Orange Beach plans to upgrade Bear Point lift stations

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This summer’s heavy rains and lift station issues have caused flooding to occur in Bear Point, but city leaders said they hope new pumps will put an end to the problem.

During the July 6 committee of the whole meeting, Mayor Tony Kennon and Community Development Director Kit Alexander addressed the drainage issues in Bear Point.

“We received three inches here at city hall, Bear Point received anywhere from six to eight inches in a very short period of time. It was a significant rain event even though it didn’t seem that way here. They got a lot of water,” Alexander said.

Kennon explained that the city was in the process of repairing or purchasing replacements for two pumps that were not operating in Bear Point.

“The pumps continually get loaded up with trash and burn out. Hopefully, we can find some kind of grinder system to minimize the trash and flush it through, upgrade and shoot some grades and realign those for a better flow volume. We are immediately getting on the problem and hopefully if parts don’t back up, we’ll get it done as quick as possible,” Kennon said.

During the July 20 regular session, the city council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the sole purchase of equipment to upgrade the Bear Point Lift Station in the amount of $34,728 from Jim House & Associates, Inc. Two larger pumps with an accompanying control panel were required to upgrade the lift station to accommodate the growth in the Bear Point area.

During the July 20 regular session, the council:

  • Passed a resolution authorizing a task order with Thompson Engineering, Inc., to perform design, bid and construction administration services for repair/replacement of the Perdido Pass Seawall Park in an amount not to exceed $104,000.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing a task order with Sawgrass Consulting, LLC, to provide civil design, land surveying, construction engineering and inspection for a Waterfront Boardwalk from Sail Camp to GT’s on the Bay in an amount not to exceed $28,500.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing a task order with Sawgrass Consulting, LLC, to provide civil design, land surveying, construction engineering and inspection for Rosemary Trail Cabins in an amount not to exceed $45,000.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing a franchise for Kristi Lacole Bishop Hoop, Bama Beach Shuttle, to operate a shuttle service within the city limits.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with McCollough Architecture, Inc., for architectural services.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a professional service agreement with Barter & Associates Inc., for structural engineering and related inspection services in an amount not to exceed $15,000.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing execution of a professional services agreement with Jacob Morris for Fall 2021 Dinner Theatre performance direction for the Expect Excellence program.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the execution of a performance contract with Brandy Reeves for tennis instruction services.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of a Vacuum Pump Truck for the Utilities Department through Sourcewell in the amount of $417,617.99.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of a vehicle for the police department from state bid in the amount of $38,372.26.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing execution of Change Order No. 1 with Gravois Aluminum Boats, LLC, dba Metal Shark, for the police boat in an amount not to exceed $5,248.
  • Passed a resolution authorizing execution of a professional services agreement with Mary Courtney for Orange Beach Schools consultative services.