M I N U T E S

 

REGULAR MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF AUGUST 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

Call to Order:              The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council of August 2, 2010 was                                    called to order by Mayor Corine Deyton at 7:00 pm.

 

Invocation:                  The invocation was given by Councilwoman Linda Lord followed                                      by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. 

 

Roll Call:                     Mayor Corine Deyton, Mayor Pro-tem Sparkle Adams, Councilman Donald Judson and Councilwomen Maudie McCord, Linda Lord and Karen-Brandee Williams.

 

                                    Also present were City Manager John Parker, Director of Finance Mike Blandenburg, Director of Planning, Building and Zoning Steve Pearson, Director of Public Works Mike Gippert, Colonel Tommy Orr, Deputy Director of Recreation and Leisure Services Sharon Smith, Director of Support Services Christine Terrell, Chief Eddie Buckholts and City Attorney Joe Harris.

 

Approval of minutes:  Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the minutes of the Work Session of July 19th and the Regular Meeting of July 19th, seconded by Ms. McCord.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Comment Period:        Diane Lunsford – stated she would like to comment on the Resolution before Council.  She stated she personally does not think it has any merit, the healthcare and public safety awareness event; we have those with our Spring Fling and Autumn festival.  She stated she does not think it would be advantageous to have just one ward to participate in this where city personnel would have to be paid overtime, when there are two events in the park for the whole City.  She stated Public Works is taxed to their limit and adding another event is overtaxing. She felt it was overspending of our city’s funds.

 

                                    Gertrude Snell – was present to represent Ward 2.  She stated everyone is very excited to have this Health Fair event.  She stated they feel left out over there because there is no transportation and this will give them an opportunity to participate.  She stated she hopes they take into consideration those complexes back there are sort of isolated and the people really don’t get out.  She stated they know about the senior center but there is no way for them to get there.  She stated due to the disabilities of the residents, they were excited to hear they were having something over there.  She asked them to please consider this since there is no transportation.

 

                                    Shelly Skinner – stated she would like to thank Bobby Jinks and his crew for coming out when a tree fell on her property.  She also thanked Linda Lord for her concern.  She also thanked Ms. Williams for the brunch she held and the Council’s efforts.

 

                                    Christine Ellington – was present to ask Council to reconsider the fence Ordinance.  She stated fencing material is just as important as height requirements. There is a clear distinction between chain link fences that obviously still provide a clear view in spite of the height versus a wood or composite fence that is specifically designed for privacy and to clearly hide views.  She stated she was in favor of the 8/4 ordinance that had the concept of a maximum of 8 feet around the back and a maximum of 4 feet from the sides to front.  She thinks when you distort the views with an 8 ft.to16 ft. wooden or composite fence from the front of your property, then you must consider the aesthetic perspective. It changes curbside appeal and also causes security issues.  She asked Council to reconsider this Ordinance and make sure other people can protect their properties.

 

                                    Tina Keith – asked since tearing down the buildings on Main Street, when are we going to get the park.  Mr. Parker stated there was an unauthorized study recently done and there are some considerations by DOT by this Study.  He stated Forest Park was left out of the study and that is what the City is working on as far as the train station is concerned.  He stated we must get this changed before we can move forward with the Train Station.

                                    Ms. Keith also asked about the building across the street.  Mr. Parker stated that building was demolished because the City is straightening out Lake Drive. 

 

                                    Luke Gaywell – stated he was present with a recommendation to introduce a plan to provide an incentive to help beautify Forest Park.  He is proposing a “Yard of the Month”.  He said this is a great incentive to people and recommended we nominate a certain address once a month at Council Meetings.  He would like to nominate 5044 Ash Street, because there has been some real beautification at that house and its looks fantastic.  Ms. Adams stated we have had plans to do a Yard of the Month Program, and she would love to work with him on that.  Ms. Williams stated she would work with him as well.

 

                                   

                                    Ms. Lord stated we will now have the Forest Park Beautiful Program and Ms. Edie Young will also be working on that program also. 

 

                                    Darnell Moorer -  stated he would like the Mayor and Council to consider membership at the Recreation Center given to the youth in our City, after school hours and summer months.  He felt it was imperative the City consider an avenue for our young people who do not have a place to go after school until the Recreation Center closes during the summer months.  He stated he would like to look at removing the fee so they can be a part of that.

 

Resolution:                  Request was made to consider a Resolution to authorize the City to sponsor and   sanction a Health Care and Public Safety Awareness Event within the City; to authorize various City personnel to participate on a volunteer basis in the Event; to authorize payment of overtime for City personnel who are due to be paid overtime for said event; to authorize execution of certain License Agreements so as to permit the City personnel and invitees to the event to enter upon and use certain private property; to conduct, direct, and participate in the event; to provide for severability; and for other purposes.

 

                                    Ms. Adams made a motion to deny the Resolution pending further clarification for the Governing Body, seconded by Mr. Judson.  Voting for the motion were Ms. Lord, Ms. Adams and Mr. Judson.  Voting against the motion were Ms. Williams and Ms. McCord.  The motion carried.

 

Other Comments:        Ms. Lord stated there will be a Southside Neighborhood Watch Meeting tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m.

 

                                    Ms. Adams stated there will be a Teen Council Meeting on August 10th at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.  There will also be a National Night Out event tomorrow night in the Park.

 

                                    Ms. Williams stated she will be following up with the City Manager, City Attorney and City Council so that we can conduct an executive session to discuss personnel matters as it relates to the Governing Body.

 

Adjournment:              Ms. Adams made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. McCord.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.