REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

MAY 2, 2005

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on May 2, 2005 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, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners,  Asst. Fire Chief Tim Mitchell, Fireman Randy Mitchell, Theresa Daugherty of the Clay County EMA, Ben Rosser of Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., Scott Young, Mary Campbell, Leland Steed, Ben Stowes, Wilbur Bell, Jean Taylor of the Clay County DHR, Kim Medley and Ray Stansell of the Clay Times-Journal and Clay County Commissioners Kevin Kiser and Wayne Watts.

 

     Mayor Turner called the meeting to order.

 

     Reverend Ben Rosser was called upon to do the invocation.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion approving the agenda with the following additions. Under informational items, Mayor Turner added Jodie Kleinmeyer of Clay County DHR.  Under New Business, Council Member Beale added Item No. 2 “Repairs at City Hall II,” Council Member Boddie added Item No. 3 “Letters to property owners in regard to the City of Ashland’s Nuisance Ordinance,” and under Old Business, Council Member Boddie added Item No. 5  “Parking places on square”.  This motion approving the agenda was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion approving the minutes of the Public Hearing held on April 18, 2005.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

   

     Under informational items, Mayor Turner called upon Jodie Kleinmeyer of the Clay County DHR to address the Council.  It was noted that Ms. Kleinmeyer was not in attendance, but that Jean Taylor of the Clay County DHR wished to address the Council on behalf of Jodie Kleinmeyer.  Ms. Taylor stated that May was Foster Care Appreciation Month.  She reported that many activities were planned for the foster families in Clay County during the month.  Ms. Taylor asked that the City of Ashland proclaim May as Foster Care Appreciation Month.  At this time, Council Member Boddie made a motion to proclaim May 2005 as “Foster Care Appreciation Month” in the city of Ashland.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Ben Rosser, Director of Human Resources at Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., on behalf of Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. stated that he had been in contact with Theresa Daugherty of the Clay County EMA.  Mrs. Daugherty had explained to Mr. Rosser the need for

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funding to renovate the Ashland City Library so that it might be used as a community storm shelter.  At this time, Mr. Rosser read a letter that he had written to Mrs. Daugherty concerning this funding and stating that Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. wished to help with this project.  After the reading of the letter, Mr. Rosser then presented a check in the amount of $2222.34 to Mrs. Daugherty and the City of Ashland for the items needed for this renovation.  Mr. Rosser was thanked for this monetary gift.

 

     Wilbur Bell asked of the Mayor and Council that Bethel Missionary Baptist Church be allowed to use the Westside ballfield facilities to hold the 2^nd Annual Unity Day Program on June 4 beginning at 9:00 A.M.  Council Member Echols made a motion to grant permission to Bethel Missionary Baptist Church use of the Westside ballfield facilities to hold the 2^nd Annual Unity Day Program.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous. 

 

     Mary Campbell, a resident living outside of city limits on County Road 31 N, came before the Mayor and Council requesting that water service be extended to her residence.  After Ms. Campbell’s explanation of her request, Mayor Turner asked that Ms. Campbell contact the Water Works and Sewer Board for the time and date on the next Board meeting and asked that she attend.

 

     Scott Young, Manager of Country Inn Motel, addressed the Mayor and Council concerning the possibility of a noise ordinance for the City of Ashland.  Mr. Young stated that he had several guests that had complained about the noise of radios in cars passing the motel and loud mufflers on vehicles.  Mr. Young read a letter that he had received from a previous guest concerning this.  Mr. Young asked that on behalf of the citizens and guests of our city that a noise ordinance be enacted.

 

     It was asked that information be directed to City Attorney John Johnson concerning the drafting of a noise ordinance for the City of Ashland.  It was asked that this ordinance encompass both the city limits and police jurisdiction of Ashland.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols asked on behalf of Jomarlan Ford that he be allowed to work as a seasonal employee during the month of May.  Jomarlan had worked the previous summer as such.  Due to his summer school schedule, he asked only that he be allowed to work this short amount of time.  Council Member Echols made a motion to hire Jomarlan Ford as a seasonal employee for the month of May at an hourly rate of $6.20 per hour.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

     Council Member Thompson did not report.

