City Hall Fayette, Alabama February 23, 2021  A regular meeting oft the City Council oft the City of Fayette met at 5:00 o'clock, p.m. on February Upon roll call the following were found to be present: Mayor Rod Northam, Councilmembers Virettia L. Whiteside, Eddy Campbell, Tommy Williams, Aliska Hughes-Monroe and. Jerry Nichols. Also present were City Clerk Dawn Clapp, City Attorney Dalel Lawrence and Police ChiefDanny Jenkins.  23,2021, int the Council Chambers oft the City Hall.  The opening prayer was given by Mr. Luke Porter. Councilmember Eddy Campbell led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mayor Rod Northam announced a quorum was present and the meeting was open for the Councilmember Nichols moved the minutes of the meeting held on February 9, 2021, be approved. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember Whiteside, it was unanimously approved. The Council presented Fayette Courty High School, Fayette Middle School and Fayette Elementary School with checks in the amount of $5,000.00 each. Dr. Jeremy Madden (FCHS), Mrs. Tonyal Freeman (FMS) and Dr. Alicial Nalls (FES) accepted the donations on behalf oft their schools. Dr. Alicial Nalls thanked the Council for their support and stated the funds would be used for new Mrs. Tonya Freeman thanked the Council for their support and stated the funds would be used to Dr.. Jeremy Madden thanked the Council for their support and statedt the funds would be used for Mr. Rick McCabe updated the Council on the financing of the City's current bond. He reviewed the three options the City had concerning refinancing the bond. The three options were as follows: The first option would be toj just refinance the current bond at the lower interest rate which would reducet the amount oft the City's annual bond payment. Under this option, the bond payment would drop approximately $22,000.00 per year resulting ina a savings of $370,000.00 over 17; years. The second option would be to refinance the current bond at the lower interest rate but keep the City's bond payment amount the same as the current bond payment. Under this option, the bond payments and maturity date would remain the same as the current bond and the City would receive The third option would be to refinance the current bond at the lower interest rate and extend the bond payments for an additional five years while keeping the new bond payment the same as the current bond payment. Under this option, the bond payment would remain the same as the current bond payment but the maturity date would be extended: 55 years and the City wouldi receive $1,000,000.00 at closing. Councilmember Campbell moved the City proceed with the second option. Upon the motion Mayor Northam reported the City had lost one ofi its longest serving employees, Mr. Joey Cosby. Mr. Cosby had worked for the City for almost thirty-five years. He died unexpectedly this past weekend.  transaction of business.  APPROVALOFMINUTES  PRESENTATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TOSCHOOLS  flooring and a marquee. improve the school.  an ACT Online Preparation Course.  BONDFINANCE  $350,000.00 at closing.  being seconded by Councilmember Nichols, the same was unanimously approved.  DEATIOEMRJORYCOSBY  Mayorl Northam asked everyone tor remember his family and friends int their prayers.    STAIEMENTOEMAYOR  Mayor Northam stated hel had a few comments to make about the recent article int the Washington "I want to make it clear that this Council will conduct business with the guiding principle of respect fore every, person. We will listen to concerns and we will not always agree, but we will give each person the respect that they deserve. Iwill not discuss issues on social media, those discussions will take place in person so that the issue is given my undividedattention and will not propagate, gossip. Iamj proud ofthed diversity that we have in our city. That diversity is what makes Fayette the great place that itis. We need many ideas and views to help us be the City of Opportunily, for everyone. The inconsistencies in this article were numerous. In our council meeting, many, facts were lef out and some were incorrect. The only things that were left in were to support a divisive narrative. This article could have been one of inspiration to those who have dreams and goals in life. We are in these roles to1 make a difference andl I will always try 10 deliver a message of inspiration. We are a city of unity and will not stand for this divisive narrative. The mention oft the potholes inl Ward4 4, when we have them all over town, but failing to mention the investment in improvements t0 Martin Luther King Drive. The mention ofr noj jobs, when our current unemployment rate is less than 3% and our businesses are having a hard time getting qualified people to1 work or even apply. Yes, we are learning about the city ordinances and the proper enforcement. We have a lot more to learn, but we are making progress to ensure that ifit is written down, we will do our best toj follow it. We have a caring municipal court whose goal is to help people, not punish them, but unfortunately, sometimes punishment is the last option to change the Finally, when itd came tot the election and campaigning, Ifound a mutual respect at each door that Iknocked on. No, not all of them were supporting me, but they respected that Imade the effort to visit them and that Irespected their, freedom of choice. That mutual respect is what has led me to never want 101 move from this city and will be what carries us 10 achieve the improvements that we want t0 seej for our Council, Iappreciate you) for all that you doj for the citizens of Fayette. You have come into office and worked diligently to help our people. Ilook, forward to working withi youj for many) years to come. Councilmember Nichols stated it takes courage to run for Council because you are putting Councilmember Whiteside stated the councilmembers arel here tos serve the citizens.  