BAY MINETTE, Ala. — During Monday’s Bay Minette City Council meeting, council members rejected bids on a tractor for the Parks and Grounds Department because of ambiguous language in the city’s request for bid bonds.

The council unanimously voted to reject current bids and to have the equipment re-bid after City Attorney Scott Lewis and Finance Director Joe Landenwich clarify wording issues.

Lewis said during Monday’s work session that, “our bid-bond requirement was ‘as per state law,’ but the state law has changed. There was some as to if the city required that. So we just have to make sure that it links up with what the statute says.”

In other business, the council unanimously accepted a training request for Cpl. Kevin Gandy to attend the Advanced Vehicle Contraband Concealment Class in Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 30-31 at a cost of $498.48.

Bay Minette Police Chief Michael Rowland explained during the meeting that this course will train handlers and canines to search for under-cover compartments in vehicles.

“Gandy was personally invited by this national school, and there’s a long, waiting list,” he said.

Council members also unanimously accepted Bay Minette Fire Department grant allocations to purchase 45 self-contained breathing apparatuses and two thermal-imaging cameras at a cost of $242,573 in grant money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and $12,767 matched by the city.

In addition, the council unanimously accepted training requests for Bay Minette Planning Commission members Karlin Still, John Biggs, A.C. Ulmer, Todd Stewart and Kathy Smith and Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery to attend the Certified Alabama Planning and Zoning Officials Class in Mobile on June 10-11 at a cost not to exceed $2,000.

The council unanimously accepted the Bay Minette Finance Department’s accounts-payable report of $161,135.23.

Landenwich informed the council during their work session, that the city’s sales-tax holiday will be set for Aug. 5-7.

The city began holding the holiday in 2007, and it’s purpose is “ just to help with back-to-school expenses,” he said.

In other business:

* Bay Minette Recreation Director Kelly Johnson said that summer programs such as day camp, dance camps, Zumba and skating will begin soon. A full list is available on the city’s website.

* Red Wilkins of the North Baldwin Animal Shelter asked the council for any amount of money to financially help the organization that has been operating for 11 months and helped 221 animals.

* Baldwin County High School Basketball Coach Lorenzo Hunter announced a summer program to be held Mondays through Thursdays 4:45-8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays will be practice days, while Tuesdays and Thursdays will be game days.

The council also recognized:

* The North Baldwin County Coalition for Excellence in Education as they awarded $12,000 in teacher grants.

* The Baldwin County High School baseball team for winning the state championship.