ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — There will be new rules for using the baseball diamonds at Robertsdale’s Garrett Park. The city council voted unanimously to accept new regulations proposed by Public Works Director Scott Gilbert. All members were present at the meeting.

Policies for the use of the park, which boasts eight baseball diamonds, four softball fields, two fields for baseball, one “men's” softball field and one field designed for 13- and 14-year-old baseball, and the park’s refreshment stand, have not been changed or updated in the past three years, Gilbert said.

One of the first changes will be the security deposit for the concession stand, Gilbert told the council.

“The security deposit is now $300, it was $200, but we’ve had some folks … when we’ve taken it back over Monday, there’s trash in it,” said Gilbert.

Members of the council wanted some clarification on the deposit policy.

“If they clean it up, they will get it back,” said Gilbert, adding that sometimes city workers have gone into the concession stand to find things like broken light sockets and burnt chili lining the bottom of the pans.

“All we ask is that you give it back to us in the same shape you had it.,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert added that rental for the ball fields will be going from $150 per day to $175 per day per field. The fee will only be imposed on out of town groups wishing to use the park, Gilbert added, noting that everything from the cost of electricity for the lights to supplies for the rest rooms have gone up.

Some of the rules for concession stand include no alcohol or drugs in the stand, that the stand will be cleaned completely, and only Coke products purchased from the Robertsdale plant are permitted.

“The town paid to build the park, so groups and schools in town can use them,” Gilbert said.

Part of the change comes from a tournament Gilbert says had more than 20 teams and one team from Robertsdale. The new rules call for a minimum of three Robertsdale teams per tournament “bracket” to get free use of the fields.

“That means a minimum of six Robertsdale teams, not just one,” Gilbert told the council.

Council member Paul Hollingsworth wanted to know about access to the fields. Residents should call Public Works at 947-8950 to reserve the fields.

“We have to find that happy medium,” said Hollingsworth. “We didn’t build it to just look at it, but we need to have to have some controls.”

Gilbert explained that multiple copies of the rules for field use are given to the league coaches at the start of the season and a practice schedule is worked up.

“We’re not locking the gates unless things are dangerous, if we’ve just sprayed or the field is very wet, then we have to close them down,” said Gilbert.

One solution, proposed Mayor Charles Murphy is to create some “temporary” fields behind the fire station. While they won’t have all the amenities of Garrett Park, they will be suitable for a practice session or for a family game.

“I know of a number of families who just want to play softball on a Sunday afternoon,” said councilor Joseph Kitchens. “It’s a great idea.”

The council voted to accept the new rules.

In other business, the council:

—Approved the minutes of the Nov. 3 meeting.

— Approved the payment of over $1 million in town bills. Part of the reason the total was so high was that a computer, the one responsible for generating reports to the council was out for repairs for a few weeks.