1-11-12 —  The Monticello City Council met in regular session Monday night and  

heard an update regarding the ASPIRE Center, which is now under  

management by city and county governments.

    The first activity has been planned for the center, which is a youth  

basketball league for kindergarten through sixth grade. Sign ups for  

the league are this week and it will last through about mid-March.

    The Wayne County Extension Board met recently and they have pledged  

to pay the utilities for the center for the next two years. In  

exchange, the board will be able to host its activities there without  

paying a rental fee.

    "That will be a huge help," stated Edwards.

    During the meeting, the council approved the appointments of Charlie  

Peters and Vicki Davis to represent the city on the joint events  

committee that has been formed with the county. The committee will  

plan and organize events like SpringFest.

    Gene Jones with the Monticello Utility Commission told the council  

he hadn't had any news regarding the wastewater treatment project. He  

said the water treatment project is currently in the design phase.

    In other action, the council also heard annual reports from  

Monticello Fire Department Chief Steve Ferrell and Monticello Police  

Department Chief Ralph Miniard.