Orange Beach Gains Funding for Sea Turtle Project Expansion
John Mullen • December 3, 2024
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the City of Orange Beach work together to complete the sea turtle restoration project
Orange Beach, Ala. –(OBA) – Orange Beach will get additional funds from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to cover the cost of the $1.5 million Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle Triage Restoration Project.
Another wildlife project, an expansion of the Orange Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Program, will be considered in the meeting as well.
“The bids for the (sea turtle) facility came in approximately $450,000 over the original budget, therefore ADCNR amended the grant agreement to cover the additional expenses,” a memo to the city council states.
The council will discuss the additional funds at a joint regular/work session meeting on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. The sea turtle item will be addressed in the work session.
“At the request of ADCNR, the city has agreed to provide such labor, services, and materials to accomplish the goals of said restoration project,” the resolution states. Any amounts spent by the city will be fully reimbursed.
It is estimated the work will take one to two years to complete, and the city will maintain the infrastructure and improvements for five years after the project is complete.
On the wildlife program, the city is looking to extend the project an additional six months to get animal rehabilitation areas completed. It is a $1 million project funded with Restore Act money and administered by ADCNR.
During the regular session, the council will also discuss:
- Paying vendors for goods and services for $1.1 million from Nov. 21-Dec. 4.
- Approving a liquor license for Barometer Grill at 27842 Canal a new restaurant that in the past has hosted Bayside Grill, Ship’s Harbor Grill and Playa.
- Authorizing the city to host events during 2025 including the Mardi Gras parade, the Orange Beach Arts Festival, Seafood Fest and Freedom Fest at The Wharf, the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting and city school events.
- Executing a contract with Lauren McCaghren for dance instruction for the production of Shrek the Musical.
- Authorizing a contract with EnCompass360 for grant writing services for $60,000 and a second contract with the company for program administration services for the first responders safe room project.
- Awarding a bid to Parish Tractor Co. for a Kubota tractor for the Coastal Resources Department for $108,812.
- Allowing a franchise to MCImetro to provide telecommunication services in city rights of way.
- Renewing the right-of-way agreement with Mediacom to continue operating a telecommunications system in the city.
- An amendment to the Saltwater Cottages II PUD where developers seek to rezone four acres on the beach at 23591 and 23608 Perdido Beach Boulevard into a PUD for five single-family houses. There will be a public hearing and first reading of the ordinance.
- Setting a public hearing for an ordinance amendment for the Roscoe Road Townhouses planned unit development on 39 acres for a 60-unit complex located on the west side of Roscoe Road and 700 feet north of the intersection of Roscoe Road and the Foley Beach Express.
During the work session, the council will discuss:
- Appropriating $75,000 to the Gulf Shores Airport Authority to help with marketing at the Gulf Shores International Airport. Orange Beach began the support in March of 2017 and each year it was initially $35,000. It was raised this year noting the “expansions of services” including a terminal slated to open this spring.
- Signing a contract with the Baldwin County Economic Alliance with a donation of $12,500 to be used in part to “provide and administer economic development services benefitting the city.”
- Renewing a contract with Socialize Your Bizness for 2025 to provide “social media consulting and marketing services.
- Renewing a contract with Van Scoyoc Associates for lobbying services for the city on the federal level in 2025.
- Renewing a contract with Bob Riley and Associates for lobbying services for the city at the state level in 2025.
- Signing a contract with former employee Chris Litton to provide “special services” for the city in 2025 “including but not limited to audio production, firearms training and youth shooting sports organization and management, disaster
- recovery management, and veterans’ programs management.
- Updating the list of volunteer firefighters and reserve police officers covered under workers’ compensation insurance.
- Supporting the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber with a $3,000 donation to help with the annual electronic recycling and paper shredding event on Jan. 11 at the Gulf State Park Saltwater Pavilion from 8 a.m.-noon.
- Executing a second amendment to a grant award with the National Audubon Society to be used on beach-nesting bird habitat. For 2025, the amount will be $111,000 to cover the coordinator's salary and work on the habitats. This will be fully reimbursed, according to an item on the agenda.
- Authorizing a contract with Callie Perez to provide bracelet-making classes at the senior center.
- Purchasing 12 cardiac monitors and defibrillators for the fire department from ZOLL Medical Corp. for $652,164.
- Authorizing a contract for retainers for outside legal help for the city in 2025. This includes hiring Spencer E. Davis Jr. as the city prosecutor for municipal court for $4,600 a month, Paul Woodall for real estate and financial services and David Canupp for sign ordinance, employment law and other services as needed.
- Executing a franchise agreement with Brightspeed of Southern Alabama to use city right of ways for a telecommunications system.
- Executing a contract with Southern Rapid Healthcare for medical services in the city “for its employees, covered spouses, and dependents enrolled in the city’s health plan.” The council will discuss a similar contract with South Baldwin Medical Group during the work session.
- Appointing Brianne Dichiara and Kristin Wong to the city’s Employee Leave Bank Committee for two-year terms. Other members include City Administrator Ford Handley, Human Resources Director Vicki Pishna, both permanent members, and Chandler Dick and Joe Brown whose terms will end on Dec. 31, 2025.
- Purchasing a lifeguard towner from Bausch Enterprises for $88,810.
- A contract with VITALExam “for comprehensive medical exams for Orange Beach Fire Department personnel.” The 90 exams will include fit-for-duty and cancer screenings for 90 personnel for $59,850.
- Declaring certain city property as surplus, including 10 vehicles and four jet skis.
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