The Elkton City Council met in regular session on Monday, February 14, 2011 with Mayor Nancy T. Camp presiding.
City Council members present: Eugene Jefferson; Jimmy Scott; Danny Laster; David Powell; and, Doug Gibson.
City Council members absent: Cindy Sidebottom.
Others present: City Clerk/Treasurer Laura Brock; Utility Superintendent Terry Frogue; Police Chief Bruce Marklin; Brian Demps, Thurman, Campbell and Co.; Donald Settle; and, Jenni Osborne, Todd County Standard.
Mayor Camp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Jefferson gave invocation.
Mayor Camp presented the council with a change that needed to be made to the minutes of the December 13, 2010 meeting approved at the last meeting. After review, Mr. Jefferson motioned to amend the minutes as presented and seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion carried unanimously.
After reviewing the minutes of the January 10, 2011 regular council meeting, minutes of the February 2, 2011 special council meeting, bills payable and financial reports, Mr. Laster motioned to approve. Motion seconded by Mr. Gibson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Camp introduced Brian Demps, Thurman, Campbell and Company, to present the annual audit for FYE June 30, 2010. Mr. Demps stated the financial statements were given an unqualified opinion, the cleanest report possible. Mr. Demps reviewed financial highlights of the report. Mr. Demps expressed that if anyone had questions after they reviewed the report to please feel free to call him. Mayor Camp thanked him for the presentation and Mr. Demps left the meeting.
Mayor Camp welcomed Donald Settle to speak regarding the Elkton Die Casting property. Mr. Settle stated that to help bring industry to Elkton and Todd County, the most important factor is providing industry with a skilled workforce. He would like to give back to the community by starting a JOBS program for adult workers in Elkton. To get this program started, he will need a building, skilled volunteers to provide training, and donated supplies. Mr. Settle has equipment he would donate and will volunteer to teach classes. He also has several other volunteers willing to teach classes. He does not think donated supplies will be a problem. And, he would like to put a committee together to get the Elkton Die Casting property cleaned up so that he can use the property for this training program. Mr. Settle stated that in the future, this location might serve as a branch of a technical college. There was discussion regarding liability insurance. Mr. Settle stated he would be covered by his own professional liability policy and his equipment would be covered, however he understands there will be many questions and items that will need to be worked out to get this project underway. Mayor Camp stated the council will consider this request. Mr. Settle thanked the Mayor and council and left the meeting.
Clerk Brock read second reading of Ordinance 2011-1, “AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING PROPERTY OF SHANE HESSEY (TODD CO. FUNERAL HOME) LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF US 68 W (TWO LANE) CONTIGUOUS TO THE PRESENT CITY LIMITS, AND A PORTION OF BECKHAM ROAD ADJOINING THE HESSEY PROPERTY, CONSISTING OF A TOTAL OF 2.398 ACRES INTO THE CITY OF ELKTON, KENTUCKY.” Mr. Gibson motioned to adopt after second reading and seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion carried unanimously by show of hands.
Clerk Brock read Municipal Order 2011-1, “MUNICIPAL ORDER AMENDING THE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.” Clerk Brock explained these changes were required in order to certify the city’s drug free workplace policy. Mr. Jefferson motioned to adopt Municipal Order 2011-1 and seconded by Mr. Laster. Motion carried unanimously by show of hands.
Resolution 2011-1, “ADOPTING THE PENNYRILE REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN” was presented to the council. After review, Mr. Powell motioned to adopt and seconded by Mr. Gibson. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Camp informed the council the current cemetery maintenance contract expires April 14, 2011. According to the contract, it can be renewed for an additional one year period at the same cost or it will need to be bid. After discussion, Mr. Gibson motioned to extend the contract for one year. Motion seconded by Mr. Jefferson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Camp reported residents are already asking about the Annual Spring Clean Up. Ricchuite Enterprises has agreed to pick up large garbage items at the same cost as last year ($2,000). After discussion, Mr. Powell motioned to hire Ricchuite Enterprises at the same price as last year to hold the annual spring clean up. Motion seconded by Mr. Laster and carried unanimously.
Mayor Camp informed the council that the current residential garbage pick up contract with Waste Management expires June 30, 2011. The initial contract was for three years and will automatically renew for additional years unless the city chooses to bid the contract out again. Waste Management will hold the price at $8.85 per container if the contract is renewed for two additional one year periods. After discussion, Mr. Scott motioned to renew the contract with Waste Management. Motion seconded by Mr. Powell and carried unanimously.
