ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — A request to solicit bids for a new Knuckle boom debris/trash loader truck for the Public Works Department was approved by the City of Robertsdale at their council meeting on Monday morning. Scott Gilbert, Public Works Director, said bids for the truck would open on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. and the cost would range from $110,000 to $250,000 roughly.

“Our garbage and trash trucks need to be replaced every five years and we have to keep three operating in the yard at all times. We have already spent $23,000 to repair the one we are replacing.” Gilbert said. Expected delivery date for the truck is January or February.

The motion to purchase was passed unanimously with members of the council praising Gilbert and his crew for their efforts. “You always do a fine job of picking up trash and debris and keeping our city looking nice and clean.”

A motion was also passed to surplus a semi-truck the Public Works Department acquired from the county. “We got this truck from the county but it doesn’t have a trailer and we don’t really need it so we are requesting to surplus it.” Gilbert explained.

In other business, the council passed a motion to purchase a sign for $1,250 to be displayed on the scoreboard at the Robertsdale High School football stadium. The sign will remain on the scoreboard for a year, according to Mary Thompson, representative for the RHS Bear Club, who was present at the meeting.

Thompson said signage can be purchased from $50 to $1,250 and would be displayed around the fences at the stadium and around the concession stand/restroom area. “Our signs will be made by the graphic design students at the school and will remain in place for one year.” Thompson said.

The council also agreed to let RHS use the digital scoreboard to promote and advertise the upcoming football games every week during the season.

The Bear Club also requested the council waive the $400 building fee for the PZK Hall for the Drawdown fundraiser to be held on Saturday, Aug. 14. Mayor Charles Murphy explained they understood the reason for the request, but it had never been done before. There was discussion, but no motion was made to waive the fee so the fee would have to be paid.

Tim Carpenter, RHS football player, explained to the council the money raised from the fundraiser would go toward the strength and conditioning program for the players and this is one of 70 events that will happen during the year.