Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Two new projects to build a civic center and a new fire training center will be discussed in Orange Beach at the next council meeting. The civic center is slated to go on city-owned property across from Waterfront Park and the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach. The city owns several parcels from behind the Circle K gas station along the south side of Canal Road and heading east.

The council will meet on Aug. 19 at 4 p.m. in a joint work/regular session in council chambers at city hall.

Proposals for design services for a new civic center are due on Aug. 29 and bids for the new fire training center will be opened on Aug. 28. Fire Chief Jeff Smith said the training center will cost about $1 million.

“The facility will be built behind Fire Station 1,” Smith said. “While we are calling it a training facility, it will house both training and surf rescue.”

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. “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 as big as 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:

• Calling a special council meeting for Sept. 2 at noon to canvass votes from the Aug. 26 municipal election.
• Approving payment of $1.7 million for goods and services from Aug. 7-20.
• Accepting a proposal from Thompson Consulting Services for debris monitoring, disaster management and recovery services.
• Appointing David Trent Johnson as interim police chief after Steve Brown retires on Sept. 1. The council will also consider awarding Brown his badge and duty weapons as part of his retirement.
• Donating a 2006 Ford F-250 pickup from the police department to the city’s board of education.
• 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.
• Authorizing Orange Beach to join the state and other local governments as participants in current and future opioid settlements.

During the work session, the council will discuss:

• 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.
• Appointing Vince McCoy and Chris Hicks to the Fire Code Board of Appeals.
• An agreement with J.F. Morris Performance for the direction of Guys and Dolls.
• Authorizing an installation and maintenance agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for safety sensors on highway rights-of-way.
• Levying a vape tax on vapor products in front of a state deadline to establish an ordinance by Oct. 1.
• Setting a public hearing date of Sept. 2 for The Wharf Villas east of the Margaritaville complex to change the planned unit development to include a 12-lot, gated subdivision.