Gulf Shores City Council members discussed the renewal of a business license for MudBug's Pub in the heart of Gulf Shores recently at their first work session of the new year.

According to Layla Andrews, revenue supervisor for the city, while most of the conditions remain the same, there are a few changes including hours of operation, video surveillance coverage and a monthly review meeting with the deputy chief of police.

Per the presented documents, one of the most notable changes is the proposal to adjust the closing hours from 1:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. According to Andrews, while patrons have previously been required to vacate the premises by 1:30 a.m. (including the parking lot), the new contract would extend the hours of operation by half an hour.

However, while the hours would be extended, the proposed contract states that both the bar and the parking lot would need to be completely cleared by 2 a.m.

"The parking lot will have to be cleared by 2 (a.m.), so they know they will need to adjust accordingly based on their capacity," Andrews said. "They will have to start closing tabs by two a.m. based on how busy they are."

Additionally, if approved, the bar would be required to implement extensive video surveillance, train employees in alcohol management techniques (TAM), conduct third party background checks on all new employees to screen for prior convictions including trafficking and sale or distribution of controlled substances, maintain the use of a fake ID scanner, maintain the use of a metal detector from 10 p.m. to close and attend a monthly review meeting with Dan Netermeyer, the deputy chief of police.

"We have come to the conclusion where our police department has had certain requirements and they (MudBugs) has agreed to meet those," Mayor Robert Craft said. "It's my understanding from the deputy chief that there was significant improvement this year, and that is the reason for coming to this acceptance and conclusion."

According to an AL.com article from March 2023, the bar had implemented improvements throughout the past year, including the 1:30 a.m. closing time and police accessible surveillance footage after a troubled history and concerns over public safety.

"Gulf Shores officials weighed whether to renew its business license amid concerns over public safety issues occurring inside or in an adjacent parking lot," the article stated. "The past issues include an alleged sexual assault, fights and a 2021 shooting."

According to the presented documents, if approved these stipulations would be maintained throughout the course of the 2024 business license, approximately one year.

The proposed contract was scheduled to be voted on at the next city council meeting, at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8.