During the Gulf Shores City Council meeting on Monday the members approved the 2024 budget for the city. Much of the expense dealt with the school and transportation, but items like beach restoration and Little lagoon were discussed.

Big Beach Marathon was approved for a Public Assembly permit. Grant Brown submitted the event to the city, which is set for January 27th & 28th, of 2024. The event includes a 7k family run on Saturday the 27th, then a marathon & half marathon on Sunday the 28th. The run takes place in the Gulf State Park property on the 27th and on the 28th includes parts of the city. The permit was approved.

Grant Brown, The Gulf Shores Public Information Officer, also presented the 2024 Mardi Gras Parade for approval. The event would be held on Tuesday, February 13th at 10AM. The parade route would start at the intersection of Hwy. 59 & Hwy 182, then proceed down the beachfront road to the State Park Pier. The permit was approved.

Wanda Parris presented an application and public hearing for the owner of Island Wines LLC to sell beer and wine within the Foam Coffee Shop building of Gulf Shores. The motion was approved by the Council.

Cindy King, Gulf Shores Director of Finance and Administration, presented the 2024 budget of $73.6 million with anticipated expenses of $73.26. She added that $255.3 million are the anticipated revenues and total anticipated expenses of $251.8 million. School and transportation make up the largest segment of expenses. Resolution 6752 (6772 was resolution named by Mayor Craft) for the 2024 budgets were approved.

Blake Phelps, the Gulf Shores Economic Development Coordinator, recommended the approval of (7) office spaces being leased by the City in an adjacent building. The resolution was approved.

The Environmental/Grants Coordinator, Dan Bond, suggested the Council approve a resolution for an (8) year contract for the Ecotourism Management with the Gulf Coast Center of Ecotourism and Sustainability. The amount will not exceed $300,000 a year and is funded by the Restore Act. The resolution was passed.

Dan Bond also presented projects with three local colleges: South Alabama, Mississippi State, and Auburn, as part of the Little Lagoon Restoration Project. The members approved the restoration. The amount of $1.9 million is completely refundable through grants. The Council Members thanked him for the work on the project.

The last item presented by Bond was concerning the contract for the new Police Boat, which is paid for by a "Port Security" grant. The contract was awarded by the members.

The City Council approved a MOI for the Frank Brown Songwriters in 2024.

Layla Andrews asked the Gulf Shores City Council to approve franchise rights to 12 new taxis in the area. Ordinance 2110 was consider and adopted.

Lee jones discussed the progress of the Beach Renourishment Project in the first two weeks. He stated they are ahead of schedule.

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Local residents thanked the Council for the beach restoration. Members of the council were reminded that the Planning Commission meeting would be on Tuesday die to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Kevin Corcoran of the Gulf Shores City School System addressed the meeting to update the members about the school's sports accomplishments.