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) – Years after closing an unsafe bridge in the neighborhood north of West Beach Boulevard, the city is moving forward with a plan to repurpose the bridge and the surrounding area. A traffic study years ago deemed the bridge “unnecessary” to traffic flow in the neighborhood and a later grant app
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County is preparing to introduce a new housing initiative for residents. County officials have announced a virtual training session for lenders and realtors. The session will help these partners guide residents through the new program. The Homeownership Assistance Program is support
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – OWA Parks and Resort is seeking approval of a subdivision on 150 acres north of the complex as the beginning of “The Waters at OWA multi-family development,” according to city documents. The 150 acres are north of North OWA Boulevard and west of the Foley Beach Express. Developers there also want
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach Middle/High School earned a prestigious state school safety award for the second consecutive year. Only nine out of 1,500 schools in Alabama received this honor. Attorney General Steve Marshall visited the school to present the award. Students and staff gathered for a...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The largest news publication in the country, USA Today, has nominated COASTAL Orange Beach as one of the "Best Waterfront Restaurants" in the nation. Their millions of readers will now vote for what is #1 in the United States. Other eatery locations include California, the Carolinas, and Ha
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley’s finances received high marks in the city’s annual audit, with results described as being in good standing. The Foley City Council recently received the audit report. The review was performed by the Warren Averett financial firm. City officials said the findings show the city’s municipal fi
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach City Schools has appointed a new Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Mary Catherine Law, the principal of Orange Beach Elementary School, has led the school for 5 years. Her strong leadership experience earned her the district's highest promotion.
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Construction on the Waterway Village Pedestrian Bridge in Gulf Shores is progressing steadily. The project has completed 53.6% of its planned timeline. Work is underway on multiple parts of the project simultaneously. The city states this effort is part of making Gulf Shores "a safer, more w
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – With the new Finance Department up and running in its new wing at city hall, Orange Beach will now look at ways to utilize the old building. The former finance building is just north of the main city hall campus at the northwest intersection of Orange Beach Boulevard and West Oak Ridge Dr..
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Baldwin County Animal Shelter is launching a new program to help local pets. This initiative makes it easier for residents to have their cats and dogs spayed or neutered. It offers a special discount at many local veterinary clinics. The goal is to keep all animals in our community heal
