HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-2014 City Council Strategic Planning Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )(
COUNTY OF BALDWIN )(
The City Council met in a Strategic Planning Meeting
at 4:30p.m., Delchamps Room , 161 North Section Street,
161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on
Tuesday, 10 June 2014.
Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmember Rich Mueller,
Diana Brewer, and Kevin Boone (arrived 5:02p.m.), Mayor Timothy M. Kant, and
City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. Councilmember Michael A. Ford was absent.
Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:30p.m. and handed
out the agenda.
The following topics were discussed:
1. Finances
(a) Council President Burrell requested the proposed budget to be complete by the
last week in August; and ready for adoption at the first meeting in October. Finance
Director Jill Cabaniss said that Mayor Kant would be meeting with Department
Heads in June on labor, merit raises , etc. There will be a second meeting in July for
capital improvements, travel, etc.
(b) Debt reduction was discussed next by City Treasurer Nancy Wilson. She
mentioned the two point upgrade in our bond rating . Ms . Wilson also commented
that there are no GOWs to reduce or payoff in the next year. We are looking at the
URWs for possible reduction . The money used for the Triangle down payment from
the Gas and Electric was also mentioned : Gas should be paid off by year end; and
Electric is still owes $1.3 million.
2 . Jonathan Smith, Planning Director, discussed the Comprehensive Plan and gave the
date and location for the three public input meetings: October 21 , 2014 will be at
Homestead Village ; October 21, 2014 will be at Fairhope Elementary School; and
October 23, 2014 will be at Fairhope Intermediate School. He stated the scope work
was already done for consultant to oversee; and the consultant will conduct these
meetings . Councilmember Mueller suggested a work session with both the Planning
Commission and the City Council.
3. Boards and Committees were the next item on the agenda. Jonathan Smith brought
the Pedestrian and Bike Trails Committee and the need for this committee to be
sanctioned by the City Council. Mayor Kant commented the committee is excited
and willing to help on traffic issues.
Mayor Kant mentioned the Board of Adjustments needing members; one alternate
member and either reappoint or appoint a member. Council President Burrell said we
need to dust off our roster and see if there are any vacancies or expired members .
Council President Burrell commented we are investing a lot in our schools with in-
kind services over a half million dollars . Arts Committee was mentioned and the
need to move forward with the committee.
Strategic Planning
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Page -2-
Councilmember Brewer announced Gretchen Schapker had resigned, so we
will need to appoint a member.
4. Stormwater was next on the agenda to be discussed by Jennifer Fidler and Jonathan
Smith. Ms. Fidler stated the City only owns a few retention ponds. Mr. Smith
mentioned our attorney stating the City cannot go onto private property unless a
retention pond causes damage to others downstream. Retention ponds were built for
a 25 year storm event, but in 2007 we amended the requirements to build for a 100
year storm event. He stated that it would take years before we would see the effects
of Low Impact Designs (LIDs) which are maintained through landscapers. Ms.
Fidler commented the City owns approximately five retention ponds.
Mayor Kant said the April 29 , 2014 storm overran all ponds. The Building
Department should require an engineer to sign off on flood plain . Mr. Smith said the
City may want to look at requiring freeboard being up a few more inches or feet.
5. Chief Petties discussed Public Safety with regards to the City's radios. He discussed
the recent issues with dead spots/zones in the City. The radios need to be compatible
with the Baldwin County Sheriffs office and the City of Daphne Police Department.
The Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department has a grant for the needed antenna. This
radio expenditure of approximately $200 ,000.00 is not budgeted for this year. This
new radio system would allow us not to lose radio contact. Daphne and Magnolia
Springs both have an antenna.
Mayor Kant gave a recent example of radios not connecting to dispatch, to other
officers, or to a helicopter hovering overhead. This is posing a threat to our officers.
Council President Burrell questioned the longevity of the equipment before upgrades
are needed . Jeff Montgomery, IT Director, explained the P25 radio is federally
standard. Chief Petties mentioned the GPS and monitor is included along with the
motor bridge. The consensus of the City Council was to put this on the next agenda.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting
was duly adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
~Ad£ L1sa A. anks , MMC
City Clerk