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First City Council meeting of '05 is fast-paced 49 minutes
By Ed Waggener The nod from Mayor Pat Bell to Council Member Joe Moore to move for adjournment came just 49 minutes after Mayor Patrick R. Bell called the Columbia City Council to order in the first regular council meeting of 2005, Monday, January 3, but between 6:00 p.m. and and 6:49 a lot happened. Biggest, perhaps, was the approval of the Columbia Utilities Commissions rate change proposal. Following a detailed presentation by Columbia Utilities Commission Director Jim Williams and a brief discussion, a motion to approve from Council Member Charles Grimsley, seconded by Council Member Larry Marshall, the rate change passed without dissent in a voice vote. After the vote, Mr. Marshall said, "I've seen all the figures. We didn't have a choice." The new rates allows for a possible lower rate for those using the least water and a slight increase a customer using 1300 gallons a month. The biggest increase will be for the most typical users, those residents using 5,000 gallons a month. An example for these customers showed that their overall water and sewer bills will increase $4.95, from $40.55 to $45.50 when all legal requirements are met and the new rates are implemented.Sewer rate usage will increase 12%.The change is $3.30, old rate, to $3.70, new rate, per thousand gallons of water used. The rate is the same for commercial and residential usage. The base rate of $3.50 will not change. Mr. Williams said that the CUC is replacing a lot of the cast iron pipe in the system, with the current phase, about one-third of the portion needing replacing, underway with an $850,000 price tag, paid for with a $400,000 grant and $450,000 of CUC money. In answer to Council Member Edwin Taylor's question about possibility for more grants, Mr. Williams said that they are unlikely, at least while the war continues. A big factor working against any grant coming to Adair County is that the county now ranks third or fourth in the state in terms of percentage of households served. "There are only 120 or so residents in Adair County without access to county or city water." Mr. Williams told the Council that the rate increase is part of a recommended three or four year phase-in of a 22-28% overall increase. He said that the system continues to lose about $120,000 on sewage treatment. "We're doing a wonderful job with the new sewer plant," he said. "During the past year," he added, "we didn't discharge any untreated sewage into Russell Creek, and used to happen often." Green River Cruisers request $1,000 Jeff Thomas, representing the Green River Cruisers appeared before the Council to request approval for 2005 for the Green River Cruisers to continue their monthly car shows on the Square from April through October. The request was approved. A second request from the GRC, for $1,000 to help promote the event, was received but not voted on at the meeting. "We can't act on requests for money at the same meeting as the request is made," Council Member Marshall said. Mr. Thomas had reported that the shows have drawn 275 different exhibitors. "We're bringing people to town," he said. He said that he had been told by many business people that the shows help. "The Circle R said that they serve as many as 150-175 more meals on car show days," Mr. Thomas said. Council Member Grimsley commended the Cruisers, and noted that all car shows start small and grow. He said that the Somerset shows now add $4.5 million per year to that city's economy. Mayor Bell says spring clean-up, beautification planning underway; gives January schedule "We have a fine looking city," Mayor Bell said in the Mayor's Announcements segment of the meeting, "we just need to spruce it up." He said that plans for a city wide Spring clean are being formulated. He said that the razing of some buildings will be a target. "Some old buildings need to come down. They're a blight." He added, "We can't all go out and recruit industry like Miss Bailey, but we can all spruce up our property." During the first week of January, the Mayor said he will be attending a Legislative Appropriations Breakfast in Frankfort. In the second week, he will be attending a Broadband Development Seminar. He noted that he has been in touch with Duo-County Rural Telephone, Jamestown, and they are amenable to serving Columbia, but that there is a lot of work to be done to get their advanced system for the city. The Mayor will be making a speech to the Chamber of Commerce and will be attending the Kentucky League of Cities seminar. "We'll be learning how to do this job," he quipped. In the last week of January, the Mayor will be at a transportation meeting in Frankfort. Mayor recommends Council Person Louise Hutchison for Cemetery Board Mayor Bell recommended Council Person Louise Hutchison for another term on the Columbia Cemetery Board. The Council approved on a motion by Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mr. Grimsley, on a voice vote with no dissension. The mayor said that he is still working on getting a name to submit for the Ethics Board. Mayor recommends application for matching funds for South 55 Park The mayor got council approval for his request for the city to apply for matching funds for the Park of South 55. The