There was a regular meeting of the Flemingsburg City Council April 13, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Annex. Council members present were Van Alexander, Ricky Hurst, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Marty Voiers. Mayor Louie Flanery presided.

Councilman Voiers led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the March 9^th meeting were presented for approval. Councilman Voiers moved to approve. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Flanery recognized the following guests: Jackie Thompson, Donnie Carpenter, Rick Kielman, Harold Dean Sorrell, Mark Leet and members of his SMS government class.

City Clerk Joy Roark presented the second reading of Ordinance No. 04-09-1 regarding the possession and harboring of vicious animals. Councilman Story moved to approve. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. A roll call was given. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

City Clerk Joy Roark presented the first reading of Ordinance No. 04-09-2 amending the zoning map classifications for properties located on Sellers St. and East Water St. Councilman Hurst moved to approve. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

City Clerk Joy Roark presented the first reading of Ordinance No. 04-09-3 amending the zoning map classification for Southern States Coop. Councilman Voiers moved to approve. Councilman Story seconded the motion. Codes Enforcement Officer Ben Moran stated that passing this ordinance would permit Southern States to continue operating as they had been. The property was not originally zoned as commercial. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – no, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Chief Randy Sergent reported that he had applied for a COPS grant that would pay 100% of the salary and related benefits for an eighth officer for three years. The city would have to agree to keep the officer a fourth year and pay all related expenses. If the grant is awarded it will be up to city council to approve receipt of grant funds. Councilman Story said he didn’t feel the City was financially able to add another officer noting the additional expense above and beyond salary and benefits. Story also noted the General Fund had incurred operating losses over the past three years. If an eighth officer were added the City would have to increase revenues or make budget cuts. Based on figures from the City’s financial statements an additional officer would cost approximately $10,000 per year for the first three years and $50,000 for the fourth year verses $200,000 if the city had to pay the full amount. Chief Sergent said the police department had operated short with only five to six employees for several years. An eighth person would allow for more coverage and more community programs. Councilman Hurst commented that if the City could get another officer for that price the City should pursue it. Council discussed setting money aside each year to cover the additional cost for the fourth year. Councilman Voiers moved to adopt a resolution to apply for funds through the COPS grant for an eighth position on the police force. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – no, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 09-4-1 designating an applicant agent or agents for FEMA. Councilman Voiers moved to adopt Resolution No. 09-4-1 designating Joy Roark, City Clerk/Treasurer and Dennis Masters, Public Works Superintendent as applicant’s agents. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Flanery presented Resolution No. 09-4-2 regarding application for transportation enhancement funds for the rail museum project. Councilman Story moved to adopt. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Mayor Flanery presented Municipal Order 09-1 regarding a drug-free workplace. Council had several questions about the contents of the municipal order and decided not to take any action at this time.

City Clerk Joy Roark reviewed the City’s Fixed Asset Policy. The City had a verbal policy, but Penny Stanfield, the City’s auditor, had noted a need for a written policy. This policy allows for a numbering system to account for fixed assets, which will enable better inventory control. The policy also calls for an annual inventory of fixed assets over $2,500 and a departmental inventory of attractive items under $2,500 such as digital cameras, tools, etc. Councilwoman Sparks moved to approve. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Councilman Story reported on the health insurance quotes received from Bluegrass Family Health, United Healthcare, Anthem, and Humana. The City currently has coverage with Bluegrass Family Health. The Finance Committee recommended switching to a similar plan through United Healthcare with lower premiums. The savings to the City would be around $30,000 per year. It was also recommended that the City continue to pay 100% of the single plan, but reduce payment of any additional coverage from 23% to 20%. Councilman Story moved to approve the recommendations of the Finance Committee. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Councilman Story also reported on a bid to repair the roof at the Waste Water Treatment plant. Dale Clary had obtained a bid from Trimco to build up the roof so it would drain. The cost would be $35,000-50,000. Story noted that when the new treatment plant is built the current building would be used for administration so repair to the roof should be long term. Councilman Voiers moved to approve the bid from Trimco. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. Council voted as follows: Alexander – yes, Hurst – yes, Manning – yes, Sparks – yes, Story – yes, Voiers – yes. Motion carried.