 

     Council Member Boddie reported that the cemetery had been mowed and looked good.  The maintenance department was beginning to bush hog the right-of-ways.  Mrs. Boddie stated that she wished to speak with Maintenance Supervisor Hanners concerning the hiring of another full-time employee.

 

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     Council Member Beale stated that he had received comments stated that the Northside Park was in exceptional shape.  He went on to report that he had met with the contractor and architect concerning problems at the new addition of the Library.  Waiting on more details concerning the leak(s) from a roofing problem before going forward.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that he had received information concerning the construction of a “Skate Park” from the City’s insurance company.  Mr. Beale also provided pictures of one such “Park” in Homewood. 

 

     Council Member Beale stated that he would gather more information concerning an application for possible grant monies to construct the above-mentioned park, a new senior center or renovations on the existing senior center and facility.

 

     Council Member Boddie stated during this time that she wished for the City of Ashland to apply in September for through the Hugh Call Foundation.  This Foundation provides monies to projects in Clay, Coosa and Jefferson counties twice a year.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that a resignation letter had been received from Fire Chief Danny Yates.  Council Member Thompson made a motion accepting the resignation of Fire Chief Danny Yates.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to install Tim Mitchell as Acting Fire Chief until such time that the members of the department make a recommendation to replace Danny Yates.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale asked that the Chief of Police report on progress of allowing Clay County 911 to dispatch the City of Ashland fireman.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that City Hall II was in need of repairs.  After discussion of the different repairs needed, Council Member Thompson made a motion to hire The Window Man to replace all the windows at City Hall II with new vinyl windows at a cost of $2920.00.  This cost includes windows and installation.  This motion was seconded by Council Members Beale and Steed and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to replace the heat pump at City Hall II

at an approximate cost of $5000.00.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion to replace the gutters and fascia boards at City Hall II with vinyl.  This repair will be done by the city maintenance employees.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

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     Chief Forbes stated that at a previous meeting Mike Wheeles of the Clay County 911 Board had asked for a SOP to be used by the Clay County 911 office to dispatch the City of Ashland firemen.  He stated that he had used guidelines of other agencies in our area to create one.  It was stated that Chief Forbes along with Acting Chief Mitchell,  Mayor Turner and Council Member Beale would attend the next Clay County 911 Board meeting.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

 

     Acting Fire Chief Mitchell reported that he had received a price for a mid-size truck with specifications needed/wanted of $205,000.00.  You can get another truck with a pumper at a cost of $240,000.00.  He stated that if approved the truck can be purchased with the department’s tax monies received.  It was noted that the larger truck would be helpful on ISO ratings.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of 10309.85.  Council Member Thompson seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous

 

     Item No. 2 was discussed and acted upon under committee reports.

 

     Council Member Boddie asked that letters be sent to property owners of nuisance properties in the City of Ashland.  This would be the first step in the previously adopted Nuisance Ordinance.  Council Member Boddie acquired mailing information for the owners in question from the Clay County Revenue Commissioner.  Photos have been taken of the properties that are in the worse condition.  A motion was made by Council Member Boddie to contact City Attorney Johnson to draft such letters and ascertain who should sign them.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.  It was also asked if he would contact Council Member Beale concerning an ordinance for animal control.

 

      Under old business, Council Member Beale stated that the only information on the status on the leash law was that he was still trying to contact the city attorney.

 

     There was no update on the sidewalk repair at Lett’s Eat.

 

     City Clerk Foster stated that he had spoken with Lew Watson concerning the appraisal of the Haynes property and was told that hopefully it would be complete the following week.

 

     Clerk Bennett stated that she had not received a return call from Alabama Power concerning a street light survey.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion that a letter be addressed to the merchants and businesses located on the court square to park their vehicles off the square in one of the municipal parking lots.  This would be considerate to other business owners and would hopefully help eliminate some of the traffic problems on the square.