The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 10, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Council members present were Carl Haight, Nancy Suit, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Scott Manning. Councilman Marty Voiers was absent. Mayor Louie K. Flanery presided.
Councilman Manning led the Pledge
of Allegiance. Minutes from the
previous meeting were presented.
Councilman Manning moved to approve.
Councilman Haight seconded the motion.
All were in favor.
Council discussed updating the
Traffic Code Ordinance. Mayor Flanery
appointed Codes Enforcement Officer Gene Schwartz, Police Chief Danny
Carpenter, Councilman Manning, Councilwoman Suit, and Councilman Haight to
serve on the Safety Committee.
Committee members will review the existing ordinance, follow up on the
former committee’s findings, and address new issues.
Councilwoman Sparks presented a
report from the Finance Committee. Based on the Committee’s recommendation,
Councilwoman Sparks moved to donate $3,262.50 to the Fleming-Mason Airport in
addition to the budgeted amount.
Councilwoman Suit seconded the motion.
Councilman Haight questioned where the extra funds would come from since
they were not budgeted. Councilman
Story stated that the City should no longer need to fund the Dispatch service
since the rate increase was already in effect, which would free up $50,000 of
the City’s budget. Mayor Flanery
commented that the Dispatch Board should be in place by the first of the
year. If the City stops contributing to
the dispatch service those funds would be available. Carryover CDBG funds are also available. Councilman Haight requested an update from
the Dispatch Board at the first of the year.
After discussion ceased, all voted in favor of the motion.
Councilwoman Sparks followed up on
Councilman Story’s comments, noting that the Finance Committee recommended the
City not make any more contributions to the dispatch service since the rate
increase had already been effect for approximately two to three months and
Verizon had agreed to refund about $127,000 in maintenance fees. Funds were
initially budgeted to be paid quarterly contingent on a Dispatch Board being in
place by the first of the year. City
Clerk Joy Roark stated that payments had been made for two months only. Councilman Story then moved not to make any
more contributions to the dispatch service beyond October unless the Fiscal
Court could demonstrate a need for the additional funds. Mayor Flanery questioned if the motion was
premature. Verizon had committed to a
refund but the money had not been received.
Councilman Story stated that the $4.00 increase on the phone bills alone
should be enough to cover the funding needed for the dispatch service. Mayor Flanery said the City should get a financial
statement from the Fiscal Court before making a decision. Councilman Haight seconded Councilman
Story’s motion. All were in favor.
Councilwoman Sparks stated that
the Finance Committee would like to review all the City’s insurance policies as
soon as possible in an effort to cut costs for the upcoming budget year.
Mayor Flanery presented the
natural gas inventory update.
Refinancing the May’sLick Gas line was discussed. City Attorney Tom MacDonald said the Peoples
Bank had presented a financing tool that did not meet the City’s needs, but he
was working on amending the document.
It could be ready later this week or the first of next week.
#03-11-01, regarding the Lerman
Building Project. Money stated that the
resolution must be advertised and fair housing posters must be displayed in
City Hall. Councilman Story moved to
adopt this resolution. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Money also presented an
Affirmative Action Plan, noting that the Mayor would need to appoint an Equal
Opportunity Officer. Councilwoman
Sparks moved to adopt this plan.
Councilwoman Suit seconded the motion.
All were in favor.
Mary Jo Litton reported that the
building beside MacDonald & Walton had been submitted to Renaissance
Kentucky for funding as a facade project.
When the building was originally built, the bricks on the park side of
the building were not intended to be exposed to weather. Since the adjoining building had been torn
down, the bricks were deteriorating due to exposure. The project was initially turned down, but funds up to $7,500
have now become available. Litton
requested a resolution accepting 2003 Bond Façade Funds from the Renaissance
Kentucky Alliance and authorizing the mayor to execute all necessary
documents. Councilman Story moved to
adopt resolution # 03-11-02. Councilman
Manning seconded the motion. All were
in favor.
Litton reported that the City of
Morehead had sent a letter to the Chamber of Commerce asking for a letter of
endorsement to help them land a minor league baseball team. Litton noted that the City was also supposed
to receive a letter regarding this matter.
Mayor Flanery said he had not received a letter as of yet. Councilman Haight suggested the matter be
tabled until the City hears personally from the City of Morehead.
Litton stated that the Christmas
parade was scheduled for Friday evening, December 5th, weather
permitting. In case of bad weather, the
parade will be Saturday morning, December 6th. An invitation was extended to the Council
and Mayor to participate.
Litton reported that she has the
plans for the museum and the Board should be ready to advertise for bids
soon. The Board will meet Wednesday,
November 12th.
Councilman Story questioned if the
City was still one officer short. Mayor
Flanery stated that the City was going through the interview process and was
waiting on results of testing.
Councilman Haight reported that one of the new officers stopped his secretary
outside of the city limits and gave her a warning. Police Chief Danny Carpenter said the police officers have
county-wide jurisdiction. Councilman
Story pointed out that the Council had to approve police officers patrolling
outside the city limits on a regular basis.
City Attorney Tom MacDonald agreed.
Chief Carpenter suggested that the Safety Committee address this
matter. Mayor Flanery noted that it had
been beneficial to the City for police officers to help with roadblocks outside
the city limits.
Councilman Haight extended his
thanks to Jim Compton for putting up new signs. Mayor Flanery requested that the flags be taken down after
Veteran’s day because they were worn.
Gene Schwartz reported that he had
been working on annexing the Bill Walton property and the un-annexed portion of
the R.E.C.C. He was also waiting on a
letter of intent from Pat Price on the Stockwell Avenue property. Councilman Story questioned the progress on
the Mt. Sterling Avenue property.
Schwartz stated that he had met with the County Attorney and was getting
closer to resolving the matter.
Schwartz then reported on the repairs to the City Park and encouraged
Council to visit the park.
Waste Water Supervisor Dale Clary
reported that the Consultant on the 201 study had already started.
Councilman Haight questioned the
gas bill and property tax collections.
City Clerk Joy Roark stated that utility collections had been consistent
and approximately 50% of the property taxes had been collected. Councilman Haight questioned Mary Jo Litton
about how the change in state government would affect grant funds
available. Litton stated there should
be no change in funding for on-going projects.
Councilman Manning moved to
adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Councilwoman
Sparks seconded the motion. All were in
favor.
__________________________
Louie K. Flanery, Mayor
ATTESTED:
_______________________________
Joy Story Roark, City Clerk
Date Approved: _________________