Fairhope city employees can now convert unused sick leave to retirement service after Fairhope City Council passed an ordinance.

The city's continued work to increase water capacity got another boost with the selection of Krebs Engineering for professional engineering services for water distribution system capacity expansion in an amount not to exceed $495,000. The firm has been working on several water projects for the city including the water system planning project and engineering and design service for treatment plant three and wells three through 11. The work to be covered by this latest contract includes:

• Production well development for well No. 8B with a projected completion date of May 2024;
• Production well development for well No.13 with a projected completion date of April 2024;
• Pilot bore well explorations;
• Water treatment plant one expansion with a completion date of May 2024;
• Water distribution hydraulic model with a completion date of May 2024.

The council also passed an ordinance to annex 1.7 acres located on Gayfer Road Extension into the city. The property is owned by the City of Foley doing business as Riviera Utilities and the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation.

Also during the regular council meeting, the council:

• Approved the 2023-2024 holidays;
• Approved a list of volunteers for the Fairhope Police Reserve;
• Passed a resolution approving the procurement of the Intelligent One Field GPS Paint Robot from Turf Tank in an amount not to exceed $52,700. The robot uses GPS technology to paint lines on sports fields. Councilperson Jack Burrell commented this machine would save hundreds of man-hours;
• Approved the procurement of the annual subscription for Weather Forecast and Warning Service from USA Coastal Weather Research Center in an amount not to exceed $4,200;
• Approved the procurement of the annual support renewal for the Kronos Timekeeping System in an amount not exceeding $28,810.99;
• Authorized Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract with Axis Engineering Group, LLC for professional services for design services for Utility GIS Interface Phase 1 in an amount not to exceed $17,000;
• Approved the selection of Krebs Engineering for professional engineering services for water distribution system capacity expansion in an amount not to exceed $495,000;
• Approved the selection of Jackson Thornton Certified Public Accountants & Consultants for professional services to evaluate water and wastewater system development charges in an amount not to exceed $12,000;
• Approved the selection of Sawgrass Consulting, LLC. for professional engineering for the D'Olive Creek Crossing gas main leak repair in an amount not to exceed $21,900;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute extension No.1 for professional consulting services for grants and grant management with Grant Management, LLC for an amount not to exceed $24,000;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute extension No.1 of three-year pest control for city buildings with Redd Pest Solutions in an amount not to exceed $12,371.04;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and the Downtown Fairhope Business Association for an appropriation of $24,000 to advertise and promote the city of Fairhope;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract with the Eastern Shore Art Center for the use of city facilities and an appropriation of $20,000 for funds to support and sponsor the educational program through The Art Center's Academy of Fine Arts;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and Ecumenical Ministries Incorporated for an appropriation of $10,000 to support the needs of Fairhope residents;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and the Baldwin County Trailblazers for an appropriation of $5,000 to support Smart Walks and the Walking School Bus program;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and the Fairhope-Point Clear Rotary Youth Club for an appropriation of $57,000 to help manage and operate the facility which includes cleaning supplies;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and Care House, Inc. for an appropriation of $5,000 to help with continuing support for children who are victims of sexual and severe physical abuse and to help with the distribution of the child abuse prevention curriculum;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and The Fairhope Film Festival for an appropriation of $6,000 to help bring sustained economic growth from the film industry to the Alabama Gulf Coast through the festival;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and Mobile Bay National Estuary Program for an appropriation of $15,000 to support activities related to stormwater education and watershed management;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce for the appropriation of $23,500 (which includes $15,000 for the Annual Leaders Council Program and $2,500 for Centennial celebrations) to advertise and promote the city;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and the Baldwin Pops for an appropriation of $3,000, in-kind services in the amount of $8,400 and resources including personnel;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and the Fairhope Pirate Booster Club, Inc. for an appropriation of $10,000 to be used to assist and benefit all sports athletic programs and to approve the use of the Fairhope Civic Center for the annual drawdown and silent auction;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance for an appropriation of $20,000 to support economic development facilitation within the city.
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and Safe Harbor Animal Coalition, Inc. for an appropriation of $5,000 to help trap, neuter and return local cats;
• Passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract between the city and Thomas Hospital for the use of city facilities including streets and parks;
• Passed a resolution allowing the 2023-2024 annual premium sponsors of Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation limited use of the pavilion located on the leased K-1 Center premises;
• Approved a request from the Baldwin County Home Builders Association to put up directional signs for its annual Parade of Homes scheduled for Oct. 14-15 and Oct. 21-22;
• Approved a request for an in-kind donation valued at $2,000 to the Eastern Shore Optimist Club to use the Fairhope Civic Center for the Dogwood Trail Pageant and Scholarship program;
• Approved a request from the Fairhope Education Foundation for an in-kind donation valued at $2,500 for golf green fees and cart fees.