Citizens in the area of State Route 59 and County Road 12 in Foley hope the council’s action to allocate about $350,000 will help solve flooding problems in the area.
“This is a major step toward de-bottlenecking the drainage so that it does not backup and flood County Road 12 and potentially put some of our homes in danger up in that area,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich said.
At times during past heavy rains the road was shut down because of deep water flowing across it. At first the city targeted a stream that needs cleaning and was looking to spend about $326,000 for that but a culvert breach will also be fixed adding $24,980 to the total cost of $351,742.
“We want to solve the initial problem which protects that County Road 12 and getting that water off County Road 12 and we can see what other issues we can do to improve things further,” City Administrator Michael Thompson said.
After this initial project is complete, the city will focus on other flooding problem areas along County Road 12. Thompson expects this first project to be complete in about three weeks.
“You know that county road corridor really all the way up to Foley Beach Express there is a lot of work to be done on drainage along that route so there are multiple projects we can do to help this,” Thompson said. “I don’t think there is any one golden thing that we can do but a combination of some of these projects are going to make a big improvement.”
During the Aug. 1 joint regular/work session, the council also:
Had a public hearing on an introduction of an ordinance to consider the initial zoning of property owned by the city as agricultural open space. The three-acre parcel is located at the southwest corner of Hance Lane and Wolf Creek Ridge.
Conducted a public hearing and second reading of an ordinance to consider declaring the property containing Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que surplus and selling it to Moe’s owners Angela Sumrell and Mark White for $875,000 contingent on getting a mortgage and making a 20 percent down payment. The council approved the change and the sale.
Had a public hearing on and second reading of an ordinance to declare certain property as surplus and conveying it to International Residence Hall Foley for a workforce dormitory on 10 acres at the southwest corner of Kenny Stabler Avenue and Koniar Way. The council approved the ordinance.
Considered names for the new pocket park on Pine Street.
Heard a presentation from Pastor Joe Aldrete on the Dream Center, a juvenile court diversion program to help with troubled teens and high-risk youth in Baldwin County. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which “relies on community support for many of our needs,” according to a letter from Aldrete attached to the meeting agenda.
Approved new wayfinding signs for downtown Foley for $3,595 from Signature Streetscapes in Muskegon, Mich.
Conducted a public hearing on an ordinance prohibiting camping in certain public places within “the corporate limits or police jurisdiction of the city of Foley including parks, right of ways or any other city-owned property.” It will also be banned on private property without consent of the owner or tenant. The council approved the ordinance.
Passed a resolution providing for incumbent worker training for 62 employees for $3,800. It would be covered under the Alabama Workforce Stabilization Program, according to city documents.
OK’d a resolution placing a three-way stop at County Road 12 and Wolf Bay Drive.
Passed a resolution on amending the pay classification for some employees “due to significant changes in job functions, responsibilities, complexity and supervision of staff.”
Heard a request from the fire department to transfer $8,000 from the capital purchases account to the small tools account to buy thermal imaging cameras.
Passed a resolution accepting costs for weed abatement at 510 East Myrtle Ave. and authorizing a copy to be sent to the Baldwin County Tax Collector. The hourly rate is $50 and it took a city worker a half hour to complete the mowing so the cost is $25.
OK’d a resolution to pay for street and resurfacing for fiscal year 2022 to Asphalt Services for about $1 million with four alternative projects as well. They are Allay and Respite Lane for $208,656, Graham Creek Preserve parking lot for $64,930, the Justice Center parking lot for $140,835 and the Justice Center overflow parking lot for $79,070. Sawgrass Consulting prepared the bids and made the recommendation to the city.