FAIRHOPE, Ala. - During Monday’s city council meeting, council members unanimously adopted a resolution to raise the landfill located on South Section Street by 30 feet and add a buffer, after viewing photos and hearing from residents.

Katherine Tunstall and Loetta Bell, residents near the landfill, showed photos of their backyard where mattresses, plastic bags, carpet and other trash set in plain sight.

Flooding, trash and termites have plagued residents near the site, according to Tunstall.

While flooding issues have been addressed by Jennifer Fidler, director of public works, the view of trash is still off-putting, Tunstall said.

Council President Lonnie Mixon agreed that the landfill is an “eyesore to residents on the south side.”

He said that with the passing of the resolution, residents “won’t have to see what’s in the pictures much longer.”

The C&D landfill was closed because it was believed to be at capacity; however, after consulting an engineer, the city found that it could increase in height by 40 feet.

Fidler said this change could allow the city to use the landfill for another 20 years; saving the city about $100,000 each year, Mixon said.

During a garbage advisory meeting, Fidler suggested increasing the height by 20 feet. Mixon, who attended but is not a board member, suggested a height increase of 30 feet, which was adopted by unanimous vote.

Another issue during Monday’s meeting was the appropriate time for public participation.

The council unanimously denied adopting an ordinance to change rules of procedure on public participation that would require residents to sign in prior to meetings.

The ordinance would’ve required citizens to sign in with their names, addresses, e-mail addresses and issue of interest before the start of each meeting.

Councilwoman Debbie Quinn had drafted the ordinance, but more discussion left council members questioning the appropriate placement of public comments.

Councilman Daniel Stankoski said participation at the end of meetings has been problematic.

“We’ve had a problem with council bashing and personnel bashing and we have no opportunity to respond,” he said. “Public participation should be during the issue discussion.”

“I find the participation at the end to be counter-productive.”

Councilman Rick Kingrea agreed.

He said maybe issues not on the agenda should be addressed after the official business meeting is over.

Councilmembers decided to discuss other options and that Kingrea and Quinn would develop a new ordinance in the next two weeks.

Also Monday, council members passed a resolution 4-1 that would require city advisory and committee board meetings be held in spacious, accessible rooms such as the Delchamps Room or Council Chambers if available; Quinn cast the lone dissent.

Quinn said she disagreed because she thought each board had a sense of the usual size and interest generated by their meetings.

The council also unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to purchase a 2011 Ford F-250 service truck for the water department; the total cost for the truck is $23,515.53

Another unanimous decision by the council adopted a resolution for ADS of Mobile to install a fire alarm system at the James P. Nix Center at 555 South Section St. for $12,530 and to have it monitored for $540 a year.