The Gulf Shores City Council met Monday night in what proved to be an unusually short meeting. Mayor pro tem Carolyn Doughty presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Billy Duke. Councilman Joe Garris also was unable to attend.

Council had intended to make a decision on the amending of a zoning ordinance relative to the rezoning of The Colony at Fort Morgan. However, the item which was tabled during the Jan. 14 meeting was tabled again.

Doughty read aloud a proclamation on behalf of Duke that charged citizens to “Go red for women” on Feb. 1. The event is an initiave of the American Heart Association that encourages individuals to wear red to increase awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.

Ken Funderburk of Merchant Capital spoke to Council during the open discussion period concerning the city’s interest in pursuing a bond loan. Funderburk’s visit came at the request of Council because the city already has ties to Merchant Capital. However, no decision has been made concerning the provider of the upcoming loan.

Dennis Hatfield also spoke during the open discussion period. Hatfield told Council that a company is making arrangements to conduct tests and search for oil right off the coast. He said that such actions will cause visual and audio population.

“We shouldn’t wait until they conduct testing; right now we need to ask ourselves if this is what we want off our beaches,” Hatfield said. Councilman Robert Craft agreed: “If we’re going to be against this activity, we should take our stance before they even begin testing.”

Council didn’t take any formal action, but came to consensus that the situation needs attention quickly.

During the new business portion of the meeting, Council chose to table a resolution amending the final plan of a planned unit development, Grande View on Little Lagoon, now known as Nautilus Gulf Shores.

Language concerning ammenties proved to be the show stopper. “I’d rather we table this and have our attorneys review it than make a decision in haste,” Craft said.

However, Council unanimously passed the other two resolutions on the agenda. The first authorized a conservation easement with Whispering Pines Subdivision.

The second approved the site plan for a 17,120-square-foot addition to Gulfway Church Assemblies of God, with a condition that the church change its primary entrance if a traffic light is later placed nearby.

An ordinance was passed permitting the annexation of property owned by James Muller at 4452 State Highway 180.