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Council appoints Andrew Belcher to Board of Adjustments and Appeals amid procedural questions
Summary
The council appointed Andrew Belcher to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals; several councilors said they prefer nominees to appear or at least be available for questions before confirmation and discussed board service expectations.
The Fairhope City Council voted to appoint Andrew Belcher to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals to replace Brian Flowers, who stepped down. Councilors reviewed Mr. Belcher’s background (he was described as a retired lieutenant colonel) and discussed whether nominees should appear before council members prior to confirmation.
Several councilors said they would prefer appointees to attend the meeting or make themselves available so members can ask questions and understand an appointee's views on board responsibilities and standards. "I'd love to have anybody that's being appointed to come and see us or come to the council meeting so that we can have...something maybe if I'm going to put my vote on them, it'd be nice to at least put a face to them and ask them a question or two," one councilor said during the discussion. The presiding officers noted that while the practice is not required, councilors may request nominees meet prior to a vote.
The council moved and seconded the appointment; the motion carried on recorded 'I' votes. Mr. Belcher will serve on the Board of Adjustments and Appeals; council members asked staff to provide contact information for future nominees so members can follow up before confirmation votes when desired.
What happens next: Mr. Belcher will assume his duties on the board; councilors may request procedural changes so nominees appear or are available before confirmation votes in the future.
