ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- The City of Robertsdale hopes grants will aide in the completion of two projects in the coming year.

At its meeting Monday night the Robertsdale City Council voted to proceed with the application process for grants to improve infrastructure.

The Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP) was announced by Gov. Robert Bentley in his State of the State address earlier this year. Over the next year, the program plans to dole out $200 million to $300 million in grants designed to improve cities’ infrastructure.

The first phase of the program was completed in the spring, said Mayor Charles Murphy, and while the city did not receive any funding from the first phase, it hopes to cash in on grants in the second phase to complete a pair of projects.

Deadline for applications for the second phase is Oct. 5. The third round of grant applications are due March 29 of 2013.

The first project proposed by the city is for drainage improvements along South Frances Street and Rochelle Loop, located off of U.S. Highway 90, also known as Old Spanish Trail, east of Highway 59. Estimated cost of the project is $400,000, Murphy said.

The second project is a road construction project, which will include the paving of Wilters Street and County Road 83, connecting the two parallel streets to the Baldwin Beach Express. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1.2 million.

The City Council voted unanimously at Monday’s meeting to proceed with the application process. Council member Brent Kendrick was not present at Monday’s meeting.

In other business Monday, the Council voted unanimously to allow Chief Financial Officer Ann Simpson to apply for the Quality of Life Award application administered by the Alabama League of Municipalities.

According to information presented at Monday’s meeting, the League of Municipalities recognizes one winning entry and one honorable mention in three population categories, under 5,000; 5001-12,000 and 12,001 and over.

The program recognizes “successful, innovative projects that improve the quality of life for citizens; share those projects with other municipalities and demonstrate the value of cities and towns.”

The three winning entries will be recognized at the League’s 2013 Annual Convention in Montgomery, will be featured in a video shown at the Convention, will be recognized with a plaque, spotlighted on the League’s Webiste, www.alalm.org, and be featured in the Alabama Municipal Journal.

Deadline for entries is Nov. 2. Simpson said she plans to present the completed application and supporting documentation for the city’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Utility Assistance Program at the Oct. 15 council meeting for review and approval.

“This is a great program and it’s sure to win,” said Council member Joe Kitchens at Monday’s meeting.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, the Council:

• Voted to donate $1,500 for the Robertsdale High School basketball team’s Golden Bear Classic. As part of this year’s donation the city’s logo will be placed at the freethrow line on the court.
• Voted to adopt certificates of elections for the Sept. 11 municipal elections which included elections of Mayor Charles Murphy, and council members Joe Kitchens and Brent Kendrick. Elections were also certified for Sue Cooper and Paul Hollingsworth, who ran unopposed. The other Council position will be decided in a runoff between Aubrey Grant Jr. and Ruthie Campbell set for Oct. 23.