ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- Whether or not to adopt the 2012 building codes was the topic of discussion at both the Robertsdale and Silverhill council meetings Monday night.

The Silverhill Town Council voted at its meeting to introduce Ordinance No. 401, which would amend Ordinance No. 363 adopting the 2012 building codes, which includes:

• The 2012 International Building Code.
• The 2012 International Plumbing Building Code.
• The 2012 International Gas Code.
• The 2012 International Mechanical Code.
• The 2012 International Energy Conservation Code.
• The 2012 Baldwin County Supplemental Code for Residential Structures in addition to the International Residential Code.
• The National Electric Code, 2011 for Commercial Buildings and Residential Buildings containing more than two dwelling units.
• Local Wind Load Coade-3 second gusts winds: applicable to the 2012 IRC only 130 miles per hour south of I-10.

The Baldwin County Commission has adopted the 2012 building codes and is encouraging all municipalities to adopt them as well.

At its meeting May 22, the council tabled action in order to address concerns, including the fact that the 2012 IRC requires that sprinkler systems be installed in homes but, following objection by the Homebuilders Association, there is a clause in the county’s building codes which says sprinkler systems cannot be required.

Mayor Tim Wilson said Monday night the State Legislature removed the sprinkler system requirement by a constitutional amendment and it was not included in the town’s amended ordinance.

The council voted unanimously to suspend the rules in order to introduce the ordinance, then voted 5-1 to adopt the ordinance. Council member Bert Jones voted against the measure.

The Robertsdale City Council voted, however, to table the measure at its meeting Monday night after concerns were expressed over adopting the ordinance.

“I just want to be sure that this will be beneficial for our residence,” said Council Member Paul Hollingsworth. “If it’s not, I don’t think we should do it.”

The city is currently operating under the 2006 building codes, said Public Safety Director David Kilcrease, who also acts as the city’s building inspector.

City council members voted unanimously to delay action on the matter until the council’s July 2 meeting. Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Kitchens presided over Monday’s meeting in absence of Mayor Charles Murphy.

In other business Monday, the Robertsdale City Council:

• Voted to give $500 to the Central Baldwin Softball Association in order to attend state tournaments in Wetumpka later this month. Five teams, in age divisions ranging from 6-U and up, will represent Central Baldwin at the state level, said Steve Williams with the Central Baldwin Softball Association. The council voted unanimously Monday to give $100 to each team.
• Announced that the city has received a grant to replace the covered bridge on College Street. The grant will pay 80 percent of the estimated $370,000 project, said City Engineeer Greg Smith.

The Silverhill Town Council, in other business:

• Announced the hiring of two part-time officers for the Police Department.
• Asked for website proposals to be presented for consideration at the June 18 meeting.
• Considered a donation to Baldwin County VOAD, which will be placed on the agenda for the June 18 council meeting.
• Announced that the town has received a $150,000 sidewalk grant.
• Heard a proposal for the purchase of property in Silverhill for use as a highway barn.