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Columbia City Council Meeting, Monday, June 4, 2007
By Ed Waggener In last night's Columbia City Council meeting, major expansion steps were taken with the readings and approvals of ordinances. "Columbia is growing," Mayor Bell said, "as the ordinances you are approving tonight shows." At the June meeting, the city completed the annexation of the Bank District on North 55. The second reading was approved by unanimous voice vote on a motion by Councillor Edwin Taylor, seconded by Councillor June Parson. First readings by City Attorney Marshall Loy were read. The ordinances will add over 40 acres total, in two tracts, to be zoned C-2 Highway Oriented Commercial on South 55 between Industrial Drive and Creek Bend Road. Over 38 acres of the South 55 property is owned by the A.D. Bennett heirs. The other parcel is owned by the Charles Cruse heirs. And the Council had a first reading for a re-zoning at 502 Rice Drive for owner Mike Robertson, allowing for new construction of of residential structures under R-2, Low Moderate Density housing. The lot at Rice & Watson Streets was formerly zoned R-1, single family. No money in budget for Industrial Recruiter City Attorney Marshall Loy gave a first reading to the 2007-2008 budget which does not include any funds for the Columbia-Adair County Industrial Recruiter. In prior years, the City had matched a $50,000 contribution from the Adair Fiscal Court, but Mayor Bell told the Council that he believes the City and County should do the recruiting itself. "We'll take economic development in-house," he said. Mayor Bell said he would discuss the matter with the industrial board at its regular June meeting at noon today in the Chamber of Commerce Building to discuss the funding. "Economic development is changing," Mayor Bell said. "We can no longer count on recruiting jobs from the North because of lower cost labor. Those jobs have gone on the Mexico. And today, they are headed for China." The Mayor framed the new economic program as being focused on Preservation and Development. "We've all seen the new interchange on 61," he said. "It's beautiful and it will bring a lot of jobs," but, he added, "we need to preserve the area around the old Wal-Mart and Downtown." Mayor Bell said he foresees residential development with upstairs condos in downtown Columbia and plans to seek work with Lindsey Wilson College on downtown renewal. "We're going to need to beautify the area around the old shopping center (on Jamestown Street) and downtown," the Mayor said. He noted the looming probability of a vacant building where the present Wal-Mart is, and also said, "We've already got one vacant building up there," citing the recent closing of the Pay-Less Food Center. Councillor Edwin Taylor questioned whether any employees are making under $10 per hour, to which the Mayor raised his hand, to the delight of those present. Taylor said he hoped wanted the budget to address disparities between the highest and lowest paid city workers. No action was taken on the suggestion at the meeting. The budget does include a 5% pay raise for all City employees. "I'm a firm believe that when you find good people, it is better to pay them well than to spend time having to replace the," Mayor Bell said, adding, "We've got good people." The Council approves the re-appointment of Joseph Flowers During the Mayor's Announcements segment, Mayor Bell made one major re-appointment last night. "Joseph Flowers is doing a great job with Planning & Zoning," he said, and asked the Council to approve a new four-year term for Flowers to the three-seat Planning & Zoning Board of Adjustment. The appointment was unanimously approved. Flowers is chairman of the board, serving with members Edgar Troutman and Billy Wheat. The unanimous voice vote came on a motion by Charles Grimsley, seconded by Craig Dean, to approve the appointment. Mayor recommends, Council approves Henderman, Jessee for audit The Mayor brought up the renewal of the contract for Henderman, Jessee & Company to continue to act as the city's auditors. The item was not on the regular agenda, but it was approved unanimously by voice vote on a motion by Councillor June Parson, with a second by Councillor Charles Grimsley. Mayor announces $8,400 matching grant for basketball court Also during the Mayor's segment, Mayor Bell announced an $8,400 matching grant from the Lake Cumberland Area Development District to bring the basketball court up to regulation size and add safety features. The balance of the funds will come from the city, he said. The announcement was hailed by Councillor Charles Grimsley, who champions Parks & Recreation development. And the Downtown Parking Crackdown is in high gear Finally, Chief Mark D. Harris was praised for the development of a new activity report for enforcement of parking rules in downtown Columbia. The new form was unveiled at the meeting, and details each and every citation. The inaugural report 16 citations for May, 2007. Fourteen of them were $10 fines for two hour violations on the Square. One was for violating Handicap space at Wal-Mart, another for the same offense in front of Fiesta Mexico. Chief Harris said that enforcement will be ramped up as soon as a new Downtown Safety Officer is added to the force. No action on that was taken last night. No Citizen Comments No one from the gallery offered any "Citizen Comments," in that segment of the meeting. Councillor Grimsley thankful for LCADD grant When Mayor Bell asked the Councillors' for comments, Senior Councillor Charles Grimsley, told the group he was elated that the $8,400 grant for the basketball court had come through. Grimsley is considered the father of Columbia's Parks & Recreation program. P&R has been his passion since being elected to the City Council. Councillor Linda Waggener said Mayor's economic plan a good one Also in the Councillors' Comments segment of the meeting, Councillor Linda Waggener commended Mayor Bell on the new direction for economic development. "I think it's a good plan," she said, supporting the Mayor's move to bring more economic development projects in-house, beautify and preserve the older parts of Columbia, have condos upstairs downtown, and get greater college involvement in downtown. Future Problem Solving Team praised Councillor Craig Dean praised the accomplishment of the Adair County High School Future Problem Solving Team for its worldwide third place showing in Fort Collins, Colorado on June 1, 2007. "This is really big," he said, "I think we need to recognize Coach Brett Reliford and the Adair County team. He does a wonderful job." The Future Problem Solving team includes Matt Downen, Megan White, Cody Gabbert, and Katie LaVictoire. Councillor Parson asks that plastic banners be taken off decorative lights Councillor June Parson asked that the plastic advertising banners be taken off the decorative light posts on the Square in Downtown Columbia and be moved to the other light standards. Parson cited aesthetics and safety. (Earlier this year, the Adair County Fiscal Court passed an ordinance banning the placement of banners on the historic Adair County Courthouse.) Joe Moore moves for adjournment At 6:24pm, Councillor Joe Moore said, "I move we go home." And so they did. Light attendance for June meeting In addition to Mayor Pat Bell, who presided, all six councillors, Charles Grimsley, Craig Dean, Linda Waggener, Edwin Taylor, Joe Moore, and June Parson were present, along with City Clerk Carolyn Edwards, City Attorney Marshall Loy, Police Chief Mark Harris, Citizen Roy Rademacher, and media representatives. End of report, City Council meeting, June 4, 2007 About Your Columbia City GovernmentCITY OF COLUMBIA, KY:. Regular monthly meetings of the Columbia City Council are held each first Monday in City Hall, Campbellsville ST, Columbia, KY 42728 Mayor Patrick R. Bell. Council Members Charles Grimsley, Craig Dean, Edwin Taylor, June Parsons, Joe Moore, Linda Waggener. City Attorney Marshall Loy. City Court Clerk Carolyn Edwards. City Police Chief Mark Harris. City Utilities Commission Director Jim Williams. City Works Director Donnie Rowe. City Sanitation Director Kenneth Dulin. This story was posted on 2007-06-05 07:01:14
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