Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Unsightly and unsafe rolling trash bins along West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores have the city considering an ordinance change to require a change in trash service along one stretch of the road. The council will introduce the ordinance at a work session on Feb. 3 in council chambers at city hall.

“The city continues to have issues with the placement of trash bins along and in the bicycle path on West Beach Boulevard, posing both a safety and visual aesthetic concern,” City Administrator Jon Walker wrote in a memo attached to the meeting agenda. “This area has three days of trash pickup per week in the spring and summer, as well as requirements for a minimum number of trash bins based on the number of bedrooms. As a result, a number of bins remain in the bicycle path every day.”

Walker says this creates obstacles for pedestrians and bicyclists who sometimes have to enter travel lanes to go around them. The bins also create problems for drivers hiding the pedestrians and bicyclists and making driveways more difficult to find, Walker said.

“City staff are proposing an ordinance amendment to eliminate curbside service in this area and require full service, commonly referred to as ‘walk-up’ service,” Walker’s memo states. “This enhanced service includes collecting and returning waste bins to their location behind the front building line, eliminating the need for curbside placement. Curbside placement of bins will no longer be permitted, and all trash bins are required to be placed in a location behind the front building line.”

The change will affect property owners currently in the bin program from 100 to 2005 West Beach Boulevard. Complexes serviced by dumpsters will not be affected.

Republic Services will charge an extra $25 to each customer and if the ordinance is passed on Feb. 10 at a council work session, the change would take place April 1.

During the work session, the council will also discuss:

• A maintenance agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for all sidewalks and future sidewalks in the State Route 182 right of way. Getting the agreement is place means the city will not have to go to ALDOT for a new agreement each time the city proposes a sidewalk in the right of way, according to a memo from Capital Projects Manager Clint Colvin.
• Approving a contract with Volkert to complete required inspections of all bridges and culverts in the city for $18,382. Volkert has provided the service for 20 years, according to a memo on the agenda.
• Renewing contracts with Gulf State Park for lifeguard services for the lodge and beach pavilion.
• A conditional-use permit to build a private pier and boat dock on a vacation lot at 1276 W. Lagoon Ave. The planning commission gave a favorable recommendation for the new construction in its December meeting by a 7-0 vote.
• Annexing a lot and residence at 4704 Geno Road into the city limits.
• Approving the master signage plan for the new Legendary Marine boat storage, marina, ship store and boat sales and service at 335 Waterway West Blvd.
• Renewing the annual alcohol ban on city beaches during spring break or March 1 through April 28. The ban was first enacted in 2016 when rowdy crowds gathered on beaches early in that spring break season.
• Awarding a bid for custodial supplies to Imperial Dade for $49,279.
• Approving the programs planned by the Parks and Recreation Department for 2025.
• Approving public assembly permits for the Badger Beach Bash volleyball tournament at West Gulf Place on Feb. 27-March 1, the city’s Mardi Gras parade on March 4 and University of Mobile conference volleyball matches on March 8-9.
• Approving the public assembly permit for the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display and an agreement with Gulf State Park and Pyro Shows for the show for $37,595.