Special Called Meeting
Benton City Council
January 6, 2016
The special called meeting of the Benton City Council was held on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 6:30 P.M. Mayor Dotson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer by Park Board Member Trent Lovett.
Council Members Present:
Rita Murray Charles Edmonds
Sherra Riley Butch Holland
Chris Freeland
Absent was Tim King.
Other Staff Present:
Marty Johnson, City Attorney
Bethany Cooper, City Treasurer
Park Board Members Present:
Trent Lovett, Jessica Scillian, Mac Meadows and Greg Smothers
Wendy Baxter was present representing the Marshall County Fair Board. The Fair Board previously received a $100,000 grant for grandstands that were originally planned to be used at Mike Miller Park. However, those plans have fallen through and the Fair Board would like to purchase the grandstands to place at H.H. Lovett Park. There will have to be a 20 year lease agreement signed allowing the Fair Board to host the fair at H.H. Lovett Park. The Fair Board would also like permanent fencing put up around the track that attaches to the grandstands with gate access in several locations. The Fair Board currently has close to one mile of fencing already to be able to use.
Wendy also mentioned that the Fair Board would eventually like to be able to fill in the infield of the track for carnival use. Jessica Scillian voiced her opinion that she does not like that idea because little league football uses that for 3 months out of the year. She would hate to have to relocate them. She feels it would also be very expensive to do that.
Trent Lovett thinks that the company installing the grandstands will be able to place them over the current concrete ones instead of placing them out beside them.
Park Board all agreed to allow City Attorney Johnson to draw up a lease agreement with Marshall County Fair Board to allow the grandstands at H.H. Lovett Park and to enter into the 20 year lease with a year to year lease option. In the event that future legislation decides against the fair being held at H.H. Lovett Park, the City would have to reimburse the Marshall County Fair Board for the remaining of the lease agreement.
Mayor Dotson informed the Council and the Park Board that the City is going to apply for the 2016 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant to be used towards a new pool house. This is a matching grant up to $75,000.00.
A motion was made by Riley, seconded by Edmonds to move to Executive Session to discuss property acquisition.
A motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Freeland to adjourn from Executive Session.
There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 7:40 P.M. upon motion of Murray, seconded by Freeland. Motion carried.