[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6225134,"mediaKeyId","3540562-9d97ba12deeaccaacf1e0561c713c49c","parentId",3540562,"title","City staff outline limits of current condemnation rules and propose licensed abatement program","audioSeconds",1397,"startMs",2985000,"endMs",4382000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3540562-9d97ba12deeaccaacf1e0561c713c49c&start=2985&end=4382","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3540562-9d97ba12deeaccaacf1e0561c713c49c/thumbnail_2985000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225134/Fairhope-City/Baldwin-County/Alabama/City-staff-outline-limits-of-current-condemnation-rules-and-propose-licensed-abatement-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225134-ae70e86d1e1ed93ef732c20ceee980ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419983&Signature=c014TdYz4ygPywYU8XQ8AmZFV5a6qeBy32sNXPRw5lz58A2OGo7NF4OGVAmx1CdjLS2qM902bFSRodJ4ugwkRs5KZK2Ni9f3H5~A47QU3Qx5DfqFo5L182OgiDYuoannzvtnUgaqJxwpJxZHeUOaEsEYh3bETZR3k7j80RWtdpXPg9vPMYfgtah7sfNsvGhhVEerXpjFMLJFnTjYFu5N-c6Kmr9Uxg7jSTqczjYWut7UmXf9-CNES5qGOvCO0d9GChGWny~xrk9UY2co79iRqpsodyNcHccnpgH-9zKuFTpggNzE62guTxCDKUVy9ekibenahnKeluYLvdkh9u8N6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fairhope City, AL","date","2025-05-28T12:19:32.52Z","article","Fairhope building and legal staff told the City Council that current local rules for condemning dangerous structures are narrowly defined and difficult to enforce, and they urged council consideration of a broader, licensed abatement program and a repeal-and-replace of the existing 2011 ordinance.

Eric (Building Department) described operational challenges locating absentee owners, managing properties with multiple owners, and the high evidentiary threshold in the current ordinance — which requires conditions such as leaning or listing walls or 33% or more deterioration of supporting structures before a building qualifies as condemnable. “It has to meet those requirements of 33% or more damage or deterioration,” Eric said, explaining why many unsightly or nuisance properties do not meet the ordinance’s current standard.

Eric and staff highlighted other enforcement gaps: no explicit authority in the ordinance for public-nuisance conditions such as massively overgrown yards, interior hoarding that creates a fire hazard, or clear rules for disconnecting utilities on vacant properties. Staff also raised practical problems with service of notice (certified mail to an empty property often fails to reach owners) and the time and resource burden of repeated title searches and mortgage-notice requirements.

City legal counsel summarized a proposed solution: a licensed abatement program used by other Alabama municipalities that provides customized forms, a replacement ordinance and administrative processes to document notice and compliance steps. “The current ordinance was enacted in 2011. It does a lot, but it leaves a lot of gaps,” Counsel said, adding that their firm has rolled out the program to “dozens of municipalities” and that it “has been challenged and successfully defended [in the] Alabama Supreme Court and the Court of Civil Appeals.” Counsel said the firm offers a license for the materials and forms for a flat fee (presenters cited a flat fee of $17.50 for the forms, with additional hourly rates if litigation is required).

Staff described the typical workflow: field inspection, title and mortgage searches to identify all owners of record, certified notices, a posted notice at the property, and – if the owner does not act – obtaining contractor bids, council authorization to abate, payment to the contractor and placement of a lien on the property. Staff said in many cases owners voluntarily remediate when pressured, but a minority of properties do not respond and require the city to use the formal process.

Council members broadly supported stronger tools. Councilman Conyers said he favored moving ahead and emphasized the need to enforce property conditions for the protection of neighboring property values. Several council members reiterated that an outright “mow ordinance” (a separate code authorizing city mowing of private lawns on a recurring schedule) is a different policy question and would require a separate discussion.

