The Elkton City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 9, 2006 with Mayor John E. Walton presiding. Mayor Walton called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the pledge to the American flag.

City Council members present: Nancy Camp; David Powell; Brad Shemwell; Eugene Jefferson; and, Danny Laster.

Others present: City Clerk/Treasurer Laura Brock; City Attorney John P. Kirkham; Utility Superintendent Terry Frogue; Brent Traughber, Logan/Todd Regional Water Commission; Bryan Blount; Evelyn Boone, Todd County Standard.

After reviewing the minutes of the September 11, 2006 council meeting, September 19, 2006 special meeting, September 20, 2006 special meeting, financial reports and bills payable, Mrs. Camp motioned to approve the minutes, financial reports and pay the bills. Motion seconded by Mr. Laster and carried unanimously by the council.

Mayor Walton reported the resignation of City Council member Greg Allen due to his appointment as the Todd County Jailer. According to Kentucky Revised Statutes the Council must appoint a replacement. Mrs. Camp motioned to appoint Bryan Blount as City Council member to fulfill the vacated term of Mr. Allen through the end of this year. Motion seconded by Mr. Powell and carried unanimously by the Council. Clerk Brock administered the oath of office to Bryan Blount as Elkton City Council member. Mr. Blount thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve on the City Council.

Brent Traughber presented information to the Council regarding the Logan/Todd Regional Water Commission. Mr. Traughber explained when the new water plant was constructed Rural Development guaranteed a loan in the amount of $48.2 million with a 4.75% interest rate. The loan was guaranteed for five years, which will expire in early 2007. The Commission had recently been assured that the interest rate would be as low as 3.5% as soon as the Federal Budget was passed in October 2006. Using these calculations, the Commission anticipated a water rate increase to $3.17 per thousand gallons from the current rate of $2.90 per thousand. However, Congress recently convened without passing a budget. Therefore, the 4.75% rate may be in effect when the loan is closed in early 2007. Mr. Traughber has not calculated the exact rate increase using this interest rate, but is estimating it to be around $3.25 per thousand gallons or more. Mr. Traughber assured the Council everything will be done to get a lower rate and the Commission is still pursuing adding customers for the area. Mr. Traughber also reported that Rural Development is waiving the requirement to charge a minimum bill to each entity.

Mayor Walton asked for volunteers to be the City Council representative on the Recreation Commission to fill the term of Greg Allen. Mrs. Camp volunteered to serve on the Recreation Commission. Mr. Jefferson motioned to appoint Nancy Camp to the Recreation Commission to fulfill the term of Greg Allen. Motion seconded by Mr. Shemwell and carried unanimously.

Mayor Walton recommended appointing Brigette Bishop to the Recreation Commission to replace Kevin Harris. Mr. Laster motioned to approve the recommendation and seconded by Mr. Blount. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Walton presented Resolution 2006-12, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A SAFETEA-LU FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR $100,000 FOR THE ELKTON STREETSCAPE PROJECT." Mr. Shemwell motioned to adopt Resolution 2006-12 and seconded by Mr. Jefferson. Motion carried unanimously.

Evelyn Boone updated the Council on the progress of starting a Todd County Museum on the second floor of the Old Courthouse. Ms. Boone reported the estimates to paint the walls, cover the tile floor with carpet and install heating and air conditioning would cost about $20,000. The benches in the old court room will be removed, but stored for future use. Plans are to create a Committee to raise this money. Also, Ms. Boone has volunteered to open an office on the first floor to open a Welcome Center. Opening a Welcome Center in the Old Courthouse was a part of the requirement for the first Transportation Enhancement grant received to renovate the first floor. Silver Triangle Main Street and Industrial Development may open offices in the Courthouse as well in the future. Ms. Boone is also working on an estimate to repair an old bookcase that is believed to have been built for the Courthouse when it opened. Mayor Walton asked the Council to approve the purchase of an area rug to use on the first floor at an amount not to exceed $600. Mr. Laster motioned to approve the purchase and seconded by Mr. Powell. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Boone will also coordinate volunteers to work in the Welcome Center when she is unavailable.

Mayor Walton reported that Fire Chief Larry Threlkel inspected the dilapidated property at 304 East Jefferson Street owned by Hallie Tandy. On September 29, 2006, Chief Threlkel issued an order under KRS 227.380 declaring the house a fire hazard and ordered it to be repaired or removed in 10 days. The 10 days have passed and nothing has been done to the property. The main concern is that all notices from the City are returned undeliverable and the City has no other way to find a responsible party of the property. The Code Enforcement Board has also issued orders to remedy the dilapidated structure. Mr. Kirkham informed the Council the Fire Chief can now order the property be cleared under KRS 227.390 and suggested publishing a notice in the Todd County Standard as another means to possibly find a property owner. After some discussion, it was determined by the Council that this property is a danger to the surrounding property owners and must be cleared as soon as possible. Mr. Laster stated that he witnessed children playing in the old house. Mr. Laster motioned for Mr. Kirkham to draw up and order from Fire Chief Threlkel to have the property cleared. Motion seconded by Mr. Powell and carried unanimously by the Council. Clerk Brock recommended publishing this order in the Todd County Standard and another effort will be made to contact property owners notifying them of the order to clear the property.

Mayor Walton informed the Council that Fiscal Court has agreed to partner with the City to resurface Elk Fork Road. The City will receive $35,000 for the Transportation Cabinet for this project and the County will fund the remaining portion of the project. Mrs. Camp authorized the Mayor to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the County to resurface Elk Fork Road. Motion seconded by Mr. Laster and carried unanimously.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mr. Jefferson reported that Officer Leo Willhite resigned his position with the Police Department. The Department is currently accepting applications for a police officer.

Due to the shortage of police officers, Chief Marklin and Mayor Walton have discussed allowing the police officers to be paid for 2 weeks of vacation time at the end of the year rather than 1 week. After some discussion, Mr. Jefferson motioned to allow the Mayor and Clerk Brock to work out the vacation time with the officers and allow them to be paid for an extra week of vacation due to the lack of personnel. Motion seconded by Mr. Blount and carried unanimously.

Mr. Laster called for a report from Mr. Frogue. Mr. Frogue reported a delay in the Coursey Sewer Line Extension Project. While the contractor was doing the road bore, the sewer line ran into two water lines and a gas line. The City Utility Department was able to move all of these three lines in order to extend the sewer line. Therefore, there has been a slight delay in the project.

Clerk Brock reported that Silver Triangle Main Street will be holding an information meeting with all business owners in the Renaissance Area on Tuesday, October 17^th at 6 PM at City Hall. The meeting is to see if there is enough interest amongst the property owners for the City to apply for a façade grant program through Renaissance on Main. The City is eligible to apply for up to $150,000.

MAYOR’S REPORT

The City of Elkton Christmas Dinner was scheduled for December 5^th at 6 PM at the Milliken Community House.

Mayor Walton requested the Council hold a project planning meeting. There are various opportunities for projects in the City in the next few years and the Mayor would like to meet to discuss and set priorities for these projects. The meeting was scheduled for Monday, October 23^rd at 5 PM at City Hall.

Mayor Walton reported the unemployment rate in Todd County has dropped from 12.4% in January 2006 to 8% in August.

Mayor Walton reported that HarvestFest was a great success with more attendance than ever.

Mayor Walton stated that the Start the Clock Committee is still working on the Clock in the Old Courthouse and it is expected to be running again in the next few weeks. One of the Old Clock faces has already been installed on the south tower. A dedication ceremony will be planned upon its completion.

Mr. Laster motioned to adjourn and seconded by Mr. Jefferson. Motion carried unanimously and meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.