HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-2021 Work Session Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA
COUNTY OF BALDWIN
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The City Council met in a Work Session
at 4:00 p.m., Fairhope Municipal Complex Council Chamber,
161 North Section Street, Fairhope , Alabama 36532,
on Monday, 25 October 2021.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Corey Martin,
Jimmy Conyers, Jay Robinson, and Kevin Boone, City Attorney Marcus E.
McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks . Mayor Sherry Sullivan was absent.
Council President Jack Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
• The first item on the Agenda was the Discussion on Neel-Schaffer, Inc . to perform
Professional Engineering Services dedicated to Reviews for Planning Commission
Cases for the Planning Department. Planning Director Hunter Simmons addressed the
City Council and explained the need is for review of drainage plans and preparing
traffic studies . He requested the resolution to add "to authorize Mayor to execute the
contract with a not-to-exce ed of $40 ,000.00 which is the budgeted amount.
Councilmember Conyers said the Department is backed up and needs this service.
Councilmember Robinson sa id the burden will be on Mr. Simmons and Mayor
Sullivan to negotiate. Council President Burrell questioned why this request was not
on the last agenda . Mr . Simmons said they will do their best due diligence on fee
schedule. Councilmember Robinson asked how many planners you are down and
how long does it take to fully train . Mr. Simmons replied he was down two planners
and one was defunded; and he said it takes approximately a year to fully train.
Council President Burrell commented Neel-Schaffer has experience for drainage plan
and traffic study ; and asked wouldn 't an engineer, if hired, so lve this problem .
Councilmember Conyers said we will still have specialty lawyers and engineers; and
you would need staff for a City engineer. The term of the contract was questioned by
Councilmember Martin. Councilmember Robinson said he does not like breaking
rules , but this is a necessary item .
• Councilmember Martin gave an update from the Recreation Board and said they are
still working on the soccer agreement.
• Councilmember Robinson mentioned the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee; and the
Historic Preservation Committee.
• Council President Burrell gave an update on the Street and Traffic Control
Committee: traffic concerns at St. James Episcopal Church school ; traffic calming
devices; and petitions mi ssing from some requests . He also gave an update on the
Airport Authority: East FBO ; Treasurer 's Report ; and discu ssion on hangars .
• City Treasury Kim Creech addressed the City Council regarding year end; and
Agenda Item No. 11 and to answer any questions.
• Assistant Water and Sewer Superintendent Tim Manuel addressed the City Council
regarding Agenda Items No . 15 and No . 16 ; and to answer any of their questions.
Monday , 25 October 2021
Page -2-
• Public Works Director Richard Johnson addressed the City Council regarding the
ATRIP Grant for Volanta and U. S. 98. He said the hard costs of project will be
handled by developer. Council President Burrell asked how the Triangle Property
grant ties to the round-about at Highway 104 and Section Street. Mr. Johnson said the
tunnel is included in the GOMESA Grant.
• Recreation Director Pat White addressed the City Council regarding the site work at
the Rotary Youth Club; the football game is an "at home" game for Murphy High
School against Fairhope High School at Fairhope Stadium.
• Assistant Electric Superintendent Jeremy Morgan addressed the City Council
regarding the system study ; regulator for Volanta with bid opening on Wednesday ;
Agenda Item No. 14 with AMEA contributing $25,000.00 toward agreement. Mr .
Morgan commented the training will be coming to Fairhope.
• Assistant Water and Sewer Superintendent Tim Manuel addressed the City Council
and mentioned the water main break ; a Class 160 damaged by tree roots west of
County Road 33 on County Road 32 . Councilmember Robinson said that Mr. Manuel
had an interaction with a citizen and the citizen sought him out to tell him how nice
Mr. Manuel was to him. Council President Burrell asked about Church Street and
Fairhope Avenue intersection. Mr. Johnson replied that the contractor knows they
must keep parking garage access open.
• Human Resources Manager Traveis Cunningham addressed the City Council and
reminded them of the Wellnes s Benefits Fair for employees.
• Planning Director Hunter Simmons addressed the City Council and mentioned the
Comprehensive Plan meeting s; Volanta at Greeno Project; and Riverhorse issues
with North Station homeowners . He said they are looking at a second access to help
with the issues.
There being no further business to come before the City Council , the meeting
was duly adjourned at 5:33 p.m.
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City Clerk