FOLEY, Ala. — A de-annexation petition for Club Evolution, the Foley nightclub that has been at the center of a public safety issue for months, was denied by Foley City Council on Monday.

According to the council work session agenda, the petition to de-annex the property at 8380 Ala. Hwy. 59 was filed by Danna Jean Nelson.

During the actual council meeting, Mayor John Koniar recommended the de-annexation petition be denied. Councilman Ralph Hellmich moved to deny the petition and Councilwoman Vera Quaites provided a second.

During the discussion perriod regarding the petition, Police Chief David Wilson said that should the Club Evolution property be de-annexed - taken out of the Foley corporate limits - the club would continue to sell alcohol and still create a public safety issue.

Hellmich, noting Club Evolution is surrounded by city property, said any public safety issue that arose in connection with the club would still have to be dealt with by the city of Foley even if the club property was de-annexed.

Fire Chief Joey Darby also spoke against de-annexing the club property.

Club Evolution was at the heart of a last call for alcohol ordinance passed recently by the city council. Police, citing a large number of DUIs, asked that alcohol not be sold in Foley clubs and lounges from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Club Evolution management alleged police were targeting the club as a “gay” bar. Club management denied the gay bar accusation and said the club was actually pulling in tourists from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and bringing tax revenues to the city.

In other council action, low bids were approved for city uniforms by Industrial and Executive Uniforms ($12,712) and two front mount mowers for the Parks Department by Foley Implement ($25,288).

Council members approved a resolution not to exceed $46,000 in connection with a FAA taxiways grant for Foley Municipal Airport. A resolution was approved to apply for a Target Arts Grant ($1,500) that will be used in connection with Heritage Harbor Days.

Other appropriations by resolution included $18,614 for the Police Department’s digital radio system (funds already on hand); $1,250 sponsorship for the Flower and Garden Extravaganza; $4,000 for a storm drain proposed for the Glenlakes Bicycle Path; and $1,500 for Thompson Engineering’s survey of County Road 20.

A first reading was approved of an annexation petition for property located west of the Foley Soccer Park. Also, a resolution was approved for annexation by legislative act for properties along Foley Beach Express. Hellmich noted the city has sent out notices to property owners and talked to some of them. A part of the proposal would be three years’ exemptions of ad valorem taxes on undeveloped land in the area, which the mayor said would be an incentive to bring properties in the area into the city.

A public hearing was set to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation for initial zoning of property located north of Brinks Willis Road and on the east and west sides of the Beach Express. The applicant is Holmes Family LLC.

Three proclamations were approved by the council: “Vietnam Veterans Day” on March 13, 2010; American Legion’s “Poppy Day” on March 20, 2010; and “Read Across America” day at Foley Elementary School on March 5, 2010.

The council approved the write-off of $304 in residential sanitation fees for a 120-day period.

Also approved were the following: Art in the Park at John B. Foley Park on May 8-9, 2010 (Councilman Charlie Ebert III abstained); countywide rally on Sunday, March 14 at 2 p.m. in support of sales tax for education consisting of a parade beginning at Foiley High School and ending at Heritage Park; Optimist International’s use of council chambers on March 3 and March 10, 2010, for their annual Oratorical Contest (Ebert abstained); waiving of kitchen fees at Civic Center for 10th Annual Gold Coast Coin Show on Jan. 14-16, 2011.