REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

JUNE 19, 2006

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on June 19, 2006 at 5:00 P.M. in the Ashland City Hall Auditorium with Mayor Pro-Tem Bobbie J. Steed presiding.  Council Members present were Zeola D. Echols, Rebecca G. Boddie and Mike Beale. Also present were City Clerk Charles E. Foster, Assistant City Clerk Donna J. Bennett, Police Chief Derrick Forbes, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Asst. Chief Chris Mathews, Officers David Martin, Jason Gentry, Chris Smith, Dispatchers Randy Gidley and Andrea Smith, Investigator Tony Knight, Kim Medley and Ray Stansell of the Clay Times-Journal, Kenneth Forbes, Durwood Forbes and Pat Patterson.

 

     Mayor Terry Turner was absent due to illness.  Council Member Gail E. Thompson and Fire Chief Randy Mitchell were also absent.

 

      Mayor Pro-Tem Steed called the meeting to order and Council Member Echols gave the invocation.

    

      Council Member Boddie moved to approve the agenda with the following addition. It was asked that a date be set to hold an administrative hearing for the appeal concerning a nuisance abatement order requested by the Clay County Board of Education.  This was added under new business. Council Member Beale seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.  Council Member Echols seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under informational items, Mayor Pro-Tem Steed reminded the council members of their invitation to meet with the Clay County Industrial Board on Thursday, June 22 @ 6:30 P.M. at Ms. Anita’s Restaurant.

 

     It was announced that approval and presentation of a resolution honoring Mr. William Ben Stowes would be addressed at the first meeting held in July.

 

     Also announced was a LSTA grant in the amount of $1000 from the Alabama Public Library Service that was awarded to the Ashland City Library.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols congratulated Chief Forbes for completing the FBI class.  Ms. Echols went on to thank Officer Chris Mathews and the rest of the police department for a job well done during the absence of Chief Forbes.

 

     Council Member Echols also thanked the Maintenance Department for all their hard work.

 

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     Council Member Boddie reported that the prefabricated steel building recently approved for purchase would be delivered on June 30.

 

     Council Member Beale congratulated Chief Forbes and stated that this was an honor for him.  Council Member Beale asked that Chief Forbes be reimbursed the amount of $2538.72 for meals, travel and uniforms needed during his time away.  Council Member Beale made a motion to pay this reimbursement.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and motion passed.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Forbes stated that he had been away for ten (10) weeks.  He thanked everyone for their support while he was gone.  He especially wished to thank Chris Mathews for serving in the capacity of Chief in his absence.

 

     Fire Chief Randy Mitchell was absent, but had called to ask that he be allowed to submit an application for a grant with the Alabama Forestry Commission up to but not to exceed $5000.  This grant will have a local match of 20%.  At this time, Council Member Beale made a motion granting permission for Fire Chief Randy Mitchell to apply for a grant with the Alabama Forestry Commission.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton did not report.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $8232.86.  Council Member Beale seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion to close all city offices on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 for the 4^th of July holiday.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to reschedule the regular council meeting to July 5, 2006 at 5:00 P.M.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion to hold an administrative hearing concerning a request from the Clay County Board of Education for an appeal of a nuisance abatement order on July 5 at 3:00 P.M.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.  Notices will be sent to the newspaper for publication and posted in three places.  Clay County Board of Education members will be contacted.