REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

APRIL 16, 2007

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on April 16, 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 and Rebecca G. Boddie. 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, Meredith Caudle of Clay County DHR, Lester Robinson and Ray Stansell of the Clay Times Journal.

 

     Council Member Mike Beale and Fire Chief Randy Mitchell were absent.

 

     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 additions. Under New Business, Item No. 4 - Approval of naming Billy Ballard as Asst. Maintenance Supervisor, step raise for position and communications, Item No. 5 - Discussion of Municipal Court Prosecutor position.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

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

 

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

 

     Under informational items, Meredith Caudle of the Clay County DHR presented facts to the Mayor and Council concerning child abuse.  Ms. Caudle asked that the Council approve a proclamation making the month of April 2007 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Ashland and to show their support by wearing blue ribbons and wristlets.  At this time, Council Member Boddie made a motion to declare the month of April 2007 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Ashland.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     All was reminded to submit their ethics forms by April 30.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Members Echols and Steed did not report.

 

     Council Member Thompson reminded everyone of the Walk for Autism this weekend at the park.

 

     Council Member Boddie stated that she was glad to be back.  She asked that the Maintenance Department buy some good ant poison and put out at the cemetery.

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    Chief Davis reported that the City of Ashland, along with other law enforcement, emergency responders, etc. would be participating in a mock shooting at Clay County High School on May 15^th.  This is being carried out with the Department of Homeland Security.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Echols moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $17968.37.  Council Member Thompson seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion to hire Lester Robinson as a full time maintenance employee at a rate of Range 12, Step 5 and beginning April 17.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under item three, it was decided that the City Attorney would be contacted concerning the closing of city streets to large truck traffic.  The streets that are in question are: Owens Road, Armory Road, Willis Road and Royster Road. 

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion moving Billy Ballard to the position of Asst. Maintenance Supervisor.  This position will include a pay raise to Range 12, Step 7 and some form of communication.  Included in this motion was the approval to purchase two SouthernLinc phones, one for maintenance and one for City Hall.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion to dismiss John Keith Warren as Prosecutor for the Ashland Municipal Court.  This dismissal will be effective immediately.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under old business, Council Member Thompson made a motion to place street lights on existing poles on 3^rd Avenue North close to the old Southland Manufacturing Plant and on 6^th Street West close to the Westside tennis courts.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion not to consider the renewal of the contract with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce at this time and to reconsider at a later date.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion to advertise for a part time Park & Recreation Director at the same contract cost as the prior Director.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under other business, Council Member Thompson made a motion to approve a proclamation declaring the month of April 2007 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Ashland.