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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2014 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 June 2014. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller, Diana Brewer, Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Timothy M. Kant, City Attorney Marion E. Wynne, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. 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 the Illicit Discharge Ordinance. He said this ordinance clarifies that the City can regulate public and private facilities that put illicit discharges into the City's stormwater. This was recommended by ADEM during the MS4 Permit audit. The remainder ofthe changes was just housekeeping. • City Attorney Marion "Tut" Wynne addressed the City Council regarding the Mediacom Franchise Agreement. He mentioned that the new agreement has a gross revenue clause, bundle services are allowed, fee verification clauses, and only a five-year term. Council President Burrell asked if special events could be put on the public television channels. Mayor Kant stated Mediacom is not getting service to all citizens. We need a place to pay bills as well as drop off or pickup equipment. The only place to pay bills right now is at the Western Union in Winn Dixie. He mentioned the current agreement expires in August. • Peggy Dyson, Chairman of the Knoll Park Committee, addressed the City Council on the Knoll Park Management Plan. Councilmember Boone said a landscape plan was being prepared. Council President Burrell said the manicured perimeter is to be included in the landscape plan; an all in one. David Dyson, Alabama Registered Forrester and member of the Knoll Park Committee, addressed the City Council and briefly explained the plan. He said Knoll Park was a sandhill plant ecosystem. This plan is only a loose framework of what exists and what our goal is to be for the Knoll Park. Council President Burrell said they were getting complaints on the unkept park. Ms. Dyson replied the park needs maintenance; but ideally needs a light burn. She said it was too late to burn this year and next recommended time is next winter. Ms. Fidler said that the exotic plants and undesired plants need removing. Mr. Dyson commented that the understory can be cleared up right now. Councilmember Boone stated he did not agree with burning in the area. Monday, 23 June 2014 Page-2- Ms. Dyson said the primary management tool is burning; and this is part of the reason we have this ecosystem. It is imperative to bring back the species that used to be part of the park. Council President Burrell said the flames would not be higher than ankle high; and disagreed with Councilmember Boone regarding the need to burn. Councilmember Ford stated burning helps the long leaf pine habitat; and it only last between 15 and 20 minutes for the entire park. He said the expert knows the process of burning, but was opposed to burning before the Fourth of July. Councilmember Mueller said that as written he was not interested in the plan. It needs to be obvious that this part is manicured and the other part is natural. This is an experiment. He wants the border to have ornamental plants and manicured. Councilmember Brewer replied this is not an experiment; it is a restoration. She said the plants should complement the park. We should follow the plan; and the experts suggest to burn. Councilmember Boone stated we would not lose the beautification of the park without burning. We did not burn years ago. Councilmember Ford said he could not make a decision without both plans. Ms. Fidler commented she could hire Ms. Todias' group to clean up the park; and they are experts on invasive plants. Ms. Dyson agreed with Ms. Fidler. Council President Burrell summed up the recommendations of the Council: we need to treat the invasive species, hire someone for the invasive species, have a simple majority on burning, want a comprehensive plan, but we need to work on the invasive species now. • Council President Burrell said we will need to add on two agenda items; a resolution for the assignment for the Community Park Renovations Contract and the request to move the July 14, 2014 City Council meeting to Thursday, July 10, 2014. • Councilmember Brewer stated that the Education Advisory Committee will meet on July 2, 2014 for a special work session at 3:00p.m. She briefly went over the agenda items to be discussed. Ms. Sullivan stated the Recreation Board will soon bring their 5-year strategic plan and budget recommendations to the City Council. • Councilmember Boone said the Personnel Board is scheduled to meet this month; and the Harbor Board has not met. • Councilmember Mueller stated he had a scheduling conflict, so he did not make the Knoll Park Committee meeting. He recommending other committees to submit any budget needs for promotion of the committees. Monday, 23 June 2014 Page-3- • Council President Burrell asked the City Councilmembers to look at their committee roster for members; i.e. any expired or vacancies to be filled. • Councilmember Ford said that all is going well with the Recycling Committee and Anna Miller who is on the committee is here for a presentation. Ms. Miller addressed the City Council regarding the Finance Subgroup of the Recycling Committee. They are working on a strategic plan to get the highest service for the lowest price. She is working with the Finance Department to get information to compare the recycling expenditures and revenue to prepare a financial analysis for the City of Fairhope. • Council President Burrell gave an update on the Fairhope Airport Authority. They are working on land for stream mitigation. Another company is looking at purchasing/leasing land at the Airport. He mentioned the FAA grant for $1.2 million dollars for the Airport; and the FBO contract is up for bid. He also mentioned several Cities are being looked at for possible Sister Cities. • Chief Ellis gave an update on the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department and calls. There were 32 fire calls with 20 being structural fires; 88 motor vehicle accidents; 89 EMS calls; 6 water rescues; and 227 false and miscellaneous alarms. Chief Ellis also mentioned the radio grant. Councilmember Ford announced that Chief Ellis was named the Fairhope Rotary Club's "Volunteer of the Year." • Jennifer Fidler, Public Works Director, addressed the City Council regarding the sidewalk contract at Fairhope A venue and the paving of South Ingleside this week. • Dan McCrory, Water and Sewer Superintendent, addressed the City Council regarding the generator for the Waste Water Treatment Plant was delivered on Friday. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:45p.m.