With all members present, the Robertsdale City Council approved about $200,418 in city bills during its meeting Oct. 20.

Ronnie Green was appointed to the city’s Industrial Board.

In other industrial matters, the council approved bids from Akon Concrete in Foley, Hot Mix in Summerdale and Mainline Supply Co. in Loxley for concrete, asphalt, and culverts respectively. Bids for gravel, sand and dirt were tabled until the Nov. 3 meeting so City Attorney Ken Raines can review the bids.

Tim Wilson, president of the Robertsdale High Band Boosters had a request for the council. The Golden Bears Marching Band has been invited to represent the area at the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago. He told the council that it’s estimated that it will cost about $60,000 to get all 70 students in the band to the parade and back.

While the band and Band Boosters have held several fundraisers, including a “Cow Patty Bingo,” a yard sale, and a “play-a-thon,” the Band Boosters are still a little short of their goal.

“We appreciate any help y’all can give us,” said Wilson.

Council member Joseph Kitchens proposed giving the Boosters $2,500 for the trip, which was approved unanimously. Council member Paul Hollingsworth, an administrator at Robertsdale High, abstained.

The council also approved “writing off” $24,626.67 in utility bills.

“We will continue to try to collect them,” Mayor Charles Murphy told the council. “But, these are old accounts, and we want to take them off the books.”

Under questioning from the council, Chief Financial Officer Ann Simpson said that the city had budgeted about $25,000 to cover write-offs, but the amount appeared to surprise her.

“Utility bills are higher, so if someone leaves without paying it (the final bill), and we have a lot more rental units. That is our biggest problem, someone moving out and not paying their final bill,” said Simpson.

The council also voted to change the time of their workshop meeting Nov. 3 to 5:30 p.m.

The council also approved spending $265.59 to send City Clerk Shannon Ellison to Tuscaloosa so she can attend training to continue certification as a municipal clerk.

The council also voted unanimously to approved sending bills totaling $111,602.45 for the Rock Creek Sewer project to the state.