OCTOBER 27, 2020

*NOT YET APPROVED*

Mayor Randy Holland called the meeting to order in the City Center/Police Department Building at 7:00 p.m.  Answering roll call were Will Elder, Stacin Dawson, Mark Hickman, Brian Williams, Andrew Pelkey, and Jennifer Massey.

Stacin Dawson made a motion to accept the minutes of the September 22^nd regular council meeting minutes as written.  Will Elder seconded the motion, and all members voted aye on voice vote.

Will Elder the motion, with a second by Andrew Pelkey to accept the September financial statements.  Voting was as follows:  Will Elder, aye; Stacin Dawson, aye; Mark Hickman, aye; Brian Williams, aye; Andrew Pelkey, aye; and Jennifer Massey, aye.  Motion carried unanimously.

PURCHASING FIRE TRUCK (1991 Pierce-Dash Pumper/Tanker):  A devastating house fire occurred on North Dogwood causing discussion at the previous Council Meeting to ensue regarding purchasing more fire equipment versus upgrading water lines for fire hydrants.   Fire Chief Josh Woods stated that he had seen the above mentioned fire truck listed on an online auction for $15,000.00 and would see if it was still available.  It was determined that it was available and the Council was polled by telephone to determine what their consensus was to placing a bid and also informed a roll call vote would be recorded at the next Council Meeting.

Chief Woods stated that the truck had been purchased for $15,000.00 but the cost including delivery, etc. amounted to $18,000.00.  Stacin Dawson made the motion to pay the $18,000.00.  It was seconded by Will Elder and voting was as follows:  Will Elder, aye; Stacin Dawson, aye; Mark Hickman, nay; Brian Williams, aye; Andrew Pelkey, aye; and Jennifer Massey, nay.  Motion carried with four (4) ayes and two (2) nays.

RESOLUTION 2020-08 (Millage rate:  Resolution 2020-08 was read in its entirety.  Will Elder made the motion to keep the millage rate at four (4).  Andrew Pelkey seconded the motion and voting was as follows:

Will Elder, aye; Stacin Dawson, aye; Mark Hickman, aye; Brian Williams, aye; Andrew Pelkey, aye; and Jennifer Massey, aye.  Motion carried unanimously.

ORDINANCE 2020-09 (Advertising & Amending Environmental Codes):  Ordinance 2020-09, tabled at the previous Council Meeting, until a workshop meeting could be held to discuss and get a better understanding of the use of the tax, was re-introduced.  Brian Williams made the motion, with a second by Mark Hickman to place Ordinance 2020-09 on its first reading by title only.  Discussion followed:  Danny Hester stated that he had contacted some of the surrounding cities and learned that they did not have an A&P Tax as was stated at the workshop meeting.  He stated that Clinton, one of the cities mentioned, had a hotel tax only.  Mark Hickman explained what he perceived as benefits of the tax while business owners Janice Stroud and Randy Holiman both stated that 99% of their business was local and with Covid-19 and eating establishments not back to full capacity, an A&P Tax would be detrimental to their respected businesses.   Brian Williams stated that he could support a hotel tax only, and made the motion to amend Ordinance 2020-09 to appoint a commission and the tax be on lodging only.  It was seconded by Will Elder and voting was as follows:  Will Elder, aye; Stacin Dawson, aye; Mark Hickman, aye; Brian Williams, aye; and Jennifer Massey, aye.  Motion carried unanimously.  Ordinance 2020-09 with amendments will be place on its second reading at the November Council Meeting.

Mayor Holland stated that Police Chief Robert Alcon was retiring and that Sgt. Doug Hunter had been appointed to fill that position. Though Chief Alcon was not present to receive his plaque, Mayor Holland commended him for the professionalism he had brought to the police department.

REPORTS:

Reports from Water and Wastewater, Street Department, Animal Control, and Building Inspector’s Office are attached herewith and made a part of these minutes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday November 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Brian Williams made a motion, with a second by Andrew Pelkey to adjourn.  All members voted aye by voice vote.