The Columbia City Council went into an executive session during its regular meeting Monday before taking action on two items that apparently resulted from the closed session.
First, the council approved a motion to proceed with a request for a proposal for lease terms for one year for property on Majestic Way. The city had already provided an opportunity to meet with companies that might be interested in leasing the property.
The second vote gave Mayor Pam Hoots approval to enter into negotiations for the purchase of property pending council approval. No further information was provided, which is legal under Kentucky’s open meetings laws.
The council opened two bids for a project to build a structure for the gas department on city property that currently houses the street department.
The new building would house equipment now being stored outside and will provide bathrooms for the sanitation department. The new building will include two bay doors.
Wendry Construction bid $44,925 and Dixie Restoration bid $50,588. Hoots said gas department manager Jerry Watson will review the bids and make a recommendation at a future meeting.
The council approved a bid by Purple Wave Auction to provide an online auction for surplus property. Purple Wave provided the only bid, which set a 10 percent buyers’ premium and no cost for the seller.
Also during the meeting, the council voted to bid the first phase of a project to provide updates and repairs to the Trabue Russell House.
The council approved funding $1,000 for a Christmas committee coordinated by the Adair County Tourism Commission. Director Paige Nickel said the collaborative effort also includes the Chamber of Commerce, city, county, and the county’s courthouse committee.
Several events are being discussed, including carriage rides, an ice skating rink and live music. Plans include downtown decorating with events taking place the same day as the annual Christmas parade.
Nickel said the square would be shut down for events, which must be completed before traffic starts flowing for the parade lineup and viewing.
The council approved giving a police vehicle to the Class D facility.
A report was received from code enforcement, which reflected that 45 properties were inspected during the month of July, with 21 nuisance letters sent out, one property owner communicated with, and one property issue resolved.
The report came following a request by council member Rhonda Loy last month for the council to be kept informed on code enforcement activities.
The city has had three properties that have violated the city’s ordinance for years that were put into the hands of city attorney Mike Harris several months ago. Harris told the council last month that one property issue was resolved when the property was sold, but he has not had time to address the other two.
The city had apparently been lax in other code enforcement areas as well. While its policy requires that a Code Enforcement board be in place for any appeals, there were no members.
On Monday night, the council appointed a full board. New members and the terms they will serve are Vicky Browning Pike (one year), Leila Allender Jones (two years), Ashley Fitzpatrick (two years), Frank Booth Jr. (three years), and Joe Hare (three years).
Several other appointments were also made Monday. They are:
• Airport Board: Perry Parrish, Clayton Janes, and Bill Troutwine, all reappointments.
• Municipal Housing Authority: Seth Murphy.
• Board of Ethics: Brenda Ballenger.
Council members present for the meeting were Dr. Ronald Rogers, Sharon Payne, Rhonda Loy and Hannah Peck. Craig Dean and Mark Harris were absent.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
