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JUNE 13, 2016 6:00 P.M.
MOLENA - [Note from the Editor: This is a copy of the draft minutes from this meeting verbatim.]
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 P.M. by Mayor Brian Callaway. Councilmen Damon Riggins, Darrell Riggins, Richard Beckham and George Ingram were present as well as City Attorney Jack Park, Chief of Police Novin Darsey and City Clerk Cindy Darsey. Councilman Danny Riggins was not present.
Mayor Brian Callaway asked Dwain Penn to open the meeting with the invocation and pledge of allegiance.
Councilman George Ingram made a motion to approve the agenda followed by a second from Councilman Richard Beckham and this unanimously passed.
Councilman Damon Riggins made a motion to approve the minutes of the May council meeting, followed by a second from Councilman George Ingram and this unanimously passed.
INVITED GUEST: None
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
Chief of Police Novin Darsey presented the monthly report (see attached). [Note from the Editor: I do not have this to upload.]
Chief Darsey reported that the 2007 Crown Victoria was sold this morning for $2,000.00.
Chief Darsey reported that the mileage on the Tahoe is 80,904 and on the Black and White Crown Victoria it is 106,785.
BUILDINGS, STREETS AND GROUNDS
Councilman Damon Riggins expressed a concern about people pulling vehicles under the overhang of the pavilion and possibly pulling a support post down and also the erosion of the walking trail. There was some discussion about what can be done and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
Public Safety: None
WAYS & MEANS
Councilman George Ingram reminded everyone that we need to have another budget workshop possibly next month. City Clerk Cindy Darsey will check with the Pike County Tax Commissioner to see when we might know what the rollback rate will be.
Councilman George Ingram made a motion that if the City does not receive a check within the next two weeks for the damaged water line several months ago that the City move forward and ask for the full amount instead of the negotiated price, plus filing fees this was followed by a second from Councilman Darrell Riggins and this unanimously passed.
WATER FUND: None
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Brian Callaway announced that City Attorney Jack Park is retiring June 15, 2016, and he thanked Jack for his service to the City of Molena. Mayor Callaway announced that he spoke to attorney Ed Trice in Thomaston and he also presented a resume from Mr. Trice. After some discussion about how to proceed a motion was made by Councilman Darrell Riggins to run an ad in the paper for two weeks advertising for a city attorney but we will use Attorney Ed Trice as an interim attorney until the city can interview and hire applicants, followed by a second from Councilman Damon Riggins and this unanimously passed.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
City Attorney Jack Park announced that the last time he spoke to Mr. David Allen about the nuisance abatement property on Hill Street that he was planning to put a sign in front of the house if he did not have any response from Mr. J.J. Riggins. After discussing this issue Councilman George Ingram asked if there was anything as a city we could do when homeowners do not cut the grass in their yard. It was determined that the City Clerk would call other cities to see if they have an ordinance about maintaining there grass.
City Clerk Cindy Darsey reported that the house numbers have been finished except for a few that were overlooked. The possibility was discussed about having an ordinance that homeowners would be responsible for the upkeep of the house numbers from this point forward.
Mayor Brian Callaway asked City Attorney Jack Park to report on the ownership of the property that Mr. Anthony Ashby is purchasing from Mrs. Elsie Anderson-Bell. After some research by City Attorney Jack Park and Mr. Ashby’s closing attorney David Brisendine III it was determined that the City of Molena owns the property that the railroad previously owned and it did not revert back to the owner of the house like BellSouth had previously told Mrs. Elsie Anderson-Bell. City Attorney Jack Park also researched state law and it prohibits the city from giving property to anyone. His recommendation is not to sign a quit claim deed to Mr. Ashby. After some discussion City Attorney Jack Park said we could sell the property to Mr. Ashby. After more discussion, Councilman Richard Beckham made a motion to get the property appraised and then sell Mr. Ashby the property attached to his yard at fair market value and offer the same thing to others that have property in question, followed by a second from Councilman George Ingram, Councilmen Damon Riggins and Darrell Riggins voted against this and Mayor Brian Callaway broke the tie and voted in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Brian Callaway once again thanked City Attorney Jack Park for his service to the City of Molena.
City Clerk Cindy Darsey explained that because the Crown Victoria today the General Fund budget needs to be amended to properly account for the income and expenses that this money would cover. Councilman George Ingram made a motion to increase miscellaneous income by $2,000.00 and increase vehicle repairs by $572.00, equipment maintenance by $250.00 and miscellaneous expense by $1,178.00, followed by a second from Councilman Darrell Riggins and this unanimously passed.
Councilman George Ingram made a motion to declare September 5, 2016 Jack Park Day followed by a second from Councilman Damon Riggins and this unanimously passed. Everyone thanked City Attorney Jack Park.
Mayor Brian Callaway reported that the next city council meeting will be held Monday July 11, 2016 at 6:00 P.M.
Councilman Richard Beckham made a motion to adjourn at 7:03 P.M. followed by a second from Councilman Damon Riggins and this unanimously passed.