ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The Robertsdale City Council met Thursday, March 18. All members, except for Aubrey Grant were present.

The council voted to approve a 2 percent pay increase for city employees. starting in April. The increase is considered a “Cost Of Living Adjustment.”

The COLA had been in the city’s budget in October, but the city’s income fell well below projections. Sales taxes were down about $182,000.

However, city officials said that careful attention to expenses, especially overtime have dropped, and employees who have left the city’s payroll for other reasons have not been replaced. The savings realized from those e measures will allow the COLA.

The increase will cost around $30,000. The city had a slim surplus when the budget was passed.

The council also heard from Cpl. Ted Stone about the “Cops on Top” program. In conjunction with the Loxley police department, members of both departments will be on top of the Winn-Dixie in Robertsdale, at the corner of Highways 104 and 59 April 30 and May 1.

“We will be raising money for Special Olympics,” explained Stone. The officers have received help from several local businesses, and will be taking donations for Special Olympics at the site. Law enforcement officers will also participate in the Special Olympics “Torch Run” in Fairhope March 26, and will help with putting the games on.

The council voted to approve the “Cops on Top” program, and donated $300.

Stone has run in a statewide torch relay, and expects to do it again.

“The effort these kids put in makes it all worth it,” said Stone.

The council also voted to rezone the “Alexander Land Development.” The land was rezoned in a flurry of motions from “R-1” to a “PUD,” or “Planned Unit Development.”

Questioned after the meeting, Mayor Charles Murphy said that the action was “cleaning up” an oversight. The land around the parcel had already been zoned for a PUD, but somehow this piece had been overlooked. The parcel is around 7.5 acres.

In other council action:

— The council approved payment of $312,846.74 in city bills.

— Voted to support insurance reform for coastal areas.

— Voted that Brent Kenderick should be the voting delegate for the Alabama League of Municipalities conference in May. Paul Hollingsworth will be the city’s first alternate and Sue Cooper will be the second alternate.

— The city approved a franchise agreement with Mediacom. The agreement, based on one reached with Fairhope, will allow the cable company to use poles in Robertsdale for their wires.

The fee is for 5 per cent of gross revenues Mediacom collects in the city.