STATE OF ALABAMA

 

COUNTY OF ETOWAH

 

CITY OF RAINBOW CITY-COUNCIL MEETING-APRIL 27, 2009

 

The City Council of the City of Rainbow City, Alabama, met in regular session at City Hall at 6:30 p.m., and upon roll call by Beth Lee, acting City Clerk/Treasurer the following members answered present:  Mayor Terry John Calhoun, Council members:  Anita Bedwell, Bobby McCartney, Lloyd Matthews, Larry Keenum and Kris Cornutt.

The same constituting a quorum of the City Council, the following business was transacted.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Terry John Calhoun.  Invocation was given by Lloyd Matthews.  Mayor Calhoun led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

 

1.  Mayor Calhoun presented the minutes of April 13, 2009 for review and asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions.  There being none, Bobby McCartney moved and Anita Bedwell seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Mayor Calhoun stated all in favor say aye.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

2.  Mayor Calhoun read a statement regarding Item #14 of April 13, 2009.  Upon advice from the City Attorney, only the Mayor can supervise employees not the council members therefore making the latter part of Item 14 null and void.

 

3.  Mayor Calhoun presented a resolution concerning the Rainbow City Identity Theft Prevention Program Policy.  Jim Turnbach, City Attorney, explained that this is mandated by the federal government. Lloyd Matthews made motion to adopt the resolution.  Kris Cornutt seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

                                               

4.  Mayor Calhoun stated that Rainbow City was selected to receive the Lumley Road Bicycle/Pedestrian Facility in the amount of $474,237.00 either through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus bill) or through the Transportation Enhancement Program (80/20).  The grant deadline is June 30, 2009 to be considered for the stimulus money which will be 100% with no local match.  Mayor Calhoun stated that Rainbow City has never received any TE money before.  Mayor Calhoun asked for a motion to allow KPS and JBWT to proceed with the survey and the design work for this grant.  Bobby McCartney made the motion and Anita Bedwell seconded the motion. 

 

Mayor asked for a roll call as follows:

 

                                                Anita Bedwell               yes

                                                Bobby McCartney        yes

                                                Lloyd Matthews           no

                                                Larry Keenum              yes

                                                Kris Cornutt                 abstain

 

Mayor Calhoun declared the motion carried.

 

5.  Mayor Calhoun stated that Rainbow City received a check from the State Oil and Gas Trust Fund in the amount of $104,000.00.  $60,000.00 of this was budgeted and the Mayor asked for a motion to take bids for paint, wallpaper, and carpet at City Hall.  Anita Bedwell stated that she would like to see the employees get a raise.  Lloyd Matthews seconded what Anita said. 

 

6.  Mayor Calhoun presented two (2) proposals from local banks for the purchase of 21 + or – acres of land for the Fire Department.  He and Chief Potter discussed the two (2) proposals and decided that Exchange Bank had the better interest rate and closing costs than Superior Bank.  We did not receive any response from Regions or Wachovia.  Anita Bedwell made the motion to accept the proposal to borrow $179,900.00 from Exchange Bank and Larry Keenum seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

7.  Mayor Calhoun stated that he had received an email from Nelson Wright and a visit from Dallas Plumbing who stated he was representing the businesses on Nita Street.  They were concerned about damage on Nita Street due to construction.  Mayor asked Mark Stephens, JBW&T to prepare an estimate on what it would take to do the repairs.  Mayor stated he received a proposal of $21,932.23 to do the repairs.  Mayor asked the council if they would like to add Nita Street to the paving project.  Died for lack of a motion.

 

8.  Mayor Calhoun made an announcement that the Farmer’s Market will open on June 1 and close on September 30, 2009.  It will be state certified this year and will be held on Mondays and Wednesday from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the parking lot of City Hall.

 

9.  Mayor Calhoun asked Chief Ragan to discuss the Community Awareness Program which will be held Thursday, May 19, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center.  Chief Ragan stated that the public is invited to attend a program in which agents from the drug task force will discuss the new drug trends, Greg Carroll and Chase Jenkins will discuss ID theft and check fraud.  Chief Ragan requested that the council approve the purchase of refreshments in the amount of $50.00.  Anita Bedwell made the motion to allow Chief Ragan to purchase the refreshments.  Larry Keenum seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

10.  Mayor Calhoun presented a request from The Chamber for a 2009 Riverfest sponsorship in the amount of $1,500.00.  Anita Bedwell asked about the different levels of sponsorships.  Larry Keenum made the motion to table this request.  Bobby McCartney seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

11.  Mayor Calhoun presented a request of a sponsorship from the Special Olympics in any amount.  Bobby McCartney made the motion to give them $500.  Lloyd Matthews seconded the motion.  Kris Cornutt abstained.  Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

12.  Mayor Calhoun read a statement from Donald Landrum, Sanitation Dept. employee, stating that he would be retiring as of May 30, 2009.  Mayor then made a recommendation to post that job.  Lloyd Matthews stated that the job did not need to be posted because Huey Woodard was being a floater between the Street and Sanitation Departments.  Bobby McCartney made a motion to post the job.  Died for lack of a second.  Discussion followed.

 

13.  Lloyd Matthews made comments regarding the Chocolate Festival financial report and that Rainbow City was still expected to receive $5,000.00 from the State.  He stated that the festival needed to emphasize “chocolate” and more advertisement needed to be done to attract people and vendors.  Discussion followed.  Mayor appointed Lloyd Matthews and Anita Bedwell to form a committee to help promote the Chocolate Festival earlier.

 

14.  Kris Cornutt explained why he chose to abstain on two (2) previous items.  He has family relationships and was advised by the city attorney to do this.

 

15.  Larry Keenum expressed gratitude to everyone for their prayers and concern on behalf of Nick Hill, firefighter, who was injured on the job.

 

16.  Mayor asked the council to make a decision on the council meeting scheduled on May 25, 2009 which is Memorial Day.  The council unanimously chose not to have a meeting but will call a special meeting in case it is needed.

 

18.  Mayor thanked Captain Larry Murray for his willingness to be Rainbow City’s representative on the Etowah County Community Services Board and for attending the seminars on the bird flu epidemic.  Lloyd Matthews made a motion to be a corporate sponsor in ECCSB annual banquet for $350.00.  Larry Keenum seconded the motion.  All ayes. Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Kris Cornutt made a motion to adjourn.

 

Time adjourned:  7: 10 p.m.

 

                                                            ________________________________________

                                                                    Beth Lee, Acting City Clerk/Treasurer

 

 

                                                            _________________________________________

                                                                               Terry John Calhoun, Mayor