Fayette Civic Center Fayette, Alabama December 20, 2019  A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Fayette met at 10:30 o'clock, a.m. on Upon roll call the following were found to be present: Mayor Ray Nelson, Councilmembers Linda McCraw, Eddy Campbell, Jason Cowart and Cedric Wilson. Also present were City Clerk Dawn Clapp, City Attorney Dale Lawrence, Police Chief Danny Jenkins and Fire Chief Shannon Taylor.  December 20, 2019, att the Fayette Civic Center. Councilmember Jerry Nichols was absent.  The opening prayer was given by Mr. Bobby Avent.  Mayor Ray Nelson announced a quorum was present and the meeting was open for the Councilmember Campbell moved the minutes of the regular meeting held onl December 10, 2019, be approved. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember McCraw, it was unanimously  transaction ofb business.  APPROVALOFI MINUTES  approved.  PARADEI PERMIT  Mayor Nelson presented a request for Parade Permit for the Dr. Martin Luther King Day March tobeh held on. January 20, 2020, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Councilmember Wilson moved the Council grant the Parade Permit. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember McCraw, the same was  unanimously approved.  PARADE PERMIT  Mayor Nelson presented a request for Parade Permit for a fireworks display to be held at Southside Park onl December. 31, 2019, from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Councilmember Cowart moved the Council grant the Permit. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember McCraw, the same was  unanimously approved.  MAYORANDCOUNCILMEMBERS SALARY  Councilmember Wilson addressed the Council concerning the salaries oft the Mayor and Council. Councilmember Wilson asked the Council to consider whether they wanted to raise the Mayor and  Council members' salaries and decide ont the benefits, ifany, that willl be provided.  WORK SESSION  Mayor Nelson stated a' Work Session willl bel held on. January 7,2020, at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. Fire Chief Shannon Taylor reviewed with the Council the Alabama First Responders Benefits Program. Act 2019-361 goes into effect on. January 1, 2020. This Act requires municipalities to providea supplemental cancer policy to its firefighters and first responders. This coverage is mandatory and provide benefits during and after employment or retirement. Coverage is mandated for 10 years post Chief Taylor reported the City would incur the following cost: (1) paid firefighters $186.48 per year; (2) certified volunteer firefighter $186.48 per year; and, (3) Non-certified volunteer firefighter- $138.48 per year. Thet total cost to the City per. year for its paid firefighters would be 1,491.84.  ALABAMA FIRST RESPONDERS BENEFITS PROGRAM  separation with ane employer or department.  VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS  Fire Chief Shannon Taylor addressed the matter of recruiting and retaining certified volunteer firefighters. He said to recruit and retain certified volunteer firefighters, the City would provide supplemental cancer coverage and access tot the Alabama Firefighters Annuity andl Benefit fund. Inorder to be eligible for these benefits a volunteer firefighter must meet the following requirements: (1) pass a NFPA physical; (2) pass a background check; (3) be an active member for 12 months; (4) successfully complete CVFF 160; (5) maintain active participation within the department; and, (6) meet the minimum continuing education requirements. Chief Taylor said the cost per volunteer meeting these requirements would be $426.48 per year. He reported there are currently no volunteers meeting these requirements.    Chief Taylor reviewed with the Council the total compensation paid to volunteer firefighters over the past few years. He reported as follows: volunteer compensation for 2014 - $4,563; 2015-- $7,255; and, 2016- - $3,595. This resulted in an annual average of $5,137.67. ChiefT Taylor stated for the same amount the City can incentivize 12 volunteer firefighters to seek and maintain certification by providing Chief Taylor stated adopting this proposal would work in conjunction with new training and participation procedures for the Fire Department. Volunteers would be required to attend training and incidents to maintain eligibility for the benefits instead of being compensated to attend training. He said, Ina addition, maintaining certified firefighters would boost the City's ISO rating and provide for  benefits in lieu ofc compensation.  additional trained personnel.  APPROVAL OF EINANCIALSTATEMENT  Councilmember Wilson moved the City's financial statement be approved. Upon the motion Councilmember McCraw moved the Park & Recreation financial statement be approved. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember Campbell, the same was unanimously approved. There being no further business to come before the Council, upon the motion to adjourn being made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Cowart, it was unanimously approved.  being seconded by Councilmember McCraw, the same was unanimously approved.  APPROVALOFI PARK & RECREATION FINANCIALS STATEMENT  ADJOURNMENT  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk