City Hall Fayette, Alabama September 24, 2019  A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fayette met at 5:00 o'clock, p.m. on Upon roll call the following were found to be present: Mayor Ray Nelson, Councilmembers Linda McCraw, Eddy Campbell, Jason Cowart, Cedric Wilson and Jerry Nichols. Also present were Police Chief Danny Jenkins, City Attorney Dale Lawrence, City Clerk Dawn Clapp and Assistant City  September 24, 2019, int the Council Chambers of the City Hall.  Clerk Sherry Fowler. transaction of business.  The opening prayer was given by Mr. Bobby Avant.  Mayor Ray Nelson announced a quorum was present and the meeting was open for the Councilmember Wilson moved the minutes oft the regular meeting held on September 10, 2019, bea approved. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember Nichols, it was unanimously approved.  APPROVALOFI MINUTES  GUESTS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL  1. MR.E BOBBYAVANT- - Railst to Trails Project  Mr. Bobby Avant spoke tot the Council concerning the Rails to Trails Project. He said the price Norfolk Southern Railway is charging is "highway robbery." He said the project is based on the City applying for and receiving grants to pay for the construction oft the trail. He said the City may or may not  receive the grants and this needs tol be taken into consideration.  20201 BUDGET. ADOPTED  Mr. Rick McCabe presented to the Council the proposed budget for the 2020 fiscal year. He stated the budget includes $6.75 million in revenue and $6.7 million in expenses. The proposed budget includes a 3% COLA: raise for City employees. He stated the capital expenditures includeai fire truck and $500,000.00 in additional paving projects besides the 25th Street and gth Avenue Project. After a general discussion, Councilmember Wilson moved the proposed budget for the 2020 fiscal year be adopted. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember McCraw, the following vote  was taken: AYES: NAYS: ABSTAIN:  Mayor Nelson, Councilmembers McCraw and Wilson Councilmembers: Nichols and Cowart Councilmember Campbell  Councilmember Cowart said there are certain employees in the budget who are to receive a raise in addition to the 3% COLA raise. Councilmember Cowart asked for the names of those who are The following are those employees scheduled to receive a raise besides the 3% COLA raise: Assistant City Clerk Sherry Fowler ($1.50 per hour); City Clerk Dawn Clapp ($2,000.00); Park & Recreation Director Lance Holliman ($2,000.00); and Waste Water certified operator Matthew Buckner Councilmember Cowart asked how did these employees come to be recommended for a raise and Councilmember Campbell stated he recommended Matthew Buckner for a raise because he was Councilmember Cowart said a City of Tuscaloosa Police Officer was killed last week and he wantedt tol know if someone was getting a pay raise that would push their salary above the Police Chief's. Councilmember Cowart said one of the person's salary, if given the proposed raise, would exceed the Police Chief's. He said the employees who don't receive a special raise are going to be disgruntled. He said his problem with the special raises was philosophical. He did not like picking and choosing without more information. He said he did not have anything against the individuals in line for special raises, but  receiving the special raises and the amounts they are receiving.  ($2,000.00). the others were not.  now a certified operator att the Waste Water Treatment Plant.  was more concerned with those who were not receiving them.    Councilmember Wilson said the City had given a COLA raise and a special raise in the past. Councilmember Cowart said this had been done before he came on the Council. Councilmember Wilson stated Assistant City Clerk Sherry Fowler had done a great job. He said no one on the budget committee opposed the special raises during the Budget Committee Sessions. Councilmember Cowart said that no  onel had agreed to give or not give these raises.  Councilmember Nichols said there are other department heads who were also deserving ofa  special raise.  [Councilmember McCraw was excused from thei meeting at this time.]  PARADEI PERMIT  Mayor] Nelson presented to the Council ai request for a permit for thel Frog Level 5K run through Guthrie Smith) Park on October 5, 2019. Councilmember Wilson moved the permit be granted. