Benton City Council Monthly Meeting Minutes

Regular Monthly Meeting


Benton City Council


July 18, 2016


The regular monthly meeting of the Benton City Council was called to order on Monday, July 18,
2016 at 5:00 P.M. by Mayor Dotson with the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer by Chris Freeland.

Council Members Present: Rita Murray Charles Edmonds Sherra Riley Tim King Chris Freeland Butch Holland

Other Staff Present: Zach Brien, City Attorney Bethany Cooper, City Treasurer Tracy Watwood, Police Chief Kelly Collins, Gas Manager Harry Green, Fire Chief

Benton Gas System received two bids for a Track Loader allowing a trade-in on their 2013
Kubota Loader. McKeel Equipment bid a Kubota High Flow Loader with trade for $64,150.00 and Erb
Equipment Company bid a Compact Track Loader with trade for $74,600.00. A motion was made by
Holland, seconded by Murray to approve McKeel Equipment’s bid. All agreed. Motion carried.

Mayor Dotson announced that Justin Edwards’ term on the Building Board had expired and she
recommended replacing him with Darren Smith from Pinnacle for a three year term. A motion was
made by Murray, seconded by Edmonds to approve this recommendation. All agreed. Motion carried.

Mayor Dotson showed the Council the new Benton logo for Kentucky Lake’s Downtown. This
logo was designed by Randy Newcomb and Elena Blevins with Marshall County Tourist Commission.
Mayor Dotson would like to have stickers made of this logo to put on all City vehicles.

Individuals and kids riding golf carts has become an issue around Benton Country Club. Several
were in attendance to speak with Chief Watwood prior to the meeting. Chief Watwood gave them a
copy of the State KRS. During the regular meeting, Watwood went over these laws again with the
Council and explained that the City passing an ordinance would put several restrictions on golf cart
owners. He asked the Council that if they decided to pass an ordinance that they would all stand behind
the Police Department and let them enforce the ordinance properly. Several Council voiced their
opinions with small kids riding them on the roads being the biggest complaint. No decision was made at
this time.

Zach Brien the new City Attorney went over upcoming changes with Code Enforcement.
Mandatory changes will be effective January 1, 2017. Kentucky League of Cities has a model ordinance
of the changes that Mr. Brien is reviewing to bring further information back to the Council.

The second reading of an ordinance determining the cut-off amount for water and sewer service
was tabled upon motion of King and seconded by Riley. City Treasurer Cooper explained that there had
never been an ordinance for this in the past and that Benton Gas didn’t have one either. Mr. Brien is
going to check to see if the City even needs an ordinance setting a cut-off amount.

The Utility Extension Agreement for South Marshall Middle School isn’t completed yet. Marty
Johnson on behalf of the School Board is updating the agreement and will get a copy to Mr. Brien as
soon as it is completed.

Mayor Dotson read a resolution honoring City Attorney Martin Johnson for his 38 years of
service with City of Benton. A motion was made by Holland, seconded by Freeland to approve. All
agreed. Motion carried.

Benton Partnership has asked Mayor Dotson for a $1,000 donation to go towards the Master
Plan. Marshall County Tourist Commission will match the City’s donation up to $1,000.00. A motion
was made by Murray, seconded by Edmonds to donation $1,000 to be used on the Master Plan. All
agreed. Motion carried.

The following was the only surplus bid received:
David Newcomb – John Deere Gator for $151.00

A motion was made by Freeland, seconded by Riley to accept the bid of $151.00. All agreed.
Motion carried.

Police Chief Watwood presented the police report for June. There were 26 cases, 22 accidents,
143 citations of which 51 were for speeding and 717 calls to service.

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

A motion was made by Holland, seconded by Riley to approve the regular minutes of June 20,
2016. All agreed. Motion carried.

Danny Newton sent a thank you letter to the Mayor/Council upon his re-appointment to the
Marshall County Refuse Board.

A motion was made by Murray, seconded by Holland to donate $2,500.00 to Marshall County
Arts Commission to be used for the Progressive Dinner. All agreed. Motion carried.

There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 6:24 P.M.
upon motion of King, seconded by Edmonds. Motion carried.