Board of Commissioners Meetings

A Regular June 10, 2014 A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., prevailing time, in the third floor Assembly Room located in the Municipal Center Building at 222 First Street, Henderson, Kentucky. INVOCATION was given by Reverend Ken Gazaway, Immanuel Baptist Temple, and then Mayor Austin introduced Ms. Emmi and Kate Wolfe to lead the assemblage in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to our American Flag. There were present Mayor Steve Austin presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Jan Hite Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt Commissioner Tom Davis Commissioner Robert M. (Robby) Mills __________________________ ALSO IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDED: Mr. Russell R. Sights, City Manager Mr. William L. Newman, Jr., Assistant City Manager Mrs. Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney Ms. Carolyn Williams, City Clerk Mr. Danny Froehlich, Fire Chief Mr. Charles H. (Chip) Stauffer, Police Chief Mr. Robert Gunter, Finance Director Mr. John Steir, Accounting Manager Mrs. Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director Mrs. Frances Malony, Benefits Coordinator Ms. Pam Whitter, Mass Transit Director Mr. Owen Reeves, Gas System Director Mr. Trace Stevens, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Tom Williams, HWU General Manager Mr. Leason Neel, HWU Chief Financial Officer Mr. Rodney Michael, HWU Director Utility Operation Mr. Paul Bird, HWU Commissioner Mr. John Nevels, Police Lieutenant Mr. David Piller, Police Major Mr. Randy Jenkins, Fire Lieutenant Ms. Cindy Phillips, Administrative Secretary Mr. Vernon Cole Ms. Essi Wolfe Ms. Kate Wolfe Mr. ?????Mike Richardson, Police Reserve Officer Mr. Chuck Stinnett, The Gleaner _______________________________ PRESENTATION: SERVICE AWARD – 25 Years MAYOR AUSTIN introduced Police Lieutenant John Nevels, and presented him with a 25-year pin and thanked him for his dedication and loyalty to the City.  A Regular June 10, 2014 PRESENTATION: SERVICE AWARD – 25 Years MAYOR AUSTIN introduced Police Major David Piller, and presented him with a 25-year pin and expressed appreciation for his hard work and dedication to the City. ____________________________ PRESENTATION: SERVICE AWARD – 40 Years MAYOR AUSTIN introduced Fire Lieutenant Randall Jenkins, and presented him with a 40-year pin and thanked him for his dedication and hard work to the City. ____________________________ CONSENT AGENDA: MAYOR AUSTIN asked the City Clerk to read the items on the Consent Agenda. Minutes: May 27, 2014, Regular Meeting MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: __________________________________ MAYOR AUSTIN announced that Resolution No. 48-14 would be brought forward. RESOLUTION NO. 48-14 RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO CITY OF HENDERSON EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) HEALTHCARE REFORM TO BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to adopt the resolution approving amendments to the City’s Employee Health Plan to be in compliance with the Patient Protection and affordable Care Act (ACA) Healthcare Reform to be effective July 1, 2014. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye:  A Regular June 10, 2014 WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: May 27, 2014 Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _______________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 17-14: FIRST READING ORDINANCE AMENDING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY1, 2013 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2014 FOR THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Davis, that the Ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. __________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 18-14: FIRST READING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2014 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2015 FOR THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Hite, that the Ordinance be adopted. MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, thanked the Board for the attention given to the budget reviewed on May 20, 2014. This appropriation ordinance includes everything that was in the recommended budget plus the changes that were approved by the Board in the Work Session that night. COMMISSIONER PRUITT stated that when a job was eliminated in the Finance Department and that position’s duties were divided among the Finance Director, Assistant Finance Director and the Accounting Manager, and they all received raises for taking on those duties; he noted that other department heads have not received raises when a position was eliminated. He said that this was setting a precedent and was not fair to other department heads unless it was policy across the board. MAYOR AUSTIN explained that this transaction would save a total of $75,000 per year.  A Regular June 10, 2014 DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Nay: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. __________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 19-14: FIRST READING BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2014, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2015, FOR HENDERSON WATER UTILITY OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Mills, that the Ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. __________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 20-14: FIRST READING ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II, WATER AND SEWER SERVICE, OF CHAPTER 23, UTILITIES, SECTION 23-26 THROUGH 23-31 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF HENDERSON MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, that the Ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners.  