During the Dec. 13 meeting of the Orange Beach City Council, the city honored longtime employee Jeanne Fitzgibbons who is planning to retire at the end of the year. Councilwoman Joni Blalock read a proclamation honoring Fitzgibbons's tenure.

“Jeanne has shown true dedication throughout her time with the city, exemplifying community stewardship, compassion, and excellence towards public service, especially parks and recreation,” the proclamation reads. “She was the main catalyst in growing the Orange Beach Seafood Festival from a fish fry fundraiser to a marquee destination event at The Wharf each February, drawing over 20,000 people each year.”

Fitzgibbons was also an integral part of the Freedom Fest started by the city during COVID when the Shrimp Festival was canceled. It has since become an annual event. During her years at the city, she worked in parks and recreation, administration coordinator and purchasing agent, among other roles.

“Her passion for sailing and her love of Wolf Bay led to the opening of the Orange Beach Wind & Water Learning Center in 2013, thanks to her intensive fundraising,” the proclamation states. “Today, the center is thriving with hundreds of children attending the Summer Sail Camps each year and also numerous sailing and kayaking courses offered to the public. The center is also home base for the summer Full Moon Paddle fundraisers. The facility will continue to enrich the lives of children and adults for generations to come thanks to Jeanne’s vision.”

Fitzgibbons got a standing ovation after the proclamation was read.

“Thank y’all so much for recognizing me that way,” an emotional Fitzgibbons said. “It’s really been an honor, a passion for many of the things you mentioned there. Sometimes it was almost like kicking an ant hill. I love this place, I really, really do.”

During the work session, the council also:

Considered awarding a $436,450 bid to MD Thomson Construction at the Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach. Councilwoman Joni Blalock made a motion to approve the contract but it died for lack of a second. Already in place on the campus, in addition to the gallery and gift shop, are the Hot Shop glassblowing studio, a clay studio, a classroom and an outside stage. The center is a popular wedding and meeting venue.

Renewed the medical services contract with Southern Rapid Healthcare for employee healthcare services.

Updated the list of volunteer firefighters and reserve police officers an annual requirement by the workers’ compensation insurance provider.

Appointed attorneys for 2024 including Spencer Davis as city prosecutor and Paul Woodall to represent the city on real estate transactions, finance and economic incentives.

Authorized a contract with Computer Backup for tech support and other computer services for $126,000 a year.

OK’d the purchase of a vacuum pump truck for the Utilities department from Sansom Equipment Co for $509,207.

Authorized a special services contract with retired employee Chris Litton including audio production, firearms training and youth shooting sports organization.

Gave staff permission from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management grant to install low-impact development for the protection of Wolf Bay at the city’s Wind and Water Learning Center. The project is estimated to cost $853,932 and ADEM would fund 60 percent if the grant is approved. The city’s 40 percent match of $344,231 can also include in-kind services by city workers on the project.

Authorized of an amendment to the sub-award agreement with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the expansion of the Orange Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Program with RESTORE Act funding.

Executed a grant award agreement with the National Audubon Society for the stewardship of beach-nesting bird habitat.

Approved a variance from the coastal construction zoning to allow Phoenix South Point to discharge “effluent” water into the Gulf of Mexico on a beachfront project under construction.

Authorized a taxi franchise for CrozzzCabz to operate in the city.

Authorized a franchise for BFI Waste Services to remove commercial waste and to remove and transport construction and demolition debris.

Passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of goggles and helmets for the police department from Adorama Camera for $48,746.

Approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Ford F-150 super crew four-wheel drive pickup for the Fire Department for $49,993.

Authorized a contract with Grace Stanton for acting coaching for “Wizard of Oz.”

Had a first reading for an ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on the issuance of business licenses for commercial vessels and other marine activities. The council suspended the rules to consider the ordinance immediately and did so in a unanimous vote.

During the work session, the council discussed:

Awarding annual bids for goods and services. The agenda doesn’t state what those bids are for or how much they will cost.

Setting a public hearing date for 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. The suggested date was Jan. 2.

Setting a public hearing date for the Turquoise Place North planned unit development modification. Developers are seeking to build a seven-story condo building with 90 units. The suggested date was Jan. 2.