| EXTRACTED FROM MINUTES: August 2, 2004 Meeting
Frank Venezia gave a report on the Town Hall Committee, saying there is
$4621.87 in the bank account and there are pledges of
$1000 from Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center and $600 in personal
pledges.
Venezia reported that things were at a stand still until the engineering firm has
been approved by the town council, and they do a
study and submit a proposal. There are no cost estimates until the study has
been done. Cerrone and Associates has agreed to
defer payment until the project is actually funded.
Diane Ludwig asked if the purpose of the committee was to build a new town
hall. Venezia replied that the goal of the committee was to build a new
building on the present sight.
Ludwig asked if a building came on the market and was ADA approved would
the committee be willing to look at it. She mentioned that the Khoury building
was on the market and could be purchased for $150,000.
Councilwoman JoAnn Stevens voiced her concerns about parking for the town
vehicles and storage if the Khoury building was considered. Ludwig felt that
was no problem. She suggested putting a pole building up at the Water Plant
to house vehicles.
Venezia replied if a new committee wanted to be formed and look at it, that
would be up to them. He stated that he felt that parking and storage would be
a problem with that particular building.
Venezia felt the present location was a prime location and made the most
sense if the project can be funded, indicating a need to have an engineering
study to see if the project was economically feasible.
Judy Powell asked what time frame the committee was working in, with
Venezia replying that they wanted to go as quickly as possible. Powell wanted
to know why grants had not been written. Venezia stated that the engineering
study needed to be done before any grants can be submitted and applied.
Mary Zimmer stated that grant money is awarded when you are specific about
your needs.
Diane Ludwig stated that income in Calhoun County is to high according to the
2000 census to get 100% funding, which Venezia disputed saying he had talked with
MOVRC and they said Calhoun County can qualify for 100% funding.
Stevens made a motion to accept Cerrone & Associates as the project
engineers for the new town hall with payment
being deferred until the project is funded. Motion was seconded by Loretta
Stevens. The motion carried unanimously.
Comments & Grievances:
Judy Powell said she was misquoted by the Calhoun Chronicle concerning her
seeing the town police car at Annamoriah. Powell said someone told her they
saw it she did not see it herself. She also wanted to know why Ron Gordon
ticketed someone about three miles outside the town limits.
Mayor Blankenship told her he would check the police report and publish it in
the Calhoun Chronicle concerning the ticket.
Nancy Bremar felt that the city police sometimes needed to go outside the
town limits for mutual aid to fellow police officers.
Kenneth Whytsell asked if the city police officer was allowed to go outside of
town if requested by any other law enforcement
agency. Mayor Blankenship said there was a code which they used and it was
allowed.
Jane Wease wanted to know why Ron Gordon got a raise and no one else.
Mayor Blankenship and others stated that he did not get a raise, but actually a
decrease by putting him on salary. It was a way of
controlling costs by not paying overtime.
Leonard Powell asked why the fire department had not cleaned the streets.
Mayor Blankenship stated that he had talked to them and they said they were
busy and would try to get around to it.
Cheryl Davis said her neighbor had a stagnant pool in his yard which was a
breeding ground for mosquitoes and ask if something
be done about this. Mayor Blankenship said he would speak with the
Conservation Officer and see if he could help.
Mayor's Report:
August 14, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. the Knotts Memorial Church members would
meet to do some street cleaning and everyone
is invited to come and help.
The town is going to start hauling some asphalt and stone within the next few
weeks to start filling up some of the pot holes.
There will be a gospel sing on each Thursday night in August at the Municipal
Park Tennis Court starting at 7:00 p.m. sponsored by some of the local
churches.
The town is sponsoring a free Back to School Bash at the municipal pool on
Sunday August 22. Admission to the
pool is free. Mayor Blankenship will be grilling hot dogs between 2:00
and 4:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and join
the fun and have a free hot dog.
Recorder's Report:
Phyllis Maze reported that she had mailed four requests for audit for the fiscal
year 2003-2004 to CPA's on 7/21/04. No
replies have been received to date.
Other Business:
Cheryl Davis made a motion to approve funding to send Pam Davis to a
Termination Seminar at Morgantown on August 26-27. Approximate cost
$150-$200. Motion was seconded by JoAnn Stevens. Motion carried
unanimously.
Loretta Stevens made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by JoAnn Stevens.
Motion carried unanimously.
Present for the meeting: Neil Blankenship, Mayor; Phyllis Maze, Recorder;
JoAnn Stevens, Loretta Stevens, Cheryl Davis, Charles Whipkey, Council
Members. Councilman Keith Smith absent.
Others
present:
Diane Ludwig, Lisa
Minney, Calhoun Publishing Reporter, Judy and Leonard Powell, Mary Zimmer,
Helen Hamilton, Robert Marks, Reed Bennett,
Pam Davis, Nancy Bremar, Ken Whytsell, Jane Wease, Frank Venezia.
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