Fairhope Times

City Finances Improved Again in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:52:58 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

The yearly financial audit for FY 2011 -- by accountants Hartman, Blackmon and Kilgore P.C. -- found the city in good shape overall: with revenue/assets up and debt/liabilities down.

Council President Mixon gave credit to city staff/department heads and the citizen volunteers on various financial/budget committees; councilman Stankoski concurred.

Mixon: "Over the past 3 years working togethar we accomplished our goal to achieve a high level of financial stability ... making Fairhope a fiscally strong city ... possibly one of the strongest in the state ... ."

Mixon warned however, that there were still challenges ahead, notably expensive upgrades to the city's sewer and water systems and unfunded retirement expenses for employees.

Stankoski: "... this council worked diligently ... made some hard decisions ... that were not popular ... during recession ... and oil spill ... . This city is now in excellent financial condition ... it didn't just happen ... because of the hard work ... of a lot of people Mr. Mixon mentioned."

New Police Officers Introduced

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:19:21 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

Police Chief Press introduced Fairhope's 2 newest police officers to the mayor/city council recently.

Press said he found there were no standards for hiring police officers when he was appointed Chief in 2009, but now prospective hires must pass oral/written tests, physical agility test, drug screening, background checks. psychological tests, polygraph, et al.

Press said the new uniform standards "allow us to hire the very best applicants."

Press said that Officer Damien Ringhorn had experience as a certified police officer in Florida and was a MP in the military.

Officer Phelon Durgins was an officer in the Mobile PD, and also served as a corrections officer there for 8 years according to Press.

Durgins is a relative of Charles Durgins, who works for the city at the Young Street Youth Club.

Educational Advisory Committee to be Appointed

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:10:13 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

APPLICATIONS NOW BEING REVIEWED

Councilmember Stankoski said that he and Councilmember Kingrea would review the 12 applications received for membership on the new Educational Advisory Committee -- and make recommendations to the full council for filling the six vacant slots, possibly as early as the next council meeting.

Stankoski: "... (we) have been in contact with the Baldwin County Board of Education regarding the committee make-up and jointly developing a mission statement for the EAC. The goal is to have the EAC work with the BCBE to make Fairhope schools and the feeder pattern as good as we can possibly make them. ... the EAC should act in concert and cooperation with Dr. Lee and the BCBE. The EAC is not being formed as a subterfuge for a movement to establish a Fairhope City School System."

HIGH QUALITY APPLICANTS

When asked by a Times reporter, Councilmembers Quinn, Kingrea and Stankoski said they were satisfied with the quality of the applicants overall.

Stankoski called it a "good group" and Kingrea said that while he wished there had been more applicants, the quality is "extremely high."

Councilmember Quinn called many of the applicants "well qualified," but worried some applied only because they distrusted the group's mission.

None of the applicant's names have been made public.

POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES DISCUSSED

During the work session prior to the meeting, councilmember Mixon wondered about the committee's mission statement and what would be the funding source for recommendations the committee may someday propose.

Mixon: "Where are you going to get the money."

Stankoski said he envisioned the committee itself coming up with its own mission statement and any recommendations that it ultimately makes that require spending "significant" tax dollars should be ratified by taxpayers (voter referendum).

Stankoski: " ... if you are talking about significant money ... (we) need to hold a referendum ... I don't want to make a decision to spend tax dollars without approval by tax payers of the city."

Kingrea agreed, saying later he considered city funding of schools to be "outside the norm," usually provided through school boards, and the citizens should decide where any "discretionary funds" are spent.

Kingrea: City funding of schools is outside the norm for most school districts; funding is normally provided through the board of education, whether county or city. While I believe the education of our children ranks among the top, if not the top, concerns of our citizens, the City is responsible for a number of other costly issues, debt reduction, infrastructure repairs, etc.; therefore, the citizens should determine where any discretionary funds are spent.

Personnel Board Upholds Employee's Firing

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:47:50 PST

APPEAL HEARING HELD

By a unanimous vote, the city's Personnel Board upheld the termination of corrections officer Tony Avera.

At the request of Avera's attorney John Beck, the meeting/deliberations were closed to the public.

Chief Press said afterwards that "it was unfortunate it came to this; but if all employees follow local and state laws, such things would not happen."

Before the decision was announced, Avera told a Times reporter he felt the hearing had been fair; but said afterwards he plans to appeal the Board's decision to state court.

