Stunson, Valentine appointed to Planning, Zoning Comm.

Fulton City Clerk Helen Lee conducted the Oath of Office recitation for Clyde Stunson and Rex Valentine, the most recently appointed members of the City of Fulton’s Planning and Zoning Commission, during the March 24 regular monthly session.

Stunson and Valentine joined Planning and Zoning Commission Chair David Ware, and members present, Casey Browning, Gary Fulcher, Debbie Jerman, Fulton Code Enforcement Officer Nathan Lamb and Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn for the meeting, held in the Fulton City Hall Commission Room.

In the absence of available minutes from the February meeting, the September and October meetings’ minutes were tabled until the April session.

Gunn provided over an hour of required training for the board members, under the category of Community Facilities.

He began with a history of the Ken-Tenn EMS, sharing information about its origin, following the area’s practice of funeral homes providing both ambulance services as well as transports to funeral homes or mortuaries.

He then recounted how the city of Fulton’s Police and Fire Departments also managed the operations of the ambulance service at one point in time, after which the service was picked up by a local hospital.

Following the closure of Parkway Regional Hospital, in order to secure the ambulance service for the area, a partnership was formed beween the cities of Fulton, Hickman, South Fulton and Fulton County, with funding supplemented through the procurement of memberships.

Gunn provided data regarding 2100 calls annually responded, two stations maintained, a $2.3 million budget, 14 full time EMS staff members at present, and training academies available.

Other topics covered included Trash Pickup and Bulk Trash Disposal, Utilities such as the city’s water service, waste water and gas provisions, and duties and responsibilities of the Public Works Department.

Gunn displayed grid maps of the city’s fire hydrants, water and sewer lines, water towers, lift stations and man holes, noting 1.5 million gallons of water per day in use.

“In a way, our Public Works Department is the backbone of what is done in this city. From sprucing up and preparing for events, setting up the Christmas cards at Pontotoc Park, hanging banners, they do a lot,” Gunn said, adding the crews also maintain the city’s parks and cemeteries, with their 12- person department.

The training session was approved.

Commission member Valerie Bynum was absent.