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City Council meeting report, regular meeting 1 Dec 2014 In last night's session
Click on headline for complete report and photo(s) By Ed Waggener In a final act, Councillor June Parson, said, she wanted to fulfill a request by the late Ralph Willis to have a Columbia Street named in honor of Civil Right Leader Martin Luther King, the the Council fulfilled her request. Parson said that when Mr. Willis requested that Burkesvillle Street be renamed in honor of Dr. King, the process hit a snag because it is a state highway. She suggested, instead, another busy street, Bomar Heights, be re-named Martin Luther King Boulevard, and the council agreed, with a 5-0 vote. Councillors Charles Grimsley, Ron Rogers, Robert Flowers, and Linda Waggener joined in a 5-0 vote to make the change. Parson, who did not seek re-election to the Council, choosing instead to run for Mayor, said tt was her hope that the change be made in time for Martin Luther King Day, which is a Federal Holiday, observed in 2015 on January 19, 2015. Dr. King actual birthday is January 15, but under the Uniform Federal High Act, the observance is on Mondays floating around the actual birthday. Mayor Harris and City Attorney Marshall Loy indicated that the change can be carried out in time for the holiday, though updates to City Street Ordinances may have to be made in a special session later in the year. The Board approved the presentation of financial audit for FY 2013-14 The Council approved the audit presented by Brent Billingsley and Jenna Pace of the Glasgow CPA firm Campbell, Myers and Rutledge. The auditors said the the loss from government operations had held steady over the past three years, at just under $300,000 per year. They noted that Columbia's financial picture is inverse of similar cities, where government operations are in the black, but business activites such as utilities, lose money. Columbia has been losing money on governmental operations, but business type services have been in the black - for the sanitation department following a hike rates, revenue adjustments in the gas department. The auditors said that Columbia and most cities around have seen an approximately 20% drop in revenues from insurance premium taxes, and, for Columbia, that drop pretty much equate to the operating deficits for the past three years. The auditors said that the Payroll Tax now being imposed should take care of revenue imbalances. The audit was approved on a motion by Councillor June Parson, and a second by Councillor Ron Rogers, with Councillors Linda Waggener, Charles Grimsley and Robert Flowers joining in the affirmative for a 5-0 vote. Council approves second reading of Curfew for the Columbia City Park The Council heard a second reading of an ordinance to impose a 10pmCT-daybreak curfew in the Columbia City Park, located inside the VFW Fairgrounds, at 413 Fairground Street, Columbia, KY. The ordinance had been requested by Jaycee Shannon Rowe. The vote to approve was 5-0, with all Councillors, June Parson, Charles Grimsley, Robert Flowers, Ron Rogers and Linda Waggener voting yes by voice vote. Council approves mayor action making Chris Bennett electrical inspector The council voted 5-0, on a motion by June Parson, seconded by Robert Flowers, to give Mayor Mark Harris the authority to sign contract appointing Christopher Bennett as the Electrical Inspector of the City of Columbia, and heard a first reading of an ordinance relating to electrical inspection fees. The fees will be adjusted to conform to those approve by the Adair County Fiscal Court, earlier, which call for $66 for most inspections, plus a $22 permit fee, for a total of $88.00, with an additional charge of 1% for everything over $50,000 in for commercial electrical installations. This compares to a total charges which are lower in Taylor County, at $75 for inspection and permits; and Russell County, where total charges are over $100. Mr. Bennett is the inspector in all three counties. He told the court that the fees are set up each governmental entity. Council approves changes in personnel policies and procedures The city approved recommendations from Mr. Paul Combs for updating the City of Columbia Personnel Policies and procedures, mostly relating to Drug and Alcohol testing policies. The changes make it easier for supervisors or others to order testing when there is reason to suspect substance use on the job. The changes were approved unanimously by those councillors present. Change being made in Police Department Procedures The council approved, 5-0, changes made to modify Police Department Operating Procedures with changes in "home fleet," rules for the take home police cars. Changes will be ongoing through June of this year, Mr. Combs and Chief Jason Cross said. The new rules tighten the use of the cars, and and codify the rules against any personal use of the vehicles. Councillor Ron Rogers asked about this, and said, "I hope this means you can't take Momma to the grocery store, in a police car." and was assured by Chief Cross and Mr. Combs that is the case. Chief Cross said that the rules include any personal use of the take home cruisers. "They aren't to be used to drop or pick up children at school," he said. An aim of the rule changes is to make the department a Certified Police Department. Other changes will be made between now and June 30, 2015, the council was told. Council goes into executive session Mayor Harris calle the council into an Executive Session which was not on the agenda and cleared the council meeting room for a brief session in a matter related to personnel. Following the session, the council voted 4-9, with the abstention of Councillor Charles Grimsley, to approve a contract with Police Chief Jason Cross. The Mayor took the action in the "Mayor's comments segment of the meeting. He also took time to recognize the national championship won by the Adair County Marching Band as Class A Champion at the 2014 Bands of America National Marching Band Champions held in Indianapolis, IN. Minutes approved The Council approved, on a motion by Charles Grimsley, with a second from Ron Rogers, the minutes of the 3 Nov 2014 Regular Called meeting. The vote was 5-0. Council Comments Councillor June Parson said a farewell to the Council - for now - saying she plans to remain active in city affairs, and asked for and received approval for Martin Luther Boulevard name change for Bomar Heights. Councillor Charles Grimsley wished all a Merry Christmas. Councillor Ron Rogers expressed appreciation for the work June Parson had done for the council. He recognized the ACHS Band, the ACHS Football team, the success of Lindsey Wilson Colleges athletes, and noted the four victories won in the first round national champions played in Columbia. Councillor Robert Flowers told the Council that he had enjoyed the four years working as a councilman and quipped that he had learned a lot, especially, he said, "Don't talk to long and too loud about issues which are unpopular." Flowers had been a very vocal advocate of adding new revenue streams to support city government. Linda Waggener, the last Council member to speak, was succinct. "I just want to wish everyone a safe, happy, joyous holiday," she said. Good crowd present at the meeting The meeting was well attended. Mayor Mark D. Harris presided. Also present was and recognized was Council Elect Curtis Hardwick. Councillors present were Linda Waggener, Robert Flowers, Ron Rogers, Charles Grimsley and June Parson. Councillor Craig Dean was unable to attend because of a work related conflict. Also present were City Clerk Rhonda Loy and City Attorney Marshall Loy, City Police Chief Jason Cross, City Gas Superintendent Ron Cook and his wife Linda; City P & Z Commissioner Roy Rademacher; Mr. Paul Combs. Members of the Media. Constable Shannon Rowe, and auditors Brent Billingsley and Jenna Pace. This story was posted on 2014-12-02 08:46:09
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