Park Hills Council reorganizes following election

PARK HILLS — Tom Reed took the oath of office Tuesday for his first term as a member of the Park Hills City Council and within minutes he had another new duty with his appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Reed was elected to the third ward seat at stake in the April 8 municipal election. At the council’s regular monthly meeting, he and three incumbents were sworn in during the reorganizational segment.

Reelected to new terms as council members were John Kennedy in the first ward, Linda Dickerson in the second ward and David Holloway in the fourth ward.

During the meeting, Councilman Mike Glore of the first ward was elected to a second year as the mayor pro tem. In that post, Glore presides over council meetings in the absence of Mayor John Clark.

Clark also presented a plaque for recognition of public service to Councilwoman Charlotte House, who Reed succeeds on the council. House has served four years on the council since her appointment in December of 1998.

House was elected twice to full terms in the council, but chose not to seek reelection this year.

It was near the end of the meeting when Clark pointed out the need to name a new council representative to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The mayor asked for a volunteer and after brief pause, Reed indicated his willingness to serve.

The council enacted a revised measure regulating the public comment period at its meetings. Persons will now have to indicate the Thursday prior to a regular session that they want to address the council. Public comment segments will occur only at regular monthly meetings except for public hearings.

The new ordinance also extends that amount of time an individual may speak to 10 minutes, an amendment proposed by Councilman David Easter. It also forbids direct questions to council or staff without permission of the presiding officer. A civil attitude must be exhibited and appropriate decorum maintained.

Councilmen Mark McFarland and Steve Kelly expressed disagreement with the requirement that the public sign up so far in advance.

“We don’t need to make this council unapproachable by the public,” McFarland said. “We were elected to represent the public.”

Kelly added, “It is our duty to listen to their problems.”

Ed Pultz, city counselor, said the revisions in the policy were proposed because of a number of problems with the existing ordinance and the way it was being applied.

In other action, the council approved a change in the way a portion of the $1 million employee retirement fund will be invested. At the recommendation of the Investment Committee, the council agreed to place $300,000 with Edward Jones Co. for investment while keeping the remaining funds in certificates of deposit.

The council also revised the personnel manual for city employees to require standardized time cards and to clarify the overtime pay policy.

Presentation of a report on the city audit was postponed to a special meeting Monday at 6 p.m. The council will also consider the Park Hills Nutrition Center budget at that meeting and may conduct an executive session.

The list of delinquent property taxes was reviewed and approved by the council. It was noted there are some apparent errors that need to be corrected.

Bill Davis appeared before the council once more to request the city extend a sewer main across Conway Road.