High-school interns describe hands-on utility work; city previews America 250 and rain-barrel workshops

Three high-school interns — Carson Good (water), Cameron Wagaman (HVAC/public works) and Kane Irwin (gas) — addressed the council during the June 29 work session to describe hands-on learning in day-to-day municipal operations. Carson said the internship exposed him to treatment-plant operations and hopes to explore construction and project-management in college; Wagaman described full AC change-outs at city facilities and trade skills he had picked up; Irwin said the gas system’s geographic scale surprised him and that field experience helped him consider career options.

Council and staff praised the interns and encouraged continued hiring where appropriate. "If you do good, we'll hire you," one council member told the students.

Staff also previewed America 250 celebrations planned at Fairhope Municipal Pier and Henry George Park with a Ball and Pops concert, extended band participation and fireworks at 9 p.m.; staff reminded the public the city offices would close for the holiday and described shuttle and downtown programming.

Separately, staff presented a proposed Gulf Coast grant (~$25,000, no match) to buy rain-barrel kits and run two regional workshops with neighboring municipalities for MS4 stormwater-education requirements. Staff said a prior workshop was oversubscribed and described curriculum covering installation, mosquito-control best practices and water-conservation uses.

Ending: Staff will proceed with outreach for the events and pursue the rain-barrel grant; interns complete the season and may be considered for future openings.