9th Avenue Extension Update

By Jessica Vaughn / jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 11/21/17

FOLEY – During the Monday, Nov. 20 Foley work session, City Engineer Chad Christian gave an update on the 9th Avenue extension project, which has been accelerated to accommodate the new upcoming …

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9th Avenue Extension Update

Posted

FOLEY – During the Monday, Nov. 20 Foley work session, City Engineer Chad Christian gave an update on the 9th Avenue extension project, which has been accelerated to accommodate the new upcoming Foley Elementary School site.

The team is currently appropriating the funds from the capital plans to proceed with the survey and detail design of the project to extend the avenue to S. Hickory Street, as well as planning right of ways. The design plans will also give the team a detail cost estimate, and they are hopeful that no more budget funds will be needed for the project.

After speaking with the school board officials during Nov., Christian now has the time frame with which they will be working to fulfill the road.

“The school board needs delivery of the road by May of 2019, which is very doable,” said Christian. “I have also asked them for their site plan, and they said they would have something in hand to share with us mid-December.”

The road plans to this point are simple, with open channel drainage and possibly a shared-use path to the northside, which city engineers hope to have put in while building the road.

If there are no setbacks the team hopes that construction time will be in the six to seven-month range.

OTHER NEWS:

New city website: The council approved a resolution to contract with Global Marketing Solutions for a new city website. LaDonna Hinesley, marketing director for Foley, stated that the current website is becoming outdated, and the marketing staff is excited for the changes to come. The new site will be created by researching other municipal websites and taking the best features from each, all coming together to give Foley a modernized site. The new website will have a larger width, easier navigation, and will be easier for staff to make changes in terms of information and marketing.

Police Department: The council voted to approve making amendments to the FY18 budget regarding the hire date of two patrol officers in the PD. Currently, the city has budgeted for the hire of two patrol officers for the 3rd quarter in April. During the meeting, the request was made for the budget to be amended to hire the new patrol officers now after two officers were deployed. The department has a rookie course going on currently.

Trackless Train: The council approved appropriating funds for the purchase of a trackless train for the Caboose Club. The train that is being used now in Heritage Park is in need of replacement, and a new trackless train has been purchased and is being shipped to Foley to continue train rides through the park.