Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Council Meeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gulf Shores Council approves $1.93M high-school change order, boosts airport credit and adopts broad golf-cart rules
Summary
At its April 13 meeting the Gulf Shores City Council unanimously approved a package of resolutions and ordinances including a $1.93 million change order for the new Gulf Shores High School, a $1.2 million increase in the airport authority’s line of credit for FY2026–27, multiple professional services contracts and a sweeping ordinance designating streets where golf carts may operate.
Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and the City Council met April 13, 2026 at City Hall and approved a package of resolutions and ordinances addressing school construction, airport financing, professional services and regulations for golf-cart operation.
The council adopted Resolution No. 7119-26, authorizing Change Order No. 4 with Rabren Construction for additional costs on the new Gulf Shores High School project in an amount not to exceed $1,931,806.77, increasing the total contract to $141,602,517.12. Councilmembers said the change order bundles 21 requests that include owner-requested improvements to data and safety networks, enhancements to athletic training spaces and life-safety items identified during final inspections. Council approval was recorded with the officials present voting "aye"; two members were absent.
The council also moved to increase the operational expense line of credit for the Gulf Shores International Airport Authority by $1.2 million to $2.3 million for expenses in FY2026–27 (Resolution No. 7112-26). The amendment continues the city’s financial support for the airport terminal project and sets a repayment deadline of Sept. 30, 2027, as stated in the resolution.
On contracts and services, the council: - Approved a professional services proposal with Interboro Partners, LLC for comprehensive planning services not to exceed $500,000 (Resolution No. 7108-26), with $300,000 budgeted in FY2026 and $200,000 planned for FY2027. - Authorized Foth Engineering to perform annual beach monitoring coordination in a two-year contract not to exceed $64,400 (Resolution No. 7109-26). - Adopted a three-year communications equipment and services contract with Motorola Solutions not to exceed $329,875.89 (Resolution No. 7116-26). - Accepted a bid from Gulf Shores Power Sports for two Honda Pioneer UTVs for beach patrol not to exceed $47,156.60 (Resolution No. 7115-26). - Accepted a bid from Prologic ITS, LLC for two VMS boards for $39,761.22 (Resolution No. 7118-26).
Council accepted an Alabama State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) award (Resolution No. 7110-26). The resolution states the grant will directly provide hardware, software and licensing for the approved project and requires no local matching funds; the award amount was not specified in the materials presented.
On governance and appointments, the council reappointed The Honorable Frank T. Hollon as municipal judge (Resolution No. 7106-26) and reappointed Kenneth R. Raines as municipal court prosecutor (Resolution No. 7107-26), each for two-year terms and with compensation details recorded in the resolutions.
The council approved land and school-related items: it authorized execution of a final plat for the new Gulf Shores High School property (creating Lot 1) and approved a resolution donating that property to the Gulf Shores City Board of Education so the board may insure the school site (Resolutions No. 7120-26 and No. 7121-26).
The council adopted Ordinance No. 2209 to name the newly constructed AL161 southbound roadway "Alabama Beaches Parkway" and adopted Ordinance Nos. 2210 and 2211 to amend city code regarding the operation of golf carts. The golf-cart ordinances: list numerous "Designated Cart Streets" across subdivisions and neighborhoods, set safety and equipment requirements (seat belts, lights, windshield, mirrors, reflectors, orange flag), limit operation to streets posted at 25 mph or less, restrict hours to sunrise through 10:00 p.m., require a Gulf Shores Police Department permit sticker with an annual fee ($25) and proof of liability insurance at state minimums, and prescribe civil penalties ($50 owner civil penalty) and potential criminal fines or imprisonment for violations.
The council approved the 2026 Spring Nonprofit Grant program service agreements totaling $6,000 to three local nonprofits (Resolution No. 7111-26), accepted a list of depository banks for city funds (Resolution No. 7113-26), authorized the Gulf Shores Board of Education to make improvements to the city-owned Sportsplex facility (Resolution No. 7117-26), and approved MP Design Group to prepare an Engineering Design and Construction Manual (not to exceed $144,300; Resolution No. 7122-26).
Council approved expense vouchers as presented totaling $8,714,864.98; the detailed ledger and inter-fund transfers were entered into the permanent record and summarized during the meeting.
Votes at a glance (selected adopted items) - Res. No. 7106-26 — Reappoint Frank T. Hollon, Municipal Judge. Mover: Councilman Joe Garris, Jr.; Second: Councilman Stephen E. Jones. Vote: Garris/Jones/Harris/Craft — 4 yes; Guthrie, Dyken — absent. Outcome: approved. - Res. No. 7107-26 — Reappoint Kenneth R. Raines, Prosecutor. Mover: Councilman Stephen E. Jones; Second: Councilman Philip Harris. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: approved. - Res. No. 7108-26 — Interboro Partners comprehensive planning services (≤ $500,000). Mover: Councilman Stephen E. Jones; Second: Councilman Joe Garris, Jr. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: approved. - Res. No. 7109-26 — Foth Engineering annual beach monitoring (≤ $64,400). Mover: Councilman Philip Harris; Second: Councilman Stephen E. Jones. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: approved. - Res. No. 7110-26 — Accept SLCGP cybersecurity grant (no match required). Mover: Councilman Joe Garris, Jr.; Second: Councilman Stephen E. Jones. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: approved. - Res. No. 7112-26 — Increase GSIA operational line of credit to $2.3M. Mover: Councilman Philip Harris; Second: Councilman Stephen E. Jones. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: approved. - Res. No. 7119-26 — Rabren Construction Change Order No. 4 (≤ $1,931,806.77). Mover: Councilman Stephen E. Jones; Second: Mayor Robert Craft. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: approved. - Ord. No. 2209 — Name new AL161 SB "Alabama Beaches Parkway." Mover: Councilman Joe Garris, Jr.; Second: Councilman Stephen E. Jones. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: adopted. - Ord. Nos. 2210 & 2211 — Amend golf-cart code and operating rules (permits, designated streets, equipment, hours). Mover(s): Councilman Stephen E. Jones/Philip Harris. Vote: 4 yes; 2 absent. Outcome: adopted.
Why it matters: The change order and the transfer/donation of the high-school site directly affect the city’s largest capital project, with implications for budget and closeout; the airport credit increase and new airport staffing reflect the city’s continued investment in GSIA as commercial service expands; the golf-cart ordinances change where and how neighborhood carts may be used, affecting many residential areas; and acceptance of the SLCGP grant updates the city's cybersecurity posture without a required local match.
The meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.; several items (including the Tree Protection Ordinance) were scheduled for further review at an upcoming work session. The detailed expense vouchers and ledger entries are part of the permanent record.
