Orange Beach, Ala. – (GSN) – Surveillance and security will be the topic at the upcoming Orange Beach City Council meeting. The city is considering installing cameras at the facility under construction, as well as providing access to another new asset at the Sportsplex.

The council will discuss the proposals at its joint regular/work session on April 21 in council chambers at City Hall at 5 p.m. Both are on the work session agenda and will be voted on in a later meeting.

Earlier that same day, the council will also meet in an executive work session on April 21 at 1 p.m. to discuss pending litigation.

Orange Beach is nearing completion of new outdoor pickleball courts at the recreation campus on Canal Road and is seeking to purchase a video surveillance system from Vision Security Technologies for $42,116.

Also up for discussion is a controlled-access system for the baseball and softball locker rooms at the Sportsplex, from Vision Security Technologies, for $4,626.

Another topic for the work session will be a nascent plan for improvements to the Foley Beach Express bridge with hopes of developing a southbound lane. Once the new state bridge to the west opens, plans call for the Orange Beach bridge to be northbound only.

During the regular session, the council will also discuss:

• Paying $1.5 million for goods and services April 8-22.
• Declaring April as National Donate Life Month.
• Approving the final audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2024.
• Approving a liquor license for the Last Mango Bar and Chill at The Wharf in the former Yo Ho Rum and Tacos space. Yo Ho is moving to the east end of The Wharf in the old San Bar location.
• A fourth amendment to the grant agreement with the National Audubon Society and Orange Beach for the city to “perform services related to the stewardship of coastal Alabama beach nesting bird habitat.” This amendment will extend the contract for three months through July 1. 
• Contracts with DeRhonda Ponder, Elizabeth Wood, and Caroline Steele for special needs aide services for the afterschool Expect Excellence program.
• Amending the pay plan/job listing to make changes from the Comprehensive Classification and Total Compensation study.
• Award the bid for site work at the rifle range at the city’s shooting complex off Russian Road. Bids were opened on April 16.
• A mutual aid memorandum of understanding between the Orange Beach Fire Department and Escambia County Fire Rescue Department.
• Donating to the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Foundation to sponsor its 2026 Paddles for a Purpose Pickleball Tournament to raise money for victim support services, investigative tools, training, and education initiatives.
• Authorizing Orange Beach to join in current and future opioid lawsuit settlements.
• Authorizing the sale of the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf back to The Wharf for $7.5 million. See related story: Orange Beach moves to sell event center as part of civic campus plan
• Authorizing an agreement with the state for disaster assistance to build a first-responders safe room for use in disasters. 
• Professional contracts with Heidi Lemon and Gerald Mills for the 2026 summer theater camp and a production of Finding Nemo Kids. The council will also consider establishing a fee schedule for the Expect Excellence summer theater camp.
• An agreement with Foley for the use of Orange Beach safety barricades for the 2026 Gulf Coast Hot-Air Balloon Festival on April 29-May 1.
• A $163,540 contract with Orion Planning + Design to update the Orange Beach zoning ordinance.
• A $17,400 contract with AECOM Technical Services for a study on the intersection of State Route 161 and Terry Cove Drive “to enhance pedestrian accommodations and crossing safety.”
• Approving an agreement with ZAPP Software for art jury processing for the 2026 Freedom Fest, the 2027 Seafood Festival, and the Festival of Art.
• Appointing a member to the Orange Beach School Board for the expiring term of Nelson Bauer, whose five-year term ends in June.
• Having a public hearing for an ordinance amendment for a conditional use permit for Bayside Orange Beach Garages for its phase two development. It is located on Pelican Place, east of Lauder Place and south of Canal Road.
• First reading of an ordinance providing continued recognition of state routes within the city.

During the work session, the council will discuss:

• An amendment to the recreational vehicle rentals ordinance.
• An appointment to the Board of Adjustment.
• Buying a 2026 F-250 Super Crew pickup for Public Works for $59,674.
• Approving the annual 2025 municipal water pollution prevention report.
• A contract with Foth Infrastructure and Environment for engineered beach monitoring for $59,200.
• A rezoning of the Moondance planned unit development to allow for the building of 16 finger docks on the existing pier off the east end of Bear Point.
• Setting a public hearing date for Margaritaville for The Wharf Landing to rezone 28 acres from general business to PUD to build 142 two- to five-bedroom homes in phase three of the development.

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