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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-2014 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, 9 June 2014. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller, Diana Brewer (arrived at 4:45p.m.), Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone (arrived at 5:00 p.m.), 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 4:30p.m. The following topics were discussed: • Jonathan Smith, Planning Director, addressed the City Council regarding Senate Bill 355 and Act 2014-439 pertaining to Energy and Natural Resources. Mr. Smith explained the Act and the need for the City to revise its ordinance. This Act affects illicit stormwater and our MS4 permit. Mayor Kant stated this began with a water project. The EPA shut down Birmingham for violations. This Act would allow municipalities and counties to charge a fee of $10.00 per household and a maximum of $3,000.00 for commercial. The Clean Water Act must be enforced now. Funds can be used for a variety of things: storm water upgrades, matches for grants, MS4 permit, stormwater maintenance, etc. • Jennifer Fidler, Public Works Director, addressed the City Council regarding the plan for the Pier Street beach project. Ms. Fidler said this plan includes sand being brought in for the beach. There will be approximately 200 to 250 truckloads; about 20 cubic yards. The rebuilding of the beach will be 20 feet east of Pier Street with 2 different terraces similar to dunes. The Public Works Department will move the sand and build the terraces. Funding was mentioned as well as the hiring of Scott Douglass who is an expert. • Karin Wilson addressed the City Council on the Fairhope Local Independent Business Alliance. Ms. Wilson announced a workshop being held on June 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. The workshop will be held at The Venue which is located on 1 05 South Section Street. Mayor questioned the benefits for the Alliance. Councilmember Brewer replied this is a marketing campaign. Ms. Wilson said this marketing campaign is not just for downtown merchants, but for sports tourism as well as shopping local. She said that every aspect of Fairhope will gain by this workshop. Monday, 9 June 2014 Page -2- • Councilmember Mueller mentioned the Knoll Park Committee will meet this Wednesday. • Councilmember Brewer stated that the Education Advisory Committee has not met this month. • Councilmember Ford said that all is going well with the Recycling Committee and the Museum Board is doing a fantastic job. • Council President Burrell commented that the Fairhope Airport Authority and Industrial Development Board will meet this month. He also mentioned a possible Sister City located in Wales: Rhos-on-Seas. • Jill Cabaniss, Finance Director, addressed the City Council regarding the upcoming budget. She said request need to be turned in now. Council President Burrell mentioned complaints on numbers being changed after the budget has been passed out. • Jonathan Smith, Planning Director, addressed the City Council regarding the Comprehensive Plan meetings for community input will be held on October 20, 2014, October 21, 2014, and October 23, 2014. He said LID stormwater comparisons; and traffic operations and maintenance study updates are part of the Comprehensive Plan updates. • Dan McCrory, Water and Sewer Superintendent, addressed the City Council regarding the Sewer Plant upgrades. He mentioned we were about 14 days behind due to the rain storm. The generator for the plant is now being shipped. • Nancy Wilson, City Treasurer, addressed the City Council regarding a FEMA update. Ms. Wilson said the first transmittals of $34,000.00 for Category A items were complete. The City should get approximately $30,000.00 reimbursement from the Federal and State. • Council President Burrell thanked Nancy Wilson, Jill Cabaniss, their staff along with Councilmembers for getting the City two steps higher of credit worthiness from Standards and Poor; a AA + rating. • Jennifer Fidler commented that she has been working of FEMA Category A as quickly as possible to get the City the higher reimbursement of 80 percent to 85 percent rather than the usual 75 percent. Monday, 9 June 2014 Page-3- • Council President Burrell stated he had received complaints from citizens regarding trees cut in Colonial Acres. Scott Sligh, Electric Superintendent, replied that his crew cut the trees due to road clearance issues. Mayor Kant said that for public safety we are supposed to keep a 20 foot clearance away from the power lines. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:26p.m.