The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 12, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall.  Council members present were Marty Voiers, Carl Haight, Nancy Suit, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Scott Manning.  Mayor Louie K. Flanery presided.

 

Councilman Story led the pledge of allegiance.  Minutes of the previous meetings were reviewed.  Councilman Manning moved to approve.  Councilwoman Suit seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Mayor Flanery recognized visitors.  David Collins addressed Council as speaker for a group of concerned citizens regarding the Betty Boone property known as the Bright Spot and the Sudie McKee and Stella Helphenstine properties on East Water Street.  Mayor Flanery explained that the Boone property was blighted and needed to be cleaned up.  It was the intention of the fiscal court to use that property to create more parking for the Court House.  A representative with the Heritage Council had gone through the building and could suggest alternative uses, but the final decision would be the Fiscal Court’s since they are purchasing the property.   The City has an ordinance on historic property preservation and the Bright Spot is included in the historic district.  Collins stated that the City could request that the fiscal court keep the building rather than tear it down.  Frankfort could be hesitant about future funds to revitalize the downtown area if a historic building is destroyed.

 

Mayor Flanery read the ordinance aloud.  Councilwoman Sparks then commented that the City’s ordinance states the City’s intent.  However, Collins felt the Council needed to make a stronger statement pointing out that the ordinance does not protect the building from destruction.  Councilwoman Suit suggested that the original structure could be saved and the new part, which is blighted, could be removed to create parking.  Councilwoman Sparks noted that there was a need for a justice center and the Bright Spot property had been considered for this purpose.  Sparks stressed that the center should be located in the downtown area.  Funding for the center could be available through the AOC.  The Heritage Council volunteered to do a study to locate a place for the justice center as well as additional parking.  Judge Foxworthy had stated in a recent meeting that if the fiscal court could not use the building it would be put back on the market.

 

Robert Blumer stated that neither the City nor the County had voiced a plan for the downtown.  If historic buildings are torn down the City will lose its charm and look like a dinky rat hole.  Caren Prater suggested that the Courthouse annex would be a good justice center.  Offices in the annex could be moved to the Bright Spot.  Mayor Flanery pointed out that some buildings couldn’t be added to because of the structure, referring to the annex.

 

Mayor Flanery also agreed with Blumer that a plan is needed, but explained how funding is obtained noting that it has to be used for specific purposes.  Councilman Voiers said it was an excellent idea to put together a long-term plan.   Brittany Collins, teenage daughter of David and Sandy Collins, commented that the community needed to be educated and know what buildings were available.  David Collins stated that there was no protection for buildings if federal money is not being used. 

 

Councilman Story concurred with the crowd, but pointed out that Council often discussed blighted property and had been working to clean up the downtown area.  Story stated that the City was willing to work with the county and both were looking for ways to save tax dollars.  Councilman Haight questioned if the crowd wanted Council to pass a resolution.  David Collins stated that the County was closing on the Bright Spot January 14th and he would like the Council to encourage the Court not to take action until all options had been explored.  Councilman Haight pointed out that the County didn’t come to Council about buying the building; Council did not found out until after an option had been made. 

 

Deciding that a motion served the same purpose as a resolution, Councilman Haight moved that the City Council encourage the Fiscal Court not to demolish the building known as the Bright Spot located in the historic district recorded in the national registry as being built in the 1810 circa; and to work with the Fiscal Court to explore options to preserve the historical property in the downtown area, to form a committee consisting of representatives from the Fiscal Court, City Council, and local citizens to assist in this process, and develop a long term plan for future growth, development, revitalization and preservation of local historical properties.  Councilman Story seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  Brad Harn and Caren Prater both stated that Judge Foxworthy was not historically minded. Mayor Flanery stated that he would discuss this matter with the Judge on Tuesday (01/13/04).

 

The E-911 inter local agreement was discussed.  City Attorney Tom MacDonald stated that he had reviewed the document and had some concerns, which he would discuss with County Attorney John Price.   Councilman Haight questioned who would have the authority to hire and fire.  MacDonald stated the Executive Board.  Councilman Story noted that the document was obviously copied because some lines were missing.  He also noted that some of the magistrates had concerns.  MacDonald stated that he would redo the document and bring back when he meets with the Dispatch committee.  Councilman Story reported that the City still needed to contribute to the dispatch.  The Fiscal Court had received a refund but had applied it to the equipment debt.  There was some concern about the increasing use of cell phones and the number of landlines going down, as more funding comes from the landlines.  Cell phone funds go into the State and are applied to start-up costs.  Story stated that the goal was to pay down the debt and create some surplus funds.  He also noted that the committee was impressed with the interest of the magistrates; they were watching their budget and spending money wisely.  Story recommended that the City continue to make payments through this year. This would allow the debt to be reduced quicker.

 

Council discussed applying the cost of living index, 2.399%, to council/mayor salaries, which are currently lower than surrounding counties.  Councilman Story stated that the pay has stayed the same since 1976 and he would be in favor of adopting the cost of living index.  Councilwoman Sparks pointed out that the Mayor’s job was turning into a full-time position.  Mayor Flanery stated that the increase would be an insignificant amount.  Councilman Voiers stated that he didn’t see a need for the Council’s pay to be increased, but could see a need to raise the Mayor’s salary.  Councilman Haight pointed out that both salaries had been raised during the previous mayor’s term, but Council reduced the Council’s pay when the City’s finances became so poor.  Haight felt that the constituents would say the Council raised taxes and then gave themselves a raise.  It would not be worth the insignificant amount of the increase.  Mayor Flanery said the increase would not help him now, but if the pay was better others might be encouraged to run for office.  Qualified people need to run.  Councilman Haight stated that the salaries needed to be set by May 1st.  Councilman Voiers recommended that the matter be referred to the finance committee.

 

Mayor Flanery reported that Sudie McKee had agreed to sell her property on East Water St. for $18,000 and Stella Helphenstine had agreed to $21,000 for her property.  Councilman Voiers moved to authorize the Mayor to purchase these properties on behalf of the City for the amounts agreed.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The Mayor noted that the buildings are located in the historic district, but are not on the national register.

 

Council discussed amending the budget, but tabled the matter until the February meeting.

 

Police Chief Danny Carpenter reported that Officer Kelly Prater was going to work for the Maysville Police Force next month.  He would be advertising for applicants the next two weeks.  The Safety Committee was set to meet Thursday, January 15th, at 4:00 p.m.

 

Councilman Voiers reported concern about the storm drain by Ken’s.  Jim Compton stated that he was working on a manhole cover to raise the area up.  He also reported that other drains in the downtown needed to be cleaned out.

 

Waste Water Supervisor Dale Clary reported that the 201 study was 25% finished.

 

Councilman Story questioned the refinancing of the May’s Lick gas line.  Tom MacDonald said the bank had asked for some financial figures.  He would get with the City Clerk regarding this.  Story also noted that, comparing General Government this year to last year, it appears to be improving and heading in the right direction.

 

Councilwoman Sparks reported that she had received some positive feedback on the occupational tax ordinance, noting that the changes were fair.

 

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:  _______________