Resurfacing city streets could begin this month

Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn requested authorization for his, as well as the city’s Chief Financial Officer Lisa Morgan’s permission to operate for the remainder of the fiscal year on a 20% Utility Fund reserve floor. The request, Gunn explained in a memorandum to Mayor David Prater, Commissioners Martha Vowell, Elaine Forrester, Jeff Vaughn and Darcy Linn, was to eliminate a cash flow issue in the utility fund.

As a reference, Gunn noted he had previously reported to the officials that the utility fund cash on top of reserves had been depleted, paying the bond payments for water, sewer and gas improvements. He explained at that time, that he planned a two year bail out process to replace those funds, and as a result, the fund has experienced a $6,000-$7,000-$8,000 shortage each month.

Gunn provided the officials, during regular commission session Oct. 14, with a copy of a 2013 Municipal Order, 2013-137, whereby the commission had established the maintaining of a reserve balance in the city’s Unrestricted General and Utility Funds of 25% of average annual budgeted expenditures.The goal to that reserve policy was cited as to maintain working capital for cash flow and possible contingency expenses while maintaining financial stability and favorable credit rating.

Gunn’s request was to reduce the percentage to 20% of the average annual budgeted expenditures in the fund.

“This will eliminate the cash flow issue. Looking at the projections, I don’t expect this to be an issue after gas revenues get into full swing. But for the next couple of months, we need to run at this floor of 20%,” Gunn went on to say in the memorandum.

Through Municipal Order 2019-91, the commission unanimously approved the request.

In the agenda’s designated entry for comments from visitors, Fulton resident Steve Danielson addressed the Mayor and Commissioners to question the city’s “rewarding bad behavior, by brining back a cop who was killing cats.”

“We disciplined the officer,” said Mayor Prater, adding the alleged incident is still under investigation by the Kentucky State Police.

In response to Danielson’s inquiry as to the details of the disciplinary actions, City Manager Mike Gunn stated the officer was placed on 30 days unpaid leave, as well as 12 months probation on the Fulton Police Department, with violations of personnel policy to result in his termination, as well as a misdemeanor charge with jail time, or a felony charge resulting from the KSP investigation also resulting in termination for the officer.

“Let’s be honest, that’s probably not going to happen,” Danielson said.

The officials were updated on the status of sealed bids opened Oct. 2 for the current year street resurfacing, with two bids received, from Jim Smith Construction for asphalt resurfacing at $79 per ton and asphalt milling for $32 per ton; and Murray Paving, $80 per ton for asphalt resurfacing and $32 per ton for asphalt milling.

Gunn recommended the the approval of the bid from Jim Smith Contracting, noting an agreement has been executed with the Kentucky Department of Transportation to resurface three streets in the amount of $101,051, and further requested the authorization to complete the street resurfacing list and any additional resurfacing needs with a spending limit of up to $313,965. The recommendation was approved. Public Works Director Bubba Nelms reported he had spoken with Jim Smith Contracting and work could begin as soon as Oct. 24, pending the arrival of equipment, such as risers, manholes and valves.

Lastly, the Mayor and Commissioners were updated on revisions to the Kentucky State data base for street inventory.

The Municipal order approved confirmed changes including Burton Avenue Spur to be combined with Burton Avenue; Deere Street length changed and the removal of the incorrect location shown on the map, depicting the street going to the Rail Masters Office, to make it run from Richard Avenue to Cook; removal of Elks Lane from a city street to a private drive; Wheeler Lane length changed to reflect distance from Fourth Street to Third Street; and Amtrak Lane, removed from the designation as a city street.

Gunn said Public Works Director Bubba Nelms and Public Works crews had completed the analysis of all city streets as well as confirming measurements.

Commissioner Darcy Linn reported Third Street neighbors planned to expand the Halloween trick-or-treating events along the blocked off street Oct. 31, to include a pumpkin decorating contest and a costume contest. The Third Street area is open for trick-or-treaters and the public throughout the evening of Halloween.