Florence to donate lights to Morningstar Ranch
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
With Mayor Greg Winn and all council members present, Florence City Council made short order of its regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening, adjourning 45 minutes after being called to order.
A representative of Morningstar Ranch had approached the city about the lights from the former football field on Eighth Street. Morningstar officials would like to use the lights for athletic events at the ranch and wondered if the city would donate them.
Discussion among councilmen indicated a willingness agree to the request.
"Morningstar does good things," said councilman Trayce Warner. "I think that is a good organization to give them to."
Councilman Randy Mills suggested the city be certain the staff at Morningstar would take the poles down, clean up any debris, and fill in the holes. In addition, he requested they or anyone they might hire to do the work, provide proof of liability insurance before the project begins.
Council members also heaped praise on Florence PRIDE committee and the Arts and Antiques Show and Sale it hosted downtown Saturday.
Warner said the 11 vendors all seemed to be pleased with their sales despite the cold rainy weather. Mills, Winn, and councilman Bryan Harper all agreed that for a first event, it was quite successful.
Mills also noted that a vendor who makes furniture is planning to move to Florence and open a shop where he can build and sell his product.
In other business, the council:
— approved warrants in the amount of $35,331.01.
— approved pay increases for members of the sanitation and maintenance departments. Winn told council members that all employee reviews were completed. On a motion by Warner, seconded by Dan Ludwig, sanitation personnel were given a three percent pay hike and maintenance personnel were given a two percent increase.
— heard from city superintendent Phil Baldwin the hydraulic cylinder on the back of the trash truck is being repaired, that there is no need to purchase "City limits — zoned" signs as similar signs about county zoning already are in place and supersede local zoning, and that he is working on a reference list of contractors for the city.
— asked Baldwin to return to the next meeting with some cost estimates for renting equipment to fill cracks and potholes.
— discussed the purchase of a pool cover with a center section made of mesh so the water would not pool in the middle. Baldwin will look into the cost.
