Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The city is looking to renew its contract with AirMedCare that would cover any out-of-pocket expenses for ground and air ambulance transportation for citizens as well as employees. This would cover any transport in Baldwin County on MedStar or AirCare.

Gulf Shores first entered into this contract in 2019 and the council will discuss renewing it for 2024 at a work session on Oct. 16.

“The service provider will bill the patient’s insurance and the patient will not receive a bill for the remaining cost,” a memo on the meeting agenda states. “There is no cost increase to the city during this 2023 contract period for either contract; however, there is a $10 increase for additional nationwide coverage for residents if they elect for this coverage. There is a $10 increase for the employee contract for the upcoming year.”

There are two contracts up for discussion, one for residents at $163,748 and one for employees for $16,500.

During the work session, the council also:

See the promotions and swearing-in of two firefighters following the retirement of Battalion Chief Wayne Reddit. Fire Lt. Jeff McWilliams will be promoted to Battalion Chief and firefighter/paramedic Logan Lambert will be promoted to Fire Lieutenant. Also, firefighter/paramedic Cole Fincher will be honored as the Firefighter of the Quarter because he “has proved himself to the department with his positive attitude, high-level skillset and willingness to learn and pass that knowledge on to others.”

Discuss a request for the transfer of a special retail 30-day liquor license for the Savanna restaurant at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. A public hearing will be conducted at the Oct. 23 regular council meeting.

Discuss a $1.8 million bid for Asphalt Services for site work for the city’s new fire department training facility on West 36th Avenue.

Consider contracting with ChargePoint to install, monitor and maintain three public charging stations for electric vehicles at three locations on city property for five years. Gulf Shores will pay $7,200 annually for the service or a total of $36,000 during the life of the contract.

Discuss a one-time payment to Retirement Systems of Alabama for city retirees. A recent act by the state legislature allows RSA to make a one-time lump sum to employees who retired before March 1, 2022, and were receiving benefits from RSA as of April 1 of this year. The total amount is $26,180 and will be addressed in an upcoming budget amendment.