REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                            AUGUST 1, 2007                                      7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT:  Ken Stewart, Mike Batchelder, Tony French, Mari Ann Parker and Donna Parish.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Jeff Riley, Jason Pendleton, Dorothy Diveley, Landon Riley, Randy Snyder and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING: Mayor Marty Allen.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with all council members present.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held July 3, 2007.  Mike Batchelder  2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the bills for the month of July, 2007.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

Mari Ann Parker stated that the PRIDE Committee will be sponsoring an appreciation dinner for Janet Tyler.  She also spoke about The Great US Highway 36 Treasure Hunt which will take place September 14-16 and asked for the city’s support for this event.

 

CITIZENS’ REQUEST: 

 

City Attorney Ted Collins addressed the Council about a citizen’s complaint concerning crops being grown within the city limits.  The Council agreed to wait until the complainant made an actual presentation. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Park and Rec. Committee Chairman Mike Batchelder stated that several lights at the ball field should be replaced soon. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Tony French moved to publish the proposed 2008 budget with a Public Hearing to be held August 22, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITY OFFICERS’ REPORT:

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick informed the Council that he did have an individual interested in the Code Enforcement Officer position.  The Council agreed to discuss this in executive session later in the meeting. 

 

Ken Stewart moved to authorize the Mayor to approve the purchase of a new computer from the diversion fund for City Law Enforcement with the assistance of Jerod Edie.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS:

 

The Council wanted to recognize the David Ball family for their efforts in replacing the sidewalk on the 400 block of West Main.

 

Mayor Marty Allen stated he had done a walk-thru at the ball field and presented a list of things that needed to be done.

 

8:07 p.m. Ken Stewart moved to go into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss acquisition of real estate and for City Attorney Ted Collins and City Clerk Bill Butrick to remain.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

8:27 p.m. Ken Stewart moved to come out of executive session.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

8:28 p.m. Ken Stewart moved to go back into executive session for 5 minutes to continue discussion on acquisition of real estate.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

8:33 p.m. Tony French moved to come out of executive session.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

8:35 p.m. Mayor Allen called for a 25 minute recess to reconvene at 9:00 p.m.

 

9:00 p.m. Mayor Allen called the meeting back to order.

 

9:01 p.m. Tony French moved to go back into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss acquisition of real estate.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

9:16 p.m. Ken Stewart moved to come out of executive session.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

Donna Parish moved to authorize City Attorney Ted Collins and Council Member Ken Stewart to continue negotiations with Highland Community College on West Avenue and Prairie Streets.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

After a brief discussion, the Council agreed to not proceed with the Code Enforcement Officer position at this time.

 

Mayor Allen updated the Council about discussions he has had on the following issues: Tennis courts at the Grade School, bridge inspection on East Spring Street, implementing a 1% city sales tax,  Incubator Program for supporting small businesses,  establishing a community group to look into business ideas for Highland,  and grants available for renovation of the old depot building.

 

Finance Committee Chairman Tony French and City Attorney Ted Collins stated they would meet to look into the 1% sales tax possibility and report their information at the next regular Council meeting.

 

9:55 p.m. Ken Stewart moved to adjourn.   Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

___________________________            ___________________________

 

                   Mayor                                                   City Clerk