Benton City Council minutes from December meeting

Regular Month Meeting

Benton City Council

December 28, 2015

The regular monthly meeting of the Benton City Council was held on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. Mayor Dotson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer by Councilman Butch Holland.

Council Members Present:

Rita Murray Charles Edmonds

Sherra Riley Butch Holland

Absent were Tim King and Chris Freeland.

Other Staff Present:

Marty Johnson, City Attorney

Michele Edwards, City Clerk

Bethany Cooper, City Treasurer

Lynn Bartlett was present as a concerned citizen on how some animals are treated in Benton. She has read the City’s animal ordinance and suggested some changes:

  • Have the animals chain length a minimum of 6 foot in length

  • Take out cruelly beat an animal and leave at just beat

  • Add drinkable, clean, accessible drinking water

  • Add adequate shelter

  • Change the fee for animals not spayed or neutered to motivate animal owners to get their pets spayed/neutered

  • Add something about leaving animals unattended in vehicles.

Mayor Dotson said that they would review and make revisions as needed.

There was an amendment to the General Fund budget moving $15,000 from Operation Bass

account to Park Vehicle Maintenance account to purchase a replacement vehicle for the Park. Motion was made by Murray, seconded by Holland to approve. Motion carried.

The regular meeting of the Benton City Council for January will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 since Monday is Martin Luther King Day. Motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Riley to approve. Motion carried.

City Attorney Johnson read two consent annexation ordinances. The first was for Jeffrey and Ashley Darnell for their property on Colonial Drive and the second was for property owned by William and Laura Howell in Bent Creek. Motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Holland to approve. Motion carried.

Mayor Dotson read a resolution for City of Benton to apply for funding through the State Revolving Fund Loan Program to provide for the upgrades in the sanitary sewer system. Motion was made by Holland, seconded by Edmonds to approve. Motion carried.

There was a second reading of an ordinance setting Hardin’s water rate from $1.49 per 1000 gallons to $1.67 to be effective January 1, 2016 for a period of one year. Motion was made by Murray, seconded by Riley to approve. Motion carried.

There was a second reading of an ordinance to provide for a fee for the planning and zoning administrator’s issuance of a zoning compliance inspection permit for residential construction. The fee is set at $25.00. Motion was made by Riley, seconded by Edmonds to approve. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Murray, seconded by Holland to approve payroll and invoices. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Holland, seconded by Edmonds to approve the regular minutes of November 16, 2015. Motion carried.

In other Council items, Murray mentioned that the stop sign in Merrywood needs to be moved over some if possible. She also noted that Zella Rowe, owner of Odds & End on Main Street, would love for the City to be involved in Paducah’s Quilt Show each spring. She would love to see a flyer put out of all of Benton’s local stores for the many quilters that come to her store each year. Murray also asked if anyone else would be interested in moving the Council meeting time to 5:00 P.M. instead of 6:00 P.M. Others agreed that this would be a good idea and Johnson will prepare an ordinance to change the time of Council meetings.

Riley commented that the finished billboard on North Main looks good. She also asked about increasing the Mayor’s salary since she is working full time. Mayor’s salary cannot be raised during their term. Riley also said she was approached by someone from AirEvac wanting the City to purchase a one year contract of $16,760.00 to cover the residents of Benton. The Council would love to be able too provide this to the residents but the funding isn’t available.

A motion was made by Riley, seconded by Edmonds to move to Executive Session to discuss property acquisition and personnel issue.

A motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Holland to adjourn from Executive Session.

There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 7:36 P.M. upon motion of Murray, seconded by Riley. Motion carried.