A Regular June 10, 2014 ORDINANCE NO. 21-14: FIRST READING ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENT TO PAY PLAN PROVIDING FOR ONE AND ONE HALF PERCENT (1.5%) INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, that the Ordinance be adopted. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. _______________________________ ORDINANCE NO. 22-14: FIRST READING ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE PENSION PLAN RETIREES BY PROVIDING FOR REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS OF A SUM SET ANNUALLY BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PER MONTH TO THOSE RETIREES WHO ARE ENTITLED TO OR ARE RECEIVING MEDICARE BENEFITS MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Davis, that the Ordinance be adopted. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Ordinance adopted on its first reading and ordered that it be presented for a second reading at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners. _______________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 47-14 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RETAINING OF HILLIARD LYONS, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ADVISOR SERVICES FOR FINANCING OF BONDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN MUNICIPAL WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS; IMPROVEMENTS TO THE 911 RADIO, CAD AND COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY, AND AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT  A Regular June 10, 2014 MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to adopt the resolution authorizing the approval to obtain the professional services of a financial advisor, J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC, for services in connection with the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds for financing the costs of certain municipal water and sewer projects; improvements to the 911 radio, CAD and communications operation; and construction of a new Public Works facility. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ___________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 49-14 RESOLUTION APPROVING REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS OF UP TO $235 PER MONTH FOR SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS TO CITY OF HENDERSON POLICE AND FIRE PENSION PLAN RETIREES AND THEIR SPOUSES WHO ARE ENTITLED TO OR ARE RECEIVING MEDICARE BENEFITS MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to adopt the resolution approving reimbursing supplemental health insurance premiums up to $235 per month, to Police and Fire Pension retirees and their spouses who are entitled to or are receiving Medicare benefits. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye:  A Regular June 10, 2014 WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ___________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 50-14 RESOLUTION APPROVING REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS OF UP TO $235 PER MONTH FOR SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS TO CITY OF HENDERSON CIVIL SERVICE PENSION RETIREES AND THOSE ELIGIBLE SPOUSES WHO ARE ENTITLED TO OR ARE RECEIVING MEDICARE BENEFITS MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to adopt the resolution approving reimbursing supplemental health insurance premiums up to $235 per month, to Civil Service Pension retirees and their spouses who are entitled to or are receiving Medicare benefits. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ___________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 51-14 RESOLUTION GRANTING PROPERTY REASSESSMENT MORATORIUM FOR HUGH AND BECKY STONE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 131 NORTH MAIN STREET, HENDERSON, KY MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to adopt the resolution granting a property reassessment moratorium for real property improvements at 131 North Main Street. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye:  A Regular June 10, 2014 WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ___________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 52-14 RESOLUTION SETTING AMOUNT OF COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AT 1.5% MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Davis, to adopt the resolution providing a salary increase of one and one-half percent for the Board of Commissioners effective July 1, 2014. COMMISSIONER PRUITT said that he thinks that this Commission has failed to address the $300,000 difference in the property sale (2nd & Water Streets) down there. I think we have failed in doing our job. I don’t think we should take any more money from the taxpayers from Henderson. I will be voting against this raise. COMMISSIONER HITE stated that her reasoning was entirely different, but she too would be voting against this increase. COMMISSIONER DAVIS added that even though he would probably be voting against it, like Commissioner Hite, for entirely different reasons. I want the public to know that a City Commissioner makes approximately a little over $1,000 gross per month for sitting here and doing this job and it is a job. The raise we are talking about is approximately $3.40 gross a week based on this 1.5%. This is not a monetary issue for the City of Henderson. COMMISSIONER MILLS said that this commission voted tonight on two issues that included automatic COLA escalators. He stated that sometime in the future that this issue, which is always a