Spanish Fort residents will soon see repairs to the sinkhole at Spirit Park.

Spanish Fort City Council awarded the bid during their Oct. 16 regular city council meeting. Council authorized Mayor Michael McMillian to enter into an agreement with Sunset Contracting Inc. The company will repair the sinkhole and a sidewalk and storm drain in the right-of-way at 32322 Whimbret Way. The project is not to exceed $25,660.

During the meeting, council also:

• Approved an ordinance exempting certain "covered items" from the municipal sales and use tax during the last full weekend of February 2024, generally referred to as the Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Legislation;
• Had the first reading of an ordinance to add uses related to party and event rentals and supplies in the B-3, General Business District and the B-4 Major Business District. The public hearing is Monday, Nov. 6;
• Had the first reading of an ordinance to change the zoning classification for lot 9, Woodside Business Park from R-1 to B-3. The public hearing is Monday, Nov. 6;
• Adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Plan and Utilization Report for the city;
• Had the first reading of a resolution that would award the bid for the 2023 Rebuild Alabama Grant repaving project. The project, if approved, will repave portions of General Canby Drive, Southern Way and Signal Hill Road for an amount not to exceed $282,547.17; and
• Had the first reading of a resolution that, if passed, would authorize McMillian to execute a proposal between the city and Inception Lighting for the installation of decorative lighting at the Spanish Fort Community Center in an amount not to exceed $29,137.50.

Resolution 1377-2023, which was not listed on the published agenda, would authorize the mayor and police chief to make an application for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The $50,000 grant would be used to purchase equipment. Due to the application deadline, McMillian asked for the rules to be suspended to allow for immediate consideration. The rules were suspended, and the resolution was unanimously approved.