(Publisher's Note: The appeal hearing for another officer (Tervelle Lee) that had been scheduled for this Thursday has been canceled; Lee has withdrawn his appeal.)

Greeno Rd. Committee Considers Extending "Village Center" Zoning

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:13:06 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT PROPOSED

During a contentious meeting with several N. Greeno road property owners, the North Greeno Study Committee decided a community village center overlay zoning plan may be the best approach for the stretch of road roughly from Edwards Ave north to HWY 104.

Most of the property there is now zoned residential, R-1: village center zoning allows a mixture of various levels of residential and commercial.

Property owner/developer William Lewis (Seaborn Capitial LLC) : " ... in terms of the market ... you are going to have to set up a framework ... so that someone can build in it ... my property would be a good CVC ... you could include the whole section ... make the whole strip a CVC ... ." (Lewis owns the now-vacant 35 acre tract at the SW corner of Volanta Ave.)

Property owner Fred Hayek: "I think Dick (Lewis) just laid out a framework ... make it (all) a village center ... ."

Planning Director Johnathan Smith: "So -- use the community village guidelines already in the zoning ordinance in an overlay district there? ... that may be a good idea." (Smith said as a city employee he himself had to remain neutral at this point: could not officially support one proposal over another.)

Committee Chairman Dick Charles: "We just created a medical overlay district for the hospital ... there's no reason we cant do the same (village overlay) for Greeno."

OUTSIDE CONSULTANT MAY BE NEEDED

Calling it a good investment for the city, Planning and Zoning Board member Gary Moore asked if there was any money in the budget to hire a consultant who could come in and help facilitate plans for the north corridor.

Planner Smith: "I'll check into the availability of funds to possibly hire a facilitator."

Also, it was decided to ask the mayor to write a letter to Auburn University's School of Architecture to see if it could offer professional input (since the university owns property along the corridor) and another member (Russo) was to gather material from a similar project in Pascagoula, Mississippi (called Anchor Village).

The next meeting will be in March, according to Chairman Charles.

(Publisher's Note: AVillage Center already exists immediately to the north, consisting of the Fly Creek Village and Village North PUD's.)

Most Ruby Tuesday Trees Replaced

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:21:59 PST

Fairhope Alabama

Many of the trees that were cut last month by the owner of the Ruby Tuesday restaurant property (Corte) have now been replaced. The red/silver maples, hawthorne and other varieties were replaced with varieties of oaks and at least one magnolia (in the city's right of way).

City horticulturist Fidler said recently a municipal court hearing scheduled for earlier this month on the matter had been postponed.

Another source at city hall said the property owner cut the trees because he "didn't like the way the old trees looked."

Several areas of badly-buckled sidewalks there were repaired as well.
Tree roots usually cause such damage.

(Publisher's Note: The city's tree ordinance generally applies only to trees on private property greater than 19 inches in diameter.)

Consultant Says New Water Tank Tower Not Needed Now

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:40:03 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

An engineering consultant told the Financial Advisory Committee that running new 12 and 16" water lines along CR 13 and HWY 104 would be sufficient to relieve the chronic summer-time low water pressure problems north of town (Rock Creek subdivision) -- and in the vicinity of Thomas Hospital.

The engineer from CH2M HILL Inc., recommended Option A -- the least expensive of the 3 options considered, costing $1.6 million (other options involved new water lines/pump stations along other roads were $3.4 and $2.4 million respectively).

He said the new water tower may be needed someday-- to cope with future growth north of town; and City Administrator Mims recommended negotiating to extend the lease of the property (currently $1/year) where the tower may be located someday.

Engineer: "You have six million gallons of water (available in existing tanks) already ... if you can get that water northward ... you don't need a new tank."

(Publisher's Note: The same engineering firm said late last year a $10 million upgrade to the city's sewage treatment plant is needed.)

Museum Director Named Citizen of the Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:05:18 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

DONNIE BARRETT

Fairhope History Museum Director Donnie Barrett was named Fairhope's Citizen of the Quarter by Police Citizens' Advisory Committee members.

Committee Chairman Mike Hutchinson called Barrett a "cornucopia of (historical) knowledge" and Police Chief Press said he is "an exemplary ambassador for the city."

Barrett, a former school teacher said he particularly enjoys teaching/interacting with children who visit the museum; and enjoys his role there as a "public servant."

