The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly
meeting on Monday, July 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall. Council members present were Marty Voiers,
Carl Haight, Nancy Suit, Scott Manning, Meredith Story, and Robbie Graham. Mayor Louie K. Flanery presided.
Councilwoman Suit led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the previous meetings were
presented for approval. Councilman
Story noted the following correction to the minutes of June 24th,
page one, paragraph 5: Councilman
Haight noted that water rates had not been increased since 1999 other than the
cost of living increases. Councilman
Manning moved to approve the minutes with this correction. Councilwoman Suit seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mayor Flanery stated that the family of Glen McVey and
local attorney, Kim Razor, had suggested a memorial be made in Glen’s honor for
his years of service to the City. Mayor
Flanery stated that the family was willing to contribute to the cost of the
memorial. Council discussed naming the
street to the Utility Plant (which is currently unnamed) after Glen. There would be little or no cost to a sign
and it would be more noticeable than a plaque.
It was suggested that a plaque could also be placed at the Utility
Plaque.
Council heard the first reading of Ordinance No. 7-05-1
amending Ordinance No. 12-03-1 and allowing exemptions to the peddlers for
sponsorship by exempt organizations.
Councilman Haight noted that this matter had been tabled at the previous
meeting and moved that this matter no longer be tabled. Councilman Story seconded the motion. Councilwoman Suit moved to approve the first
reading. Councilman Graham seconded the
motion. All were in favor.
The Finance Committee had nothing to report.
City Clerk Joy Roark reported on the progress of the
Newman building and Depot. It is
anticipated that the August City Council meeting could be held in the Newman
building. Renovation of the Depot should
take four to six weeks. Councilman
Voiers questioned how committed the City was to a drive through window and
suggested that a drive up to window might be used first to test the need for a
drive through. Voiers also questioned
the plans for the old water plant building.
Mayor Flanery explained that the tank was in bad shape and may have to
be cut in two to be removed. Housing
Innovations will be using a crane to set a house and he has been working with
them to use the same crane, which would save the City some money.
Members of the former Rescue Squad along with their
attorney, Donald Maze, and Larry Dixon, Area 8 Manager, addressed Council
regarding an agreement with the City.
Maze stated that only the Judge had the authority to dissolve the Rescue
Squad. Not all magistrates agreed with
the Judge’s decision, but had no authority to change his decision. The Emergency Management department in
Frankfort suggested that the Rescue Squad could affiliate with the City. The City could then enter into an agreement
with the County so their service could be county wide. Maze stated that the County’s rules
governing the Rescue Squad were very involved.
The Fiscal Court only contributed $500 per year to the Squad. Most of their equipment was purchased through
fundraisers such as court day. The
Judge had expressed concern over the liability insurance. The County had carried only $250,000 in
coverage. Martha Boone stated that the
Squad had taken steps to secure their own insurance policy with $1,000,000 in
coverage, which they were willing to pay for.
Maze stated that the City would have to hire an Emergency Management
Director. It was not mandatory that
this person be paid a salary. Maze
noted that he was not an expert on the Rescue Squad’s operations, but referred
Council to Jill Toncray in the Frankfort office and Larry Dixon of Morehead.
Mayor
Flanery noted his concerns about the existing equipment that was currently
locked in a building owned by the County.
Maze stated that the County might turn the equipment over to the Rescue
Squad if they reach an agreement with the City. It would be up to the entire Fiscal Court whether the Rescue
Squad could continue to use the building housing the equipment. Flanery questioned who could be an EMD. Larry Dixon stated that there was no KRS
saying who could be an EMD, but there were requirements regarding training and
an emergency plan that was City specific.
The existing emergency plan could be used, just change Fleming County to
Flemingsburg. The EMD would have to
hold a drill annually and would serve at the pleasure of the mayor. The Rescue Squad would serve only the City
unless an agreement could be reached with the County. Dixon stated that his office could partially reimburse the salary
of one EMD per county. Since the County
already has an EMD, the City would not be eligible for any reimbursement.
Members
of the group stated that all the magistrates supported them. If the City would allow them to operate
temporarily until the next election there was a possibility that the County
would take them back. They stressed
that they had purchased all of their equipment with the exception of one truck
with jaws, which the County had helped finance. There was still a balance due of around $12,000. The $1,000,000 liability policy could be
reinstated just as soon as the City signs an agreement with them.
