FAIRHOPE, Ala. - A recommendation will be made at an upcoming City Council meeting to outsource the grass mowing of a number of city properties to a Fairhope company that was the single bidder for the job, according to City Council President Lonnie Mixon, who chaired a Monday meeting at which that and two other public works issues were discussed.

The proposal would “eliminate four positions on the grass mowing crew,” according to a memorandum presented to the group by Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler, who said those employees would be shifted to other jobs within her department.

The Fairhope-based Jubilee Landscape company placed the single bid on the project, according to Fidler.

Mayor Tim Kant said the proposal could save the city “roughly $200,000 a year.”

Several residents spoke against the proposal, including former Mayor Jim Nix.

Two other council members, city staff, and a number of local residents crowded a small City Hall conference room Monday morning for an informal meeting of a group identified as "not a formed committee,” according to the city clerk’s office, “to discuss outsourcing mowing, garbage/trash,” in an e-mail sent to local media Dec. 2 morning.

The e-mail was followed that Friday afternoon by a public notice of the meeting by the clerk’s office.

Although a formal vote was not taken of the group, Mixon indicated a consensus had been reached and that the recommendation to award the bid to Jubilee Landscape would be made at an upcoming council meeting.

After the meeting, Mixon described the people who attended the meeting as a “study group.” Two members present, Charlie Smith and Ron Heveran, have participated in past study groups and committees on public works issues.

The group also discussed whether to close the city landfill and the status of outsourcing the city’s garbage, trash and recycling services, both of which will receive additional study before any recommendations are made about them, Mixon stated after the meeting.

Editor’s note: For additional coverage about this meeting, see Dec. 8 edition of Fairhope Courier.