REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

JUNE 6, 2005

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on June 6, 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,  Fire Chief Tim Mitchell, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal, Al Haynes of WTRB Radio, Richie Farrow, Donna Farrow, Trish Reddish, Rhonda Freeman and Tracie Smith.

 

     Mayor Turner called the meeting to order.

 

     Council Member Echols gave the invocation.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion approving the agenda with the following additions. Under informational items, Council Member Boddie added Item No. 3. Presentation of check to Ashland Elementary School, Under new business, Council Member Beale added Item No. 5. Awarding of bid for skate park equipment and installation. This motion was seconded by Council Members Beale 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 Richie Farrow to address the Council.  Mr. Farrow serves as Youth Baseball Coordinator for the City of Ashland.  Mr. Farrow thanked the Mayor and Council for the City’s support of the program.  Mr. Farrow stated that this year the league consisted of 18 teams.  He thanked the City for the improvements at the various fields and spoke of some future needs for the facilities.  The Ashland Baseball for Youth will host a Bronco tournament beginning July 5, 2005 and hopefully plans will be made to host more tournaments next season.  Some of the future needs for the league is speakers installed, a better concession stand at the T-ball field and a cement pad in front of the concession stand at Williamson Ballfield.  Mr. Farrow also wished to thank Jennifer Alam for her work on the City’s website and her assistance in posting practice and playing schedules.

 

     Brenda Kelly had asked to be placed on the agenda but was not in attendance.

 

     An appropriation in the amount of $5000.00 was presented to the Ashland Elementary School.  Accepting the check from the Mayor and Council Members were Rhonda Freeman and Tracie Smith on behalf of the school’s PTO.

 

 

 

 

06/06/05                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Page 2

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols reported that Jomarlan Ford had asked to work during the months of June and July as a seasonal employee.  At this time, Council Member Echols moved to approve hiring Jomarlan Ford as a seasonal employee.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols had also asked that a copy of the new Sunshine Law be distributed to the Mayor and Council Members.

 

     Council Member Steed reported  that the “Scout Building” located at the Northside ballfield needed to be repainted.  She asked that Maintenance Supervisor Hanners chose the color and see that the building was painted as soon as possible.

 

     Council Member Thompson asked that the pipe on 4^th Street be replaced by a larger pipe.  Council Member Thompson asked that the Council begin working of the next fiscal year’s budget.  Mrs. Thompson reported that the Senior Center would be closed July 4 & 5 for the holiday.  It was stated that Thearl Craven would drive the Center’s van on June 9 & 10  for Sue Knight.

 

      Council Member Boddie stated that she had spoken with Maintenance Supervisor Hanners concerning the removal of bushes, trees, etc. at the cemetery.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that he along with the Mayor and other Council Members had received a recommendation letter from the Fire Department to appoint Randy Mitchell as Fire Chief.  A motion was made by Council Member Beale to appoint Randy Mitchell as Fire Chief.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale also reported that he would be meeting with Louise Campbell, Grant Writer, concerning several possible grants, one which concerns the trail renovation around the watershed lakes.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Forbes did not report.

 

     Assistant Fire Chief Tim Mitchell expressed his and the fire department’s appreciation to the maintenance department for their assistance clearing around the Sentell house and property.  The Fire Department plans to use this house as a teaching location on June 25.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

 

     Mayor Turner asked that Terry Raughton be allowed to travel to and from his residence in a municipal vehicle which has been designated.  Permission was granted.

 

 

 

06/06/05                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Page 3

 

     Under new business, Council Member Steed moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $17427.30.  Council Member Thompson seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     At this time Council Member Thompson moved to go into Executive Session.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Steed moved to go back into regular session.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Upon the recommendation of Police Chief Forbes, Council Member Beale moved to hire Chris Mathews as police officer for the City of Ashland.  This motion was seconded by Council Members Echols and Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to reimburse the City of Lineville the amount of $6802.46 for the training of Chris Mathews.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion to set the salary of Officer Chris Mathews at $10.95 beginning June 7, 2005.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Thompson made a motion to reappoint Helen Pope and James McDonald to the Industrial Development Authority with their terms to be retroactive to their previous terms.  This motion was seconded by Council Members Boddie and Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     City Clerk Foster was given permission to check on prices for the replacement of the water cooler located at City Hall and report back to the Council.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion awarding the low bid of $39,746.11 from American Ramp Company for the purchase of equipment and installation of equipment for a skate park to be located at Northside Park.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.  Council Member Beale stated that he would inquire about the cost of a concrete pad that would need to be in place before the placement of the equipment.

 

     Council Member Boddie stated that someone would be holding the “Walking Tours” in the City of Ashland the last two weekends of June and the first weekend in July.  It was asked that the City of Ashland be responsible for the payment of brochures and signs for the tours.  This was unanimously agreed upon.