Foley adjusts council districts for 2025 election
FOLEY – Foley is modifying City Council districts to adjust boundaries in preparation for the 2025 municipal election. Cities must modify districts after each census to take population changes into account. The new boundaries for the city’s five districts are scheduled to be in place before the city elections in August. Mike Thompson, city administrator, said cities must redraw district lines to accommodate population changes before each municipal election. The new boundaries are intended to establish five districts with similar populations. “We analyzed it internally based upon the number of new housing starts, [...]
Foley promotes city recycling
FOLEY – Foley recycling trucks with a new design will soon roll through city streets as efforts continue to encourage residents to keep materials out of landfills. The new design includes the slogan “Simple Act Big Impact,” on a blue background and a triangle of white arrows. The design was selected from several created by the city. Foley collects recyclable materials, including cardboard, paper, plastic and aluminum, from locations in the city once a week. The city recycling program has a participation rate of more than 60%. In January, Foley delivered its first [...]
Foley to extend, improve Pilgrim Street
FOLEY – A paved extension, walking trail and drainage improvements are among the improvements planned for Pilgrim Street in Foley. New plans for the project include covered culverts in the place of open ditches and paving portions of the street that is now dirt. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the work will also provide residents in the area with new walkways. “This will be coming off of Michigan Avenue and going northward, and it will end up at Beulah Park, so it will complete a circuit in Beulah that allows people to have the [...]
Foley to hold special meeting to discuss audit
FOLEY – The Foley City Council will conduct a special meeting Monday to accept the audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2024. The special meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at Foley City Hall. Foley has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for 11 consecutive years. Following the special meeting, the City Council will hold its regular work session and meeting. That meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at City [...]
Foley receives sixth consecutive national budget award
FOLEY – Foley continues to receive national recognition for financial reporting. The Foley Finance Department received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The recognition is the sixth-consecutive Distinguished Budget Award for the city’s Finance Department. The award, recognizing the 2025 budget, represents a significant achievement by the department. “It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” A GFOA statement said. “In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy [...]
Foley moves forward with Safe Room plans
FOLEY – Plans for a shelter to protect Foley first responders during a hurricane or other emergency are moving forward. The Foley City Council approved a plan of the planned building that includes an all-brick facade. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the design will be practical and match the appearance of other structures in the area. “The building is going to look very good,” Hellmich said. “It’s very well designed from that standpoint. It will be low maintenance. It will blend with the area.” The project is expected to cost almost $6 million. A [...]
Foley celebrates Arbor Day
FOLEY – Residents lined up to collect hundreds of trees, seeds for butterfly gardens and information about improving their community and environment as Foley celebrated its 44th Arbor Day on Saturday, Feb. 22. “This is part of the effort to beautify Foley,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich told the audience. “We are a Tree City and we make great efforts to plant trees.” Ryan Peek, coastal program manager with the Alabama Forestry Commission, said Foley was also recognized by Gov. Kay Ivey as the 2025 Arbor Day City for Alabama. He said the designation recognizes [...]
Intersection improvements to start at Hickory, Michigan
FOLEY – New temporary signal lights are a first step to improve the busy intersection at South Hickory Street and West Michigan Avenue. The Foley City Council voted Monday, Feb. 17, to amend an agreement to design the signals. The lights are part of a project by the city and Baldwin County to add turn lanes at the intersection. The county will install permanent signals mounted on mast arms – poles on which the lights will be mounted – at the intersection. The mast arms will not be ready for installation for seven [...]
Foley named Alabama’s 2025 Arbor Day City
FOLEY – Foley is Alabama’s 2025 Arbor Day City following a declaration by Gov. Kay Ivey. The governor commended the city for its leadership in urban forestry, particularly, noting that Foley has verified its Urban Forestry program with the Alabama Urban Forestry Association. Ivey encouraged other Alabama communities to follow Foley’s example by planning, planting, managing and celebrating their urban forest resources. “I am proud to recognize Foley as Alabama’s 2025 Arbor Day City because of the great example it has set when it comes to utilizing our God-given natural resources to enhance [...]
Three-Time Paralympian Returns To Foley
The Archery Shooters Association’s (ASA) Hoyt/Easton Pro/Am is returning to Foley February 20 – 23 and three-time Paralympian KJ Polish will be back to compete in what he said is one of his favorite competitions of the year. Polish, known to many as Kevin Polish Jr., first picked up a bow at the age of three in his dad’s sporting goods store. He was hooked. After being asked in school what he wanted to when he grew up, and he responded he wanted to be a pro archer, his teacher discouraged him saying [...]