Council Work Session
July 19, 2011
Minutes
Present: Mayor Harley, Councilmen Smith,
Wright, and Andrews. City Administrator Eidson, City Attorney Tydings, all department heads except City Clerk
Bedingfield, out on leave. Lee Siefert attended from Clerk’s office. City Accountant Dwight Williams
out due to illness. Councilman Tucker did not participate in the meeting by
Skype.
Invocation – City Administrator
Eidson
Pledge of Allegiance – City Administrator
Eidson
Old Business
Council Salary Ordinance Amendment – First Reading
– City Attorney
Tydings
City Attorney Tydings presented an Ordinance amendment drafted at the
Council’s instruction at the last council meeting, held on July 12, 2011. This presentation is for
Council’s review and approval only.
First reading will take place on August 2, 2011 with second reading and proposed
adoption on August 16, 2011.
Ads required by law will run in paper on 7/27; 8/3; and
8/10/2011. If adopted, amended salaries will take effect on January 1,
2012.
Mayor asked for questions or comments. Councilman Smith asked to
address this item and began by stating that he had opposed the salary amendment. He has given it a lot of
thought since then and can only recall hearing two reasons offered in support of raising council
salaries. First, Councilman Smith stated that doesn’t believe that the $100.00 per month (small
increase) is going to have the effect of enticing more people to run for the office. Next, Councilman Smith also
stated his opinion that such a small increase does not bring Centerville in line with salaries of other local
elected officials and that he doesn’t believe it is necessary to do so. Councilman Smith proposed
raising each Councilman’s salary $300.00 per month instead of $100.00 per month. Councilman Smith made a motion
to change the draft ordinance amendment to reflect an increase of $300.00 per month for each member of
council. Mayor agreed with Councilman Smith but noted that there couldn’t be any better people than
those who currently sit on the council.
Councilman Wright seconded the motion for purposes of discussion
only. Councilman Wright is not in favor of any raise and will not support the additional $300.00 per
month. Councilman Smith says that he doesn’t think the two reasons given for raising the salaries
$100.00 per month are legitimate.
The total to fund Councilman Smith’s recommended amendment would be
$18,000.00. Councilman Smith reminded everyone that the last time Mayor and Council salaries were raised
was 1990.
City Administrator Eidson clarified that this amendment would take the
Mayor’s salary to $700.00 per month, up from $400.00 and Council salaries to $500.00 per month, up from $200.00
per month. Therefore, the total costs associated with the new proposed increase would be slightly more
than $21,000.00 (including social security and taxes). Councilman Smith believes those
pushing an increase should “put up or shut up” with regard to raising salaries to encourage others to
run. Councilman Andrews indicated that he could only support the original
proposal. Councilman Smith says that the timing of this means he would be the only one present at the
meeting tonight who would be up for election and take the heat for the raise in the upcoming election, which
makes it seem to be a political move.
Mayor called for the question: two in favor (Mayor and
Councilman Smith); two against (Councilmen Wright and Andrews).
New Business
Home Based Business Applications
·
Smith Connection (Glenn
Smith-owner) 109 Cottage Ct: Councilman Wright – motion to approve; seconded by
Councilman Andrews; vote – unanimous. No one
present representing business owner.
·
Smith Images (Willie Smith –
owner) 107 Red Oak Glen: Councilman
Smith – motion to approve; seconded by Councilman Andrews; vote – unanimous. Mr. Smith (business owner) was present but declined to
comment. Mayor welcomed Mr. Smith’s business to
the City.
Fine Arts Society Request for use of Community
Room: City Administrator Eidson
MGFAS has requested continued use of the community room on the third
Thursday of each month with any fees associated with usage waived. At Mayor’s request, staff
formulated recommendations as follows:
1. No waiver of
fees.
2. Facility must be cleaned and all
trash removed immediately following the monthly meetings.
3. The court bench must
absolutely not be used by the group for any purpose.
4. MGFAS would have to
change their monthly meeting date.
They are requesting the third Thursday of each month. This is the evening prior to
Municipal Court trial date. MGFAS would not be allowed to use the room on that date since the room is already set up
for court the evening prior.
Court is also held on the second Wednesday of each month, therefore the second
Tuesday of each month is also unavailable for MGFAS meetings on that evening because the room will again
already be set up for court the next day.
Councilman Andrews clarified that $275 monthly fee
includes a $75.00 deposit which is refundable if room is left clean and in same condition it was prior to
use.
