During the meeting of the Gallatin Board of Aldermen held Aug. 8, Public Works Director Mark Morey reported that the street crew is continuing to fill pot holes around town.
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Morey received complaints from the board for Forrest Street and roadway shoulder issues on West Grand. Morey stated the recent heavy rains have caused a lot of washout issues for residents. It was discussed the shoulders on West Grand do need to be cut out to improve storm water drainage.
Morey noted that the electrical crew is currently replacing old porcelain cutouts. He announced lineman Jeremy Hicks has been offered another position with Farmer’s Electric and will be leaving within the next month. Administrator Stonecypher stated they are considering hiring a qualified lineman as more of a consulting position to oversee the electrical crew throughout their lineman training.
Morey also announced Ron McNeely has decided November will be his last month to read water meters. Morey plans to have Mike Bradley and Bill Browning read meters with Ron for the next couple months.
Police Chief Mark Richards submitted a report on activity from July 25 to Aug. 8 with the following reports taken and tickets given: 1-Theft, Shoplifting; 1-Prowler; 1-Citizen Contact; 1-Nuisance; 1-Information Report; 3-Animal Control; 2-Citizen Dispute. Officer Activities: 1-Theft; 6-Traffic; 12-Citizen Contact; 2-Citizen Complaint; 5-Animal Control; 6-Received Call;
6-Open Business Check; 1-Investigations; 6-Citizen Assist; 4-Building Check; 16-Call for Service; 4-Assist Other Agency. There are two dogs in the pound.
Police Chief Richards received tall grass complaints from the board for properties on E Berry. Mayor Ballew presented a community cleanup flyer example from the City of Maysville. Chief Richards would like to draft a similar flyer to be advertised and distributed in October in conjunction with Rapid Removal’s fall cleanup days.
The July transaction report was approved.
Bills in the amount of $130,615.25 and the July electric bill were approved for payment.
Cupola committee members discussed with the board the need for the roof to be replaced as soon as possible and a dumpster needed to continue to clean out the building. The board gave approval to the committee to continue to move forward with their application for the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Grant which is due September 23. Attorney Cowherd will be present at the next council meeting August 23 to discuss with the board and committee what actions are appropriate to move ownership of the cupola building to a nonprofit organization.
An ordinance was approved to establish a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for certain municipal officials.
An ordinance amending city code provisions regulating alcoholic beverages died for lack of a motion. The ordinance included the issuance of liquor license permits and fees, setting a maximum number of licenses available, regulating possession of alcohol, repealing prior ordinances on liquor licenses, and setting an effective date. The ordinance was tabled for the next meeting.
John Gillum, CPA, presented the 2015 Audit to the board. He outlined the results as well as sections of the audit that were added compared to prior years. The board will continue to review the audit and finish discussion at the next council meeting.
The board reviewed the July 2016 Financial Review.
Eichler’s Tax Service completed a review of the city’s June bank statements and other month-end financial reports. The board reviewed the June review report from Eichler’s and outstanding checks not cleared as of July 2016.
The board discussed the appointment of city prosecutor for 2016-2017. Mayor Ballew requested a resolution to be drafted and presented at the next meeting to reappoint Julia Filley as city prosecutor for 2016-2017.
City Administrator Stonecypher presented to the board a resident’s request for the city to abandon North Franklin Street that isn’t being used as a street and connects to their property on three sides. Public Works Director Morey stated the city would need to maintain utility easements on the property, but didn’t have any other issues with abandoning the property. The board discussed closed bids for the sale of the property. Administrator Stonecypher will work with Attorney Cowherd to confirm appropriate action to abandon the property.
An ordinance amending water rates as needed to meet USDA funding requirements, and setting an effective date. Discussion was held, but the ordinance died for a lack of a motion. The ordinance was tabled for the next council meeting.
Mayor Ballew read an ordinance amending the city code relating to general penalty for ordinance violations and setting effective date.
The next council meeting will be moved to Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the Dockery Park Shelter House. The 2016 tax rate hearing will begin at 5:45 p.m. followed by the regular council meeting at 6 p.m.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the regular meeting for the City of Gallatin held on Monday, Aug. 8, at city hall. Present: Mayor Barb Ballew, President of Board John Whitfield, Aldermen Dan Lockridge, Steve Evans, Carol Walker, City Administrator Tony Stonecypher, City Clerk Hattie Bailey, Public Works Director Mark Morey, Police Chief Mark Richards, Police Chaplain Austin Bonnett, 2015 Auditor John Gillum, Cupola Committee members Kate Chrisman, Darryl Wilkinson, Clint Vanatta, Mark Hemry and James Wilson.