political issue, that we shouldn’t address this by having some kind of escalator on an annual basis because truthfully, if we were to vote on this it is a lot like our tax rate. We are really not voting a raise that would mean a lot to our pockets but in the future, this job is important enough to reimburse people that take time out to serve their community properly. Running for elections and making yourself known in the community is not cheap and in the future it will be more and more expensive. If we continue to pass on these raises, the salaries are not going to keep up with the demands of the job. The County Magistrates makes substantially more than we do. He will pass on the raise this year. MR. SIGHTS explained some of the history on this topic. The county government have had the ability to raise their salaries according to what is called the “rubber dollar” in common terms, which is the rate of inflation and the rate of inflation only. Cities, until approximately the late 80’s, did not even have that option. You could not raise your salaries under any conditions. You had to set it and once it was set you could go up to a top limit, which at the time was $4,000 for commissioners and $6,000 for mayor. Cities, in general, through KLC lobbied the legislature to be given the authority to do this up to the rate of inflation and that is all it is. It is not a raise in salary, it is an inflationary factor, but the Board can certainly make a decision on how they want to do it. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING.  A Regular June 10, 2014 The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Nay: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Nay: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Nay: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Nay: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Nay: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk ___________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 54-14 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORY FEES AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO ENTER IN ASSOCIATED AGREEMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OR REGULATORY FEES AND/OR STUDIES FOR THE RIVERFRONT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PHASE III MOTION by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to adopt the resolution authorizing the expenditure of funds for environmental and regulatory fees and authorizing the Mayor to enter in associated agreements for environmental or regulatory fees and/or studies for the Riverfront Improvement Project Phase III. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk  A Regular June 10, 2014 RESOLUTION NO. 53-14 RESOLUTION AWARDING BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF VIDEO AND AUDIO CAMERA SYSTEM FOR THE MASS TRANSIT DEPARTMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,005.87 TO IVS, INC. – ANGELTRAX, NEWTON, ALABAMA MOTION by Commissioner Hite, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, to adopt the resolution authorizing the purchase of a Video and Audio Camera System for HART buses from IVS, Inc. – AngelTrax of Newton, Alabama, in the total amount of $26,005.87 PAM WHITTER, MASS TRANSIT DIRECTOR, explained that their present cameras are outdated and some are not working at all. She said that they have been researching cameras for the buses for about a year. Pam introduced Brenda Wethington, Transit Supervisor, who described how the new cameras would work. Today, each bus has one camera in front of the bus directed to the back. This system will have three cameras, one in front, one in back and one looking out the door to provide better security angles. It also has a wireless bridge so once the vehicles pull into the lot, it will automatically download information on any bus that we may want to see. The drivers will have a panic or capture button, so if an incident occurs, the information downloaded will be marked to stand out for immediate attention. DISCUSSION WAS HELD. VERBATIM DISCUSSION IS ON TAPE OF THIS MEETING. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the Resolution adopted, affixed his signature and the date thereto, and ordered that the same be recorded. /s/ Steve Austin Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: Carolyn Williams, City Clerk _____________________________ CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: MR. RUSSELL R. SIGHTS, CITY MANAGER, asked Mr. William L. Newman, Assistant City Manager, to give a presentation on Community One activities in the Letcher Street area. Mr. Newman explained that two projects have been completed using City money and the process for reimbursement and documentation has worked out very well. We signed an agreement with Community One and they have lived up to their end of the agreement. Something unexpected has come out of our relationship with Community One. They have actually worked on homes that have back taxes owed on them. In our agreement, they cannot work on those homes until the taxes are paid. They were instrumental in getting the home owners to pay their back taxes so it would be a win-win. Part of their mission is to acquire property, either to redevelop that piece of property or possibly take the property and use it to build a new structure. Our agreement states that anytime that they want to acquire property, they have to come to us first and ask for permission to do so. They have do so at this time and their plan is to acquire a lot  A Regular June 10, 2014 that has a home on it that is in disrepair and probably should be condemned. Their plan is to acquire the property, have the building