Post. His comments were. as follows:  undesired behavior.  citizens.  yourself out there.  AIRPORTCARES ACT APPLICATION  Mayor Northam reported the City could receive $9,000.00 from the CARES Act for the Airport if ita applied for the funds. Councilmember Whiteside moved that the City submit an application for the Airport for Federal assistance under the CARES Act. Upon the motion being seconded by  Councilmember Williams, the same was unanimously approved.  FAYETTEAREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE  Mayor Northam presented Fayette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danny White a $5,000.00 check pursuant to the contract with the Chamber to provide to the City services and programs for the promotion of the City and for recruiting industrial and manufacturing operations to locate within  the City.  BUSINESSI LICENSESOFTWARE  Mayor Northam reported he had received two quotes on business license software. He recommended the software from ETA Data Direct, Inc. ata a purchase price of $3,500.00 with a monthly support fee of $200.00 per month. He stated he would provide the Council with more information about how this compares to the City's current system. He would also investigate whether the assistant City  Clerk wouldr need another computer and printer.  RAILSTOTRAILS PROJECT  The Council discussed the Rails to Trail project. Some councilmembers were concerned about  walkers crossing Martin Luther King Drive because ofthe traffic on the street.    RESOWUTION2021-0 RESOLUTION: 2021-01 FUNDS OF TWENTY PERCENT  Mayor Northam presented Resolution 2021-01 to the Council for their consideration. Resolution Al RESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGTHE: SUBMITTAL OF Al RTP GRANT APPLICATION REQUESTING $400,000 INI RTP GRANTI FUNDS WITHTHE CITYI PROVIDING MATCHING WHEREAS, the City of Fayette has made it known their intention to apply to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for Recreational Trails Program(RTP) Funds to WHEREAS, said programs are limited to funding a maximum of $400,000 or eighty percent (80%) of the proposed project cost which will be used for construction of the first phase of the multi- NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Fayette City Council is authorizing the submittal ofa RTP Grant application requesting $400,000 in RTP Grant funds and will commit twenty percent ($100,000) matching funds for the construction phase ofthis project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in- the event the grant is awarded, the City of Fayette understands that it will sign assurances complying with all applicable Federal and State laws, rules, and ADOPTED. AND APPROVED by the City of Fayette, ont thist the 23rd day of February 2021.  2021-01 isasf follows:  construct Phasel of the City of Fayette Rails to Trails multi- purpose trail; and  purpose trail.  regulations.  THE CITY OF FAYETTE:  By:  Rod Northam, Mayor  Attest:  Dawn Clapp, City Clerk  Councilmember Williams moved the Council adopt Resolution 2021-01. Upon the motion being LOCALFOODS/LOS/LOCALPLACES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST Mayor Northam asked the Council whether it wanted to apply for technical assistance concerning the Local Foods/Local Places program. Councilmember Campbell moved the City proceed with the request fort technical assistance concerning the Local Foods/Local Places program. Upon the motion being  seconded by Councilmember Hughes-Monroe, the same was unanimously adopted.  seconded by Councilmember Whiteside, the same was unanimously adopted.  COVID-I9UPDATE  Mayor Northam stated the Covid-19 situation in the community is improving. He stated on January 22, 2021, there were 2,258 Covid-1 19 patients inl ICU: statewide. On February 22, 2021, there were Mayor Northam stated the local Walmart is giving approximately 200 vaccinations a week. Also, Dr. Fred Yerby continues to provide vaccinations and the Health Department is continuing its drive-thru  862 patients in ICUS statewide. vaccination program each Friday.  REPORTOEMAYOR  Mayor Northam stated the Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday is this weekend. Mayor Northam announced that a new business, Mendex Tire Center, has opened in Fayette. Mayor Northam statedt that there are still many. job opportunities in Fayette. [Councilmember Eddy Campbell was excused from the meeting at this point.]  EXECUTIVE SESSION  Councilmember Nichols moved the Council go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the consideration the City is willing to offer for the lease or purchase of certain real property. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember Hughes-Monroe, it was unanimously approved.    Councilmember Nichols moved the Council come out of executive session. Upon the motion There being no further business to co me before the Council, upon the motion to adjourn being made by Councilmember Nichols and seconded by Councilmember Whiteside, it was unanimously  beings seconded by Councilmember Whiteside, the same was unanimously approved.  ADJOURNMENT  approved.  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk