During its May 12 regular monthly meeting, the Fayetteville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved awarding a bid for a heating and cooling unit at the recreation building; approved a memorandum of understanding to help pay lifeguards at the pool during the summer; approved applying for a HOME grant and a clean water grant; and approved issuing two event permits.

A motion approving permits for Music in the Park for May 28, June 25, July 23 and Aug. 27 at Stone Bridge Park was made by Alderman Mike Keenan. The Fayetteville-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce requested the permits through the Fayetteville Police Department. Mayor Donna Hartman said the application was reviewed by the police department and sent to the BOMA by Chief Benny Jennings for approval. Vice Mayor Jeff Bradford seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.

Vice Mayor Bradford made a motion approving an event permit for Vacation Bible School at the First United Methodist Church. Mayor Hartman said the church holds the annual event on the lawn beside the church and Edison Avenue is blocked off. She said the application was also reviewed and approved by Chief Jennings before being sent to the BOMA for approval. Alderman Keenan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Alderman Dorothy Small made a motion to approve awarding the bid for a heating and cooling system for Parks and Recreation to Long’s Refrigeration, LLC for $36,486 with a five-year warranty. Mayor Hartman said the board reviewed the bids and discussed going with a five-year warranty rather than a one-year warranty. The HVAC is a York brand. Another bid was for a Trane unit with a one-year warranty was for $36,500. Alderman Tonya Allen seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

The next agenda item was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tennessee Youth Employment Program. “This comes to us through South Central Human Resource Agency (SCHRA) and is a grant where they will pay up to $3,500 per student or per employee,” Mayor Hartman said. “Most of these employees are the lifeguards (at the pool during the summer). This is a great opportunity for Parks and Rec to cover this cost for the summer.” The mayor said there will be a lapse for a short period and then it’s retroactive. “So the salaries will be completely paid up to $3,500 for each employee,” she said. The motion to approve the MOU was made by Alderman Keenan. Alderman Jeff Alder seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Two agenda items were budget amendments from the Fayetteville City Schools. First was FCS General Purpose FY26 Budget Amendment #3. Mayor Hartman said the amendment was for changes of figures from different accounts in the amount of $170,540.25. Alderman Keenan made the motion to approve budget amendment #3. Alderman Alder seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

The second request for the Fayetteville City Schools was Capital Budget Amendment #1 in the amount of $404,427.19. Alderman Small made the motion to approve the amendment. Alderman Alder seconded the motion. Voting to approve were Aldermen Small, Alder, Allen, Bradford and Joseph Faulkner. Alderman Keenan voted no.

Alderman Allen made a motion approving Resolution R-2026-13 to apply for a HOME Grant. Mayor Hartman said this comes to the BOMA from Planning and Codes. “We have received grant funds in the past,” she said. “We can apply for up to $750,000. This comes through the South Central Development District and could be anywhere from $100,000 to $750,000 if awarded. We will not know until the time it’s presented.” Alderman Faulkner seconded the motion. The motion carried with all six aldermen voting yes.

Officially known as the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the grant is a federal assistance program through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides funding to states and local governments to create affordable housing for low and very low-income families. It aims to expand the supply of decent and affordable housing and offers financial assistance for home purchase or rehabilitation.

Nathan Browning, director of Parks and Recreation, requested approval to apply for a $1,000 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Clean Stream Grant. The grant money “could be used to buy supplies such as rakes, work gloves and garbage bags, as well as to cover disposal fees for solid waste and tire removal or to provide promotional items such as project advertisements or T-shirt and refreshments for volunteer support,” as listed in the resolution. Mayor Hartman said there are no matching funds required from the City.

“I think they have plans for using the funds,” Mayor Hartman said.

Alderman Faulkner made the motion to approve Resolution R-2026-14 to apply for the TWRA Clean Stream Grant. Alderman Keenan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

The last item on the agenda was Ordinance 2026-09 COF FY26 budget amendment #12. Mayor Hartman said, “This is for $4,500 on animal control. This is a housekeeping measure in getting close to the end of the fiscal year.” Alderman Allen made the motion to approve the budget amendment. Alderman Keenan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

The meeting adjourned.