Mobile City Council previews multiple procurements, liquor-license recommendations and a $145,350 green-infrastructure contract

The Mobile City Council’s premeeting on Dec. 16 covered a slate of procurement and licensing items and introduced a $145,350 contract aimed at promoting green infrastructure on private property.

City staff listed a series of purchase orders and contract recommendations, including authorization requests for three fire pumper trucks ($2,850,611), three ambulances ($1,080,850.35), an elevator gate controller for the Mobile Museum of Art ($18,636), fuel-tank rental ($40,950), and stainless-steel baggage tables for the Cruise Terminal ($66,000). Staff also recommended that the ABC Board consider retail liquor licenses for the Crescent Theater on Dauphin Street, 90 West Bar And Grill on Highway 90 West, MOD Pizza on Airport Boulevard and a Class II lounge license for Cody Liquor Store on Cody Road South.

The council also introduced a one-time, $145,350 contract with WSP USA for the “Naturally Mobile” project. Lance, the project presenter, said the effort is funded through the Gulf Coast Environmental Equity Center and will be an education campaign to help private property owners implement green infrastructure for stormwater management. "It's a one-time contract... it's gonna be engaging y'all's districts, one to two times at least throughout the campaign," Lance said.

Councilmembers asked procedural questions about how some assessments will be used. Regarding a separate contract with Skolsky Consulting for Americans with Disabilities Act program assessments, a councilmember asked whether the work is tied to a federal grant; the presiding official said the item is a first read and staff will follow up.

The items were scheduled for introduction and, where appropriate, will be brought back for final action at a later meeting.

The council adjourned the premeeting and reconvened at the History Museum for the regular session at 10:30 a.m.