The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Annex.  Council members present were Marty Voiers, Carl Haight, Nancy Suit, Georgianna Sparks, Meredith Story, and Scott Manning.  Mayor Louie K. Flanery presided.

 

Councilman Manning led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Minutes of the April meeting were presented.  Councilman Manning moved to approve.  Councilman Haight seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Mayor Flanery presented James “Hoss” Boyd with a framed copy of the resolution approved by Council at the April meeting honoring Boyd for his years of service to the city.

 

Gerald Carpenter addressed Council regarding the City’s property, liability and worker’s compensation insurance renewal premium for the upcoming fiscal year.  Carpenter stated that there was a 10% increase overall with the most significant increase being worker’s compensation.  Carpenter asked the City to retain him as agent and KLC as carrier.  Councilman Story asked if Carpenter had looked at carriers other than KLC.  Carpenter stated that his agency had tried for years to get with KLC, but couldn’t due to losses.  When he was able to join KLC he didn’t look anywhere else because they provide good coverage and are here to stay.   Story noted that some other cities had left KLC and suggested that next year Carpenter get a comparable quote from other carriers since the City pays such a large premium.  Councilman Haight stated that Carpenter had done a good job in past and moved to retain Carpenter as the City’s agent and KLC as the carrier.  Councilwoman Suit seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Chuck Sauers appeared before Council to request water service for property he recently purchased on Hwy 11 near Wedonia.  Sauers stated that he would have a tenant house and a barn and the adjoining property belonging to Jane Kutler would also have a house so three meters were needed.  Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing stated that the water line was across the road so there would be a road bore, which could be expensive.  If his department could do the work it would cost less, but a contractor may have to do the work, which could run $4000-6000.  Dearing stated that his equipment would do a 2” bore.  Sauers noted that his pond was dry so he would be putting in waterers for his cattle.  Council discussed putting in a smaller line, but concluded that more information was needed before making a final decision.  The Finance Committee will make a recommendation at the next meeting.

 

Steve Dobson requested natural gas for his new home on Maple Leaf Road in Mason County.  Dobson stated that the gas line is on the same side of the road as his property so there would be no road bore.  The line would need to be run 380 ft to the corner of his lot.  Dearing stated that the cost to the City would be about $1800.  Dobson noted that his home would have four fireplaces, gas cook stoves and use gas as a back up heat system.  He was also running gas to his garage.  Dearing stated there would not be much time involved in running the line.  Councilman Story noted that the Mason County gas line had been a money loser and stated that the cost needed to be reviewed before making a final decision.  Councilwoman Suit stated that she was ready to make a decision now; she didn’t know what other figures were needed.  Councilman Voiers stated that he felt Council should wait to make a decision until the matter was reviewed.  Dobson’s wife, Dr. Charlotte Harris, noted that there was a subdivision currently in phase I just beyond their house; and there would be a phase II, which would be a good potential market for the City’s natural gas.  Dobson stated that he owned phase III.  Councilwoman Suit moved to approve Dobson’s request.  Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion.  Mayor Flanery asked for a show of hands.  Council members Suit and Sparks voted in favor.  Council members Voiers, Haight, Story and Manning voted against.  The motion was defeated.

 

Black top bids were discussed.  Public Workers Superintendent Jim Compton stated that Brown County Construction had submitted a bid of $43/ton.  This bid was for a minimum of 1500 ton and the City would need at least 2000 ton.  The bid from Brown Co. Construction could not be accepted because it was submitted late.  Councilman Story moved to reject the bid of $48.95 submitted by H.G. Mays and re-advertise for bids.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  Compton stated that both bids included hauling.

 

Mayor Flanery stated that the original Rec. Board Ordinance called for a six -member board, but was later changed to eight.  There are currently two vacancies on the board, but existing board members and Judge Foxworthy agreed that six was a good workable board.  City Attorney Tom MacDonald will prepare the ordinance for a first reading at the next meeting.

