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Foley council funds façade projects, approves street work contract, authorizes rental prosecution and waives July late fees
Summary
At its June meeting Foley's council approved three downtown façade grants, awarded a chip-seal/ crack-seal contract to Allied Blacktop, authorized prosecution for two noncompliant rental properties if owners do not comply, and waived July water/sewer late fees after a billing portal error.
The Foley City Council approved a package of local actions at its meeting, including funding for downtown façade improvements, a street maintenance contract, code-enforcement steps and a short-term waiver of water and sewer late fees.
Downtown façade program: An EDA representative told the council five applications were received; the EDA recommended approval of three projects (Cross Center, JSD and DZ properties) and tabled two applications (described in the packet as “Dumbrowski” submissions) pending more information. The council approved funding for the three recommended projects; staff reported the façade program would be nearly depleted (about $2,000 remaining) and requested council consideration of adding $20,000 to the program in the next budget cycle. The EDA representative reminded council that approved projects require at least a 50% local match.
Street maintenance/contract award: Public Works reported two bids for chip seal/seal coating and recommended Allied Blacktop as the low bidder. Council moved and approved the Allied Blacktop crack-seal/chip-seal contract; staff discussed striping, crosswalks and a 4–8 week cure period after chip application.
Rental-license enforcement: City Administrator Sarah Brun reported staff sent letters to noncompliant rental-property owners and recommended prosecution if owners do not submit a rental application and schedule required inspections. The council authorized staff to proceed with prosecution for two properties after staff gives owners a short additional period to comply (staff suggested seven days to schedule an inspection).
Utility-billing portal and late fees: Staff told the council that a recent billing-portal conversion altered account numbers and caused customers to view old accounts, producing misapplied payments and the risk of many automatic late fees. The council approved waiving water and sewer late fees for July because of the portal errors.
What’s next: Staff will return to the council with budget workshop items, additional information on façade funding, final contract documents for the street work and outcomes of the rental compliance effort.
