The Gulf Shores City Council held their first "Work Session" of the year. Upon opening the council introduced Jonathon  Walker as the new City Administrator for Gulf Shores. The members then heard of board appointments for committees.

Members of the City Council heard about the possibility of extending the conditional operation license of a local bar named Mud Bugs. Layla Andres, the City Revenue Supervisor, stated that past conditions would still be enforced but that the establishment could remain open until 2am and the parking lot must be cleared by that time. She added the other conditions included:

• The business must maintain security cameras and adequate coverage for the building.
• Employees are required to go through alcohol management training.
• No employee is allowed to consume or be under the influence of alcohol during work hours.
• Certain criminal convictions disqualify individuals from employment.
• The business will use an ID scanner to detect fake IDs.
• They will also maintain the use of a wand metal detector from 10 p.m. till closing.
• Signage prohibiting firearms on the premises will be maintained.
• Monthly review meetings with the Deputy Chief of Police will be conducted

The Deputy Police Chief stated that there have been significant improvements this year compared to last year's problems, which is why the approval is being accepted without a public hearing. Discussion on the license will take place during the next City Council meeting.

The Engineering Department asked that the council consider purchasing wetland mitigation bank credits in order to accommodate the build of a new Fire Department training facility. The cost of the credits is $29,335.

Jay Dickson of the City's Planning Department presented the site plan for the new location of Langston's Animal Hospital. The proposed site is located at 6800 block of State Highway 59, just south of Ken Road and across the street from the Haven assisted living facility. The proposed building will have six doctors, 30 staff members, treatment rooms, two surgery rooms, an intensive care unit, CTX-R and x-ray rooms, a pharmacy, kennel, offices, retail space, and a waiting room. The Fire Marshall and the Engineering Department have each reviewed um the plans and approved them as designed.

Director of Recreation & Cultural Affairs, Grant Brown, presented a Public Assembly Permit Application for Shaka Beach Bash. This will be a volleyball tournament held annually in Gulf Shores. The dates of the tournament will be March 24-25th. Mr. Brown added that "the tournament has been successful in the past, with each event attracting more participants and gaining recognition." The tournament has seen over a thousand registered players from 14 states and three different countries outside of the US. he also added "The timing of the tournament in March, at the beginning of beach season, makes it an attractive stop for AVP players looking to earn points towards qualifying for the professional tour."