SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Tempers flared during Monday’s regular City Council meeting, resulting in the second consecutive abrupt adjournment as District 1 Councilman Dennis Dismuke’s continued push for the adoption of sanitary sewer standards failed.

“That’s the reason I’m the mayor,” Joe Bonner said, leaving the table.

“I think you’re King,” Dismuke countered as the discourse disintegrated into heated side arguments.

At issue was the recurring issue of sewer lines within city limits.

Citing public health concerns, Dismuke has repeatedly implored the council during the past year to adopt minimum standards and specifications regarding the installation and upkeep of sewer lines.

Following Monday’s consideration of agenda items, Dismuke again attempted to introduce an amendment to the city’s right-of-way ordinance that would dictate separation between sewer and water lines. For months, the councilman has tried to persuade his colleagues on the council to adopt guidelines akin to the widely-used “Ten State Standard” that requires a minimum 10-foot horizontal separation and 18-inch vertical separation of the lines.

During Monday’s meeting he cited standards adopted in California, Nebraska, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Washington, Indiana and even the Alabama cities of Mobile, Auburn and Tuscaloosa, some of which adhere to much stricter guidelines.

Recognizing the failure of his past attempts, Dismuke proposed Monday the city adopt standards and specifications set forth in the language of the existing franchise agreement with Baldwin County Sewer Service LLC — which he contends is not being adequately enforced — as the minimum standard.

After the motion failed for lack of a second, District 5 Councilwoman Mary Brabner took Dismuke to task for his methods.

“That’s not the way we do business. I believe you’re grandstanding,” Brabner said, taking exception not to Dismuke’s ideas but to his “manner.”

The public meeting, Brabner argued, is not the appropriate venue for the discussion to take place, but Dismuke said his repeated mention of the topic during work sessions has gone ignored.

Although Bonner did not call Dismuke out of order — as he did during the Nov. 15 meeting — for failure to follow amendment-introduction protocol, he did respond candidly to the councilman’s remarks.

“Two-and-a-half years ago we had public hearing after public hearing” regarding the Baldwin County Sewer franchise agreement, Bonner said, noting Dismuke led the charge then as a private citizen. Following Dismuke’s election to the council, Bonner said his first five meetings with the freshman councilmember focused exclusively on the same subject, and the trend has continued for two years.

Bonner said Dismuke has at times called the mayor “irresponsible” for his handling of the situation, threatened to retain legal representation on the matter and even “implied I was on the Baldwin County Sewer payroll.”

Bonner said he is concerned Dismuke is “using (his) chair” to advance the argument against a single utility rather than producing a “productive” argument that would address right-of-way concerns “across the board.”

When Dismuke again countered that his concerns are not directed at a single utility, Bonner abruptly adjourned the meeting to which Dismuke responded, “Perfect.”

In other business, the council:

r Postponed consideration of the donation of 11.5 acres of land by the Fuller family to the city because significant drainage and runoff issues concerning the property have been identified since the family’s intentions were made known. The item will be considered again during the Dec. 20 council meeting.

r Issued a proclamation honoring the Spanish Fort High School football team for bringing home the 2010 5-A State Football Championship.

r Set a Dec. 20 public hearing on an ordinance allowing the city to enter in an agreement with AT&T Alabama for the provision of IP-enabled video service.

r Delivered the first reading of a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a contract between the city and the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce supporting the business organization’s five-year “Blueprint for a Better Tomorrow”; but committing to only two consecutive years of funding in the amount of $17,500 because the current terms will expire at that time.

r Approved unanimously a $219,500 contract with Daphne-based Forrest Daniell and Associates PC for design services toward the development of a city complex. For complete details visit www.baldwincountynow.com.

The next regular meeting of the council will begin with a 5 p.m. work session in the conference room at City Hall on Dec. 20, followed immediately by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. at the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.