FOLEY, Ala — Foley City Council moved to suspend the rules Monday for immediate adoption of a modification to a temporary moratorium ordinance passed last month. The moratorium has to do with tearing down buildings within the city’s proposed Downtown Historic District.

Monday’s modification to the ordinance prevents the facades or building fronts within the Historic District from being altered or changed.

Mayor John Koniar said Monday’s action was taken as a precaution until the recently appointed Historical Commission is in place and active and “rules (are) established” concerning the Historic District.

The modification also includes bringing properties at 500 and 514 N. McKenzie St. under the temporary moratorium, the way the ordinance was originally drawn up, Koniar said.

Asked following the meeting if property owners within the Historic District are going along with the city’s actions regarding the District, Koniar said 100 percent of the people aren’t in favor but the “vast majority are.”

Property owners impacted by the Historic District met approximately two weeks ago with officials from Nimrod Long, the landscape architectural firm overseeing development of the Historic District, Koniar said.

In other council action Monday, approval was given awarding a low bid of $377,000 for construction of a concession stand at the Soccer Park. Councilman Charlie Ebert III abstained.

A low bid of $290,909 was awarded for a sidewalk project in the Beulah Heights neighborhood.

A resolution was approved in “support of the concept” of a new and larger animal control facility in the county endorsed by the Baldwin County Commission.

A resolution was approved renewing CrowderGulf’s current contract for storm debris removal until June 19, 2009. Councilman Ralph Hellmich noted the contract will have to be rebid next year.

Council members agreed to recommend approval of a Class I Lounge Retail Liquor license to the ABC Board. The applicant is Gilbert J. Robinson and the business is The Office Lounge at 3828 S. McKenzie St.

The council approved a resolution approving a 98-year lease agreement between the Boy Scouts and city for property located on the unopened portion of West Magnolia Avenue.

The Foley Police Department report for April reflected 114 misdemeanor arrests and 12 felony arrests. Ninety-seven misdemeanor warrants and 10 felony warrants were served and FPD worked 52 accidents during the month. Foley officers wrote 447 traffic citations and 493 warnings during April. Officers answered 63 alarms during the month and found 15 buildings unsecured.

One hundred nineteen building permits were issued during April, according to the Community Development Department report. Those permits had a total construction valuation of over $2.6 million. Ten single family residences were permitted during the month for a total construction valuation of $1,355,175. City inspectors performed 592 inspections.

In connection with “National Correction Officer Week” May 5-11 and “National Police Week” May 11-17 (May 15 is “Peace Officers’ Memorial Day”), Police Chief David Wilson had 12 FPD correction officers present at the council meeting and eight FPD field training officers.

Wilson noted that at any given time, behind the scenes, the correction officers are managing 30 to 50 inmates at the city jail. He called the eight field training officers the “best of the best” at FPD.

Besides reading proclamations for the correction officers and police officers, the mayor also read proclamations for “Municipal Clerks Week” May 4-10 and “National Safe Boating Week” May 17-23.