Clerk Brock informed the council that the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) has reviewed the city’s application for a low interest loan for approximately $141,000 for three sewer line extension projects, including West Main Street extension to Todd County Funeral Home, Highway 68/80 extension, and Commerce Street extension. After reviewing the city’s financial statements, KIA’s preliminary loan condition is that the city be required to raise the sewer use rates 10% effective July 1, 2011, an additional 3% effective July 1, 2012, and an additional 3% effective July 1, 2013. Clerk Brock has asked if KIA will review the conditions if the city does the following: raises the sewer tap fees, property owners help pay for some of the construction cost, and if the city is allowed to rebate property taxes from the general fund to the sewer fund to help pay for the construction. Clerk Brock has not received a response yet from these questions. Brock also stated that the last sewer rate increase was in May 2009 and at that time it was stated the increase would last two to three years. Also, she feels regardless of the answers to the questions submitted, that KIA will require some sort of rate increase since the sewer system is currently operating at a loss due to increase in expenditures over the last couple of years. There was discussion about using reserve funds from the sewer department and the general fund to pay for the extensions instead of using the loan. It was decided to wait to make a decision until answers are received from KIA and Clerk Brock will look at how much the sewer rates need to be increased even if the city does not apply for the loan.
Mayor Camp reported the city has received a request from the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force for our annual contribution of $608.50. Mayor Camp stated the Task Force is still working in Elkton and Todd County. Mr. Powell motioned to make the annual contribution and seconded by Mr. Scott. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Camp reported the Task Force has also requested a commitment of funds in FY 2012. No decision on next year’s contribution was made at this time.
Mayor Camp requested the city make its annual contribution to the city-county park in the amount of $10,000.00. Mr. Laster motioned to make the contribution and seconded by Mr. Jefferson. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Camp reminded the council that the city has leased the old courthouse property from the county for twenty-five years with the current lease set to expire in the year 2027.
Chief Marklin reported that he has purchased nine new Glock 22 pistols at a cost of $409.00 each. He requested the council declare the current Glock 21 pistols surplus property and trade them in at a cost of $330.00. Also, once the old pistols are sold, the city will have six cases of ammunition that will not be needed that the Sheriff’s Department would like to purchase at our cost. After discussion, Mr. Gibson motioned to declare the old Glock 21 pistols and ammunition surplus property and sell the items as requested. Motion seconded by Mr. Powell and carried unanimously.
INFORMES DEL CONSEJO
Mr. Jefferson called for a report from Police Chief Marklin. Chief Marklin reported that a drunk driver hit one of the parked police cars on the Square over the weekend. Luckily, the driver had insurance and the claims adjuster will look at the vehicle in a few days. Mr. Marklin also reported department activity last month.
Mr. Gibson reported that IMI is working with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to install concrete overlays in areas where asphalt is rolling up. Mr. Gibson stated he turned a project to install the overlay in the four intersections on the Square where the asphalt is rolling due to heavy trucks stopping so much.
Mr. Scott thanked the council for the annual park donation. He reported the Parks and Recreation Administrative Council met several times working to amend the Recreation Commission bylaws. The Council also hired Gary Ellis as Park Director for the months of February through November. Also, Scott Murphy has been appointed Chairman of the Recreation Commission. Finally, the county has also agreed to take over the bookkeeping for the park. Mr. Scott also briefly updated the council on the Park Improvement Project and the Day of Service scheduled for April 9th.
Mr. Frogue reported that he read meters this morning with the new radio read meters and it took approximately two hours. There were very few missed reads, however there were about three pages of leaks detected. Once leaks are detected, the customers are notified so that they can get the leaks repaired. This is helping the customers save money by detecting the leaks earlier than normal. Mr. Frogue reported he reviewed his budget figures and he has already spent quite a bit of money on supplies to repair leaking valves on meters, etc. Mr. Frogue also reported that the sewer jetter is being used more often to help unclog sewer lines near the customer’s connection to the sewer main. The city may need to look into a new policy on using the jetter on the customer’s line. Finally, Frogue reported that one of the master water meters has been installed, but the department will have to wait for warmer weather when customers are not leaving water dripping to protect pipes in order to use the meter to help detect leaks in the system.
Mr. Powell reported the Fire Department had one call since the last meeting and that was to help direct traffic in the ice and snow conditions.
INFORME DEL ALCALDE
Mayor Camp reported Larry Threlkel has submitted his resignation with the street department. With regret, Mr. Scott motioned to accept the resignation and seconded by Mr. Laster. Motion carried unanimously. The Mayor and council thanked Mr. Threlkel for his many years of service to the city.
Mr. Laster motioned to adjourn and seconded by Mr. Gibson. Motion carried unanimously and meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
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