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Gulf Shores Council OKs $3.6M GOMESA grant, high‑school contracts and new mobility‑device rules
Summary
The Gulf Shores City Council approved a $3.6 million GOMESA grant for the Waterway Village Pedestrian Bridge Park, authorized more than $4.5 million in contracts for the new Gulf Shores High School, and adopted two ordinances regulating operation and rental of electric mobility devices, effective March 1, 2026.
The Gulf Shores City Council on Jan. 26 approved a package of grants, construction contracts and new safety rules that city officials say will fund parks and finish outfitting the new Gulf Shores High School while tightening rules for electric scooters and rental e‑bikes.
The council unanimously adopted a $3,606,465 GOMESA grant agreement to support construction of the Waterway Village Pedestrian Bridge Park, authorizing staff to amend the 2026 budget as needed and to include remaining project funds in the FY2027 budget. In the same meeting councilors approved multiple contracts to equip the city’s new high school: $618,337 for IT infrastructure to CMA Technology Solutions, $315,430 to RJ Young for audiovisual systems, $3,200,000 to Interior Elements for furnishings and $450,000 to Advantage Sport & Fitness for athletic equipment. Each contract is budgeted in the High School Construction account (38-879-84900).
Council also passed Ordinance No. 2196 authorizing the issuance of a General Obligation Warrant (Series 2026‑A) of up to $1,000,000 to SouthState Bank to finance approximately eight police vehicles and related equipment. The warrant specifies a fixed interest rate of 3.720% with semiannual principal and interest payments and a final maturity date of Feb. 15, 2031; the ordinance anticipates proceeds to be advanced on or about Jan. 27, 2026.
On public-safety policy, the council adopted two related ordinances intended to regulate both the operation and the rental of regulated mobility devices. Ordinance No. 2197 (Chapter 21 additions) defines classes of electric bicycles, motorized scooters and similar devices; bans unsafe behaviors (including riding against traffic, failing to yield to pedestrians, carrying extra passengers and tampering to increase speed); and authorizes designated multi‑use paths with a 10 mph speed limit. Penalties are set at $250 for a first violation, $400 for a second within one year and $500 for further violations within a year; police may impound a minor’s device if no guardian is present and charge a $50 release fee. The ordinance passed with one dissenting vote from Councilman Stephen E. Jones.
Ordinance No. 2198 regulates vendors that rent mobility devices inside Gulf Shores. It allows general rental only of Class 1 electric bicycles (motor assist up to 20 mph while pedaling), permits ADA‑compliant devices to be rented to qualifying customers, requires vendors to provide helmets and to present a short educational video and written notice on local rules prior to rental, and authorizes police inspections. Violations by vendors carry a $500 fine per offense and repeated violations can lead to license suspension.
The meeting also approved routine items including assembly permits for the city’s Mardi Gras Parade (Feb. 17) and the “We Run The Beach” race (Feb. 21–22), and it passed several other resolutions authorizing professional services and smaller capital expenditures. The council approved expense vouchers totaling $8,831,551.01; the High School Construction line shows $5,388,689.72 in charges in the voucher listing attached to the minutes.
The ordinances on mobility devices take effect March 1, 2026. The GOMESA grant acceptance and school contracts will move forward under the budget amendments and contract execution authorized by the council.
