The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting January 14, 2008 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.

Councilwoman Sparks led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the previous meeting were presented. Councilman Story noted a correction to the last sentence on page one: buyers may receive annual rebates. Councilman Manning moved to approve with the noted correction. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Penny Stanfield, CPA, presented the annual audit report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. Stanfield stated that the audit resulted in a clean unqualified opinion of the City’s financial statements. All cash accounts showed significant increases, there were increases to fixed assets, and, although the Water and Waste Water departments showed losses, the Gas department made a profit largely due to the inventory being purchased at a good price and consumption being down. Stanfield made the following management recommendations: (1) a true written policy needs to be established defining fixed assets setting a dollar limit of at least $1,000; (2) a policy to better control delinquent utility accounts needs to be implemented; (3) the pledged collateral at Community Trust Bank needs to be increased to cover the City’s investments. The City is in good financial shape and has adequate controls for a city its size. Councilman Story moved to accept the audit report. Councilman Voiers seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Crystal Ruark reported on the Chamber’s activities for the previous quarter and announced that Debbie Richardson had been hired to assist in the Chamber office. Ruark expressed her goal to reach over 300 in membership for 2008. Upcoming events were announced. Ruark thanked the City for sponsoring the Friendship parade in December. She noted the amount of time and effort that went into the parade and recommended that preparation for this year’s parade start as early as September.

Councilman Story reported on the natural gas prepayment program. Story met with Phil Kennedy, Vanceburg Utilities, and compared their prices to the City’s. Vanceburg uses Atmos. Their price was within $.03 of the City’s so he felt we were getting the same treatment from our buyer that they were receiving from Atmos. The prepayment program through Municipal Gas has been so successful that they have oversubscribed and now have a waiting list. They offer a coop program and a spot market program. Story stated that he had heard nothing negative about Municipal Gas and recommended that the City sign up for both programs. They require a commitment of 180 days. Story noted that the City could have saved $19,000 if it had been participating in the program in December. Anyone who signs a contract now will be eligible to participate on a first come, first serve basis when openings become available. The City’s current buyer, Ken Magyar, can be in the program so the City can continue to buy through him. Atmos wants to give a presentation on being our supplier. The City has no reason to change agents now, but it would be good to have a back up. Municipal Gas requires a ten- year contract. Councilman Voiers moved to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract on behalf of the city with Municipal Gas. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 08-1-1 to apply for funding for Fox Spring Ave. Park through Land & Water Conservation Grant funds. Councilman Voiers moved to adopt. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 08-1-2 to apply for funding through the Recreational Trails Grant fund. Councilwoman Sparks moved to approve. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. All were in favor.

A job description for the position of Police Sergeant was presented. Councilman Story moved to create the position. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Councilman Story reported that the Finance Committee had met twice. Story complimented Penny Stanfield on doing a great job, noting that the Committee found few changes that needed to be made to the original audit report.

Chief Sergent reported misuse of the skateboard ramps. Jim Compton reported that he had fixed the ‘rules’ sign and it had been broken again. The Parks Committee will meet to address these issues.

Councilman Voiers asked if the City had received any information from the Rails to Trails Commission. The City may be eligible for funding as long as the project can be tied to rails. Voiers also stated that funding might be available for projects that help the environment such as planting trees in our parks.

Chief Sergent reported that there were eleven children who participated in ‘Shop With a Cop’. It was their largest turnout; two went to Morehead, nine went to Maysville. There were some funds left over that can be used for the program this coming year. The Police Department received a $500 grant from Wal-Mart to use for equipment. Officer Rushing and Officer Crawford will graduate from the academy January 18^th. Officer Thurman Paige resigned effective January 14^th.

Councilman Manning requested that the Safety Committee meet to discuss the Noise ordinance.

