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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-2014 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, 18 December 2014. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Michael A. Ford (arrived at 4:36p.m.), and Kevin Boone (arrived at 4:36p.m.), Mayor Timothy M. Kant, City Attorney Marion E. Wynne, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Councilmembers: Rich Mueller and Diana Brewer were absent. Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:36p.m. The following topics were discussed: • Councilmember Ford gave an update on the Recreation Board meeting and the discussion for clay courts. He mentioned the disruption by several people attending the meeting. He said the consensus was to build six asphalt/hard courts. The Council's consensus is for hard courts. Councilmember Ford said that Sherry Sullivan gave an update on the soccer fields. Construction Manager for the soccer complex project was brought up. Councilmembers Ford and Boone agreed there was no need for a Construction Manager. Council President said he was in agreement for the City to be the Construction Manager, but wants to explore how many packages to bid are needed. Mayor Kant replied that everyone has the right to bid on all components. He said this project will consist of nine fields based on all preliminary drawings. • Councilmember Boone mentioned the renewal of the lease for Eastern Shore Marine is coming up in 2015. Council President said he wanted open competition for everyone with this lease. • Jennifer Fidler, Public Works Director, commented that recycling is down by three percent. Council President Burrell mentioned a teacher at Fairhope High School who thought the recycling was not being picked up; and wants to lead an effort for recycling at the school. • Councilmember Ford also brought up the ordinance regarding unsupervised children in Fairhope buildings and said it was discussed at the meeting; and asked City Clerk Lisa Hanks was working on this ordinance. City Clerk Hanks replied the ordinance has been sent to City Attorney Wynne for review. • Councilmember Boone said that dredging was discussed at the last Harbor Board meeting. Council President Burrell said that there is a need for dredging throughout the City. Mayor Kant mentioned a National permit that we could piggyback on or apply for a 5-year maintenance permit. The estimate needed for dredging was $500,000.00. He mentioned that Congress completely funded the Corps of Engineer Dredging Projects. Thursday, 18 December 2014 Page -2- • Council President Burrell gave an update on the Airport Authority meeting. He mentioned the "Stream Mitigation Land and sale of land to HyGrade" should be completed any day now. He mentioned dirt being moved on the east side and next year they should receive another FAA grant. The Aviation Academy is already open and Continental Motors' new lease is complete. He also mentioned the Navy during training exercises. Mayor Kant said the Navy planes have been doing "touch and goes" and this is happening all day and all night. They are turning too sharp and staying too low from Rock Creek to Barnwell. Citizens are complaining. Councilmember Ford commented this is the "sound of freedom." • Fire Chief Chris Ellis addressed the City Council regarding the groundbreaking for the new fire station will be in January. • Bobby Hall, Director of Golf, addressed the City Council and stated the bid for the irrigation system is out; and the golf course is in good shape. • Sherry Sullivan, Community Affairs and Recreation Director, addressed the City Council and mentioned the New Year's Eve Celebration. • Jennifer Fidler, Public Works Director, addressed the City Council and said the Quail Creek sidewalks project has started with 95 percent already installed. She mentioned the excavation at Knoll Park and setting up steps. Mayor Kant said that improvements have begun on Fairhope Avenue. Ms. Fidler stated the last FEMA project is being completed on Stimpson Street. Mayor Kant commented on the Winn Dixie Retention Pond which is now being updated by Baldwin County to a I 00-storm event. • Nancy Wilson, City Treasurer, addressed the City Council and told them the first installment on the Triangle property has been paid. She said I 00 percent of the $1.5 million from the Gas Department has been repaid; the $1.5 million from the Electric Department is being paid back. Mayor Kant said that Alabama Power was given the okay to raise rates; and Gulf South is requesting a rate increase of 100 percent on gas. • Dan McCrory, Water and Sewer Superintendent, addressed the City Council regarding the lift station at Fly Creek; and the sewer plant upgrade has 122 days left. • Erik Cortinas, Building Director, addressed the City Council and gave an update on the demolition for the property on 1 0 Ingleside. • Jeff Montgomery, IT Director, addressed the City Council regarding the City's website. He mentioned there have been over 146,000 who have viewed the website; and 126 different companies. • Jonathan Smith, Planning Director, addressed the City Council and mentioned the Comprehensive Plan meetings, multiple new projects being developed, and the traffic study update report will be coming soon. Thursday, 18 December 2014 Page -3- • Council President Burrell stated that after hearing comments on short-term rentals, we may need to leave the ordinance as it is now. Councilmembers Ford and Boone agreed to leave the ordinance as adopted. • Chief Petties addressed the City Council and mentioned the Investigation Department has been working a great deal of overtime; and he hopes things will calm down. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:38p.m.