City Council

The Fayette City Council approved the building of new airport hangers during its Aug. 11 meeting. Councilwoman Linda McCraw was absent from the meeting. A proposal from Northwest Bama Builders was submitted to the council to build the hangers at a cost of $20,650. This was the lowest estimate received for the project. Airport manager Kip Madison said that there is a waiting list for hangers at the airport, and said that this appears to be a good time to build the additional hangers.

The Fayette City Council held a special called meeting on Monday, Aug. 10 to appoint poll workers for the upcoming municipal election. Councilman Jason Cowart and Councilwoman Linda McCraw were absent from the meeting. The council had previously appointed poll workers at an earlier meeting, but replacement workers had to be selected to replace the ones that would no longer be serving. The poll workers approved for the Fayette municipal election are: Electronic Machine Coordinator, Billy Joe Howton; Chief Inspector, Barry Lowe; Inspector, Dottie Brasher; and Chief Clerk, Anita Morris.

The Fayette City Council approved a change in benefits that will allow Tier II employees to receive  the same benefits as Tier I employees at retirement. Councilwoman Linda McCraw was absent, with all other council members present. Tier II employees were hired on or after Jan. 1, 2013, and most of the employees perform the same tasks that Tier 1 employees perform. Tier II employees have to pay a higher percentage into the retirement system and normally receive a lower retirement benefit.

The City of Fayette approved a sales and use tax abatement for Dal-Tile during its June 9 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. The abatements were approved due to the company’s recently announced $2 million dollar addition and expansion of its Fayette facility. Last month, Dal-Tile announced that it is closing its Lewisport, Kent. facility, which makes a product similar to the tile produced at the Fayette plant.

The Fayette City Council unanimously approved a motion at its May 12 meeting to proceed with the design phase to ultimately resurface the airport apron at Richard Arthur Field. Councilman Jason Cowart was absent from the meeting, with all other council members in attendance. Natalie Hobbs, senior airport engineer with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, told the council that the Airport Improvement Grant available this year for the project would be 100 percent funded due to the provisions of the recently passed Cares Act.

The Fayette City Council discussed placing two speed bumps in residential areas of town during its April 14 meeting. One of the speed bumps would be located on 9th Street NW and another on the adjoining 2nd Avenue NW. All council members were in attendance for the meeting. Councilman Cedric Wilson said that residents in the area have petitioned for the speed bumps since there are several children residing in the area. Wilson said that two children were almost hit by vehicles a few weeks ago.

The Fayette City Council held a work session on March 31 to discuss the city’s financial stability and actions during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. All council members were in attendance for the meeting. Prior to the council’s discussion of finances, an emergency situation was declared concerning one of the city’s pumps at the wastewater treatment facility. John Dill, manager of the wastewater treatment plant, told the council that one of the facility’s intermediate pumps had worn out and had to be replaced.

The Fayette City Council voted four to one to consent to the termination of employment for Fayette Police Officer Jason Nalls during its Tuesday, March 24 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson said that based on an investigation by the Fayette Police Department and at the recommendation of Fayette Police Chief Danny Jenkins, he also recommended that the employment of Officer Nalls be terminated.

The Fayette City Council set the dates and qualifying fees for the upcoming municipal elections during its March 10 meeting. All council members were present for the meeting. Mayor Ray Nelson announced that qualifying for the municipal election will occur from July 7 - 21. The municipal election will take place on Aug. 25, with the runoff election, if necessary on Oct. 6. The new mayor and council members will take office on the first Monday in November, which is Nov. 2.

The Fayette City Council voted at its Feb. 25 meeting to approve property tax and sales/use tax abatements for Showa Best Gloves due to the expansion of its current facility. Councilwoman Linda McCraw was absent from the meeting, with all other council members in attendance. Scott Robertson, plant manager of Showa Best Gloves, appeared before the council to request the abatements.