FOLEY, Ala. — The mayor and council agreed to recommend approval of several retail liquor licenses during Monday’s city council meeting. The first council meeting of June was noteworthy for the few agenda items with which council members had to deal.

With Foley Police Department’s recommendation, the council approved Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) and Retail Table Wine (Off Premises Only) for The Pantry Inc., the applicant, under the trade name of Kangaroo Express 1584 for their location at 22164 U.S. Highway 98.

Also, with FPD’s recommendation, the council agreed to a transfer of a Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) and Retail Table Wine (Off Premises Only) from Seabreeze Express Inc., also known as Seabreeze Express 3, to Afshan S. Cheema under the trade name Foley Shell for their location at 2011 S. McKenzie St.

The council approved a resolution authorizing funding for fence repair at Foley Municipal Airport. The approval was for funding up to $4,389 based on a quote submitted by Hagen Fence of Baldwin County.

A resolution was approved to purchase a photo card printing system in the amount of $1,562 for city-wide use.

A resolution was approved granting Police Chief David Wilson authority to negotiate directly with vendors a contract for food service at the City Jail as there were no bids submitted in connection with the project.

The council also agreed to waive Civic Center fees for the annual Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquet on March 5, 2010.

The council agreed to set a public hearing to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation for the rezoning of .486 acres from Agriculture Open to Residential Single Family. The applicant is James Underwood, and the property is located on the north side of West Fern Avenue, east of Majesty Loop.

Council members also approved the following reappointments: Terry Underwood to the Revitalization & Beautification Board and Herman Doster and John Rininger Jr. to the Senior Citizen Board.

The council adjourned to go into executive session to discuss the good name and character of an individual. Mayor John Koniar said the council would not reconvene following the executive session but would adjourn the meeting.

CITY REPORTS

After hearing the Community Development Department’s monthly report for April 2009, Mayor John Koniar noted things remain slow in Foley where the economy is concerned, especially in building.

One single-family residence was permitted by the City in April, that for a total construction valuation of $109,900.

All total, 50 permits were issued in April at a total construction valuation of $252,119. One hundred and fifty inspection were performed by city inspectors during the month.

One person glad to see low numbers was Fire Chief Joey Darby. He told the mayor and council the 74 incidents reported by Foley Fire Department for April were the first decrease the department has seen since he has been here.

FFD had 114 incidents in March, 97 in February, and 89 in January.

Among April’s incidents were 13 motor vehicle accidents without injuries and nine with injuries. FFD received 11 fire alarms-false calls in April. Firefighters assisted EMS 10 times. Among the other incidents reported last month were six building fires, five trash fires, two police department standbys, one aircraft standby, and four unauthorized burnings.

FFD had 54 Public Education Events contacts during April (CPR and First-Aid); conducted nine commercial plan reviews; 34 new construction inspections; and 52 existing occupancy inspections.

Foley Police Department made 116 misdemeanor arrests in April and 12 felony arrests. Seven felony warrants were served and 111 misdemeanor warrants.

Foley officers made 25 DUI arrests, wrote 351 traffic citations and 684 warnings in April. They worked 78 motor vehicle accidents and had 94 motorist assists. They also conducted 620 close patrols and answered 126 alarms.

Dispatch had 990 calls for police service and a total of 3,911 Computer Aided Dispatch entries.

Where drugs were concerned, there were 24 misdemeanor marijuana arrests in April and three felony arrests. Thirteen controlled substance arrests, 14 drug paraphernalia arrests and eight drug raids were also recorded.

FPD’s Criminal Investigation Division received 68 new cases in April, 38 of which were solved. Of those solved cases, 15 were felonies and five misdemeanors.

Two new sex offender registrations occurred in April bringing the total number of registered sex offenders in the city to 22.

Foley City Jail processed 296 total arrestees in April. The highest number in jail was 42, the lowest 18. Forty-one arrestees attended AA and 16 drug counseling.

The School Resource Officer took 14 reports, held 21 discipline meetings, and made 11 presentations to students.

The Foley Mounted Unit attended two community events in April.

Animal Services had 59 calls for service during the month and wrote one citation/summons.

Community Services held two Neighborhood Watch preliminary meetings and one each strategy meeting and crime prevention session.

Community Outreach and Development had 50 GED participants in two GED classes. COD was also involved in two youth activity events.

Among the crimes reported by FPD in April were the following: 21 misdemeanor theft; eight felony theft; 20 domestic violence; 21 harassment; and 17 criminal mischief.