The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting Monday, December 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Annex.  Council members present were Marty Voiers, Carl Haight, Nancy Suit, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Scott Manning.  Mayor Louie K. Flanery presided.

 

Councilman Haight led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Minutes of the November 13th meeting were presented for review.  Councilman Manning moved to approve.  Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

David Graham addressed Council regarding his water problems.  He stated that his filters look exactly the same as they did; the dirt smell is gone but he still can’t drink the water.  Mayor Flanery said the Utility Department was able to get the smell under control at the plant.  Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing had followed up on the complaints and confirmed that the odor problem was better.  Mayor Flanery agreed noting that his water had improved.  Councilman Story also stated that his water was a lot better than 30 days ago. 

 

Councilman Story reported that Western Fleming Water had agreed to contribute to the costs of testing the water and he expected to hear from Fleming County Water Association within a few days.  The committee chose a lab that doesn’t do business with anyone in the county.  They have an employee who has experience with well water.  Enviro Data Group in Lexington will do the testing.  Councilman Story stated that the water is getting better.  Dearing reported that he had done testing in the Greenway area and there was not much difference when compared to the water tested at the plant.  Water hardness tested at the plant was 8-10 grams; for users it tested up to 15 grams.  The well water tested up to 22 grams.  Dearing stated it was a little harder in some areas than others. 

 

Graham reminded Mayor Flanery that he had agreed to request that the GFCRWC to shut off their water and asked what their response was.  Mayor Flanery stated that he did make the request and they refused citing their debt obligations and the fact that the city had already been given two months of relief.  Flanery also noted that the GFCRWC keeps reiterating that the Division Of Water has tested their water and it is okay.   Councilman Voiers asked if the city could shut off the well water from the city’s side.  Mayor Flanery confirmed that it could be shut off, but the city would still have to pay the contracted amount.  Recently the usage has been over the minimum, but the city has only been charged the minimum.  Dearing confirmed that the readings showed very little well water seeping into the city system.  Councilman Story said the water testing should help identify if this is a problem.  Hopefully the testing will start this month.

 

City Clerk Joy Roark reported that it was time to renew the line of credit with the Peoples Bank.  CD’s that had been pledged against the line of credit had matured and had been renewed at a different rate.  Each time this happens the credit line must be renewed as well.  Roark stated that the original amount was $400,000, but only $335,000 had been used and no additional draws were anticipated.  Councilman Story moved that the city renew the line of credit with the Peoples Bank up to $400,000 for the purchase of natural gas.  Councilman Voiers seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Fire Chief Jerry McCloud presented the Fire Department annual report.  Councilman Voiers moved to approve. Councilman Haight seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

City Clerk Joy Roark presented Resolution No. 06-12-1 recognizing Councilwoman Suit for seventeen consecutive years of service to the city.  Councilwoman Sparks moved to adopt.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

City Clerk Joy Roark presented Resolution No. 06-12-2 recognizing Councilman Haight for fifteen consecutive years of service to the city.  Councilwoman Suit moved to adopt.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  Councilman Haight abstained from voting.  All were in favor.

 

Councilwoman Suit commented that she was proud of the city’s accomplishments over the past seventeen years and stated she knew it would continue to be successful in the future.  She also stated it had been an educational experience and expressed her appreciation to the other council members and the mayor, noting they had all worked well together.  Councilman Haight said he had seen many ups and downs, but had enjoyed the work and appreciated the cooperation from the other council members.  Both expressed their best wishes to newly elected council members Van Alexander and Ricky Hurst.

 

Mayor Flanery submitted Trippy Clark for approval to the Industrial Authority to fill the un-expired term of Bill Graham.  Councilwoman Sparks moved to approve.  Councilwoman Suit seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Councilman Story reported for the Finance Committee.   The solid waste ordinance had been reviewed and conflicting language regarding new businesses had been noted.  It was recommended that the language be changed to make it mandatory for everyone in the city to use city services.  It was also noted that in case of an exceptionally large user the city would have the option to request the business find another collection service.  City Attorney Tom MacDonald is putting together a draft of a sample ordinance for rental fees on dumpsters and also adding the recycling program.  Councilman Voiers is looking at recycling programs at other cities.  Mayor Flanery stated that the recycling bins would be picked up this week.  It was suggested that he get a copy of Vanceburg’s ordinance.

