There was a regular meeting of the Flemingsburg City Council Monday, May 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Annex. Council members present were Ricky Hurst, Isaac Sapp, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Mayor Martin L. Voiers presided.
Councilman Story led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the April 11th, April 22nd, and May 2nd meetings were presented. Councilwoman Sparks moved to approve. Councilman Sapp seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mayor Voiers reported that Kerri Moran and Kevin Cornette with Buffalo Trace ADD are working on a bid package for the recreational trail project. The City has encountered several obstacles getting this project started and Moran felt it would not be a problem to get the timeline extended to late summer or early fall.
City Clerk Joy Roark presented the second reading of Ordinance No. 5-11-1 adopting the 2009 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code. Councilman Hurst moved to approve. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. A roll call was given with Council voting as follows: Hurst-yes, Sapp-yes, Manning-yes, Sparks-yes, Story-yes, and Alexander-yes. Motion carried.
Mayor Voiers presented guidelines for the use of City owned gas (bird) cannons. Cannons can be checked out for a period of two weeks. Councilman Story asked if the cannons could be checked out again if the problem was not resolved. Mayor Voiers stated the cannons could be checked out for another two weeks and would make that clarification in the guidelines. Councilman Story moved to approve with the noted clarification. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Hurst-yes, Sapp-yes, Manning-yes, Sparks-yes, Story-yes, and Alexander-yes. Motion carried.
Resolution No. 11-5-1 was presented authorizing the mayor to make application for Law Enforcement Protection Program funds through the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. The funds totaling $2,399 would be used for three body armor vests. Councilman Manning moved to approve. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Hurst-yes, Sapp-yes, Manning-yes, Sparks-yes, Story-yes, and Alexander-yes. Motion carried.
Mayor Voiers presented the budget message for fiscal year July 2011-June 2012. Mayor Voiers noted major areas impacting the City’s budget including rising costs of health insurance, motor fuel, and utilities. Areas the City will be focusing on are infrastructure, vehicle maintenance and service agreements, providing more efficient service to our citizens by using updated software, utility meter auto reads, streamlined garbage collection, adding an excavator for the utility department, revitalizing our community by refurbishing city properties, developing a sidewalk replacement plan, upgrading parks, and supporting our Chamber of Commerce and EDC. Councilman Manning recommended that the budget be referred to the finance committee for review.
Crystal Ruark, Fleming Co. Chamber Executive Director, presented an update on recent and upcoming events for the Chamber.
Steve Donovan reported that he and Ruark met with Steve Spradlin regarding the brown sign program promoting the historical district and non-commercial tourist attractions in our community. A 20% match in funding may apply. The average cost for a sign is $900. If the City applies for the funding in July the signs could be in place by August. Donovan stated that the City of Vanceburg had placed the signs in their city and reported a lot more visitors in their downtown area.
Councilman Manning reported that the Buildings and Grounds Committee had met and discussed City properties. It was recommended that the City hire an engineer to determine whether the properties in question were worth renovating.
Councilman Story reported that the Finance Committee had met to discuss the health insurance renewal. It was recommended that the City stay with the current plan. Overall costs to the City would $36,000, but appeared to be the best alternative. The City currently pays 12% on additional coverage, but will be phasing that out over the next two years. The employee coverage will continue to be paid 100%. Due to the rising costs of health insurance there will be minimal funds available for pay increases.
Councilman Alexander reported that the Public and Employee Safety Committee had met twice. The use of golf carts on City streets was discussed. The Committee did not recommend any action on this issue at this time. The Committee is in the process of evaluating safety manuals to see what’s best for our city.
Nathan Johnson, a resident of Indian Fields, addressed Council regarding the golf cart issue. It was noted that other slow moving vehicles such as scooters, lawnmowers, horse drawn buggies, and bicycles are allowed. Councilman Hurst pointed out that there are several restrictions mandated by the State pertaining to the use of golf carts on City streets. Councilman Story, Councilman Manning and Councilwoman Sparks voiced support for allowing golf carts on City streets. Users would have to abide by KRS. Mayor Voiers stated that it was the privilege of Council to overrule the Committee’s recommendation or the Committee could revisit this issue. No action was taken.
Codes Enforcement Officer Ben Moran reported that Brendan Bussell had agreed to serve on the Board of Adjustments. Moran checked into an ordinance regarding regulation of pain clinics and per the Attorney General cities have no authority in this matter. Moran reported that properties being foreclosed on are presenting a big problem due to the yards growing up. A lien will be placed on any property that the City has to mow to recover the cost of mowing.
Mayor Voiers recommended Brendan Bussell as a member of the Board of Adjustments. Councilman Story moved to approve. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Hurst-yes, Sapp-yes, Manning-yes, Sparks-yes, Story-yes, and Alexander-yes. Motion carried.
Police Chief Randy Sergent reported that Sargent Tim Smith, a member of the National Guard, had been activated due to flooding in Southern Kentucky.
Public Works Superintendent Dennis Masters reported that his department had been busy with free clean up week. Next his department will be working on filling potholes.
Utilities Superintendent Joe Dunaway reported that the repair work on the Mt. Carmel Ave. water tank was almost completed. The tank is expected to be back in service Monday. Work has started on the outside of the Industrial Park tank. Due to the location of Toyo Seat’s parking lot, repairs to the tank will not begin until after 3:00 p.m. The Thompson Bros. have been doing an excellent job replacing the sidewalks. The remainder of this project will be done in small sections at a time due to funds for the project running low. The next project the Utility department is looking at is replacing the main water line from Rucker St. to the water plant. Dunaway received a request from the Peoples Bank to install gas at their May’s Lick location. The tap fee would cover city’s cost. Councilman Manning moved to approve. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Hurst-yes, Sapp-yes, Manning-yes, Story-yes, and Alexander-yes. Councilwoman Sparks abstained due to being an employee of the bank. Motion carried.
Waste Water Superintendent Dale Clary reported that the Division of Water had approved the Tollgate and Lakewood lift station projects. He hopes to be ready to bid in a couple of months. He is also working on the easements for Industrial Park II and hopes to have them signed this month.
City Attorney Tom MacDonald stated that he would have the sewer rate ordinance ready for a first reading at the June meeting. The new rates must be in affect July 1st.
Councilman Story requested minutes and financial statements from GFCRWC and the Housing Authority.
Mayor Voiers presented a Tobacco Free Policy for Council’s review.
Andrea Frazier with FCA-TV reported that the cable company re-did their cable drop and now channel 6 is much clearer at the studio. Mayor Voiers reported that there are still issues either with the picture or the audio. The cable company is supposed to re-check it in August. FCA-TV is doing more regional programs, which may be viewed on channel 306.
There being no further business, Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. All were in favor.
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Martin L. Voiers, Mayor
ATTESTED:
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Joy Story Roark, City Clerk/Treasurer
Date approved: _______________________
