City Council

The Fayette City Council distributed $5,000 to each of the three public school within the city during its Feb. 11 meeting. Councilwoman Linda McCraw was absent with all other council members present. Representatives from Fayette Elementary School, Fayette Middle School and Fayette County High School each accepted a check from the council, totaling $15,000 to the three schools. The money was appropriated to the schools in this year’s budget, contingent on funds being available.

The Fayette City Council, during its Jan. 27 meeting, voted three to three against an ordinance that would have allowed a referendum to permit Sunday alcohol sales within the city. Several citizens were in attendance at the meeting, with three citizens speaking in opposition to the proposed ordinance. Pastor Scott Davis from the Fayette First Baptist Church was the first citizen to speak in opposition to the ordinance.

The Fayette City Council held a work session on Tuesday, Jan. 7 to discuss several issues prior to its next meeting. All council members and Mayor Ray Nelson attended the work session. Councilman Cedric Wilson started the work session by addressing the salaries to be paid the 2020 incoming council members and mayor. “In my opinion, the mayor should be paid more than the highest-paid employee in the city.” Wilson said. “I also believe the mayor deserves benefits and an annual cost-of-living adjustment.”

The Fayette City Council held a brief meeting on Dec. 20 at the Fayette Civic Center, prior to the annual Christmas luncheon for city employees. Councilman Jerry Nichols was absent from the meeting, with all other council members and Mayor Ray Nelson present.

Former U.S. Senator and Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke to the Fayette City Council prior to the beginning of its business portion of the Dec. 10 meeting. Councilman Jason Cowart and Councilman Jerry Nichols were absent from the meeting, with Mayor Ray Nelson and the remaining council members present.

During its Nov. 26 meeting, the Fayette City Council approved the removal of a leaning tree from a resident’s property after the council determined that the city’s actions may have contributed to the damage. Councilman Jerry Nichols was  absent from the meeting with all other council members present. Malcolm Mostiller appeared before the council to state his case that a pipe placed in a drainage ditch by the city caused a flooding problem on his property and also caused a tree to lean.

The Fayette City Council heard a report from Chris Champion on the status of the Fayette Aquatic Park during its Oct. 22 meeting. Councilman Jason Cowart and Councilwoman Linda McCraw were absent from the meeting with the other council members being present.

The much discussed and debated “Rails-to-Trails” project appears to be back on track after the Fayette City Council reversed its vote from the last meeting and again authorized the purchase of the land from Norfolk-Southern Railroad during its Oct. 8 meeting. At the council’s Sept. 24 meeting, Councilman Jason Cowart made a motion that was seconded by Councilman Jerry Nichols to rescind the authority of the city to purchase the land.

The Fayette City Council approved its fiscal year 2020 budget during its Sept. 24 meeting. A local resident, Bobby Avant, led the council in prayer prior to the beginning of the meeting. He also addressed the council concerning the purchase of land from Norfolk-Southern Railroad for the proposed Rails-to-Trails. “My first observation is that the price the railroad is charging is outrageous,” Avant said.”The fact that a donor has come forth to help with the purchase does not make it any less egregious. Building the trail is also based on getting future grants that may not happen.”

During the Fayette City Council’s Sept. 10 meeting, a motion was approved to remove a proposed ordinance from consideration concerning Sunday alcohol sales in the city. All council members were present for the meeting. Councilman Jason Cowart made a motion to remove the ordinance from consideration, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Eddy Campbell. The motion was approved unanimously.