City council appoints head of July 4th parade, car show
June 11 meeting
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Peabody City Council handled a variety of issues at the June 11 meeting.
Council members:
— appointed Tammy Whiteside and Rose Thomason as chairmen of the July Fourth parade and Brian Whiteside as chairman of the annual car show. Council members also approved a "wet" parade with designated areas along the parade route for people who want to stay dry during the event.
— heard a request from David Beckner to cut the curb and widen the driveway at his home at 607 N. Olive. Mayor Ed Slocombe told Beckner that once the project is started he will have 30 days to finish it. Beckner said he thought it should be the city's responsibility to pay for it, but council told him such projects were done at the homeowner's expense. Beckner agreed to do the work himself, but said he is currently having back problems and might not get to it for awhile. He was reminded to contact city administrator Jeff Benbrook when he was ready to begin and to have the job done in 30 days.
— heard from Tom Schmidt and members of the park beautification committee about the next phase of their three year project to replace trees, shrubs, and flowers at city park, Santa Fe Park, and the Peabody sign at the Ninth and Walnut intersection. The second phase of the plan is to be completed this summer and will include the entry area at the city park. Council members indicated final approval for the financial commitment to the parks will come during the upcoming budget workshops.
— heard from Benbrook that because of the weather June 1 Integrated Solutions did not remove the final area of mercury contamination from the former sewer plant. A new date was not scheduled.
— learned from Kristen Hooper the second phase of the community "visioning" project would take place June 12. The sessions are sponsored by Peabody Main Street. In her report Hooper also told the council that she went to the Greensburg cleanup day alone and did not use the city equipment, employees, or cash donation. Other Main Street communities sent funds for Hooper to spend on their behalf and she spent the money locally to purchase supplies and donations for the cleanup effort.
— approved a request by Hooper to use the brackets currently on the downtown street lights as part of the brackets that will be needed to hang banners. A motion by Steve Rose carried unanimously.
— reviewed city financial statements and discussed with Benbrook the budgeting process that will be coming up after July 1. According to Benbrook, the council will need to hold at least two budget work sessions. Benbrook also told them if appraised values have gone down it will be necessary for them to raise the mill levy in order to have enough money to do the work they need to do. He noted the mill levy has not been raised by the city in 10 years. He told the mayor and council what kinds of decisions they might need to make to finance another year of city government.
— was informed Peabody Housing Authority replaced board member Irvin McPheeters with Marion Rowland. Council also heard that PHA is considering installing a carport at the south end of Indian Guide Terrace and needs city council approval. Permission was given by unanimous vote.
— heard the damaged lift station pump is still not repaired. Benbrook said that Darren Pickens hopes to have it back in a week. Council members agreed it might be more cost effective to simply buy a third pump and have it on hand than to enter into a long-term rental agreement such as they are in, renting a portable unit for an undetermined amount of time.
— heard that Peabody economic development committee will host block improvement parties once again this year.
