DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne City Council at its Thursday work session heard a presentation  from a team of South Alabama Regional Planning Commission members proposing the city renew its contract for the upcoming year.

The regional commission works closely with the Baldwin County Planning and Zoning Commission and Daphne’s commission by detailing zoning districts and training commissioners.

“Generally, we provide local planning services,” spokesperson Diane Burnette said. “We help planning commissions with zoning and overlay districts. We also provide training to planning commission members.”

The proposal requires the city cover the regional commission’s $12,943 operating budget for services Daphne receives. That figure includes:

“We want you to continue to view our services as very effective,” assistant executive director Chris Miller said. “We’re going to look out for your interests.”

In other SARPC business, transportation director Kevin Harris introduced Commute Smart Mobile-Baldwin—a carpool program developed by the regional commission—expected to begin May 1.

“If you get stuck at work, we’ll pay to get someone to come pick you up,” Harris said. “Once the program is successful, we’re going to expand it to vanpool.”

Residents can call 706-1CAR to find out more details about the new free program. Harris said the number can help match them with someone in their area.

Councilman Ron Scott asked Burnette about a reported 20-year surplus of approved lots in Baldwin County.

“There is a surplus of lots,” Burnette said. “You have to have about a 9 percent vacancy rate of homes for your market to work.”

Baldwin County reportedly is right at the 9 percent vacancy rate.

Scott asked if there was anything the city and regional commission can do together to help drive economic activity in the area and offset the slumping real estate market.

“The city could start selling inexpensive lots,” Burnette said. She also suggested the city review its zoning requirements.

Councilman Greg Burnam asked what services the regional commission offers that Daphne doesn’t receive.

“Planning services would be one area,” Miller said.

This would include strengthening communication lines between city and regional planning commissioners.

In other business:

The council discussed a proposed ordinance that would allow the city to take over operating duties for the Boys and Girls Club on Johnson Road.

Starke Irvine made a presentation to the council on behalf of the club.

“The Boys and Girls Club of Daphne will sever from the Mobile operation May 1,” Irvine said.

The proposed name is the Ruff Wilson Youth Organization.

“It will be a 501c3. It will operate outside the city. We’d like to contract with the city to take over the financial side.”

Irvine said that being a 501c3 nonprofit organiztion would allow the club to keep its current staff in place.

“That’s important to us,” he said.

Irvine added that he wants the city to consider bringing activities to the center that would attract teenagers.

“We’re here to serve the entire community. But our goal is the youth; that’s what we’re about.”

The agreement would be between the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mobile and Daphne and the city of Daphne.

“We would contract with (Mobile) on an annual basis,” Irvine said.

Resident Willie Williams spoke to the council in support of the city’s plan to take over the youth club’s operations.

“We’ve got a perfect opportunity with the split to get the type of community center we want,” he said.

“This is what the community wants. The people want something that’s going to benefit the community.”

The council at a special-called meeting March 24 will discuss and vote on the proposed ordinance.