ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The Robertsdale city council accepted a small 1 1/2-acre triangle of land along the west side of Palmer Street, behind San Diego Way from Spanky Joint Ventures to be used as a retention pond. All members of the council were present for the meeting. According to City Engineer Greg Smith, the deed to the land specifies that it is to be used only for a retention pond.

According to Smith, ditches along roads leading to the spot are being cleaned, and the triangle should help retain storm water in the area. The city has been obtaining easements on the land

“This has been in the works for well over a year,” Smith told the council.

The council also approved Chief of Police Brad Kendrick pursuing a $25,000 ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) grant for equipment that will enable the police department to issue “paperless” tickets.

According to Kendrick, it will cost about $24,000 to equip all six city patrol cars with the gear to produce “e-citations.” He added the ease of getting ticket information to all the offices that need it without having to recopy the information will save time and money. He estimated after the meeting that the department spends thousands on printing tickets. Getting the gear depends on getting the grant.

According to Kendrick, Alabama State Troopers have been using the program with good success.

The council also heard from a delegation from the Robertsdale High Lady Bears Softball team. The team has been working to build a press box before their season begins next month. The delegation, which included Taylor Volovecky, Carly Jefferson, Victoria Creamer and Brooke McGhee, were pleased to hear the council authorize spending $1,500 to give the team the money to help finish the box.

In other council action, the council

— Accepted the minutes of the Jan. 4 meeting.

— Approved the payment of $711,680.93 in city bills.