There was a regular meeting of the Flemingsburg City Council Monday, April 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at 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.  Councilman Manning moved to approve minutes of the March 10th meeting. Councilman Alexander seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

City Attorney Tom MacDonald noted that Ordinance No. 3-08-1, which was passed at the March meeting, prohibited the use of jake brakes in the city limits.  Police Chief Randy Sergent reported that the State views jake brakes as a safety device and their use cannot be prohibited according to the State Highway Dept.  Councilman Story moved to rescind Ordinance No. 3-08-1.  Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

MacDonald presented Ordinance No. 4-08-1 regarding noise regulation.  It was noted that the section prohibiting the use of jake brakes had been eliminated.  A spelling correction was also noted in Section 6B, 3rd line, changing the word office to officer.  Councilman Voiers moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 4-08-1 with the noted correction.  Councilman Hurst seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Doug Padgett with BTADD presented an update on the comprehensive plan for the City, County, and the City of Ewing.  Padgett stated that the goals and objectives gathered from public forums as well as the original plan made up the base of the current comprehensive plan. Councilman Voiers questioned if there was any way to validate the goals and objectives.  Padgett stated that during the five- year review goals that have been met could be removed and those that are ongoing can be reworded to reflect their current status.   Mayor Flanery noted that a lot of the goals from the previous plan have been met.  The Planning Commission has adopted the comprehensive plan.  Padgett stated that each entity would also be required to adopt the plan.  Councilman Manning moved to adopt the comprehensive plan.  Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Council discussed the Hazmat Eight-WMD, Inc. affiliation agreement.   It was the consensus of Council that Emergency Management Director Duane Price be asked to address questions and concerns about this document before any action is taken.

 

A resolution was presented for Municipal Road Aid funds of $33,592 for fiscal year 2008-2009.  Councilman Story moved to adopt.  Councilman Alexander seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  Councilman Story noted that the City should have a public meeting before using municipal road aid funds for any purpose other than snow removal.

 

City Clerk Joy Roark presented the first reading of Ordinance No. 4-08-2 establishing the positions of Assistant City Clerk/Treasurer and Police Sergeant.  Council requested that wording in the Police Sergeant job description be changed to make 3 years experience mandatory rather than desirable.  Councilwoman Sparks moved to approve.  Councilman Hurst seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  These positions, being newly created, were not included in the current year’s budget and will not be filled at this time.

 

Chief Sergent requested a letter of approval to apply for a Law Enforcement Safety Fee Grant for $39,271 with a local match of $4,925.  Funding, which comes from federal monies but is managed by the state, would be used for overtime, mileage, and equipment (dash cameras, P.B.T., and radar units).  Sergent confirmed that all officers would be able to work the grant and had received NIMS training.  Councilman Story suggested it would be a good idea to do road blocks within a three-mile radius of Flemingsburg rather than out in the county, making reference to a prior roadblock at Sherburn.  Chief Sergent agreed.  Councilman Story moved to approve the grant application.  Councilman Alexander seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Chief Sergent requested a letter of approval to apply for a Highway Safety Grant for $36,393 with a local match of $12,738.  In addition to overtime the grant request included funding for a fully equipped police cruiser, 2 radar units and 4 P.B.T. units.  Councilman Voiers moved to approve.  Councilman Hurst seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Council discussed an ordinance to allow temporary off-site auto sales.  It was the consensus of council that this ordinance would be detrimental to the community and existing businesses.  No action was taken.

 

Mayor Flanery opened the following sealed bids for sidewalk improvements:

 

Ø      Legend Concrete, owners Ashley McCord and Travis Ruark - $26,875 plus an additional $2,100 if stamped

Ø      Thompson Bros. - $24,500 plus an additional $1,900 if stamped

Ø      RGF Inc - $31,227

 

Mayor Flanery will review the bids and specifications.  No action was taken.

 

Joy Roark reported the following recommendations made by the Buildings & Grounds Committee:  move all surplus furniture/equipment to one location for a one-day sale; partition a storage area in the front of the annex for storage, make handicapped entrance to annex more accessible, create a sitting area for guests at annex, convert front two rooms on the second floor of the Police Dept. to a fitness area for city employees, and replace basement steps at annex.  Routine maintenance, painting, and carpet replacement were recommended as funding became available.  The committee also recommended that a wellness program be adopted.  The health dept. has been contacted regarding their services.  KLC confirmed there were no liability issues as long as the fitness center was restricted to city employees.  They suggested against the use of free weights due to the potential for injuries.  Councilman Story offered the use of his rental property on Elizaville Ave. at no cost to the city as temporary storage for the surplus property.

