REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

MAY 21, 2007

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on May 21, 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, Rebecca G. Boddie 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, Sadie Stephens, Delois Simmons, Mary Smith, Patty Colburn, Jamie Browning, Karen Meeks, Ashley Romo of the Clay Times-Journal and Helen Ackles.

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton and Fire Chief Randy Mitchell were absent.

 

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

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the following additions. Under New Business, Item No. 2 - Acceptance of resignation of Bill Avery from the Police Department and, Item No. 3 - Opening of Police Officer position. This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

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

 

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

 

     Under informational items, Delois Simmons came before the Mayor and Council to request that a street light be placed at Pineview Court close to the mailboxes.  Maintenance Supervisor Hanners will check on this matter.

 

     Mary P. Smith, Executive Director of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce reported that the Chamber would be hosting the Hank Williams Day on the Courthouse Square on July 21, 2007, 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M..  Ms. Smith stated that Willard McDonald had previously organized this event, but that he was not able to and the Chamber had taken it over.  Jett Williams will be the headliner for the event, but several local talents were scheduled along with vendors.  Booths for the event will be $30.00 for nonmembers and $15.00 for members.  People wishing to rent booth space will need to contact the Chamber by June 22^nd.

 

      Ms. Smith also stated that a man had been in contact with the Chamber concerning the making of a documentary of the TSALAGI trails of Clay County.

 

 

05/21/2007                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Page 2

 

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

 

     Council Member Boddie thanked the Maintenance Department for the luncheon held the previous Friday.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that the exercise held at Clay County High School in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security went well.  Everything was very professional.

 

     Council Member Beale went on to suggest that the City approve a Domestic Violence Policy.  A draft of the policy was distributed to the Council Members to peruse and discuss at a later date.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

      Police Chief Davis reported on the classes that his department held recently and the Domestic Violence Policy.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners asked that seasonal help for the maintenance department be hired.  Council Member Beale made a motion to hire two (2) seasonal employees at the same rate paid last year.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $8977.62.  Council Member Thompson seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to accept the resignation of Police Officer Bill Avery.  This motion was seconded by Council Members Echols, Boddie and Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to open the position of Police Officer and advertise for the next two weeks.  Position will be for a certified or non-certified officer.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to approve Resolution No. 05-21-01-2007 for tax abatement for Koch Foods of Ashland, LLC.  This motion was seconded by Council Members Thompson and Boddie and all votes were unanimous.