HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2014 City Council Work Session MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )(
COUNTY OF BALDWIN )(
The City Council met in a Work Session at 4:30p.m.,
Del champs Room, 161 North Section Street,
Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 8 September 2014.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller,
Diana Brewer, Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone (arrived at 4:36p.m.), 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 dis.cussed:
• Councilmember Mueller stated the City Council needs to look at the
ordinance for the Historic Preservation Committee and let him know if
they have comments or suggestions. He said hopefully it will be adopted
before the end of the year. The Fairhope Environmental Advisory Board
needs money for the exploration of the biological issues at the Bay. He
also said the Tree Committee may need funds.
• Councilmember Ford said the Recycling Committee meets next week; the
Knoll Park Committee meeting was cancelled; and the Recreation
Committee is working on the Soccer Complex.
• Councilmember Brewer said the Education Advisory Committee and the
Recreation Committee meet next week. The K-1 group will meet on
September 17, 2014; and hope to have a proposal the Baldwin County
Board of Education in December. The EAC sent letters to the principals
for status reports.
• Council President Burrell said the Sister Cities Committee did not have a
quorum, but the ones in attendance did discuss Rhos-on-Sea; and to search
for another Sister City with hopes to have one by December. The
Planning Commission will meet Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. for a special-
called meeting to hear proposals for the Comprehensive Plan update.
• "Preliminary Budget Discussions" was the next item on the agenda.
Council President Burrell stated this is a good budget and is very
thorough. He met with Mayor Kant to discuss and ask questions; and
there were no surprises. He requested to see the 2014 actuals versus the
2014 budget. Council President Burrell told the other Councilmembers
that now is the time to request funds for Committees. He said we could
try and adopt the budget in two weeks, adopt it on October 13, 2014, or
call a special meeting to adopt it. He commented this is a very mature
budget.
Monday, 8 September 2014
Page-2-
Mayor Kant said the main issue is the Community Development Budget.
The City Council needs to decide what you want to support or not support.
He told the City Council he wanted the Personnel Board to look at the City
having its own Cafeteria Plan; and to look at our benefits package. The
Compensation Study and Pay Plan needs to be readdressed.
Mayor Kant stated the budget presented is a $61.5 million dollar budget
with $56.0 million in total expenses.
Council President Burrell mentioned grant applications and not being in
the budget; and would like to see these included. Other budget items were
briefly discussed: NRCS grant applications, the Triangle Project,
sidewalk projects, new tennis courts, new irrigation system at Golf
Course; and an engineer on retainer to help on projects. He announced a
Budget Meeting would be held on September 22,2014 at 3:00p.m.
• Pandora Heathcoe, Human Resources Manager, addressed the City
Council regarding "Safety -Boots on the Ground" for excavating. She
mentioned we have already had three onsite inspections. Worker's
Compensation has just completed its annual inspection visit.
• Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler addressed the City Council
regarding the Winn Dixie Detention Pond which is being upgraded for a
100 year event; and the pre-bid meeting for the Council is September 11,
2014.
• Dan McCrory, Water & Sewer Superintendent, addressed the City Council
and gave an update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said ERTs are
being installed for the Water Department. Councilmember Mueller
questioned the SCADA system. Mr. McCrory replied we are working
towards a complete system in phases.
• Jonathan Smith, Planning Director, addressed the City Council regarding
the Comprehensive Plan update proposals presented at the special-called
Planning Commission meeting. He said the Low Impact Developments
meetings will be community input meetings.
Monday, 8 September 2014
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• Council President Burrell commented on the Alabama Community of
Excellence meeting held for our Strategic Planning segment. He stated it
was hard to find consensus for improvement idea since the City of
Fairhope is already considered excellent. Councilmember Mueller stated
he was concerned with older citizens not being involved.
• Councilmember Mueller also questioned the new first responder system.
Mayor Kant replied the contract with the County keeps changing; and we
are now negotiating with them on prices. He said we need an agreement
that spells out the details in the beginning.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was
duly adjourned at 5:35p.m.
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City Clerk