FOLEY, Ala. — Foley City Council members decided to carry over an action Monday that would have led to the city vacating Baldwin Street, an unimproved street lying between East Rosetta Avenue and East Fern Avenue in north Foley.

What was to be considered was an ordinance that would have vacated the street based on a request by the Professional Center North LLC, the petitioner, but former Foley mayor Arthur Holk rose during the public hearing on the matter to express concern over the city’s proposal.

Holk said he was speaking on behalf of a number of citizens who were concerned over vacating the street. The concern was over what effects vacating the street would have on the area and the precedent the action would set, said Holk, who noted that in his 40 years as a city councilman and mayor no property that he could recall was ever vacated by the city.

Holk, addressing the council, said the city owns considerable property on the same side as Baldwin Street, the Foley Horse Arena being one of those properties.

He noted this year’s Professional Cowboy Association Championship Rodeo at the Arena brought in $40,000 for the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation, a United Way agency that educates local high schoolers in peer counseling and dealing with adolescent crises. All the parking area possible is needed for the rodeo, Holk said, noting the “subdivision” that includes Baldwin Street was platted in the early 1940s.

The property in question is also needed for utilities and drainage, the former mayor said. He called the property the “major drainage corridor for the whole area.”

Rebecca Sisk of Hutchinson Moore & Rauch, the engineering firm representing the petitioner, said the Professional Center North wants to improve the infrastructure at the site. She also said a recent survey has revealed that part of Baldwin Street in already on Professional Center North property.

“The best thing to do would be to vacate the street and allow the Professional Center North to improve the area,” she told councilmen.

Councilman Wayne Trawick, who identified himself as a “member” of the Professional Center North, said the ditch in pictures that Holk passed out to the mayor and council would be improved if the city vacates the street.

Regarding whether the public would be allowed to continue to use the improved street, Trawick said, “It would be virtually impossible” to stop the public from using the street, like trying to stop the public from using a shopping center parking lot as a cut-through.

Trawick described Baldwin Street as a 20-foot wide street and said he has moved utilities to the back of the Professional Center North property. He also said he has allowed rodeo parking to take place on Professional Center North property ever since he bought the property on which the Professional Center sets.

“I want the city attorneys to look at this and make sure I haven’t overlooked anything,” said Trawick of the proposed ordinance to vacate Baldwin Street.

“Once you give up a piece of property it’s gone forever,” said Holk in his final remarks during the public hearing.

At that point, Mayor John Koniar said the proposed ordinance would be carried over for further consideration.

In other council action, reports from city departments were heard. Fire Chief Jamie Hinton reported 101 responses by Foley Fire Department during November. Those responses included 12 EMS assists; 10 motor vehicle accidents with injuries; nine brush/grass fires; eight vehicle fires; seven smoke removals; and five structure fires.

The Community Development Department report reflected 168 permits issued during November at a total construction valuation of $6.1 million. Included in the permits were 23 single family residences (total construction valuation of $2.3 million) and one new commercial permit, that being the Holiday Inn Express at 3155 Abbey Lane ($2 million).

The Foley Police Department report for November showed 126 misdemeanor arrests; 19 felony arrests; 132 misdemeanor warrants served; six felony warrants served; 251 incident/offense reports made; 76 automobile wrecks; 93 motorist assists; 449 traffic tickets issued; 595 warning tickets; and 82 alarms.

Council members approved the purchase of $18,000 for a new vehicle to be used by the Code Enforcement Officer; up to $8,000 for M & M Electric to repair library lights in the rear parking lot; $46,250 for improvements to the Comfort Station at John B. Foley Park (Trawick abstained); and the transfer of GIS funds to hire a temporary GIS employee.