LaFayette City Council hears updates, approves business

BY KADIE TAYLOR

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LAFAYETTE — At the Tuesday, May 19, LaFayette City Council Meeting, the council heard updates from the GVACC and approved regular business.

Executive Director of the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Carrie Wood presented the second quarterly report from the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

“In July, we will have Christmas in July, and we will announce the theme for this upcoming year’s Christmas parade,” she said. “We do know it, and I’m so excited. I want to say it now, but I’m not [going to]. It’s going to be beautiful. Also, we will announce the date for Rockingfest. We have that settled, and everything is secured for that as of this week for that as well.”

Dave Bechtel, of Utility Engineering Consultants LLC, presented an overview of the SFRS Forgivable Loan Project and the current condition of the Water and Wastewater System. 

“The SRF program stands for State Revolving Funds,” said Dave Bechtel. “They loan money out and revolve around and keep systems for water. First, I'm going to talk about the water plant. We replaced flockulators and media in the filters with the funds we received, that got some stuff up and running for Sabrina. But in the process, both your plants are over 20 years old. Plant life is 20 years, so y'all are running a risk. Not trying to scare you, all I know to do is tell it.”

In other business

• The council approved the reading of the minutes for the May 4 special-called meeting.

• The council approved the CDBG application from the East Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission regional planner. Council members Emily Milford, District A; Toney Thomas, District C; Charlene Story, District D; and Mayor Kenneth Vines voted yes, while District B Kim Langley voted no. 

“The Community Development Block Grant is a grant offered through ADECA, which is the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs,” said Elizabeth Herkert. “The small city fund is a grant up to $400,000, and it is primarily directed towards individuals and or residential areas that are low to moderate income.”

• The council approved the Senior Center Agreement amendment. 

“Historically, the Chambers County Commission has handled our transportation portion of our senior center grant, every meal to home-bound,” said Clerk Louis Davidson. “So, we received the van via a grant, and there were some questions on their part about whether or not their employees should drive that van, and then there were some other questions trying to add to it. There were some other questions about who would be responsible if something happened, who was covered. So, to make a long story short, they pretty much opted out of that. So, if we're going to continue delivering meals, and we need to opt in, this is the amended grant agreement to combat the transportation portion under our current agreement with these seven regional plans.”

• The council approved the Safer Streets for All Grant Program Resolution. 

“The Safety Action Plan serves as a strategic framework and policy decisions that improve transportation safety for county-maintained roadways in Chambers County,” said LaFayette Fire Chief Jim Doody. “The plan will assist Chambers County with addressing the objective and reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on county roadways.”

• The council discussed the plan to enforce the city of LaFayette's Business Licenses.

• The council voted to approve the audit accounts.

• The council voted to approve Resolution No. 2026-05-19-01, the Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) Program.

• The council voted to approve Resolution No. 2026-05-19-02, the Safer Streets for All Grant Program.

• The council voted to approve a Resolution No. 2026-05-29-03, regarding law services due to PFAs in the case of a class-action suit.

• The council voted to convey Cemetery Deed #1840 to Shynobia Jones at Handy Cemetery.

• The council voted to convey Cemetery Deed #1841 to Tobius Ray at Handy Cemetery.

There will be a public hearing at the Alfa Insurance building regarding a draft of the city of LaFayette's Comprehensive Plan.