There was a regular meeting of the Flemingsburg City Council Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Annex. Council members present were Ricky Hurst, Marty Voiers, Scott Manning, Georgianna Sparks, and Meredith Story. Van Alexander was absent. Mayor Louie Flanery presided.

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

City Attorney Tom MacDonald reported that he had been working on the questionnaire from Municipal Gas and had some concerns about the information being requested. MacDonald had contacted the company and expected to hear back from them within the week.

Ordinance No. 11-08-1 regarding creation of an identity theft prevention program was presented for a first reading. Councilman Voiers moved to approve. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. All were in favor. It was noted that this was a second draft and all changes recommended by the Finance Committee had been made.

Ordinance No. 12-08-1 regarding revised connection charges, customer account deposits and late fees was presented. After a brief discussion, this matter was referred to the Finance Committee for further review. A meeting was scheduled for Monday, November 17^th at 6:00 p.m. in the City Annex.

Mayor Flanery presented a Recycling Agreement from the Mason County Landfill. Mayor Flanery explained that the County had withdrawn from the recycling program and was no longer going to pay the $2,000 annual fee. The City had been participating under the County’s agreement. If the City wishes to continue with the recycling program the City will have to enter into a Recycling Agreement and pay the $2,000 annual fee. Councilman Story stated that the Recycling Committee had done a lot of work on the Recycling Program. The Finance Committee had discussed this matter and recommended continuing with the program. Councilman Story moved to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement and pay the $2,000 fee. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. All were in favor. Councilman Story asked if the City was currently paying anything to the landfill for recycling. Dennis Masters stated that the recycling is weighed and the driver given a ticket, but the City is not charged. If the center can’t handle the recycling then it goes in the landfill at the landfill’s expense unless the recycling includes something that is not recyclable such as dead animals.

Codes Enforcement Officer Ben Moran presented recommendations of the Ewing, Flemingsburg and Fleming County Planning Commission regarding two requests for zoning changes. Bill Weaver requested a change from Commercial District to Moderate Density Residential District. Weaver intends to construct single-family residences and/or apartments of four units or less. Albert W. Graham requested a change from Low-Moderate Density Residential to Moderate Density Residential. Graham intends to place a Class A manufactured home on the property or construct a duplex. The Planning Commission found that the existing zoning classification given to each property was inappropriate and recommended that the zoning change requests be approved. Councilman Manning moved to approve. Councilman Hurst seconded the motion. All were in favor. Councilman Story asked if approving this would require an ordinance amendment. Tom MacDonald confirmed that it would.

Fleming Co. Chamber Executive Director Crystal Ruark presented the Chamber report.

Councilman Story reported that the Finance Committee had reviewed the Identity Theft policy and the recycling agreement. Story also reported on sessions he had attended at the KLC convention in October.

Councilwoman Sparks reported on the Foxspring Ave. Park improvements. A Parks Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, November 17th at 5:00 at the Annex.

Councilman Voiers reported that the can challenge between the schools would be finished this week and the Elementary School was way ahead. The cans collected will be sold and the winner will receive the proceeds.

City Clerk Joy Roark reported that the auditors would be working on the annual audit this week. The natural gas storage is almost full; prices are close, but not quite as low as last year. Councilman Story pointed out that the final payment had been made on the A Bond debt. Story noted that both the General Fund and the Utilities had a net loss, but it was largely due to accrued depreciation expense, property, liability, and worker’s comp insurance expense, which was paid in advance in a lump sum, and purchase of a new garbage truck. Revenues from insurance premiums and occupational taxes are holding steady, but with the current economic conditions those revenues could drop.

Councilman Voiers stressed the need to move quickly on a vicious dog ordinance. Voiers also stated that grant funds might come available to address vacant property issues and requested a list of properties.

Chief Sergent reported that Officer Chris Ingram graduated from the academy October 24^th and his department is now fully staffed. The first meeting regarding the neighborhood watch program has been scheduled for December 3^rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Annex.

Councilman Voiers reported that the parking spaces were not striped in front of the sheriff’s office. Mayor Flanery stated that when the State blacktopped they usually took care of the striping, but the City had helped them out on occasion. Dennis Masters said the City’s striping machine was currently being repaired. He could do the striping when he got the machine back or check with the State to see if they could do it. Voiers also reported bad potholes on Ryan St.

Councilman Story reported a small section of curb missing on the left side of Crawford Alley. The catch basin on Pioneer Trace is also blocked causing water to back up in the Wagner’s backyard when it rains.

