REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

APRIL 2, 2007

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on April 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, Gail E. Thompson and Mike Beale. Also present was City Clerk Charles E. Foster, Asst. City Clerk Donna J. Bennett, Police Chief Benny Davis, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Lester Robinson, Sadie Stephens, Helen Ackles and Austin Luker of the Clay Times Journal.

 

     Council Member Rebecca G. Boddie, Council Member Bobbie J. Steed and Fire Chief Randy Mitchell were absent.

 

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

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the following additions. Under New Business, Item No. 4 - Approval to cover the cost of several items that were removed from the bid of the Senior Center Project, Item No. 5 - Acceptance of resignation of Richie Farrow as Park & Rec. Director and open the position, - Item No. 6 - Approval to add a release of information to the current application for employment, Item No. 7 - Applications for the police department and Item No. 8 - Acceptance of resignation of Alex Toland from the Police Department.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the minutes of the previous planning meeting.  Seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.  Seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Mayor Turner extended his appreciation to Randy Hanners, Terry Raughton, Billy Ballard and Billy Lackey for tornado cleanup work they helped with in the City of Enterprise and the City of Abbeville.

 

     Council Member Echols stated that Richie Farrow had requested netting be placed on the ballfields to shorten the distance for play.

 

     Council Member Thompson wished to thank T & T Landscaping for their donation of Crepe Myrtle trees to the City.  She went on to state that she had spoken with Maintenance Supervisor Hanners on the placement of them.

 

 

 

04/02/2007                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Page 2

 

     Council Member Thompson reported on the preconstruction meeting that was held on the renovation of the Senior Center.  An expected start date will be mid April with completion of the project in 120-150 days.

 

     Council Member Beale, City Clerk Foster, Police Chief Davis, Maintenance Supervisor Hanners and Code Enforcement Officer Raughton did not report.

 

     Under informational items, Sadie Stephens asked that the City place lights on 3^rd Avenue North close to the old Southland Manufacturing building and on 6^th Street West close to the Westside tennis courts.  It was stated that Maintenance Supervisor Hanners would check on this.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Thompson moved to approve the bills since the last meeting in the amount of $22378.02.  Council Member Echols seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion to make Billy Lackey a permanent employee and a rate increase of one-step.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols made a motion to table a decision on renewal of the contract with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion for the City of Ashland to pay the additional cost of improvements at the Senior Center that were removed from the bid.  The cost of these improvements will be less that $17000.00.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols made a motion to accept the resignation of Richie Farrow as Park & Rec. Director.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion to table a decision on the replacement of Richie Farrow.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to add a release of information form to the current application for employment.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to hire Billy Cooper as a night time certified police officer to begin immediately with a rate of pay of Range 14, Step 3 or $11.65 per hour.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.