Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach has begun the process of naming an interim police chief following the retirement announcement of Chief Steve Brown. The city council will hear a detailed report on the internal search for the interim chief. Brown’s retirement starts on Sept. 1. Officials hope to have the interim named at that time.

The city council will meet in a joint regular/work session on Aug. 5 at 5 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. The search for the interim chief will be discussed in the work session.

A memo from Human Resources Director Michelle Bugos and City Administrator Ford Handley detailed the search effort. See related story.

“Appointing an interim chief from within with demonstrated peer support is a crucial first step in restoring stability and improving culture,” the memo states. “With less than a month remaining before Chief Brown’s retirement becomes official, we respectfully urge the council to appoint an interim chief to ensure a smooth transition and show support for the police department personnel.”

During the process they met with all 16 sergeants and lieutenants in the department and asked each the same set of questions.

“All 16 were invited to name one or more than one individual, and each were told they could name themselves,” the memo states. “In addition, each was asked to provide a strength and weakness for each person named. The HR director will be sending those findings to the mayor and council for review.”

The council will also consider awarding Brown his badge and duty weapons as part of his retirement.

During the regular session, the council will also discuss:

• Approving the purchase of goods and services for $1.4 million from July 17-Aug. 6.
• A second reading of an ordinance for the Keel RV storage third addition on Canal Road west of Sam’s Stop N Shop.
• Authorizing the school board to use a portion of the athletic complex wind deductible for two change orders to add additional coating to the track surface and to add parking.
• A contract with GeoCon for geotechnical testing and engineering services for Jubilee Point Road improvements for $7,730.
• Establishing fees for a Pre-K Expect Excellence after-school program at $40 per week or $8 a day if there are less than five school days in a week.
• Awarding bids for debris clearance, disposal, and sand reclamation and one for debris monitoring, disaster management, and recovery services.
• Replacing 400 pole mounts for Christmas decorations for $259,668 to replace mounts that are more than 10 years old.
• Declaring a speed radar machine owned by the city as surplus and donating it to Elberta.
• A contract with McCollough Architecture for engineering services for improvements to the Hot Shop for $14,400.
• Accepting a donation of real property to the city at 27471 Canal Road from Sisters LLC. According to Baldwin County tax records, the vacant property is “commercial” and valued at $480,400. It does not front Canal Road but is connected by the Avenue D right-of-way on the north side of Canal Road.
• Declaring three vessels as abandoned after Hurricane Sally and authorizing their disposal. There will also be a public hearing on the vessels.

During the work session, the council will also discuss:

• Proposals for the 2026 performing arts productions.
• Declaring a 2003 Ford F-450 utility truck as surplus and donating it to the St. Stephens Volunteer Fire Department.
• Adopting a city transportation plan to be eligible for funds from the Rebuild Alabama Act. The city stands to receive $50,687 for road projects once the plan is filed.
• Authorizing a contract with Uniti Fiber to install service to the lifeguard building at the residents’ beach.
• A request for an amendment to the subaward from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for Restore Act funds for expansions at the Orange Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Program.
• Authorizing a contract with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for the city to provide permitting, regulation, and monitoring services. ADEM will reimburse the city $37,950 for providing the services.
• Appointing Penny Groux to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism board of directors.
• Authorizing a contract with Brandy Reeves for tennis instruction.
• Setting a public hearing for The Wharf Villas at the Margaritaville complex to change the planned unit development to include a 12-lot, gated subdivision.