Councilman Voiers reported on the Recycling Program. Currently 340 customers have signed up; the goal is 400 by April. Danetta Barker interviewed Voiers on her show “Behind the Headlines”, which airs on the access channel. There are ads running on the radio and a promotion for the newspaper is in the works. Voiers obtained information on electronic recycling, which is a nationwide effort. Lexington works with a prison in Elkton, OH to dispose of their electronic recycling and Voiers suggested the City might be able to work with the City of Lexington to dispose of our electronic recycling as well.

City Clerk Joy Roark reported that the management recommendations from the audit report were already being addressed. Roark stated that the Buffalo Trace, Gateway, and Bluegrass Clerk’s Associations were working to prepare their communities for the 2010 equestrian games. A joint meeting is being planned for May at the Horse Park. Council will be updated when more information is available.

Councilman Voiers requested that Gene Schwartz obtain a copy of Maysville’s ordinance regarding pop machines on the sidewalks. Voiers also noted a number of areas with trash that nobody picks up. Businesses with dumpsters are bad about piling boxes too high and the wind blows them away. Mayor Flanery said community service workers have cleaned up the trash in the past, but the City hasn’t had any workers lately. Voiers felt the problem needed to be addressed.

Councilwoman Sparks questioned how domestic violence complaints were handled. Chief Sergent stated that the police are the first contact. If requested, they will transport the victim to a safe house.

Public Works Superintendent Jim Compton reported that the sight for the new storage building had been cleaned up and they were ready to shoot the grade, but are waiting on a permit from the state.

Councilman Alexander reported a problem with water not draining on Brookhaven after heavy rains. Jim Compton stated there was no drain where the water could go. He will take a closer look to see if anything can be done.

Councilman Voiers asked Jim Compton if he had a computer. Jim replied that he did not. Voiers asked if it would make his life easier. Compton replied that it would. Voiers asked if it would be included in his budget this year. Compton stated that it had been in his budget the last two years. Mayor Flanery stated the City had obtained some computers that needed to be rebuilt and one was intended for Jim Compton, but it was not finished yet.

Councilman Voiers reported a possible leak on Greenway Dr. by Donnie Christman’s property.

Councilman Alexander stated that there was a hole in the street in front of the Police Dept. The State had sawed it out and patched it, but the patch was already gone. He will contact the State and request the hole be filled again.

Councilman Story questioned the gas leaks reported. Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing was absent, but Waste Water Superintendent Dale Clary commented that the leaks were probably found during the gas survey and were not costly or extensive.

Councilman Voiers reported a streetlight out on High St. near the corner of Glascock Dr. Gene Schwartz will mark the pole and notify KU.

The furnace at the firehouse was discussed. Mayor Flanery stated that he had asked Rick Marshall to look at it. Jim Compton stated that he and Jerry McCloud would fix the firehouse door.

Councilman Voiers asked if Council would approve the Fiscal Court using the annex while their facility was being renovated. Mayor Flanery stated that he had received a letter from the Judge regarding use of the annex and had responded that they were welcome to use it provided their meetings did not interfere with any City meetings. Voiers asked if the duties of the new Economic Development Director included working on retail business recruitment. The mayor confirmed that it had been touched on. Voiers questioned if the City needed to have a plan of incentives for new businesses and existing businesses. Mayor Flanery noted that Mainstreet still had the facade program.

Councilman Manning reported that streetlights by the Chamber Office and Cheap’s needed to be checked. Gene Schwartz stated that KU would be going over all the streetlights in the next couple of months.

Councilman Manning requested more notification on the garbage pick-up schedule for holidays.

Mayor Flanery reported on the sidewalk project. The City is currently waiting on a permit before work can begin on replacing the sidewalks from stoplight to stoplight on East Water St.

Councilman Story moved to go into executive session at 8:45 p.m. to deliberate the future acquisition of real property pursuant to KRS 61.810, OAG 02-OMD-166. Councilman Voiers seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Councilman Manning moved to go out of executive session at 9:10 p.m. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. All were in favor. No action was taken as a result of executive session. There being no further business Councilman Manning moved to adjourn. Councilwoman Sparks 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: _______________