LOXLEY, Ala. — The Loxley Town Council passed a motion to amend a section of the International Building Code pertaining to the Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals at their Monday night meeting.

Shawn Alves, town attorney, explained Ordinance No. 2011-03 amends Chapter K11 of the general section that reads “there is hereby established a board to be called the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals, whose membership shall be appointed by the town council.”

Alves said the original code called for a five member board but for the town’s purposes, it only needs to have a three member board appointed by the town council.

Section K1102.1,Membership and Terms, states “the board should consist on three members with respect to the initial board, one member shall serve a one-year term. Thereafter, board members shall serve three-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled by the town council for the unexpired term of any member whose term becomes vacant, Continued absence of any member from required meetings of the board shall, at the discretion of the town council, render any such member subject to immediate removal from office.”

The “Officers” section indicates “the board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members and the terms of the office shall be for one (1) year, with eligibility for reelection.”

The council also passed a motion to allow Stacy McKean from Premier Grant Consulting in Fairhope to start the application process for a $25,000 grant available from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 306 Funds.

This grant will aid in the planning of the Geographic Information System for the town’s water department and McKean said the deadline for application is March 4, 2011.

Since the grant has a matching component, the total amount applied for would be $50,000, with $25,000 coming from in-kind donations, which the town has already secured, and $25,000 from ADCNR, McKean said.

This $25,000 includes the fees for the application process and has already been budgeted, Loxley Mayor Billy Middleton said.

This grant is only available to local municipalities in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, McKean said, so the chance of receiving it is very good.

Public Works director Tommy Hudson said this system would help in the future mapping of the town’s water and land needs and would give the information needed to those who need it in the future.

In other council business, two motions were passed to transfer ABC Business Licenses from 2134 N. Hickory St. (Chevron Station) and 12601 N. Hickory St. (Chevron Station at interstate) and a motion was passed to approve a $120 donation to Loxley Elementary School for a fourth and fifth grade field trip.

A motion was passed to renew the baseball sign at Robertsdale High School baseball field but two requests for advertising failed for lack of motions. One was for Gulf Coast Newspapers “Baldwin Marketplace” special section and the other was for the 2011 Central Baldwin Magazine through the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Middleton presented a Proclamation announcing March 5-11, 2011 to be “National Problem Gambling Awareness Week” to encourage all citizens to spread the message of help for problem gamblers through treatment and support for them through their families.

Middleton also announced the Town will be giving away around 1,200 different variety of trees for Arbor Day at the Loxely Municipal Park on Thursday, February 17 and Friday, February 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The trees are being provided by Joshua Timberlands of Elberta.