BAY MINETTE, Alabama. — The Bay Minette City Council on Monday voted to approve a building permit waiver for the new multi-purpose facility for Baldwin County High School.

 In an email to Mayor Jamie Tillery, Otis Gatlin, a senior associate at Hatch, Mott, MacDonald made the request for a waiver of the permitting fees for the building. The facility will be used as an indoor training area for football, baseball, soccer and band. 

The Council also approved facility usage for John F. Rhodes Civic Center by the North Baldwin Camp of Gideon’s International in order to hold a Pastor’s Appreciation Banquet on Nov. 8.   The request for the use of Halliday Park by the Bay Minette Masonic Lodge #498 for Angel for an Angel Benefit/Ride was also approved by the Council.

This event will include a country motorcycle ride, music, food, raffle and children’s activities and prizes. The group is raising funds for a young boy who suffers from severe seizures. The event will be Sep. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce requested the use of the John F. Rhodes Civic Center for a “Meet the Candidates” event on Aug. 16. The request was approved by the Council and will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

 During this week’s Council work session, Kelly Johnson, Bay Minette Recreation Director, gave a report on the success of summer programs and the upcoming city football season. Johnson reported that 107 kids participated in the Kelly’s Kids program this summer.

Registration for football has begun with around 100 kids participating so far. The entry fee has gone up to $35 this year with signups continuing for this program. The department has new helmets and shoulder pads this year adding to the safety of the kids. During the next meeting of the City Council the Bay Minette Dance Team will do a performance for Council and public at the civic center. 

 Jay Dickson, with Volkert Inc., spoke to the Council during the work session about the proposed drainage study of Districts 4 and 5. Dickson’s engineering firm will evaluate and make recommendations for improvements in drainage in these districts.  The next council meeting will be Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. at the John F. Rhodes Civic Center.