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City Council will submit grant application for enhanced 911 Melodie Phelps News Editor The City of Monticello will serve as the lead entity in a grant application for Homeland Security funds that could provide enhanced 911 service to local residents. The city approved a resolution Monday night that would authorize Mayor Thurston Frye to sign any grant application documents necessary. The grant application must be submitted later this month for consideration. Frye said that he, County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey, and Fire Chief Steve Ferrell have worked on this application for quite some time. This is a joint project between the county and the city, according to Frye, which may give it more weight when grant applications are actually considered. Ferrell told council members the grant would be used to purchase equipment and to implement enhanced 911 service in this community. Currently, Wayne County has basic 911 service. Enhanced 911 service is very expensive. During a meeting of fiscal court last week, estimates were that the project could cost between $360,000 and $400,000. Officials have noted that this program provides grant money that requires no local match. Fiscal court approved a similar resolution during their meeting last week. Frye has appointed a committee to look at updating the ordinance that created the Monticello Utility Commission. MUC attorney Phillip Morgan addressed the council on that issue during Monday’s meeting. Morgan said that some portions of that ordinance are out of date, and employees and Utility Commission members have asked that it be updated to reflect some of the changes in rural water service. For example, Morgan said the ordinance does not include any provisions for continuing education or seminars that are held annually by the Rural Water Association. It noted the ordinance does not include any increase in the sum paid to commissioners, or any provision for insurance. Frye noted that commissioners’ salaries were raised and they were also offered insurance, though these things aren’t spelled out in the ordinance. Frye appointed Morgan, City Attorney Jay Jones, council member Ivan Tuggle, and MUC chairman Russell Alley to the committee that will take a look at updating the ordinance. Morgan noted the ordinance was last amended in 1975. Also during Monday night’s meeting, city council members approved the second reading of the budget for 2004-2005. The general fund budget totals $1,397,989. This budget includes a 2.5 percent cost of living pay increase for employees. While health insurance costs were set to rise again, the city opted to change plans. The city is also providing hazardous duty retirement coverage for the police department, which is included in this budget. Property and liability insurance increased seven percent in this budget, and workers compensation insurance increased 10 percent. Meetings of the Monticello Utility Commission, the Monticello Electric Plant Board, and the Telecommunications Board will all be televised on Channel 8, after the council approved airing this programming. Councilman Alan Richardson reviewed a financial statement from the Monticello Utility Commission, which showed revenue losses, as he made the suggestion that any city meetings be shown on the cable system. Richardson included the Electric Plant Board meetings and the Telecommunication board meetings in his motion. He noted that these meeting locations could be wired for live video, and until then the meetings could be aired on a tape delay basis. In other action Monday, the council: •Approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the Telecommunications Board ordinance. The amendment basically clarifies the joint ownership of the local cable system by city and county government. •Approved the second reading of an ordinance that changes the name of Habitat Court to Calee’s Court. •Approved the reappointment of Mike Anderson to the Electric Plant Board. •Agreed to place two speed bumps on Gregory Street. •Agreed to place a street light on Barton Court. Add a comment |
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