REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

OCTOBER 17, 2005

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on October 17, 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, Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton, Officer Jason Gentry, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Tim Mitchell, Randy Coker, Miles Mathis, Diane Williamson, Sherry Gravette, Connie Bryant and several members of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

 

      Mayor Turner called the meeting to order.

 

     Council Member Boddie gave the invocation.

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the addition of Item No. 8 under New Business - Approval of Budget for FY 2006 and Item No. 9 under New Business - Review of purchasing policy for the City. This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the minutes of the regular Council Meeting held on October 3, 2005.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

      Under informational items, Miles Mathis spoke on behalf of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and requested permission from the City of Ashland to host the kickoff for the annual event on the north side of the Courthouse Square on November 12, 2005.  After Mr. Mathis’ presentation several questions were asked of the attendees and permission was granted.  The City of Ashland and its subsidiaries (Police Department, Fire Department, etc.) were asked to organize teams to help with this fund raiser.  It was asked that Police Chief Forbes be contacted concerning the blocking off of the square.

 

     It was announced that a letter had been received from Governor Bob Riley on the approval of CDBG Community Enhancement Fund Grant in the amount of $225,000 for the Senior Center renovations.

 

      Under committee reports, Council Member Echols stated that on November 6 Bethel Baptist Church would be moving to their new location on Peach Orchard Road and requested that they have a police escort. 

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

 

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     Council Member Thompson reported on the state level winners of the Masters Games held recently in Hoover.  Council Member Thompson asked that Chief Forbes remind his officers about closing the gates at the Methodist Church.  Council Member Thompson asked that the maintenance department destroy the ant mounds around the Northside Park walking trail and schedule repairs to the boat and truck (park play equipment).  Council Member Thompson also questioned the status of the placement of a phone at the skate park.  City Clerk Foster will report back on this.

 

      Council Member Boddie reported that the City of Ashland had applied for a $2000 grant to plant or replace trees at the park and had received notification that the City would be receiving a $1000 grant.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that he was still checking on prices for a fence, carriers, etc. concerning the housing, upkeep, transportation of animals.  He will report back at a later meeting.

 

     Council Member Beale reported that the Fire Department was looking at a demo fire truck and that one was available for viewing after the meeting.

 

     Council Member Beale along with Fire Chief Mitchell discussed the disposal of a 1994 Chevrolet 1-ton crew cab pickup that is currently being used by the Fire Department as a brush truck.  It was discussed that the truck was not large enough to carry the weight of the water and was unsafe to be used in this capacity.  After discussion, Council Member Boddie made a motion to declare a 1994 Chevrolet 1-ton 4-Door, 4WD truck, Model No. CK30943, VIN # 1GBHK33N1RJ333759 as surplus and to grant permission to City Clerk Foster to accept bids, sell, etc.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Forbes asked of the Council that the current overtime policy be amended so that his department would be in compliance with the FLSA.  This amendment would change the current policy adopted in accordance with the provisions of Ordinance No. 1998-10-03-01 of the City of Ashland so that instead of all hours more than eighty (80) that a police officer works being considered as overtime, it would state that all hours worked more than eighty-six (86) hours would be considered as overtime.  City Clerk Foster stated that this new policy would be implicated when the new policy and procedures’ manual was adopted, but at this time an amendment could be made to the current policy.  Council Member Beale made a motion to amend the current policy and procedure manual as stated above. This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and Mayor Turner asked for a roll call vote with voting as follows: Mayor Turner, yea; Council Member Echols, yea; Council Member Steed, yea; Council Member Thompson, yea; Council Member Boddie, yea and Council Member Beale, yea.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners did not report.

 

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     Code Enforcement Officer Raughton did not report.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $8920.70.  Council Members Echols and Thompson seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under Item 2 - bids were opened for a High Pressure Breathing Air Compressor.  Three bids were solicited.  One request was returned due to an expired forwarding order.  Upon opening, one company stated that due to the specifications they would not be submitting a bid.  A bid of $27,995.31 which includes shipping and installation was received from Sunbelt Fire, 8050 McGowin Drive, Fairhope, AL 36532.  At this time a request was made that the Council reserve the right to accept the above-mentioned bid at the November 7, 2005-council meeting after review of the bid.

 

     Under Item 3 - bids were opened for Fifteen Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses.  Three bids were solicited.  One request was returned due to an expired forwarding order.  Upon opening, one company stated that due to the specifications they would not be submitting a bid.  A bid of $2915.00 per unit was received from Sunbelt Fire, 8050 McGowin Drive, Fairhope, AL 36532.  At this time a request was made that the Council reserve the right to accept the above-mentioned bid at the November 7, 2005-council meeting after review of the bid.

 

     Council Member Steed made a motion to hire Yanira Moreno as full time day shift dispatcher at the Police Department at a rate of pay of $7.75 per hour (Range 7, Step 3).  Ms. Moreno will begin work as soon as a notice with her current employer is complete.  A six-month probationary period will apply.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion to reclassify Billy Ballard as a full time maintenance employee with a salary of $10.00 and a six-month probationary period and full benefits.  Mr. Ballard has been working in a temporary position since February 8, 2005.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Thompson and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie made a motion that a resolution be drafted for all City of Ashland facilities and vehicles to be tobacco free to be voted on at the November 7 meeting.  This resolution would supersede all previous resolutions concerning tobacco products.  After discussion, Council Member Thompson seconded the motion to only draft the resolution.  After further discussion and disagreements, Council Member Boddie withdrew the above-mentioned motion.

 

     Under item 7 - a motion was made by Council Member Thompson to table a decision until more information can be obtained.  Council Member Thompson requested that Donna Gibson of First American Insurance be asked to attend the next meeting to clarify some statements.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.  Council Member Thompson asked that the minutes indicate