REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

FEBRUARY 6, 2006

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on February 6, 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, Rebecca G. Boddie and Mike Beale. Also present were City Clerk Charles E. Foster, Assistant City Clerk Donna J. Bennett, Police Chief Derrick Forbes, Asst. Police Chief Chris Mathews, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Officer David Martin, Officer Jason Gentry, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal and Jim Wynn.

 

      Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton was absent due to illness. Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners was absent due to being on vacation.

 

      Mayor Turner called the meeting to order.

 

     Council Member Echols gave the invocation.

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Steed 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, Jim Wynn spoke on the behalf on Boy Scout Troop #342.  Mr. Wynn thanked the City of Ashland for allowing them the usage of the recreation building for meetings.  Mr. Wynn asked that panels be installed inside the building to help with noise.  After discussion, and with information provided by Mr. Wynn, Council Member Beale made a motion to purchase and install panels inside the recreation building to help alleviate noise problems.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.  The purchase and placement of a volley ball net were also discussed.

 

     Under committee reports, Mayor Turner reported that he had been contacted by John Strickland of ADECA and a meeting was scheduled for February 16, 2006 at 9:30 A.M.

 

     Council Member Echols did not report.

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

     Council Member Thompson reported that she and Mayor Turner had met with Senator Richard Shelby and spoke with him about funding for a water transmission line. 

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     Council Member Thompson stated that she was glad to see Council Member Boddie recuperating and able to be at the meeting.

 

     Council Member Boddie did not report.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that he had spoken with the architect concerning the completion of the Library renovation project and was waiting on an agreement with Hutto Construction.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that in the plans for the new Senior Citizens Center  funding was included to roof the entire building.  If this amount is left in the funding package, it would be beneficial to the City to help repair leaks. 

 

     Council Member Beale stated that he had spoken with Police Chief Forbes concerning the fact that other cities had implemented raises for their police departments.  Due to this measure, the City of Ashland’s police department salaries was not in line with the other surrounding cities.  Council Member Beale asked that the Ashland Police Department be given the 3% raise that was allotted in the FY 2006 budget. Council Member Beale along with Police Chief Forbes stated that this raise would insure that the officers would not be leaving the department due to pay issues.

 

     Council Member Beale stated that the Fire Department needed another truck.  He along with Fire Chief Mitchell stated that due to ISO rules, this department could not give mutual aid to surrounding communities, due to only having two trucks, because two trucks had to remain in the city.

 

     Council Member Beale stated that the Ashland Housing Authority wanted to give two trucks to the City and asked that this item be placed on the next council meeting agenda.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that the Fire Department had wanted to purchase a used ambulance to use for mutual aid.  It was reported that Paul Wellborn had given the money to the department for this purchase and that the title would be given to the City if accepted.  At this time, Council Member Beale made a motion to accept this vehicle.  This motion was seconded by Council Members Thompson and Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell discussed his department providing mutual aid to the surrounding communities. Chief Mitchell asked permission from the Mayor and Council that the Fire Department be allowed to do so and permission was granted.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell reported that the fuel pump had went out on the car furnished to the Chief and asked that it be declared as surplus. No decision was made at this time.

 

    City Clerk Foster did not report.