HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-08-2017 City Council Work Session 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, 8 May 2017.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Jay Robinson,
Jimmy Conyers, Robert Brown, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Karin Wilson, City
Attorney Marion E. Wynne, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. and stated
there would be no public participation during the Work Session.
The following topics were discussed:
• The first item on the agenda was the Library Board Discussion presented by Dan
Stankoski resides at 205 White Avenue and is a Library Board member. Mr.
Stankoski stated he is speaking on behalf of the Library Board and the Friends of the
Fairhope Library. He said the Library Board would like for Faulkner, now known as
Coastal Alabama Community College, to release the second floor that is being
leased; and for it to be vacated by mutual agreement. Mr. Stankoski gave the City
Council and Mayor a handout prepared by the Library Board. He said the Library is
alive and well: the existing teen area has outgrown its space. The Library wants to
add on a veteran's area, a genealogy area, and a maker's space which is a creative
space to event and leam. He mentioned the Fairhope pier is not a money maker and
if funded. Mr. Stankoski stated the agreement, when first leased to the college, was
when the Science building was built they would no longer need the upstairs. He said
the lease is a three year lease with two more options of three years. He suggested the
City Council put the $2,200.00 per month rent in escrow for the Library. Council
President Burrell stated there was $820,000.00 budgeted this year; and the consensus
of the City Council is to help the Library as best we can.
• The marina and boatyard lease was next on the agenda. Councilmember Brown
commented the current leaseholder is here tonight. Tom Hutchins and Catherine
Wall addressed the City Council regarding the leases. Mr. Hutchins said he is an
advisor for Ms. Wall; and stated there is a lot of synergy between the marina and
boatyard. He mentioned improvements that have been done in the past few months;
and Ms. Wall would like to have a chance to make the marina what she visions for it.
Mr. Hutchins commented this property is not a gateway for tourist; and the Wall
family has run this business for 30 years. He asked for the City to allow the
resurrection of the business through Catherine Wall.
Mayor Wilson said this is a town of entrepreneurs and we are looking at things to add
value to the community. She said this should impact your business in a good way;
and improving the area will give better opportunities for entrepreneurs. She also
mentioned Restore Act Funds requested to dredge the channel and slips.