There was a regular meeting of the Flemingsburg City
Council Monday, March 9th, 2009 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.
Councilman Hurst led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the February 9th
meeting were presented. Councilman
Manning moved to approve. Councilman
Hurst seconded the motion. Mayor
Flanery called for a vote. Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning,
Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Nays: None. Motion carried.
City Clerk Joy Roark presented the second reading of
Ordinance No. 3-09-1 regarding regulations for outdoor and open burning. Councilman Voiers moved to approve. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the
motion. A roll call was given: Ricky Hurst-yes, Marty Voiers-yes, Scott
Manning-yes, Georgianna Sparks-yes, Meredith Story-yes, Van Alexander-yes. Motion carried.
Council reviewed a revised version of Ordinance No.
3-09-2 regulating the harboring and possession of vicious animals within the
city limits. City Attorney Tom
MacDonald stated that section 17 was added to include stinging insects due to
citizens’ complaints about bees. Current licensed beekeepers in the city will
be grand fathered in. Councilwoman
Sparks moved to approve the revised first reading of Ordinance No. 3-09-2. Councilman Story seconded the motion. Mayor Flanery called for a vote. Yeas:
Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith
Story, and Van Alexander. Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 09-03-4
regarding transferring employees from non-hazardous to hazardous. It was noted that only police officers hired
after September 1, 2008 would be affected.
Councilman Hurst moved to adopt.
Councilman Manning seconded the motion.
Mayor Flanery called for a vote.
Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers,
Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Councilman Story reported on information provided by
KLC on dealing with delinquent taxes and blighted properties. Councilman Voiers moved that the Finance
Committee review the information and then make their recommendation to Council. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the
motion. Mayor Flanery called for a
vote. Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks,
Meredith Story, and Van Alexander.
Nays: None. Motion carried. The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, March 24th,
at 6:00 p.m. in the City Annex.
Council discussed the Cooperative Bidding and
Purchasing Agreement with the Buffalo Trace Road Commission. Mayor Flanery stated that the Commission was
asked to include cities in the same program as counties so the City could
purchase salt, asphalt, pipe, etc., at a more competitive price. Due to time constraints Mayor Flanery had
obtained verbal approval to sign the agreement on February 18th. Councilman Story moved to ratify. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the
motion. Mayor
Flanery called for a vote. Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning,
Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Council discussed the grant agreement for
Fleming-Mason Airport. Tom MacDonald
stated that the Airport Board would pay the match so there would be no cost to
the City above their annual contribution. Mayor Flanery obtained verbal
approval from council on February 18th. Councilwoman Sparks moved to ratify. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion. Mayor Flanery called for a vote. Yeas:
Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith
Story, and Van Alexander. Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 09-03-1
regarding support for the Buffalo Trace/Gateway Narcotics Task Force in the
amount of $1,938.90. Councilman Voiers
moved to adopt. Councilman Manning
seconded the motion. Mayor Flanery
called for a vote. Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning,
Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 09-03-2
accepting grant funding for water upgrades in the amount of $450,000. Councilman Hurst moved to adopt. Councilman Story seconded the motion. Mayor Flanery said the funding was 100% and
would be used mainly in the downtown area.
Mayor Flanery called for a vote.
Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers,
Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 09-03-3 for
water upgrades from the intersection of Foxspring Ave. and E. Water St. to
School St. in the amount of $200,000.
This funding is also 100%.
Councilman Voiers moved to adopt.
Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. Mayor Flanery called for a vote.
Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers,
Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Brian Burton addressed Council regarding fishing
from a boat at the City reservoir.
Burton asked if fishing would be permitted if he did not leave his boat
overnight. Mayor Flanery said no
decision had been made on whether to allow boats or fishing at the City
reservoir. Work currently being done to
clean around the lake and install new fencing has been very costly to the
City. Trash has been a major concern as
well. Burton stated that he always kept
his trash in his boat. The people
fishing from the bank were leaving the trash.
Councilwoman Sparks said she had been approached by other fishermen who
had offered to buy a permit to fish on the lake and asked Burton if he would be
willing to do the same. Burton
agreed. Mayor Flanery noted that the
lake belongs to the City, but is like an island surrounded by other people’s
property and only the City has a right of way to access the lake. People bringing in boats or fishing from the
bank are crossing private property and should be asking the property owners’
permission. Burton asked if he saw someone cutting fence or leaving trash
should it be reported. Tom MacDonald said the City definitely wanted to know
and will prosecute anyone in violation.
MacDonald stressed that there are many responsible sportsmen who have
been using the lake. They are not
causing the problem. It is the 1-2% who
doesn’t care about destroying other people’s property.