Mayor
Flanery questioned whether the Fire Department had to be called out before the
Rescue Squad could act. Dixon stated
they did not have to call the Fire Department, but would as a precaution if
there was a chance of fire. Maze
stressed the amount of training required to become and stay a member. Mayor Flanery questioned who tracked the
training. Martha Boone stated that she
kept all records. Copies are sent to
the Chief who forwards them to the EMD for signatures and then to Larry
Dixon. He keeps records of all
activities, which are required for the Squad to be eligible for state
grants. Matt Doyle reviewed all the
services the Squad provides and Matt Bode reiterated that the group, which is
all volunteers, just wants to continue to serve the community. On a closing note, Dixon stated that his
agency would provide worker’s compensation coverage if the Rescue Squad is
affiliated with local government. Mayor
Flanery requested a copy of their by-laws.
The
Safety Committee had nothing to report.
Councilman Voiers questioned the status of the noise ordinance. Police Chief Danny Carpenter stated that the
Codes Enforcement Board had to be in place first. City Attorney Tom MacDonald stated the noise ordinance was
prepared. Councilman Voiers requested a
copy.
Mary
Jo Litton stated that, after three attempts, the City had received the Preserve
America Community designation. The City
will now be eligible for additional funds.
The Mainstreet organization received accreditation as a 2005 National
Mainstreet Program. On September 24th
Mainstreet will have a band, food, and activities in the downtown area. Renaissance on Main selected the City as a
“Certified to” city, making it eligible to apply for $70,000 in funding for job
growth. By the first of January the
City can apply for a “Certified One” community and be eligible to apply for
$150,000 in funding.
Saturday
evening, July 16th, Tourism is sponsoring a “Supper with the
Spirits” in the Fleming County Cemetery.
There will be portrayals of historical characters buried there. The contractor has returned to work on the
Goddard Covered Bridge. Around July 18th
the bridge will be closed and raised so that work can begin on the
abutment.
Danny
Carpenter reported that the police department had received $13,100 from the
Highway Safety Grant. Monies would be
used for overtime, gas, and mileage.
Councilman Voiers questioned the status of the police department’s body
armor. Carpenter stated that most of it
is worn and needs replaced. KLC has a
50/50 body armor grant that they may be eligible for. Officer Darren Hull expects to be released from medical leave and
able to return to work in mid August.
Councilman
Voiers questioned hiring another employee for the Wastewater department. Mayor Flanery stated that he had met with
the Utilities, Streets, and Wastewater Superintendents to discuss this matter,
noting that the Street department was also a man short.
Utilities
Superintendent Kenny Dearing reported that his department had been receiving a
lot of complaints about the water coming from the GFCRWC. Dearing stated that GFCRWC had assured him
the water would get better. There had
also been a lot of water leaks during the month and he was unable to obtain an
accurate water loss figure.
Councilman
Voiers questioned when the Codes Enforcement Board would be in place. Mayor Flanery stated that this matter needed
more discussion with the Codes Enforcement Officer and City Attorney. Voiers also questioned the status of the
streets that need to be widened. Gene
Schwartz stated that Tommy Carpenter already had a copy of the deeds and would
be ready to survey them soon.
Councilman Voiers stated that the City Council needed to move forward on
a pornography ordinance. Councilman
Story agreed. Voiers asked about the
status of the Dispatch Board but the status was unknown. Voiers questioned if there were any more
renters in the Fischer building. Mayor
Flanery stated that there were two more; and he would be meeting with the
management group July 12th. Voiers
noted that there was a problem with the elevator and the fire alarm that needed
to be addressed.
Councilman
Haight asked about the Homeland Security inspection. Chief Carpenter stated that the inspection went well and the City
should receive a report in about three weeks.
The team visited twenty-four sites in the county. Haight also reported a problem with
advertising supplements being tossed in yards and driveways.
Councilman
Story questioned the status of court day.
Councilman Voiers suggested the Mayor be given some time to check into
the Rescue Squad’s request. Per KRS it
is the mayor’s decision. However, Mayor
Flanery requested input from the Council.
Councilman Story said the Fire Department should be the City’s first
priority. The City has trouble funding
the Fire Department; taking on the Rescue Squad would be an extra burden.
There
being no further business Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Councilman Haight seconded the motion. All were in favor.
__________________________
Louie K.
Flanery, Mayor
ATTESTED:
________________________
Joy Story Roark, City Clerk
Date Approved: __________