razed and work in conjunction with other community non-profits organizations to construct a new home on this property. Basically, at the end of the day, it is a win-win for the East End and it meets our Goals and Objectives for trying to redevelop the East End and now through Community One we can make this happen. He asked the Board for approval to allow Community One to acquire this piece of property. There is some back taxes owed on it that will be part of the expense of acquiring the property and there will be a demolition expense of the home and some legal fees that are involved with the title opinion. These fees will come out of the money that we have appropriated to them. The title of the property would be in Community One’s name. The goal and objective of our agreement is to have them redevelop blighted areas within our community. Commissioner Pruitt asked if they were going to profit on this property. Mayor Austin asked Mr. Newman “is it not going to be transferred them to Habitat or Henderson County Schools carpenter work shop for a home to be built there that will then go into a homeowner’s name?” Mr. Newman replied that it was very possible. He reiterated that any proceeds along the line would be to a non-profit organization so they are not profiting. We have done this with Henderson County School System and with HWU and with Habitat and Henderson Housing Authority. We have history of giving property to non-profits to redevelop and has proven to be a successful program. Any money profited would only go into projects in Henderson. Commissioner Mills added that Community One’s main driver of the community development effort in Henderson is a Henderson County resident. Their goal is to build affordable housing in the East End and sell it to someone who will go from a renter to a homeowner. Mr. Newman added that the Board should take a drive on Atkinson Street because we have completed the curb and gutter section and we have received some calls from business and property owners in that area expressing their appreciation. Commissioner Davis asked for an update on East End Park. Mr. Newman replied that we have been in contact with the Department of Local Government asking for the status of our project. We should be starting site work in the next couple of weeks. MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Mills, to approve the Community One project. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: ________________________________ COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS: COMMISSIONER PRUITT brought up the $300,000 that he wanted to give back to taxpayers. He stated that he and Commissioner Mills got close at $210,000 and why could we not find another $90,000 for a remedy. ______________________________ COMMISSIONER MILLS that earlier today the City-County Cooperative Study group met and talked about a MPO grant that’s available for $38,000. We will bring back for approval to apply for this grant for bike path markings for pavement as well as signs. In reference to the issue regarding the Boards cost of living increase, he suggested that we talk about that during the budget process next year so it becomes a part of the budget and to maybe take some of the political theatre away from this issue. He asked the City Manager to start that process next year. COMMISSIONER PRUITT asked Mr. Sights if at any other time that he was City Manager, that we have eliminated a job and given these type of raises to somebody. I  A Regular June 10, 2014 know we have some vacancies that haven’t been filled for over a year. That work has been done by other people. MR. SIGHTS responded that any kind of raise would have been approved by the Board of Commissioners. We have several reclassifications in this budget but not tied to department heads. Those were enumerated in our work session. COMMISSIONER DAVIS apologized to Mr. Gunter, Mr. Titzer, and Mr. Steir for comments made. He stated that this vacancy was doing double duty between HWU and the City. We have evaluated the assignment of responsibility for that position to you three. The money that goes along with this is due to a reevaluation of job classifications. COMMISSIONER PRUITT responded that he has talked to the three but we need to be fair and do what we do in one department across the board in every department. MR. SIGHTS goes back to the question “Did we have a situation like this before?” Every organization, regardless of what department it is in, stands on its own. To answer your question, I don’t remember one in the past where three people are involved like it is here but it would be very, very unusual to have that situation on a repeated basis in other departments because of the way that they are set up. The answer is “No” there has not been one like this one before. Every situation stands on its own. He reminded Commissioner Pruitt that this was directed by the Board of Commissioners. MAYOR AUSTIN said that any department head that comes forward and says that they have a plan to reorganize my department and would show a savings to the citizens, we should take a look at it and I think we will. MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Hite, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Pruitt ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Davis ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Mills ----------------- Aye: Commissioner Hite ----------------- Aye: Mayor Austin ------------------------- Aye: WHEREUPON Mayor Austin declared the meeting adjourned. ___________________________ Steve Austin, Mayor June 24, 2014 ATTEST: __________________________________ Carolyn Williams, City Clerk