FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The City Council voted unanimously Monday to begin contract negotiations with an expert, who has already been identified and apparently selected, to conduct a feasibility study on forming an independent city school system in Fairhope.

The council action did not commit the city to spend approximately $25,000 for Ira Harvey to conduct the study — an amount included in this year’s budget for that purpose but subject to council approval — but it clearly started the city down that road, according to one observer, who asked not to be identified.

“If (possible), we can get him down here at the next meeting,” said Councilwoman Debbie Quinn, about having Harvey address the council on Dec. 14, regarding the specifics of doing a feasibility study in Fairhope.

Harvey has conducted other such studies, including one that led to a city school system in Saraland, which is now separate from the Mobile County system, according to Diana Brewer, a feasibility study supporter.

Harvey’s expert credentials were not discussed by the council before voting to begin contract negotiations with him. Nor was the feasibility study item included on the council agenda for the Nov. 23 meeting and given advance notice; instead; the item was added to the agenda on a unanimous voice vote of the council that night.

“As a group we’ve become alarmed with the situation we’re in, and tonight we’re asking you to engage the expert,” said Ann Thompson, one of 12 people who signed a September letter to the council requesting the study, at a work session prior to Monday’s council meeting.

School board member Bob Callahan also spoke during the work session, as did another feasibility study supporter.

However, when Kristie Street, who has opposed the study in the past, began addressing the council from a prepared statement, Council President Lonnie Mixon told her time had run out. Street eventually read her remarks at the council meeting.

“Sorry I was not (able) to inform the community of (the council’s) intentions on voting on the issue tonight,” Street said in an e-mail to supporters after the meeting, regarding the lack of public notice of the item on the council meeting agenda. “There is no guarantee that J. Larry Newton School and any other child currently attending Fairhope schools that do not live in the city limits, will be included in a Fairhope City School System. I was not allowed to speak before the vote, but Mr. Mixon did let me speak after they approved the (start of contract negotiations with Harvey).”

In other business, the council:

• Delayed consideration until the next council meeting of an ordinance to require council approval to fill any non-budgeted positions, or pay raises and promotions of current employees.