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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-2021 Work Session Meeting MinutesSTA TE 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 , 25 January 2021. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Counci lmembers: Corey Martin (arrived at 4:40 p.m .), Jimmy Conyers , Robert Brown, and Kevin Boone , Mayor Sherry Su ll ivan, City Attorney Marcus E. McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • The first item on the Agenda was the Discussion of Recommendations for Boothe and County Road 44 a/k/a Twin Beech Road. Council President Burrell said there are concerns over the intersection ; and the Streets and Traffic Committee requested a Task Force study this intersection. Mayor Sullivan explained the recommendations: speed limit reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph , extend sidewalk on Southeast ; and add crosswalks. She said we want this area to be pedestrian friendly ; and commented a signal to be discussed at the ESMPO meeting . Council President Burrell said they were to study and beautify the east side . He asked City Clerk Hanks to prepare a resolution for the next Council meeting . • The next item on the agenda was Budget Discussions. Council President Burrell said he felt good about revenue projections . He said the Mayor and Department Heads know more about expenses . City Treasurer Kim Creech addressed the City Council and said we have a short-fall in garbage revenue ; and Baldwin County garbage is once a week. She said we need revenue to cover our co sts. Ms. Creech commented the City of Daphne charges $21.00 per month ; and we are one of the last Cities having twice a week. Councilmember Brown replied we should break even; and 75 percent of the people said leave it twice a week and increase rate . Council President Burrell asked what the basics we need based on revenues. Ms . Creech was requested to put numbers together for the City Council and bring back at the next meeting. Councilmember Conyers said we need to establish a line of credit in place to get infrastructure done and repay if not needed ; and said he would feel better with a cushion in place . Council President Burrell agreed but we should dip into Utility Reserves first ; and not dip into line of credit first. He said we should pay back loan quickly. The consensus of the City Council was to go out on an RFP for a $15 million line of credit: one for three years and one for five years . Ms. Creech was asked to prepare the RFP and get back with the City Council. Monday, January 25, 2021 Page -2- Mayor Sullivan said six month revenues could play a big factor with transfers. She mentioned there was a two percent raise across the board; and merit raises for others . Council President Burrell commented some are maxed out and will not get the two percent raise; and we need to let our employees know our true benefits costs (total compensation). Mayor Sullivan asked the City Council to look at the Building Department and Police Department documents. The City Council also discussed the following: online sales tax, not all new positions have been filled, and community grants. Mayor Sullivan thanked the City Council and Department Heads for their time going over the budget. Council President Burrell mentioned we need to knock out what we can for the next meeting ; and if we need a Budget Work Session or Special Called Meeting, we can hold one . • Councilmember Martin commented there are two new Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board members on the agenda for appointment. • Councilmember Conyers commented several are lacking members. • Councilmember Brown mentioned the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee having new members ; and two are on the agenda for appointing. • Council President Burrell said we have received four applicants for the Board of Adjustment and Appeals and all are capable. He said the Mayor gave us two recommendations. He gave an update from the Airport Authority: build hangars on east side, would back loan if numbers were favorable, increase rent and get good rate , get estimates without putting out a number; and refinance bond for Airport Authority ; City Treasurer Creech is to issue an RFP ; and wean them off City. He mentioned land sales to reduce principal ; and hold the Airport Authority accountable. Counci lmember Martin commented we need an Airport Manager to bring in that revenue to get Airport Authority off City; and the person would seek grant money. • Gas Superintendent Terry Holman addressed the City Council and mentioned two replacement employees have been chosen; and the other two will be hired after the budget passes . Council President Burrell commented you need employees to put new service in the ground. Mr. Holman gave an update on the two ongoing projects. Councilmember Martin thanked Mr. Holman and his crew for what they do. • Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council and mentioned the pool closing for the replaster project; Youth Sport Summit; and his crew is scrambling for the Spring Season. Councilmember Martin questioned help for Mr. White . • Fire Chief Chris Ellis addressed the City Council and said they have not had under 100 call s per month since July . He said in 2020 we had a 1,339 increase in calls over 2019 . Council President Burrell questioned the Fire Department fundraising shortfall. • Lt. John Hamrick addressed the City Council and said candidate selection will be this Friday and the following Monday. He said we need to hire four new officers. He announced the new Animal Control Officer being Will Newsome . Lt. Hamrick said they began Traffic Detail from the Traffic Grant ; and the Department now has two trailers for traffic detail. Monday, January 25 , 2021 Page -3- • Electric Superintendent Michael Allison addressed the City Council regarding the substation project; and the trouble crew has now caught on and now can work on streetlights . • Water and Sewer Superintendent Jason Langley addressed the City Council regarding the Church Street Project and drainage on Oak Street ; and the six positions on th e web s ite. • Planning and Zoning Manager Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council and mentioned the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for February 1, 2021. He commented this will be a larg e meeting . He thanked his staff for their hard work through issues ; and stated packets will be on the website tomorrow . There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:45 p.m. ISaA.Haru;, c City Clerk