Orange Beach, Ala. –(OBA) – Orange Beach will take a look at a new city ordinance to further prohibit “commercial activity” on beaches, shorelines and waterways in the city.

“There have been some business licenses that have come through recently that we needed some clarification on,” Deputy Coastal Resources Director Nicole Woerner said. “We just don’t want our beaches to be overrun and our waterways with people just selling and doing all kinds of things.”

The city council will take up the change in a joint regular/work session April 2 at the Performing Arts Center on the middle/high school campus. Immediately following the meetings will be a town hall presentation by the council and Mayor Tony Kennon.

Currently, there are few businesses operating on the beach, with most of those being beach chair rentals, but Woerner says the city needs to codify what kinds of commercial activities are allowed on the beach.

“We want it in black and white,” Woerner said 

Kennon agreed, adding, “we don’t want to add anything other than what we agreed to.”

Businesses now prohibited on the beach include parasail companies and jet ski rentals. This new ordinance would also address businesses wishing to sell food and beverages on the city’s waterways.

“We’ve defined our beaches as really the only activity on the beach is chairs,” Councilman Jeff Boyd said. “We’ve limited everything else. We get asked every year over and over. We have been very strong to protect those resources.”

During the regular session, the council will also discuss:

• Approving payment for goods and services from March 20-April 2 for $1.4 million.
• Awarding the bid for pickleball courts at the city’s recreation complex. Included in the project are the courts, restrooms and roadway and parking lot improvements. In line for the bid is Green-Simmons for $2.7 million.
• An ordinance change in the section dealing with “noises prohibited.”
• Donating surplus exercise equipment to Orange Beach City Schools, including four recumbent bikes, three upright bikes and one arc trainer.
• Reappointing Shannon Robinson to the Orange Beach Board of Education with a new term ending April 4, 2030.
• A contract with Adams and Reese for lobbying services during the regular and special legislative sessions at state and federal levels.
• Authorizing contracts with Grace Stanton to direct a performance of “Lion King Jr.” and Lauren McCaghren for dance instruction for the play.
• Authorizing a franchise agreement with Waste Pro of Florida operating in the city to remove commercial waste and construction demolitions.
• Authorizing a franchise agreement with Flora-Bama S.A.L.T.S. to operate a taxi service in Orange Beach.
• A resolution amending the fee schedule at the Orange Beach Golf Center and adopting operational policies for the center.
• A contract with Human Resource Management to do a comprehensive study for $59,750.
• Authorizing a contract with Mack Tucker for golf instruction services.

During the work session, the council will discuss:

• A grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to buy license plate readers for the police department. The grant would be for $48,000 and no city match is required.
• A contract with DeRhonda Ponder to be a special needs aide for the Expect Excellence program at a rate of $40 an hour.
• A contract with Matthew Hurst for direction and stage management for the city’s production of “Lion King Jr.”
• A resolution for a contract with McLean Motor Sports Productions for the Bama Coast Cruisin’ event at Freedom Fest on Sept. 20-21.
• A contract with the Gulf Coast Gun Collectors Association for a collectible firearms show at the Orange Beach Event Center as part of Freedom Fest on Sept. 20-21.
• Three requests for taxi franchises in the city for Coast Group Transportation, Robin’s Rides and Surf Side Shuttle.
• A franchise for Waste Management to remove and dispose of commercial waste and construction debris.
• A contract with Lose Design for plans to renovate and expand the Aquatics Center.