Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The Orange Beach City Council is set to convene for a joint regular and work session on April 16 in the council chambers at city hall, where numerous significant issues are on the agenda. Key topics include reviewing the toll bridge revenue, appointing a new fire chief, approving various licenses and permits, and considering major expenditures for city infrastructure and services. 

The council will also address several public hearings and ordinance changes, reflecting a busy schedule aimed at enhancing community facilities and services.

During the regular session, the council will consider:

• A report on the bridge running total for the first two months of 2024 showing 698,998 cars have passed through the toll booths netting the city $209,699. In the first two months of 2023, 782,504 cars passed through for a total of $234,751 to the city.

• Approving of $9.5 million paid out to vendors March 20 through April 17.

• Approving a retail liquor license for Shore Thing Cigars located at The Wharf.

• Approving a restaurant liquor license for Pier House restaurant on beach road west of Ron Jon’s.

• Appointing interim Fire Chief Jeff Smith as full-time chief of the city’s fire department.

• A resolution supporting the Orange Beach Library’s children’s material policy.

• Hiring McCollough Architecture for design services for a new roof for $18,500. Next door at the Senior Center, the council will also consider hiring McCollough for $11,700 for design services for roof replacement and an addition to the building. These will be discussed at the work session and voted on in an upcoming regular session.

• Awarding the bid for softball field light installation. Bids will be opened on April 11.

• Renewing a subscription with Granicus for address identification and rental activity monitoring for $99,640 for one year.

• Giving $10,000 to the Safe Harbor Animal Coalition for fiscal year in FY2024.

• Purchasing a pump house from Jim House and Associates for the Utilities Department for $37,995.

• Appointing Lixa Nix to the city school board for a five-year term ending on April 4, 2029.

• Buying furniture for the new Finance Department wing at city hall from Staples Contract and Commercial for $50,495.

• Awarding a franchise to Superior Dumpster Service to remove and dispose of commercial waste and construction and demolition debris.

• Donating surplus police helmets to Elberta and Creola police departments.

• Authorizing an agreement with Foley for the use of barricades for the 2024 Hot Air Balloon Festival.

• A public hearing and first reading of an ordinance change to revert the former Bama Bayou property from planned unit development to general business.

• A public hearing and first reading on an ordinance change to add docks at Cottages at Old Bay on Terry Cove.

• A public hearing and first reading of an ordinance change to add piers and a storage building at Zeke’s Landing Marina.

• A public hearing and first reading of an ordinance for Young’s Hideaway glamping sites on city property at the Rosemary Dunes trailhead.

During the work session, the council will discuss:

• Approving 2022 audited financials.

• Awarding a bid for replacing the roof and the fascia at the Justice Center and a second bid for two message boards for the police department.

•  Authorizing a subaward grant from Restore Act money to pay for a stormwater masterplan for the city for $250,000.

• Approving $25,000 to the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber to help fund the Gateway Initiative jobs program.

• Approving a contract with Wilde Design for Wildlife Center for $9,000 to design outdoor enclosures. The new center is on city property west of Fire Station No. 3 and adjacent to Gulf State Park.

• Authorizing the city to join the state and other local governments as a participant in opioid settlements.

• Reducing the rental fee by 25 percent for use of the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf for the 2024 high school sports officials training session.

• Declaring a 2002 Dodge van as surplus and authorizing the donation of it to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

• Authorizing a taxi franchise for Ryan Ahearn to operate Perdido Key Party Bus shuttle service in the city limits and police jurisdiction.

• A resolution approving a wetland permit for the CoastAL employee parking lot behind Walgreens.

• Setting a public hearing for an ordinance change regarding water recreational rentals May 7.

• Setting a public hearing for an ordinance amendment on highway frontage requirements on the north side of State Route 180 from Oak Street to William Silvers Parkway. The suggested date is May 7.

• Rescheduling a public hearing for an ordinance amendment regarding charter boat home occupations from April 16 to May 7.