Board of Works Meeting Minutes - 11/17/08
BOARD OF WORKS
NOVEMBER 17, 2008 10:00 A.M.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY ALL IN ATTENDANCE.
PRAYER WAS GIVEN BY BUD AYERS.
MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF WORKS AND SAFETY.
DIRECTOR ENGLAND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE ALL PAYROLL, UTILITY AND GENERAL CLAIMS DATED NOVEMBER 10, 2008, THRU NOVEMBER 17, 2008. ATTORNEY COPENHAVER: SECOND MAYOR SMALL: AYE AYE VOTE: 3-0
BUSINESS:
DIRECTOR ENGLAND ANNOUNCED THAT THE CITY UTILITIES ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW FORMAT IN BILLING. HE SAID THIS WAS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND ALSO COMMUNITY EVENTS WILL BE ADDED TO EACH BILLING.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER ASKED IF THERE WILL BE A RETURN ENVELOPE SENT WITH THE BILLING.
DIRECTOR ENGLAND SAID THAT WAS GOING TO BE INCLUDED AND WOULD BE A COST SAVINGS.
MAYOR SMALL STATED THAT ALL INHABITANTS OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER WAS HAVING THEIR RENT INCREASED AS OF 2009.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
RANDY HAMILTON, WASTEWATER POLLUTION CONTROL SUPERINTENDENT, ANNOUNCED THAT THE UTILITY DEPARTMENTS HAVE DISCUSSED BECOMING INVOLVED IN A STATE PROGRAM CALLED "INWARM". THIS PROGRAM WOULD NOT COST TO THE CITY ANYTHING. THE PROGRAM IS A NETWORK WITHIN THE STATE COMMUNITIES AND IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, THEY WOULD HELP WITH EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.
DIRECTOR ENGLAND SAID THAT THIS IS AN ENHANCEMENT AND BETTER STRUCTURING MECHANISM TO UTILIZE THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FROM HOMELAND SECURITY.
MR. HAMILTON SAID THAT THEY WERE A PART OF THE PROGRAM AS WELL. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS STARTED THIS YEAR AND THERE ARE 50 PLUS COMMUNITIES INVOLVED ON THE WASTEWATER AND WATER SIDE. IF THERE WERE TO BE AN EMERGENCY, YOU NEED TO HAVE THAT IN LINE AND WORKING. A COUPLE OF CALLS AND YOU WOULD HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED.
STREET SUPERINTENDENT CROSS SAID THAT THE LEAF COLLECTION WAS GOING WELL.
MAYOR SMALL ANNOUNCED THAT THE DOWNTOWN SCAFFIE IS NO LONGER. THE SEWER EMPLOYEES ARE GOING TO BLOW-OFF THE SIDEWALKS EVERY MONDAY MORNING BEFORE THE ROADS ARE SWEPT.
DIRECTOR ENGLAND MADE COMMENT OF THE INCREASE OF PRIDE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. HE SAID HE WAS SURE THE MERCHANTS WOULD HELP WITH KEEPING THE WALKS CLEAN, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
MAYOR'S ASSISTANT DAVIS ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, LIGHTS ON THE TREES AND BANNERS WILL BE UP AND LIT THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING.
JOSH ESTELLE, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY'S INSURANCE AGENT, THE PFENNINGER AGENCY, APPEARED BEFORE THE BOARD TO REQUEST THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS NOTIFY THE AGENCY AS SOON AS A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLE IS PURCHASED OR DISCARDED, SO THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY CAN MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT. HE SAID THERE ARE ANNUAL UPDATES AND FORMS ARE SENT TO ALL DEPARTMENTS. THESE FORMS ARE TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED. HE SAID THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY AND HELPFUL TO THE COMPANY.
MIKE McINTOSH, NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APPEARED BEFORE THE BOARD STATING THAT HE WAS PREPARING FOR NEXT SPRING AND SUMMER AS FOR AS RANDOM SQUATTERS COMING INTO TOWN. HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT IF THEY HAVE PERMISSION FROM A LAND OWNER ALONG STATE ROAD 3, TO SET UP BUSINESS THAT IS ALL THEY WOULD NEED. HE SAID HE WANTED TO PROTECT THE CHAMBER MEMBERS AND OTHER BUSINESSES AS FOR AS UNEXPECTED COMPETITION THAT DOESN'T PLAY BY THE RULES.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER STATED THAT IT WAS A DIFFICULT SUBJECT. THE COURTS HAVE BEEN CLEAR THAT YOU CANNOT CREATE ORDINANCES DESIGNED TO PROTECT LOCAL MERCHANTS. YOU CANNOT CREATE ORDINANCES WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE IT IS TO PREVENT COMPETITION. WHAT YOU CAN DO IS HAVE REGULATORY ORDINANCES. HE SAID THIS WAS HIS POSITION HE TAKES WHEN EVER HE GETS A CALL ON THIS. THEY MUST BE PROPERLY REGISTERED WITH THE CLERK TREASURER, THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS SO WE KNOW THEY ARE LEGITIMATE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES A GRIM VIEW OF RESTRICT TRADE. WE CAN DO THINGS TO ENFORCE OUR POLICE POWERS TO PROTECT OUR SAFETY AND HEALTH WELFARE OF OUR CITIZENS.
MAYOR SMALL MADE COMMENT ABOUT THE BANNER HANGING ON SOUTH MAIN STREET. HE ASKED THAT SOMETHING BE DONE BECAUSE IT IS LOPSIDED AND LOOKS TACKY. THERE MAY BE ANOTHER PLACE FOUND TO HANG THE BANNERS DURING THE YEAR IF SOMETHING CAN'T BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
DIRECTOR ENGLAND MOVED FOR ADJOURNMENT
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER: SECOND.
