LaFayette City Council advances new city hall project
BY SAM VISE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — The LaFayette City Council took steps toward a new municipal headquarters and addressed key infrastructure needs during its meeting on Monday, July 27.
The council unanimously passed Resolution No. 2026-07-27-02, authorizing an agreement with Seay, Seay & Litchfield Architects to provide architectural design services for a new city hall located at 54 North LaFayette St. Funding for the design work will come from the city’s restricted Oil and Gas Trust Fund (Capital Improvement Fund).
“In [terms of] design services, mayor and council, you all need to decide what you want City Hall to look like so they can move forward on the design change,” City Clerk Louis Davidson said. “They’re going to lead us all the way through the walk-through.”
The council also unanimously approved Resolution No. 2026-07-27-01, awarding a $113,408 bid to Integrated Contractor for an emergency generator and switch project serving city utility infrastructure following an insurance claim.
“We have a recommendation from our engineer that works with our water plant superintendent on various projects to accept the low bid from Integrated Contractor,” Davidson said. “Even though it was a claim via insurance, we still had to follow our procedures by law when it comes to bidding certain projects out if they’re over a certain amount.”
Additionally, the council approved the purchase of a 2019 pickup truck with about 41,000 miles for $25,863 from ALDOT surplus to replace a broken-down vehicle for animal control.
The purchase is contingent upon a clean inspection by the city mechanic, with the council amending the current budget to fund the purchase out of city reserves. Davidson said while funds are being pulled from reserves to balance expenses, the city still maintains a $2 million CD in reserve.
In Other Business
The council approved the minutes from the July 13 regular council meeting and the CDBG Comprehensive Plan closeout hearing.
The council voted to work with the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission to target grant funding for two priority projects from the city’s 10-year plan.
The council authorized a request for proposal for a new citywide employee uniform contract.
The council authorized an RFP for pre-employment, post-accident and random drug testing services due to the closure of East Alabama Occupational Medicine.
The council approved account audits totaling $1,073,757.30.
The council heard a proposal on behalf of LaFayette High School to partner on a three-year lease for an $8,000 programmable Turf Tank robot to paint athletic fields used by the school and Parks and Recreation; the item will be placed on the next agenda for formal consideration.
Police Chief Christopher Trice officials provided a department update, noting that the police department is currently operating with eight to 10 officers out of 12 budgeted positions, which has contributed to recent overtime costs.
