HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-2015 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, 22 June 2015.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller, Diana
Brewer, Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Timothy M. Kant, City Attorney Marion
E. Wynne, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30p.m.
The following topics were discussed:
• The Education Advisory Committee Presentation was first on the agenda. Kerry
Flowers, Chair of the Committee, addressed the City Council with a Power Point
Presentation on the three options: remaining status quo, a special tax district for
Fairhope, or a separate school system. The Committee also requested the City
Council to authorize or update a professional feasibility study since the last one was
done in 2010. Discussion was on citizens buying in on special tax district and a
district was not looked at in the last study. Councilmember Brewer commented the
current rate is not keeping up with growth. Julia Summerlin mentioned the five
categories derived from the EAC's Community Forum: Improved communication
with involved parties; establish a plan for education in Fairhope; transparency and
accountability; local control of taxes and education; and educational standards and
measures. Council President Burrell suggested taking the remaining $6,000.00 and
$40,000.00 from next year's $350,000.00 if in budget.
Mayor Kant stated it would take at least four to five million dollars per child for a
separate school system. He said that Saraland has raised taxes twice to keep up with
funding their school system. Mayor Kant commented if citizens are not willing to
support taxes, do not go forward with the study. Councilmember Brewer said there is
no path for our schools to get to the top ten (" 1 0") in education.
Council President Burrell took a straw poll and there was not a consensus to go
forward with funding a study at this time or to take the fund from the EAC's schools
budget. We need to allow more time to think about this request.
• Margaret Meyers, Member of the Harbor Board, addressed the City Council
regarding the Harbor Board proposed By-laws. Dr. Meyers read over the proposed
bylaws and explained the major changes of setting a meeting date and time; how
often the Board will meet; and electing officers. The Board recommended changing
the appointment from two years to four years.
• Jonathan Smith, Planning Director, addressed the City Council and discussed the
HUD Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Entitlement Program. Diane
Burnett, Director of Community Development with the South Alabama Regional
Planning Commission, addressed the City Council and explained the CDBG Program
which is a revitalization program for low to moderate income or slum to blight areas
only.
Monday, 22 June 2015
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A Consolidated Plan must be done and An Analysis of Impediments must be sent and
approved by HUD prior to release of grant funds. The Consolidated Plan is a 5 year
plan with an Action Plan component which is updated annually and provides a listing
of projects. The City of Fairhope is expected to receive approximately $64,000.00 in
2016.
• Chief Petties and Lt. Stephanie Hollinghead addressed the City Council regarding the
Fairhope Police Department's needs and the Dispatch Console. Lt. Hollinghead
stated some are getting information and some are not. Clear and precise date is not
being given out at this time. Councilmember Mueller said he was not happy the new
radios not working now and was told these were compatible. We have $115,000.00
unbudgeted but a necessity for public safety.
• Dan Ames, Purchasing Manager, addressed the City Council regarding the Civic
Center HV AC system. Mayor Kant explained that one of the units is not working at
all and all units need to be replaced. He stated funding would be from the Capital
Improvement Fund and there is a need to approve the expenditure. Council President
Burrell said we need to add to the agenda to authorize Mayor Kant to purchase three
("3") 10 Ton HV AC Units with a cost not to exceed $48,700.00.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was
duly adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
~ City Cle k