City of Mt. Washington

Minutes of Regular Council Meeting

June 25, 2007

City Hall Annex Building, 186 Branham Way

Mayor Joetta Calhoun called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m. with the following council members present: Barry Armstrong, Lloyd Dooley, Greg Gentry, Gary Lawson, Emily Rucker and Brent Wheeler.

Also present were City Treasurer Peggy Brinkman, City Clerk, Kenneth Stovall, Police Chief, Rodney Hockenbury, Utility Superintendent, Ronnie Fick and City Engineer, David Derrick. Also present was Anne McAfee, who was later presented to the Council and approved as City Attorney.

MacKenzie Bass, a fifth grader from Mt. Washington Elementary, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Calhoun asked those present to take a moment to reflect according to their beliefs.

Minutes

Kenneth Stovall read the minutes of the June 6, 2007 Special Council Meeting.  Lloyd Dooley made a motion to accept the minutes as read.  Brent Wheeler seconded.  Motion carried.

Kenneth Stovall read the minutes of the June 11, 2007 Regular Council Meeting.  Brent Wheeler made a motion to accept the minutes as read.  Barry Armstrong seconded.  Motion carried.

Kenneth Stovall read the minutes of the June 19, 2007 Special Council Meeting.  Barry Armstrong made a motion to accept the minutes as read.  Lloyd Dooley seconded.  Motion carried.

Kenneth Stovall read the minutes of the June 21, 2007 Special Council Meeting.  Brent Wheeler made a motion to accept the minutes as read.  Lloyd Dooley seconded.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Peggy Brinkman read the Treasurer’s Report for May 2007.  Lloyd Dooley made a motion to accept the report as read.  Brent Wheeler seconded.  Motion carried.

City Attorney

Mayor Calhoun went off the Agenda to introduce Anne McAfee as the new City Attorney.  Mayor Calhoun cited Anne’s professional and personal accomplishments and  said that Anne is extremely qualified for the job.

Emily Rucker made a motion to appoint Anne McAfee as the City Attorney.  Barry Armstrong seconded.  Motion carried by a roll call vote.

The Honorable Judge Rodney Burress swore Anne McAfee in as the new City Attorney.

Ordinances

Second Reading

The Council held a second reading of an Ordinance relating to the Water and Sewer Rates and Connection Rates for the City.  Brent Wheeler made a motion to accept the Ordinance setting Water and Sewer Rates and Connection Rates.  Barry Armstrong seconded.  Motion carried by a roll call vote.

Second Reading

The Council held a second reading of an Ordinance relating to the Prohibition of  Smoking Indoors Within the City.  Discussion followed ( as allowed by a motion passed in the June 11, 2007 first reading ).

Speaking for passage of the Ordinance: Katie Whicker and Laurie Waldridge, fifth graders from Mt. Washington Elementary school.  Also speaking for the Ordinance was Debbie Hinkley.

Speaking against passage of the Ordinance: Dale Walter, Roger Whelan, Josh Spaulding and Virgil Kleinholter.

Emily Rucker made a motion to pass the Ordinance.  Motion failed for a lack of a second.

Second Reading

The Council held a second reading of an Ordinance amending the City Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Lloyd Dooley made a motion to accept the Ordinance. Emily Rucker seconded.  Motion carried by a roll call vote.

Second Reading

The Council held a second reading of an Ordinance relating to the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.  Emily Rucker made a motion to pass the Ordinance.  Lloyd Dooley seconded.  Motion carried by a roll call vote.

Report from Council

Barry Armstrong said that he wanted to explain his non-vote on the smoking prohibition ordinance.  Councilman Armstrong said that he believes that smoking is dangerous, but that it does not supersede the business owners’ right to make decisions concerning their businesses.

Greg Gentry said that we need to monitor building permits issued to builders for the next six months to see if the increased fees slow construction.

Brent Wheeler discussed speed bumps. Ronnie Fick said that some like and others dislike the “speed humps.”  He said that he will monitor these for one year and then address the Council.

Emily Rucker said that she sponsored the smoking prohibition ordinance in support of a request from fifth graders at Mt. Washington Elementary School. Councilwoman Rucker said that she received quite a few letters and telephone calls commending her efforts. 

Gary Lawson said that we should look at problems relating to signs at our businesses and review our sign ordinances.

Adjourn

Emily Rucker made a motion to adjourn at 8:36p.m. Motion seconded by Greg Gentry. Motion carried.

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Prepared by: Kenneth J. Stovall, Jr.

City Clerk

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Joetta Calhoun, Mayor