The Flemingsburg City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 14, 2005 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 Haight led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the October meeting were presents. Councilwoman Suit moved to approve. Councilman Manning seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Mayor Flanery recognized guest Aquina Truesdell, who was appearing before Council to complain about a reconnect fee for her utilities. Ms. Truesdell admitted to paying her utility bill after the disconnect date, but objected to being charged a reconnect fee because her services had not actually been disconnected at the time she made payment. Ms. Truesdell presented a copy of her bill noting that it stated a fee of $25 would be charged to reconnect her services. She argued that it was unfair to charge her since her services were still on. Mayor Flanery explained that once the disconnect list leaves the office the City has already incurred some expense and the fee must be applied. Ms. Truesdell stated that she had paid late once before and was not charged the fee. Mayor Flanery stated that the fee was included in the City’s ordinance and it had been his policy for the past few years to assess the fee when the disconnect list left the office.

Ms. Truesdell stated that she had complained of a water leak and had to wait until the next day for her service to be restored. Once the leak was fixed she had to wait for seven months for her yard and driveway to be repaired. Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing said that he was not aware she was without service that long. There were problems with the lines in her area and her line was replaced. To his knowledge there had not been any problems since then. Ms. Truesdell stated that her driveway was still not right, noting that no one could park on the right side of her driveway without getting stuck. Dearing said he was not aware there was a problem, but he would make it right. Ms. Truesdell stated that the City’s disconnect policy was unclear and asked for a written copy. After a brief discussion Council agreed that the mayor’s enforcement of the policy was appropriate. The City ordinance may need to be reviewed and the terminology changed to refer to the fee as a late fee rather than a disconnect fee to avoid confusion in the future.

Council reviewed a draft of the adult entertainment ordinance. No action was taken.

Council reviewed a draft of the codes enforcement board ordinance. City Attorney Tom MacDonald noted changes recommended by Council and will prepare a corrected draft for the next regular meeting.

City Clerk Joy Roark stated that natural gas for winter storage had been purchased and a line of credit would need to be established at the bank. Roark estimated that $500,000 would be needed. Councilman Story noted that gas rates had more than doubled in the past two years. Councilman Story moved to allow the Mayor and the City Clerk to negotiate a line of credit with the bank. Councilwoman Sparks seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Committee reports were presented. Councilman Voiers questioned Police Chief Danny Carpenter about a law regarding dangerous or vicious dogs. Several Council members had received complaint calls. Carpenter stated that there was a leash law, but nothing explicit about dangerous or vicious dogs. Voiers stated that Boone County had an ordinance dealing explicitly with mean, vicious, attacking dogs and presented a copy for the Safety Committee to review.

Mary Jo Litton, Economic Development Commission, presented Council with the new policy from Renaissance on Main regarding training and attendance requirements. Litton reported that a grant for $75,000 in Streetscape funds had been applied for. The funds could be used to improve sidewalks in the Renaissance District. Litton also reported that there was a 50/50 grant opportunity available if the Council was interested in doing a brochure to promote the City. Funds have been allotted for tourism, but the Tourism Committee doesn’t have the operating funds to cover the 50% match. Litton suggested that other non-profit organizations could utilize these funds to promote tourism. Councilman Haight noted that there was no line item in the budget for brochures and the matter would have to go before the finance committee. Mayor Flanery stated that there were community development funds available and a brochure promoting the city would be appropriate. Councilwoman Sparks suggested asking the county to share in the costs and make the brochure countywide. Litton stated that she had no idea of the costs of the brochures, but would check with Nicholas County who had recently done one. Litton announced that the Chamber was giving away a “Welcome to the Community” basket to new people moving into the city.

Council discussed the skateboard problem. Mayor Flanery noted that money had been budgeted for a skateboard park but city employees had been busy with the remodeling projects and had not had time to work on the park. It was noted that there would be much to consider when developing the rules and regulations for use of the park.

Councilwoman Suit reported limbs down on Chapel Lane and requested that the Street department pick them up.

Utilities Superintendent Kenny Dearing reported that the water plant production was back up to150,000 per day and purchases from Maysville have been cut back to 65-70,000 per day. Dearing stated that he continues to receive complaints of filmy, cloudy water and felt that mixing well water with city water may be contributing to the problem. Flushing the lines at night has eliminated some of the problem.

Councilman Story questioned the costs of providing sewer service to Industrial Park II. Wastewater Superintendent Dale Clary reported $937,000 in estimated costs. Councilman Story expressed concern about the City paying for a project in the county. Mayor Flanery stated that grant funds had been applied for and the City would not have to pay.

Council discussed the Dispatch Board. Tom MacDonald noted that Judge Foxworthy would have to call the first meeting. Councilman Voiers stated that the Board was supposed to meet within 30 days after being established and was already not in compliance. Councilman Story stated that it was pertinent for the board to get up and running as soon as possible. Other communities were having lots of problems with funding.

Councilman Haight questioned if waivers were required for people participating in the Christmas parade. Mary Jo Litton stated that waivers were required for floats, but not for people walking or driving vehicles. Haight also brought up the water problem again noting that water in the county was worse than in the city. Dearing stated that the Division of Water had been working with them to find a solution.

Councilwoman Sparks requested a street light on Crest Ave. Sparks also reported on a homeland security meeting she had attended.

Councilman Story brought up the issue of recycling. Mayor Flanery stated that he had reviewed the program at Vanceburg. They have two trucks, one to pick up garbage and one to pick up recycling products. The Mason County Landfill wants all the recycling business. The City currently sells cardboard to Inland Container. Public Works Superintendent Jim Compton stated that Mason County charges a fee to participate in their recycling program and the City would loose the profit made on the sell of the cardboard. Councilman Voiers suggested that the Mayor talk to the City of Springfield, which has a successful recycling program.

Councilman Manning questioned the progress on the Surveying on Crest Ave. Mayor Flanery stated that Codes Enforcement Officer Gene Schwartz was still pulling deeds, but was having trouble matching things up due to three different surveyors working on the properties down through the years.

Mayor Flanery reported that the Thompson Brothers presented the low bid for work moving water lines KY 11.

There being no further business, Councilman Manning moved to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Councilman Haight seconded the motion. All were in favor.

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Louie K. Flanery, Mayor

ATTESTED:

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Joy Story Roark, City Clerk