REGULAR MEETING Ashland City Council: 05-16-2005

REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

MAY 16, 2005

The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on May 16, 2005 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 Rebecca G. Boddie. Also present were City Clerk Charles E. Foster, Assistant City Clerk Donna J. Bennett, Police Chief Derrick Forbes, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Acting Fire Chief Tim Mitchell, Ben Stowes, Sharon McNatt, Roseanna Gaither, Scott Gaither, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal, Al Haynes of WTRB Radio, Luella Craig and several local youth of the community.

Council Members Bobbie J. Steed and Mike Beale were absent.

Mayor Turner called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.

Council Member Thompson made a motion approving the agenda with the following additions. Under informational items, Council Member Thompson added Item No. 3. Planning Session for Council, Council Member Boddie added Item No. 4. Orange ribbons. Under New Business, Council Member Echols added Item No. 2, Cover over dugouts at T-ball field. Council Member Thompson added Item No. 3. Computer for City Hall. Council Member Boddie added Item No. 4. Hiring of two seasonal employees, Item No. 5. Making adjustment to salary of present seasonal employee, Item No. 6. Donation to Ashland Elementary School, Item No. 7. Second letter to City Merchants concerning parking, Item No. 8. Skate Board Park. Mayor Turner added Item No. 9. Hiring of Ordinance Enforcement Officer. Council Member Boddie then added Item No. 10. Supplies for Ordinance Enforcement Officer. Police Chief Forbes added Items No. 11. Resignation of Tony Hubbard from Ashland Police Department, Item No. 12. Status of Randy Burroughs’ employment with Ashland Police Department and Item No. 13. Purchase of new engine for 2000 Ford Crown Victoria. This motion was seconded by Council Members Echols and Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

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

Under informational items, Mayor Turner called upon Luella Craig to address the Council. It was noted that Ms. Craig was not in attendance at this time.

It was announced that Ben and Quita Rosser had donated a TV to the City of Ashland to be used at the Library Storm Shelter. It was asked that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Rosser for this donation.

Council Member Thompson announced that it had been decided that the Mayor and Council Members would meet for regular Planning Meetings at 4:00 P.M. preceding each Council Meeting.

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Under committee reports, Council Member Echols stated that it had been requested that covers be placed over the dugouts at the T-Ball Field. A motion was made by Council Member Thompson that Maintenance Supervisor Hanners measure and get prices for the placement of covers. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

Council Members Thompson and Boddie did not report.

City Clerk Foster did not report.

Police Chief Forbes did not report.

Acting Fire Chief Mitchell did not report.

Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

Before the close of Committee Reports, Council Member Thompson asked Chief Mitchell for a copy of the recent ISO Report.

Under new business, Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $10,243.58. Council Member Thompson seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

Item No. 2 under New Business was discussed and voted on during the Committee Reports.

Council Member Thompson made a motion to purchase a computer for the City Clerk’s office. Permission was granted for Clerk Foster to make said purchase. This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

Council Member Boddie made a motion to hire Jerry Weems and Garey Reynolds as seasonal employees beginning May 31 and ending July 29, 2005 at a rate of $8.50 per hour. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

Council Member Boddie moved to adjust the pay of the current seasonal employee, Jomarlan Ford, from $6.20 per hour to $8.50 per hour. Mr. Ford will only be working during the month of May 2005. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

Council Member Boddie made a motion to donate $5000.00 to Ashland Elementary School for site preparation. Ms. Boddie explained that two acres had been donated to the school by the Sentell family and the school plans to build a playground on this acreage. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

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Council Member Boddie made a motion to send a second letter to the City of Ashland Merchants and include letters to the offices of the Clay County Courthouse concerning the use of parking spaces located off the square. It was noted that if this letter does not solve the problem that a two (2) hour parking limit would be enforced. It was also asked that the Police Department begin enforcement of people illegally parking in handicap parking spaces. This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

Council Member Boddie made a motion to request bids for the construction of a skate park at the location of the old Northside swimming pool with bids to be opened at 4:00 P.M. on June 6, 2005. This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

Upon the recommendation of Mayor Turner, Council Member Boddie made a motion to hire Terry Raughton as Ordinance Enforcement Officer for the City of Ashland. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

Mayor Turner stated that the rate of pay for Mr. Raughton will be $11.00 per hour and that his employment will begin May 31, 2005.

Council Member Boddie made a motion to purchase supplies, office equipment/furniture, telephone and other items needed for the office of the Ordinance Enforcement Officer with purchases not to exceed $2500.00. This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

Council Member Thompson made a motion to accept a letter of resignation effective May 13, 2005 from Tony Hubbard as Dispatcher/Crossing Guard with the Ashland Police Department. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

Council Member Boddie made a motion to discontinue the part-time employment of Randy Burroughs with the Ashland Police Department. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

Council Member Thompson made a motion allowing Police Chief Forbes to have the engine, bumper and speedometer on the 2000 Ford Crown Victoria repaired at Fables Chevrolet at a quoted price of $4597.00. This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

Under old business, Council Member Mike Beale who was unable to attend, left information with the Mayor and Council concerning Items No. 1 and Item No. 6. (Copy to follow)

Under Items No. 2, 3, and 4 of the agenda were self-explanatory. Item No. 5 was covered under New Business.

At this time, Mayor Turner called upon Luella Craig. Ms. Craig asked that she be given permission to hold a tent revival on the ballfield of the Ashland Primary School located on AL Hwy 77 and/or at Westside Ballfield during the summer. It was explained to Ms. Craig that the City of Ashland did not own the property at either location discussed and that she would have to speak with the Superintendent of Education and/or the Ashland Housing Authority Director.

There being no further business to discuss, Council Member Boddie moved to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.