REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

JUNE 20, 2005

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on June 20, 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, 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 Randy Mitchell, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal and Ben Stowes.

 

     Council Member Thompson was absent.

 

     Mayor Turner called the meeting to order.

 

     Council Member Steed gave the invocation.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion approving the agenda with the following additions. Under new business, Council Member Boddie added Item No. 4. Authorization for City Employees to attend public auction and make purchases and Item No. 5. Hold Harmless agreement for burning of houses for Fire Department. This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.

 

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

   

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols asked that a “Slow - Dangerous Intersection” sign be placed on 3^rd Avenue North before the intersection of 3^rd Avenue North and 4^th Avenue North.  The sign will be ordered.

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

     Council Member Boddie reported that the work being done at the cemetery was continuing and that the cemetery was looking good. Council Member Boddie reported that several houses were going to be burned as “training” by the Fire Department and asked that anyone that could donate items such as drinks, food, etc. for the fireman.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that he had spoken with Louise Campbell, Grant Writer, and discussed grants concerning the walking trail at the Clay County Watersheds and improvements that were needed at the Northside Park.  He explained that grants could not be acquired for both needs.  It was stated that this year the grant that will be applied for will be at the Northside Park to renovate or replace the restrooms, replace the pavilion roof and other needs. It was also reported that the grant for renovations at the Wynn Building was to be submitted soon.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

 

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    Police Chief Forbes reported on an accident involving two officers and one police cruiser.  The incident happened over the previous weekend when two City officers were responding to an assistance call from a County deputy.  The two officers were not injured and the vehicle received minimum damage from a barbed wire fence.  Chief Forbes asked that he be allowed to acquire estimates to replace the windshield of this vehicle.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell requested that the Fire Department be allowed to purchase two (2) SCBAs at an approximate cost of $5600.00.  A motion was made by Council Member Beale to make said purchase and the motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie with all votes unanimous. This purchase will be made out of the 2-Mil Tax Fund.

 

     Also under this report, Council Member Beale asked what was the status of the “Cascade System” that was to be purchased for the Fire Department.  It was stated that the grant that was to be applied for this purchase may not be soon and it was stated that this purchase could be made with the previous donation made from the East Central Alabama Gas District in the amount of $25,000.00 that was earmarked for the Fire Department.  Chief Mitchell was directed to get information ready for bid solicitation.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton reported that things were going well and that he was waiting on a letter and notices from the City Attorney.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $21,830.72.  Council Member Echols seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Steed made a motion to close City Hall for the 4^th of July holiday on Monday the 4^th and Tuesday the 5^th of July.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to reschedule the next regular meeting to Wednesday, July 6, 2005 due to the 4^th of July holiday.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     It was decided that the Planning Meeting would be held at 4:00 P.M. on the 6^th of July.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion authorizing Randy Hanners, Terry Raughton and Council Member Mike Beale to attend a Public Auction on June 24 & 25 in Montgomery.  Council Member Boddie furthered her motion to include the purchase(s) of needed maintenance equipment not to exceed to cost of $25,000.00.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.