ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — They hope they never have to use it, but the Robertsdale City Council approved a $2 million line of credit with Citizen’s Bank at their workshop meeting June 15.

“We discussed this last year and you approved for us to go out and execute an emergency line of credit,” said Chief Financial Officer Ann Simpson. She added that the city had gone out and Citizens Bank offered the best terms, According to the resolution passed unanimously by the council, the interest rate on the loan is “prime floating with a floor of 5 percent.”

“We may not draw on this just because there is a hurricane,” added Simpson. She said that should a storm or other emergency cause “impact” to the city’s utility revenues, then the line of credit would be used, “using FEMA funds as collateral.”

“Everything will be put into place,” said Simpson. Should city officials not be available, the “letter of commitment” on file will allow the city to access the funds. Simpson added that the council will be informed should the city draw on the money.

The council also passed resolution 006-09, requesting the State of Alabama Attorney General’s office opinion on the proposed “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program.

When activated, the program will allow Robertsdale Utility customers to “round up” their bills to the nearest whole dollar amount. The money collected would be used to aid people who are Robertsdale Utility customers who are in need. The council had previously selected Catholic Social Services as the nonprofit agency to distribute the funds.

“This is something our city attorney suggested that we do,” said Mayor Charles Murphy.

Simpson indicated that notices on utility bills were slated to go out at the end of June to let customers know about the program. Customers have the choice to “opt out” of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” if they wish by calling the utility company.

Until there is a ruling on the matter, the program is “on hold” Simpson says.

There will be new trees near Robertsdale Elementary School, announced the mayor and council member Sue Cooper. A tree that was planted to memorialize Josh Adams, a RES grad and an electrician who was killed while working on the new school will be joined by new trees.

“We’re going to take out some scrubby looking trees,” said Cooper, adding that the trees, mostly pines and water oak will be replaced with trees similar in size and type to the live oak tree that was planted Oct. 17, 2008 in Adams’ honor.

Cooper said she thought the new plantings would “look better” and that citizens seeing the old trees coming down should not be alarmed.

“Something better is coming,” said Cooper.

In other council business:

— The council approved the payment of $952,373.52 in city bills

— Reappointed Ronnie Green and Edward Pratt to the Industrial Development Board.