Regular Month Meeting
Benton City Council
February 15, 2016
The regular monthly meeting of the Benton City Council was held on Monday, February 15, 2016
at 6:00 P.M. Mayor Dotson called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and opening
prayer by Tim King.
Council Members Present:
Rita Murray Charles Edmonds
Chris Freeland Tim King
Absent were Sherra Riley and Butch Holland.
Other Staff Present:
Marty Johnson, City Attorney
Michele Edwards, City Clerk
Bethany Cooper, City Treasurer
Tracy Watwood, Police Chief
Kelly Collins, Gas Manager
Caleb Curtner, Police Officer
Becky Cornwell with Marshall County Needline was present again to see if the Council had made
a decision regarding the Tater Day fees for the vendors that set up under her at H.H. Lovett Park. She
has asked that the City waive the license fee since she charges them a fee. Marshall County Needline
volunteers try to keep it as clean as they can and they pay the electric bill for those spots. No food
vendors are allowed in that area. Mayor Dotson informed her that the Council will think it over more
and discuss at the special called meeting next week.
Hal Sullivan and Mark Rawlings with Hilliard Lyons were present to discuss the City’s 2008
General Obligation Bond that was set up for sewer projects. The interest rates have lowered and an
approximate $70,000 savings is expected after all fees for the remainder of the life of the bonds. City
Attorney Johnson read a first reading of the General Obligation Refunding Bond 2016. A special called
meeting was set for Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. to hold the second reading of this
ordinance.
Mayor Dotson recommended the following board appointments for the Benton Industrial
Board:
Rita Dotson, Rita Murray and Scott Jaco
A motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by King to approve. Motion carried.
There was a first and final reading of a consent annexation ordinance annexing a portion of
Highway 641 Bypass from Mayfield Highway to Toy York Road. All voted aye.
There was a second reading of an ordinance to change the time of the City Council meetings
from 6:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. each month. A motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Murray to
approve. Motion carried.
City Attorney Johnson read the Planning & Zoning Board’s recommendation and proposed
change to the City’s Mix Use Policy as follows:
“The owner of any property located within a Mixed Use Overlay District can apply to the Zoning
Administrator for a permit to use that property for a single purpose (residential or commercial) and that
application shall be submitted to the Board of Adjustments for determination. The utilization of any
property within a mixed use zone solely as a residential or a commercial use will prevent some properties
located within a mixed use district from remaining vacant and unused.”
Johnson will bring the proposed change in the form of an ordinance to the next regular meeting
for a first reading.
City Attorney Johnson informed the Council of the Agreed Judgment and Quitclaim Deed that
are proposed for use in the settlement of the litigation of Mike Reid (Country Chevrolet), et al v. CCX &
City of Benton. The City has no interest in the subject property other than the right to keep and
maintain the City’s easement for utilities on same. A motion was made by Freeland, seconded by
Edmonds to authorize Johnson to sign the Agreed Judgment and Mayor Dotson to sign the Quitclaim
Deed. Motion carried.
Police Chief Watwood presented the police report for January. There were 21 cases, 18
accidents, 41 citations of which 9 were for speeding and 341 calls to service.
Watwood also recognized Caleb Curtner as recently graduating the DARE Instructor training and
he will take over as DARE instructor beginning this year.
Watwood also mentioned that the speeding around the Court Square has been closing
monitored the last couple of weeks and tickets are being given. He also asked the Council on what they
would like to do with the 19Ft vehicle parking signs located around the Court Square. No decision was
made at this time.
A motion was made by Murray, seconded by Edmonds to approve payroll and invoices. Motion
carried.
A motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Freeland to approve the regular minutes of
January 19, 2016. Motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 7:13 P.M.
upon motion of Edmonds, seconded by King. Motion carried.