Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach is looking to move to the next phase of its new fire training facility located at the city hall complex behind Fire Station No. 1. Underway already are buildings in the first part of the construction of a new facility that will help with day-to-day operations as well as training.

The city council will take up the training tower bid during a joint regular/work session on July 7 at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

Fire Chief Jeff Smith will recommend awarding the bid for a burn tower and its installation to Roy Lewis Construction for $1.3 million. The other portion of the center will cost about $1 million.

“While we are calling it a training facility, it will house both training and surf rescue,” Smith said in August when the bid for the buildings was awarded

The new facility will also alleviate crowded offices in the administration building.

“We have outgrown our administration building and currently have 13 employees with only eight offices,” Smith said in August. “Surf Rescue is housed with Coastal Resources, and both have outgrown that facility, too. So, this building will have office space for both divisions, which will allow more room for us in administration, as well as Coastal Resources.”

Smith said it will also include storage for Surf Rescue, a training room twice the size of the current space, and a gym for staff at Fire Station No. 1.

“This will allow room for future growth within Fire Station 1, as well,” Smith said.

During the regular session, the council will discuss:

• Paying $1.2 million to vendors for goods and services through July 8.
• A special events liquor license for The Wharf Restaurant Group for the American Society of Civil Engineers 2026 summer meeting at the Orange Beach Event Center on Jul 29-31.
• A longevity bonus for city retirees as approved by the legislature in its 2026 session at $12 per year for service. City money would fund the bonus for city retirees if passed by the council estimated at a total of $25,394 for all retirees. For example, an employee with 25 years of service would receive $300. In 2022, the council voted down a similar proposal raising the ire of RSA chief David Bronner who questioned the decision by Kennon and the council in the organization’s newsletter.
• Adopting a revised personnel policy manual of city employees.
• An agreement for laboratory services with South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.
• A contract with Offset Consulting for leadership training for the police department for $14,000.
• A grant agreement with the National Audubon Society for the stewardship of the Coastal Alabama beach nesting and bird habitat.
• A contract with GeoCon for $5,570 to provide “geotechnical exploration and engineering services” for a new building at the Aquatic Center.
• Accepting a proposal for architectural and engineering services for a safe room for first responders from Adams Stewart Architects.
• A public hearing and first reading for a change in the perimeter landscaping for Lost Bay Townhouses located south of Canal Road behind the former Posh furniture store, Dollar General and the Brett Robinson laundry.
• A first reading of an ordinance to reduce speed limits on certain streets in the Lauder Place Subdivision.

During the work session, the council will also discuss:

• Paying a $50,000 match for a $1 million grant from the Government Recovery Infrastructure Program to raise Jubilee Point Road.
• Appropriating $10,000 to the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center in 2026.
• A resolution authorizing Orange Beach police officers to be assigned to the Baldwin County Drug Task Force.
• Buying two utility vehicles for the police department from Baldwin County Victory Polaris for $44,853 to replace two rusting units that have been in service for 9 years.
• A temporary building at Orange Beach Marina for a Bluewater Yacht Sales office for six months.
• Taxi franchises for One Love Shuttle and Granbury Executive Transport to operate taxi services in the city.
• Adopting a city seal guide.
• Entering a lawsuit with other small governments on the overpricing of equipment and vehicles for the fire department.
• Accepting a bid for a new work skiff for Coastal Resources. Two bids were opened on July 2 and are under review by city staff.
• A contract with Brandy Reeves for tennis instruction through Aug. 31, 2027.
• Set a public hearing date for an ordinance change for Columbia Southern University to add a freestanding sign. The suggested date is Aug. 4.