DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne City Council at its business meeting Monday unanimously appropriated $822,500 from the general reserve to pay for facility upgrades at the Al Trione Sports Complex, including: $497,500 — soccer and football lighting; $275,000 — two bathroom and concessions buildings; and $50,000 — four elevated bleachers.

The money will be loaned from the lodging tax fund to the general reserve and will be repaid by the city, according to the ordinance.

Councilman Derek Boulware said no further appropriations will be made from the lodging tax fund for future projects until the loan has been fully paid.

Also, city leaders voted unanimously to support city site containment inspector Ashley Campbell’s direction in applying for a Coastal Impact Assistance Program Grant.

Funding from the grant will be used to help restore certain sectors of D’Olive and Tiawasee creeks, Campbell said.

Last year, the council adopted a watershed management plan that addressed eight critical sites in the area that have been impacted by erosion and sedimentation. The working watershed group has collaborated with city officials, state reps and the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program to restore local ecological assets that have been threatened by environmental impact.

The grant does not require a cash match from the city.

Campbell first requested the council form a resolution. However, Council President August Palumbo said a motion was in order.

Councilwoman Cathy Barnette said the funding comes from oil and gas revenues garnered through offshore drilling in Mobile Bay.

“We haven’t seen a lot of money specific to a municipality in the past,” Barnette said. “(But) I think it’s spawning from the D’Olive Working (Watershed) group and the work they’re doing there.”

In other business, the council:

The council also voted to change the venue for its March 8 work session to the pavilion to showcase the redesigned property.

Councilman John Lake said he met with the consulting company to analyze heating and cooling bills for city buildings.

The consultants claim the analysis identifies a potential savings of $50,000 over a few years, Lake said.

“The savings were very substantial,” he said. “If we don’t save money, they don’t get any.”

Also: