REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

JANUARY 17, 2006

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on January 17, 2006 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 and Mike Beale. Also present were City Clerk Charles E. Foster, Assistant City Clerk Donna J. Bennett, Police Chief Derrick Forbes, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Asst. Police Chief Chris Mathews, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Officer David Martin, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal and Kim Crist.

 

      Council Member Rebecca G. Boddie was absent due to illness.

 

      Mayor Turner called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with an addition of Item No. 2 under Informational Items - Kim Crist.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

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

 

     Under informational items, Mayor Turner reported that U.S. Senator Richard C. Shelby will hold a county visit on Saturday, January 28, 2006, at 2:00 P.M. at the Ashland City Hall.  The meeting will be open to the public.

 

     Kim Crist spoke on behalf of several different groups or clubs of which she is affiliated.  On behalf of the 20^th Century Club, Ms. Crist wished to extend her appreciation to the city’s maintenance department for their assistance in decorating the Courthouse for the Christmas holidays.  On behalf of the Clay County Arts League, she thanked the City of Ashland for the lighting of their sign located off AL Hwy 9 N at the Arts League office.  Ms. Crist then spoke on behalf of the Character First Club.  Gratitude was extended to Chief Derrick Forbes, Asst. Chief Chris Mathews and Officers Tony Knight and David Martin for their attendance and speeches.  Ms. Crist stated that the talks were very informative for the young persons attending.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols requested that street lights be placed on Peach Orchard Road close to the new Bethel Baptist Church.  Maintenance Supervisor Hanners was directed to contact the engineer with Alabama Power.

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

 

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     Council Member Thompson reported on the recent meeting the Mayor and Council Members had with Congressman Mike Rogers.  Council Member Thompson stated that discussion was held during this lunch meeting about the proposed water transmission line for the city.

 

     Council Member Thompson also thanked the Maintenance Department for their work getting the Christmas decorations installed and removed.

 

      Council Member Beale spoke on purchasing a new fire truck to be used as a first responder.  Council Member Beale went to mention that this purchase could lower the current ISO rating for the city. 

 

     Council Member Beale asked that Mr. Greene (the stump man) be contacted about the removal of a tree stump on 4^th Street East.

     

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Forbes asked permission of the Mayor and Council to allow Asst. Chief Chris Mathews to travel to and from his residence in a city vehicle.  After discussion, it was decided to place this on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell asked of the Mayor and Council to solicit bids for a new fire truck.  After discussion was held on this purchase, it was decided that Council Member Beale would look into methods of payment before a decision was made.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton did not report.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Thompson moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $9577.04.  Council Member Beale seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     After all bids were opened and read aloud, Council Member Beale made a motion to accept the low bid of $24,700.00 for one 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV with Police Pursuit Package from Fables Chevrolet with immediate delivery.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     It was decided that Chief Forbes would be allowed to have this vehicle equipped at Grier Communications with costs not to exceed $3500.00

 

     Under old business, Council Member Beale briefly discussed the leash law.