TRACY HARRIS-Staff Writer
The Lewisburg City Council met on Nov. 12, 2024, at City Hall. Mayor Jim Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers voted in the following order in November: Linda Thomas, David Perka, Shannon Crutcher, Vickie Michael, Tommy Burns. The meeting began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Trevor Greene and Mayor Jim Bingham
Announcements and Presentations were next, and two citizens received Volunteer Appreciation Certificates. Perka brought forth both names to the council for recognition. Trevor Greene, the owner of Greene Lawn & Tree Services, was recognized for renewing 3.5 miles of gravel surrounding New Lake in September. Greene was at a City Council meeting and heard them talking about re-graveling New Lake. He told The Post it only took him about five hours with a skid steer and Harley Rake. “I just went and did it because I knew it didn’t need to be redone. It just needed to be renewed. It wound up saving the City $40,000,” Greene said.
Greene’s Facebook page shows aerial photos of the work and it looks as good as new at New Lake.
Billy Whaley was recognized for stepping in at the Lewisburg Housing Authority and helping with things like returning residents’ trash cans and picking up litter.
Billy Whaley and Mayor Jim Bingham
The minutes from October were approved unanimously. The bills and financial statements were next on the agenda. Following a question from Thomas that City Treasurer Allan Owens was able to answer, they were approved by a 5-0 vote.
Old business contained one item, the second and final reading of Ordinance 24-16, to amend Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 17-111 of the Municipal Code dealing with brush pickup. The amendment adds lumber, per the Public Works Department.
When it was first discussed in October, Crutcher voted against it citing residents in his ward were against the ordinance. In November it passed 5-0 on the second and final reading.
New business included Resolution 24-34, a resolution to make application for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG.) This funding will assist with purchasing turnout gear for Lewisburg Fire Department. In the work session, Fire Chief Drew Hawkins explained turnout gear includes helmet, coat, pants, gloves, and hoods. It will help fund around 30 full sets over a period of time. The resolution passed unanimously.
ARPA funds will be allocated for a portion of medical premiums paid in July 2024 in FY 2025 with Resolution 24-35 which passed 5-0.
Resolution 24-36, a resolution to approve Tax Equivalent/In Lieu of Taxes for Lewisburg Electric System. It passed unanimously. Burns pointed out that the dollar amount “in lieu of taxes” was more than $435,000 and wanted that reflected.
The motion for all part-time and full-time employees to receive a $100 Christmas bonus passed.
The Personnel Policy Handbook will have a minor update. Chief Hawkins brought it forward for discussion at the work session. The vacation chart for the Fire Department 24.25 schedule for first year of hire vacation accrual hours will round the following 33.98 to 34, 25.49 to 25, and 16.99 to 17. Hawkins said it would just be easier to deal with whole numbers. It passed with a unanimous vote.
The final item under new business was to consider the approval of Mayor Bingham’s appointment of Fred Howard to the recreation board.
At the work session, Thomas said, “I don’t know who he is.”
Director of Parks & Rec, Cary Whitesell, came to the podium and presented the council with Howard’s background: involved with youth sports and athletics for the last 20 years, his involvement in the community, his career, and his family (wife, children.) Whitesell said the vacancy was due to Travis Darnell resigning.
Burns said he was not notified there was a vacancy and felt he should have been.
City Recorder Gina Jones said the vacancy was recent and there had not been time to send out notices.
The mayor reminded the council that he is responsible for appointing people to boards. The vote went as follows: Thomas-no, Perka-no, Crutcher-yes, Michael-yes, Burns-no.
Director’s Reports were next starting with City Manager Bam Haislip.
Haislip reported that 1,213 pounds of trash were picked up during the recent cleanup day. Only nine people showed up at this one, way less than on the last cleanup day. There were six new business licenses in the last couple of weeks and they were all small businesses. Citizens in Finley Beech Rd. have said they are pleased with the striping. He informed the two new councilmembers about upcoming training on mtas for newly elected councilmembers and passed the information to them. Said the first module begins on Jan. 22, 2025, and highly encourages Crutcher and Thomas to take advantage of the training.
Kent Stewmon reported that Ellington Airport’s fuel sales are up. The state will now be counting all aircraft flying in and out 24/7. At the meeting, he reported that they were installing software the following day, Nov. 13, for free. The software is free for two years. After the two years, Stewmon was unsure what would happen.
The Lewisburg Police Department received 1,123 calls for service in October 2024. Police Chief Scott Braden reported that of those calls, 22 resulted in new investigations. There are currently 28 officers, and he projects that after the new year, they will reach the department’s goal of 30 officers, a long-awaited goal for the department.
Fire Chief Hawkins reported the Lewisburg Fire Department had 154 calls for service in October. Of those calls, 64 were fire/rescue and 90 were medical.
Whitesell reported that the Lewisburg Rec Center received donations from Nick Mayer Chevrolet. They received equipment bags, soccer balls, baseballs, and other donations. They are extremely grateful. The health fair at Harmon Park took place. It was the first year and while there was not a huge attendance, Whitesell reported that many connections were made, and they are looking forward to working with Ronnie Robinson for the event next year. The dehumidification drawings are completed, and the project is expected to roll out in December.
Jennifer Pearson, the new Economic Development Director, started “last Monday and is working with Emily Darnell.” Pearson reported she does know some people in the industries here. She attended a Main St. workshop and will be attending a tourism workshop next. Former Economic Development Director Greg Lowe will be able to connect her with people. Pearson will be having bi-weekly meetings with Darnell and Hale Hawkins and is looking forward to bringing more back at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
