The buildings located at 200 Clubhouse Drive, formerly home to the bistro and bakery, became the Erie Hall Meyer Municipal Annex during Monday night’s regular meeting of the Gulf Shores City Council.

  The property, valued in excess of $3 million, was bought by the city from the Meyer Foundation in September. The city paid $1.26 million for the buildings while the remaining amount was considered a gift from the foundation.

  Mayor Billy Duke read aloud a resolution renaming the building and personally thanked the foundation.

  “It’s evident when you look around this city the Meyers have had a great effect for a while, thanks is simply not enough, but again that’s all we can really say,” said Duke, speaking to long-time Meyer family attorney Vivian Johnson.

  Council reached agreement on yet another topic thats been in discussion for some time. B.J. Johnson, owner of Funny Cars of Gulf Shores, LLC will have one year to prove that his electric car rental company can operate within the city without causing problems.

  During previous meetings the item was met with sharp criticism from several members of Council who cited safety and traffic concerns.

  Councilman Robert Craft was one of the members opposed from the beginning. He cited personal experience with the rental of golf carts and how they’re regarded by those that rent them.

  “Just the fact that it’s different from a normal vehicle could present danger,” Craft told Council during the Feb. 4 work session. “I said it last time and I’m telling you now, I think it’s a bad idea that is dangerous and unsafe with the congestion problems we already have throughout our peak times of the year.”

  The ordinance approved Monday night, with Craft voting against it,  allows a one year franchise agreement with the city in the amount of $250 without any further guarantee.

  Although, Council said it wouldn’t wait until the year is up to review problems but cosistently look into the matter. Police Chief Arthur Bourne added that if problems occur he would be approaching Council himself.

  Council appoved the application for a restaurant retail liquor license from Longhorn Steakhouse. Also approved was a request by the Academy of Arts and Science for the extension of a temporary building permit.

  Duke read a proclamation declaring Feb. 23 as Arbor Day in the city. Councilwoman Carolyn Doughty reminded citizens that free trees will be available for residents within city limits and the police jurisdiction beginning at 8:30 a.m. that day at Constitutional Square across from the Erie Meyer Civic Center.

  During the committee reports portion of the meeting, Councilmen Steve Jones and Joe Garris offered a video presentation along with discussion concerning a state-of-the-art electronic park entertainment system.

  The NEOS System is a game considered to offer adults and children a park activity they can do together. The system is an entirely new concept that has only been adapted in several cities nationwide.

 The system, which carries a $26,000 price tag, would likely reach a segment of children in the community uninterested in other activity offerings, according to Jones.

  “Too many of our kids today will sit on a couch to play video games but simply will not play outdoors, I really think this piece of equipment will reach those kids,” he said.