DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne City Council at its business meeting Monday voted unanimously to allocate funds for repairs to the Captain O’Neal Drive drainage system, improvements and sidewalks.

One resident spoke in favor of passing the measure saying her property has been severely impacted by stormwater runoff.

“The erosion problem has been ongoing for years,” she said. “The last rain overpowered the existing system and water flowed into our yards from the rain events.

“The water has flowed through our yard; we’ve lost about one foot of driveway. We’ve also had erosion problems causing us thousands of dollars in damages.” 

The council had unanimously voted to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order to review a first-read ordinance. Robert’s Rules of Order govern Daphne city government — among several other municipalities and clubs — and require ordinances to be read publicly twice before being voted on.

In other business, the council: 

“The purpose of doing this is to close some of the gap between police and fire protection,” Director of Community Development Adrienne Jones said. “I think this is a good thing that (Daphne police) Chief Carpenter and Fire Chief White are proud of.” 

Response units from Daphne, Spanish Fort and Baldwin County troopers reportedly will often respond to the same emergency situation.