Orange Beach Council to Review Golf Cart Rental License
John Mullen • September 2, 2025
$1M training facility to ease administration overcrowding
Orange Beach, Ala. –(OBA) – At its upcoming council meeting, Orange Beach will discuss a license for a golf cart rental company to be operated out of a residence. Matthew Rickard wants the license for Shore Thing Golf Carts. Rickard is one of the owners of a residence at 26881 Second Street at the corner of Second and Washington Boulevard.
The council will meet in a joint/regular session on Sept. 2 in council chambers at city hall.
During the regular session, the council will also discuss:
- Paying $1.3 million to vendors for goods and services from Aug. 21-Sept. 3.
- Setting an organizational meeting Nov. 3 per Alabama state code following local elections.
- Declaring September as Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month in Orange Beach.
- Purchasing a tractor for the Sportsplex from Parish Tractor Co. for $63,903.
- Accepting a proposal from Byers, Byers & Associates for auditing services for $79,850, a $6,350 increase from last year.
- Appointing Vince McCoy and Chris Hicks to the Fire Code Board of Appeals.
- Authorizing an installation and maintenance agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for safety sensors on highway rights-of-way.
- Authorizing Orange Beach to join the state and other local governments as participants in current and future opioid settlements.
- An agreement with the Alabama Fire College to provide clinical training for EMS students at the city’s training center.
- A public hearing for The Wharf Villas east of the Margaritaville complex to change the planned unit development to include a 12-lot, gated subdivision. There will also be a first reading of an ordinance change in The Wharf Landing Villas planned unit development.
- Levying a vape tax on vapor products in front of a state deadline to establish an ordinance by Oct. 1.
During the work session, the council will discuss:
- Awarding the bid for a new fire training center behind Fire Station No. 1. Chief Jeff Smith said the center will cost about $1 million and relieve some overcrowding in the administration building as well as house surf rescue offices in addition to the training facility.
- Accept a proposal for design services for a new civic center. No further details were provided in the agenda.
- Christmas season decorations and lighting. This will be for lighting at Orange Beach Middle/High School, the Performing Arts Center and Fire Station No. 3.
- Appointing Farra & Wang and Berger Montague as special counsel for the city in legal claims against the producers of shale oil and their co-conspirators.
- Purchasing furniture for the Parks and Recreation office for $47,978.
- A contract with Biometrica Systems for law enforcement data for the police department. No further details were provided in the agenda.
- An ordinance change to modify references to Walker Island to align with updated geographical information.
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