Speed limits, sports equipment highlight LaFayette Council meeting
BY SAM VISE
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — The LaFayette City Council met Monday, Aug. 10, to discuss youth sports investments, regional grant authorizations and local infrastructure updates.
Headlining the meeting was a renewed discussion regarding a funding proposal from LaFayette High School head football coach Douglas Jones Jr. for a Turf Tank — a GPS-guided field-marking robot designed to simplify lining fields for high school, middle school, flag and youth recreation sports.
Jones presented the proposal to the council, saying that high foot traffic on the fields rapidly wears out painted lines, requiring staff to remark fields up to twice a week.
“What a Turf Tank is, it is just a machine that is run by Google Earth to line the fields off,” Jones said. “It helps [with] labor. It helps on time. With us having heavy traffic on our football field now... that foot traffic, it kills the paint. We’re constantly killing the paint. So, that means we have to constantly mark the field off time after time.”
Jones noted that outdated equipment — including broken stencils and wooden hashmark boxes — adds unnecessary labor, taking time away from student-athletes. He said the automated system ensures precision, avoiding potential league fines for improper field dimensions while benefiting both LaFayette High School and the city’s Parks and Recreation programs.
The request sought a $2,500 contribution toward a three-year lease package, with $1,500 already allocated from Parks and Recreation funds, leaving a $1,000 gap for the city to cover.
During the discussion, Council Member Emily Milford voiced strong support for finding ways to invest in local youth activities.
“We need to give back to our youth,” Milford said. “We need to put emphasis on taking care of our younger generation.”
Following additional discussion regarding potential Chambers County Board of Education contributions and long-term budget commitments, the council voted unanimously to table the turf tank request to allow Jones time to explore additional funding streams and meet with Chambers County Superintendent Sharon Weldon.
In Other Business, the council:
Voted to reschedule its next regular meeting, originally set for Aug. 24, to Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Approved the purchase of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado with 40,000 miles from the state surplus website for $27,588 to serve the water treatment plant. The purchase remains within existing budget line surpluses.
Granted approval for superintendents at the water treatment plant and Millcreek Wastewater Treatment Plant to solicit chemical bids for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Adopted Resolution No. 2026-08-10-01, formally updating the multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan alongside Chambers County and local municipalities.
Approved Resolution No. 2026-08-10-02 appointing a five-person committee to score Request for Qualifications submissions for engineering services, and approved Resolution No. 2026-08-10-03 authorizing the formal submission and matching funds for an Appalachian Regional Commission grant application.
Passed Resolution No. 2026-08-10-04, authorizing a memorandum of understanding with Auburn University for the Green Up Grant to plant 25 shade and flower trees at the local park playground at no cost to city materials.
Police Chief Christopher Trice agreed to look into reducing the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph near the intersection of Drake Avenue and Hospital Street following safety concerns regarding speeding near school bus routes.
Approved the conveyance and transfer of cemetery deeds No. 1847 through No. 1850.
