ROBERTSDALE, Ala. -- Officials hope that by lowering the speed limit coming into Robertsdale, it will create a safer situation, particularly for students at Robertsdale High School.

The Robertsdale City Council voted unanimously at its meeting Monday night to extend the 45-mile-per-hour speed limit on Highway 59 from Krchak Lane south to County Road 48, which has previously been set at 55 miles per hour.

“Drivers have a tendency to go at least five to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit,” said Robertsdale Police Chief Brad Kendrick at Monday’s meeting. “So with the speed limit set at 55, you’re looking at drivers going 60 to 65 right in front of the high school. By extending the 45-mile-per-hour speed limit south of the high school, we’re hoping to resolve some of those issues.”

The city council voted to approve Ordinance No. 011-13, first voting unanimously by roll-call vote to suspend the rules in order to introduce the ordinance, then passed the ordinance unanimously by roll-call vote. All council members were present at Monday’s meeting.

In other business Monday, the council voted to donate to the city’s youth football and Robertsdale High School athletic programs.

First, the city approved a request by Jeff Spaller with the Robertsdale Youth Football League to purchase 40 helmets for the program at a cost of $65 each or a total cost of $2,689.95.

The league is currently using space at the Robertsdale Fire Department to store equipment and Spaller asked the council to help complete the flooring at the top of the fire house in order to complete an unfinished storage area.

The council agreed to look into finishing the space.

The council also voted at Monday’s meeting to donate $1,600 for the Robertsdale High School athletics program.

A representative with the RHS Booster Club said the donation would cover all sports at the high school, including signage on the press box and on the field at J.D. Sellars Stadium, a sign in the gym at Robertsdale High School and signs at the baseball and softball fields.

In other business Monday, the council:

• Voted to change the meeting date from Sept. 2 to Sept. 3 because of the Labor Day holiday.

• Approved an advertisement in the annual Baldwin County Fair tabloid published by Gulf Coast Newspapers at a cost of $300.

• Approved the Robertsdale Volunteer Fire Department personnel list.

• Approved changes to secondary conductor charges in the city’s utility policy.

• Met in executive session minutes with city attorney Ken Raines concerning possible litigation. The regular meeting resumed after 20 minutes with no action being taken on the matter.