The Foley City Council will meet in a joint regular/work session on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. at city hall. During the meeting, the council will:
Have a public hearing on nuisance weeds at 708 E. Myrtle Ave. and consider ordering its abatement.
Consider the approval of expenditures during the month of January in the amount of $4.5 million.
Hear reports on tax collections, Community Development and the police and fire departments on January activity. The city collected $3.3 million in sales taxes compared to $3.1 million in January of 2022 and $300,000 over budget projections. Foley collected $95,045 in lodging taxes compared to $76,926 from January of 2022 and $13,000 more than budget projections. The city took in $46,116 in gas taxes or about $2,000 more than January of 2022 and less than a $1,000 over budget projections.
In Community Development, 27 permits were issued for new single-family residential homes with a valuation of $5.1 million. Through the first four months of the 2023 fiscal year single-family permits are down 21 percent compared to 2022. Three new commercial permits were issued for a Dairy Queen, Freddy’s and a Raceway gas station for a valuation of $5.6 million.
During January, the police department processed 293 inmates through the city jail, made 18 arrests for shoplifting, 14 for domestic violence assault, 10 for nonfamily simple assault and conducted eight death investigations. Officers were dispatched 2,363 times in January.
The fire department responded to 213 incidents during January with 52 calls for medical assists for the EMS crew, 44 calls to assist invalids, 23 calls for vehicle accidents with no injuries, 13 calls for vehicle accidents with injuries and 12 for unintentional fire alarm activation. In 22 incidents, crews were called out and canceled enroute.
Have an introduction and first reading of an ordinance to annexation property into the city owned by Christopher and Kellie Thornton. The 1.14-acre parcel is in two lots and located on Miflin Road.
Discuss liquor licenses for the Hotel Magnolia, Legacy C Store at 2300 S. McKenzie St., and the El Diablo Taqueria and Cantina located at OWA.
Consider a resolution to waive fees for Heritage Park and John B. Foley Park for the 51st annual Art in the Park on May 12-14.
Discuss a resolution to approve the project to extend South Pecan Street from Lay Lane to the north roundabout on Pride Drive at an estimated cost of $763,000. It was originally budgeted for $405,000 but the Street Department is requesting an additional $358,000 to cover added cost for sidewalks. City staff expects the project to take six to nine months.
Consider spending $125,000 for renovations to the fire department’s burn building. In a memo to the council, Fire Chief Joey Darby said that cost could increase due to rising prices for materials.
Discuss appointing John Foley to finish out for Mayor John Koniar’s seat on the Museum Archives Board. Foley’s term will end on April 26, 2024.
Decide on a public hearing date on nuisance weeds at 9457 Hickory Street and potentially ordering its abatement.
Consider approving a new street light at 204 Fern Avenue as a cost of $50 for installation and a monthly $6 fee.
Discuss approving an application for a Department of Homeland Security/FEMA grant in the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program to be used to hire nine new firefighters. Applications must be in by March 17.
Discuss accepting a Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council grant for $7,450 to build beehives and pollinator gardens at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve. The city is required to match the same amount.
Consider approving an application for a Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act grant to fund four litter traps in the city. The request is for $65,500 and there is no match required by the city.
Discuss accepting a grant from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the Beulah Heights Stormwater Management Plan. The grant is for $63,235 and the city’s match would be $21,515.
Consider a resolution granting permission to purchase a John Deere Gator for the Nature Parks Department for $16,549. The request is for $15,000 and the Nature Parks Department wants to transfer $1,549 from the building and ground maintenance account to cover the difference. The new tractor will be used to transport park employees and visitors during events.
Discuss approving the purchase of a 44-horsepower Kubota for the Nature Parks Department for $37,606. The current smaller tractor is unable to perform necessary duties and frequently breaks down. The new one will have a front-end loader with bucket, grapple and a forklift.
Hear a request for the Commercial Sanitation Department for a $50,000 increase in its budget for 32 dumpsters.
Consider a request to transfer $6,000 from the Street Department’s salaries account to the Public Works’ part-time salaries account to cover a temporary position.
Discuss declaring two Toro vacuum mowers as surplus and approving their disposal. According to city documents, the mowers no longer work and repairs would be too costly.
Consider approving an application for a $1 million grant from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity to make lighting and access improvements along State Route 58 and U.S. 98. It requires a 20 percent match from the city. It is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation program which has appropriated $1.5 billion for such projects.
Consider a request from the police department to increase the purchase price of a dual-purpose dog from $10,000 to $10,500. The budgeted amount is $12,000.
Discuss accepting a donation of $5,000 from the Friends of the Foley Library and will be use to create and present additional programming for library patrons.
Consider approving Volkert’s proposal for executing an update to the city’s street functional classification data at a price of $49,750. According to city documents, “the proposed project will serve as a blueprint for the city to create simple and smart highway and traffic engineering solutions based on industry standards, operations insights and data collection.”
Discuss increasing the Sports Tourism budget to replace a storage building damaged in Hurricane Sally that was declared totaled by the city’s insurance carrier.
Consider waiving fees for Heritage Park and pavilion for the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation’s concert featuring Wet Willie event on March 11 at the BBQ and Blues Festival. It will also require closing East Violet Street between State Route 59 and Chicago Street.
Discuss approving installing a new fence around the Reynolds Ready Mix concrete plant at 2640 S. McKenzie St. for $3,933.
Consider purchases of a 2023 Ford Expedition for $52,159 and a Polaris Ranger four-seat UTV for $19,642 for the fire department. The Expedition will replace a 2015 Expedition command vehicle and the UTV will be for use during special events.
Discuss waiving fees for use of the Foley Civic Center for the Foley Youth Football banquet on Feb. 27-28.