LaFayette City Council hears updates, approves business
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — At the May 4 LaFayette City Council Meeting, the council heard updates from local organizations and employees and approved regular business.
Mayor Kenneth Vines shared with the city council and the community that the city of LaFayette received a plaque to celebrate 45 years of partnership between the city and Energy Southeast, formerly AMEA.
Chief Facilities Officer and EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital Administrator Greg Nichols updated the council on the hospital and how it serves the area.
“About 18 months ago, Lanier converted to what’s called a rural emergency hospital,” he said. “It allowed Lanier to remain an emergency department, keep an emergency department in our area and also have all of our outpatient services, but we no longer have to have our inpatient services. Inpatient services are usually a financial drain on most hospitals, and so by making that conversion, not only are we able to serve in the community, but it also has provided financial stability to us where we can still continue to serve our area, so it’s been a good thing for us.”
City Clerk Louis Davidson revisited the codification of city ordinances, a topic discussed at a previous meeting, and said he was discussing options with a couple of companies that specialize in codifying ordinances for cities.
LaFayette Fire Chief Jim Doody shared an update on the LaFayette Fire Department and the unofficial rating of a three from the Insurance Services Organization, the result of the improvements in the score each year since he became chief.
“So unofficially, we’re an ISO three, which will save the average resident and business owner up to up to 5% on their homeowners insurance,” he said. “So the ISO rates us on our manpower, training, our equipment, water usage, water distribution and everything comes into play. So that’s kudos to the city for lowering our ISO rating to a three. The week of May 18 is EMS Week, and we want to support our heroes the best we can. We also want the citizens to be heroes as well. On Monday, May 18, we’re going to have the blood mobile at the new City Hall. So if you can give, I ask you to come out and help us support that effort.”
LaFayette Main Street Executive Director DeAnna Hand said she wants to encourage community members to shop local and attend an upcoming event full of fun and food.
“This month is Small Business Month, and I really urge you all to get out to your constituents and your family members to support our small businesses,” she said. “Again, they’re the heartbeat of our community, and we need to keep reminding them to shop local, to look local first for services and goods. So just this entire month, if you could all help us share that word to support our small businesses. And last but not least, this Friday, May 8, we have our Food Truck Festival. This is the start of summer, we do it in May and we’re really excited.”
In Other Business
• The council voted to approve the reading of minutes from the April 20 Special Called City Council Meetings.
• The council approved the quote for the repair of the #2 Raw Intake Pump.
• The council approved the change order for the Water Main Tie-In Project.
• The council voted to approve the sidewalk repair $5,000 big and the associated specs.
• The council voted to approve the account audit.
