By John Brice
Correspondent
The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, October 14th of 2024 at the Chambers County Farmers Federation Agricultural Center at the ALFA building in LaFayette. In attendance were Mayor Kenneth Vines, Councilman Terry G. Mangram, Councilman David Ennis, Councilman Toney B. Thomas and Councilman Michael C. Ellis. Assistant City Clerk Diane W. Perry, City Attorney Joseph M. Tucker, Fire Chief James Doody, Street, Sanitation and Cemetery Superintendent George Green, Electric Superintendent Chris Sanders, Wastewater Collection Superintendent Kevin Page, Wastewater Plant Superintendent Alan Gleaton and LaFayette Police Department Chief Christopher Trice were also present. The meeting began with an invocation led by Mayor Vines and standard procedures such as roll call as well as approval of the minutes from the previous meeting.
First up on the agenda was Blessed Body and Fitness Gym business owner Mrs. Pamela Whitlow Holloway with an announcement of the 3rd Annual All Cancer Dancing for a Cure Health Fair event that she is organizing. Dubbed “taking it back to da streetz”, the all cancers awareness health fair will be dancing in the streets for a cure on November 3rd at 3pm CST in downtown LaFayette with a long list of special guests leading activities which will include zumba, wipeout and line dancing groove.
Next up was local resident Robert Gardner with a Public Record Custodian discussion in which he requested clarification on who the contact person would be at the city for such inquiries. Attorney Tucker explained that the clerk’s office would be the starting point for any such request who would then direct these queries to the correct department.
Chief Trice then took to the podium to recognize Sgt. Jacob Williams whose ten years of service with the LPD has been distinguished by his consistent efforts in support of community outreach programs. Trice also made an introduction for new LPD Officer Hunter Rogers who was warmly welcomed by the Mayor and Council. Mayor Vines took the opportunity to reflect fondly of the time during his tenure as LPD Chief ten years ago when he first hired Officer Williams before his own retirement from the department. Following that a motion was approved to set the salary for newly confirmed Chief Trice.
Allen Tucker from Harmon Engineering & Contracting Co., Inc. was next at the podium with a request for authorization to allow the City Clerk to seek bids for the purchase of thirty-five new fire hydrants. Harmon also requested authorization to advertise for the fire hydrant replacement/installation project. Both requests were motions which were approved. Chief Doody came to the podium afterwards to clarify details of the prioritized purposes and locations of the new hydrants that will be installed.
Attorney Tucker took to the podium next to review claims against the city by residents Destiny Beard, Pebble Hill, Faye Moore Scott and Lorie Story which the council all voted to deny. These notices of claim all involved alleged property damage done to vehicles and homes which Attorney Tucker advised that the city was not legally liable for.
Councilman Thomas followed next by calling Chief Doody, Chief Trice and Superintendent Green up to the podium to praise them for their hard work in meticulously repainting the exterior of the LaFayette Senior Center. Superintendent Green stayed at the podium to discuss various infrastructure concerns in the city which included safety railings on Hospital Street as well as leaking roofs at the old city hall and police department buildings.
Mayor Vines then took the time to relate the story of an interaction he recently had with out of state visitors who complimented the cleanliness of downtown LaFayette and Vines then complimented Green and his department for the outstanding work they do in maintaining the city. Rounding out the meeting was a revisiting of the AT&T Pole attachment audit memorandum of understanding agreement as well as the Rebuild Alabama Transportation plan which were both approved by roll call votes. Finishing out the evening was five cemetery deeds being conveyed that were combined into a single motion which was approved and the meeting was adjourned.
