Council puts brakes on annexation
The City of Blue Ridge met Tuesday, August 11, to discuss the existing Occupational Tax Certificate Ordinance among other business.
Councilman Mike Panter suggested amending the Occupational Tax Certificate Ordinance to requiring that all businesses pay one flat fee, regardless of the amount of employees, with the exception of restaurants that serve food and alcohol.
The ordinance will include an annual $250 fee, a $50 a month late fee, a $500 civil fine fee, and water would be disconnected from the business by December 15. Bills are late January 2.
When a motion was made, it passed.
The Annexation Request was officially rescinded and Councilwoman Rhonda Haight moved to have City Attorney James Balli execute a letter to the General Assembly informing them of this decision. The decision was unanimous.
After approving the purchase of nine fire hydrants, Fitts informed the council that only one of 510 hydrants are left to be repaired.
Haight later moved to begin the process to acquire or begin condemnation on the pump stations at Ingles and Aska at the appraised value of $5,000, which passed.
An interior and exterior conceptual design plan for the city hall building for $3,500 was approved.
A sight plan for city hall parking was tabled.
A small awning for the drive-thru window at city hall was approved for up to $2,000, and the size has been left for Planning, Zoning and Project Manager Jeff Stewart to decide on.
The city’s first budget amendment for fiscal year 2020 included the removal of purchasing a new police vehicle.
The budget included two, and later in the meeting, the one vehicle was approved for purchasing.
Council members agreed to award $150 per week of hazard pay to full time employees from May 14 through “the end of June,” Haight said.
Receptionist Sandy Bramlett was moved from her probationary period with a .75 cent raise, bumping her salary to $10.95 an hour.
After an executive session, it was decided to hire on Christina Mortimer as assistant city clerk and suspend Steve Mull without pay pending the outcome of his court case.
Two workers were compensated at $400 each for their two days of working tournaments at the city park.
They also renewed the city’s AirMedCare agreement.
The city agreed to purchase and place a cluster mailbox on West Main Street per a request from the mail carrier. The box will be placed near Southern Charm restaurant.
The Purchasing Policy Amendment to allow purchases of $2,500 to $5,000 be approved by a council member was approved.
The policy also states that anything less than $2,500 may be approved by department heads, and anything over $5,000 must come before the entire council. It strips the mayor of any power of approving purchases above $2,500.
A project module quote of $2,450 was voted to “not move forward.”
A CARES Act Resolution was approved, which gives terms and conditions for the city’s partnership.
An amendment to the Meeting Policy was approved to require that special called meetings have agendas sent out no more than 48 hours prior.
The following purchasing orders were approved:
•$6,163, pump for the Water Treatment Plant, order number 28790; and,
•$8,163.22, for the treatment plants main pump station, Pro Pump number 28859.