 which is funded by th e American Rescue Plan. She commented the vaccine has been scientifically proven it will help to not spread the virus. Mayor Sullivan mentioned this is an incentive to get the vaccine, but it is a choice and is not mandatory . The Agenda Meeting was held during the Work Session under Department Head Updates. There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting was duly adjourned at 5 :54 p.m. Council President Pro Tempore