The Grocery Grant Moves Forward
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
The Edmonton City Council met in a regular session on Wednesday, May 4th, at Edmonton City Hall. Those in attendance were Mayor Doug Smith, Councilmembers Teresa Hamlett, Curt Estes, Cathy Nunn, Faye Word, Tommy England, and City Attorney Brian Pack.
Others in attendance were City Clerk/Administrator Dawn Devore, Public Works Superintendent Moe Hensley, Police Chief David Robertson, ABC Administrator Fred Ray, Park & Recreation Director Brian Garrett, and PJ Martin from The Herald-News.
Mayor Smith declared a quorum present, and the minutes from the June 1st and June 4th meetings were approved with no changes.
“We have spoken with the BRADD office… they stated the guidelines and applications is not complete at this time for the Fresh Market Grocery Grant. And they would get back to us first of the week to give us a date for you. There is a memorandum of agreement in your packets with the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court concerning the Fresh Market Grocery Grant. The Fiscal Court approved the agreement. and up to $500,000 in fiscal support to go along with the city’s $750,000. The way we have instructed the BRADD office, once an applicant has been awarded the grant, is that the city and county will split the reimbursable expense 50-50 and will hold an extra $250,000 until the opening date,” explained Mayor Smith.
The fiscal court asked to change one small thing in the memorandum of agreement, and that was agreed upon by the city. A motion was made to approve the memorandum of agreement.
Hensley presented the water, gas, and sewer report, “In June, we’ve done six water taps, one gas tap, and four water leaks,” and he noted that the grass and overflow at Dunham Lake were not damaged and held up very well during the flooding.
Police Chief Robertson presented the June report: 20 arrests, 8 non-injury accidents, no injury accidents, 1 alcohol intoxication, 5 alarms, 3 animal complaints, 7 domestic disputes, 2 DUIs, 1 EPO, 3 incomplete 911 calls, 4 new investigations, 7 motorist assists, 12 medical calls, 2 drug complaints, 28 traffic stops, 3 warrants, and 3 funeral escorts. Total complaints were 42, and total citations were 22. They patrolled 3,331 miles.
Jordan Crump, 911 Dispatch Director, was not present, but her report was provided. There were 524 calls during June: Edmonton Fire Dept. 45, Edmonton Police 194, Emergency Management 7, KSP 8, School Police 1, Sheriff’s Office 210, North Metcalfe Fire Dept. 34, and Summer Shade Fire Dept. 25. Some calls may have required contacting more than one department.
The June 27-28 flood led to 2 water rescues, evacuations on Dial Street and the area (temporary), and 22 flooded roadways.
Director Brian Garrett presented the Parks and Recreation report, “We hosted the Brooks College Memorial tournament. We had 17 teams for that at the park. Next, we hosted the District League, 8th, 9th, and 11th. We had 16 teams for that. Blacktop is finished. Parking lots have been striped back.”
Next, Councilman Pack explained, “As you’re aware, building inspection is something the city has to do. If someone’s going to build something within our city limits, it’s our job to make sure that we’re not calling codes so that we don’t have what happens in other countries when a per-quake or whatever, some kind of natural disaster happens. So, we obviously don’t retain someone as a salaried employee. James Griffin has served in that role. He has tendered a contract to us for him to continue serving in that role. I decided to call him. He and I had a conversation. What I wanted to make sure of is that the rates being charged to us are the same. And he says they all get charged exactly the same.”
“I have no problem with his credentials. He’s excellent, he does a good what he does, very professional. So, I would recommend that we enter into the contract based on the rates he has in there, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.”
The motion was approved to authorize the mayor to approve the inspection contract.
Pack also noted concerning the memorandum of agreement and other items, “I applaud both Edmonton and the county, how you all do work together when many cities and counties don’t in our area… And I really think that your all’s citizens, both in the county and the city, are really benefiting from your all’s coordinated efforts.”
There were no more items, and the meeting was adjourned.
