The Elkton City Council met in regular session on Monday, September 12, 2011 with Mayor Nancy T. Camp presiding.
City Council members present: Eugene Jefferson; Jimmy Scott; Danny Laster; David Powell; and, Cindy Sidebottom.
City Council members absent: Doug Gibson.
Others present: City Clerk/Treasurer Laura Brock; Utility Superintendent Terry Frogue; City Attorney John P. Kirkham; Police Chief Bruce Marklin; Catherine Darnell, Todd County Standard; and, Marie Fainter, WHOP Radio.
Mayor Camp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the pledge of allegiance. Mr. David Powell gave invocation.
Mayor Camp announced Mr. Gibson is still recovering from surgery and is not feeling well enough to attend.
After reviewing the minutes of the August 8, 2011 council meeting, bills payable and financial reports, Mr. Jefferson motioned to approve, seconded by Mr. Laster and carried unanimously.
Clerk Brock read second reading of Ordinance 2011-9, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 35.095, 35.103, 35.104, 35.105, AND 35.108 OF CHAPTER 35 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ELKTON PERTAINING TO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD.” Mr. Powell motioned to adopt after second reading and seconded by Mr. Laster. Motion carried unanimously by show of hands.
Clerk Brock stated that Mr. Kirkham has prepared a summary of Ordinance 2011-10 amending the Nuisance Ordinance if the council wishes to read and publish the summary instead of the full ordinance. After discussion, Mr. Jefferson motioned to read and publish the summary of Ordinance 2011-10. Mr. Scott seconded the motion and carried unanimously by show of hands. Clerk Brock read first reading of Summary Ordinance 2011-10, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 92.01, AND 92.04 OF CHAPTER 92 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF ELKTON, KENTUCKY, PERTAINING TO NUISANCES.” Mr. Scott motioned to approve after first reading and seconded by Mr. Powell. Motion carried unanimously by show of hands.
Clerk Brock presented calculations for the 2011 ad valorem property tax rates. The compensating rate for 2011 is $.240 per $100 assessment for real property and $.361 per $100 assessment for personal property. The compensating rate would generate approximately $1,604 over last year. Rate II for 2011 is $.250 per $100 assessment for real property and $.361 per $100 assessment for personal property and would generate approximately $7,272 over last year. The 4% rate, which requires two public notices and a public hearing, is $.260 per $100 assessment for real property and $.376 per $100 assessment for personal property. The 4% rate would generate approximately $13,910 over last year. Last year’s rates were $.248 per $100 assessment for real property and $.309 per $100 assessment for personal property. If the real property tax rate is set as the same rate as last year and the personal rate at the compensating rate, it would generate about $6,139 over last year. Clerk Brock recommended setting the rate at Rate II, which would be a $.002 increase over last year. There was discussion about what the increase would mean to citizens. Clerk Brock figured that a $.002 increase on $100,000 of assessment would be a $2.00 increase for the year. After discussion, Mr. Jefferson motioned to set the 2011 rates at Rate II. Motion seconded by Mr. Scott. Voting in favor of the motion were Jefferson, Scott and Sidebottom. Voting opposed were Laster and Powell. Motion carried.
Clerk Brock read first reading of Ordinance 2011-11, “AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE UPON THE ASSESSED VALUATION OF REAL ESTATE, PERSONAL PROPERTY, MOTOR VEHICLES AND WATERCRAFT WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ELKTON, KENTUCKY, FOR THE YEAR 2011.” Mr. Scott motioned to approve after first reading and seconded by Ms. Sidebottom. Voting in favor of the motion by show of hands were Jefferson, Scott and Sidebottom. Voting opposed by show of hands were Laster and Powell. Motion carried.
Mayor Camp stated that there will need to be a special council meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 for second reading of the tax rate ordinance and other items. After discussion, the meeting will be held at 4:30 PM.
Resolution 2011-3, “A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AT&T’S ACQUISITION OF T-MOBILE USA” was presented to the council. After discussion, Mr. Jefferson motioned to adopt and seconded by Mr. Laster. Motion carried unanimously by show of hands.
Resolution 2011-4, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELKTON, KENTUCKY REGARDING 2011 KENTUCKY COMMUNITY DEVELOMENT BLOCK GRANT” was presented to the council. After discussion, Mr. Laster motioned to adopt and seconded by Ms. Sidebottom. Motion carried unanimously by show of hands.
Air Evac would like to offer a $10.00 discount on memberships to new customers from Elkton. They would like to send out this notice in the utility bills. After discussion, Mr. Laster motioned to allow Air Evac to make this offer to the citizens of Elkton. Motion seconded by Mr. Scott and carried unanimously.
Mayor Camp has received a request from Pennyrile RC and D for a contribution of $300. In the past, the city has contributed $200 annually for their continued support of Elkton projects. There was discussion of what projects they have helped us with in the past. After discussion, Mr. Jefferson motioned to contribute $300 to Pennyrile RC and D. Motion seconded by Mr. Powell and carried unanimously.
