ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — There will be new rules for renting the PZK Hall in Robertsdale soon.

According to Police Chief Brad Kendrick at Monday’s Robertsdale City Council meeting, a party last Sunday was marred when individuals not invited to a gathering at the hall began a fracas. All members of the council were present at the meeting.

“There were beer bottles broken,” said Kendrick. The incident occurred around 7 p.m.

Two men were slashed with a broken bottle. Both had injuries to the face, said Sgt. Rex Bishop, a Robertsdale Police Department spokesperson. The men were taken to Thomas Hospital and treated and released.

Jairo Escobar, 28, of Magnolia Springs, who Kendrick said, “was already under a deportation order,” was arrested Monday and was scheduled to be transferred to the Baldwin County Corrections Center Tuesday.

Because of this and some other incidents at the hall, the council will be considering new rules for the hall’s rental that will include a requirement to hire an off-duty Robertsdale police officer for the duration of the party if liquor is to be served, but at least for three hours, at $25 per hour.

“The Coliseum already has a rule that if you serve alcohol, you have to have an officer,” said Kenderick. He added that the same rule is in place for places like the Loxley Civic Center and other municipal-owned or controlled facilities in the area.

Council member Paul Hollingsworth asked if this was not an, “over reaction” to the incident, saying that, “good people would be hurt” because of the actions of a few.

Kendrick said the officer’s presence would not be obtrusive.

“It’s a good precaution, to make sure that citizens do not get hurt,” said Mayor Charles Murphy.

City Engineer Greg Smith presented a proposal for the council to support the extension of County Road 83, from the Foley Beach Express to Interstate 10. According to Smith, the improved road will permit easier access to the coast, something that is beneficial for tourists, and will relieve summertime congestion on Highway 59. The road will also link the area to the proposed Hybrid Kinetic auto plant in Bay Minette.

“It will give the city of Robertsdale a more direct link to the site,” said Smith.

The HK site is about 25 miles from Robertsdale, and County Road 83 is on the west side of the city, intersecting County Road 48, Fairground Road and U.S. Highway 90.

Under questioning form the council, Smith said the state has selected another route, but it is hoped that pressure from local communities could bring the road to the central portion of the county.

Mayor Charles Murphy reported to the council that negotiations have ben opened with Alabama Power along with the cities of Troy and Evergreen for power rates. The current contract ends in September of 2010.

“It looks like the wholesale rate is going up,” said Murphy, who said he would keep the council informed of the progress of negotiations.

The Association for Retarded Citizens of Baldwin County will be holding a pre-bid conference Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. at City Hall. The bids will be opened on Oct. 22 of this month.

The building will hold a commercial laundry and serve as a shelter for ARCBC clients.

“It is a nice-looking building,” said Joseph Kitchens speaking of an architects’ drawing of the proposed building.

The mayor indicated that he’s concerned about three proposed pieces of legislation the county has sent to the legislature.

The first bill concerns “Flow Control” of solid waste. The proposed bill says that all solid waste should go to county-owned landfills. Currently, Robertsdale grinds up trees and other wood waste to provide mulch for the city, a considerable savings. Other services could be coming.

“This (the waste) could become a revenue stream,” said Murphy, citing plans to recover recyclables and other reusable items.

“The Supreme Court ruled not that long ago that they could do this,” said Smith. He and Murphy added that this might increase the “tipping fees” the city pays.

The second bill concerns the composition of the county Planning and Zoning Commission, and limits the city’s planning and police jurisdiction on areas outside the city limits. Currently, the city has limited authority in unincorporated areas about five miles outside city limits.

The final piece of legislation concerns the formation of “Community Heritage Districts” in unincorporated areas that will allow a district to remain independent of a municipality.

”Once a district is established, it can’t be annexed into a city,” said Murphy. Further, a one-mile “buffer zone” around the district would be established.

This will be heartburn,” said Murphy.

Each district will have an “Advisory Council” appointed by the County Commission.

“The Heritage District can’t be annexed into the city,” said Murphy, and he added that once established the district would be “difficult to disband.”

The council asked the mayor to keep them informed on the progress of the bills.

In other council action, the city council:

—Approved the payment of $428,633.73 in bills.

—Voted to pay Stuart Contracting the balance due on the clarifiers, $101,733.

—Authorized the Public Works Department to go to bid on a new “bucket truck.” The money for the truck is in the new budget.

—Authorized the Public Works Department to solicit bids for the “horizontal bore” portion of the Rock Creek project.

—Appointed Jonathan Kitchens and Brenda Breedlove to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Council member Kitchens abstained. It was also announce there is another opening on the ZBA, an opening on the Tree Board, and the Planning Commission. If a Robertsdale resident is interested in those positions, please contact Mayor Murphy.