Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Gulf Shores City Council met in a regular session in council chambers at city hall on April 22 including approving $2.9 million in expense vouchers including $2.2 million most going for the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability, Waterway East Boulevard extension and the widening of State Route 59 project. The city also bought a zero-turn mower for $51,000 and operational expenses totaled $687,000.

During the meeting, the council:

Declared May as Bike Month in the city of Gulf Shores. The city will mark the month with a national Ride a Bike Day on May 5, Bike to School Day on May 8, Bike to Work Week May 13-19 and Bike to Work Day on May 17.

Approved An assembly permit for the Doc’s Hot Trot for ARC at LuLu’s on June 15.

Approved three items concerning the city’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration including an assembly permit, a memorandum of understanding with Gulf State Park to use the park’s pier to launch the show and a contract with Pyro Shows for $36,500 to put on the show.

Approved assembly permit for the third annual Coastal Alabama Food Truck and Beer Festival at the town green in Gulf Place on Nov. 9-10.

Pay Gunn and Associates $19,500 for design drawings for the installation of new lighting at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Approved the Alabama Department of Transportation’s maintenance agreement for a sidewalk on the west side of State Route 59 in the area of the new Langston Animal Hospital.

Authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with Gulf Shores Utilities for reimbursement of $3.5 million for relocation of utilities on the west side of State Route 59 from the bridge north to County Road 6 for the ongoing widening project adding a third southbound lane on the roadway.

Approved an amendment to the traffic ordinance to change speed limits on 17 stretches of road in the city including Canal Road from East Second Street to East 10th Street at 45 mph and east of East 10th to the city limits at 55 mph.

Approved the appointment of Frank Malone to the Gulf Shores School Board for a five-year term. State law requires appointing a new member to the board each April.