HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-2014 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, 23 January 2014. ·
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller,
Diana Brewer (arrived at 5:05p.m.), Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone, Attorney
Marcus McDowell, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Mayor Timothy M. Kant and City
Attorney Marion E. Wynne were absent.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30p.m.
The following topics were discussed:
• City Treasurer Nancy Wilson addressed the City Council and briefly explained
the Rainy Day Fund. Ms. Wilson continued by reviewing the General Obligation
Warrant ("GOW") 2009 handout in the City Council packet. By prepaying the
GOW 2009, the City will save approximately $311,124 .00 in interest; and by the
end of July 2014 we should have repaid the Sales Tax Rainy Day account back to
its balance of $7.0 million.
Councilmember Ford stated we may need to put a cap on borrowing from this
fund; and we should not make this a habit. Councilmember Boone mentioned
that Mayor Kant stated we should never go below $3.5 million in the Sales Tax
Rainy Day account.
• Councilmember Ford announced that the Museum Board needs a new member;
the Recycling Committee is doing well; and the Recreation Board is moving
along with no problems. The Senior Bowl practice and soccer complex were
mentioned.
• Council President Burrell briefly discussed the Airport Authority and handed out
the minutes from the December 17, 2013 meeting. He stated the Industrial
Development Board would be meeting soon and he has several applications to
review for members. Council President Burrell mentioned he and Pandora
Heathcoe met with some representatives from a financial company regarding a
possible cafeteria plan and employee benefits. He said that employees at Quail
Creek need to be able to receive tips on a credit card machine. Knoll Park was
mentioned and the need to have a meeting to go over this issue; and he requested
a copy of the proposed plan from the Knoll Park Committee.
Councilmember Mueller stated we need to know if the Dyas property has a long
leaf pine and sandhill ecosystem. Council President Burrell commented that Art
Dyas might be able to help. Councilmember Boone said he is for a beautiful park
and not cutting down trees . He said it is the City's park and we should make the
decision.
Thursday, 23 January 2014
Page-2-
Council President Burrell said we can have the Work Session on February 11,
2014 and cancel the Strategic Planning meeting. The meeting will be at 5:00
p .m. instead of 4:30 p .m. City Clerk Lisa Hanks was asked to invite Art Dyas
and the Knoll Park Committee.
• Sherry Sullivan, Community Affairs and Recreation Director, addressed the City
Council regarding the Community Park. She said they were ready to advertise
bids and hopefully would receive bids from at least three to four companies. We
will present the bid award at the March 6, 2014 City Council meeting. Ground
breaking should be in April with the grand opening being in May 2014 .
• Councilmember Brewer announced that the Education Advisory Committee
needs new members. She hoped to have applications for reviewing at the next
meeting in February.
• Dan McCrory, Water & Sewer Superintendent, addressed the City Council and
gave an update on the following items : Sewer Treatment Plant, person who fell
is doing well ; sewer lines in Montrose ; booster station at Rock Creek is online ;
Plantation Pines sewer lines ; and he will be attending the National Rural Water
Competition in Washington D .C .
• Jennifer Fidler, .Public Works Director, addressed the City Council and gave an
update on the bluff; Fairhope Avenue is on schedule ; and mentioned planting
bushes at Knoll Park in the next few weeks.
The consensus from all Councilmembers was to hold off planting bushes until
after the February 11 , 2014 meeting. Councilmember Ford stated it is in your
face planting the bushes; and it shows ownership of the property . General
Superintendent James Gillespie said if this is what you want by holding off the
planting, then we will hold off planting.
• Sherry Sullivan mentioned that on February 11 , 2014 a group will be going to
Andalusia to look at the Church Street Cultural Arts Center. She said the school
board turned the school over to the City. A foundation was formed to run the
center and raise money to fund the renovations .
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was
duly adjourned at 5:30p.m.
~4/IL
City Clerk