Orange Beach is putting plans into motion to spend $1.5 million in GOMESA money for a clubhouse at the city’s shooting range on Russian Road.

Councilors will discuss paying for a survey of the property where the clubhouse and first-responder safe room complex are in close proximity on the same property. Council will meet in a joint regular/work session starting on Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. at city hall. Because it is a work session item, it won’t be up for vote until the next regular session on Oct. 20.

“This GOMESA project will fund engineering and design, permitting and grant administration activities and also support construction of the multi-purpose Complex Clubhouse that will serve as the operational hub of the Orange Beach Shooting Complex,” a memo from Assistant Coastal Resources Director Nicole Woerner states. “The facility currently includes five skeet and trap fields with a 300-yard rifle range under construction by the city to accommodate additional shooting disciplines.”

The clubhouse and associated parking will be built behind or south of the current trap and skeet facility. The 10,000-square foot safe room complex will be southwest of the shooting facilities. A contract with Civil Southeast for $10,590 for the surveying will be discussed during the work session and include areas for both facilities.

“The safe room architect, Adams Stewart, is using Civil SE and it made sense to have them complete the survey for the shooting complex property,” Woerner’s memo states.

During the regular session, council will also discuss:

Paying vendors $885,114 for goods and services from Sept. 16-Oct. 7;

Approving a special events liquor license to Bottles Up Mobile for the Marshals Monster Mash event on Oct. 16 at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf;

A liquor license for the Salty Tile located in the Publix shopping center in Orange Beach;

Awarding the annual bid for streets resurfacing to Arrington Curb and Excavation for $458,990;

Accepting a proposal from Pinnacle Bank for credit card and expense management services.

Accepting a contract for a for a comprehensive safety action plan for Orange Beach from AECOM Technical Services;

A software agreement with Magnet Forensics for digital forensics for the police department. According to a memo from Police Chief Trent Johnson, Gray Key, the parent company for Magnet Forensics, has the only tool able to override passwords on iPhones taken with a valid warrant “when a suspect refuses to provide a password.” This is a renewal of a previous contract;

A contract with Safe Span for bridge safety inspections for $2,800 to meet the requirement for inspections every two years;

Authorize amending a contract with the National Audubon Society “for the stewardship of coastal Alabama beach nesting bird habitat;”

A contract with Carolyn K. Collings for water fitness instruction at the Aquatics Center;

A contract with NEOGOV to better manage employees’ subscription services to increase efficiency, mitigate risk and compliance management as well as supplement training for $47,446 for the first year and $76,735 for the second;

Authorizing a contract with Motorola Solutions for a drone for a first responder trial program for one year at no charge. See related story;

Authorizing paying $20,000 to the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program for 2026; and

Granting a conditional use permit for All About Storage to add five buildings at 24140 Canal Road. There will be a public hearing and first reading of the ordinance on the request.

During the work session, council will discuss:

Expiring three-year terms of Linda Bradley and Ryan Long on the Board of Adjustment. Their terms ended on Sept. 24;

Filling the vacated seat of Penny Groux on the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism Board of Directors

A sponsorship for the ice skating at The Wharf for Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 18, 2027. Options are bronze for $1,800, silver for $3,000 or gold for $5,000.

Signing a memorandum of understanding with Columbia Southern University to use the school’s facilities as an evacuation location during emergencies;

Entering a rental agreement with Sharp Copier Parks for the Senior Center;

Executing an agreement with Baldwin County for a $950,000 grant to raise Jubilee Point Road;

A $16,300 contract with GeoCon for geotechnical testing and engineering services report on the proposed site of a new civic center to be located near the PowerSouth electrical substation on the south side of Canal Road near the library;

Authorize a grant from the Department of Homeland Security for $757,711 for 75 self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire department. The city has to match five percent or $37,885 of the $795,597 total cost;

Hiring GeoCon Engineering and Materials Testing to provide special inspections and materials testing on the project to renovate the old finance building at the corner of Orange Beach Boulevard and West Oak Ridge Drive for $10,000;

Renewing a contract with JJPR for public relations and marketing services for $2,500 a month. The current contract was signed for one year and ends on Nov. 4;

Purchasing stop-loss insurance for fiscal year 2027. Unlike most small governments that run fiscal years from Oct. 1-Sept. 30, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores use the calendar year;

A contract with J.F. Morris Performance for professional services for the city’s spring theater production for $12,350; and

A contract with Heidi Lemon for the city’s 2027 spring theater production for $7,540.