As a new year begins the local City Councils have begun preparing their agendas for the first meetings of 2024. Orange Beach will start the new year off considering a $3.3 million appropriation to city schools to help fund daily operations and for expenses relating to building and transportation.

The city council will meet Jan. 2 at 5 p.m. in a joint regular/work session at city hall. In October, the council agreed to spend $46.1 million to construct an athletic facility at the campus of Orange Beach Middle/High School. See related story.

During the regular session, the council will discuss:

Okaying expense vouchers for December totaling $2.6 million.

Declaring January 2024 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Awarding annual bids for goods and services including chlorine, concrete, lime, masonry work, salt, sand and topsoil, sludge removal and disposal and sod.

Authorizing a grant agreement with the Alabama State Council on the Arts for $6,600 for the Expect Excellence program’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Authorizing an amendment to a development agreement between the city and The Wharf.

Approving Deputy Coastal Resources Director Nicole Woerner as the city’s representative to engage FEMA and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency for the hazard mitigation grant program.

Authorizing a FEMA grant award of $142,870 to Don and Penny Williams of 5390 Hickory Lane to elevate their residence after damage from Hurricane Sally in 2020.

A change order for Rolin Construction’s project to install turf at the football/soccer field for the removal and rerouting of electrical lines running under the surface that power the stadium lights at a cost of $41,113. The entire project will cost $1.2 million.

Pandion Ridge’s request to amend its planned unit development to include a mobile home for the manager of the RV park to live in. There will be a first reading of the ordinance and a public hearing.

The Turquoise Place North planned unit development modification. Developers are seeking to build a seven-story condo building with 90 units.

During the work session, the council will discuss:

Entering into an agreement with Cobbs, Allen & Hall for consulting on insurance and HR issues. The agreement is for two years and will expire on Dec. 31, 2025.

Declaring 10 body cameras and mounts as surplus and donating them to the city of Elberta.

A resolution establishing fees for the Orange Beach Golf Center.

Awarding the bid for turf maintenance at the Sportsplex. Bids are scheduled to be opened on Jan. 11.

Accepting proposals for a glamping concessionaire. Proposals are due by Jan. 11.

Buying three vehicles for the Coastal Resources for a total of $161,465 from Stevens Ford Lincoln. Those include a 2024 F-150 super crew four-by-four for $47,161, a 2024 F-350 super crew four-by-by-four for $52,319 and a 2024 F-350 diesel super crew four-by-four for $61,985.

An ordinance raising the income level to qualify for exemption from garbage and sewer fees from $25,000 to $27,000.

Amending an ordinance on the “Calculation and collection of impact fees; exceptions.” The city was sued by homeowners Destin and Kim Williams first in August of 2019 and the city had it moved to federal court in January of 2020. It was eventually settled by an order from Judge Scott Taylor in Baldwin County court in June of 2022.

An ordinance amendment deferring sewer fees exceeding $10,000 because “the payment of sewer fees in excess of $10,000.00 prior to receipt of a building permit creates a hardship requiring early loan advances for builders.”