May 18, 2012 — Administrative matters took up much of the agenda at Monday’s regular meeting of the Morehead City Council, but the perennial downtown parking issue arose again.
Council discussed problems with persons being ticketed during downtown events such as Noon Tunes, and passed a motion directing Mayor David Perkins to identify means to encourage citizens to patronize Main Street businesses over the summer, which may include relaxing downtown parking rules.
Council member Tom Carew said that the annual exodus of college students creates an opportunity for the city to help downtown merchants by making it easier for people to park and shop on Main Street without fear of being ticketed.
Council member Beth Ousley asked whether the number of handicapped spaces on Main Street was adequate for the needs of the community.
“I feel like there should be more handicapped parking spaces on Main Street,” said Ousley. “If you look west on Main Street from Pasquale’s, there are not many spaces.”
Perkins said the City had the required amount of handicapped spaces and that adding additional ones would require revamping sidewalks and also might result in the elimination of spaces because a handicapped space essentially requires two spaces for proper vehicle entry and exit.
He pointed out existing spaces and said the city would install a sign to better identify one near City Hall.
Perkins also revived a committee to study parking issues, appointing Council members Beth Ousley, Jan Bishop and Glen Teager.
Council adopted a resolution to accept and execute a deed of conveyance from Certified Oil Corp., f/k/a Douglas Oil Corporation, for no monetary consideration.
“Essentially, it’s a gift from Certified Oil,” Perkins said.
The land parcel is at the intersection of Tolliver Street and Dairy Avenue. Perkins said the city will widen the road for easier turning capabilities at that intersection.
Council accepted a bid of $27,498 from Brown’s Ford of West Liberty for a Ford F-350 truck. The Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation will jointly use the vehicle.
Finishing touches to the new City Hall were on the agenda. Louisville-based A&D Supply/Ken API was awarded a $6,630.70 bid to install doors, metal frames, hinges and knobs at the newly-renovated facility near Greenhill City Park.
Windstream Communications’ bid of $6,765.10 was accepted for a telephone system at the new facility. Perkins said the bid was higher than the $5,944.66 submitted by Lexington-based Lovo Systems, but he preferred to deal with a company with a greater capacity to respond to service requests.
However, Lovo Systems was awarded a $6,905.07 bid to purchase and install six surveillance cameras inside the new facility.
Perkins said Morehead police will have the capacity to monitor inside the building after business hours.
An ordinance to close a portion of Fleming Avenue beginning at the new Second Street and running north to the intersection of the old Second Street passed on second reading, as did an ordinance amending a section of city code related to updating the development plan.
First readings were held on ordinances to amend city code to clarify building regulations fees, correct errors in sections of the code, adopt a supplement to the city code and update personnel compensation language.
A first reading to amend an ordinance that would change a certain residential zone was tabled after Carew suggested that it first go through the city’s planning commission.
David Dummer was appointed to the Morehead Board of Zoning Adjustment for a term to expire April 12, 2016. Dummer replaces Susan Abner, who did not want to be reappointed.
Noelle Hunter can be reached at nhunter@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone a 784-4116.
