SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The City Council will seek grant funding to finance future infrastructure improvements integral to Spanish Fort’s continued growth; if approved, city coffers would need to budget $5,000 for the $40,000 project.

Christopher Baker, director of planning for Hutchinson Moore and Rauch LLC, has been in discussions with building official Bruce Renkert regarding the potential application of grant funding toward revision of the city’s subdivision regulations, a key component to controlling Spanish Fort’s anticipated growth over the next several decades.

The council voted during Monday’s regular meeting to authorize applying for the funds for which a March 4 deadline looms, but if approved, the city would not be expected to budget the funds until 2012.

Contract grant writer Stacey McKean explained during the council’s March 7 work session that although the grant — funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — carries a 1-1 grant match, in-kind contributions can count toward the city’s matching funds.

Any time city planners and other staff members use working on the project, as well as any costs associated with the use of city facilities for such work, would be considered in-kind services, she said.

Specifically, Baker said the city need only provide $5,000 cash with the remaining $15,000 contributed in kind to receive the $20,000 in matching funds. The planning grants will ultimately be administered by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

In other business, the council:

• Discussed informally during the work session the possible adoption of an ordinance targeting texting while driving within the city limits. (Editor’s Note: For the complete story, see www.baldwincountynow.com.)
• Heard from Richard Ullo, pastor of Bible Baptist Church, regarding draining issues affecting the church’s property he would like the council to consider investigating. The problems, Ullo said, stem primarily from nearby construction completed two years ago and will impede the church’s ability to continue expanding if left unaddressed.

The council’s next regular meeting will begin with a 5 p.m. work session in the conference room at City Hall on March 7, followed immediately by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. at the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.