A motion was passed to purchase three trucks for the City of Robertsdale Public Works Department at the Robertsdale Council Meeting Monday night.

Already in the 2011 budget, Public Works director Scott Gilbert said delivery for the two Ford Rangers totaling $12,133 each and the Ford F-150 4 by 4 costing $18,000 would be sometime in February and they were able to purchase them for $1,500 to $2,000 under budget.

City Engineer Greg Smith said the final walkthrough for the Rock Creek Sewer Plant occurred on November 22 and all five pumps were up and four of them were running, while the fifth needed a little extra work and then it would be running in a day or two.

“We just need to do some grass planting and have the public hearing. If all goes as planned, we can send everything to ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) and complete the project. The pumps are running well and there was no interruption of service switching everything over so we will give it six months and see how much of a difference it is making,” Smith said.

Smith also let the council know the new website for the City is up and running well with lots of good information and links residents can use.

The council also passed Ordinance No. 012-10 regarding a request for annexation of Cockrell’s Body Shop to be designated R-1 (Residential).

In other business, the council passed two motions regarding Robertsdale High School, one to purchase a sign from the softball team for $250 for the first year and $200 for the second year. The banner will be displayed on the fence at the softball complex. And the second to donate $1,000 to the Robertsdale High School Basketball Team for the Golden Bear Classic on December 16-18.

A presentation was made by Sonja Presley of the Baldwin County Humane Society to solicit usage of the digital sign for a fundraising event at a local business. There was no motion made because the sign has only been used in the past to advertise City events, not local business events and City Attorney Ken Raines said that might present an awkward situation if was approved.

Police Chief Brad Kendrick announced Animal Control Officer Sammy Givens will be retiring in March after 37 years of employment with the City. Also Kendrick said with the Christmas season in full swing, residents should take extra precautions with their valuables and not leave purses or anything else of value in their cars as they have had an increase in stolen items from cars, especially in church parking lots.

“It may be a good idea for area churches to have some sort of security measures in the parking lots during their services on Sunday to cut down on thefts,” Kendrick said.