Orange Beach Seeks Grant for First Responder Safe Room Project
John Mullen • September 17, 2024
Council to Vote on Multi-Use Trail and Storage Expansion
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach is considering authorizing a grant application to build a safe room for first responders during storms for a total of $6.2 million with the city’s 10 percent match at $627,916 if the grant is awarded.
The council will meet in a joint work/regular session on Sept. 17th at 5 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.
Orange Beach qualified for the grant program when FEMA declared a disaster after Hurricane Sally on Sept. 16, 2020.
“The city wishes to construct a first responder safe room to act as a base of operations for our emergency response teams during future disasters,” the resolution states. “First Responder Safe Rooms are considered eligible for funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.”
During the regular session, the council will:
- Considering the approval of payment for goods and services from Sept. 5-19 for $578,359.
- Discuss declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in remembrance of the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
- Consider an ordinance change to approve additional mini storage buildings at Keel Storage on the north side of Canal Road west of Sam’s Stop N Shop.
- Discuss naming Mayor Tony Kennon and council members Jeff Boyd, Joni Blalock, Jerry Johnson, Annette Mitchell and Jeff Silvers and City Administrator Ford Handley to the city’s Solid Waste Disposal Authority.
- Consider a contract with Tanner Myatt for golf instruction services.
- Discuss awarding the bid for the Canal Road multi-use trail connectivity projects. Bids were opened on Sept. 12 and Wiregrass Construction was the winning bidder at $3.6 million.
During the work session, the council will discuss:
- Annexing property on Roscoe Road and owned by David Gatlin into the city of Orange Beach.
- Changes to the city golf cart ordinance.
- Awarding a bid for building the Coastal Alabama Sea Turtle Center for triage of injured sea turtles. Bids are scheduled to be opened on Sept. 26.
- Awarding a bid for tent rentals for the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach. Bids are scheduled to be opened on Sept. 26.
- A contract with J.F. Morris Performance for theater direction for “Shrek The Musical.”
- A resolution authorizing a contract with Peak Software Systems for Golf Center member management software for $4,485.
- A resolution accepting a proposal from ThreatAdvice Security Services to connect the field house and batting cage buildings at the Sportsplex to the fiber network for $19,280.
- A resolution authorizing a contract with Watermark Design Group to provide design, bid, and construction administration services for roof replacement at the Expect Excellence Music Building following the April 2021 hailstorm for $15,200.
- Setting a public hearing for an ordinance change to allow residents of Fish Camp Landing to improve and expand the marina to 52 slips to offer a slip for each residence in the subdivision.
- Setting a public hearing for a change in the sign ordinance to allow an expansion of the Columbia Southern University’s sign on the Foley Beach Express.
Share this article w/ Friends...
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival has been canceled. Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall along the northern Gulf Coast. Organizers say the safety of visitors, vendors, and volunteers was the top priority. The Coastal Alabama Business
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach officials are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias in the Gulf. As of Wednesday morning, TS Isaias has 40 mph sustained winds and is moving ENE at 8 mph. The tropical storm is moving east-northeast and does not appear to be stalling. The city has taken steps to stay ahead o
Perdido Key,Fla. — (OBA) — One of the Gulf Coast's most beloved musical traditions is in its fourth decade. The 42nd Annual Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival will bring more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters to the Florida-Alabama Gulf Coast. The event will feature Grammy Award winners alongside emerging artis
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Members of the Friends of the Arts Board visited Orange Beach Elementary School to present a $1,000 check to two of its music educators. The funds were awarded to General Music and Choir Director Kimberly Pugh and Music Teacher Taylor Holley. The donation will cover a subscription to Music
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Downtown Foley is getting a Halloween makeover this fall, thanks to Foley Main Street. The organization invites residents and visitors to join "The Prowl," a special edition of its popular Third Thursday event. The evening blends community shopping with a touch of seasonal mystery. Local small bu
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The Foley Fire Department is getting a new ladder truck and a series of facility upgrades. Fire Chief Joey Darby briefed City Council members on the progress. The department ordered the truck in late 2023, and it is now in its final stages of production. Darby said the department is on track to ta
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The Mystics of Pleasure krewe is hosting a public Poker Run along the Gulf Coast. The event welcomes participants traveling by boat or car. Players will visit a series of beach-area stops, collecting stamps at each location to build a poker hand. Organizers say the event is designed for ever
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach is taking a major step forward in local infrastructure and public safety as city leaders prepare to award a $458,990.52 contract to Arrington Curb & Excavation, Inc., for the 2026 Roadway Resurfacing Project. The agreement also includes unit pricing for the optional purchase a
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — October has officially arrived on the Alabama Gulf Coast, bringing cooler mornings and breezy evenings, with just enough falling leaves to remind us other seasons exist somewhere. Yet around here, the beach still calls, the dolphins keep showing off, and the calendar is packed with plenty
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — As Gulf Shores continues to expand rapidly, municipal leaders are evaluating the city's operational structure to ensure leadership remains aligned with long-term goals. The council will consider several major administrative, infrastructure, and public safety initiatives to improve efficiency
