SALYERSVILLE – The Salyersville City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 16, holding the second readings on two ordinances and discussing current projects.
Councilman Jarrod Howard, who Mayor James “Pete” Shepherd reported was in quarantine for a third time, attending the meeting via video call.
The council held the second reading on an ordinance regarding the downtown sewer project. They previously held the first reading in June and Salyersville Water Works David Gardner explained the ordinance was requested by one of their funding sources and basically states that if city sewer services are available to people in the city limits, they must hook up to it. The council unanimously approved the second reading in a roll call vote.
They adopted a resolution allocating the city’s allocation of CARES Act funding, which is required by the state in order for the city to receive the $124,000.
Following the county’s lead and on Hask Gullett’s recommendation, who is retiring and electrical inspector, the council agreed to hire two people to fill the position.
The council agreed to table the request by Rick Howard for a non-exclusive franchise agreement in the city, pending City Attorney Jeff Lovely’s review of the franchise-related ordinances.
They also held the second reading for the ordinance closing the road behind Mike Patrick’s home, upon his request, unanimously approving the ordinance.
Under Shepherd’s mayor’s report, he told the council the FEMA-funded projects are nearly completed, with crews finishing up on the repairs to Hornet Drive now.
Shepherd also reminded the community that the spread of COVID-19 is continuing to worsen, recommending everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
He also noted that they have $380,000 in the bank as of Monday, with $100,000 in tourism funds and $180,000 in the general fund. He said they have collected approximately 60% of the taxes so far.
Shepherd said he’s not sure if Neil Adams is coming back to the police force or not, but they are going to hire Chase Hall as a city police officer if he passes his tests.
The mayor also noted that he has not canceled Christmas, with decorations scheduled to go up very soon, but the Christmas parade had to be canceled due to the current pandemic escalation.
The next regularly-scheduled Salyersville City Council meeting is slated for December 21.
