‘Smoke free’ city, Sunday alcohol sales suggested for Fulton

Fulton City Commissioner Martha Vowell requested the commission’s consideration to two proposals during regular session Monday evening, with City Attorney Allison Whitledge to research both matters, including the pursuit of enacting a “smoke free” designation for the city of Fulton, as well as the sale of alcohol sales on Sundays.

Vowell explained to Mayor David Prater and Commissioners Elaine Forrester, Jeff Vaughn and Darcy Hamrick that she would like to see the city of Fulton “be progressive” and follow the example of neighboring Kentucky cities such as Mayfield, Paducah and Murray regarding the prohibition of smoking in public places throughout the city including business establishments.

Vowell said she would like to see “vaping” and the use of e-cigarettes treated the same as cigarettes and other tobacco products, which she proposed should not be allowed in restaurants and other establishments.

Recently hired Code Enforcement Officer Nathan Lamb, who had previously served the city of Mayfield, confirmed that city had enacted an ordinance which would prohibit smoking any closer than 15 feet from any entrance or exit door, with the exception of a private residence.

He said he helped formulate the Mayfield ordinance, and while there would be a way for businesses to allow a separate smoking area or room, a separate HVAC unit would be required in order to allow for that option.

Vowell said she would like to see the smoke free city matter address and enacted prior to Dec. 1, when “holiday parties” commence, and that she saw such a prohibition as a health-related issue.

While Whitledge said she would need to research Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations at the state level, she would look into Vowell’s request to enact the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Fulton.

Vowell said South Fulton and Clinton both offer the sale of alcohol on Sundays, with designated hours and with the commission recently increasing the fee associated with the sale of alcohol within the city, the ABC fee, she would like to offer businesses such as liquor stores or restaurants and convenience stores the opportunity to sell on Sundays, if they chose to open.

Two ordinances were read for the second time, to be adopted upon publication, for an amendment to an existing ordinance, to now include restrictions on signage to be allowed within the city, as well as an ordinance to dedicate a street, to be known as Maxwell Place, in the area of the Dollar Tree on Middle Road.

Fulton resident Dique Hollowell addressed the officials about poor sidewalk conditions in East Fulton as well as locations where tree branches had overgrown to the extent they blocked sidewalks and passage for vehicles. He also said he had volunteered to pick up trash in his neighborhood for some residents, and as a result, he had noticed some of his neighbors had begun to clean up their properties, and others had begun to pick up trash in adjacent neighborhood.

He asked about the city’s policy on repairing sidewalks, and Mayor Prater told him that the policy states the property owner will absorb the cost for half of the cost of sidewalk replacement while the city can absorb the other half of the expense.

Hollowell said he knew many people were on fixed incomes and might not have the means by which to pay for the sidewalks, but he would appreciate any assistance the city could offer.

He said he had plans to sponsor a community gathering and provide food and drinks for neighbors, in hopes of encouraging the cleanup of all areas of the community.

City Manager Mike Gunn reported the sewer camera had arrived and had already been utilized to avoid the necessity of digging up streets to locate problems in the line.

Gunn also updated the officials about the soon to be implemented code enforcement process of posting signs on properties in violation of city code. Code Enforcement Officer Nathan Lamb said the practice would insure citizens that actions are being taken to enforce city codes, with any removal of signs officially placed on properties in violation, to be punishable by law.

Mayor Prater announced the appointment of Sharon Johnson to the Fulton County Senior Citizens Board.

The commission adjourned from open public session, into closed executive session for the purpose of deliberations on the future acquisition or sale of property in compliance with Kentucky Revised Statute 61.810, and following a return to open session, announced no action was taken.