Board of Commissioners Meetings

123 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Special Called Meeting on September 24, 2020 A special called meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at 3:15 p.m., prevailing time, with no primary location designated for this video teleconference meeting as the result of the state of emergency declared by the President of the United States and the Governor of Kentucky due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with recommended and mandated precautions related to COVID-19 per the Kentucky Attorney General Opinion 20-05, public attendance was not permitted at this meeting due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19. It is not feasible for the City to maintain order and abide by recommended and mandated precautions while providing a central physical location for public viewing. The meeting was conducted in accordance with KRS 61.826. There were present Mayor Steve Austin presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Patti Bugg Commissioner X R. Royster, III Commissioner Bradley S. Staton (via Zoom video panelist) Commissioner Austin P. Vowels ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Dawn Kelsey, City Attorney Mrs. Theresa Richey, Acting City Clerk Mr. Buzzy Newman, City Manager Mrs. Connie Galloway, Human Resources Director Mrs. Karla Beckgerd, Human Resource Specialist Mr. Chad Moore, Asst. Fire Chief Ms. Cindy Phillips, Fire Administrative Secretary Mr. David Wright, IT Network Administrator II Ms. Rhonda Simpson, Court Reporter ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: were Mr. Aaron “Chris” Watkins (via Zoom video panelist), the Respondent in this disciplinary hearing who represented himself, and Fire Chief Scott Foreman with counsel for the City, Mr. Chris Hopgood. ________________________ THERESA RICHEY, Acting City Clerk, read the special called meeting notice and announced that the purpose of this called meeting is to hear charges against Driver Engineer Aaron “Chris” Watkins. ________________________ MAYOR AUSTIN stated that ordinarily disciplinary hearings are closed to the public upon a proper motion being passed. The Respondent, Mr. Watkins, chose to have the hearing closed. ________________________ MOTION by Commissioner Royster, seconded by Commissioner Vowels, and pursuant to the provisions of KRS 61.810(1)(f) that the Board of Commissioners go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussions which might result in the appointment, discipline, or removal of an individual employee or member. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Bugg ------ Aye: Commissioner Royster --- Aye: Commissioner Staton ---- Aye: Commissioner Vowels --- Aye: Mayor Austin -------------- Aye: ________________________  124 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Special Called Meeting on September 24, 2020 At this time, all persons other than the Board of Commissioners, the City’s representatives, and the Respondent left the room. ________________________ The City prosecuted its case with Chief Foreman and Asst. Chief Chad Moore called to testify. The Respondent, Mr. Aaron “Chris” Watkins, presented his case calling no other witnesses. The City and the Respondent completed their cases with both parties resting at approximately 3:55 p.m. ________________________ EXECUTIVE SESSION: Personnel MOTION by Commissioner Royster, seconded by Commissioner Bugg, to go into Executive Session for deliberations. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Bugg--------- Aye: Commissioner Royster------ Aye: Commissioner Staton------- Aye: Commissioner Vowels ----- Aye: Mayor Austin ---------------- Aye: ________________________ MEETING RECONVENED: MOTION by Commissioner Royster, seconded by Commissioner Bugg, the Board of Commissioners reconvened into regular session. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Bugg--------- Aye: Commissioner Royster------ Aye: Commissioner Staton------- Aye: Commissioner Vowels ----- Aye: Mayor Austin ---------------- Aye: WHEREUPON, Mayor Austin reconvened the Board into regular session. ________________________ RESOLUTION NO. 46-20: RESOLUTION ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND JUDGMENT IN DISCIPLINARY CASE OF CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY VS. DRIVER ENGINEER CHRIS WATKINS MOTION by Commissioner Bugg, seconded by Commissioner Royster, to adopt the resolution and attached Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Judgment in the disciplinary case of the City of Henderson, Kentucky vs. Driver Engineer Aaron “Chris” Watkins. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Bugg--------- Aye: Commissioner Royster------ Aye: Commissioner Staton------- Aye: Commissioner Vowels ----- Aye:  125 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Special Called Meeting on September 24, 2020 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 ATTEST: September 24, 2020 ________________________ Theresa Richey Acting City Clerk MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Royster, seconded by Commissioner Bugg, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Bugg--------- Aye: Commissioner Royster------ Aye: Commissioner Staton------- Aye: Commissioner Vowels ----- Aye: Mayor Austin ---------------- Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Austin declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:09 p.m. ___________________________ Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: April 13, 2021 ________________________ Maree Collins, CKMC City Clerk