The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, September 8, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Council members present were Martin Voiers, Carl Haight, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Scott Manning. Nancy Suit was absent. Mayor Louie K. Flanery presided.
Councilman Haight led the Pledge
of Allegiance. Minutes of the previous
meeting were reviewed. Councilwoman
Sparks moved to approve. Councilman
Manning seconded the motion. All were
in favor.
Codes Enforcement Officer Gene
Schwartz presented an update on the drive belonging to Pat Price, which joins
Stockwell Ave. Schwartz stated that
Price was willing to turn the drive over to City. He would find out how big an easement is there and report back to
Council. The Planning Commission
recommended that the City repair the area in question but not accept it into
the City at this time. Then ask the
owner to share in the cost of widening the street to meet the current
standards. Price volunteered to give an
extra eight feet on the lower side.
Council discussed the cost if the area was developed further. Utilities Supervisor Glen McVey stated that
the water lines were sufficient.
However, Waste Water Supervisor Dale Clary said the Sewer line would
have to be increased. The developer
would be responsible for this cost.
Street Supervisor Jim Compton was questioned about the cost to repair
the existing area. He stated it would
take about 8 ton of blacktop totaling $3,000.
Compton had not determined the cost to bring the area up to
standards. Councilman Voiers stated
Council would need that information before making a decision on accepting the
street into the City. Mayor Flanery
asked for a legal opinion from City Attorney Tom MacDonald. He pointed out that, until the City accepts
the street, it is still considered a private drive and questioned how the City
could justify repairing a private drive.
Councilman Story suggested that the Planning Commission might accept a
variance on the size of the street since Stockwell Ave. is narrower than the
standard size. By doing this, the
utilities would not be affected.
Council would need an estimated cost.
Councilman Haight stated that this request would have to go before the
Planning Commission. City Attorney Tom
MacDonald agreed.
Councilman Story reported on the
committee’s recommendations for the 201 study.
The seven firms that submitted proposals were M.S.E., H.K. Bell,
Cann-Tech, LLC, Nesbitt Engineers, H.M.B., Hall & Associates, and MacDonald
& Associates. The committee looked
at the services provided rather than the monetary amount and selected MacDonald
& Associates as their first choice.
Waste Water Supervisor Dale Clary said all the firms were good but he
had had more experience with this firm.
If they exceed the budgeted amount the committee recommended Hall &
Associates as their second choice and Cann-Tech, LLC as their third. Councilman Story moved to approve MacDonald
& Associates for the 201 study.
Councilman Voiers seconded the motion.
All were in favor.
The Renaissance Committee
presented an update. Councilman Story
reported that several buildings in the downtown area were considered, but the
committee felt that the Fried building served more purposes and stood a better
chance of being funded.
City Clerk Joy Roark presented the
first reading of the motor vehicle tax Ordinance No. 9-03-1. Councilman Voiers moved to approve. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. All were in favor.
City Clerk Joy Roark presented the
first reading of the property tax rate Ordinance No. 9-03-2. Councilman Story moved to approve the
compensating rate. Councilman Haight seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mayor Flanery reported that the
City could collect a 3% franchise fee from Alltel. This matter would need to be researched to determine how much
revenue could be generated.
Mayor Flanery stated that he would
be forming some standing committees and would like each council member to chair
a committee. Councilman Voiers,
Councilman Story, Councilwoman Sparks, City Clerk Joy Roark, and City Attorney
Tom MacDonald were appointed to the finance committee. Councilwoman Sparks volunteered to serve as
chair. Mayor Flanery asked them to focus
on the Business and Professional Licenses Fees in particular, as well as other
options of generating revenue for the City.
Mary Jo Litton reported that the
City was ready to apply for gold status but a historic district ordinance was
needed. The application deadline is
September 30th. Mayor
Flanery scheduled a special meeting on September 12th at 5:00 p.m.
to have a first reading of the historic district ordinance. Council will also hear the second readings
of the tax ordinances and Jim Compton will report on the cost of repairing
Stockwell Ave. Litton stated that the
Museum Project was ready to go to bid on October 6th. Bids would be opened on October 31st. Architects have sent their paperwork to
Frankfort. Processing should take four
to six weeks. September 18th
the R.E.C.C. will be hosting Business After Hours. Sept 25th the Chamber will be having Business and
Industry day. This year’s theme will be ‘Horsepower’ and tours will include
Cropper Dyno Service and B.J. Doyle’s
Classic Cars. Hours will be from 8:45
a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and lunch will be served at the R.E.C.C. The Chamber will hold its annual meeting on
October 23rd. Litton
reported that B.T.A.D.D. holds a Safety Committee meeting quarterly and
expressed a need for better attendance from the County and the City. These meetings offer an opportunity to tell
the state of trouble areas the state could help with. Litton stated that a service in recognition of September 11th
would be held downtown Thursday night.
