Ashland is moving forward in hiring a new city administrator after the resignation of former administrator Chris Heard.
Alderman Randy Wyatt volunteered his business, Olympus Recruiting, to funnel resumes’ to other aldermen on the hiring committee.
The appearance of applications being funneled through one alderman could be seen as potentially biased.
“At some point in the hiring process, the applications are in one person’s hands,” said Alderman Matt Uhrig, who is also on the hiring committee.
“You have to trust that person and know they will deliver the applications to you.”
Uhrig said anyone who disagreed with this system would be suggesting Wyatt “won’t operate in a professional manner as a recruiter and an alderman.”
Both Uhrig and Wyatt said the changes in the hiring process will include opportunities for city staff to interact with candidates who are considered finalists.
Do you think the applications should be in the hands of one alderman? Do you think this is violating any ethical guidelines?
Do you want a second utility drop box?
The Board of Aldermen have discussed installing a new utility bill drop off box behind City Hall.
One already exists outside the front entrance.
The issue was raised because of a conversation on the Boone County Journal website’s message board. The writer posted that residents requested the second box be added “for the convenience of our elderly and disabled citizens.”
Anita Sapp was one resident mentioned that would make use of the box. However, Alderwoman Barb Henke-Christopher said she spoke with Anita Sapp, who said she has no problem dropping off her utility bill currently.
Installing a second box would cost between $1,000 and $2,000, said Mayor Mike Jackson.
The box in the front of city hall cannot be moved to the back because it is not waterproof, said City Administrator Chris Heard.
Possible alternatives discussed were setting up online bill pay, signing a contract with Mosers’ service desk, having letter carriers go door to door, installing a box at the Ashland Senior Center, having the meter readers collect payments or handing out books of stamps to “qualified” residents.
Handing out books of stamps was a suggestion the board discussed at length. If the city were to provide stamps, only people who fall under certain criteria would be eligible to receive them.
City Clerk Darla Sapp disagreed . “The stamp thing is not going to work,” she said. “Most of (the older residents) bring cash… you’ll just open a whole can of worms.”
Heard said he does not believe this situation to be an issue. “Honestly… if someone truly, truly had a major concern, (city employees) would have learned about it a long time ago,” Heard said. “… I think we already go out of our way to make sure that we address whatever concerns.”
Heard also said that he expects, in the future, that the city will one day have a drive-up window to pay utility bills.
Do you want a second utility box behind city hall? Do you think it is a necessity? How do you currently pay your utility bill?
How will you advertise your garage sale?
Ashland officials have decided to enforce the part of the city code that says residents may not hang garage sale signs from public property.
The Ashland Board of Aldermen decided Tuesday to begin enforcement of chapter 22.125 of the city code. The section, which deals with advertising, states that it is illegal to “erect, place, post or mark any sign advertising a garage sale on any public property, including street signs and posts, traffic signs or posts, or on any public utility pole.”
“We’ve never pushed that because its part of the small town feel,” said City Administrator Chris Heard.
“Somehow, we have to get a handle on garage sale signs,” Alderman Dave Thomas said. “The stop signs at Henry Clay and Broadway are covered with signs. Its an eyesore, even after they pull them off.”
“I detest seeing this garbage all over town,” said Alderman John Hills.
The board asked Heard to begin enforcement. Heard said police would start giving out warnings to residents who post signs before handing out citations and fines.
A ‘no posting’ sign will also be put up at the intersection of Henry Clay and Broadway.
If a resident ignores the city’s warnings and continues to post garage sale signs, he is subject to a $50 fine.
“I think it’s important that we inform people of the ordinance and warn them, especially when the city posts about sponsoring events like a city-wide garage sale,” said Alderman Matt Uhrig.
Will you continue to post garage sale signs on public property? Do you think it is OK for the city to enforce this law? How will you advertise your garage sale?
Do you use the yard waste disposal service?
At a Sept. 7 meeting, the Board of Aldermen chose to indefinitely close down the city’s yard waste and mulch disposal site.
City Administrator Chris Heard proposed shutting down the service, calling it “misused” and “disappointing” because grass was being thrown about and construction waste was being dumped in the area. Heard also said many people who utilize the service are not residents of Ashland.