Councilman Story reported that Tom MacDonald was going to check with Municipal Gas regarding a couple of issues with their contract.  The City of Vanceburg has already signed with Municipal Gas and is receiving a small discount.  The bond market is down at this time, but when the market goes up the discount will increase.  A meeting of the Finance Committee was scheduled for Monday, April 21st at 6:00 p.m. to discuss renewal health insurance rates.

 

Councilwoman Sparks reported that work would begin soon on tearing out the ball court at the Foxspring Ave. Park.  Jim Compton will contact the county for assistance.  Councilman Voiers is checking on chips for ground cover.  Another grant application has been submitted.  Sparks noted there were several letters of support from the community.

 

Councilman Voiers reported that the Recycling program was progressing.  There are currently 343 customers.  The committee discussed getting a mobile baler and trying to find ways to save on fuel cost and handling time when picking up materials. 

 

City Clerk Joy Roark presented the first reading of Ordinance No. 5-08-1 regarding dealing with juveniles during late night hours.  Councilman Hurst moved to approve.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Chief Sergent reported that he was checking into other grant funds available.  The Police Dept. is getting started on the accreditation process.  Department guidelines need to be updated.  Councilman Voiers suggested he contact KLC for help.  Voiers also questioned the calls received by the department.  Sergent stated that usually warnings or citations are issued if someone is stopped.  Voiers asked Sergent if he could do a graph of the areas where people are stopped to determine potential problem areas.

 

Councilman Voiers said the Dispatch office was hoping to be fully operational by mid August.

 

Public Works Superintendent Jim Compton reported that he had been looking into the water drainage problem on Windsor Rd. near the new Health Dept. building. 

 

Waste Water Superintendent Dale Clary reported that city sewer lines couldn’t handle all the water flow after the recent heavy rains.  He could increase the line size, but then the plant wouldn’t be able to handle the additional flow.  Councilman Story commented that he had attended the watershed meeting on the study of the town branch.  Results of their study showed that creek water tested better after it went through the sewer plant than before. 

 

Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing reported that the painting job on the Mills Ave. water tower had been inspected by a company representative.  He concluded that the paint was chipping off because the primer wasn’t left on long enough.  The tank will have to be pressure washed, sanded and repainted.

 

Councilman Story reported that he and Councilman Voiers completed 6 hours of training on effective budgeting strategies presented by Jerry Hensley, C.P.A.  The course was sponsored by KLC.  Story also reported on the watershed meeting noting that a lengthy study on the town branch is being conducted.  Story felt the study should be beneficial to the City.  Funding to run sewer lines to Industrial Park II was questioned.  Story commented that in the past the Industrial Authority had applied for funding, not the City.  Mayor Flanery said that sewer projects were top priority for funding through state KIA.  He had also talked to Rural Development and Geoff Davis’ office about funding options.  Flanery was not sure what funding sewer projects would receive considering the condition of the state budget.

 

Council discussed spring cleanup.  It was suggested that a limit should be set on the number of items eligible for free pick-up and restrictions on the type of items.  It was also suggested that a free pick-up be offered in exchange for signing up to recycle.  Councilman Hurst reported streetlights out at the Stockyards crosswalk and a run-off problem at Jane Clark’s on Stockwell Ave.

 

Councilman Manning reported a call complaining that the senior discount age of 65 was too high and asked the City Clerk to check with other cities that offer a senior discount.

 

Mayor Flanery stated that Fleming-Mason Service was being sold and asked Council to consider a time limit for a contract with the new owner.

 

Tom MacDonald stated that Council needed to ratify that the purchase price of the Harmon property was authorized during executive session at the last council meeting.  Councilman Story moved that on March 10th during an executive session Flemingsburg City Council authorized Mayor Flanery to negotiate the purchase of Harmon’s Pool Hall and an adjoining building, located on East Water St. and owned by Robert Harmon, for a price not to exceed $50,000.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

There being no further business Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.  Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

 

 

                                                                        __________________________

                                                                        Louie Flanery, Mayor

 

 

ATTESTED:

 

 

_______________________________

Joy Story Roark, City Clerk/Treasurer                        Date Approved:  ______________