REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

JULY 5, 2006

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on July 5, 2006 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, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Chief of Police Derrick Forbes, Officers Jason Gentry and David Martin, Ray Stansell of the Clay Times-Journal, Hildra Stowes, Gaynell Traylor, Calvin Stowes, Dianne Stowes, Rhoderick Stowes, Lavetta Smith, Kobie Traylor and Kenneth Forbes.

 

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

    

      Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the following additions. Item No. 3 under New Business was added as - Hiring of a dispatcher.  Item No. 4 under New Business was added as - Purchase of flag pole. Item No. 5 under New Business was added as - Acceptance of Police Department resignations.  Council Member Boddie seconded the motion to approve the agenda with the above-mentioned additions and all votes were unanimous.

 

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

 

     At this time, Mayor Turner asked that the family members of Mr. William Ben Stowes come before the Council.  A resolution was approved and presented in honor of Mr. Stowes for his dedication, kindness and service to the City of Ashland throughout the years.  The resolution also honored Mr. Stowes by naming the ballfield at Westside the William Ben Stowes Field.

 

     Under informational items it was agreed by all present that City Hall and other buildings of the City are decorated special for the 100^th Anniversary celebration that will be held for the Clay County Courthouse on August 12, 2006.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols did not report.

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

     Council Member Thompson did not report.

 

     Council Member Boddie reported that the Maintenance Department would be cleaning around the courthouse square starting this Saturday.  They will be cleaning the sidewalks, awnings, etc. getting ready for the Courthouse celebration.

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     Council Member Beale reported that he had spoken with several people concerning the proposed dog ordinance and that he felt that he and Code Enforcement Officer Raughton needed to speak with the City Attorney to try and simplify the ordinance so that it might be more in line with what the City of Ashland needed.

 

     Council Member Beale also reported that the plans for the renovations at the Senior Center were almost ready to go to bid.

 

     Mayor Turner asked Council Member Beale about the status of the storm shelter that was to be located at the Library.  Council Member Beale stated that no repairs had been made to the basement at this time.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Forbes stated that he would like to start a reserve program with the Police Department.  These reserves would all be volunteer and would be used during sporting events, special events such as the Courthouse celebration, etc.  It was asked that Chief Forbes get information concerning the establishment of a reserve unit and that information be gained concerning insurance.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell did not report.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners reported that the dugouts at the ballfield had been completed and that the maintenance shed was also complete.

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton asked permission from the Mayor and Council to solicit bids for a vehicle to replace the one he has been driving which is no longer serviceable.  A motion was made by Council Member Beale that Mr. Raughton obtain specifications for a vehicle and solicit bids for said vehicle with bids to be opened at the August 7^th council meeting.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Thompson moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $14795.21.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under item two, information is to be obtained concerning the taxing or regulations for sweepstakes business and brought back to the council.

 

     Upon the recommendation of Chief Forbes, Council Member Beale made a motion to hire Mashema Brown as full-time night time dispatcher at a rate of pay of $8.00 per hour.  Ms. Brown will begin work on July 8, 2006.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Steed and all votes were unanimous.