By John Brice
Correspondent
The LaFayette City Council met on Monday, July 8th 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 Plant Superintendent Alan Gleaton and Wastewater Collection Superintendent Kevin Page 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 was a Day of Prayer for Chambers County Proclamation where it was declared “Whereas we as duly elected and appointed leaders of the City of LaFayette recognize our civil responsibilities to those whom we serve and we feel the obligation we have to dutifully fulfill our offices and carry out the function as mayor and council of the City of LaFayette and we humbly acknowledge our dependence upon God for wisdom, courage and power and upon the spiritual and moral support of all people of Chambers County and in so doing, we urge the support of all people in praying for their leaders, thus enabling them to direct and serve to the best of their abilities.”
Next up was local resident Randy Talley with a LaFayette City Cemetery, sidewalk, and drainage discussion. Talley highlighted issues with the driving surfaces inside the cemetery as well as an incomplete sidewalk adjacent to his residence which is located near the intersection of Highway 77 and Jane Street. Depressed topography at the Talley residence has also led to flooding issues and concerns over the nearby right of way were discussed.
Following that discussion was an announcement of a Handy Cemetery gazebo and stepping stones dedication ceremony on July 11th, 2024 at 3:00pm There was also a public hearing announcement for a discussion regarding the city’s application for FY2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program on July 11, 2024 at 5:00pm at the ALFA Building as well as a public hearing announcement for a discussion regarding the Section 5310 enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities on July 11th, 2024 at 5:00pm at the ALFA Building.
Resolution No. 2024-07-08-01 regarding the CDBG Planning Fund and resolution no. 2024-07-08-02 regarding Section 5310 were each motions approved with roll call votes. Conveying cemetery deed # 1772 to Johnny and Denise Maddox at LaFayette City Cemetery and conveying transfer cemetery deed # 1773 from Williams A. Parker to Randall Talley at LaFayette City Cemetery were combined into a single motion that was approved. At that point the motion to adjourn the meeting was approved.
