Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2016
7:00 P.M. Community Center
Call to Order – Meeting was called to order by Mayor Jan Webster. In attendance was, Mayor Jan Webster, Council Members – Judy Kesler, Lamar Watkins, Mike Barfield, Max Whitlock, City Clerk – Debra Fontaine.
Pledge of Allegiance
Lamar motioned to approve the September 12, 2016 Agenda; Judy seconded. A unanimous vote was taken and all were in favor. Motion approved.
Max motioned to approve the August 1, 2016 Council Meeting Minutes; Lamar seconded, all were in favor. Motion approved.
Judy motioned to approve the August Financials; Max seconded, all were in favor. Motion approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Adopt Cemetery Policy – After discussion over the first draft of the policy, Max motioned that the City table adopting the Cemetery Policy until the property boundaries can be clarified. Lamar seconded. All were in favor; Motion to table Cemetery Policy was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Adopt Purchasing Policy – The Purchasing Policy was previously discussed, tweaked and ready for adoption. Judy motioned to adopt the Purchasing Policy; Lamar seconded. All were in favor; Motion Approved.
MAYORS REPORT:
Jan informed council members that David from Public Works Dept. put flags on 441 as well as putting city flags at half-staff for 9/11. Jan praised his efforts and hard work and for going above and beyond his regular work schedule.
Jan explained to city council and citizens that the Maintenance Dept. cleaned up silk flowers that were faded and blown around the cemetery, as well as removed dead flowers. She mentioned that this became an issue and several people called city hall to complain. Jan spoke to the maintenance department and the decision was made to not remove faded flowers and that “faded flowers were in the eye of the beholder” which meant unless the flowers are blown around the cemetery, or dead flowers, they will not be touched.
Jan also told council that citizens were given a short list of frequent code violations in an effort to ask them to help keep Nicholson clean. Three roads have been distributed thus far and the rest of the city could expect to have the list on their door as well. These door hangers were only to make citizens aware of violations that are already in the city code that the city plans to enforce.
Doyle is working on a Safety Grant through Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS).
The cemetery was surveyed recently; the city now has a survey available with the cemetery grounds marked out. The city will ask the surveyor to follow up with marking the individual grave layout(s) at the graveyard.
Jan told council members that Debbie has been finishing up the journal entries given by the auditor. Once those are complete she and Debbie will be working on Budget figures, this will include employee evaluations.
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT –
August was a month of cleaning for the library. Every book was taken off and dusted. We dusted every shelf. The staff and I took everything out of the back closet, cleaned the shelves and walls, reorganized and put every item back. The small area rugs were cleaned. We also sprayed all the stuffed animals. The animals were then encased in large garbage bags and stored (5 weeks).
Claire and I each visited an elementary Open House. Claire visited Benton and I was at East Jackson Elementary School. We had flyers to hand out and informed parents and students what services we offer. Claire also went and talked with the students at Benton’s Afterschool Program. The Benton Pre-K class came over for a tour.
On the adult side of programming, the quilters are going strong; we had two yoga classes and an adult coloring class. Our yoga instructor took a new job and will no longer be able to provide yoga instruction. I have some calls out to see if we can find a replacement.
Upcoming events for September:
Children’s – Our Thursday after school programs are back in swing as well as Story Time on Mondays.
Adult-We are offering a basic self-defense class for women on Saturday Sept 24 at 9:00 am.
Winter gardening tips Tuesday Sept 27 at 6 pm.
Friends of the Library will meet Tuesday Sept 20 at 6 PM.
Citizens Requesting to Speak – Vernita Reynolds spoke to council members about her neighbors on Blackthorne Road. The neighbors have 12 pit bulls and asked if there was of code violation taking place in this situation. She also said one of the dogs regularly scares her and her child and has knocked their fence down. Debbie said she would call Jackson County Animal Control and find out if there is any type of recourse that the city can take to help Ms. Reynolds in dealing with her neighbors.
Adjournment: Max motioned to adjourn; Lamar seconded. All were in favor. Motion approved.