council approved Resolution No. 2005-01, which seeks a grant for 50% of the costs. The other half will be paid by the Chamber of Commerce. Council accepts deed to entrance of Commerce Park On a motion by Larry Marshall, seconded by Charles Grimsley, the council voted unanimously to accept the deed 1,200-ft entrance to the Green River Commerce Park, as requested by Columbia-Adair County Industrial Development Director Stacy Bailey. Director Bailey told the Council that the road has been constructed to the required standards. By taking the action, the City will now maintain the road. Council wants more information on ACFD's $1,000 rent request No action was taken on the Adair County Fire Department's request for $1,000 a month rent for housing the new Columbia Fire Department vehicles. The request was made through Chief Mike Glasgow at an earlier meeting. "I'd like to see more figures to justify it," Council Member Marshall said. "It seems extravagant." County Fire Chief Terry Flatt told the Council that they would be welcome to discuss the request at the January meeting of the ACFD, which is at 7 p.m., January 5, 2005, at the Fire Department. Mr. Grimsley wants Parks and Recreation Commission, control of skateboarders In the Council Announcement segment of the meeting, Council Member Charles Grimsley told the Council he continues to want to start a Parks and Recreation Commisision. He also said he'd like to see more control over skateboard and scooter use in downtown, and recommended more foot patrols by police in the downtown area. He invited the Council to attend the Comprehensive Planning Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission on January 18, 2005. Council Taylor makes requests, get's striping for Bomar Heights, Westlake Drive Council Member Edwin Taylor gave several comments to the council. One idea, to stripe Bomar Heights from Jamestown Street to Burkesville, and Westlake Drive from its western entrance to Russell Road around to its eastern entrance, the lower one, on Russell Road and to include Wright Drive, was accepted at the meeting. Mr. Taylor, at the request of Mr. Marshall, moved the adoption of the proposal, and Mr. Marshall seconded. The vote past with no voice dissenting. The City will work through the State to have the work done. "We tried it ourselves," Mr. Marshall said, "and we didn't have much success." Police Chief Mark Harris joked, "I remember that, we couldn't get a DUI on the street," for the best laugh of the night. Mr. Taylor concern about street lights not working. "We pay as much for the ones which don't work as we do for the ones that do," he said. He also alerted the council to the problems with run-down houses in some neighborhoods, and the complaints he has heard from neighbors of the blighted houses. He was not specific about the houses to which he was referring. Mr. Taylor said that most of his comments were related to campaign promises he had made or action he was taking from observations made while campaigning. Council members take oath of office Mayor Bell started the meeting by administering Kentucky's traditional oath of office* to the council members, which include returnees Louise Hutchison, Larry Marshall, Joe Moore and Charles Grimsley, and freshmen members, Craig Dean and Edwin Taylor. The Mayor made special note of the new members. "Those of us who attended the City Council Forum up at Lindsey aren't surprised you're here. You both presented your ideas well there." Police Department Annual Report A printout of the Yearly Activity for 2004 by the Columbia Police Department was passed out at the meeting. The department reported 1,227 citations for the year, 6,940 calls for service, 318 motorist assistances, 834 vehicle lockouts, 254 escorts, 292 accidents investigated, 28 injury accidents, and 108 courtesy notices. The most tickets, 92, were written for alcohol intoxication in a public place, first and second offenses; which tied with the 92 tickets written for Failure to Wear a Seat Belt. Failure to Provide Provide of Insurance was runner up, with 85 citations. Others present at the meeting, not previously mentioned, included City Attorney Marshall Loy, City Clerk Carolyn Edwards, several media representatives, and, in the gallery, a very few citizens. *Kentucky's Traditional Oath of Office Members of the General Assembly and all officers, before they enter upon the execution of the duties of their respective offices, and all members of the bar, before they enter upon the practice of their profession, shall take the following oath or affirmation: I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Kentucky so long as I continue a citizen thereof, and that I will faithfully execute, to the best of my ability, the office of .... according to law; and I do further solemnly swear (or affirm) that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons within this State nor out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge, nor aided or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God. Text as Ratified on: August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. History: Not yet amended. Source: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/legresou/constitu/228.htm This story was posted on 2005-01-04 10:37:41
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