HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-2017 City Council Work Session MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )(
COUNTY OF BALDWIN )(
The City Council met in a Work Session at 4:30 p.m.,
Delchamps Room, 161 North Section Street,
161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on
Monday, 27 March 2017.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Jimmy
Conyers and Kevin Boone, Mayor Karin Wilson, City Attorney Marion E. Wynne,
and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Councilmembers Jay Robinson and Robert Brown
were absent.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
The following topics were discussed:
• The first item on the agenda is the Battles Wharf Area Discussion. Fred Killion,
19313 Scenic Highway 98, addressed the City Council regarding Breland and the
possible filling in 10.5 acres of wetlands. He said his concem was the Supreme
Court may have reversed decision. Mr. Killion outlined the history of the case,
passed out a report and documents, and explained pictures in the report. He stated
Baldwin County and the City of Fairhope objected to the filling of wetlands; and sent
letter to the Corps of Engineers of this fact. Mr. Killion stated the permit issued must
comply to the following: mitigation credits purchased and put 30 some acres under a
Conservation Easement. The third condition was to get local permission from both
the County and the City. Mr. Killion stated time is barred by the 2-year statute of
limitations; and Breland has not met the conditions. Council President Burrell
thanked Mr. Killion and said we want best for Fairhope. (A copy of the
"Documents" are on file in the City Clerk's office).
• Budget discussions was next on the agenda. Councilmember Conyers commented
the Library being part of the City is not in this budget. He suggested getting the
Personnel Board to approve the salaries and new jobs. Council President Burrell
stated that new job descriptions are reviewed by the Personnel Board and a
recommendation to the City Council is given. The City Council questioned the 34
new positions: 5 newly created vacancies, 29 new vacancies, 21 current vacancies,
and 3 retirees. Council President Burrell stated we need to spend more time on this
issue.
The other items with budget questions were the Airport Appropriation, Capital
Upgrades for Utilities, MUNIS system; and the Library. Mayor Wilson said the
Library is not in the budget and was just an idea for savings; and the budget, as a
whole, must be looked at not just sections. Council President Burrell said the Library
should remain as a separate entity. Councilmember Boone reiterated the Library
should be kept a separate Board. Finance Jill Cabaniss commented on the
percentages she prepared and gave examples. Mayor Wilson commented these could
be changed and we were being conservative. Council President Burrell stated we
project low on revenues and higher on expenses; and Capital Upgrades should be
with a strategic plan spread over 5 to 6 years.