The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting Monday, April 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall.  Council members present were Marty Voiers, Carl Haight, Nancy Suit, Scott Manning, Meredith Story, and Robbie Graham.  Mayor Louie K. Flanery presided.

 

            Councilman Haight led the pledge of allegiance.  Minutes of the previous meetings were presented.  Councilman Manning moved to approve.  Councilman Haight seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

            Lynn Workman addressed Council on behalf of the FCCLA.  Workman stated that fifty FCCLA students qualified to compete on a national level in San Diego, CA.  Costs of the trip exceeded $20,000.  Workman asked Council to consider a donation toward these costs.  Students will be having fund raising projects to subsidize the costs as well.  The City donated $250 toward trip expenses in 2004.  Mayor Flanery referred the matter to the Finance Committee.

 

            Council discussed clean-up week and designated the week of June 6th through the 10th.

 

            City Attorney Tom MacDonald asked Council for recommendations on the draft of ordinance no. 5-05-1 pertaining to HB 373.  After a brief discussion, Council recommended that the tax rate limit on abandoned urban property be raised to the maximum allowed of $.75 per $100 of assessed value.

 

            Mayor Flanery presented resolution no. 05-04-1 regarding continuation of the museum project, authorizing the mayor to apply for $150,000 under the Transportation Equity Act.  Councilman Story moved to approve the resolution.  Councilwoman Suit seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

            Mayor Flanery presented a resolution and contract regarding municipal road aid for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005.  The initial apportionment will be $28,072.  Councilman Haight moved to approve.  Councilman Graham seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

            Mayor Flanery presented a resolution regarding the Buffalo Trace/Gateway Task Force stating that the City would provide up to $1,938.90 toward the match of any federal or state funds to assist in the continuation of an enforcement unit.  Funds are to be budgeted in FY 2006.  Councilman Voiers questioned putting money into a project and seeing no results.  It was noted that activities of the unit are confidential, but statistical reports may be available.  Councilman Haight moved to approve.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

            City Attorney Tom MacDonald stated that the E911 interlocal agreement would be sent to Frankfort this week.  Everything should be in place by July 1.  A meeting of the Dispatch Board was scheduled for Thursday, April 14th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the budget.

 

            Chief Danny Carpenter reported for the Safety Committee.  The parking ordinance, noise ordinance, and codes enforcement board were discussed.  The committee recommended that the codes enforcement board be put in place first.  All complaints would have to come before that board.

 

            Councilman Story reported that the Finance Committee was recommending a $500 Founders Day Scholarship.  The recipient should be a citizen of the city and a council member should be on the selection committee.  The Finance Committee discussed ways to promote annexation, but had no recommendations at this time.  Councilman Story asked the Mayor to refer the 201 Plan to the Finance Committee for further study.  A joint meeting of the engineers, representatives from Hillsboro and Ewing, and the finance committee was suggested.

 

            Mayor Flanery presented an update on repair work to the Newman building noting that the Council chamber could soon be relocated.  Councilman Voiers suggested wiring the building for a sound system and computers.

 

            Mary Jo Litton reported that there would be a community forum held at the high school Tuesday, April 12th, at 9:00 a.m.  High School National Honor Society students prepared a list of questions from which the Chamber of Commerce selected twenty-one pertaining to various community related issues.  Mayor Flanery, Councilman Graham, and Police Chief Danny Carpenter will be participating in the forum.

 

            Chief Carpenter reported that the Police Department was applying for a Service Fee Grant in the amount of $47,708.00.  The City would have a $2,507.00 match.  The grant would cover overtime hours, mileage at $.34/mile, and $10,000 for equipment; and would be renewable after one year. Grant funds would be for DUI and drug enforcement inside and outside the city limits. Chief Carpenter requested a letter of support from the Council; and noted that Representative Mike Denham was responsible for notifying the City of this grant opportunity.  Councilman Haight moved to approve.  Councilman Story seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

            Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing reported that water would be flowing from GFCRWC within two weeks.  Councilman Story questioned production at the water plant.  Dearing stated that production was down due to high levels of manganese in the reservoir.

 

            Public Works Superintendent Jim Compton recommended that bids on the following surplus property be accepted: boat and motor, Alvin Hunt, $150; ’94 ˝ ton pick up, Glen Robinson, $462.  Councilman Voiers reported a missing sign on Greenway.

 

            Codes Enforcement Officer Gene Schwartz reported that an application for a cell tower had been submitted.  A public hearing would be held on April 28th.  Councilman Story asked if any revenues such as franchise fees would be associated with the cell tower. Schwartz said there would not be any revenues.

Councilwoman Suit questioned the status of the property on Moss Lane, which was not connected to the City’s sewer system.  Schwartz confirmed that the property had no utility services, the water meter had been removed, and the property owner had refused to connect to city sewer.  The City had taken every action according to City ordinance and could do nothing else.  Councilwoman Suit expressed concern about living conditions with no utility services.  Councilman Voiers suggested the Health Department be contacted. 

 

            Councilman Story asked if police officers would check the streetlights when patrolling at night and report lights that are out.  Story also questioned if anyone had asked to take over court day.  Mayor Flanery stated that former members of the now disbanded Rescue Squad had expressed an interest.  They had also asked the City to sign their charter.  This would involve the City supplying an EMS director, a building and equipment, and insurance for the squad.  Mayor Flanery did not pursue the matter because the City could not afford the added expense.  No one else has expressed an interest in court day.  The Rescue Squad has funds to reimburse vendors who have prepaid for court day this year.  It was agreed that vendors should be notified right away if court day is cancelled so they can make other plans.

 

            Councilman Graham reported more complaints of a Pit Bull dog being loose on Garr Ave.  He also reported rumors of dogfights.  Graham noted a hazardous situation coming off of Elm and onto Mt. Carmel due to vehicles parking on the street.  This will be addressed in the parking ordinance.

 

            Councilman Haight reported positive feedback on the police department’s activities.  Haight also questioned the affect of the net profits tax.  Councilman Story noted that revenues were close to budget.  City Clerk Joy Roark stated that the filing deadline was April 15th.  Several returns have already been filed, but many were still due.

 

            Councilman Voiers questioned the status of vending machines on sidewalks.  Gene Schwartz stated that Pepsi had been contacted but would not cooperative, refusing to abide by City ordinance, so letters have been sent to property owners.  Voiers also asked about grants to repair sidewalks.  Mayor Flanery reported that the City had been turned down on a recent Tea21 grant for $300,000.  Mary Jo Litton suggested that repairing the sidewalks could be tied in with creating jobs for possible funding through Renaissance.  Voiers suggested the City consider a franchise fee ordinance pertaining to the telephone company’s fees.  The ordinance would need to be passed by July.  Otherwise all franchise fees would go to the state.

 

            Wastewater Superintendent Dale Clary was questioned about the status of an odor problem on Elizaville Ave.  Clary stated that the source had been narrowed down to grease traps at two locations.  One has already been repaired.

 

            Mayor Flanery reported that Jim Compton was nearly finished with the walkway bridge to be placed behind the Strawberry Methodist Church.  The Gazette should be moving in two – three weeks so renovation of the old depot will begin soon.

 

            There being no further business, Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.  Councilman Haight seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

 

 

                                                                                    _________________________

                                                                                           Louie K. Flanery, Mayor

 

 

 

ATTESTED:

 

 

 

________________________

Joy Story Roark, City Clerk

 

 

 

Date approved:  ___________