Here are notes taken during the March 2010 Liberty City Council meeting:The Rosewood Center was filled with trinkets all over the place in preparation for a consignment sale that's being held this weekend.
Councilman Brian Peterson was not in attendance.
Michael Sheriff filled in as Mayor Pro tem - Mayor Deese was out due to a death in the family (his brother-in-law). He was flying to Arkansas.
Please pray for Gerri and Brian as they travel, for there their safe return, and pray for them in their time of grief.
February 2010 Council meeting and February 2010 Work Session minutes were approved.
* Minutes approval were actually tabled because Sue Woods had not finished transcribing them.
• Angela Scott of Dan Scott's BBQ - raised concerns about parking. She mentioned that she'd heard rumor of a proposed crosswalk and said that it would take up two parking spaces - She pleaded with city to enforce two hour parking to ask business owners to park behind their businesses Monday-Saturday 9-6. She mentioned that people are not coming to her restaurant because they can't find parking and that in turn loses the city the 2% hospitality tax.
Councilman Sheriff replied:
"The city has not enforced the 2 hr parking ordinance, maybe it's time to crack down on that."
He also mentioned that the city was no longer considering a crosswalk and that it was a "dead issue."
Sheriff clarified that hospitality taxes are spent on tourism & recreation.
Councilman Rick Clark said,
"This parking issue usually makes a two a 2 year cycle - we'll get it fixed this time."
Councilman McJunkin said the issue of downtown parking was discussed at the recent Council retreat.
Dan Scott interjected that people park personal vehicles downtown.
Motions considered:
Councilman Sheriff made a motion for a part time employee to assist Tony Boiter at the Rec department and for council to move $5000 from contingency funds to pay for the position.
Councilman McJunkin quipped that last year there was just a guy picking up sticks and that Boiter's son was being paid.
McJunkin said,
"Things get out of control when you don't know exactly how much someone is going to get paid."
Councilman Clark remarked,
"It won't be for just picking up sticks."
Council voted. McJunkin opposed.
A motion was made for the approval of $15,000 for Islelin Field for new lights / County has agreed to match funds.
Councilman Yates mentioned that the funds also include replacement of the fence.
Yates said the money was, "needed for the safety of the children."
Councilman Clark said the money would also help fix dangerous poles that have rotted at the field.
Recycling efforts were discussed.
Councilman Sheriff mentioned a new "Recycling Center"
He said that pavement and gravel are in place at Hedgepath Rd area and that four containers are being given to Liberty by the county. He mentioned that a sign indicating "Recycling" would be placed on 178.
Police Chief Miller delivered the Police report:
For the month of February 2010:
125 warnings issued
110 citations issued
2 arrests at Liberty High
10 arrests were made at Liberty Middle over an assault / a gang fight??
141 calls for service
9 traffic accidents
Miller mentioned that all officers took part in taser training - 3 officers volunteered to be tasered to see what it felt like.
Councilman Clark commented that one of the Liberty Detention Officers placed 2nd in their class.
Councilman McJunkin commented on the need for the Resource Officer at Liberty Middle.
Miller mentioned that there's already been 4 traffic accidents in March so far and that his force would be stepping up safety efforts.
He said that one police officer is leaving to be a part of the Anderson County Sheriff's office and that he was actively looking for a replacement officer.
Assistant Fire Chief Chris Rowland delivered the Fire Department report:
For the month of February 2010:
Their were 30 calls for service / compared to 33 calls in February 2009
ATLIBERTYTOSAY COMMENT: This is the 5th month straight that calls have been down. While this is a good thing ... it also brings the massive spending on new trucks, equipment, and employees into question. Council brags on the grant money that has helped pay for all the new equipment but there is still significant taxpayer money that supports the fire department.
Rowland mentioned that there was training on operating the pumps on the fire trucks.
He mentioned that they tested hoses on the new truck and mounted equipment on the new tanker.
He also said they prepared the new ladder and oiled it up.
Councilman Sheriff said there wasn't a Public Works report because Olin Hamlin had called and said they had an open line on Peachtree St that they were finishing up.
Councilman McJunkin mentioned that the Lakeview Dr area has 3 feet wide potholes and they need attention.
Councilman Clark said he redid an SCDOT grant.
Councilman Yates thanked the county for the new sidewalks.
He remarked, "It was kind of unexpected."
Councilman Yates also encouraged everyone about the 2010 Census,
"Get those back in."
Councilman McJunkin added that the county has really been a help to us.
Councilman Harrison added that cooperation from Mayor was positive.
Councilman Sheriff added that this weekend was Daylight Savings Time and reminded everyone to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors.
He then adjourned the meeting.
* I would like to thank my wife for helping me to take notes.
* My notes this month are not as complete as I would have liked, every "Department Report" at the podium was mumbling.
1 COMMENTS / Make your own:
Thanks for these reports!
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