HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-2014 City Council Budget Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )(
COUNTY OF BALDWIN )(
The City Council met in a Budget Meeting
at 3:00p.m., Delchamps Room, 161 North Section Street,
161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on
Monday, 22 September 2014.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller,
Diana Brewer, Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Timothy M. Kant, and
City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. City Attorney Marion E. Wynne was absent.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 3:06p.m. The City
Council reviewed amendments to ordinance regarding Sales Tax allocation and debt
reduction. Medical changes regarding out of network versus in network; and the stop
loss policy amount was changed to $70,000.00. City Treasurer Nancy Wilson
explained
Council President Burrell stated that the radio contract with Baldwin County
has not been signed and will not be signed until negotiations are complete.
Councilmember Brewer questioned whether or not any major items requested by
Department Heads were not on the list. Mayor Kant replied garbage trucks and
trucks from Public Works; and a pumper for the Fire Department.
The lights for the soccer fields were questioned and Mayor Kant responded that these
would be paid from the capital upgrades from Sales Tax Reserve Account and Impact
Fees for Recreation. Mayor Kant mentioned the proposed 2 percent cost of living and
merit raises; and personnel requested (an ale and building person and an engineer on
retainer). He also stated that police officers would begin at the low end of the pay
grade and only bumped up a small percentage after the first year.
Council President Burrell then went over the main changes to the budget and asked
for questions from the other Councilmembers. More funds for sidewalks and
budgeted amount for Fisherman's Wharf Maintenance were discussed. The Gas and
Electric Funds had no major differences in them; and nothing out of the ordinary for
the Waste Water Department. The Water Fund's main difference was debt services.
Capital Projects Fund was discussed next and Mayor Kant said there will be transfers
from Impact Fees for tennis courts and lighting for the soccer fields; $300,000.00
each. Mayor Kant also explained the need to rebid the splash pad at Fairhoper's
Community Park.
Mayor Kant mentioned bidding out labor on the sidewalks and the City would
purchase the material. He suggested using the Pedestrian Committee to come up with
a master plan.
Budget Meeting
Monday, 22 September 2014
Page-2-
Council President Burrell brought up drainage improvements and the need to budget
for these items; and gave the example of the Woodlands Project with our share being
$85,000.00. The fire station for the Fire Department was discussed and the land
questioned as to being in the wrong place. Mayor Kant said Regency sold the land to
the bank and it was not where the station was meant to be.
Community Development Budget was addressed next. Mayor Kant said that labor for
the different departments in in their budget; then, it gets transferred into the
Community Development Budget. The following items were brought up by the City
Council: Sister Cities Committee needs $5,000.00 for national conference and
membership; Blue Print for Tomorrow is not being funded; Council President
recommended funding Shop Local who requested $1,500.00; and Baldwin County
Economic Development Alliance was left off and need to add back $10,000.00.
Council President Burrell brought up the Thomas Hospital requests for $500,000.00
for the new birthing center; and said he was not in favor of giving $100,000.00 per
year, but was willing to contribute $40,000.00 per year. Councilmember Ford replied
we should support our leading industry and give the requested amount.
Councilmember Brewer said the total project would be around $9.0 million with
Infirmary Health putting in around $6.0 million. They are looking at our contribution
as being a kick off for their project. Councilmember Boone commented we should
help one of our industries; and the nursing schools are here that would then help those
students. Councilmember Mueller questioned if not giving this would hurt our
hospital and services to the community. Councilmember Brewer said that the number
one thing that people look at in a community is "healthcare and education."
Mayor Kant said this is being a partnership with Thomas Hospital and it is our
number one utility customer. He said seventy percent of the employees live in
Fairhope. After further discussion, the consensus of the City Council was to approve
$50,000.00 per year for Thomas Hospital.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting
was duly adjourned at 5:00p.m.
~ City Clerk