Ending: Staff asked council to consider adopting a replacement ordinance and to license the abatement program to provide staff with standardized forms and a defensible, court-tested process for condemning or remediating unsafe and nuisance properties. No formal vote was recorded at the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Fairhope City Council Work Session May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Fairhope building staff described challenges enforcing the city’s 2011 dangerous-structure ordinance and presented a licensed abatement program (including a draft replacement ordinance and forms) that consultants say has been used across Alabama and upheld in state courts.","taxTitle","Fairhope City, Baldwin County, Alabama","taxId",51162,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225139,"Council hears master plan to add bike trails, pump track and playground at Flying Creek south parcel",1187,1363000,2550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3540562-9d97ba12deeaccaacf1e0561c713c49c&start=1363&end=2550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3540562-9d97ba12deeaccaacf1e0561c713c49c/thumbnail_1363000.jpg","/articles/6225139/Fairhope-City/Baldwin-County/Alabama/Council-hears-master-plan-to-add-bike-trails-pump-track-and-playground-at-Flying-Creek-south-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225139-44e7724d5b9af84484c28c027073d440/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419983&Signature=oM-fPPa9aASH6R5rASLhwRB6PhjFFQANSLfzSqp745S27CMSm71cozaI6Jqf-Zdrpx26OD3HxuRzA2uCP~nD4JRUfPViTcyoSyNXQFpm5GApTxjJr8xCJRaSOEGS05FW9J8PujLUUtBRd-xou2jrfuT9KQurY68d3vkxmjpHMHuhKnmQE5pUxTAFzxdHYjFyTcg2zVZ8RPXhtRbAhKkBeRs6pdLloXmmCnRcKQ0bwQXrb5dqZuuY88dhGB2UUr1I92TF3KMdaWU0fIt8Ek2SxRfjtYou7tyusRDTrh17pZo8C78jbTi4DfCf6fqgCR9s6IUFWdFiEVT4HMcGKrkKdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from Thompson Engineering and Taylor Trails presented the Fairhope City Council with a master plan for the south parcel of the Flying Creek Nature Preserve that would add multi-use trails, a bike playground, a pump track, restroom pavilion, a tool shed for volunteer maintenance and a small adventure play area.

The south parcel described in the presentation is roughly 32 acres and is proposed as the city’s active park component of the preserve; the plan aims for about 3.5 miles of mountain-biking trail by preserving approximately 1.5 miles of existing community-built lines and adding new, engineered trail. Project representatives told council they want to preserve vegetative buffers, limit tree clearing and maintain connectivity to the north parcel and the site’s tunnel access.

Project lead (Thompson Engineering) described program elements that include a main entrance on Triangle Drive, a trail hub and pavilion, a viewing perch, restroom pavilion, bike playground and pump track, and an adventure play area near the parking and restroom. “We’re looking for approval of this master plan from you all as city council,” a presenter said during the presentation.

Aaron Steel of Taylor Trails explained the bike-skill features and pump track as training spaces for beginners and warm-ups for riders: “The bike playground are a series of features, both dirt and wood or concrete ... they’re for people trying to build up their skills and trying to learn how to ride their bikes safely,” he said.

Presenters emphasized balancing advanced mountain-bike features with safety; they identified about 0.7 miles of advanced trails in the concept and said they will scale or remove unsafe gap jumps built by community members. They proposed construction techniques using dirt and natural materials where possible and recommended a small locking tool shed for volunteer maintenance groups that currently store tools under tarps.

Council members asked about trail density on the modestly sized parcel and liability for higher-risk features. One council member asked whether 3.5 miles of trail would crowd the 30–35 acres; presenters said the lines would be separated and routed to avoid feeling crowded. On liability, staff advised the council that the city is entitled to some legal protections for recreational facilities under state law, though there remains a risk of claims for injuries on advanced features.

Not all council members were persuaded. Council member Jack said he was concerned that the south parcel is “a biking park. That’s all it is,” and warned the plan may cater to a relatively small user group even if it brings tourism. Other council members and staff noted that planned multi-use segments, a playground, restrooms and pump track could broaden the parcel’s appeal to families and non-mountain bikers.

Presenters asked council to approve the master plan so the project can proceed to design development, construction documents, bidding and then construction; no formal vote was recorded at the work session. Next steps listed in the presentation were design/bid phases, habitat-management coordination and project permitting; the city also noted additional GoMesa grant funds for a Phase 2 on the north parcel and an anticipated nature center opening in July.

