City of Orange Beach residents and officials discussed several projects and topics at the 2025 Town Hall, which immediately followed the council meeting on April 2.

Topics of interest included e-bike and golf cart regulation, athletic site projects, new traffic lights and new roadways. Topics discussed that have been previously covered by Gulf Coast Media included the city's nine-month moratorium on certain residential buildings, the new ALDOT bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, sidewalk projects, the Orange Beach Veterans Memorial, the Alabama Sea Turtle Center and Lower Perdido island restoration.

E-BIKES

After the Town Hall presentation from Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon, the room and Facebook livestream chat opened for public comments. A few messages on Facebook came in concerning what the city plans to do to control children who drive the "dangerous" e-bikes.

Kennon said they were valid questions as he has almost hit people on e-bikes who "don't pay attention to stop signs" and "just take off" along the side of the road.

"It is something we want to look into, but I don't know that we have any authority," Kennon said. "I do think these scooters and bikes that run 25-30 miles an hour are very, very dangerous."

Councilman Jeff Boyd said it also depends on how the e-bikes fall under federal classification. Boyd said this is an issue the city has talked about, but there is no legislation the city has "to stand on to stop it."

Kennon said, "I don't know how you police it. I don't know how you do it. (If) Mom and Dad ain't got enough sense to keep them (the kids) off, I don't know how we would do it."

GOLF CARTS

On the topic of regulating non-traditional vehicles, Boyd brought up golf carts as well. In the past when he has spoken on the subject, as reported by GCM, he typically has reminded audiences the order of the right of way with pedestrians first, bicyclists second and golf carts third.

Kennon said on the matter, "The golf carts need to understand that the pedestrians and bicyclists have the right of way and they need to pull over and let them by."

Boyd had a different point to make. He said the city has to respond "no matter what" to any complaints concerning golf cart violations. But the city isn't always able to act fast enough to catch the violating golf cart drivers, whether that is a minor driving without a license or someone driving on a road that has a speed limit above 25 miles per hour.

"If you see people that you know with their kids in a golf cart on Canal Road or Beach (Boulevard), tell them they're going to ruin it for all of us," Boyd said. "Because, you know, we try to be as lenient as possible, but we have to meet state standards. It's why we had to get them inspected."

He implored those in attendance and those on Facebook to "spread the word" and "encourage people to be smart about it."

Kennon said he thinks there are over 3,000 registered golf carts in Orange Beach, and while the city is working "to crack down" on kids on golf carts, they can find a way to escape the Orange Beach Police Department.

He encouraged those who report golf cart violators to get the identification number off the back of the cart before reporting it. The city will "definitely call" the minor's parents and "let them know that if we catch" an unlicensed kid driving the golf cart again, the families' golf cart license will be suspended.

PROJECTS IN ATHLETICS

Athletic-based projects presented at the meeting did not inspire many public or council comments, but they were celebrated with claps all around the room.
One new development is the Orange Beach Middle and High School Athletic Complex, which is set for completion in August.

"It is as nice as any school in the state or Sutheast and a lot better than a lot of colleges," Kennon said.

Also on the athletic topic, the 14 new outdoor pickleball courts are set to be added to the city's recreation center campus where the community garden used to be. The new community garden is near the elementary school.

Someone in the audience, who did not mention their name, asked if the new outdoor courts would prevent players from using the indoor courts during bad weather.

Kennon said the indoor courts will be left open "as much as we can" because players can use it as long as it is not booked for an activity or competition. He said mornings are typically open, and the audience member agreed.

NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND ROADWAYS

A traffic light is set to be added at the intersection of Canal Road with Wharf Parkway East next to the Orange Beach Culver's.

"We've been trying to do this for some time, but we have to get ALDOT's (Alabama Department of Transportation's) permission. They have to do a study, etc.," Kennon said. "So, I think we've finally got to the point now (where) we get to pay to put the traffic light in for $100,000."

Kennon said a temporary light should be placed in the location in five to six months, but "it takes about a year" for permanent signals to be put in place, but "they are coming."

Another ALDOT project in the works for the city is the Canal Road Bypass, set for the western corner of the Canal Road and State Road 161 intersection around "Cactus Cantina, ACE, the red light" to allow for a better flow of traffic in the area.

"ALDOT moves at ALDOT's pave but we're talking about three to four years before this is done but it is paid for, permits are being applied for," Kennon said. "It's a real project; it's not an urban myth and when we get this done it will do wonders for our traffic."

Kennon expects the area around the detour, including the businesses already in place, to become "much more local."

"Life will be much better. I promise you," he said.