City accepts donations for skateboard park

OBSERVER CORPS REPORT
AGENCY: Berea City Council
DATE: April 25, 2009
REPORTER: Bruce Callahan

Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. with Council Members Greg Lakes, Billy Wagers, Glenn Jennings, Vi Farmer, Jerry Little, Ronnie Terrill, and Virgil Burnside present. Troy VanWinkle called from Las Vegas to report that he would not return to Berea in time to attend the council meeting.

Mayor Steve Connelly and City Administrator Randy Stone were also present.

Mayor Connelly recognized Gina Chamberlin who spoke briefly to the council to introduce Madison County Home Energy Improvement Program. This non-profit agency’s purpose is to provide loans and funding for low-income homeowners to improve energy efficiency and upgrade systems. Chamberlin gave each council member some literature and closed her presentation with the assurance that the program is not attempting to compete with any existing government or non-government agencies but hopes to work in concert with local groups to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Madison County.

The second visitor recognized by Mayor Connelly was Imogene Hogg-Hartman, who orchestrated a series of donations to help with construction of the Berea Skateboard Park. Contributors included a majority of council members, the Board of the defunct Berea Boys and Girls Club and Hogg-Hartman herself. The total contribution, $12,050, was presented to Parks Director Maggy Kriebel, who happily accepted the donation on behalf of the city of Berea. Mayor Connelly asked Hogg-Hartman if this donation was meant to off some of the $50, 000 budgeted for the park or if in fact it was meant to augment those funds? Hogg-Hartmann made it clear that it was to be in addition to budgeted funds. “We want the nicey-nicey not the skimpy-wimpy!” she replied.

The council then approved the minutes from the April 7 meeting without amendment.

In Old Business, a 15-mph limit was approved for the new Short Street configuration including the terminus traffic circle. Mr. Jennings pointed out that a limit was hardly necessary as congestion and parking on the street and circle made zero miles per hour the effective speed limit.

The other traffic ordinance passed was to make Newport and Quincy Court No Parking Zones. These streets are part of the Creekside Housing Development.

In New Business, council passed an ordinance amending the City Budget for fiscal 2008-09. This observer did not have a copy of the budget while the ordinance was reviewed by Mayor Connelly and was unable to follow the changes. The adjustments were described in a story Tanya Stewart of the Berea Citizen as follows: The first reading of the 2008-09 fiscal year amended budget was read, with a beginning fund balance of $8.7 million and an ending fund balance of $3.1 million. The amended budget shows an increase in revenues of $137,609 and an increase in expenditures of $278,583.

After unanimously approving the amendment, the Council turned to approving three licensing agreements for a farm area within the Industrial Zone owned by the city. The licenses for use of this farm property are renewed annually and allow the land to be used rather than to sit idle. And this discourages possible vandalism or criminal use of the property. Thomas Willis was approved to continue raising tobacco on 20 acres. Mr. Hendricks was approved to continue to cut hay off his portion. At this point the Mayor stopped the discussion and broached an ethical question that he had apparently researched well and he laid it out clearly for the Council.

The problem: Councilman Terrill is the third person requesting licensure to use this property. Mr. Terrill exited the session while the issue was reviewed and voted upon.

Despite the apparent conflict of interest, the license agreement fell clearly within acceptable established parameters for two reasons: Mr. Terrill’s license agreement and use of this property predates the city buying the property and predates his candidacy and election to Council. The Mayor further explained that the City’s Water Treatment Facility is adjacent to this property and with the permission of Mr. Terrill it removes sludge from its lagoons and spreads it on the property. The process is certified by the state. This arrangement is beneficial to the citizens of Berea because it alleviates the cost of trucking the material a great distance to another site, it was explained.

The council approved continuation of the licensure agreement and Mr. Terrill rejoined the session.

Committee reports followed with a few highlights. The pool is prepared to open Memorial Day weekend. The city will be hiring a police sergeant and an officer. The Human Resources committee approved the updated Fire and Police Policy and Procedures.

Public works is working to repair winter street damage and water control issues. The Welcome Center has started the trolley service from Old Town to College Square to the Artisan Center and back, and asks that anyone who wants volunteer to ride the trolley as Berea Tourist Ambassador please stop by the Welcome Center.

The City Administrator’s report addressed the problem of safety at the Menelaus Road and By-Pass intersection. The state will not allow a light there but the city and county are continuing to study the situation and will address it with a combination of safety measures on Menelaus.

Mr. Stone also reports that the Prospect Street Project remains on track and that the E-Waste recycling went extremely well. There was a good turn out and 27 pallets loads of TV’s, computers, batteries, florescent lights, etc. were dropped off and will be removed by Creative Recycling. One unauthorized deer attended the event and ran around inside the city services building without a pass or an appointment. The deer did eventually find a way out after adding some special excitement to the City’s recycling program.

Just prior to closing the session, Councilman Terrill asked that the mayor arrange for the Utility Advisory Board to include the council with its planning and development. Mr. Terrill was redirected to the Chairman of the Utility Advisory Board, Mr. Steve Boyce to place agenda items before that board as a concerned citizen. And then the meeting was adjourned