Florence city council makes appointments
by Susan Marshall
News Editor
Florence City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting May 20. Among the items on the agenda was the annual appointments of the following: J. Robert Brookens, city attorney; Bryson Mills, municipal court judge; Patricia Williams, ambulance director; Reilly Reid, fire chief; Travis Parmley, assistant fire chief; Sturart Funk, city superintendent; Dian Burnett, city treasurer, assistant city clerk, assistant court clerk; Ann Brenzikofer, city clerk, court clerk; Howard Kahler, police chief; James Parmley, part-time police officer; Duane McCarty, part-time police officer.
Sarah Cope, head of the Florence cconomic development committee, brought the council up to date on the committee's activities. Cope will be speaking to the Marion County Commission and the Marion-Florence school board about applying for the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and asked the council to make a firm commitment to the program before she went before the county groups. Both she and Mayor Jeanie Meirowsky made enthusiastic endorsements of the program and stated they thought it would be a good program for Florence.
On a motion by Larry Timm, the council agreed 4-0 to stand behind the community's participation in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
Cope also noted progress with the affordable housing plan. She said applications were in, but she hasn't yet heard whether the first round has been approved. As soon as the city is approved she said she would contact the city so that they could buy the lots, which will be a step toward further confirmation of the city's participation in the project. Cope said she should have confirmation by the June city council meeting.
It was noted that the cost of boarding up the old school buildings was $1,700. The council moved to accept the bill and contact the owners of the buildings who live out of state. If the owners refuse to pay for the repairs in 30 days, the amount will be added to their personal property taxes.
Ann Brenzikofer and Dianne Burnett were appointed as Freedom of Information Officers for the city and the council approved establishing fees.
Howard Kahler announced that James Parmley will graduate from officer's training academy on May 31.
City Superintendent Stuart Funk gave a report on a water leak at the cemetery and announced that Chris Cox would be available for a special meeting June 4 to bring the council up to date on the reasons for the hold up in the water project. The council voted to hold a special noon meeting that day to meet with Cox.
Council members briefly discussed some minor street repair jobs and approved a request that Funk have the resurfacing job on Fifth Street reviewed before the one year warranty on the project is up.
The final act of business was to declare May 19-25 EMS week. Mayor Meirowsky made the proclamation and thanked the Florence EMS workers for their dedication to the community.
