FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The City Council decided unanimously at Monday’s meeting to move forward on two recommendations of the Fairhope Governmental Structure Committee.

Developing easier to understand financial reports and increasing financial control and oversight of city utilities were among the committee’s top six of 14 recommendations presented in its final report at the council’s Oct. 8 meeting.

The council discussed having a series of meetings to better understand the finances and work of the city’s public utilities and to more effectively exercise its oversight responsibilities, starting with the water and sewer departments. It instructed city staff to set up a meeting with those departments. Council Chairman Bob Gentle said they would decide on an agenda for the meeting.

The council also discussed plans to develop new ways to organize and present city financial reports by working with one committee member who has experience in the area. Mayor Tim Kant said that his office was available to assist in that process.

“I think it’s a great idea to do this,” Councilman Mike Ford said.

Other council members supported the decision, stating that some of the city’s financial records, while accurate, were difficult to understand.

“It’s like getting a 90-page brochure with your VCR,” Councilman Dan Stankoski said. “I think having key indicators and something a lot simpler will go a long way.”

Council Chairman Bob Gentle said at the last council meeting that the committee’s final report would not stay “on the shelf,” and that the public would be encouraged to participate in the process of implementing the recommendations.

In other business, the council:

• Decided to participate in a meeting between the city and Baldwin County School System regarding possible drainage problems caused by construction of the new middle school next to Fairhope High School.

Councilman Gentle agreed to represent the council in a meeting to include representatives from the Public Works Department and School Superintendent Faron Hollinger, Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler said.

“The residents of Southland have been concerned about drainage, and with (construction of) the new middle school, those concerns have increased,” Fidler said.

Ken Eslava, assistant director of public works, summarized the drainage issues, noting there was disagreement between the city and school system over whether a drainage study should be conducted now. The meeting is being scheduled in an attempt to resolve the issues, he said.

• Accepted the bid of $189,924 for a new automated garbage truck by Ward International Trucks.

• Approved the payment of $75,105 for furniture and equipment at the Fairhope Public Library.

• Approved site plans for an Arby’s and TCBY/Rollie Pollie near Greeno Road and Fairhope Avenue; and for a car wash and vacuum facility on property owned by Eric Craig near Fairhope Avenue and Highway 181.

• Approved a restaurant liquor license by Troy Newton doing business as The Shrimp Shack at 18957 State Highway 181.

• Adopted ordinances to annex three properties into the city of a total of approximately 40 acres.

• Approved acceptance of Fairhope public utilities within Stuart Park subdivision, Lone Pines Estate Unit Two and Highway 32 Business Park.

• Determined the schedule of holidays for city employees to include Monday, Dec. 24.

• Approved a grant application by the Public Works Department to add sidewalks on Greeno Road near Fairhope High School during Fiscal Year 2008-09.

• Decided to explore ways of meeting the needs of Eastern Shore Affordable Houses Inc., to waive subdivision application fees by possibly entering into a services contract with the nonprofit group.

• Heard requests for funding by the Fairhope High School Band for travel expenses to participate in in next year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago, by the Baldwin County Trailblazers for an annual donation of $2,000 and by a resident to install a speed bump on Covey Drive. The council told the groups that they would consider the requests in light of the new budget and respond in the near future.

• Decided to maintain “No Parking” signs on Tensaw Avenue West of North Mobile Street.

• Heard a request by local restaurant owner, John Lapeyrouse, for city plans to address downtown parking congestion problems. The mayor outlined several approaches the city would be taking to address the problems.

• Recognized by proclamation the services of Disabled American Veterans.

• Named Fairhope Corrections Officer James Stewart as Fairhope’s “Veteran of the Year” for 2008.

• Approved the minutes of the Oct. 8 meeting.