Foley City Council Tackles Packed Agenda With Liquor License, Capital Projects Monday

The Foley City Council will gather Monday, July 20, for its regular work session and meeting, beginning at 4 p.m. in the council chambers at Foley City Hall. The session carries a lengthy agenda that touches nearly every corner of city government, from neighborhood property concerns to capital projects.

Two public hearings top the afternoon’s business, both addressing property maintenance concerns raised along West Fig Avenue and West Palm Avenue.

Before turning to regular business, the council plans to pause for a celebratory moment, presenting the Foley Revitalization and Beautification Awards to recognize residents, businesses or organizations that have contributed to the appearance and upkeep of the community. The council will also receive a round of departmental reports from Planning and Zoning, Police, Building, Fire and Human Resources.

Among the more closely watched items on the agenda is a request to grant a restaurant liquor license to Xian Noodle Place, a step required under Alabama law before a food service business can serve alcohol. The council is also expected to consider reappointing members to city boards.

Capital projects make up a significant portion of Monday’s discussion. Council members are set to review plans for replacing the lobby flooring at the city’s Event Center, along with a slate of improvements at the Foley airport.

The agenda also includes amendments to library policies, declarations of surplus city property, and approval of various contracts. Pedestrian safety is on the table as well, with proposed enhancements planned along U.S. 98 aimed at making the busy corridor safer for people on foot. On the financial side, council members will take up budget matters that include funding for street improvements and the renewal of the city’s reinsurance coverage, a policy that helps protect Foley against large, unexpected financial losses.

Rounding out the agenda are considerations of fee waivers for Beulah Heights Park and a discussion of property reconveyance options tied to IRH Foley LLC.

The meeting is open to the public, and residents interested in any of the items are encouraged to attend the 4 p.m. work session and meeting at Foley City Hall.

How a restaurant liquor license is approved

In Alabama, retail alcohol licenses are issued by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, but the board generally will not grant a license for a business inside a city until the city’s governing body has approved the application. That is why requests like the one from Xian Noodle Place appear on city council agendas: the council’s vote is the local sign-off, after which the application returns to the ABC Board for final action.