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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-2017 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, 12 June 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 4:36 p.m. The following topics were discussed: • The first item on the agenda was the marina and boatyard lease. Economic and Community Development Director Sherry-Lea Botop and Lynn Maser addressed the City Council and briefly went over the findings from the marina surveyed. We need to look at our options, at environmental issues, and reinvest and clean up marina. Ms. Botop suggested putting an RFP our to see what others could do; and viability up front. Ms. Maser said we could do a management agreement like a partnership. Council President Burrell stated we may have to lease month to month; and the current leaseholder will not look the same if renewed. He said we need to look at a marina of similar size to see and what are the profits of same. Bob Riggs and Skip Jones, members of the Harbor Board, addressed the City Council and said they agreed with combining the leases. They said we definitely need a boatyard and to be maintained by private individual. Mr. Jones said this is a big piece of property and can be used more efficiently. We need to do a better job defining the property. The Harbor Board agrees that a Clean Marina Program is a must. Mr. Riggs said the appearance and maintenance of the property does not represent Fairhope. He said a good example is Jeanne Paradise at Fly Creek Marina. We have an issue with boat bottoms and toxic paint and sealant. Mr. Jones commented it makes sense to combine the two leases; and the boatyard lessee can manage the marina. Councilmember Boone said we need to get a survey on the property and define each piece for the lease. Council President Burrell commented we need to set the price not too high to be fair to everyone. Mayor Wilson stated we need the boatyard competitively bid out; and look at all costs to run each one. Councilmember Conyers said we need to encourage Eastern Shore to bid; and we should combine the two and put out for bid. Councilmember Brown also said we need to combine leases and get opinions via Request for Proposals. Mayor Wilson said one hundred percent said for the City to run marina; and we would be doing it to maintain a high-level marina and a gateway for Fairhope. She said there are a lot of infrastructure needs as well as environmental needs.