Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley issued 39 building permits for single-family residences during August according to a Community Development monthly report to the city council. The council met on Sept. 19 in a joint work/regular session.

Single-family permits are down 23 percent compared to fiscal year 2021. Locations in August included Cottages on the Greene, Glen Lakes, Heritage Landing, Leisure Lakes, Marlin Place, Parkside, Quail Landing and 1074 Barner Road with a total valuation of $9.8 million. Two permits were issued for new commercial buildings with a valuation of $2.4 million.

Other department reports from August the city collected $3.8 million in sales taxes, $381,943 in lodging taxes, $33,765 in rental taxes, $69,485 in local gas taxes and $129,994 in building permit and plan revenues.

During the month, the police department made 19 arrests for shoplifting, 13 arrests for theft, 24 for simple assault and had nine death investigations in August. Also in August, 306 subjects were received and processed at the city jail.

The fire department August activity included a total of 242 incidents. Of those, 54 were for medical assists, 44 were traffic accidents with no injuries and 19 with injuries, 32 were to assist invalids and 31 that were dispatched but canceled enroute.

During the meeting, the council also:

• Conducted a public hearing and declared weeds a nuisance and ordered its abatement at 210 N. Beech Street.

• Heard a report on expenses paid during the month of August totaling about $11.6 million.

• Declared a parcel of land in Summerdale owned by the city as surplus and authorizing its sale. The parcel was previously used by the Foley Municipal Airport which placed a non-directional beacon beginning in 1985 but it was decommissioned in 2016 and is no longer needed.

• Had a second reading of an ordinance to authorize the operation of medical cannabis dispensing sites in Foley. The council voted to allow dispensaries in the city.

• Accepted a Library Service and Technology Act grant of $10,000 which will be matched with $3,600 of local funding.

• Discussed nuisance weed problems at 12630 Briarwood Drive and ordered its abatement.

• Reappointed Wes Abrams to the Planning Commission Board and reappointed Craig Saget, Michael Hare and Vince Hughes to the Industrial Development Board.

• Approved a rain date for the Members Only Pop-Up Arts and Crafts Show set for Sept. 24. If the event in the alley behind the Foley Arts Center is rained out, Oct. 8 will be the alternate date.

• Applied for a FY22 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant official. The city is seeking $108,500 from the grant which would require a $27,125 match from the city.

• Heard a report on bids issued by the city in August including $79,000 to McElhenney Construction for the Lynndale Court paving project. The only other bid awarded in the month of August was pressure washing at various locations around the city which was awarded to Gulf Coast Power Washing.

• Accepted a grant to cover law enforcement overtime for projects aimed at traffic safety including Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends in 2023.

• OK’d budget increases in Public Works to cover extra costs for gas and oil, small tools, commercial waste removal and landfill charges for a total of about $95,000.

• Authorized the mayor to negotiate a 10-year contract with AXON Enterprises for the cost of body-worn cameras, tasers and cartridges, training access and annual subscription cost and licenses. The total is $1.6 million and will be paid in yearly amounts of $162,150.

• Allowed the police department to use $21,300 in drug funds to have five supervisors attend a Command and Staff Leadership program training session in Orange Beach on Jan. 9-23.

• Entered into a service agreement with the USDA Wildlife Services to provide beaver management services for several locations in town affected by beaver dams.

• OK’d a request from the police department to transfer $16,100 from the communications equipment staff to the capital purchase account. Police are looking to buy equipment from Communications International to help improve and enhance voice quality between different radio systems. It will also cost $1,592 for the installation.