Traffic Committee Hears Street-Striping Recommendations

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:53:20 PST

click

Fairhope, Alabama

Planning Director Johnathan Smith and Public Works' Jennifer Fidler presented their recommendations for striping recently-paved streets according to advice from consultant Dan Burden and previous engineering studies.

Some of the recommendations were:

Eliminate double yellow center lines downtown, except on major roads. A single broken line may be substituted.
Widen crosswalks to ten feet.
Eliminate parking 25' from intersections to improve sight lines.
5' wide bike lanes downtown; but only if there is room on both sides of the street
Utilize shared lane markings ("sharrows") for bikes and cars -- where there is insufficient room for bike lanes.
Colorize some turn lanes and bike lanes.
Bike lanes on Fairhope Ave. from Greeno to Bancroft.
Sharrows on Ingleside between Gayfer and CR 44.

BICYCLISTS MUST OBEY LAWS

Councilman Kingrea insisted that some way should be found as well to ensure that cyclists follow state laws where bike lanes were made available, perhaps via some kind of public awareness program.

YIELD TO PEDESTRIAN SIGNS REPLACED

In response to a question from an attending citizen, Fidler promised the yield to pedestrian signs that had been placed at some intersections at the request of a local girl scout troop would be reinstalled as soon as the paving projects were completed.

POLICE TO WEIGH IN

It was agreed that the list would now be reviewed by the police department -- and final recommendations made to the city council for approval at its regular meeting this Monday.

(Publisher's Note: Fidler drew chuckles when she said some of the proposed bike lanes would connect the biking community to the hospital.)

Fairhope Police Officer of the Month Named

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:16:01 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

OFFICER JAMES NELSON

Officer James Nelson was selected police officer of the month for December 2011 by his supervisors for successfully handling a shots fired call on New Year's Eve. According to Chief Press, Nelson located the two subjects and held them at gunpoint until backup arrived; then discovered a handgun with serial numbers removed in the waistband of one -- and drugs carried by the other.

Nelson: "It's nice to be noticed. Its what we do out there ... ."

This is Neslon's second OOM award.

Councilman Says Filter Unwanted Political E-Mails

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:51:22 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

Perhaps referring to local political activist Paul Ripp and his associates, Councilman Dan Stankoski told the public to utilize their e-mail filters to keep harassing messages out of their in-boxes.

Boy Scouts Meet Mayor/City Council

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:07:54 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

As part of its communication merit badge requirement, boy scout Troop 47 met the Mayor and City Council recently. They were there to observe how government worked.

Mayor's Supporter Says Fire Police Chief Press, Not Officers

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:29:06 PST

Foster

Fairhope, Alabama

BISCUIT KING RESTAURANT OWNER

Saying they are "friends of mine," county resident Willie Foster, owner of the Biscuit King Fun Barn restaurant on CR 24. south of town, told a Times reporter he thought Police Chief Bill Press should be fired; and the six officers now facing termination, retained.

Foster said he had no other complaints against Press, other than his efforts to terminate his friends.

SUPPORTED MAYOR KANT

Foster's donation to Kant

Foster at first denied having any political connections -- but when confronted with campaign finance records, finally admitted he had donated to Mayor Kant's campaign fund. Foster had issued denials in previous media reports as well (Fairhope Courier).

Reporter: "Did you ever donate to Mayor Kant's campaign?"

Foster: "No I have not."

After his donation was exposed, Foster called councilman Mike Ford a "friend of mine" as well. Both Kant and Ford have openly advocated for Press' removal.

KNOWS FORMER OFFICER STEVE GRIFFIS TOO

Asked if he personally knew now-retired Fairhope Police Captain Steve Griffis, Foster said he did -- but then became belligerent when asked if he (Griffis) should have been made Police Chief instead of Press.

Foster: "I don't think that's any of your business. I'd advise you to move on down (the street). You are asking for trouble."

Foster claimed that neither the Mayor or Councilman Ford, had encouraged him to mount this protest.

Since Foster does not live within the city limits, he cannot vote in Fairhope elections.

(Publisher's Note: In similar public demonstrations back in 2009, the Mayor, Ford and a group of citizens had publicly advocated for then-Captain Steve Griffis to become Police Chief. (click))

SAYS SLEEPING/SEX ON DUTY ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Foster refused to talk about specifics of the officers' pending disciplinary cases, but implied he thought some of the charges (according to prior media reports) were not serious enough to warrant termination.

Reporter: "If they did that, should they be fired?"

Foster: "Was Bill Clinton fired for what he did?"

"I would have sex out here right now if I thought it was a good thing to do!"

Chief Press has so-far only publicly identified sleeping on duty multiple times -- and lying to internal affairs investigators as the primary reasons for the proposed terminations. Police department issues are reviewed by an independent agent (Chief Barber of the Mobile Police Department), then officers may appeal to the city's Personnel Board if they desire to do so. Two such appeals are currently pending.

Volanta Gully Watershed Projects Proposed

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:09:37 PST

possible projects

Fairhope, Alabama

USING $50,000 EPA GRANT

Fairhope Public Work's Director Fidler and consulting engineer Trey Jinright (Jade Consulting) presented projects intended to improve drainage within the Volanta watershed in north Fairhope. The projects include bio-retention ponds, rain gardens, installing pervious pavement, culvert repairs, and similar measures.

Fidler: "Our objective was to study the watershed ... following 9 EPA guidelines ... for watershed management ... to develop low impact projects to slow the water down ... ."

The Mayor said the city had to move forward soon or risk losing the grant money.

KINGREA WANTS MORE PUBLIC INPUT

Councilman Kingrea said he wanted to make sure the public had an opportunity to comment on the proposals before final approval -- presumably at the next council meeting (Jan 23rd.).

Kingrea: "... just want to make sure ... that the public is aware ... of what's happening."

The Mayor said that was his intent as well, this presentation was just to "get the proposals before the public ... in the media."

(Publisher's Note: Subsequent to this meeeting, another public meeting has been scheduled for January 17th at 6PM at the James Nix Senior Center.)

Police Officer Facing Termination Retires

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:02:11 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

According to independent sources at City Hall, one of the 5 police officers facing termination, Sgt. Clip Gilheart, has submitted retirement papers.

Gilheart is a relation of a former Fairhope Police Chief, Bud Gilheart.

Police Personnel Hearing Canceled Again

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:25:13 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

A Personned Board hearing scheduled for 8AM this morning that could have resulted in the termination of Police Dept. employee Tony Avera was canceled at the last moment when his attorney claimed the administrative process had not been followed properly: Avera had not been offered a direct appeal to Chief Press.

Mike Odom, a reporter for the Fairhope Courier, questioned whether the city administration or the Personnel Board had authority to cancel such meetings.

City HR Director Heathcoe said she hoped the hearing could be rescheduled for later this week.

"Complete Streets" Guru Visits Fairhope

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:04:58 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

Dan Burden, a nationally recognized consultant on how to make cities more walkable/bikeable evaluated some of Fairhope's streets and intersections recently and presented results to interested citizens at the civic center afterward.

Fairhope resident and Smart Coast co-founder Charlene Lee made some comments folllowing Burden's presentation.

When asked by a Times reporter to give Fairhope a grade, Burden replied; "Very good, for those streets I saw." Burden concentrated mostly on recently-paved downtown area streets that have yet to be striped.

Lee said she hoped the city would work to adopt Burden's "complete streets" principles city-wide.

Burden's entire presentation and Lee's closing remarks:

New Street Committee Formed

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:42:26 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

The City Council passed and ordinance amendment forming a new Streets and Traffic Control Committee -- consisting of the Mayor, City Administrator, 2 Councilmembers, a Police Dept. representative, the Planning Director and any other persons "deemed appropriate" by the city council.

The purpose of the committee is to fix speed limits, place traffic control signs and traffic lights, control parking, et al.

The Committee will make recommendations to the city council, which has final approval authority. Council President Mixon said some additional appointments may be made at the next council meeting.

Previously the Mayor had been making all such decisions, according to Mixon.

Proposed School Study Committee Needs More Applicants

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:08:36 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

ONLY SIX APPLICANTS SO FAR

The number of applicants for the proposed Education Advisory Committee, intended to look at ways the city could help local schools in hard financial times, has been disappointing so far (only six); and the council is again asking for anyone interested to file their applications with the city clerk (forms available from the city's website).

The committee is to consist of six members, plus councilmen Stankoski and Kingrea.

Councilman Kingrea said he understood the group that had first proposed the committee was to solicit more applications.

Council President Mixon said the committee is still in need of a "mission statement" as well.

No New Year's Noise Complaints Received By Police

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:19:31 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

PRIOR TO 11:15 PM NEW YEAR'S

Assistant Police Chief Terry Sanders told a Times reporter last night, that no noise complaints had been received by Fairhope police as of 11:15 PM.

According to measurements made by the Times, the loudest musical event (of those measured) was the city-sponsored band performing on Fairhope Ave, near Church; followed closely by a private wedding party at the Fairhope Inn; and coming in a distant third was the barely-audible (outside) Fly Creek Cafe, where the Kyle and Karr Band was performing.

Kyle is Kyle Brady, the organizer of the Turn It Up movement which generally opposes more stringent noise laws; and who proposed a boycott of the city's downtown event (because a blanket noise ordinance waiver was not granted for the evening for private businesses as well, such as Fly Creek Cafe).

(At the last council meeting, Council President Mixon said any private business may apply for such waivers in a timely manner; but no such individual requests were received for this New Year's Eve.)

Fairhope's New Year's 2012 Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:28:18 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

Injured Fairhope Electric Employee Speaks To Council

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:16:44 PST

Burroughs,Patterson,McCoys,Brown

MAYOR COMMENDS RESCUERS

Mayor Kant gave citations to Electric Department employees Doug Brown and Ben Patterson, as well as Public Works' Greg Burroughs for saving electrician Greg McCoy after he was electrocuted last week while working on a high voltage line on Morphy Ave.

Kant said the assistance given that day, "saving the life of a fellow employee, avoided a catastrophe" and presented each a certificate of commendation on behalf of the city for "their acts of heroism."

McCOY SAYS HE'LL BE BACK TO WORK

McCoy approached the podium with difficulty and told the Council he intended to return to work.

McCoy: "... just want to say ... these guys are my heroes. It will take a little time ... but I will be back."

He thanked his wife Cheryl as well.

SLIGH CREDITS TEAMWORK/TRAINING

Electric Department Superintendent Scot Sligh: "That day the worst happened, Greg came into contact with 12,470 volts of electricity but, at the same time, the best came out: these three were at their best."

Sligh also credited teamwork with the police and fire departments, who arranged for a medivac helicopter from the nearby Faulkner College campus.

"A whole lot of city employees ... did the right thing that day."

Sligh said because McCoy was wearing the required safety equipment (fire retardant clothing and safety glasses) and a correctly calibrated circuit breaker tripped instantaneously -- a worse injury was prevented.

"An example of things done right ,,, Greg got hurt through no fault of his own."

CAUSE UNDER INVESTIGATION

Sligh said later that the accident doesn't fall under OSHA guidelines (municipalities are exempted) so no Federal-level investigation is required; he expected the city's insurance carrier to do their own investigation. The Electric Department is still "dissecting" the "bizarre" accident internally as well.

McCoy and Brown had just finished working on the power line from their bucket truck and were on their way down when the wire braces broke, causing the high voltage line to fall upon McCoy.

Sligh said he has no idea why the braces broke, but "they were made of wood and most likely installed in the 1970s, or earlier." He noted there are "many thousands" of such wooden braces still installed today, locally and nationally.

Sligh's Full Remarks:

Fairhope Council Decides Against New Year's Eve Noise Waiver

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:07:46 PST

By a 3-1 vote the city council decided not to waive the city's (50db) night time noise ordinance on New Year's Eve. Councilmember Quinn had proposed waiving the ordinance from 10PM - 1230 AM.

Mayor Kant said he thought alcohol abuse was a large part of the after hours noise problem.

Kant: " ... its not only noise ... its alcohol serving ... people are getting wild out there on the streets . . . ."

Councilman Ford was not present.

"E"-Books Now Available For Checkout From Fairhope Library

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:34:07 PST

Fairhope, Alabama

FOR NOOKS, KINDLES, IPADS, IPODS

Electronic books, audio books, music and video may now be checked out online from the library's website -- using existing library cards.

The new service is a part of Alabama's Digital Library via CameliaNet -- a consortium of libraries throughout Alabama.

Library director Tamara Dean said earlier this year that patrons were demanding the e-book service (view).

Fairhope Police Officer Rescues Kidnapping Victim

noreply@blogger.com (Publisher) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:40:49 PST

NAMED OFFICER OF THE MONTH

Chief Press said that patrol officer Eugene Maye received a tip that a 14 year old girl was being held in a trailer near Fairhope against her will; and officer Maye was instrumental in her rescue -- and the subsequent arrest of her abductor (Mr. Reed), who had brought her here from Mississippi.

Press described Maye as a "credit to our department and the entire law enforcement community."

Maye: "This is what I do ... took the oath ... glad it turned out all right for the girl ... ."

(Fairhope news.)