GULF SHORES, Ala. — The ongoing search for a city administrator has come to an end. At Monday’s council meeting, the council approved a contract with Steve Garman of Decatur, Ill. announcing his starting date as Oct. 1.

Garman was found through an executive recruiting firm according to councilman Robert Craft.

“He’s got a lot of experience in southern markets,” Craft said. “He has a lot of experience in dealing with municipal management.”

Garman will spend his first month getting acquainted with the city office. On Nov. 3, when the new council takes over and Craft steps into the mayoral position, Garman will begin his work as city administrator.

“Typically his job is managing department heads, but he won’t start doing that until the first Monday in November,” Craft said. Until that time Mayor Billy Duke will execute those duties as he has been doing.

The council interviewed six applicants and unanimously decided on Garman.

The city administrator position has been available for about a year and a half, opening when Ernie Smith left the position to take over as economic development director.

In other Gulf Shores council news:

-A retail beer (on or off premises) license for The Wine Store, LLC was approved.

-The council approved a parade permit to the Gulf Shores High School student government for a homecoming parade to take place Oct. 30.

-The FloraBama requested a public assembly permit for a reverse duathlon occurring on Oct. 18. The event is charitable. The council approved the permit and waived the application fee.

-The council approved a road closure for a portion of St. Andrews Drive for a block party to take place on Nov. 1. Craft abstained.

-A resolution was passed to award a mulch bid to John Deere Landscape. The mulch will be used around the city for landscaping and at Kid’s Park. The cost of the mulch is $36.87 per cubic yard and the council approved the purchasing of 2,706 cubic yards.

-A resolution was passed to ratify the execution of South Alabama Mutual Assistance agreement to offer mutual aid assistance during a disaster.

-An added resolution requested a freeze on hiring for the city until the 2009 fiscal year budget had been adopted. Craft said that it should only be a few weeks before the budget would be ready for approval.