Farmington City Council covers light agenda at Monday meeting

The Farmington City Council covered a brief agenda in less than 15 minutes when it met in regular session Monday evening at Long Memorial Hall. Lisa Brotherton-Barnes

The Farmington City Council covered a light agenda in less than 15 minutes when it met in regular session at 6 p.m. Monday in Long Memorial Hall.

All council members were present, and there were no visitors who requested to address the council.

Ward 1 Councilor Adam Parks covered a number of items during his Public Services Committee report.

“We’ve got an update on the Centene Center,” he said. “The cleanup is complete, and there have been a couple of concerts there — Liverpool Legends and GTO.  The carpet and tile installation is ongoing with Carpet One.

“There will be a health fair at US Tool to promote civic center membership. The water park and indoor pool audit is [Tuesday], and we’ll see what repairs need to be made and what new play ideas can be done at the water park.”

Continuing his report, Parks said, “Challenger Baseball concluded on Oct. 14 with a picnic, and they’ll be back next year for another season. The annual Turkey Trot is on Nov. 23. Winter Wonderland and the ice rink both open on Dec. 1. Parks and Recreation is seeking two workers, and Sam Holloway was hired as the new civic center programmer. At the library, the paintings from the Pioneer Community Garden event are on display until the end of October. There’s a Charles Dickens Christmas Village on display from Nov. 16 through Dec. 30.  The book ‘Pick of the Patch’ and reading contest are on display now.  Also, you can sign up for monthly programs, including Craft Night for kids and adults. Pre-K story time is every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., and starting Nov. 1, they will begin removing fines from student library cards.”

In the Administrative Services Committee report, Ward 4 Councilor Garrett Boatright said, “We met and discussed bills 33072023.  The individual has withdrawn their request to change [3307].”

If the bill, sponsored by Boatright, had passed, the ordinance would have approved developer Jason Wood’s request for a plat amendment for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 713 Janey Drive. Following the second reading of the bill, however, the council voted down the request.

There was a second reading of Bill 46102023, sponsored by Councilor Boatright, for an ordinance to amend the zoning district classification at 914 Joyce Dr.  The bill received a unanimous yes vote.

Mayor Larry Forsythe and Ward 4 Councilor Vanessa Pegram recently visited the middle school on Fleming Street to meet with students.

“I’d like to thank Councilor Pegram for going with me to meet the eighth graders and explaining to them how city government works,” said Forsythe. “We spent eight hours of nothing but talking.  I appreciated it very much.”

“It was enlightening and fun and insightful,” said Pegram, and the mayor agreed.

Forsythe mentioned last Thursday’s Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Luncheon and his appreciation for the chamber having him speak at the meeting. 

“Saturday, at the Centene Center, I gave a proclamation to the band GTO — Good Times Oldies,” he said.  [Director of Parks and Recreation] Doug Stotler did a great job out there.  He and his staff did a very good job and represented the city very well.”

With no further business to be considered, the meeting was adjourned. 

The next city council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at Long Memorial Hall, 110 West Columbia St.  The public is invited to attend and should present a request at least one day before the meeting if there is a desire to address the council during the meeting.

Lisa Brotherton-Barnes is a staff writer with the Daily Journal. She can be reached at lbarnes@dailyjournalonline.com.