Robin's Blog for Dauphin Island

Below is a combination of highlights of several meetings that have taken place in the past few days , sent in by several attendees. Thank you.
We have tried not to repeat items already mentioned in the Monday evening meeting while writing about the Tuesday evening’s meeting unless there was a substantial addition to the topic.
 
 
 
COUNCIL 4 HOUR WORK SESSION

Street Department has sold approximately $50,000 of used equipment on the web site GovDeals.com.
Mayor Collier has had weekly meetings with Sen. Brooks and Spencer Collier with regard to the East End stabilization, and has made great strides.
Mayor Collier and Mary Thompson will meet with all the candidates for council to get up to speed on projects and regulations they will have to deal with if elected. Council members who are up for re-election were not invited to this meeting so that it was able to be a closed meeting. Mayor Collier and Mary Thompson are running unopposed.

Carolyn Wood stated that some of the candidates signs were not legal due to their size and that they had no disclaimer on them. Because all candidates were present at this meeting, with only one exception, the offenders will address this problem.
Joyce Allen reported that LTS, a company doing various projects for the town, is now being charged for unfinished work at Billy Goat Hole. LTS said the work should be finished by the end of the week.

Joyce made a recommendation that the parking area be better lit with LOW IMPACT lighting. She also made a recommendation the town charge for parking for any events the vendors sponsor from 6:PM to 10PM. as suggested by the Di-BBS.

The island will have two shuttle buses in the fall.
There was a discussion concerning the large amount of money spent on advertising. Several council members felt that the effort should be to create a positive image of Dauphin Island on a national basis. Other council members felt that the “good press” should be concentrated closer to home. Dauphin Island currently employs a 2 PR persons and it was suggested that a clarification be made as to what DI’s goals and needs are.
The Town Fire Truck ownership will be changed from the Town to the DIFD.
Alabama Lighthouse association had changed its agreement with Dauphin Island. FIRST agreement stated they would be responsible for raising ALL funds required to refurbish the lighthouse, the NEW agreement states they will ASSIST Dauphin Island in fund raising.
Nanette Davidson, our new Town Clerk will get her certification in October. Congratulations!


There was only 1 bid from a vendor who wants to use the new building at Billy Goat Hole to sell his wares. It is the same vendor who runs one of the tiki hut concessions at the West End Beach. (Note: After some discussion by the council and audience input whether to re-open the bidding process to allow for more competition at Tuesday evening’s meeting, it was decided that the town should go into negotiations with the sole bidder for the concession stand.)

ABC Board said Flamingo Faye’s will need to get a different liquor license to be able to sell booze and food to golfers if it is “take out”.

Nanette, town clerk, reported the ballots have been printed up and no changes or additions can be made at this point.

Mary Thompson brought up the plans for a “senior center”. She stated that she thought the town should go ahead with the plan to build a place with all the basics we need without trying to build into it all the bells and whistles. It appears that the DI Foundation, and Chamber of Commerce were going to all partner in this in some fashion and the plans got so inflated that the CC and the DIF pulled out, and that it was the latter not the town that wanted more extensive facilities. The mayor said he wasn’t sure we should do that because he was hoping that at some future time the other two would “get it together and build what they want. He saw no need for two buildings of this type.(see additional comments-Tuesday evening’s meeting)



TOWN OF DAUPHIN ISLAND COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 5, 2008
Public Hearing
The first reading of the sign ordinance was made available for all who attended the Public Hearing.
Sandwich signs ‘ 24’wide x 36’high ‘ can now be placed on the right of way. Certain restrictions will apply. Permits and details may be obtained at City Hall.
Regular Council Meeting
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Total Invoices; $261,216,06
During discussions concerning Police Activity, the following questions/responses were generated:
Can anything be done about the road blocks coming onto the Island during Rodeo weekend ?
“This is the jurisdiction of the State Police and they can do what they want” advised Chief Goodwin; the Police Chief.
Other comments from the attendees regarded:
Speeding on the West End and other areas, people building sand castles on the berm, the police not responding to calls about people on the berm, and the height of the grass/weeds along the right-of-way on the West End restricting a drivers view as they enter Bienville Blvd.
 
West End reported no damage from the recent hurricane that went into Texas.
Some sand was brought in and the Beach Bash with volley ball, venders, and a live band was a great success this past weekend.
Parking lot repairs on the West End beach are still in negotiations.
Funds are available for a Senior Center in the 2009 Funding. The Chamber of Commerce is willing to continue shared (Town, DI Foundation and DI Chamber of Commerce) funding for the employee at the Welcome Center that would work at any future Senior Center.
 
The house on the West End owned by the Town of Dauphin Island, to date has spent $62,323.90 and $88,975. The house will be used as a guest house “for whatever the Town decides to use if for” said Mayor Collier.
 
An amendment to approve the Liquor License at Flamingo Fae’s Beachside Grill and Tiki Bar, to include sale of Alcohol Beverages on the entire Dauphin Island Golf Course property was approved.
The question as to whether the DIPOA or Flamingo Fae’s had the burden of Liability for alcohol consumption on the golf course was to be addressed by the DIPOA.
It was suggested that the position of Finance/Public Relations be filled from within the Town Hall employees.
Resolution: 2008-08-05 B, to elect the Mayor, Jeff Collier, without opposition was read and approved. (This is a technicality when a person runs unopposed.)

Resolution: 2008-08-05A , to elect place 2, Mary Thompson without opposition was read and approved.
 
Note:  If you will be out of town for the election, please remember to call town hall to get an absentee ballot. Now!  (251) 861-5525.