BEREA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2015
The Berea City Council met in a regular session, Tuesday, December 15, 2015; Mayor Steven Connelly presiding. A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
A council work session was held at 5:30 with Brown Thornton and Tom Trauger to hear the Wholesale Power Supply recommendation. A timeline is suggested to develop the process in the next six-months that would involve the Utility Advisory Board and the city council.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Terrill, Caudill, Wagers, Farmer, Little, Kerby
ABSENT: Hembree, Little
OFFICIALS: J. Gilbert, R. Stone, C. Chasteen, D. Gregory, S. Sandlin, S. Meeks, E. Fortner, P. Bloom, K. Hensley, D. Isaacs, K. Howard, D. VanWinkle, D. Brumley
VISITORS: Beth Meyers, Andy McDonald, Ali Blair, Brett Hetzell
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: DECEMBER 1, 2015
Farmer motioned, Little seconded to approve the minutes of December 1, 2015; all ayes.
Kerby motioned, Caudill seconded to amend the agenda by adding a report regarding the draft resolution supporting programs to reduce harassment and prejudice acts in our community. All ayes.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FOLLOW-UP REPORT – CARLA GILBERT
Ms. Gilbert distributed an addendum to the annual report that she presented at the previous city council meeting. A total of the various reports received to the Human Rights Commission was noted reflecting each category.
OPEN BIDS: ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION PROJECT – UTILITY DEPARTMENT
Two bids were received:
- Davis & Elliot Construction, Inc. - $963,500
- William Groves Construction, Inc. - $549,000
Bids will be referred to the Utility Department staff for review and referral.
OPEN BIDS: 1983 FIRE TRUCK
One bid was received:
- Shawn Sandlin - $4,824.14
Bid will be referred to the Administrative office for review.
OPEN BIDS: GAS FRANCHISE
One bid was received:
- Delta Natural Gas
Referred to legal counsel for review and resolution.
BEREA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2015
Page 2
OPEN BIDS: TELEPHONE FRANCHISE
One bid was received:
- Windstream Communications
Referred to legal counsel for review and resolution.
ACCEPTANCE OF STREETS INTO THE CITY’S MAINTENANCE PLAN
City Administrator Randy Stone explained the process of accepting streets into the city maintenance plan; once a development is complete the asset is then inspected and accepted by our Codes Enforcement and our Public Works, they are then approved by city council. Mayor Connelly requested a location reference of the area’s approved. A recommended list of the most recent streets/assets was distributed; Little motioned, Caudill seconded to approve the recommendation; all ayes.
AUDIT & FINANCE: J. Little
No report.
PERSONNEL – V. Farmer
The committee met on Nov. 30th to interview for a building/maintenance supervisor; it was recommended to hire Roy Curtis to fill this position.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – S. Caudill
The committee met with our new Business Development Director, Danny Isaacs, discussion was held on future endeavors.
CSEPP – S. Caudill
No report.
RESOLUTION COMMITTEE – D. Kerby
The committee met and prepared a draft resolution that is ready for council approval. Kerby read and motioned to adopt the resolution; Wagers seconded, all ayes.
RECOGNITION OF VISITORS:
None.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
None.
CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:
- Some of the departments have recently moved; the police administration is now located in the old Ford building and the Finance Department is now located in the Utility Department.
- The footer has been dug for the relocation of the Food Bank.
Questions:
Terrill – asked if the administrative office is moving to the Tolle Building and will the city being paying rent? The Codes Enforcement Office, the Business Development Office and the I.T. person will be moving to the Tolle Building, and the Administrative Office will be moving to the Utility Building. Tourism will be planning to have a service staff
BEREA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2015
Page 3
in the Tolle Building by March. No one has ever said anything about paying rent to Tourism, or were any firm commitments made. Terrill understood that someone on the Tourism Commission thought the city would pay.
Little – do we have a cost expectation of what our new building might be Stone stated he has spoken with the architects and ask to speed our process up. They have asked two contracting firms to prepare a quote for us; our last estimate was still within our expected budget. The plans are not 100% ready to bid out, but we hope by mid or late January to have it ready. We do need to move the Food Bank soon, and once we do so, we will demolish the old garage and the first two houses on Parkway, we will keep the brick house for storage at this point. The EOC personnel that are currently located in city hall basement will move to their location at the Utility building, so we will get that particular space back. The roofers are making slow progress at the Utility Building. Terrill confirmed that we received our five hundred thousand dollar grant from the state for our Police and Fire Facility. Stone stated yes, it is a CDBG Grant, along with help from our representatives.
- Stone thanked the staff and council for another wonderful year in working with everyone; I will have a list in January of our accomplishments during the 2015 calendar year.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS:
There will be a joint government meeting at the county extension office on Monday, February 29th. Ron Crouch with the State Demographer Office will speak to us about the trends expected for us in the future. Other agenda items are expected; the meeting will be held at noon.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Kerby – wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Little – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Farmer – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year; wishes everyone happy and safe holidays. Thanks to the staff of this city for doing such a fantastic job from day to day, year out; with cheerful faces and understanding.
Wagers – Ditto to what Ms. Farmer said.
Caudill - Happy Holiday and Merry Christmas! Thanks to Diane for her work on the resolution the council passed this evening, it was very fitting. Thanks to the staff for the Christmas party, and thanks to Randy for m-c-ing it. Safe holidays to everyone!
Terrill – he passed out a copy of resignation of Terry Fields from the Tourism Commission because he was un-happy with the choice of the Tourism Director; he asked why another member has quit? Did the commission make an agreement with the mayor about the process of hiring the director? Mayor Connelly stated the process took place over a three or four month period with ground rules established at the beginning, and it was agreed that it would be a city employee and not a commission member. Terrill then asked about the KRS statues that said the Tourism Board hires the director. Mayor Connelly stated he disagreed. Terrill is concerned with the board
BEREA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2015
Page 4
loosing good people to serve, and he has concerns with the mayor placing Cheryl Stone on the board; he feels it is un-ethical. Mayor Connelly stated that Ms. Stone is highly qualified and will only finish the term of Mr. Fields. We were very fortunate to have her to consent to serve. Terrill feels the city is trying to run the Tourism Board?
Terrill wished the Mayor and staff and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Meeting adjourned: 7:24 p.m.