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember Campbell, thes same was unanimously approved.  PARADE PERMIT  Mayor Nelson presented to the Council a request for a permit for the Boy Scouts Fishing Rodeo. Councilmember Nichols moved the permit be granted. Upon the motion being seconded by  Councilmember Cowart, the same was unanimously approved.  HOUSING AUTHORITY, APPOINTMENT  Mayor Nelson stated based on the recommendation of the Housing Authority, he was appointing Mr. Luke Porter stated ST Bunn Construction Company, Inc. was the only bidder for the gh Avenue and 25th Street Project with a bid of $232,774.94. He recommended the bid be awarded to ST BE ITI RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Fayette thati it hereby awards the bid for the gth Avenue and 25th Street Project tot the lowest responsible bidder, ST Bunn Construction Company, Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember Wilson, the same was unanimously approved.  Ms. Linda Whitson tot thel Board oft the Housing Authority oft the City ofl Fayette.  PAVINGPROECT  Bunn. Councilmember Cowart moved the Council adopt the following resolution:  RESOLUTION  Inc., int the amount of$232,774.94.  FAYETTE CIVIC CENTER ROOFINGI BIDS  Mr. Luke Porter stated thel Fayette Civic Center roof was still under warranty and therefore Atlas Roofing was going to pay for replacing the existing roof system. Two bids were received for replacing the roof. One bid was from Mid-America Roofing, Inc. in the amount of $53,996.00 and the other was Mr. Porter recommended the Council award the contract tot the low bidder Mid-America Roofing, Inc. for $53,996.00. After a general discussion, Councilmember Cowart moved the Council adopt the BEI ITI RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of] Fayette thati it hereby awards the bid for replacing the Fayette Civic Center roofing system to the lowest responsible bidder, Mid-America Upont the motion being seconded by Councilmember Wilson, the same was unanimously approved.  from Bamal Roofing int the amount of $54,675.82.  following resolution:  RESOLUTION  Roofing, Inc., in the amount of$53,996.00.  OLDE BUSINESS  1.REFERENDUME ON SUNDAY ALCOHOL: SALES.  The City Attorney stated the ordinance authorizing and setting the date for a referendum on Sunday alcohol sales could be done at the same time the Council adopts the ordinance for the municipal elections. He recommended the referendum be authorized and scheduled by separate ordinance.    2."RAILS TOTRAILS-PROECT almost a million dollars fora a walking trail.  Councilmember Cowart asked whether the Council wanted to put the City "on the hook" for Councilmember Cowart moved the Council halta and rescind the authority toj purchase the railroad property. Upon the motion being seconded by Councilmember Nichols, and after a general discussion, the  following vote was taken: AYES: NAYS:  Councilmembers Cowart, Nichols, Wilson, Campbell  Mayor Nelson  Councilmember McCraw had been excused from the meeting earlier.]  Mayor Nelson stated the motion passed.  Councilmember Nichols had concerns about the financial burden it could place on the City. He stated as significant part of the trail is in the County. Councilmember Campbell stated he had concerns  also.  APPROVALOFI FINANCIALSTATEMENT  Councilmember Wilson moved the City's financial statement be approved. Upon the motion Councilmember Nichols moved the Municipal Court financial statement be approved. Upon the Councilmember Cowart moved the Park & Recreation financial statement be approved. Upon the  being seconded by Councilmember Campbell, the same was unanimously approved.  APPROVAL OFI MUNICIPAL COURTFINANCIALSTATEMENT APPROVALOFPARK & RECREATIONF FNANCIALSTATEMENT  motion being seconded by Councilmember Wilson, thes same was unanimously approved.  motion being seconded by Councilmember Campbell, the same was unanimously approved.  COUNCIL-MEETING ADJOURNMENT  Mayor Nelson announced the next Council meeting scheduled for October 8, 2019, will start at There being no further business to come before the Council, upon the motion to adjourn being made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Nichols, the same was unanimously  4:30p.m.  approved. Attest:  Mayor  City Clerk