There was a regular meeting of the Flemingsburg City Council Monday, December 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the city Annex. Council members present were Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Mayor Louie Flanery presided.

Councilman Alexander led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the November meetings were presented. Councilman Story moved to approve. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Fire Chief Jerry McCloud presented the annual fire department report.

City Clerk Joy Roark presented the second reading of Ordinance No. 12-07-1 regarding the Occupational License Tax. Councilman Manning moved to approve. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. A roll call was given with all voting in favor.

The Muses Mills Fire Dept. presented the lone bid on the 1965 fire truck, which was designated as surplus property. Mayor Flanery noted that the truck was advertised as a 1964 model, but the title shows it is a 1965. Councilman Story moved to accept the bid of $1750.00 from the Muses Mills Fire Dept. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Councilman Story presented an update on prepaid natural gas. Three programs have been reviewed, ProAlliance, PEAK, and Atmos. Councilman Story noted that the ProAlliance program had several stipulations that made it less desirable than the other two. PEAK required a twenty year contract before substantial savings could be recognized. There was also the issue of funding the prepaid gas with revenue bonds and concern that they had no other customers using Columbia Gas. Story felt that Atmos offered the most attractive program and noted that they already had local customers. Atmos can provide all the same services that Energy Management currently supplies.

Councilman Story reported that he and City Attorney Tom MacDonald had attended a meeting in Morehead hosted by Atmos. A representative with Municipal Gas was also there. Story noted that Atmos was a purchasing agent; the prepaid program was actually through Municipal Gas Acquisition and Supply Corporation. They started a prepaid program in 1998 and no one has opted out of the program since it started. They are able to offer discounts on gas because of tax breaks they receive from the IRS.

Tom MacDonald commented that there is no penalty if the winter is milder than anticipated. The City would only have to commit to buy a certain percentage of their actual usage and they would not be obligated for any bond issues.

Councilman Story stated that the City of Hamilton, OH is a customer of Atmos and has participated in the prepaid program for two years. They originally heard about the prepaid program and made Atmos aware. The average discount is $.80 and is only available to municipal customers. Buyers also receive annual rebates. Municipal Gas has a ten-year program and will allow the contract percentage to be amended during the contract period. The City would not have to use Atmos to participate in the prepaid program. The current agent, Energy Management, could sign up with Municipal Gas. Atmos does offer some benefits that Energy Management does not. Atmos can buy the City’s stored gas and the City can pay them as the gas is used. There would probably be a fee involved and he was unsure whether the City would benefit more from this option than buying gas for storage using the line of credit. Councilman Story stated that Vanceburg is a customer of Atmos and he would compare the City’s figures from last year with Vanceburg’s to see who’s getting the best deal. Story also stated that both Vanceburg and Morehead are signing up for the prepaid program through Municipal Gas.

Tom MacDonald stated that Municipal Gas offered a more flexible plan and thought the City should pursue it, but recommended waiting until Councilman Story had reviewed Vanceburg’s figures.

A meeting of the Buildings and Grounds Committee was scheduled for Thursday, December 13^th at 5:00 in City Hall.

City Clerk Joy Roark reported that Penny Stanfield was finalizing the annual audit and had an appointment to meet with Brad Gray Tuesday evening, December 11^th, to update information on the access channel. Stanfield plans to do an exit interview with the mayor and city clerk the week of December 17^th and will be available to meet with the Finance Committee the following week to review the audit. A meeting was scheduled for December 27th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Annex.

Councilwoman Sparks recommended that the skateboard park equipment be bolted down. It was reported that the cover over the park rules sign has already been broken. Mayor Flanery reported that the gate would not close. A metal piece was bent.

Public Works Superintendent Jim Compton reported that the bobcat and trailer to be used for recycling have arrived. Recycling volume is up 1/3. Joy Roark reported that two new customers have signed up for the recycling incentive program.

Police Chief Randy Sergent reported that the Safety Committee had reviewed Maysville’s curfew resolution and recommended adopting similar rules, but with one less warning.

Codes Enforcement Officer Gene Schwartz reported that he had contacted property owners affected by the new sidewalks and obtained waivers. He also obtained an encroachment permit from the state for traffic control in the construction area. Councilman Story questioned the meetings schedule of the Codes Enforcement Board. Schwartz stated they were currently only meeting as needed.

Councilman Voiers questioned the status of the new officers. Chief Sergent reported that Recruits Crawford and Rushing would graduate from the academy January 18^th; Smith and Thoroughman will graduate March 22^nd. All four recruits have vehicles to drive and will be working during the holiday break. Councilman Story asked about the new surveillance airplane. Sergent explained that it was a free program available to both city and county law enforcement. The Police Department would use the plane mainly during the daytime to search for missing people and marijuana. They would have to provide one officer to serve as a spotter. Once the program ends it will cost the department $40 per hour to use the plane. Sergent noted that budget constraints might limit their use of this service.

Jim Compton reported that his department has torn the old building down and has the area 80% cleaned up. He plans to construct a building 50’ X 150’, 14’ tall. Councilman Story reported that a culvert on the corner of Mary’s Ave. is clogged and the properties below it are getting a lot of run off. Councilman Hurst questioned the status of the curve on Weddle St. Compton stated that he had talked with the homeowner and they had agreed to allow them to install the curve, but they had not been able to do so due to the weather. Mayor Flanery reported that speed limit signs were needed on Frazier St. Gene Schwartz noted that the State had changed the speed limit on Mt. Carmel Ave. to 45 from the Brewer Storage Buildings into town.

Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing said that the painting job on the Mills Ave. water tank was complete, but the final inspection had not been done. There has not been any water in the tank since Veteran’s Day. All the gas valves, meters, and water valves, meters, and fire hydrants have been GPS located and maps will soon be available.

Waste Water Superintendent Dale Clary said the GPS mapping for his department was also done. Councilwoman Sparks questioned the status of the annexation for Industrial Park II. Clary stated he felt the property owners would eventually agree to be annexed.

Councilman Manning stated he would like to see the City continue to look for grant money for more work on sidewalks. Mayor Flanery said that opportunities for grants would be coming up the first of the year.

Councilman Hurst expressed concern about the contractor pouring concrete for the new sidewalks in freezing weather. Mayor Flanery stated that there was antifreeze in the concrete mix and the contractor had used heaters. Jim Compton confirmed that the contractor seemed to have done everything he could have to insure the quality of the new sidewalks.

Councilman Voiers reported that some lights in the downtown decorations are out. Mayor Flanery reported that some lights were also out at City Hall. Jim Compton stated that his department was already aware and planned to make repairs Tuesday morning.

There being no further business Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. All were in favor.

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Louie Flanery, Mayor

ATTESTED:

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Joy Story Roark, City Clerk/Treasurer Date Approved: ________________