FOLEY — The City of Foley is considering shedding some new light throughout the city by experimenting with LED technology, which will last longer and use less energy resulting in long-term savings for the city.

Bravo Zulu, a technology company specializing in communications and monitoring technology gave a presentation to the city council on Monday. The presentation detailed the benefits LED light technology could have for the city, and ways the technology could be implemented throughout the city. One of the main benefits of this company’s LED technology is an included sensor system, which detects motion to turn the lights on when cars or people are nearby and dims the lights, using less power when no one is nearby.

All the council members were impressed by the presentation and eager to see the technology in action locally. Bravo Zulu’s owner Ronald Peaslee told the city council he would be happy to set up some of his LED lights to prove to the council his products work and will reduce the energy bill. Peaslee also pitched other technologies to the council, including GPS tracking of officers and other potential uses of his company’s technology for first responders.

Peaslee claimed the life expectancy of his LED lights would reach 20 years, with a guaranteed warranty of 10 years. He also told the council the LED lights would provide the same lighting for a fraction of the cost. Depending on the electricity cost, Peaslee believes LED lights could save the city 50 percent of current energy bills and knock maintenance costs down to almost nothing because the bulbs will not need to be replaced for at least a decade.

No decision was made regarding the placement of LED lights in Foley, but the council is considering the possibility.

 The council voted unanimously to pass a resolution accepting grant funds from the district attorney’s solicitor’s funds. The grant will provide $1,936 to the municipal court for the purchase of equipment.

Police chief David Wilson approached the council for approval to accept a quote from CMS Mechanical Services, LLC for repairs necessary to the air-handling units at the Foley Justice Center. The necessary work will cost $5,500 and according to Wilson, the work is necessary to fix the mold problem currently facing the building. Faulty air handlers have caused the mold.

Wilson also got approval from the council to convert a patrol officer position within the police force to an an investigator position. They will still maintain their patrol officer duties. Wilson said the police department has been going through restructuring for the past few years and this conversion will bring the number of investigators to where the department needs to be.

Fire Chief Joey Darby approached the council for its approval to allow the fire department to apply for a $20,000 grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Darby plans to use $10,000 to purchase a robot called Freddie the Fire Engine. The Foley Fire Department borrowed a model from a neighboring fire department for a test drive. According to Darby, all of the children loved it. Darby plans to use the rest of the grant money, if awarded, to enhance the department’s smoke detector and CPR education programs. The grant requires a 5 percent match from the city, which will equal $1,000 if the department is awarded the grant. The grant will not be awarded until the end of the current fiscal year, so the funds will not need to be budgeted until next year.

Councilman Charles Ebert approached the council to acquire a model train set with houses to go with it. A private donor is willing to give the set, which includes at least 60 buildings; a train set and assorted accessories, including a miniature Miss Foley boat. The donor is no longer able to maintain the display. The council is currently considering where to display the collection because it is rather large.

Foley received a final estimate from BP for a loss of revenue settlement for the fiscal year of 2010. Mayor John Koniar called it “the gift that keeps on giving,” because the final amount of $582,000 awarded to the city is drastically more than the original estimate of $498,000. Koniar also announced he would be meeting with BP and claims officials, along with Donna Watts from the South Baldwin Chamber, regarding claims which need additional consideration, including denied or insufficient claims.

In other council news:

The council passed a resolution postponing the retirement of Perry Wilbourne until April 17.

Wilbourne agreed to postpone his retirement for three months so he would be available to help transition the new city clerk.

The council voted to allow the Boy Scouts to use the civic center and waive the fees for a banquet on March 24 and will allow the Cub Scouts to do the same on March 4. The council also agreed to allow the American Cancer Society to use the gazebo in Heritage Park on April 8 and waive the fees. The council will also sponsor the American Cancer Society financially as a silver level sponsor for the year.