Councilwoman Sparks reviewed a list of items to complete renovation of the Foxspring Ave. Park. Dennis Masters reported that the grounds had been seeded. The rope on the flagpole had been broken and was replaced. Recommendations of the Arts Council for improvements to the City Park were discussed

Councilman Voiers updated Council on the recycling grant application that was submitted and the FUTURE program. Voiers reported that he had received a lot of help from both newspapers and was getting tips on eco- recycling. A new logo for Recycle Ben has been designed and the City continues to pick up new customers with some requesting a second container.

Dennis Masters stated that the recycling center had complained of the drop off recycling not being clean enough and would start to refuse the City’s recycling if it did not improve. Council discussed putting up a list of permissible items, installing a security camera, even going through some of the bags to see who is using the drop off trailer. A lot of recycling comes from outside the city. It is a difficult thing to monitor.

Chief Sergent reported on a grant through KLC. Sergent reported that he had received a few applications for a new police officer and had already reserved a position at the academy in July.

City Clerk Joy Roark reported that both Joetta Marshall and Sarah Farrow had received partial scholarships for the Clerk’s Institute in July. This will be their second year to attend. Roark also reported that two of the computers in the office had been replaced due to ongoing problems with the old ones.

Mayor Flanery reported that a new directional light had been installed at the Foxspring Park. Councilman Manning said the street light by the Peoples Bank drive-in bank was not working. Dennis Masters reported that the light by the firehouse was not working either.

Chief Sergent reported that Officer William Thoroughman had resigned and Officer Tim Smith had been deployed to Iraq leaving him two officers short. Officer Glen Robinson would not be back to fill –in on a part time basis due to health issues. Councilwoman Sparks asked if officers who quit prior to their three- year commitment would have to reimburse the City. Tom MacDonald is checking into that.

Mayor Flanery reported that the City had applied for two workers through BTADD School to Work program, which begins in mid June. The workers will do street and grounds maintenance and be paid through the School to Work program.

City Attorney Tom MacDonald reported that he is working with KLC to obtain information on cleaning up blighted properties without a lot of expense to the City. Muni-Gas is waiting on a small amount of information from Ken Magyar to complete the contract for natural gas purchases. MacDonald reported that several annexation maps have been found and he still has one more off-site storage facility to go through, but will not be able to do so until after April 15th. There are still a few issues to work out on properties waiting to be annexed, but everything will be in place this year. Councilman Voiers implored MacDonald to work on annexation on Cherry Grove Road so the City could move forward and offered to assist in any way to make that happen.

Councilman Hurst reported that the newly constructed Community Trust Bank on Windsor Dr. now has electric, but does not have all their lights in place yet. He will continue to follow up on this matter so additional lighting needed could be assessed.

Councilman Voiers reported a roof leak at the firehouse after the roof was recently repaired.

Council discussed lighting issues in Indian Fields. Fleming Mason replaced all light heads and the subdivision is still dark. Councilman Hurst said part of the problem is that all the lines are underground making it harder to add additional lighting. Councilman Alexander noted that trees could also be blocking the lights. Councilman Manning volunteered to do a survey of the neighborhood regarding the lighting.

Councilwoman Sparks reported a citizen’s complaint that people were trying to cross his property to access the reservoir. He was told to post his property. Mayor Flanery stated that he had received the Trails grant contract so the City is ready to proceed. Funds for clean up of the old reservoir are not included in the grant. The mayor is obtaining bids. Rick Kielman said the lake could be treated, but it would be expensive. Aerating the lake was also discussed. This would be expensive as well. Kielman suggested having someone from U.K. look at the lake and suggest possible treatments.

Councilman Story reported on the City’s natural gas rate reductions. Story also brought up the credit card policy issues at the Lexington Airport and thought the City should have checks and balances in place. After review of the current policy, it was concluded that no changes were needed at this time, but the City’s auditor would be asked to review the policy during the next audit and note any needed improvements.

Councilman Alexander reported a cable on the ground from Litzler’s property in Indian Fields to Steve’s Hardware.

Mayor Flanery reported that he was working on design and permits for the Safe Routes to School project. He doesn’t have an answer yet whether Lovers Lane will be included in the project.

Council discussed setting a date for clean up week and asked Public Works Superintendent Dennis Masters to decide what week would work best for him and his department’s schedule.

A Finance Committee meeting was set for Monday, April 20th at 5:00 p.m. in the City Annex. There being no further business, Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Councilman Hurst 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: _________________