On Sept. 21, the aldermen chose to re-open the site, as of today, Sept. 27. Many aldermen were getting complaints from residents about how the site was closed without notice to residents. Aldermen John Hills agreed that the decision to close the site without resident input was rash and uncalled for.
The mayor has requested a committee be established to come up with a more permanent solution to better suit residents’ needs. The committee will also be charged with finding potential solutions to solve the issues that made the board originally decide to close the service.
This fiscal year, which began in May, $6,400 was budgeted for the yard waste disposal service. As of September 1, though, the city had already spent upward of $9,000 on the service.
Resident Harry Harris said he is upset. “I use it, my neighbors use it, most residents use it,” Harris said. “I do think this is a service that’s really needed.”
Do you use the service? What would you like to see the city do to keep non-residents from using the service? Would you be willing to pay more for trash pick-up each month to keep the site open?
Aldermen to vote on chicken ordinance tonight
At the last Board of Aldermen meeting, the aldermen asked City Administrator Chris Heard to reword the ordinance involving chickens to accurately reflect their concerns.
The new proposed ordinance will limit the number of chickens a resident can own to four and roosters will not be allowed. A resident will not need to get permission from a neighbor to own chickens and slaughtering within city limits will be prohibited.
Alderwoman Barb Henke-Christopher and Alderman John Hills both plan to vote against the measure and not allow chickens in the city at all. Alderman Carl Long said he wants to see the limit set at four chickens.
What do you think should be the outcome of tonight’s meeting?
Should Ashland pass a chicken ordinance?
An ordinance regarding chicken limitations was not voted on by the Board of Alderman at Tuesday’s meeting.
You can read the proposed chicken ordinance by clicking here.
The proposed ordinance was drafted by the Planning and Zoning Commission, following suit with Columbia’s recent change in chicken policy. The aldermen chose to table the issue and discuss it at the next regularly scheduled meeting on August 3.
If passed, the ordinance will restrict the number of chickens an Ashland resident may keep within city limits. Currently, residents can keep as many chickens as they’d like and there is no mention of chickens is in the city code.
If passed the way the ordinance is currently written, residents will be restricted to owning ten chickens, only one of which can be a rooster, and there will be no restriction on the number of chicks under 8 weeks of age that can be owned.
Alderman Matt Uhrig believes ten is too many. “I think the number ten is too big when you consider the size of lots in Ashland,” Uhrig said.
Uhrig suggested bringing that number down to two, Alderman Dave Thomas suggested five and Alderman John Hills said he’d prefer to see that number lowered to four.
Previously, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Paul Beuselinck explained that the number ten was chosen arbitrarily.
Alderwoman Barb Henke-Christopher was concerned with how to stop breeding of chicks in Ashland. Although the proposed ordinance states that, if passed, it would be illegal to “engage in chicken breeding,” Henke-Christopher is worried that the if residents have no limitations on chicks under 8 weeks of age, “what is there to stop them from breeding?”
Currently, city code allows livestock to breed as long as the breeding is entirely out of the public view and hearing. However, chickens are not considered livestock.
Hills worries that once chicks turn 8 weeks old, residents will start slaughtering them in their yards if they already have the allowed ten chickens.
Another concern brought up was with where chickens must be kept. As written, the ordinance states that a resident may not keep any livestock in an outdoor enclosure within 100 feet of another person’s home without their written permission. It also states that neither livestock nor chickens are allowed to live in any structure used for human habitation.
Should Ashland pass a chicken ordinance? Why or why not? If so, how many chickens should a resident be allowed to have, and do you think breeding within city limits will become a problem?
About 50 Ashland residents gathered at city hall last Tuesday to challenge City Administrator Chris Heard’s performance. A series of local business owners spoke out against Heard as the cause of the inhospitable atmosphere.
The situation got loud when residents in the audience began to cheer and yell for those standing to make comments. Mayor Mike Jackson consistently asked for the audience to quiet down, even banging his gavel on the desk so the meeting could be continued.
Local builder Cory Myers presented a petition for Heard’s “immediate release,” including about 40 signatures from local business owners and individual residents. The petition describes Heard as “unapproachable, condescending and displays an air of pompous arrogance.” It also states the signers feel Heard is unprofessional and handles business in a “very undesirable and unethical way.” A later paragraph states, “He delights in making life miserable for anyone who has to deal with him, he thrives on being in control.”
