Orange Beach council approves multiple resolutions including facial-recognition software for police

The Orange Beach City Council on March 17 approved multiple resolutions and motions covering purchases, contracts and appointments.

Key approvals included a sole‑source purchase of a lifeguard tower from Bosch Enterprises for $82,835 and a task order with McCullough Associates for $68,800 to provide engineering services for renovation of the Old Finance Building. The council also adopted a resolution authorizing a software‑services agreement with ClearView for facial‑recognition services for the police department; the motion was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote in the transcript.

Other actions taken by the council included authorization of a GEOCON task order for geotechnical exploration for a preliminary soil study for the proposed new civic center ($8,565); a wetland assessment by Wetland Sciences ($2,750); granting underground electric easements to Baldwin County Electric Membership Corporation; awarding procurement bids for magnesium hydroxide slurry to Polytec and on‑call carpentry/electrical services for multi‑year unit pricing; reappointment of Joni Blaylock to the library board; and appointment of Stephen Lewis to the Orange Beach City Board of Education.

Several event‑related items also passed: a waiver of rental fees for the Baldwin Pops John Allen Memorial Scholarship Concert, contracts for event entertainment and approvals to proceed with sale negotiations for the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf (terms to be developed and brought back for further discussion). Most motions in the meeting were carried by voice vote; the transcript records the mayor or presiding officer declaring motions carried but does not provide roll‑call tallies for individual members.

The council did not vote on a final ordinance related to the beach event center at The Wharf during the March 17 meeting; council members said they will return with terms and additional discussion.