REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

JANUARY 2, 2007

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on January 2, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. in the Ashland City Hall Auditorium with Mayor Terry Turner presiding. Council Members present were Zeola D. Echols, Bobbie J. Steed, Gail E. Thompson, Rebecca G. Boddie and Mike Beale. Also present was City Clerk Charles E. Foster, Asst. City Clerk Donna J. Bennett, Police Chief Benny Davis, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Lester Robinson and Ray Stansell of the Clay Times Journal.  Attendance roster attached.

 

     Mayor Turner called the meeting to order and Council Member Steed gave the invocation. 

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the following addition. Under New Business, Item No. 2 - Appointment to joint board with the Clay County Industrial Development Council.  Council Member Echols made a second, but then withdrew the second.  Motion died for lack of a second.

 

     Council Member Echols moved to approve the agenda with the following additions.  Under new business, Item No. 2 - Appointment to joint board with the Clay County Industrial Development Council and Item No. 3 - Hiring of police officers.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and passed with a majority vote.  Council

Member Boddie did not vote on the motion.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion approving the minutes of the Planning Meeting held on the 18th of December 2006.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.  Motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     There were no informational items.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols reported that a street light was out on 8^th Street across from the Westside Ballfield at Willie Jim Ballard’s resident.

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

     Council Member Thompson thanked the Maintenance Department for removing the Christmas decorations in a timely manner.  She went on to commend them on the planting of trees in the parks along with help from the local Boy Scouts.  These trees were purchased with monies made available through the Alabama Power Foundation.

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     Council Member Boddie asked Maintenance Supervisor Hanners if he had heard anything on the traffic situation on Armory Road.  Supervisor Hanners stated that he had not been contacted by the County Engineer Brian Smith, but that he would try to contact him.

 

     Council Member Beale asked that Maintenance Supervisor Hanners also inquire about the status of the tar and graveling of Tyson Road.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Davis did not report.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell did not report.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners thanked the Boy Scout Troop and leaders who helped with the planting of the trees at the park.

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton did not report.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Steed moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $7637.66.  Council Member Echols seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion to place Council Member Beale, Mayor Turner and Industrial Board Chairman Don Fulbright on a joint board with the Clay County Industrial Development Council to conduct business on behalf of the City of Ashland in the purchase of property for industrial/retail use.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to hire Tony Knight as part time police officer on an as need basis at a rate of pay of $11.31 per hour.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to hire Bill Avery, who is currently employed as a part time officer, as a full time officer at a rate of pay of $11.65 per hour (Range 14, Step 2 w/1 Step for night shift).  Mr. Avery will work out a notice with his current employer, Clay County Sheriff’s Department.  Council Member Echols seconded the motion.  Upon vote motion passed.  Council Member Thompson did not vote on the motion.