Kevin Dooley of Dooley Animal Hospital, Darryl Woods of Main St. Bank and Randy Newport of Randy’s Auto Repair were among the local business owners who spoke out against Heard.
“Every citizen has a right to address their elected officials,” Heard said, in a later interview.
City Attorney David Bandre feels Heard is doing a fine job. “I think Mr. Heard is doing the job he has been asked to do. I have not seen a situation-at all-where he is not performing the job duties that are assigned to him,” Bandre said. “Most complaints I heard about his performance are complaints from people who are having the law enforced (against them) by Mr. Heard.”
The City of Ashland has a specific procedure for firing a city administrator, said City Attorney David Bandre. Removing the city administrator requires the vote of not only a majority of the aldermen, but also the vote of the mayor, Bandre said.
If the Board of Aldermen and mayor were to vote to remove the city administrator from his position, the dismissal could take place immediately. The city would not be required to pay out the rest of his contract, Bandre said.
There is currently no procedure that dictates who would take over the city administrator’s responsibilities if he were to be fired until a new one is hired. However, when the last city administrator resigned, Bandre said the mayor at the time became acting city administrator.
Last Tuesday, about 15 residents returned to city hall, once again to ask for the Heard’s dismissal. However, after discussion in closed session, Heard is still the city administrator. No votes were taken on the issue. Mayor Mike Jackson described the discussion as “frank, open, but not heated.”
Heard will serve at least the remainder of his contract year of 2010.
What do you think of Chris Heard’s performance as City Administrator? Why should he be kept through his contract, or why should he be fired? Why do you think the aldermen chose not to take a vote on his employment in closed session Tuesday?
Will the possible addition of duplexes in Middleton Crossing lower property value of homes?
Builder Keith Winscott has requested rezoning of two lots in the Middleton Crossing subdivision in order to build duplexes on the corner of Terra Linda Lane and Liberty Lane.
Before the meeting, City Administrator Chris Heard recommended the rezoning. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to not recommend the zoning change. The issue now goes to the Board of Aldermen for the final decision.
About 20 homeowners came to the public hearing last Tuesday to stand against the change. A petition with 34 signatures was presented to the commission as well.
Why Winscott wants to build duplexes:
- Winscott said duplexes on these lots would be more beneficial to the neighborhood than a house would.
- The duplexes would be 14,000 to 15,000 square feet on each side and only one garage would face the front. The other garage would be on the side.
- “It’s not my intention to make a cookie-cutter duplex,” Winscott said.
- He also said there would be as many trees as possible separating the duplexes from the single-family houses.
If they are built, Winscott plans to maintain ownership and rent it out for residential use. Winscott described his plan for the duplexes as being “a lot nicer” than ones nearby in the Palomino Ridge subdivision.
Why the homeowners are against the rezoning:
Homeowners Carly and Justin Wobbe live on Middleton Drive right across the street from where the duplex would be built.
“We have grave concerns about our property value,” Carly said. “We never would have bought this house if we would have thought there would have been a duplex across the street.” She said the residents of the duplexes to the south of their home have presented problems such as trash in yards, domestic violence police calls and parking problems along Liberty Lane.
Kate Puyear said she will move if the duplexes are built. “I have nothing against people who rent, although you usually don’t get the type of people who want to maintain lots… lots of noise and lots of firecrackers… It’d be difficult, but I wouldn’t hesitate to leave.”
For those who live on the edges of the subdivision, fears of being separated from the rest of the neighborhood fuel the protest against the duplexes. Keith Porting said, “When you put rental property in front of houses and behind our house, you’re actually isolating us from the rest of the neighborhood… We’ll stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of duplexes and industry.”
Other reasons included a congested and dangerous parking situation and a decreased property value.
Most of the residents said they would sell their houses and move if Winscott is given permission to build duplexes, and most said they would not have purchased their homes if they had known in advance that duplexes would be built.
What do you think? Should builder Keith Winscott be allowed to build duplexes in his subdivision? Would the addition of duplexes lower property value? Why or why not?
Mayoral candidates forum: Jackson v. Hills
School board candidates and mayoral candidates debated last Thursday at a forum hosted by the Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce. It was held in the Southern Boone High School auditorium and moderated by Boone County Journal editor Bruce Wallace.
You can check out the school board candidate’s opinions, views and positions in this week’s Journal or online at bocojo.com this week.
