Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) —  Gulf Shores plans to revamp its seasonal displays as the city's current holiday decorations rapidly deteriorate due to age, harsh conditions, and storage constraints. Public works officials recommend shifting from a diluted citywide approach to a concentrated, professionally managed design strategy to maximize visual impact.

The council work session meeting takes place this evening, Mon, Jul 20, 2026, at 4 PM in Gulf Shores City Hall's Council Chambers.

The proposed agreement with The Decor Group, Inc. totals $604,506 over three years and uses TIPS cooperative pricing to ensure sound fiscal stewardship. The first year requires $237,448 to fund roofline lighting at eight municipal buildings, 150 pole mounts, and illuminated palm trees at the Fort Morgan Trail & 59 Corner and the 59 & East Beach areas.

Pedestrian Bridge Contract Modifications: The Capital Projects Department seeks authorization for Change Order #4 with Harrison Construction for the Pedestrian Bridge project. The net increase of $37,221.46 covers structural steel fabrication to meet 160-mph wind loads, a 3rd-party structural design review, and a 25-foot structural glass walkway, offset by a (-$443,192.79) GOMESA grant plaza credit. The remaining net balance will be funded entirely from the project's contingency account.

Personnel and Departmental Reclassifications: Human Resources Director Tonya T. Wilson will present an organizational realignment that adds $51,000 in personnel costs to maximize operational efficiency as the city expands its services:

• Reclassify Blake Phelps to Director of Strategic Initiatives to coordinate cross-departmental digitization of records, ordinance modernization, and legislative agendas without changing his current compensation.
• Promote Amy McKenzie to Planning and Budget Manager to provide advanced financial forecasting and oversee the annual budget book publication.
• Transition a part-time accountant position to a full-time Grants and Administrative Support Specialist role to manage expanding federal documentation for multi-million-dollar BUILD and RESTORE grants.

During the work session, the council will also review:

• Employee Recognition: Honoring Ellie Flaig as June's Lifeguard of the Month for outstanding performance. Her exceptional month included managing 60 calls for service involving 823 people, making 365 public contacts, executing 357 preventative actions, and conducting 2 water rescues. The council will also celebrate participants in the regional USLA lifeguard competition.
• Executive Recruitment Contracts: Authorizing two professional recruitment services agreements—one with Next Move Group, LLC ($19,750) for an Economic Development Manager and another with Find Great People ($25,000) for a new Communications and Engagement Director position.
• Public Safety Technology: A $142,500 award to Tek84, LLC for a secure full-body contraband scanner at the Justice Center, fully funded by the Municipal Court Judicial Fund.
• Athletic Partnership Extensions: One-year extensions of agreements with the AHSAA to host the 2027 Regional Softball (May 10–13) and Outdoor Track & Field State Championships (May 6–8) at the Sportsplex.
• Community & Commerce: A memorandum of understanding with the Pleasure Island Revelers Mardi Gras Krewe to transition principal parade-organizing duties back to the community for the upcoming parade on January 23, 2027, as well as a taxi franchise request from Action Taxi, LLC.