Utilities Superintendent Joe Dunaway stated that he had turned the hydrant in Barbour Doyle’s Subdivision to make it more accessible. When funding comes available work will begin on the waterlines from Water St. to Main St. Council discussed the moss problem on the old reservoir. Dunaway stated that he and Ben Moran had met with three biologists and were told that nothing could be done except treat the lake with an expensive chemical. Moran said there is a tropical fish that will eat the moss, but if there are any big bass in the lake they will eat the tropical fish. Councilman Voiers suggested that the City try some of the options available.

Councilman Voiers asked if the Waste Water plant roof was leaking and causing a dangerous situation. Superintendent Dale Clary said the roof had leaked for some time and was leaking now into a light fixture and throwing the breaker. Mayor Flanery said the sewer plant is on the list for stimulus funding the first of the year. Clary felt that engineers could have a design ready in six months, but Voiers said the City would still be looking at 18-24 months to get a new plant built. Mayor Flanery felt a sloped roof could be put on the building for not much more than the utilities building roof cost and will get 2-3 bids.

Council discussed a problem with water standing on Kay St. Clary stated that, when Johnny Alderman built the subdivision, it had ditches. The property owners didn’t like the ditches so they filled them in. There’s a natural water vein in that area and the ditches were needed for property drainage. Over the years property has changed hands and the current owners don’t know the history. Dunaway stated that his department had worked on that area before and after they dug down so far the hole would fill up with water. Councilman Story said he would like to be able to tell the property owner whose problem it is. Councilman Story also asked about the sewer problem at Harold Sorrell’s property. Clary said the Thompson Bros. were currently working in Morehead, but he would discuss the matter with them when they became available.

Councilman Story said residents of High Ridge Manor complained about access to the main highway. He didn’t feel that the City could do anything since it was an issue with a State highway. Story reported that he had spoken with an Anthem representative at the KLC convention who offered to do a presentation on optional health insurance plans with larger deductibles that could save the City some money. City Clerk Joy Roark said she had looked at similar plans last year, but they weren’t feasible for a city this size. Councilman Story said he would contact them to do a presentation in January 2009. Story reported that Jackie Thompson was still having trouble with people turning around in his driveway. This was discussed at a previous meeting. Councilman Story asked about city funding for a sidewalk program. The City had looked at a program several years ago. Several sidewalks are in need of repair and property owners might be able to pay part of the cost if the City offered a match. Story reported some citizens are still complaining about the well water ruining their appliances and having to replace them. Story wondered if the City could consider a water softener program. Citizens are all paying the same price for water, but some are getting harder water and having more problems, the Indian Fields area in particular. He would like to offer an alternative. The well water was cut off from that area for a period. Joe Dunaway stated that the water has been tested and hasn’t improved any. Cutting down the pressure and mixing the water has been discussed. Water pressure would be significantly less. Water softeners are hard on wastewater plants; they kill the enzymes needed for the plant to function properly. Dale Clary said it would not bother a new plant as much, but would produce significantly more sludge. Councilman Story asked if there was any interest in a water softener program. No one expressed an interest. Mayor Flanery suggested mixing the water first to see if it improved.

Councilman Voiers asked about the location of the Fischer building electric meters. Mayor Flanery said the meters are on a common wall and the plat shows the wall belongs to the Fischer building.

Councilman Hurst said High Ridge Manor residents requested a streetlight and questioned whether the complex was located on a city street. Ben Moran said there is an access road that runs in front of Artic Cat to the apartments. Hurst said RECC had a pole past Artic Cat on the left that could accommodate a streetlight. Mayor Flanery will look into whether the street is public or private.

Councilman Hurst reported that the sidewalk was in need of repair on Garr Ave. in front of Mary Hopper’s rental property. Hurst also reported complaints about noise on Amanda Brook. A resident was fixing motorcycles at his home. Ben Moran stated that the owner is working on personal motorcycles that he and his son race. He has twenty.

Councilman Hurst reported a citizen complained that she had her brush cut and the City would not dispose of it after they had given the trimmer permission to put it on City property. Mayor Flanery stated that the trimmer piled the brush on City property and blocked access around lake. The City did not give permission to pile it there or agree to dispose of it and he had instructed City employees to push the brush off of City property. The citizen claimed that her contractor was also cutting brush for the City. Dennis Masters stated that the contractor was not hired by the City; any brush he cut on City property he did so voluntarily.

There being no further business Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Councilwoman Sparks 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: ______________