The Elkton City Council met in regular session on Monday, September 10, 2007 with Mayor Nancy T. Camp presiding.

City Council members present: Doug Gibson; Eugene Jefferson; Danny Laster; David Powell; Cindy Sidebottom; and Robin Snardon.

Others present: City Clerk/Treasurer Laura Brock; City Attorney John P. Kirkham; Utility Superintendent Terry Frogue; Police Chief Bruce Marklin; Fire Chief Larry Threlkel; Mike McGhee, McGhee Engineering; Linda Marklin, Marklin Insurance; and, Stephanie Craft, Todd County Standard.

Mayor Camp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Jefferson led invocation.

After reviewing the August 13, 2007 regular council meeting minutes, August 27, 2007 and August 28, 2007 special council meeting minutes, bills payable and financial reports, Mr. Jefferson motioned to approve the minutes, bills payable and financial reports. Motion seconded by Mrs. Sidebottom and carried unanimously.

Mike McGhee updated the council on the progress of the sewer facilities project. The project has been under construction for 218 days. The project has used 72.7% of the time allotted and 69.8% of funds budgeted. Mr. McGhee reported that the project is going very well and major completion is expected by the end of November.

Mr. McGhee presented Construction Funds Request No. 8 in the amount of $311,907.16 with the following payment requests:

• McGhee Engineering     $   24,168.75
• W. Rogers Company       $ 287,738.41

Mrs. Sidebottom motioned to approve the construction funds pay request and seconded by Mr. Laster. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. McGhee thanked the council and left the meeting at this time.

Mayor Camp introduced Linda Marklin of Marklin Insurance Agency to discuss the possibility of the city making application to lower Elkton’s fire class rating. Elkton currently has a rating of 7 and is probably eligible for a rating of 6. Mrs. Marklin stated that she reviewed many of her client’s files to study the effect of lowering the rating. She feels that her clients would see an average reduction in their premiums of about 10%. However, the City would also see a decrease in revenue from the insurance premium tax. Mrs. Marklin stated that she feels it would improve the City’s ability to encourage annexation and development in the city because of the decrease in insurance premiums. Residents that live within a few miles of Elkton receive a fire class rating of 8 and further out in the county have a fire class rating of 10. If a property owner in the County annexes into the City and receives a rating of 6 down from an 8, they would see a significant savings on their insurance premium. Fire Chief Threlkel reported that lowering the fire class rating has been studied in the past and there were several issues the City would have to resolve in order to get a lower rating. After much discussion, Mr. Laster motioned to pursue application for a lower fire class rating by examining the paperwork to see what the City would need to do to get the rating lowered. Motion seconded by Mrs. Sidebottom and carried unanimously. Chief Threlkel will examine the application and report to the Council at a future meeting.

Mayor Camp reported that Jason Hart was scheduled next on the agenda, however he was not present. Mrs. Snardon reported that Mr. Hart was interested in having a sign installed in the city that encourages highway safety. Mrs. Camp stated that Mr. Hart should report to the council with his idea and a cost estimate for the sign.

Clerk Brock read second reading of Ordinance 2007-9, "AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE UPON THE ASSESSED VALUATION OF REAL ESTATE, PERSONAL PROPERTY, MOTOR VEHICLES AND WATERCRAFT WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ELKTON, KENTUCKY, FOR THE YEAR 2007. Mr. Powell motioned to adopt after second reading and seconded by Mr. Laster. Motion carried unanimously by show of hands.

Mayor Camp reported the County is developing a five year solid waste management plan. The County needs to know what the City plans are for solid waste management over this period. Mayor Camp recommend the City continue to bid out residential garbage pickup individually, however we would be interested in also bidding this out with the County to see if it would cost less. Mr. Jefferson motioned to approve the recommendation and seconded by Mrs. Sidebottom. Motion carried unanimously. Also, Resolution 2007-7, "RESOLUTION APPROVING AND SUPPORTING THE FIVE YEAR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF TODD COUNTY, KENTUCKY" was presented. After review, Mr. Powell motioned to adopt Resolution 2007-7 and seconded by Mr. Jefferson. Motion carried unanimously.

Clerk Brock informed the Council she has received a request from the Todd County Industrial Foundation for the annual contribution in the amount of $10,000.00. Clerk Brock presented an Agreement with the Industrial Foundation for this contribution to continue industrial and economic development for the City. After discussion, Mr. Laster motioned to enter into the agreement and approve the contribution of $10,000.00 to the Industrial Foundation. Motion seconded by Mr. Gibson and carried unanimously.

Clerk Brock presented bids for landscaping and irrigation installation around the old courthouse. Three landscaping bids were received: Highlandbrook Nursery - $6,335.25; Radford’s Lawn - $7,096.90; Knight’s Landscaping - $4,640.00. Two bids were received for irrigation installation: Taylor Lawn Irrigation – $4,350.00; Radford’s Lawn - $4,500.00. Clerk Brock stated that Knight’s labor was much less than the other two bids. Also, after the plantings were compared and adjusted so that all bids were similar, Knight’s was still lower by about $2,000. Clerk Brock stated she felt using Knight’s landscaping bid and Taylor Lawn Irrigation would cost no more that $9,500, while using the other bids would cost about $11,500. After discussion, Mr. Powell motioned to use the proposals of Knight’s Landscaping and Taylor Lawn Irrigation to landscape the old courthouse at a cost not to exceed $9,500.00. Motion seconded by Mr. Laster and carried unanimously.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Mr. Jefferson called for a report from Chief Marklin. Chief Marklin reported the department held a block party at Royal Arms Apartments. Also, all officers have been trained to use the new mobile data terminals. Therefore, the MDT’s are in use and working well. Chief Marklin also reported that the department is participating in a career development program at Eastern Kentucky University. All officers training will be reviewed, ranked and certified for the level of training received. Chief Marklin reported that all of our officers combined have 7,099 hours of training. Chief Marklin informed the Council that the Pennyroyal Center will be purchasing reflective Halloween bags for the department to hand out this year.

Mr. Laster called for a report from Utility Superintendent Terry Frogue. Mr. Frogue reported that the department had a heating and air unit installed at the wastewater plant. Also, replacement windows have been ordered and a drop ceiling will be installed. Mr. Frogue also reported that water loss remained under 20% last month. They have also found several more leaks near fire hydrants that need to be repaired.

Mr. Powell called for a report from Chief Threlkel. Mr. Threlkel reported there have been several fire calls in the last few months due to the extreme drought.

Mrs. Sidebottom reported that she will be organizing several projects in the cemetery, including painting the storage building and Elkton Cemetery sign.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Camp reported she is receiving a lot of complaints about birds in the city. It was discussed that there is not much we can do beside recommend they thin their trees or cut them down.

The Pennyrile RC & D dinner will be held Tuesday, October 23^rd. Anyone wanting to attend needs to notify Clerk Brock.

Joey Mills, District Governor of the Lions Club, is trying to get a Lions Club started in Todd County. A meeting will be held in the near future to recruit members.

Mr. Laster motioned to adjourn and seconded by Mr. Powell. Motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 PM.