The city council opened a public hearing on a proposed nonexclusive 30-year franchise renewal for Riviera Utilities but delayed final adoption to allow staff to compare contract language used by other municipalities.

David Connor told the council Riviera serves a large number of city electrical customers and had requested renewal; the public hearing was held and staff said additional draft language is being considered and the ordinance will be returned for adoption at a future meeting.

PARK RULES AND ATHLETIC CAMPS: The council introduced an ordinance establishing rules for the Spanish Fort Town Center Park, which includes pickleball courts, a splash pad and a pavilion. City staff said work-session edits had deleted two numbered pickleball rules and adjusted splash-pad hours to 9 a.m. to dusk. The ordinance was introduced for future adoption and staff were asked to consult the city’s insurance carrier prior to the council’s next review.

The council also introduced a proposed $42,000 agreement (less worker’s compensation and insurance) to authorize athletic camps with services provided through Spanish Fort High School. Staff and council requested removal of references to an “athletic director” in favor of references only to the head football coach where applicable; staff will make those edits before final consideration.

DRAINAGE CONTRACTS: Two Sawgrass Consulting LLC engineering/survey agreements were introduced for future adoption: a $25,500 agreement for drainage work at Cemetery Road and a $63,000 agreement for drainage improvements at Driftwood Lane, Stanton Road and Walling Road. Both items were introduced for the council’s July 21 agenda.

GRANTS: The council adopted a resolution authorizing application for an Edward Byrne Memorial JAG grant administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Staff said the grant's maximum award is $150,000 and requires no matching funds; the council approved the application.

Why this matters: the items cover long-term utilities franchising, local park operations and programming, stormwater/drainage engineering, recreation contracting and public-safety grant funding.

Next steps: Staff will revise the franchise/ordinance language and return it for adoption, consult the insurance carrier on park rules, finalize the Sawgrass agreements and athletic-camp edits for the July 21 meeting, and proceed with the grant application.