REGULAR MEETING

ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL

 

NOVEMBER 21, 2005

 

 

     The Ashland City Council met for a regular meeting on November 21, 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, Fire Chief Randy Mitchell, Kim Medley of the Clay Times-Journal and Meriam Hunter.

 

      Code Enforcement Officer Terry Raughton was absent.

 

      Mayor Turner called the meeting to order.                              

 

     Council Member Steed gave the invocation.

 

     Council Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the following additions.  Under New Business, Item No. 3 - Closing of City Hall for Christmas and New Year’s holidays; Item No. 4 - Lighting of the sign at City Hall II for the Clay County Arts League; Item No. 5 - Cost share of a picture currently displayed at City Hall II with the Clay County Arts League. This motion was seconded by Council Member Boddie and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Steed moved to approve the minutes of the Public Hearing minutes held on November 7, 2005.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Echols and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Boddie moved to approve the previous meeting minutes held on November 7, 2005.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Beale moved to approve the minutes of the Special Called meeting minutes held on November 18, 2005.  Council Member Thompson seconded the motion and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Under informational items Council Member Beale reported that John DeCourcey of John-Co Truss, Inc. had made a donation in the amount of $500.00 to the Ashland City Park.  All present was appreciative of this donation and asked that Mr. DeCourcey be sent a thank you letter.

 

     Mayor Turner reminded everyone of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and meeting to be held at Maggie’s on November 29, 2005 at 6:30.  Everyone needs to R.S.V.P. by November 25, 2005.

 

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     Everyone was reminded of the Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3, 2005 at 6:00 P.M.

 

     Council Members Beale, Thompson and Steed agreed to serve as raters for proposals for administrative and architectural services for renovations at the Senior Center.

 

     Meriam Hunter thanked the Mayor and Council for allowing her to speak.  She commended them for their fine job they were doing representing the City of Ashland.  Ms. Hunter commended Chief Derrick Forbes and his department for their work in the Westside Community.  She stated that the community had shown opposition to his department at first, but now the citizens see that he and his department are doing a great job.  Ms. Hunter ended by thanking Chief Forbes on the behalf of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in his help with the “Crossing Over” and move to their new location.

 

     Mayor Turner announced that Congressman Mike Rogers’ office had contacted him with an announcement that the City of Ashland would be receiving $200,000 in funding to invest in the upgrade of or purchase of industrial property.  These monies will hopefully allow for the purchase of property located on Alabama Hwy 77 North close to the current Industrial Park.

 

     Under committee reports, Council Member Echols stated that Jomarlan Ford had contacted her about working during his Christmas break from school. After discussion, Council Member Echols made a motion to allow Jomarlan Ford to work with the maintenance department during his Christmas break.  This motion was seconded by Council Member Beale and all votes were unanimous.

 

     Council Member Steed did not report.

 

     Council Member Thompson thanked the Maintenance Department for getting the Christmas decorations ready.

 

     Council Member Boddie did not report.

 

     Council Member Beale stated that he would get the paperwork together concerning the housing and transportation of stray animals and would report back to the Council.

 

     City Clerk Foster did not report.

 

     Police Chief Forbes did not report.

 

     Fire Chief Mitchell did not report.

 

     Maintenance Supervisor Hanners reported that he had purchased a trailer for the City at the auction, but was unable to purchase a dump truck.