REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

APRIL 3, 2006

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on April 3, 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, Asst. Police Chief Chris Mathews, Officer Tony Knight, Code Enforcement Office Terry Raughton, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal and Youth Baseball Coordinator Richie Farrow.

 

     Council Member Gail E. Thompson was absent.

 

      Mayor Turner called the meeting to order and asked Richie Farrow to give the invocation.

 

      Council Member Echols moved to approve the agenda with the following additions and deletions.  Under Informational Items, Mayor Turner stated that Item No. 2 concerning Steve Smith had been corrected and to remove this item.  Additions are as follows, under New Business, Item No. 5 - Authorization for Mayor Turner to sign a contract with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and release the appropriation in the amount of $5400.00 for payment to the Chamber; Item No. 6 - Release of $12,000.00 to Clay County Hospital for repairs to correct drainage problem at the Clay County Hospital Wellness Center; and Under Informational Items No. 2 - Richie Farrow, ballfield(s) needs.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the minutes of the public hearing held on March 20, 2006.  Seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held on March 20, 2006.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

      Council Member Echols moved to approve the minutes of the planning meeting held on March 22, 2006.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the minutes of the planning meeting held on March 30, 2006.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

 

 

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     Under informational items, Asst. City Clerk Bennett reminded everyone that Statements of economic Interests forms must be sent to Ethics Commission by April 30, 2006.

     Richie Farrow, Youth Baseball Coordinator, presented the Mayor and Council with prices for materials needed to put tops on dug outs at Williamson ($714.48) and the Northside T-Ball ($693.58) fields.  Also submitted was the cost for infield soil to be placed on the fields. Cost per load of soil is $462.00.

 

     At this time, Council Member Beale made a motion to purchase materials needed to put tops on dugouts at Williamson and Northside T-Ball fields in the amount submitted.  Also included in the motion was the purchase of two loads of soil of which one is to be placed on the T-Ball field and one on the Williamson field.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols did not report.

 

     Council Member Steed asked that the storage building located on city property at the Westside ballfield be cleaned out and closed up.  The ownership of the building was in question as to whether it belonged to the city or not. 

 

     Council Member Steed asked that the city consider the annual “Westside Cleanup” the last two weeks of April.  This will be April 17 through April 27.  The maintenance department will designate a place for the refuge.  It was noted that no household garbage, electronics, tires, batteries, etc. could be placed for pickup.

 

     Council Member Boddie reported that she along with Probate Judge George Ingram and Grant Writer Louise Campbell had met with someone concerning the grant to restore the Clay County Courthouse clock applied for through the Hugh Kaul Foundation.  A meeting will be held May 12 and the city should know a determination shortly thereafter.

 

     Council Member Beale discussed the status of the dog ordinance.  It was discussed whether the vicious dog law had passed and would this law serve as an ordinance for all cities in the state.  Code Enforcement Officer Raughton will contact someone concerning this issue.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell asked permission for five volunteer firemen to attend the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa on April 26-27 and the city to reimburse for registration and expenses upon return.  Council Member Beale made a motion to allow five volunteer firemen to attend the Alabama Fire College on April 26-27.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.  Asst. Clerk Bennett asked that all receipts returned be itemized.

 

 

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     Asst. Police Chief Mathews asked permission to run the ad for the position of dispatcher for two more weeks.  He went on to state that at this time he was not ready to recommend anyone for employment.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners presented the council with a drawing of a prefabricated building that could be used to house the equipment for his department so that it would not be outside in inclement weather.  After discussion, Council Member Boddie made a motion to solicit bids for on 60 X 100 prefabricated building for the maintenance department with bids to be opened at the first council meeting in May.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous. 

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton did not report.

 

     Asst. Clerk Bennett asked for a decision on the payment of a statement from Brookwood Diagnostics in the amount of $811.55 for charges received for a city prisoner.  It was discussed and decided that Linda Jordan, Administrator of Clay County Hospital would contact the above facility about reducing the amount.  The Council agreed that the statement would be paid either way, but that if Ms. Jordan it would be helpful.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $15444.10.  Council Member Beale seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion appointing Chris Mathews as Acting Chief during the absence of Chief Derrick Forbes.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion setting the salary for Chief Mathews at $32000.00 with no overtime during the duration of Chief Forbes leave.  This amount will be paid biweekly in the amount of $1230.40.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale set a rate of pay for an interpreter call-in at $25.00 per call.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion authoring Mayor Turner to sign a contract with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and to release the appropriation in the amount of $5400.00 to the Chamber.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Upon the recommendation of Mayor Turner, Council Member Boddie made a motion approving a payment not to exceed $18500.00 to Harris Plumbing for repairs made to correct the drainage problem on AL Highway 9 North at the Clay County Wellness Center.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.