Stokes will serve as interim City Manager for Hickman

Following discussion during Executive Session Monday night, Hickman City Commission voted to offer Cubb Stokes the position of Interim City Manager in regular session Feb. 11, at Hickman City Hall.

Stokes, a native of Hickman, who resides in Fulton, previously served as Fulton’s City Manager, retiring in June 2018.

Mayor Heath Carlton, Commissioners James Adams, Robert Griggs, Judy Powell, and Phillip Williams were present for the meeting, however, Williams, who has applied for the City Manager permanent position, did not enter into Executive Session, nor vote on the offer to Stokes.

Also following discussion during Executive Session, the Commission voted to hire Grace Sarsfield as the City Treasurer, effective Jan. 23.

Hickman Chief of Police Tony Grogan reported new police officer, Michael Vowell, will be leaving for the Police Academy on April 14, for 20 weeks, and will graduate in September. Academy uniforms will need to be ordered for him.

Police officers will attend standard drills class at Paducah, Murray, or the nearest location.

It was reported a simulator will be at the Four Rivers Career Academy and the police department will go for a training. The Academy will pay the $75 per person fee for the officers, to train with the simulator, provided by Fulton County Transit Authority.

Hickman Fire Chief John Amberg reported the department attended standard drills, answered calls with electrical outlets and a trash fire, and is in the process of servicing the firetrucks.

Public Works Director Willie Caton, with Alliance, reported, “We have fixed four service lines, a bypass leak, estimated at over 2,000,000 gallons per month. At the Water Treatment Plant, we fixed a leak on the manifold, estimated at 1.2 million gallons per month.”

“A crew from Cape Girardeau and St. Genevie came for help and support on repairing the leaks around town,” continued Caton.

Caton reported, “At the high school lift station, you already had in the works the pump, I called Vaughn Electric, and it is now operational. The pump at the Wastewater Plant needs a seal and needs more work.”

Alliance representative Evan Romo stated, “Willie has worked with Alliance for over four years and has over 14 years of experience and I believe he will work out well. We would like to let the residents of Hickman know that we will be asking for distribution samples around Hickman and for them to be aware.”

Board Appointments approved included:

• Planning and Zoning Board – Cayce Carlton, to fill the unexpired term of Judy Powell, to expire 12/31/20

• Finance Committee – Commissioner Robert Griggs

• Ken-Tenn EMS Board Appointment – Mayor Heath Carlton, until a City Manager is been hired

Municipal Order 18-5, Line of Credit for the Water Fund was read giving the Commissioners permission to go to The Citizens Bank in Hickman, for a line of credit of $325,000 to pay for expenditures at the Water Plant Renovation Project, and when the City of Hickman is approved for a KIA funds available to reimburse the line of credit fund.

Ron Parks with Kubota in Union City, Tenn., presented three options for mowers for the City of Hickman to possibly lease.

Information will be reviewed and discussed further at the March 11 meeting.

Commissioner Powell asked, “We need to start setting some goals and see how we can revitalize the city and how to go about doing that?”

Mayor Carlton provided a list for the Commissioners to review and update.

Commissioner Williams said, “We have three flag poles outside City Hall. We need to get some paint and new flags to show our pride in the City.”

Discussion took place as the need for community volunteers to step up and continue to help with making the City more attractive, and the first goal, to resolve the water discoloration and water leaks, for efficiency, as well as alleviate gas leaks.

Parks stated, “I live across the state line, and from the outside looking in, I come to Hickman to eat at Hub’s. There is a $100,000,000 development in Union City. You need a proper facility to load and unload passengers from the river, and transportation to Reelfoot Lake, Columbus-Belmont State Park and Discovery Park. Hickman can be a gateway to these areas. Tourism will be your greatest asset. If you had more restaurants, a distillery to visit, and nice places to visit, they will come if you have something for them. I believe you are in a better position to offer these places than the port in Tennessee.”

Mayor Carlton said, “One of the issues at the waterfront is that the property in privately owned and this is something we will need to look at.”

Parks continued, “I’m not sure about the Commonwealth, but I’m sure there are grants to help with tourism. You have potential.”

Discussion took place as to how to handle gas cut-offs and other issues that will come up, with only one employee in the Gas Department at this time.

The Commissioners decided to consider options and discuss further at the next meeting.

In other business, Mayor Carlton and the Commissioners acknowledged Nick Adams for his donation of 2,000 rounds of ammunition, to the City of Hickman Police Department.