Ending: Council discussion closed with staff and consultants saying they will refine design details, address safety and liability concerns in the engineering phase, and return with construction documents and permitting actions for future council approvals.","Thompson Engineering and Taylor Trails presented a master plan for the south parcel of the Flying Creek Nature Preserve proposing roughly 3.5 miles of mountain-bike trails, a pump track, bike-skills area, pavilion and restroom; presenters asked council to approve the plan so it can move into design and bidding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225144,"Fairhope principals tell council 3-mil tax is funding teachers, intervention and testing support",756,598000,1354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3540562-9d97ba12deeaccaacf1e0561c713c49c&start=598&end=1354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3540562-9d97ba12deeaccaacf1e0561c713c49c/thumbnail_598000.jpg","/articles/6225144/Fairhope-City/Baldwin-County/Alabama/Fairhope-principals-tell-council-3-mil-tax-is-funding-teachers-intervention-and-testing-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225144-17fb82c61055eac7ff500e736c5037c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770419983&Signature=aLQXTNHbUvRc8hnPpMQBNX4HZvnoz298nKDG7QyypiIJkyS3N7m2jk8prkhd2rodrbCTkDXIk7M9xrTGaz~UXMcV7~iHK0vTdVkgIt20xce-ElE44Qp2CMR3WgXNqr~gs8UZR2kV8utq~KdzbINYOH8IxwjIHNmP73BcidGOPbyNtXzhZBR9LGbxYXKBNSiyVk35xsX67KwXikk6X4ijMT6ceA-WLvncI7eTCc41U4By4-MzjSIq7oHJXGrONYIcb9y-uwtz6dxs1tGUpNM4~T~fkNfqx26RGGOkA7H58FVsseSJeOnUN-Tl~mliHLLXW-vx8U7t6yp8yYbz5vGfuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Principal John Cardwell of Fairhope High School and Principal Angie Hall of Fairhope Middle School told the Fairhope City Council that the city’s 3-mil local tax has financed classroom staff, student interventions and material support that the principals say have boosted test results and student services.

The presentations focused on how the 3-mil revenue pays for additional teacher allotments, intervention teachers, social workers and direct help for families paying AP/IB and other testing fees.

The tax is local property-tax revenue approved by voters. Cardwell said the 3-mil funding added teachers and allowed the high school to expand ACT preparation and other programs. “Your 3 mil money is, is being well spent at Fairhope High School, and we’re seeing great results, and data doesn’t lie,” Cardwell said. He told council that every junior at the high school takes the ACT and that the school’s composite score rose to a 22 this year, up from 21.6 the prior year.

Cardwell described specific uses: five additional teacher positions in the local allotment, money for band instruments and music programs (he cited a $70,000 allocation to the band and noted a tuba can cost about $13,000), a $40,000 contribution to a new drum kit tied to a city arrangement for kindergarten–first grade activities, and a $55,000 allocation to subsidize student fees for AP, IB and PSAT testing.

Hall told the council that Fairhope Middle School used 3-mil funds primarily for intervention staffing, instructional aids, social work and professional development. “We scored a 95 on our ACAP scores this year,” Hall said, referring to the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program; she gave grade-level proficiency comparisons the presentation attributed to district data (for example, seventh-grade ELA proficiency of 75% at Fairhope Middle School versus 60% in the county and 51% statewide).

Hall described the middle-school staffing supported by local funds: two math intervention teachers (one for seventh grade, one for eighth), two language-arts intervention teachers (one for seventh, one for eighth), a “pirate boost” tutor to help students finish homework at school, an OCS tutor for students with behavior issues, and a social worker the school has been able to retain using the local funding.

Both principals emphasized early intervention to keep students on track academically and said local dollars are being used to supplement programs that the principals and staff believe help raise achievement. Cardwell said he had adjusted which teachers were charged to the 3-mil budget this year to place lower-paid teachers on the local-budget lines and preserve higher-paid positions on the general budget.

No formal action or vote on the schools’ budgets was taken by the council during the presentations; the sessions were informational and intended to show how the locally approved 3-mil proceeds have been allocated.

The council thanked both principals and offered brief praise for staff and the results shown in the data.

Ending: The presentations concluded with an invitation from both principals for council members and citizens to visit school events. Council members did not take a formal vote at the meeting on the schools’ allocations; the remarks were presented as status reports on program use of the 3-mil funding.","Principals from Fairhope High School and Fairhope Middle School presented to the City Council on how local 3-mil property-tax revenues are being used for teachers, intervention programs, social workers, arts and to subsidize student testing fees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff outline limits of current condemnation rules and propose licensed abatement program

Council hears master plan to add bike trails, pump track and playground at Flying Creek south parcel

Fairhope principals tell council 3-mil tax is funding teachers, intervention and testing support