Motion to approve use of room by MGFAS with conditions as
recommended by staff with instruction to City Administrator Eidson to draft letter to MGFAS for Mayor’s
signature – Councilman Wright; seconded by Councilman Andrews; vote –
unanimous.
Green Procurement Resolution – Mayor/City Administrator
Eidson
MGCAC encourages adoption of this resolution to promote “green”
purchasing practices in order to reduce energy demand. Mayor pointed out that other
local government entities either have already adopted or plan to adopt a version of the same
resolution.
Motion to adopt resolution as written – Councilman Wright; seconded by
Councilman Andrews; vote – unanimous.
2012 Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program
& Application: City Administrator
Eidson/Utilities Superintendent Brumfield
Application deadline is August 15th. Asking Council for review of
list and authorization to prepare the application based on current list or revise list as desired and submit
application based on new list.
LMIG project list is same as last year except Wilson Drive (#2 on our list) was
chosen for paving by DOT, so it drops off the list and Chase Circle is added. No match cost to City (100%
funded). Mr. Brumfield is hopeful that Collins Avenue (our #1 choice) will be chosen for this
year. Councilman Wright asked for clarification that sidewalks on Collins would be done prior to
resurfacing. Mr. Brumfield confirmed.
Motion to authorize Mr. Eidson to submit application with list as shown;
seconded by Councilman Wright; vote – unanimous.
Request for abandonment of right of way (Eagle Springs) –
Discussion: City Attorney
Tydings
The City has received a request from local attorney Tom Hall for
abandonment of a portion of right of way to quiet title so that a sale of the property can be
closed. The
property subject to the right of way in question is identified as Lot 32, Block H, Phase No. 2, Brentwood at
Grove Pointe, Eagle Springs.
The property survey identifies a portion of the lot as RW-1, which was part of
the original right of way for Village Walk (The Village Phase I, Eagle
Springs).
City Attorney Tydings reviewed the two plats illustrating the area in
question with Utilities Superintendent Mike Brumfield. Mr. Brumfield indicated that
the right of way was no longer necessary since the road no longer ends in a cul-de-sac but is, instead, part of
a through street at the subject property location. Mr. Brumfield indicated that
there was no reason for the City not to execute whatever documents Mr. Hall needed to quiet the title necessary
to close the property. City Attorney Tydings indicated that she had asked Mr. Hall if a Quit Claim Deed would suffice
instead of going through a full abandonment procedure. Mr. Hall advised that he
thought the Quit Claim Deed would be sufficient to quiet the title. City Attorney Tydings asked
Council to authorize the Mayor to sign a Quit Claim Deed accomplishing the requested
action. Mrs. Tydings will bring the QCD to the Mayor for signature once it is received from Mr.
Hall.
Motion to authorize – Councilman Smith; seconded by Councilman Wright;
vote – unanimous.
Wal-Mart Community Contribution: City Administrator Eidson/Fire Chief
Jones
Point of information – Fire Chief Jones reported that department applied
online for a grant from Wal-Mart for funding to purchase fire safety education materials. Wal-Mart awarded the City
$500.00. The
funds came through the local Wal-Mart.
Chief Jones said that this store is an excellent community partner and also noted
that the store doesn’t want a ceremony or formal recognition for this funding. Mayor and Council expressed
appreciation for the funds.
Comments from the Council
Mayor recognized Police Chief Andrews for a special
announcement. Chief Andrews recognized newly promoted Sgt. Kent Reid. Thanked him for his work on the
Neighborhood Watch program, the Ident-A-Kid program; and working with the Chief on the Citizens’
Academy. Chief Andrews stated that he appreciated the hard work and dedication shown by Sgt. Reid and
believes he was an excellent choice for this position. Sgt. Reid expressed
appreciation for the confidence shown in him and the recognition of his hard work. City Administrator Eidson
commended Chief Andrews and Major Cooley on their excellent and thorough promotion
process.
Councilman Andrews and Wright – no
comments.
Councilman Smith – (tongue in cheek) said he was disappointed that his
motion didn’t pass. Councilman Andrews quipped in response that everyone wants to see Councilman Smith
re-elected. Mayor commented on his respect and appreciation for Councilman Smith’s wisdom and
maturity.
Comments from the Audience
None.
Meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
____________________________________
Mayor John R. Harley
_________________________________________
Attest by City Attorney Rebecca Tydings
____________________
Date
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