Councilman Story reported that Brenda Carpenter,
Carpenter Insurance, had met with the Finance Committee regarding the City’s
renewal. The premium should be going down
about $20,000-25,000 due to worker’s compensation. Accidents have been fewer and less severe. The current rate is 1.48% of the base rate;
the new rate will be 1.02% of the base rate.
There should be a 7% decrease across the board. The City is also eligible for a 5% reduction
if a drug free workplace program is adopted.
KLC is offering a three-year renewal program for cities that are in good
standing, pay premiums on time, and have a good claim history. Currently the program is limited to ten
cities. The City’s premium will be
locked in for three years and will not increase even if rates go up. However, if rates should go down, the City
will receive the lower rates.
Councilwoman Sparks requested a Parks Committee
meeting Tuesday, March 24th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Annex.
Councilman Voiers asked if any decision had been
made on purchasing a canopy. Mayor
Flanery stated that he and Ben Moran had been working on it.
Councilman Voiers reported on the recycling grant
application. Funding will be requested
for a drop off trailer, mobile baler, advertising educational materials, and
shopping bags. City employees will provide in kind labor.
Steve Donovan, Economic Development Director,
reported that there had been visitors in our community who were hoping to
settle here in 30-60 days and would bring new job opportunities if all goes
well.
City Clerk Joy Roark reported that the application
process for health insurance renewal rates was underway. All quotes will be submitted to the Finance
Committee for consideration.
Codes Enforcement Officer Ben Moran reported that he
had been working with the City Attorney on the process to clean up the blighted
property on East Water St.
Police Chief Randy Sergent reported on the
Neighborhood Watch Program. Sergent
also discussed the Cops grant available.
If the City applies for the grant it would have to agree to keep a new
officer after the three-year grant period, which would mean adding another
person to the department. Tom MacDonald
suggested that the Finance Committee discuss the matter.
Public Works Superintendent Dennis Masters reported
that his department would be finished picking up brush from the storm this
week. Park equipment for the City Park
has arrived and should be installed
soon. Masters will also contact the
fencing company to install new fence at the Foxspring Park. Councilman Voiers noted that the slides at
the City Park needed some attention and the old equipment needed to be removed. Councilman Voiers complimented Masters and
his department for the good job they had done cleaning up after the snow and
ice storms.
Councilman Voiers asked if the clean up work around
the reservoir had been included in the budget.
Mayor Flanery stated it had been in the budget the past two years. There was discussion about clean up at the
old reservoir as well. Mayor Flanery
said funding for the recreational trail around the old reservoir had been
promised, but the City had not received a contract yet. He was not sure if the funding included
clean up costs, but would check. He had
contacted Dr. Ed Story for suggestions on treating the reservoir, but he wasn’t
able to offer much assistance. It will
be expensive to treat. Ben Moran
pointed out that the lake is too shallow, making it a breeding ground for the
problems that exist.
There was discussion on bids to repair the roof at
the Waste Water plant. Mayor Flanery
referred the matter to the Finance Committee.
Tom MacDonald reported that he would contact
Muni-Gas and finish the contract process.
MacDonald stated he was also working on locating the old annexation
plats and had found several.
Councilman Story asked about repairing a hole in the
blacktop on Windsor Dr. Mayor Flanery
said the materials to make the repairs had arrived. Story noted that the auditor’s report mentioned the need for a
fixed asset policy and asked if any progress had been made. City Clerk Joy Roark said the policy would
be ready for the next council meeting.
Story complimented Councilman Voiers, Chief Sergent, and Asst. Chief
Fugett for their service to the dispatch board and the Board’s accomplishments.
Councilman Voiers asked for financial reports from
the access board and an inventory of their equipment.
Council discussed who was responsible for
maintaining Lover’s Lane. Mark Leet,
SMS, said the school was responsible for patrolling it, but he wasn’t sure
whether the school owned the property.
Councilman Hurst noted that the lane was in bad shape and wondered if it
could be considered in the Safe Routes to School grant project. Tom MacDonald will check into the matter.
Councilman Story moved to go into executive session
citing KRS 61.810 (1) b: to discuss future acquisition of real property. Councilman Voiers seconded the motion. Mayor Flanery called for a vote. Yeas:
Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith
Story, and Van Alexander. Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Councilman Voiers moved to go out of executive
session. Councilman Hurst seconded the
motion. Mayor Flanery called for a
vote. Yeas: Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks,
Meredith Story, and Van Alexander.
Nays: None. Motion carried.
No action was taken. Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 9:22 p.m. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion. Mayor Flanery called for a vote. Yeas:
Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith
Story, and Van Alexander. Nays: None.
Motion carried.
____________________________________
Louie
Flanery, Mayor
ATTESTED:
_______________________________________
Joy
Story Roark, City Clerk/Treasurer
Date
Approved: _________________________