Cloverdale looks at old issues

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale Town Council this week conducted its monthly meeting, in which it discussed several routine matters along with the selling of the Cloverdale Inn.

In an effort to better monitor costs, town employees will now be given a Visa credit card. Those employees will have a $2,500 limit per year.

Employees receiving a card will be the clerk-treasurer Cheryl Galloway, police, utilities and the building inspector.

"This is how it was done in the past," Galloway said. "Everyone has the same number so when someone goes to make a transaction I have to try and figure out who made it and I have to break it down.

"However, if I give one to Mark, one to me, one to the police and one to utilities, when they hand in the claim, all I will have to do is do that line item, I don't have to break it down then."

The council unanimously passed the Resolution 2013-1.

Galloway also received approval for Resolution 2013-2, which will allow the transfer between funds. This resolution will make all 2012 negative balances in the Keystone system to a positive within the line items.

Among other business the council has decided to advertise for the town marshal position. Over the holidays two applications were received. However, the council will wait to review the applicants until the position has been properly advertised.

The council also advised Interim Town Marshal Charlie Hallam that he is also being considered for the position.

"I don't want Charlie to think he's out," council president Don Sublett said. "He's a candidate to promote within and the council will consider that."

Along with advertising, the council advised Hallam to begin the process of looking for two new police cars.

"Get us a price if you want a Dodge or a Ford," Sublett said. "I would like for you to look at least two police cars. Trade in two of the old Dodges and keep the other two."

Utility Manager Rich Saucerman came before the council to ask for permission to replace the brakes and rotors on the dump truck. Saucerman recently bought new tires for the truck, which is when he was notified of other issues.

Saucerman got one bid for $1,036, which includes original Ford parts. However, council member Dennis Padgett recommended that Saucerman get several quotes.

"That seems awful high for brakes and rotors," Padgett said. "Get another price on that. I like to try and get two or three bids on that."

Saucerman also addressed the issue of drainage in Stardust Hills. He informed council that the pipes and the catch basins are in. As long as the weather remains nice, work should start on that project shortly.

However, there are a few trees that may be in the way. Saucerman hopes to find a way to do the project with minimal tree damage.

Recently, the utility department lost one employee. The town will be advertising for a full-time employee to join its staff.

Previously, the council talked about hiring some part-time labor to help with the shortage. Saucerman had hoped to hire one of the applicants, but the council agreed that all employees to require a GED.

"Anymore, there's so much stuff out here on discrimination," explained Padgett. "You've got to watch yourself. This is some of the stuff we need to really kind of talk about. You really got to watch what you're doing."

Padgett explained that it was advertised in the paper that the employee must have a GED. Council was not sure at the time whether or not the employee handbook stated that all employees had to have a GED or just full-time.

"If you can't get a GED there may be some other problems that go along with the job like reading and things of that nature," Town Attorney Allan Yackey said.

Don Gedert of the Redevelopment Commission came before the board with some exciting news.

It is now official that the old Cloverdale Inn has been purchased by new owners. The land, which is nearly six and a half acres, will soon hold a new hotel and some sort of restaurant.

"That will be going down ASAP," Gedert said. "The Redevelopment Commission looks forward to working with those folks."

Building inspector Mark Cassida also updated the board that the environmental report, which is 127 pages, came back and found very little.

"It makes for some very boring reading," said Cassida. "The building is almost virtually problem free."

There was no lead paint or asbestos found. However there were problems with ground water in the pool and mercury in only three of the thermostats.

Cassida also informed the board that his office, like the Town Hall, would be closed on Wednesdays until the weather becomes nicer. Cassida will be available by appointment only on Wednesdays or by phone if needed.

Ted Hawkins and Ron Jones of the Park Board came before the council to give an update on the park. After taking down several of the Christmas decorations, it was noticed that there was more vandalism in the restrooms.

"It happens about every winter," said Hawkins. "They broke in, but didn't destroy anything. They just had to use the bathroom. They made a mess in there."

Although nothing was destroyed, this is a major problem due to the water and heat being off.

This summer the board put on some new locks on the doors. Although, it was said that it is the best security they've had in years. The board will be looking toward installing security cameras.

"We put four cameras on the Rockwell and it seemed like it stopped when we put cameras out there," said Padgett. "That's probably what we need to do. Once they find out that there are cameras up, they stop. It never stops unless you do something."

Padgett suggested putting even more lighting at the park along with cameras to help stop the vandalism. Hallam said the police would keep a better eye on the park as well.

The council seems to have come to an agreement on the issues regarding the Branneman well property, which has been going on for several years.

Following the finding of the original deed to the property, the council has agreed to pay $16,000 for a clear deed to the property, which is 3.67 acres.

Sublett will present the offer to Branneman, which will be paid for out of the water fund.

Finally, Sublett updated the board on the Downtown IACT Survey, which was headed by former council member Cathy Tipton.

Although, the project was previous stalled, the council agreed in a pervious meeting to go ahead and have Tipton finish it. However, after speaking with Hyett-Palma, who leads the study, no work has been done.

"This project has got to keep moving," Sublett said. "At Christmas time I got a phone call from Deloris Palma and she said, 'Don, the project is not proceeding as it should and we need to do something.' So, based on our discussion we decided to remove Cathy from the project."

The town has spent nearly $15,000 on the project. After speaking to Tipton about the situation, she had agreed to step down and has turned over all materials. All materials will be sent to Palma in hopes of getting everything back on track.

Members of Hyett-Palma will be meeting with people from the committee along with the Town Council members on Feb. 4.