ORANGE BEACH, AL – Orange Beach is taking steps to be ready when the new rules, regulations and ordinances all kick in for the Leave Only Footprints campaign.

But, Coastal Resources Director Phillip West says, there are just some things you can’t plan for.

“I wish we had all the answers upfront but this is a mighty fluid program,” West told the city council on Feb. 16. “We might be asking you to make a few modifications as we learn some stuff out there.”

The city is currently tweaking certain ordinances, buying equipment and meeting with members of the rental property industry.

“Phillip and I went to the condo associations’ meeting today and we talked about what we are going to be doing in our philosophy with spring break, philosophy with the clean beach initiative,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “We essentially had 100 percent support from all the management companies and all the rental companies. Everybody’s on board.”

At the dual regular session and work session on Feb. 16 the council approved purchase of a $43,000 Ford F-350 with a dump bed for the program.

“We’re ramping up operations in every aspect on the beach this year,” West said. “Both enforcement, reaching with public outreach and education and also maintenance. We’re bringing on a new crew to do daily beach cleanup and that truck is going to be for that.”

During the regular session, the council also approved the purchase of two $34,000 four-door Jeeps for the Beach Ambassador program.

In the work session, the council said bids are being sought for a boat with twin motors.

“All this stuff we’re buying is for our Leave Only Footprints initiative,” Kennon said. “This is about cleaning the beach and the equipment we need to get that done this year. We do have the upfront expense but over time I do think we will recoup all that cost with certain measures we took with business licenses.”

West said about half the cost of the new boat – around $17,000 – will come in the form of grant money the city has applied for and been approved to receive.

In another move to help the Leave Only Footprints program Orange Beach is tweaking its abandoned property ordinance in a way similar to a recent change by Gulf Shores for the same reason.

“Abandoned property means that it has to be kept, protected for a certain period of time before we can dispose of it,” Kennon said. “This means its trash and we can dispose of it immediately.”

Eventually businesses will face some changes in the Leave Only Footprints initiative as well. Like the elimination of the double wooden loungers that contractors are currently allowed to leave out overnight.

Council Jeff Silvers asked it the companies were aware these would be phased out.

“I think they do know eventually – roughly five years – that’s the window they have to make the transition,” Kennon said. “They are aware of that and they understand that’s necessary. Give them a time to recoup, capitalize and replace.”

SUBHEAD: In other business

PERDIDO PASS SEAWALL

During the regular session the council approved spending for a study by Scott Hardy of Burk-Kleinpeter to assess making the Perdido Pass fishing wall accessible again. The city will spend just more than $82,000 for the preliminary investigation, surveying, design, and construction engineering and inspection services for repairs to the Perdido Pass parking lot and seawall.

“Phillip and Terry Boyd, one of the engineers with the state, will meet with Gunter Guy and his staff, show them what we’re doing and hopefully get started right away,” Kennon said. “ALDOT has already bought in and we feel good we will get this done and hopefully by Memorial Day. We’re going to push the best we can to get it done.”

Guy is the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The wall is the responsibility of the Alabama Department of Transportation which has said it lacks funds to fix the wall.

ART CENTER

A groundbreaking was also on Feb. 16 for the new gallery and meeting facility at the Coastal Center for Arts of Orange Beach on Canal Road next to Waterfront Park. All council members, center staff and Friends of the Arts were on hand for the ceremony.

“We are beyond excited and thrilled,” center Director Desiree Blackwell said. “We are looking forward to it.”

Kennon said the contractor, Gates and Co., are hoping to have the new facility completed within a year. Gates won the bid at about $1.7 million.

“I talked with Mr. Gates and they feel the need to truly have this thing up and running in 11 to 12 months,” Kennon said. “They understand our need for the weddings and receptions. I think they truly want to make that happen if they can. Weather will be the biggest factor. They are absolutely capable of doing this in record time but weather will be the issue.”