FOLEY, Ala. — While it was a formality, Foley City Council declared a state of emergency at Monday’s council meeting, adding the city to an ever expanding list of municipalities, entities and groups being impacted by the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mayor John Koniar noted the city’s action follows Gov. Bob Riley’s declaration of a state of emergency existing in Alabama as a result of oil’s encroachment along the state’s beaches, bays and bayous. He noted the city’s official action will make Foley eligible for grant money and other sources of assistance in connection with the ongoing crisis.

Indeed, oil is the first order of business along the coast today, as witnessed by a plaque presented to the city for its support of Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.

Bob Ingram, president of BCEDA, was on hand at the meeting to present the city a copy of the plaque presented to BCEDA in Colorado Springs, Colo., in May. BCEDA was named to Site Selection magazine’s list of top organizations for 2009 along with nine other organizations across the country, many of them representing cities and areas 10 to 25 times larger than Baldwin County.

“This organization you all helped set up … has been a good one,” Ingram said in thanking the city for joining with other cities and county leaders to create BCEDA in 1994.

In his remarks to the council, Ingram noted the role natural disasters - most notably hurricanes - play in this area.

“Now we’re finding out what unnatural disasters can do to us,” he said, a reference to the oil spill crisis.

The mayor read a proclamation declaring July 2, 2010, “Lt. Col. Mark Stratton Day” in Foley. Stratton, a 1987 graduate of Foley High School, was killed in Afghanistan on May 26, 2009. Stratton’s mother, Jan York, was on hand to receive the proclamation. Stratton will be honored on July 2 in a ceremony at the FHS gymnasium at 6 p.m. with the public invited to attend.

In other council matters, approval was given for $31,168 in architect fees from Zito Russell Architects in connection with the Wolf Bay Lodge project at the old Wilson Pecan property. The council also approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a right of first refusal agreement with Wolf Bay Lodge in connection with contract signing.

The council memorialized the establishment of a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at Graham Creek Nature Preserve. The city has already received a $10,000 donation for the center.

Approval was given for $3,000 to be given to the Foley High School English Department for its enhancement. Also, $6,178 was approved for a Google contract that the mayor said would enhance the city’s e-mail services. He said some city e-mails have been “disappearing.”

Council members approved the acceptance of $15,000 from the Baldwin County Commission to be used in connection with the 10th Annual Heritage Harbor Days.

Approval was given memorializing a resolution for a cash advance of $1,885 for softball tournaments held on June 12-13. Also, approval was given for an additional cash advance of $3,320 for baseball tournaments to be held June 25 and July 1. Councilman Ralph Hellmich noted the monies go to pay tournament officials and are not really an expense since the tournaments typically make money.

Council members also memorialized the acceptance of an 18-foot aluminum flat botton boat, motor and trailer from the Military Surplus Program given to the city at no cost.

HMR’s change order #2 was approved for $156,445 in connection with the North Airport Road extension to County Road 24. Hellmich noted the monies would be coming out of grant money.

Council approval was given for a Lounge Retail Liquor-Class I license for Yun Duan Zheng under the trade name MIS 3 Colors and Club Magnificent at 1157 S. McKenzie St.. Council approval was given upon the Police Department’s recommendation to move the application to the ABC Board for final approval.