Todd County Industrial Foundation has sent a second request for our annual contribution of $10,000. Clerk Brock confirmed the funds are in the city’s budget. There was discussion of how the Industrial Foundation is promoting Elkton and that there doesn’t seem to be any efforts to do so. Mr. Frogue reported he took down the Industrial Foundation sign that was falling down and it has not been repaired or replaced by the Foundation. Mr. Scott motioned to contribute $10,000 to the Foundation. The motion died for lack of a second.
Mayor Camp reported the city has received a full report from Reibold Environmental for the inspection and testing inside and outside of the Die Casting property. Clerk Brock is preparing a Request for Bids to advertise cleaning up the building based on the report. Mayor Camp stated the city needs to put a fence around the switch grass area.
Mayor Camp reported Ricchutie Enterprises will perform the annual leaf pickup for the same price as last year, $19,950. Mr. Powell motioned to contract with Ricchutie Enterprises for the leaf pickup. Motion seconded by Mr. Jefferson and carried unanimously.
Elkton Bank and Trust Company has offered to fix the clock in the historic courthouse. The Bank will spend approximately $20,000 to make the necessary repairs. They will also keep the clock under a maintenance contract. The bank has also gotten a bid to clean and paint the clock tower at a cost of $18,970. The bank is willing to contribute $5,000 towards painting the tower. If the city wants to paint the tower, we would need to contribute the remaining balance of $13,970. There is approximately $3,768 remaining in the “Start the Clock” fund that could be used for this effort. There is also money in the Building and Maintenance Fund that can be used. Mayor Camp stated this is one of the best gifts the city has ever received and we should all be thankful to President Gary Traughber and the board. Ms. Sidebottom motioned to paint the clock tower and seconded by Mr. Laster. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Camp presented a bid from David Smith to build new doors and thresholds for the historic courthouse. The thresholds are rotted and the doors need replacing. Three new doors would be made of cypress and would be replicas of the original doors at a cost of $5,875. There would be an extra cost for purchasing restoration hardware for the doors. After discussion, Mr. Laster motioned to approve David Smith building new doors for the courthouse. Motion seconded by Ms. Sidebottom and carried unanimously.
Clerk Brock reported that the WiFi on the Square is not working because the equipment was struck by lightning or power surges that burned out some of the antennas and routers. This has happened several times since we installed the equipment. Therefore, Clerk Brock got a quote from Cornerstone Information Systems, who recommends replacing the equipment and grounding each antenna to protect it better from lightning at a cost of about $9,000. This equipment will also better handle the large amount of traffic on the system. They still cannot guarantee 100% that the equipment would not be damaged in the future. After discussion, Clerk Brock will look into insurance coverage and the cost of equipment that would expand the coverage area.
Mayor Camp asked the council if they have thought any more about the request from Mike McGhee to rename the City-County Park the “Moore Family Park” in honor of Wilmon Moore. There was discussion that another family also donated a portion of the property for the park. Also, when the park was built, several people donated a lot of labor to help build the ball fields, etc. So, there was considerable concern that naming the park after just one family would not be fair to the others that contributed. Several council members stated they would be in favor of putting a sign in the park to commemorate the Moore family’s contribution. There was discussion that the fiscal court has not made a decision on changing the name of the park yet. Mr. Jefferson motioned that the name of the park not be changed and the city should be in favor of putting up a sign in recognition of the Moore family. Motion seconded by Mr. Laster and carried unanimously.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Jefferson called for a report from Police Chief Marklin, who reported on Police Department activity in August. He also reported there was a major gas line break last week and then the next day a gas leak in the high school. He reported all emergency personnel worked well together and there were no problems.
Mr. Scott reported fall soccer and adult softball have started in the park.
Mr. Laster stated there were no water loss calculations this month to report. Mr. Frogue reported that the department has been testing the fire hydrants for the Fire Department and opening valves, so that would cause some water loss this month. Mr. Frogue also reported the department is replacing a portion of the sidewalk on South Main Street but the current property owner needs to take down an iron fence before the new sidewalk can be formed and poured.
Mr. Powell reported the fire department had one fire run this month, several false alarms and were also called out during the two gas leaks.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Camp requested the council set the Halloween Trick-or-Treat times in Elkton. Ms. Sidebottom motioned to hold trick-or-treat on Monday, October 31st from 5 PM to 8 PM. Motion seconded by Mr. Scott and carried unanimously.
Clerk Brock reported she is still working with Alliance and the merchant account company to set up our system to accept credit and debit card payments. Alliance is working on a software licensing issue and once that is settled in the next few weeks the city should be able to accept credit and debit card payments.
Mr. Scott mentioned that the Recreation Commission is considering asking the magistrates and council members to volunteer working in the concession stand next year at the park.
Mayor Camp stated she would like to have a business and industry appreciation dinner, possibly with the Todd County Community Alliance, in the near future.
There was no further discussion or comments from guests, therefore Mr. Jefferson motioned to adjourn and seconded by Ms. Sidebottom. Motion carried unanimously and meeting adjourned at approximately 8:10 PM.
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