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Gulf Shores council authorizes mayor to sign settlements resolving K-9 officers' FLSA claims
Summary
The Gulf Shores City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 7078-26 on Feb. 2, 2026, authorizing Mayor Robert Craft to execute settlement agreements and make payments from lawfully available funds to resolve Fair Labor Standards Act claims by several Gulf Shores Police Department K-9 officers; specific settlement amounts were not specified in the minutes.
The Gulf Shores City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 7078-26 on Feb. 2, 2026, authorizing Mayor Robert Craft to execute settlement agreements and make payments from lawfully available city funds to resolve claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by members of the Gulf Shores Police Department K-9 Unit.
The resolution follows a previously approved settlement in the case Shawn Andrews and Stacy McElroy v. City of Gulf Shores, 1:25-cv-00441 (U.S. District Court, S.D. Ala.), which sought back pay, liquidated damages and attorney fees. Council minutes state the city reached a compromise in that matter and that attorneys for the city negotiated terms near identical for additional K-9 officers who had not filed suit. The resolution names officers Christopher Childress, James Coker, Seth Goellner, Benjamin Hancock, Ashley Shanks and Gabe Trujillo as parties to the prospective settlement agreements.
Councilman Joe Garris Jr. introduced the resolution and Councilman Stephen E. Jones seconded it. The minutes record a unanimous roll-call vote in favor: Councilman Joe Garris, Jr.; Councilwoman Jennifer Guthrie; Councilman Philip Harris; Councilman Jason Dyken, M.D.; Councilman Stephen E. Jones; and Mayor Robert Craft. The resolution authorizes the mayor to execute exhibits described as Settlement Agreements and to make payments "in accordance with the Settlement Agreements as may be necessary to consummate the settlement and release of claims." The minutes do not state the dollar amounts or detailed payment schedules.
Council met twice in executive session during the special meeting to consult with the City Attorney about legal ramifications and options for controversies not yet litigated; the sessions began at 2:33 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., respectively, and the meeting reconvened after each recess. The minutes record that the attorney participated by phone. Assistant City Administrator Lee Jones gave a Planning & Zoning Department update and the Council discussed possible dates for a future retreat during the brief open portion of the meeting.
The resolution states it becomes effective immediately upon adoption. The minutes note that after adopting Resolution No. 7078-26 the Council had no further business and adjourned at 3:47 p.m.
The minutes provide no further detail on the financial terms of the settlements, funding line-item sources, or whether the payments require any subsequent administrative action or reporting; those items are listed as "not specified" in the official minutes.
