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Pelham council appoints acting city clerk, adopts business-license ordinance and praises Pelham Civic Complex turnaround
Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting Pelham City Council unanimously appointed Tom Seal as acting city clerk, adopted Ordinance 5-26 (business license ordinance), and heard that the Pelham Civic Complex moved from a budgeted $519,348 loss to ending the year in the black under VenueWorks management.
The Pelham City Council on Oct. 20 approved several procedural items and heard a city manager report showing an operational turnaround at the Pelham Civic Complex.
Appointment and consent votes: Council moved without discussion to appoint former city clerk Tom Seal as acting city clerk while the elected clerk is on leave. The appointment was moved and seconded and passed unanimously. The consent agenda — which included the Oct. 6 meeting minutes and a list of resolutions — also passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Ordinance adopted: The council then voted to adopt Ordinance 5-26, described in the agenda as “adopting the City of Pelham business license ordinance, and repealing previously adopted legislation in conflict herewith.” The ordinance was adopted by unanimous roll call.
Pelham Civic Complex report: City Manager Gretchen briefed the council on a multi-year effort to reduce operating losses at the Pelham Civic Complex (the ice arena and banquet facility). The city contracted a professional management company, VenueWorks, and Gretchen said that although the facility had previously been losing roughly $519,348 in a budget year, the complex “just finished up the year January in the black.” VenueWorks’ executive and finance staff said the focus on customer service and operational changes led to the financial improvement; the executive director indicated the management contract has been extended and said he looks forward to an additional five years.
Votes at a glance: Appointment of Acting City Clerk Tom Seal — Motion moved/seconded; outcome: unanimous approval. Consent agenda — outcome: unanimous approval. Ordinance 5-26 (business license ordinance) — outcome: unanimous adoption.
Why it matters: The appointment ensures continuity in clerk duties during a short leave; the ordinance adoption updates the city’s business-license code; the Civic Complex turnaround reduces pressure on general fund resources and affects future contract management decisions.
Next steps: The city’s organizational meeting for the newly elected council and mayor is scheduled for Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex.