 

Police Chief Carpenter thanked Councilman Haight and Councilwoman Suit for serving on the Safety Committee.  Carpenter reported that officers had been watching activity on Garr Ave closely for speeders.  He had also put ads on the radio and in the newspaper about parking on the sidewalk.  Some were unaware of the restrictions and are now complying.

 

Public Works Superintendent Jim Compton reported that the lights had been hung and the walls were primed and ready to paint at the police department.

 

Chief Carpenter reported that the City had hired a new police officer, John Ferguson.  He had been working undercover.  One felony arrest had been made and a warrant for another one was expected.  Ferguson had worked previously for the City of Vanceburg.

 

Councilman Voiers questioned a recent complaint about skateboarders.  Officer Chad Bowling said he received the complaint call, but Officer Ferguson had called him to assist with a DUI.  When he responded to the complaint call, which was on the Elizaville Ave. stretch, the skateboarders were gone.  Bowling stated that the Judge had ruled they could take the boards away for 30 days if skating on the sidewalks.  Most will ask where they can skate.  Bowling felt a skateboard policy was needed.  Councilman Voiers asked if he could come up with a program through the school system to work with kids in a positive way.  Voiers asked Chief Carpenter to look into this and suggested getting someone involved in the skateboard culture to talk to the kids and be pro active. 

 

Councilman Story questioned the progress on filling the city boards.  Mayor Flanery stated that some were still considering.  Gene Schwartz said he had contacted four and got one maybe.  Mayor Flanery noted that Brian Ferguson had volunteered to serve, but couldn’t due to his brother being hired as a police officer.  Councilman Voiers questioned what the problem was with getting recruits.  Other cities don’t seem to have as much trouble filling their boards.  Voiers suggested they try a different approach.  Councilman Story suggested some council members could serve and help recruit new members.  Danetta Barker with the Flemingsburg Gazette offered to do a story about public service.

 

Jim Compton reported that blacktopping had been done on Amanda Brook and Country View Heights.  Compton also reported a problem with people steeling street signs, noting that they were expensive to replace.  Councilman Story reported a large hole on West Wind Dr. in front of Litzler’s where a water line had been fixed.  Compton stated he thought the hole had been repaired, but would follow up.

 

Mayor Flanery reported that both Kenny Dearing and Rob Applegate had gotten their Water Distribution licenses.  Joe Dunaway would be testing soon for his 3A license, which would qualify him to operate the plant.  Dale Clary has maintained his operator’s license, but the water plant can’t use his license because he works at the Waste Water plant.  The licensed operator must work at the water plant.

 

Councilman Story reported a complaint of abandoned vehicles in a person’s yard and asked if there was any recourse.  Gene Schwartz stated that three or more abandoned vehicles on private property would be considered junk.  If less than three he believed there was no recourse, but would research it and report back.

 

Councilwoman Sparks stated she would like for Council to take a stand to keep the justice center in the city limits.  Mayor Flanery suggested adopting a resolution to that effect.  Councilwoman Sparks moved to draft a resolution to endorse keeping the justice center within the city limits.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

            Councilman Voiers noted that council failed to approve the minutes of the November 30th meeting and moved to do so.  Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Councilman Haight reported a problem with speeding on Mt. Carmel Ave.  Police had monitored the area in the spring and the problem had been curtailed, but was becoming heavier again.

 

Councilwoman Suit complimented city employees on how nice the city looked.  Suit also commented on how much she had enjoyed serving and wished everybody the best of luck.

 

Mayor Flanery reported he had committed to purchase 800 recycling containers from Vanceburg.  The containers will be stored temporarily in the basement of the old Honda shop building.  Councilman Story stated the city would need to buy locks for the doors.

 

Council discussed when and where newly elected officials would be sworn in.  Tom MacDonald stated that if it was not done in the Judge’s office he could do it on December 22nd at 5:00 p.m.

 

Councilman Voiers expressed an interest in attending the KLC elected officials academy in January.

 

Mayor Flanery read a notice he planned to give the GFCRWC regarding his resignation from the board effective December 31st.  Flanery stated he would appoint someone to serve in his place.

 

Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.  Councilman Haight seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

 

 

                                                                        __________________________

                                                                              Louie K. Flanery, Mayor

 

 

 

ATTESTED:

 

 

 

___________________________

Joy Story Roark, CKMC                                      Date Approved:  _____________