City Council

Scott Davis, pastor of Fayette First Baptist Church, addressed the Fayette City Council at its Aug. 27 meeting concerning a proposed ordinance to sell alcohol on Sundays. “I felt kind of blindsided and disappointed when I saw in The Times-Record that Sunday alcohol sales are being considered by the council,” Davis said. “I opposed the sale of alcohol in the city, and I want to go on record opposing Sunday alcohol sales. I’m against alcohol sales of any kind and I will always speak out in opposition.”

During its Aug. 13 meeting, the Fayette City Council took the first step toward considering the passage of an ordinance that would allow for Sunday alcohol sales. All council members were present for the meeting. Councilman Jason Cowart said the Alabama legislature passed a law this year that allows municipalities already selling alcohol to pass an ordinance to sell alcohol on Sundays between the hours of noon and 8 p.m.

During a special called meeting on July 16, the Fayette City Council voted to purchase the land from Norfolk Southern Railroad to build a walking trail. Councilman Jason Cowart was absent from the meeting with all of the other council members present. Mayor Ray Nelson scheduled the meeting during the council’s regular meeting last week for the expressed purpose of voting on the issue concerning the “Rails-to-Trails” land purchase.

Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson said at the June 25 meeting of the Fayette City Council that he wanted the city to try one more effort to find the means for the proposed Rails-to-Trails. All council members were present for the meeting. Nelson said that he received a letter from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), dated June 17, stating that the city has 30 days to notify ADECA of its “intent or lack thereof to proceed with the (Rails-to-Trails) project.”

The Fayette City Council heard a presentation at its June 11 meeting from Fayette County resident Greg Lowery concerning the growing, production, manufacturing and distribution of hemp-related products in Fayette County. Councilman Jason Cowart was absent from the meeting due to an obligation with the National Guard. All other council members were present for the meeting. “Hemp is not marijuana. Hemp is not illegal,” Lowery told the council and the audience in attendance. “Hemp production can help save the family farm.”

Following the Fayette City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on May 28, the Fayette City Council held a lengthy work session to primarily discuss the proposed “Rails-to-Trails” project.
Councilman Jerry Nichols, Councilwoman Linda McCraw and City Clerk Dawn Clapp were absent from the meeting. Assistant Clerk Sherry Fowler assumed the duties of Clapp at the council meeting.

The Fayette City Council heard an update on its paving project, and the monthly fire and police reports at its May 14 meeting. Councilman Cedric Wilson was absent from the meeting with all other council members in attendance. City Engineering Consultant Luke Porter said that the county commission is not being able to get an advance payment for paving that was to be used for its joint project with the city. He said that the new “Rebuild Alabama Act” changed the way that money is now distributed to the counties.

The Fayette City Council unanimously approved the transfer of West Alabama TV Cable to Spectrum/Charter Communications during its April 23 meeting.  All members of the council were present for the meeting.

A local resident addressed the Fayette City Council at its March 26 meeting concerning the condition of the streets on Martin Luther King Drive and the speed of vehicles traveling the streets. Councilman Jerry Nichols and Councilman Eddy Campbell were absent from the meeting.

The Fayette City Council received a monthly report from the fire and police chiefs in addition to hearing an update on the former Cotton Mill property litigation during its March 12 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Prior to the beginning of the meeting, local resident Bobby Avant offered prayer. Avant also spoke breifly to the council concerning his experience as a visitor to a recent Fayette Municipal Court proceeding.