REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

NOVEMBER 7, 2005

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on November 7, 2005 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, Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners, Officers David Martin and Chris Mathews, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Al Haynes of WTRB Radio, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal, Kelly Holmes and Rebecca Allen of Liberty National Insurance and Ben Stowes.

 

      Mayor Terry Turner was absent due to a doctor’s appointment.  Council Member Gail E. Thompson was absent due to a death in her family. Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton was absent.

 

      Mayor Pro-Tem Steed called the meeting to order.                           

 

     Due to the absence of Mayor Turner Council Member Echols gave the invocation.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the agenda with the addition of Item No. 2 under New Business - Cost share with Ashland Housing Authority for communications for the Housing Authority Investigator’s office, Item No. 3 - Reconsideration of the motion and vote that was made at the previous meeting reducing the amount of purchases without Council approval from $750.00 to $250.00, Item No. 4 - Approval for Maintenance Supervisor Randy Hanners to attend an auction in Moody, Alabama on Thursday the 10^th and permission to bid on a dump truck with the bid amount not to exceed the $7500 bid law.  Item No. 5 - Approval for Maintenance Superior Randy Hanners to attend an auction in Moody, Alabama on Thursday the 10^th and permission to bid on a trailer not to exceed the $7500 bid law.  Under resolutions, ordinances, order and other business, Item No. 1 - Resolution to abate nuisance property in the City of Ashland was added.  Council Member Beale seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols moved to approve the minutes of the regular Council Meeting held on October 17, 2005 with a correction on page four concerning the roll call vote for the Council approval of purchases more than $250.00.  It was noted that Council Member Steed’s vote was inadvertently not recorded as a yea vote.  This correction will be made to the written minutes.  This motion with correction was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

      Under informational items, Mayor Pro-Tem Steed turned the floor over to Kelly Homes of Liberty National Insurance.  Ms. Holmes along with Rebecca Allen distributed material and spoke on a cafeteria plan for the City of Ashland employees.  Ms. Holmes requested that the City consider the implementation of a Section 125 - Cafeteria Plan. 

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Ms. Holmes went on to state that no fee would be paid to Liberty National and that they would provide all materials.  Ms. Holmes and Ms. Allen were thanked for their presentation.

 

      Everyone was reminded to R.S.V.P.  for the Relay for Life Kickoff to be held on the square November 12, 2005.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols did not report.

 

     Council Member Steed serving in the capacity of Mayor Pro-Tem did not report.

 

     Council Member Boddie did not report.

 

     Council Member Beale reported on prices for purchases that will be needed to house and transport animals. 

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Forbes did not report.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell did not report.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor reported that Jerry Edmondson had served his six (6) month probationary period and asked that he be afforded all benefits of full time employees.  A motion was made by Council Member Boddie to furnish Jerry Edmondson with all benefits of full time employees (i.e. annual leave, sick leave, etc.)

This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under new business, Council Member Boddie moved to approve the bills received since the last meeting in the amount of $13,288.54.  Council Member Beale seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale made a motion to pay the cost of telephone and internet service for the Ashland Housing Authority Investigator’s office at an approximate cost of $110 to $130 per month.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Echols made a motion to reconsider and rescind the previous motion made at the previous council meeting decreasing the maximum amount of purchases without prior Council approval from $750.00 to $250.00.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale.  Upon roll call vote, Council Member Steed voted yea; Council Member Echols voted yea; Council Member Boddie voted nay; and Council Member Beale voted yea.  Motion carried.