Prior to the regular 8 a.m. meeting of the Robertsdale City Council Monday, Karen Carnley, representing the RHS Parent-Teacher-Student Organization, made a presentation to the council.

Carnley showed the council a rendering of a landscaped courtyard, which the PTSO hopes to construct as place for the students to gather outside. “Our kids need a place where they can eat their lunch and take a break,” Carnley said. The design and drawing were produced by Gordon Design Solutions.

Carnley said the PTSO at RHS was inactive for seven years and that the parents had reorganized about a year ago and wanted a project that would benefit the students.

“This is to give the students something they want. This is something we’ve heard from the community, students and families,” she said.

The project, which would include a cement wall, where students can outside and plantings of deciduous trees for shade in the summer and sunshine in the winter, as well and other landscape features. Carnley said the project will cost an estimated $160,000. She said Flowerwood Nursery is donating the trees.

The PTSO is already selling commemorative brick pavers for $30 each to raise funds needed for the courtyard and they have already sold about 50, which will be engraved with the names of the donors or an inscription of their choice.

Carnley said the project can’t go forward until a drainage problem is corrected in the area, which is outside the south door near the cafeteria and the gym. “The kids can’t sit out there because the water’s ankle deep,” she said, adding that the cost of the drainage improvements will be about $18,000.

Carnley said the PTSO isn’t asking for any specified amount of money from the council, but would appreciate any assistance they could give.

Mayor Charles Murphy said the city would consider the request and see what could be done. He suggested that city crews could help with the drainage project. “It looks like a good project. I hope it works out really well,” he told Carnley.

Councilman Aubrey Grant said the drainage problem shouldn’t be the responsibility of the city nor the parents. “My thinking is the Board of Education should be responsible for drainage,” Grant said. Carnley said the PTSO plans to discuss the drainage problem with the Board of Education.

Supporters of the the courtyard project will be talking to civic groups and other organizations for support and will also solicit support from individuals. “Our plan is to not let this go away. We’ll set up at football games and go to reunions,” she said.

After approving the minutes from the Aug. 6 meeting and paying bills in the amount of $257,799.01 the council:

— Approved an ABC Retain Beer and Wine License (off premises only) for Winn Dixie.

— Paid the final invoices for the CDBG Grant in the amount of $54,711.90.

— Voted to accept a donation of three parcels of land from the Southfield Subdivision Homeowner’s Association. The land abuts city land and is wetlands.

— Accepted the low bid of $91,730 for a booster pump for the new well and water tank. Pump & Process Equipment was the low bidder.

— Approved the purchase of clarifier coating for the new waste water treatment plant at a cost of $16,200. There were no bidders on the project.

Before adjourning the meeting, Murphy announced that public meetings were scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to discuss the city’s comprehensive plan.