BAY MINETTE, Ala. — During Monday’s Bay Minette City Council meeting, attendees heard about the city’s Severe Weather Events Response manual contents so that residents can be prepared for emergencies as hurricane season began earlier this month.

Bay Minette Fire Chief Phil Bryars presented a Power-Point presentation during the meeting to explain components of the electronic document.

“Each year, we print manuals and a cost is incurred each year,” he said. “Now we have thumbnails, since it is a living document and is updated each year.”

Bryars explained that the tornado section has been expanded due mainly to the severe tornados that hit central and north Alabama on April 27.

The fire chief explained that a hand-radio section was also added, as the city will receive the communication device for shelters. Bryars pointed out that these radios are also used in hospitals and shelters throughout Baldwin County.

The manual also outlines each city department’s duties and contacts, according to Bryars.

“It does ensure that we are ready,” Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery said, “and that everyone knows what they are supposed to do.”

Bryars reiterated the recent announcement of the city’s burn ban and reminded those at the meeting that no permits will be issued to excuse burning.

“If we find open burning out in the field, we will enforce it,” he said. “The rain today wasn’t broad enough, and it wasn’t enough to lift the burn ban.”

Tillery reminded those present that Bryars does “have the authority to make these calls as far as the burn ban” and that those in the fire department are trained to understand environmental situations and to keep everyone safe.

Also Monday, council members voted to adopt a resolution to set the sales-tax holiday for Aug. 5-7. The vote, was passed by all council members, excluding Mike Phillips, who attended the work session but left the council meeting early. As previously reported, residents will be able to purchase back-to-school items on those days without paying sales tax.

In addition, council members voted unanimously to accept a resolution to:

r Set HMR Engineering as the city’s stand-by engineer, as it does not have a staff engineer.

r Purchase a 9.6-acre dirt pit located north of the lake on Cricket Lane for $10.

In other business, the council voted unanimously to adopt a consent agenda that included training-cost allowances for:

r Dispatchers Maggie Pinkard and Louise Johnson to attend the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Users Conference in Gulf Shores Sept. 19-22 at a cost of $533.

r Bay Minette Police Officer Raymon Dixon to attend the FBI Firearms Instructor Recertification Course in Stapleton Oct. 26-27 at a cost of $30.

r Karlin Still, John Biggs, A.C. Ulmer, Todd Stewart, Tillery, John Peavy and Kathy Smith to attend a Certified Alabama Planning and Zoning Officials Class in Mobile June 10-11 at a cost adjustment from not to exceed $2,000 to not to exceed $2,500.

r Bay Minette City Clerk Rita Findley to attend legislative updates and election laws class held in Orange Beach from July 15-17 at a cost not to exceed $600.

r Mayor’s Assistant Daphne Culiver to attend leadership training in Hattiesburg, Miss., on June 10 at a cost of $200. She will be trained in organization, people skills and project management.

City leaders voted to accept the Finance Department’s accounts-payable report of $258,703.77 with Councilman John Biggs casting the lone abstention.

Tillery made a presentation on the Ride Yellow event held by Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation to take place at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 18 in Halliday Park. The event will feature approximately 750 cyclist riding to collect funds for cancer research. As part of the announcement, the mayor presented organizers with Gatorade and snacks collected by members of the city’s monthly Minister’s Breakfast and Prayer Partners to be placed at cyclist rest stops throughout the upcoming event.