Regular Council Meeting  

July 12, 2011 

Minutes 

Invocation – Councilman Andrews 

Pledge of Allegiance  - Councilman Andrews 

Welcome – Mayor Harley (Commissioner Walker present); welcomed Councilman Tucker by Skype. 

Adoption of Minutes:  Motion to adopt as a group as written – Councilman Smith 

                                     Second – Councilman Wright 

                                     Vote - unanimous 

·         June 7, 2011 Regular Council Meeting Minutes  

·         June 21, 2011  Council Work Session Minutes 

·         June 29 & 30, 2011  Planning Retreat Minutes 

Old Business 

Valley Drive Quit Claim Deed Update:  City Attorney Tydings 

Closing that would have required a QCD from the City was cancelled.  No need for QCD – point of information. 

New Business 

Point of Information for Truck Purchase for Utility Department:  City Administrator Eidson 

Purchase of this truck was approved in the FY 2011-2012 budget.  Low bid out of three bids was from David Ragan Ford.  Truck has been purchased.  Budgeted amount $25,000.00 with the purchases price being $22,686.45.  Copy of invoice attached to minutes. 

Discussion – Mayor and Council salaries:  Mayor Harley 

Mayor Harley mentioned this has been discussed over the last 3-4 years.  Mayor proposed $100 per month increase for Mayor and Council plus an additional $100 per month for Mayor ProTem. 

Motion for purposes of discussion – Councilman Andrews; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Councilman Andrews asked when last salary increase was approved – Councilman Wright answered that it was in 1990.  Mayor reasoned that this would provide incentive for getting people to run.  Councilman Wright stated that 1990 was his first year on the Council and there was not a City Administrator or an in-house City Attorney and there were three meetings per month.  Now with in-house Administrator and Attorney and only two meetings per month, Councilman Wright is happy where things are and doesn’t personally want a raise.  Councilman Wright did say that he might agree with more pay for Mayor Pro Tem only if the Mayor had an extended absence and then there should be a pro-rated increase for the months the Pro Tem filled in.  Councilman Tucker disagrees and is in favor of the increase and says if anyone wants to vote him out for voting in favor of a $100 per month increase, then so be it.  Councilman Andrews agrees with the raises proposed except for the $100 additional for the Mayor Pro Tem.  Councilman Andrews wants that removed from any proposal.  Councilman Smith says budget committee considered budgeting for the increases proposed by the Mayor and decided against it.  Councilman Smith says the job has gotten easier, not harder and cannot justify getting a raise when he knew what the salary was when he decided to run.  Councilman Smith also said this is an election year for only two of council and didn’t think that was by design but remembers the public outcry the last time the increase was approved and resulted in Council rescinding the pay raise.  Councilman Smith feels we have a good balanced budget and doesn’t think the money should be spent just because the city is in good shape.  Councilman Smith disagrees with the thought that it is nothing because it is just $100 per month.  He says if the real reason is to encourage people to run, then why not raise it enough to make a difference, like maybe $500.00 per month.  Mayor said it doesn’t really matter to him but he thinks it is necessary.  Mayor said the employees are getting a 3% COLA this year because they do an outstanding job and he thinks the same should be true of the council who also does a great job.  Councilman Smith reiterated his thought that a bigger raise such as $500 per month would encourage more people to run if that is the real reason for recommending this – make it meaningful.  Councilman Smith pointed out again that he disagreed with any raise for council.  Mayor said council jobs may be easier but that they are the same jobs held by city council members elsewhere.  Councilman Smith doesn’t agree that we have to do what other cities do. 

Vote – two opposed (Smith and Wright); three in favor (Andrews, Tucker, and Mayor).  Final approval was for an amended motion of $100.00 per month increase for each position but not an additional $100 for Mayor Pro Tem.  City Attorney to draft ordinance amendment for consideration at July 19th work session and final adoption at August 2^nd meeting.  This will be in time for raises to take effect on January 1, 2012 since the ordinance amendment will be adopted before qualifying for the upcoming November election. 

Creation of an office for Council Members: Mayor Harley 

Mayor gauged interest in establishing an office in City Hall for council members to have a place to use the computer and printer and phone.  The office located across the hall from the City Attorney’s office will be designated for Council use.  No action necessary.  Room already contains a computer and telephone.  Councilman Smith asked about a file cabinet to store files in.  City Administrator will check on the locks for the file cabinet in the room in case Council wants to store paperwork and files there. 

Comments from the Council 

None. 

Comments from the Audience 

None. 

Executive Session – Motion by Councilman Wright, Second by Councilman Andrews to go into executive session for personnel issues.  Vote – unanimous.  7:23 p.m.  Councilman Tucker signed off Skype prior to executive session.  Will reconvene.  City Administrator in executive session.  City Attorney asked to remain outside of executive session.  Council returned from executive session at 8:17 p.m. 

Resolution & Affidavit – Motion to adopt Resolution – Councilman Wright; Second – Councilman Smith; Vote – unanimous 

City Attorney administered oath for executive session to Mayor.  Copy of Resolution & Affidavit attached to minutes. 

Adjourn – 8:20 p.m. 

____________________________________ 

Mayor John R. Harley 

_________________________________________ 

Attest by City Attorney Rebecca Tydings 

____________________ 

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