The last meeting
Retiring council members, Ronnie Miller, Wendell Sexton, Mayor Howard Garrett, and Billy Jeffries.
By PJ Martin, Office/News Reporter, Metcalfe Division
A feeling of sadness hung in the air at the last Edmonton City Council meeting of 2018 held on December 3. This was the last meeting for three of the council members, Billy Jeffries, Wendell Sexton, and Ronnie Miller, and also Mayor Howard Garrett.
Mayor Garrett presented Jeffries, Sexton, and Miller with plaques commemorating their service to the City of Edmonton. Next, Regional EMS Director Gary Fancher presented Mayor Garrett with a plaque on behalf of the 911 Governing Board for Barren Metcalfe County for his 25 years of outstanding and dedicated service.
Council member Curt Estes on behalf of the council presented Mayor Garrett with a clock as a thank you for his many years of service and dedication to the city of Edmonton.
On behalf of the Barren River Area Development District Director Eric Sexton presented Mayor Garrett the “Friend of BRADD’ award.
BRADD Director Eric Sexton presented Mayor Howard Garrett the “friend of BRADD’ award.
EMS Director Gary Fancher presented Mayor Garrett with a plaque.
Ordinances
The 2nd reading of Ordinance 2018-19-05 to amend the budget for FY 2018-2019 in the amount of $11,877 was approved The money which consists of donations from vendors at the Bicentennial Celebration was used to off-set celebration expenses.
The council approved the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2018-19-06 to amend the budget for FY 2018-2019 in the amount of $1,000 donated by Edmonton State Bank to the City of Edmonton for the Edmonton Fire Department. ESB also donated $1,000 to each of the other fire departments within the county.
The 1st reading was approved for Ordinance # 2018-19-07 to amend the budget for FY 2018-2019 in the amount of $73,000 for payment to Kentucky Retirement for additional Pension Expenses. The additional payment brings the total to $1,386,267 from the previous amount of $1,313,267.
Water, Sewer, and Gas Department
After rebidding water and gas meters, the council received a single bid from Core & Main of Bowling Green, KY. The cost for each gas meter is $98.50 (instrument dial for electronic read). The cost per water meter is $183.86 (meter and reader) and $49.08 (meter only). The bid was approved.
Counsel member Sexton asked, “Is this compatible with what we have been purchasing? To which Public Works Supervisor Howard Dickson replied that it is.
Council member Cathy Nunn inquired, “What is usually the life of the meters?”
Dickson answered, “We’ve got gas meters (old American meters) that need to be changed. They have been here ever since I’ve been here. I’ll soon be here 21 years.” He added, “We’re changing them out little by little.” The replaced will take approximately 3 more years to complete.
The Public Service Commission recommended that updated gas operations, maintenance, and emergency manuals be created. According to Zach Judd, Gas Department, “Our old manual was about 20 years old. We had made several amendments to it.” The council approved the adoption of the new manuals.
A ‘gas removal letter’ was also approved. The letter will be used in situations concerning abandoned (over 5 years) gas connections. The letter gives the city the right to remove the line after the property owner has been contacted. This is to be used as a safety precaution for disabling forgotten/abandoned gas connections.
Police Department
Edmonton Police Chief Delaney Wilson presented the November activity report with 60 traffic stops, 62 complaints, 11 arrests, 24 citations written, 2 animal complaints, 5 warrants served, 2 domestic calls, 14 non-injury accidents, 1 injury accident, opened 6 investigations, 2 incomplete 911 calls, 1 fight, 1 alcohol intoxication, 1 DUI, and 3 drug arrests.
Other Business
Parks Director Page Edwards stated that the park is being prepped for the Christmas decorations which are being installed. Also, applications for the youth basketball program which is pre-school through 8th grade are currently being taken.
Edmonton Fire Chief Jerry Clemmons advised the council that no fire department report was available due to computer software updates.
The council went into a 15 minute executive session to discuss property acquisition, but no actions were taken.