Local entertainment would be provided.
Phase I of the Streetscape Project was about finished and phase II was
scheduled to start after court day.
Phase II would involve both sides of the street up to the Library. Mayor Flanery asked Utilities Supervisor
Glen McVey about replacing the water line during the phase II
construction. McVey stated it would be
more costly than replacing the line during phase I.
Councilman Story questioned the
status of the Goddard Covered Bridge.
Mary Jo Litton reported that nothing would be done before spring. A consultant would be brought in and most of
the work would be done onsite.
Councilman Voiers reported that
some fire hydrants were turned facing the wrong way making it difficult to
connect the fire hose. Supervisor Glen
McVey requested a list and said he would check into the matter. Councilman Voiers also questioned the pump
station that was damaged during the storm.
Supervisor Dale Clary said he had repaired the control panel and it was
working fine. It would cost $3,000 to
replace and he would consider getting a new one if the insurance money would
cover the expense.
Mayor Flanery reported that the
gas and diesel tanks were in place and should be in use by the first of the
week. Councilman Voiers questioned if
anything had been done to the walking trail where it was washed out. Jim Compton stated that his department had
started to work on that area, but it had rained for several days and they had
not been able to complete the job. He
planned to build a curb to avert the water.
Gene Schwartz commented on the
Dexter Goodwin property clean up and noted that some new businesses should be
coming to that area soon.
Mayor Flanery asked for Council’s
opinion on using the Plummers Landing Bridge for a walkway across the creek
behind the Strawberry Methodist Church.
The bridge has historical value and would add to the historic district,
but would have to be cut down to fit across the creek. Mary Jo Litton said she would assist in
seeing if the bridge would fit.
Councilman Story questioned the
Dispatch Board progress. Mayor Flanery
said he had been talking with Judge Foxworthy and they needed to consult with
both the City and County Attorneys about how to proceed. The May’s Lick Gas Line debt was
discussed. Mayor Flanery stated that he
had checked with the three local banks.
One bank had been ruled out, but Mayor Flanery felt the City could
refinance with one or both of the remaining banks. Councilman Story stated the culvert in front of the Sr. Citizens
Center still needed repair. The Mayor
stated that he and Supervisor Jim Compton would check into it. Councilman Story asked about the progress of
the annual audit. City Clerk Joy Roark
reported that it was moving along well.
Progress on the cable contract was questioned. Mayor Flanery stated that he had done all he could do and asked
Council for suggestions. Apparently the
cable company has found that selling ‘X’ to ‘XXX’ rated programs is more
profitable than selling ESPN2; and since the number of subscriber’s in our
community is small compared to other areas our request for ESPN2 does not get
much attention. Councilman Story asked
about the progress in hiring a new police officer. Mayor Flanery stated that Police Chief Danny Carpenter was giving
agility tests that night. There were
eleven applicants and one had been through the academy. Councilman Story reported that a tree on
Elizaville Ave. was blocking the view from drivers entering the highway. Gene Schwartz said he had already contacted
the owner and he had agreed to cut the tree.
Councilman Manning asked about the
Court day progress. Mayor Flanery
stated that from his last conversation with Jerry Shannon he was planning an
old car show for the courthouse hill and everything else would be on the City
Hall side of the light. Councilman
Manning suggested that, since many of the vendors rent the same spot from year
to year, everything should be left the same this year but vendors should be
notified of changes for next year.
Mayor Flanery stated that he was considering a deposit to cover damages
done by the Rescue Squad. Supervisor
Jim Compton had noted several items damaged in previous years. Councilman Haight agreed that the deposit
was a good idea. Mayor Flanery said he
had tried to contact Shannon several times but he had not returned his calls.
Councilman Manning moved to go
into executive session at 8:40 p.m. regarding litigation. Councilman Voiers seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Councilman Story moved to go out
of executive session at 8:50 p.m.
Councilman Haight seconded the motion.
All were in favor. Councilwoman
Sparks moved to give Codes Enforcement Officer Gene Schwartz the authority to
enforce the nuisance ordinance on any property that is in violation. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Councilman Manning moved to
adjourn at 8:52 p.m. Councilman Haight
seconded the motion. All were in favor.
________________________
Louie K. Flanery, Mayor
ATTESTED:
________________________
Joy Story Roark, City Clerk Date Approved: ___________