REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

AUGUST 6, 2007

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on August 6, 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, 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, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Mary P. Smith and Pattye Colburn of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Baron Sandlin, John Sandlin, Lester Robinson, Billy Ballard, Leland Steed and Abby Pruet of the Clay Times-Journal.

 

     Council Member Gail E. Thompson was absent.

 

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

 

     Council Member Beale moved to approve the agenda with the following additions/deletions.  Under Informational Items - Remove Items No. 2, 4 & 5. Add Mary P. Smith of the Chamber.  Under New Business - Add Item No. 2 - Purchase and installation of equipment for new police car, Item No. 3 - Recommendation to make Dispatchers Linda Parkhill and Robin Miller permanent employees due to satisfactory completion of probation period, Item No. 4 - Increase of pay for Dispatchers Linda Parkhill and Robin Miller due to permanent status, Item No. 5 - Consideration of business license request from Baron Sandlin to open restaurant/arcade and Item No. 6 - Hiring of police officer.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

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

 

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

 

     Under informational items, Reverend Sam Baker of S & J Ministries of Talladega was not in attendance.

 

     Council Member Beale reported on the basement of the library, which is scheduled to be renovated to be used as a severe weather shelter.

 

     Mary P. Smith of the Clay County Chamber thanked the City of Ashland for allowing them the use of the courthouse square and employees to make the annual Hank Williams Day a success.  Ms. Smith presented the City with a certificate of appreciation.

 

 

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     Under committee reports, Mayor Turner expressed his appreciation to the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, Ashland Police and Maintenance Departments for all their hard work to make the Hank Williams Day a success.

 

     Council Member Echols, Steed and Boddie did not report.

 

     Council Member Beale discussed the map/plans for the park improvements.

 

    City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Davis expressed his appreciation to the Maintenance Department for all their work during the recent Hank Williams Day on the square.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

 

     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton reported that the work at the Wynn Building Senior Center was at a standstill while waiting on supplies.

 

     Mr. Raughton also reported that he had been in contact with someone who is going to help get the street at the Primary School paved.

 

     It was decided that due to the renovations at the Wynn Building reservations would not be taken until July 2008.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $15525.70.  Council Member Echols seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to purchase new equipment for the new police car from Grier Communications not to exceed the bid law.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to hire Robin Miller and Linda Parkhill as permanent employees due to completion of their probationary period.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to increase the pay rate for Robin Miller and Linda Parkhill by one (1) step due to employee status change.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion allowing Baron Sandlin to purchase a business license for a restaurant/arcade on the courthouse square.  This motion was seconded by Council Members Echols and Steed and all votes were unanimous.