Hickman's officials updated on lost revenue resulting from meter inaccuracies

The newly-elected Hickman City Commission met in their first session Jan. 14 at Hickman City Hall. Commissioners James Adams, Robert Griggs, Judy Powell and Phillip Williams were present.

Mayor Heath Carlton read two letters received from the community.

Thomas Chapel Church wrote about celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 21 with a March beginning at 11:30 a.m., at Johnson Chapel Church to Thomas Chapel Church with a guest speaker, Dr. Felicia Taylor Ingram, at 12 noon. Local churches were asked to encourage their youth to participate in the Memorial Service.

Aaron Collins, Fulton County Schools Superintendent, wrote, “We appreciate with gratitude for your continued support for the faculty, staff, students, parents, and community of Fulton County Schools. We feel support and kindness on a daily basis as you positively impact the Hickman community. We are thanking for the work being accomplished by the Hickman Police Department and the presence of Chief Tony Grogan at the school every morning. He is doing an excellent job being visible and building relations with the students. I also appreciate Sgt. Scott McKnight and Officer Michael Baggett’s presence on the campus. We appreciate the work the city is doing to improve our water system and contacting us when work is going to be done so we can make preparation for water outages and boil water orders.”

Wendy Puckett, Fulton-Hickman County Economic Development Partnership, gave an update on industrial projects in Hickman.

“We still have not heard on the $19 million project, creating 15 – 20 jobs in addition to what is already there. The Distillery has started some production,” stated Puckett.

“Work on the 40-mile loop through two states, from Cates Landing to Hickman to Union City is still in the works,” continued Puckett.

Projects are continuing in Fulton with a prospect with property. The Canadian Railroad is working on a wheel changing in South Fulton and a fuel changing station in Fulton.

“Hickman-Fulton County Riverport has a proposal for the building across from Insteel in Hickman,” stated Puckett.

Hickman Police Chief Tony Grogan reported nothing new with Code Enforcement. The Police report is down about 20 calls

Grogan is working on issuing warnings for illegal parking trying to keep the city streets safe for everybody.

Grogan stated, “Training a new officer has everything working out.”

It was discussed the river is falling and cones are placed in the floodgates at night to keep from going behind the floodwall. Commissioners also stated that a warning, possibly with flashing lights, should be put up at the first bridge to warn individuals about high water.

Hickman Volunteer Fire Chief John Amberg reported no fires in December, two trainings were held the past month, there was a false alarm in January the same day the phones were not working.

A citation was written to an individual burning furniture and debris, who failed to call and report he was planning to burn.

Chief Amberg reported only five or six firefighters report to calls, there are 15 on the roster, only three or four attend trainings, and 70% of the volunteers must be certified.

Hickman Public Works and City Manager reports were given by James Gray reported he is working with Alliance Water Resources, coming to town Jan. 15 to offer positions to employees who have applied, speak with the office staff and logistics on how work orders are worked moving forward.

Water Plant preconstruction with Bell Engineer and Tybe Construction earlier this month, and estimated a start date in mid-February and will need six weeks lead time on two of the pumps, can’t start construction until the pumps are in.

Wastewater Plant is in limbo with the shut-down with DRA (Delta Regional Authority) and Rural Development.

DRA paperwork was submitted for an extension and approved before the shut-down and half until March to have the match for the Delta Regional Authority.

Status on grant for trucks is unknown.

Mayor Heath Carlton asked the City Manager to get together some numbers on the water and gas and presented those. With roughly a year on the gas looks about $13,000 average monthly loss, this past month it was $20,698 monetarily on the natural gas. On water there may be a meter issue. There is a substantial discrepancy. The past month there was little over 10 million gallons unaccounted for. The City Manager believes it is a meter issue and not a leak, one month it is less than 1 million and another month it is 500,000 gallons and another month almost 12 million gallons.

Harshaw Trane will have someone to come in and look at this issue, along with Gary Horner.

Jan. 22 there will be a meeting with Alliance, Hawkins Chemical, the state Division of Water, and Evan Romo with Alliance Water Resources, to transition chemicals to move forward with the soda ash.

The City has also agreed to feed the soda ash because it is a liquid as part of the Agreed Order.

Gray reported, “I had someone come in on Friday to look at the Central heat and air unit at the Public Works Building and he thinks it does not need to be replaced. If we could table this until the next meeting.”

The Gas Meter at the gate was quoted roughly $24,000 to replace in the Spring by Tri State to avoid gas. There will be an added cost if we have someone come in during the winter, and this would be roughly $8,000 - $12,000, depending on which contractor. We can move forward, but it will be at a cost.

Commissioner Griggs brought up about potholes at Nelson and Valley Roads, along with Marr Street behind the funeral home. Commissioner Williams reported Fifth Street at Hickman Electric System and Park Street was also discussed. These streets will be reviewed in the Spring.

Board appointments made included:

• Electric Board – Commissioner James Adams, two-year term

• Housing Authority – Commissioner Judy Powell, two-year term

• Riverport Authority – Mayor Heath Carlton, four-year term

• Mayor Pro-Tem – Phillip Williams

Resolution 18-103 Employee Screening Agreement was read requiring background checks with a contract with Premier Integrity to administer the background checks with a service fee per check.

The Commission also:

• Approved the hiring of Michael Vowell at a part-time police officer effective Jan. 2

• Approved the hiring of Matt Bing as Water Treatment Plant Operator, full time permanent effective Jan. 15

• Accepted the resignation of Joe Cheirs, Jr., effective Jan. 18

The Commission asked the City Manager to get a second opinion about the central heat and air unit at the Public Works Building and tabled action until February.

Commissioners tabled action with the gas meter at the gate until the City Manager can receive bids for work.

Went into Executive Session, pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(f) for City Treasurer position at 8:18 p.m.

The Commission reconvened at 9:32 p.m. with no votes or decisions being taken during Executive Session.

The Commission voted to have the City Manager to offer a full-time probationary time to a candidate for the City Treasurer position.