 

Mayor Flanery presented the Municipal Road Aid Resolution in the amount of $28,268 for the new fiscal year.  Councilman Haight moved to approve.  Councilman Manning seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Gene Schwartz reported that the consents to annex were ready for Steve Eldridge and Maxine Doyle to sign.  Schwartz also reported that Darrel Ruark, Attorney for the Planning Commission, was preparing a resolution to change the zoning location of the hospital.

 

There were no committee reports.

 

City Clerk Joy Roark reported on the Clerk’s Conference held in Bowling Green the week of April 17th.  Issues beneficial to the City were: (1) establishing limits on leave time for any reason; (2) overtime provisions in job descriptions; (3) taking advantage of the 4% allowed on property tax rates; (4) establishing a restaurant tax; (5) developing a wellness program; and (6) preparing for the effects of increasing hazardous duty retirement rates.  Roark also reported that $68,669.81 held in a dormant account with Fifth Third Bank in Florence, KY had been recovered.  There was no record of the funds on City books, but, after being contacted by a bank representative, Roark traced the funds back to a master lease in the late ‘90’s that covered the purchase of three police cruisers and a salt truck.  Fifth Third Bank had assessed fees on the account because it was dormant, but had never provided the City with a statement on the account.  Roark confirmed that the money had been wired to the City’s General Fund.

 

Councilman Story moved to change the overtime provision for supervisors in the employee handbook job descriptions to ‘exempt’ and strike the upgrade plan in the health insurance section.  Councilman Haight seconded the motion.  All were in favor. Councilman Voiers suggested that Teddy Purcell be contacted about a wellness program.  Mayor Flanery stated he would check with the hospital and also KLC.

 

Gene Schwartz reported that the Schatz property would have to go before the Property Review Board.  The ordinance calls for a three-member board.  The City cannot take any further action until the board acts.  The Wooten property on Mt. Sterling Ave. may need to be handled the same way.  Schwartz stated that progress on widening Crest Ave. had come to a dead end with two property owners refusing to allow the City on their property.

 

Police Chief Danny Carpenter reported that the Eighth Grade Party would be Friday night and the Prom Saturday night.  The Peoples Bank celebration is scheduled for the next weekend and the downtown will be blocked for the festivities.  Governor Fletcher will be attending.  Carpenter stated that two more suspects would be questioned in the recent vandalism, but no arrests have been made.

 

Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing reported that the well water was turned off April 25th.  The gas leak survey is not complete, but few leaks have been detected.

 

Mayor Flanery commented that the City would receive 30-60 days of relief from GFCRWC to get the water cleared up.  The plant will be operating longer and more water will be purchased from Maysville.  Mayor Flanery stated the water had improved at the wells.  The GFCRWC will be meeting at FCWA Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. with the Division of Water.

 

Mayor Flanery reported that development of the Industrial Park II was progressing.  The Industrial Authority was taking bids on the entrance, reviewing a contract to build the road and install drainage.

 

Joy Roark stated that the City’s utility software would allow a second penalty on delinquent utility bills, but only as a flat rate, not a percentage.  The software program could be changed to allow a percentage but the change would cost $1472.50.  Roark reported that people were starting to use the credit card service more, especially the debit card option.

 

            Mayor Flanery reported that he would review the 2006-2007 budget with the Finance Committee before presenting it to Council.  Mayor Flanery also noted that natural gas rates decreased 13% last month.  Councilman Story questioned the Founder’s Day plans.  Mayor Flanery stated that he was serving on a committee with Marvin Suit and Chip Span to plan the festivities, but he didn’t have any definite answers at this time.  Flanery noted that it would not be like court days; vendors would be local and by invitation only.

 

Councilman Voiers stated that the Dispatch Board was meeting regularly.  The framework is there and they are now ready to oversee the work of the center.

 

Mayor Flanery called a special meeting for May 24th at 6:30 p.m.

 

There being no further business Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.  Councilman Haight seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

 

 

                                                                        ______________________________

                                                                                    Louie K. Flanery, Mayor

 

 

ATTESTED:

 

 

 

______________________________

Joy Story Roark, CKMC

 

Date Approved:  ________________