Work Session City Hall Fayette, Alabama January 21,2021  The City Council of the City of Fayette held a work session at 5:00 o'clock, p.m. on. January 21, 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 Dale Lawrence, Police Chief Danny Jenkins, and  2021, int the Council Chambers oft the City Hall.  Fire Chief Shannon Taylor. transaction ofbusiness.  The opening prayer was given by former Mayor Ray Nelson.  Mayor Rod Northam announced a quorum was present and the meeting was open for the Mr. Terry Acuff of Community Consultants reported to the Council on the "Rails to Trails" Project. Mr. Acuff reviewed with the Council the timeline of the City purchasing the rail corridor from Mr. Terry Acuffs stated the City was now in a position to apply for grants for the construction of the trail. He said the maximum grant the City could apply for is $400,000.00 with the City providing matching funds of $100,000.00. He said the initial estimate is based on a ten foot wide trail for diverse use. Mr. Acuff stated ift the City applies for the grant, it would probably be August of 2021 before the City is notified whether it will receive the grant. He said the City could do in-kind work as part of its Mayor Rod Northam asked what the consequences of not proceeding were. Mr. Acuff stated the corridor coulds sit there for a little while but ADECA expects for the trail to be built. He said based on the initial estimates, the $500,000.00 grant would probably be able to construct at trail from the Depot to State Highway 96. The $500,000.00 estimate prepared by Mr. Luke Porter did not include lighting. Councilmember Tommy Williams asked about why the proposed trial was 101 feet in width and not 12 feet. Mr. Luke Porter explained the original rail bed was 12 feet and keeping the trail to 10 feet Mrs. Toni Robertson said there were plans tor move the Farmers Market to an area close tot the rail Councilmember Hughes-Monroe expressed concern about lighting for the trail. Councilmembers Williams, Whiteside and Nichols also expressed concern about the need for lighting. Councilmember Councilmember Nichols stated he thought the most expensive part of the trail would be in the Mr. Acuff said if the City receives the grant, then probably construction would not start until spring of 2022. It was the consensus of the Council for the initial phase to extend from Martin Luther Mayor Northam stated $100,000.00 had been placed in the City budget for this grant. Mr. Terry Acuff stated the City would need to obtain 12 to 15 letters of support from local Mr. Terry Acuff reviewed with the Council other grant opportunities. He said the City was eligible to apply for a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) grant for sewer line rehabilitation  RAILSTOTRAILS) PROJECT  Norfolk Southern.  match.  would limit costs because the City would not have to build up a shoulder.  corridor.  Nichols also expressed concern about the potential need for fences. downtown areai from the Depot tol Martin Luther King Drive. King drivet tot the Depot or, ifp possible, 2nd Avenue (Hwy171).  citizens orr merchants.  GRANTOPPORIUNIIES  and/or drainage issues. The CDBG grant requires a 10%1 to 20% match. Mr. Acuff stated the otherg grant opportunities were as follows: Economic Development grants are available.    Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants are not available because the City is doing TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) grants are available for sidewalk rehabilitation and downtown streetscape. The TAPGrant can be for up to $650,000.00 witha2 20% match. EDA (Economic Development Administration): grants are available. ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) grants can be used for sewer line extension and rehabilitation. These grants can be upt to $200,000.00 with a 30% to 50% match. Mr. Acuffs said ifthe Council would provide him withi its priorities, he woulds see ifthere are grant Mayor Northam stated on December 31, 2020, the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funds to pay salaries/wages of employees who were out due to COVID impacts ended. He said now when someone is out with COVID, the employee will be using accrued sick time or Mayor Northam said the CARES Act provided up to 80 hours of leave for City employees at 2/3rds of their regular pay. He said the City paid the employees 100% of their regular pay instead of the The Council discussed the implementation ofa COVIDI Leave Policy for the City. Aftera a general discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the City implement a policy soO that City employees would receive up to 80 hours of pay at 100% of their regular rate if they test positive. Also, it was the consensus oft the Council that an employee would not come back to work unless they tested negative. The Council asked the Mayor to draw up and present the COVID Leave Policy to the Council at its next Mayor Northam stated the Council could revisit the policy in a few months. He stated the 80 There being noi further business to come before the Council, upon the motion to adjourn being made by Councilmember Nichols and seconded by Councilmember Whiteside, it was unanimously approved.  the Recreational Trail Project  funds available.  COVIDLEAVEI POLICY DISCUSSION  vacation time. He statedt this is consistent with what the County is doing.  2/3rds.  meeting for approval.  hours of leave for employees would: start from. January 1,2021.  ADIOURNMENT  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk