A live oak tree on the bluff (N. Bayview Ave.) which had been struck by lightning and infested with Formosan termites has been removed for public safety reasons.
City Horticulturist Fidler said the tree had been treated for termites; but it had to be removed because of hollow limbs and rot.
The remains will be disposed of in the city's landfill (any remaining termites would have gone back into the ground).
Another tree will be planted in the area according to Fidler.
According to citizens and city staff, much of the wooden 15 year old structure is worn and splintered due to heavy use/weathering and it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a more suitable/durable metal and plastic construction. Vandalism has been a problem there as well.
Also, the use of the more modern materials would require less maintenance by the Public Works Dept.
CITIZEN SPEAKS FOR DISABLED ACCESS
Katie Evans, a former special education teacher, spoke on behalf of a group of citizens (representing the non profit Play By the Bay, Inc) with handicapped children seeking better access to the park. If repairs are needed to 75% or more of the structure, handicapped accessibility will be mandatory to comply with new requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to city staff.
Evans: "We love our downtown park, but we have become increasingly concerned about the accessibility and condition of the facility ... the park in its current condition falls short ... ."
Evans said she had been meeting with the Mayor and staff about the park's future for over a year now; and her organization may be able to raise funds for the project.
SPLASH PAD POSSIBLE
Update: Councilmember Quinn informed the Times later that a splash pad has been discussed for the beach-area or behind the museum, not community park, but the park may be a good place too.
According to a source at city hall, another police officer and a dispatcher have resigned, rather than appeal their terminations.
A third officer, Jeremy Anderson, has a termination appeal hearing scheduled with the department's review officer (Mobile Deputy Chief James Barber) on March 27th.
Anderson is the last of 6 Police Dept. personnel facing possible termination since last summer.
Chief Chris Ellis told the city council the Fire Department will be hosting a recovered piece of steel from the destroyed World Trade Center that was found near a fallen New York City firefighter after 9-11.
Ellis said the piece, and other memorabilia, has been traveling around the state towards its ultimate destination, theAlabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa; and will be on display here at the library on March 28-30th.
Ellis: "I encourage everyone to come out and see this piece of history."
After a brief debate during a Tuesday morning meeting at the Nix Center, the new committee unanimously adopted a mission statement.
Gretchen Schapker read the proposed statement:
"The ... committee will actively seek and collect data regarding Fairhope public schools and as advisors make recommendations to the Fairhope city council on how to best enhance the learning environment for all students in Fairhope public schools ."
GOALS DISCUSSED
Tours of school facilities and evaluation of their computer programs (as well as library and arts programs) were mentioned as possible goals for the group; but further discussion was tabled until chairperson Karen Mullins could contact local Baldwin School Board Representative Bob Callahan to schedule an "overview briefing" (by Callahan or his designee) for the group on current conditions in the schools regarding crucial issues. (Then the group would formulate questions to take to the individual principals, teachers, etc.)
Former Florida high school teacher/principal Gretchen Schapker was named as the committees' own point/contact person for future communications with school representatives.
SECRETARY ELECTED
Committee member Jim Kellen, currently an administrator at Bishop State College, was named as secretary of the Educational Committee.
No time or place was set for the next meeting, but it should be in about 2 weeks, according to Mullins.
A joint program begun in 2009 by Fairhope and the National League of Cities to provide city residents some relief from the high cost of prescription drugs has resulted in over $41,350 in savings for the 4,052 participants since its inception.
The program, which operates at no cost to the city, covers only those prescription drugs not already covered by insurance. Discount cards are available at no charge from the city clerk, at the Nix Center or from the NLC website.
Councilmember Quinn, who initiated the program in Fairhope, said she thought the program has been a success: "It's a savings of over 20% on prescriptions ... about $15,000 a year saved by our residents ... its definetly a service to those who need it."
At its first meeting, former Fairhope Middle and Larry Newton School teacher Karen Mullins was unanimously elected to chair the new Educational Advisory Committee. Mullins said she considered herself mostly a "worker bee" but would be glad to serve the committee in any capacity.
Mullins has a B. A. degrees from the University of Alabama (English) and a Master's from South Alabama, according to her resume'. She said she had no connection with any of the various political organizations, for or against a city-run school system.
Henry Clark (a former principal) was also nominated but thought it would be more fitting to have a local teacher (still with good connections in the schools) fill the job.
Member Julia Sumerlin observed the fact that Mullins has 3 young children makes her uniquely fitted for the job as well.
SUPERINTENDENT'S STATEMENT
Baldwin School Superintendent Alan Lee thanked the group for inviting his participation and said he was "excited by any group wanting to improve our schools." He said that he hoped any needed improvements identified here could be implemented elsewhere in the county as well.
Lee: "I'm hoping to hear lots of considered ideas ... how to make our schools better ... ."
MISSION STATEMENT DELAYED
A mission statement for the committee was debated but a final decision was deferred until the next meeting. Generally, some members favored speaking directly to teachers and students to determine their needs but others thought that may be too invasive.
Dr Lee said he hoped the committee would focus on the big picture, "programmatic" issues rather than a "micro-investigative" perspective at the teacher/student level.
Lee: "We've got teachers who are outstanding and some not so outstanding ... my belief this committee should focus on programs ... what we have and don't have now ... not on a micro level ... that's done on a macro level ... ."
COUNTY TO OFFER NEW TAX PLAN SOON
Local School Board representative Bob Callahan said that there will be a proposal coming within the next 90 days from the county about permanent funding to replace the temporary penny sales tax that will expire next year (other ad valorem taxes are to expire as well) and a voter referendum will be required.
Callahan: "... at some point in the foreseeable future there will be an initiative ... when an election will be set ... to allow the BOE to enact permanent funding (measures) ... ."
Callahan worried the Educational Committee's simultaneous discussions may put "ambiguity in the air" concerning funding/taxes during the county's efforts to replace the lost revenue.
(Publisher's Note: Because the early morning is the only time some members could make it, the Education Committee set its next meeting for 7AM March 13th, at the Nix Senior Center.)
Dan Burden, the nationally recognized expert for making communities more walkable/bikeable, returned to answer questions about Fairhope's ongoing street-striping project and related matters.
Burden said he was "very impressed" with the progress since his last visit and asked for comments from city staff and interested citizens to "see what needs tweaking."
Burden observed that the more narrowly striped traffic lanes seem to have slowed traffic down, as was hoped for.
HIGHER PUBLIC AWARENESS NEEDED
Construction Supervisor Eslava said he was getting a lot of questions from the public and thought an educational component was needed to better inform the pubic of what they were doing.
Eslava: "The cultural change (to better walkability) is happening ... the complaints are few ... the questions many."
Councilmember Quinn agreed: "... most of the comments I've been getting ... people don't understand what we're doing ... ."
Public Works Director Fidler said she has heard some "heated" comments from citizens as well, particularly concerning sections of Bancroft Ave.
Fidler: "... it takes education ... talking with them ... an education component that people need to see and hear ... and understand ... ."
Mayor Kant compared the situation to when islands (road constrictors/flower beds) were installed along west Fairhope Ave. heading down to the bay several years ago.
Kant: "... when you get down to it ... our biggest challenge is ... its something different ... people don't like change."
Kant said they were having problems with the painting contractor performing in a timely manner; but he was "hoping now we have a handle on it ... going to get everything done ... ."
Smart Coast co-founder Charlene Lee said her organization is currently working (with the city) on press releases designed to raise the public's awareness about the project's purposes and goals.
