12 new Tahoes for OBPD; Canal Rd. resurfacing almost finished

 By John Mullen
Orange Beach City Council approved the purchase of 12 new Chevy Tahoes at the Sept. 7 meeting bringing the total to 20 new vehicles and three used vehicles purchased for the police department this year. The purchase of the 12 Tahoes was $425,763, including a $6,000 delivery fee.
“Some of these (cars) were hail-damaged but in the fleet a lot of them got a lot of hail damage,” Councilman Jeff Boyd said. Orange Beach was hit with a freak hail storm on April 10.
Councilman Jerry Johnson said the new Tahoes would sport a new look from the current city police cars.
“We’re very proud of the Orange Beach wraps,” Johnson said. “You’re going to really like them on the road. A softer approach.”

Finishing touches for Canal Rd. widening project

Community Development Director Kit Alexander told City Council the contractor is preparing to finish up the final paving on the widening of Canal Road during its Sept. 7 meeting.
The work, originally behind because of rain, was set to start on Sept. 8 but it was a washout because it rained all day.
“They’ll be paving the Island Church driveway that they used as a staging area, they’ll be paving Gulf Bay Road in the intersection where there are some gravel areas,” Alexander said. “We do have two bump kind of patch areas that we need to address at Gulf Bay Road and at William Silvers. There will be lane closures in both locations so that will be potentially problematic. They will not start work before 8 so we can have free and clear school traffic.”
Per a city request, the contractor will also be widening Sweetwater Drive directly west of Orange Beach High/Middle School.
“They hope to get the turn lane into Cypress Village done,” Alexander said. “Hopefully we can get it done on one day.”

During the 9/7 regular session, the council also:
• OK’d a resolution authorizing the sole source purchase of two submersible pumps from Jim House & Associates for the Utilities Department in the amount of $72,980.
• OK’d a resolution to give the Makos Academics, Arts and Athletic Club $48,900.
• Approved a change to the planned unit development for Summer Salt to add seven lots to phase two and raising the lots for the whole development from 112 to 119. A total of 58 cottage lots and 54 single-family lots are in the original plan. It passed on a 5-1 vote.
• Rescinded the declaration of emergency for Hurricane Ida.
• OK’d a resolution appointing Chris Callaghan as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Orange Beach.
• OK’d a resolution appropriating funds to support the Safe Harbor Animal Coalition in a prorated amount of $3,333.33 for FY2021.
• OK’d a resolution appropriating funds to the National Sojourners 531 Baldwin County Chapter for the purpose of sponsoring local events benefiting first responders in the amount of $500.
• OK’d a resolution to buy a replacement pump for the Mariner Lakes lift station from Jim House & Associates for the Utilities Department in the amount of $18,558.
• OK’d a resolution amending the employees pay plan/job Listing to add the positions of athletic program coordinator and Sportsplex and Concessions Services Director.
• OK’d a resolution authorizing the execution of the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Consortium Agreement.
• OK’d a resolution authorizing a franchise for Rock & Roll Offs to remove and dispose of commercial solid waste and to remove and transport construction and demolition debris.
• OK’d a resolution authorizing a franchise for Bishop Enterprises to remove and dispose of commercial solid waste and to remove and transport construction and demolition debris.
• Approved of a restaurant retail liquor license application by Los Compadres for El Nuevo Mexico Lindo Restaurant in the Rouses shopping center.
• Passed resolutions declaring September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.

During the 9/7 work session, the council discussed:
• A proposal by Mrs. Aiken to install a “beaver preventer” flow through type device behind private residences on Park Drive.
• A potential partnership with C Spire to locate equipment on the new site of the Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle Center near the water tower on State Route 161.
• A resolution awarding the bid for Dinner Theater Catering Services.
• A resolution awarding the bid for Christmas decorations.
• A resolution authorizing the execution of an Administrative Services Agreement and Addendum with RxBenefits for pharmacy claims related to the employee health benefit plan.
• A resolution authorizing the execution of a performance contract with Jody Hodo for softball coaching services.
• A resolution authorizing execution of a Cooperative Service Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to supplement nuisance wildlife control services.
• A resolution authorizing the execution of a storage rental agreement with Keel Storage on Canal Road west of Sam’s Stop and Shop.

An ordinance amending the “Habitat Conservation Program” in the city of Orange Beach.
estaurant building setback on the east side and modifying the front façade of the restaurant building. The suggested date was Oct. 5.
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