ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Students walking to Robertsdale High School will have an easier time of it once the city finishes a sidewalk construction project that will bring new sidewalks to Cedar Street, Silverhill Avenue, College Avenue and Wilters Street.

Best of all, the work, valued at $492,138, won’t be coming out of the city budget.

The money for the sidewalks, which Mayor Charles Murphy says will finish a ring of sidewalks that will “encircle the city,” is to come as part of the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” (also known as the “stimulus” bill) and the Transportation Enhancement Program. Murphy gave a copy of a letter from Governor Bob Riley’s office indicating that the project had received state approval.

The city had planned to do this work earlier, but shelved plans because of costs. Having the plans and other paperwork done stood the city in good stead when this money became available

“The first applicants to finish up the bid process will be funded in full,” said Murphy. Later applicants, Murphy says, will receive 80 percent of the funds for their projects and will have to come up with 20 percent of their costs.

The good news about the sidewalk project was tempered by news that the city’s budget would have to be adjusted.

“This is based on the first and second quarters of 2009,” explained Ann Simpson, the city’s Chief Financial Officer. The city’s surplus will be reduced about $27,000 to $107,652. Simpson explained a $225,000 reduction in sales tax revenue caused the budget reduction.

All departments shared in the budget-cutting, both Murphy and Simpson said.

“We did reduce the gas budget for all departments that have cars because gas prices are down,” said Simpson.

While not happy about the budget cuts, council members appeared relieved that the problem was not worse and no layoffs were planned.

“I think it’s fantastic news that you don’t have to lay anyone off,” said council member Paul Hollingsworth.

The amended budget passed unanimously.

The council also voted to award Stuart Contracting of Bay Minettte a $367,586 contract to construct two “clarifier” basins for the waste water treatment plant.

The city plans to build three of the clarifiers, and has already built “Number 3,” using block construction, which has to be sealed. The newer clarifiers will be built of poured concrete. The poured concrete walls do not require sealing.

When questioned by the council, Murphy explained that funding for the work would come from a bond that the council had already approved.

Smith also said the city had received bids on pumping stations for the Rock Creek sewer project. The winning bid of about $261,000 was from Pump and Process Equipment Inc. of Pensacola

Smith explained that the city went to bid about a year ago for the pumping stations, and received a single bid of about $316,000.

“We did some design modifications,” said Murphy, explaining the reduced cost.

The council also approved a liquor license for “Papa’s Place,” a restaurant that wishes to lease the former Aunt Sarah’s Bakery Deli & Catering building on Highway 59. The issue came up at the April 6 meeting, and concerns that a church was too near the building for a liquor license came up then.

“This is an Italian restaurant,” said Leo Pinzone, one of the applicants. The applicants have operated a restaurant for more than two decades in Daphne.

“This is not a bar at all,” continued Pinzone, explaining that there would not be a bar in the building and that the applicants wanted the license to serve beer and wine and in case a customer ordered a mixed drink.

The council approved the license.

In other council action:

— Reappointed Sonja Jackson, Laurie Gay and Nell Calloway to the city’s Park, Street and Tree committee.

— Voted to reschedule the council’s May 4 meeting to May 11, because Murphy and members of the council will be attending an Alabama League of Municipalities meeting in Montgomery May 2-5.