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Middletown council approves dispatch hires, adopts 2016 budget and directs ordinances on bids, traffic and rates
Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting the Middletown Town Council approved two dispatch personnel actions, adopted RESOLUTION 2015-10-20-01 setting the 2016 budget, authorized an advertisement to bid for the water treatment plant project, and instructed staff to draft ordinances on Public Safety LOIT funds, parking, a 4-way stop and a phased 15% electric rate increase.
The Middletown Town Council on Oct. 20 approved multiple personnel and financial measures and directed staff to draft ordinances on traffic, parking and utility rates.
Dispatch Supervisor Lavonna Robbins recommended promoting Robert Griggs to Dispatcher Grade 2 and hiring Danyail Robinson as Dispatcher Grade 1. Council President Betty Riley moved to approve both recommendations; Dave Wagner seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The minutes record the hires as approved but do not list effective start dates.
Dave Wagner moved and Norm Purdue seconded authorization for the Town Council President to sign an Advertisement to Bid for the Water Treatment Plant Replacement Project; the motion carried unanimously. The council set the bid opening for its Nov. 17 meeting.
Clerk-Treasurer Drew Cooper read RESOLUTION 2015-10-20-01 (Appropriations and Tax Rates), adopting the proposed 2016 budget. Norm Purdue moved to approve the resolution; Dave Wagner seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Cooper also presented a utility electric rate study recommending a 15% increase phased over five years. Norm Purdue moved that the Clerk-Treasurer draft an ordinance to implement the proposed rate increase; Dave Wagner seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
On personnel pay, Betty Riley moved, with Shelly Kimmerling seconding, that the town not change the 2016 Salary Ordinance adopted June 23, 2015; the motion passed unanimously.
Representatives of 3D Company, Inc. addressed the council about incomplete final work on the 5th Street Stormsewer Project, saying two property releases were required to complete the punch list. One release had been obtained; the other remains from a property owner who will not communicate. The Utilities Superintendent and several council members agreed to meet on site with 3D Company and the property owner to pursue resolution. The transcript does not provide the names of the 3D Company representatives or the Utilities Superintendent.
The council directed the Clerk-Treasurer to draft an ordinance establishing two funds to administer incoming Public Safety LOIT revenue, with deposits split 50/50 between police and Fire/EMS accounts.
Council President Betty Riley instructed Town Attorney Joel Harvey to draft an ordinance creating a no-parking zone on the south sides of Central and Columbia streets.
Dave Wagner moved, and Shelly Kimmerling seconded, that the Town Attorney draft an ordinance to establish a 4-way stop at Locust and 2nd Streets. The motion passed on a 3–2 vote: yes from Dave Wagner, Shelly Kimmerling and Gary Kendall; no from Betty Riley and Norm Purdue.
With no further business, the council adjourned.
Votes at a glance: the minutes record the following formal motions and outcomes — dispatch hires (unanimous approval by five members present); authorization to advertise for water treatment plant bids (unanimous); refusal to change the 2016 Salary Ordinance (unanimous); adoption of RESOLUTION 2015-10-20-01 adopting the 2016 budget (unanimous); motion to draft a 4-way stop ordinance at Locust and 2nd (passed 3–2); motion to draft an ordinance to implement a 15% phased electric rate increase (unanimous). The minutes do not provide roll-call vote tallies beyond the items explicitly recorded.
Next steps and context: bids for the water treatment plant replacement will be opened at the Nov. 17 council meeting. Several items recorded as "instructed to draft an ordinance" require ordinance drafting and follow-up action before any regulatory change becomes effective.
