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: _____________