Baldwin County Commission Meeting - March 18, 2025

The Baldwin County Commission met on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse. The pre-meeting work session convened at 9:00 a.m. and was followed by the regular meeting at 10:00 a.m.; the regular meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m. All four commissioners (James E. Ball, Matthew P. McKenzie, Billie Jo Underwood, and Charles F. Gruber) were present. The Commission approved consent agenda items, held public hearings on six planning and zoning cases, recognized employees of the quarter, and heard public comments about Circuit Clerk's Office access and government efficiency.

Work Session

• The Commission reviewed the regular agenda and set the consent agenda, adding addendum item GA1 (Bottles Up Mobile Inc dba Belforest Pointe one-time special event alcohol license) to consent.
• County Administrator Roger Rendleman was asked to compare Baldwin County's alcohol license levies with municipal fees and to research whether fees could be changed mid-year.
• EMA Director Tom Tyler reported on severe weather from March 15, 2025, and said EMA damage assessment teams would assist Pike County.
• The Commission voted 4-0 to enter executive session at 9:13 a.m. under Code of Alabama Section 36-25A-7 to discuss preliminary trade or commerce negotiations and matters covered by the Alabama Trade Secrets Act; the work session was not reconvened.
• The minutes note a replacement item for CO3 involving removal of Bid #WG24-46, although the published agenda item CO3 concerned Mobile Asphalt Company, LLC's consent to assignment of contracts; the consent agenda as approved included the Mobile Asphalt assignment.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted minutes of the March 5, 2025 regular meeting (4-0).
• Approved payment of bills (BA1) and ratified interim payments under Policy 8.1 (BA2).
• Approved the consent agenda (4-0), including:
  • Administration policy updates; Spay/Neuter agreement with Robertsdale Animal Clinic through March 18, 2027 (auto-renewal through 2028); Olde Time Days event on October 4, 2025.
  • BRATS procurement procedures for FTA-funded projects; donated BRATS shuttle for Historic Blakeley State Park living history event on April 5, 2025 (estimated $557.70).
  • Multiple bids and contracts, including crushed aggregates, rental equipment, a FARO laser scanner for $59,395.42, and engineering services for Mannich Lane ($293,900.00); several construction change orders and roof repairs ($46,000.00).
  • Sheriff's Office contract for City of Gulf Shores law enforcement services; purchase of two new vehicles totaling $116,065.00.
  • Certificate of exception from garbage pick-up for John Sanders.
  • FY2025-26 ABC county alcohol license fees, with fees ranging from $15 to $1,111 depending on license type.
  • Highway policy changes, assignment of contracts from Mobile Asphalt to Wiregrass Construction, transfer of rights-of-way to City of Foley (Resolution #2025-091), and Adopt-A-Mile application for Scenic Highway 98.
  • Multiple personnel actions, including hires, promotions, and transfers effective no sooner than March 24, 2025.

Presentations & Awards

• Susie Smith (BRATS) and Nicholas McCawley (Highway Department/Traffic Operations) were recognized as Employees of the Quarter for the 4th quarter of 2024.
• Commissioners praised county employees' responsiveness and reminded the public to drive carefully around workers.

Public Hearings & Planning/Zoning Decisions

• ES1 Hagle Property (Z24-51): Approved 4-0 via Resolution #2025-082 to rezone 29 acres in District 8 from BCZ to RSF-1. No public speakers.
• ES2 No Doubt Holdings (Z24-55): Approved 4-0 via Resolution #2025-083 to rezone 4.2 acres in District 39 from BCZ to RR for a contractor's yard. No public speakers.
• ES3 Greene Property (Z24-56): Approved 4-0 via Resolution #2025-084 to rezone about 0.50 acres in District 35 from RSF-1 to RSF-2 for a lot-line adjustment. No public speakers.
• ES4 Smith Property (Z24-57): Approved 4-0 via Resolution #2025-085 to rezone 1.76 acres in District 12 from B-3 to B-4. The work session confirmed access would follow ALDOT's Access Management Plan off Highway 59. No public speakers.
• ES5 Two Lakes PRD (PRD24-10): Approved 4-0 via Resolution #2025-086 for a 114-site planned RV residential development on about 40 acres, including permission to add casitas on individual sites and conditions on landscaping and plat/construction plan review. Chris Lieb of Lieb Engineering appeared for the owner and answered questions.
• ES6 Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendments (TA25-01): After presentations by planners Celena Boykin and Jay Dickson and a public comment from Ben Gould, the Commission voted 4-0 to reject the proposed changes to Planning District 26 local provisions to allow more community engagement. It then approved Resolution #2025-087 adopting the zoning map amendment (BCZ to RSF-2 at Highway 104/St. Michael's Way) and all other advertised text amendments, including PRD design/open-space requirements, wetland overlay boundary clarity, dune walkover alignment, agricultural exemptions, RSF-3 lot-width correction, and streamlined rezoning timelines.

Public Comments

• Thomas Jenkins of Gulf Shores expressed frustration with the Circuit Clerk's Office, restraining order paperwork, and emergency services; he called for better safety and treatment of residents.
• Blair Castro of Gulf Shores, an attorney and former government technology consultant, said the Circuit Clerk's satellite offices were inaccessible by phone and urged the County to add phone lines and invest in modern databases and portals for court records and government efficiency.

Key Outcomes

• All votes taken during the regular meeting were 4-0 unless otherwise noted.
• The Commission entered and completed executive session before the regular meeting; no action on executive session matters was announced.
• The regular meeting adjourned at 11:26 a.m.