There was a regular meeting of the Flemingsburg City Council Monday, November 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Annex.  Council members present were Ricky Hurst, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Van Alexander.  Councilman Marty Voiers was absent.  Mayor Louie Flanery presided.

 

Councilwoman Sparks led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Minutes of the October 12th meeting were presented.  Councilman Manning moved to approve.  Councilman Hurst seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Crystal Ruark, Fleming Co. Chamber Executive Director, presented the Chamber report.  Ruark stated that she had attended training in Vanceburg and had completed the required credit hours for 2009 for the Mainstreet Program.  The Chamber will be offering Chamber Bucks again this year during the Christmas season to promote shopping locally.  Ruark expressed thanks to the City for sponsoring the Christmas parade and Friendship night.  Ruark also thanked City employees for all their help throughout the year.

 

City Clerk Joy Roark presented the second reading of Ordinance No. 11-09-01 adopting the uniform statewide building code.  Councilwoman Sparks moved to approve.  Councilman Hurst seconded the motion.  A roll call was given:  Hurst-yes; Manning-yes; Sparks-yes; Story-yes; Alexander-yes.  Motion carried.

 

Mayor Flanery reported that a member of the Airport Board had resigned.  A replacement would be presented at the next regular council meeting.

 

Councilman Story reported on the Finance committee meeting.  Issues discussed were the water plant operations, a sidewalk maintenance program, and the recycling program.  Councilman Story stated that, after last year’s audit, the City’s auditor recommended that the City raise water rates because it was operating at a loss.  Story noted that the City’s water department was operating at a little more of a loss than last year and felt it was time to monitor the operation more closely and make recommendations on ways to improve the situation.  Ben Moran prepared an analysis on the condition of City sidewalks using five categories based on the severity of their condition.  The City will need to determine how much money can be put into the budget for a maintenance program and then determine the criteria.  A cooperative program with citizens may need to be considered that also includes a payment plan.  Guidelines and procedures will also need to be determined.  Per Dennis Masters the old packer being used for the recycling program is in bad shape and is not worth enough to justify repair.  Story said the City would need to consider purchasing or leasing another vehicle and also ways to pay for it.

 

Police Chief Randy Sergent reported on the Safety committee meeting.  The main topic was parking on city streets during a snow emergency.  The committee recommended that there be no on street parking on Weddle St.  Dennis Masters stated that his department could not collect garbage on that street recently due to on street parking making it too crowded for the garbage truck to pass.  On street parking on Garr Ave., Ingram Ave., and McMullin Ave. was also discussed.  Sergent stated that the City’s ordinance regarding snow removal should be changed to match the same hours posted by the state for snow routes.  There was discussion about residents who had no off street parking.  Sergent said the State would expect the City Police to enforce the ordinance, but may be willing to work with residents who have no alternative parking.  The citizens need to be informed.  Councilman Manning volunteered to visit residents where on street parking is a concern.  Sergent reported that there would be a neighborhood watch program for the residents of Ingram Ave., Garr Ave., and McMullin this week. 

 

Chief Sergent reported that Police Officer Recruit Aaron Workman would graduate from the academy this Friday with distinction.  This is a high honor in the academy.  The recruit has to maintain a 95 grade point average.  Sergent stated that the high school has a simulator and his department does a class for high school students at least every nine weeks.

 

City Clerk Joy Roark reported on the training sessions she attended at the Master Municipal Clerks Academy.  Roark completed a session on “Addictions in the Workplace” and received certification.  This training complies with the requirements of the City’s Drug Free Workplace program.  Roark also attended a session on “Media Relations”.  KLC recommended that all cities have a media policy and offered to provide a sample policy.  Roark noted that Flemingsburg does not have a media policy, but the sample could be molded to meet the City’s needs.  Roark also stated that work on the annual audit would begin in the next few weeks.

 

Councilman Story commented on the financial report, noting that occupational tax revenues were down considerably compared to the same period last year.  Roark stated that both occupational tax and insurance premium payments had been slow to come in and both are major revenue sources for General Government.  Story stated if that trend continued it could create a serious loss in operating revenues and the budget may need to be revised.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Ben Moran presented minutes of a recent Planning Commission meeting.  Moran reported that he had attended a conference and was able to complete the training required by state for this year.

 

Public Works Superintendent Dennis Masters reported that his department was using the new recycling trailer. Councilman Story questioned if all recycling items being collected were being recycled at the center.  Masters said 95% of the time it was all being recycled.  Sometimes the center doesn’t have enough help and they are still getting a lot of garbage in the recycling.  It was suggested that the containers be pulled if the abuse continues.

 

Utilities Superintendent Joe Dunaway reported that he had lost a full-time employee and thanked Mayor Flanery for hiring a part-time worker to help with up coming projects.  Dunaway noted that the new Justice Center and KY Farm Bureau building would be big projects for his department.  Dunaway also noted that his department has better equipment than it has ever had in the 14 years he has worked for the City and expressed his appreciation.

 

Waste Water Superintendent Dale Clary reported that the first load of roof materials had arrived and the second load should arrive soon.  The contractor will begin replacing the roof just as soon as the second load arrives.  The pump station at Fleming Co. Water has been down for three months, but should be repaired soon.

 

City Attorney Tom MacDonald reported on revisions to the cable board.  Some changes had been made by the board that were not allowed by ordinance.  It was suggested that nine members were too many and sometimes made it harder to get a quorum.  Councilman Story recommended five members plus two from the City who would be non-voting members.  Mayor Flanery stated that it is hard to find people to serve on the different boards.  He has commitments from two residents that live in the county, but the current ordinance requires five members that live in the city.  MacDonald suggested changing the ordinance to include people who own businesses in the city, but may not be residents.  The mayor stressed the need to act quickly and called for a finance committee meeting to review recommended changes.  It was also recommended that Garrett Honaker, current Chair of the Cable Board, be included in the meeting.

 

MacDonald stated that he was finalizing annexation on properties on Cherry Grove Road, Maysville Road, and Elizaville Road.  He will be going to the Secretary of State’s office this week to review the City’s boundary maps.  The Highway Dept. maps and BTADD maps are correct.

 

Councilman Hurst reported a complaint from a resident on Mt. Sterling Ave. of mud and water standing in the road right in the curve.  It stinks and creates a mess.  Dennis Masters said the water is coming from a vein in the bank and causes a problem in the winter when it ices over.  The resident offered to allow a drain to be placed across her property so the water could drain to the creek.  Dennis Masters will contact the State regarding installation of the drain.

 

Councilman Story asked if the City’s ordinance had been changed to reflect that the City did not guarantee uninterrupted utility service.  Tom MacDonald and Joe Dunaway are working on this issue.  Councilman Story asked for an update on the Johnson Junction Depot project.  Mayor Flanery said the project had been verbally approved, but the contract had not come in.  Story asked the status of the Highway Safety and Law Enforcement Service Fee Grants.  Chief Sergent said all grants were finished.

 

Councilwoman Sparks reported on vandalism to city parks.  Sparks noted that a lot of money had been spent on the parks and asked for suggestions to deal with the vandalism.  Chief Sergent said a surveillance camera could be installed.  He also suggested applying for a grant for safety equipment.

 

There being no further business, Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.  Councilman Story seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

 

                                                                                    _________________________

                                                                                    Louie Flanery, Mayor

 

ATTESTED:

 

 

_______________________________

Joy Story Roark, City Clerk/Treasurer

 

Date approved:  _________________