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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-2015 City Council Work Session MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )( COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( The City Council met in a Work Session at 4:30p.m., Delchamps Room, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 9 February 2015. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller, Diana Brewer, Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone, City Attorney Marion E. Wynne, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Mayor Timothy M. Kant was absent. Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30p.m. The following topics were discussed: • Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler and Scott Douglass with South Coast Engineers addressed the City Council regarding a Fairhope Beach Maintenance Program. Mr. Douglass stated that FEMA would replace the beach from a disaster if a plan is in place. He also said we want to stay ahead of emergency needs by managing beaches and vegetate with grass. • Councilmember Brewer began the discussion of a resolution to extend school funding deadline. She said there was money not spent from the 2013-2014 funding; ranging from $5,500 at Fairhope Intermediate to $36,000 at Fairhope Middle. Councilmember Brewer said we need to extend the deadline to spend the funds to May 31, 2015, but only for the approved list of items. Councilmember Brewer also mentioned a vacancy on the Education Advisory Committee needing to be filled. • Counci1member Ford stated the Recycling Committee changed its meeting date from Wednesday to Tuesday; and mentioned one vacancy is to be filled at the next City Council meeting. • Councilmember Boone said the Harbor Board has not met yet, but a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. He mentioned the boat(s) at the Yardarm Marina and since it has been transferred who is responsible for removing. Councilmember Boone commented the Personnel Board has not met. He recommended everyone to attend and view our City Courts. • Councilmember Mueller mentioned the Historic Preservation Committee meeting and the draft ordinance he put in the City Council boxes. He requested them to review and mark up with changes in order to begin dialogue for the ordinance. • Councilmember Brewer requested that the contract for the 2014-2015 school funding be extended to December 31, 2015 which would give the schools an entire year to use. Council President Burrell commented we do not want to keep extending each year. Councilmember Mueller said they need to figure a way to spend funds within the year. • Council President Burrell gave an update on the Fairhope Airport Authority and mentioned the stream mitigation bank, the east side improvements; and the possibility of a large company to invest at the airport. He also mentioned the Sister Cities Committee and still looking at Alesund in Norway. Monday, 9 February 2015 Page -2- • Council President Burrell brought the issue from James Watkins regarding the Open Meetings Act and Mr. Watkins concerns with committees violating the act. He requested committees to not deliberate after the meeting is adjourned. Mr. Watkins said this puts employees in a bad spot. The Education Advisory Committee and the Recreation Board are the two committees. Councilmember Brewer replied we will work on conforming to the law. Councilmembers Ford and Brewer both questioned what Mr. Watkins was speaking about. • Council President Burrell brought up the subject of skateboarding on public streets. He asked the City Council is they wanted to stop them. The consensus of the City Council was no ordinance at this time. He wanted to get a legal opinion and asked City Clerk Hanks to contact the League of Municipalities. Chief Petties said he spoke to both sides from Sandy Ford Subdivision and there are just two streets they want banned. He said if we adopt an ordinance it would have to cover all public streets in Fairhope; not just two streets. • Tennis Courts were the next item to be discussed. Council President Burrell said soft courts are easier on the body, but the negative side is the cost and maintenance. Councilmember Ford, Boone, and Mueller were all concerned with court maintenance and needed irrigation. Councilmember Ford commented the largest tennis facility does not have one soft court; all 180 are hard courts. Council President Burrell suggested having the new courts bid both ways; and this would not hurt the process. • Council President Burrell brought up the Knoll Park Maintenance Plan for discussion which included burning to promote the longleaf pine ecosystem. Councilmember Boone replied that the maintenance plan is only a guideline. Councilmember Mueller said the bum is not for the pines; it is for the ecosystem. This bum must be done in sections. Councilmember Ford said it is good for the forest if done correctly. Council President Burrell stated he wants to vote it one way or another. He said this would be placed on the next agenda. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:34p.m. ~ City Clerk