Regular Month Meeting Benton City Council May 16, 2016
The regular monthly meeting of the Benton City Council was called to order on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. by Mayor Dotson with the Pledge of Allegiance and opening prayer by Doug Dotson.
Council Members Present: Rita Murray Charles Edmonds Chris Freeland Sherra Riley Butch Holland Absent was Tim King.
Other Staff Present: Marty Johnson, City Attorney Michele Edwards, City Clerk Bethany Cooper, City Treasurer Tracy Watwood, Police Chief Kelly Collins, Gas Manager Harry Green, Fire Chief Gunner Boatright, 5th Grader at Benton Elementary School, was present to ask the Council to consider a bike trail that will lead to the new Marshall County Middle School.
Mayor Dotson said that she will check into the feasibility and placement since it will more than likely have to be on private property.
Gene Gilliland was present on behalf of Benton Partnership to give an update on the Strategic Plan for Benton.
Kentucky League of Cities can help with this plan for approximately $15,000 and could possibly be less since Benton has done the Branding study.
Benton Partnership will commit $1,000 and would like the City, County and other business to commit something as well.
There was a first reading of the General Fund Budget ordinance for the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.
There was a first reading of the Benton Water & Sewer System Budget ordinance for the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.
There was a first reading of the Benton Gas System Budget ordinance for the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.
There was a first reading of an ordinance to increase the Council pay from $100 per month to $200 per month regardless of the number of meetings attended.
This will go in affect January 1, 2017 upon new election term.
There was a first reading of an ordinance setting the cut-off limit for outstanding water and sewer bills to $50.00.
Anything at or above this amount will be shut off for non-payment.
There was a first reading of an ordinance changing the water rate for outside city limit customers from $3.00 per 1000 gallons to $3.50 per 1000 gallons.
Mayor Dotson announced that in order for the City of Benton to maintain eligibility for pre-disaster funding through FEMA that the City has to have a representative to attend some training.
Mayor Dotson has asked Harry Green to attend these training’s to keep the City eligible.
City Attorney Johnson is retiring from City of Benton effective July 1, 2016.
Bid notices were sent out to all City licensed attorneys for bids to be due June 1, 2016 by 4:30 P.M.
A motion was made by Murray, seconded by Riley to re-appoint Debbie Dowdy to the Benton Housing Authority Board.
All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Dotson read over the Tater Day revenue and expense report.
Mayor Dotson gave each Council member a flyer for Benton Pool to inform them of the hours of operation and fees.
Police Chief Watwood presented the police report for April.
There were 22 cases, 28 accidents, 177 citations of which 92 were for speeding and 658 calls to service.
A motion was made by Edmonds, seconded by Freeland to approve the payroll and invoices.
All voted in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Holland, seconded by Murray to approve the regular minutes of April 18, 2016.
All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Dotson announced the bids for the Slickback Road Lift Station Upgrade: Youngblood Excavating & Contracting $78,525.00 Danny Cope & Sons Excavating $84,425.00 Burgess Contracting, Inc. $86,709.00 Murtco $90,746.00 Bacon Farmer Workman Engineers sent a recommendation letter to Mayor Dotson recommending Youngblood Excavating & Contracting for $78,525.00
A motion was made by Murray, seconded by Holland to approve the recommendation.
All voted in favor. Motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the Council, meeting adjourned at 5:47 P.M. upon motion of Edmonds, seconded by Riley. Motion carried.