Council raises safety concerns about trees near City Hall, discusses personnel policy edits and fire department open house

Commissioners at the Oct. 1 Stamping Ground meeting discussed several nonbinding items affecting safety, personnel policy and community events.

Economic Development Commissioner David Clark raised a safety concern that trees and bushes behind City Hall are covering propane tanks and should be trimmed or removed. The commission discussed contacting the city’s insurance company to determine responsibility, talking with the neighboring property owner about required work, and obtaining a property survey; Streets Commissioner Billy Swartz agreed to obtain a quote for a survey. No formal directive or timeline for removal was recorded.

On unfinished business, Police Commissioner Jennifer Jones distributed notes proposing changes to the personnel policy and briefly discussed items she wanted revised; paying out accrued sick time was explicitly mentioned as an item for consideration. The minutes record discussion but no policy changes were adopted at the Oct. 1 meeting.

Fire Chief Robert Hendricks and a representative of the Ladies Auxiliary reminded commissioners the Fire Department open house is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2024. The Ladies Auxiliary asked for donated raffle items and said they are working toward 501(c)(3) status. Public Works/Parks Commissioner Kendra Murphy said she is organizing the Stamping Out Hunger event and plans to run it similarly to a regular auction with the goal of avoiding the use of city funds; Chief Whitlock agreed to research how other jurisdictions verify need to reduce the risk that donated items are resold.

No executive session was held. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.; minutes will be approved at the Oct. 15, 2024 meeting.