Does Ashland need a full-time mayor?
John Hills: YES. Hills believes the mayor’s position needs to be full-time in order for problems to be fixed in city hall, like helping the city administrator in his position and the reduction of over-spending, he said. “The more time you have, the better… I’m retired,” Hills said.
Mike Jackson: NO. Jackson said he would be concerned for the city management if the mayor were full-time. Jackson said the city is set up in a way that appoints the city administrator to take care of daily activities, “that’s why we hired a professional,” Jackson said. “The impression I’m getting is Hills is running for city administrator, not mayor.”
Is the city anticipating receiving grants for building?
Mike Jackson: Jackson said the city does not plan on going after grants from the state or the federal government, at least not right now. Jackson referenced the recently formed subcommittee of economic development as being the next step in the city’s economic health. “We have to first enhance existing business, then find complementary business after,” he said.
John Hills: Hills plans to use the city’s Comprehensive Plan, adopted in May 2009, as a way of retrieving funding for the city. Hills noted that he was serving as chairman of the Planning and Zoning commission when the plan was adopted and referred to himself the “principal author,” which Jackson said was “far-fetched,” as the plan was created by the entire planning and zoning board and went through the aldermen as well.
How is the police department doing?
John Hills: Hills cited himself as the alderman who “fought for” and got a new police car for the department, new light bars on the police cars and first aid kits in all the cars. “There have been bumps in the road, but the chief is doing a great job,” he said.
Mike Jackson: Jackson referred to the recent problems with the chief’s new police officers, a DUI on ones record and a disciplinary misconduct record with the other. “The chief is new, it’s a learning experience,” Jackson said. “We’ve made changes to the screening process. The screening process is good.”
How would you continue enforcing ordinances while still encouraging development in the city?
Mike Jackson: Jackson said he is pleased with the recent enforcement of ordinances. He said he feels there should be better communication between the city and its contractors and builders, and he plans to hold a work session with the residents and aldermen about the issue.
John Hills: Hills feels the city should move forward with economic development and develop a plan. “We need to look at infrastructure versus growth,” Hills said. “So far we’re good as long as we don’t infringe on other personal rights, or environmental issues.”
Topics for questions were opened to the audience at this point, and three issues were discussed:
Transportation and Parking Tax:
John Hills: Hills said roads and potholes is the biggest issue being discussed at the moment. “I don’t want to increase fees,” Hills said. “Even in a down economy.”
Mike Jackson: Jackson said there are many roads now that still need that maintenance. “The roads still have that need. We may go back to the citizens in the future for that.” For now, Jackson said, the city has budgeted money to repair the roads but it will be done slowly.
Optimist’s Club Community Pool:
Mike Jackson: Jackson sees fewer complaints on the horizon about the Optimists’ community pool. ‘The complaints seem to be about hours, season passes, those sorts of things,” Jackson said. “Changes are being made” He said he feels the city should be helping to support how the pool is run.
John Hills: Hills feels the city should not change their relationship with the management of the pool. Calling it a community partnership, Hills said the city should continue its annual donation of $3,000. “Ultimately, it’s the optimists’ pool,” he said. “We should support, but not interfere.”
Regional Sewer System:
John Hills: Hills is strongly opposed to the idea of a regional sewer system. “The payment for this would be double or triple our rates, and it’s an environmental issue,” Hills said. He noted that he lives in the development where the location of the sewer system is proposed to be, and is very concerned about it.
Mike Jackson: Jackson said he supports the concept of a regional sewer system, but noted its location as his prime concern. “The issue definitely needs more discussion,” he said. “It could be 10-20 years down the road, maybe less.”
Do you have any questions for the mayoral candidates before April 6? Post your question as a comment, I’ll ask and report back with an answer. What do you think about the candidates responses? Are there areas where they are lacking, or overcompensating?
Keep the community pool, or get rid of it?
Do you use the community pool?
In January, Alderman Matt Uhrig was approached by a member of the Optimists Club about what the city would do to participate in the upkeep of the community pool. He brought the issue up at the January 19 Board of Aldermen meeting, where a discussion ensued about the usability of the pool.
A pool committee was recently formed and is headed by Brandon Glascock. Chris Drury was recently appointed pool manager.
Board of Aldermen views:
Alderman Randy Wyatt:
“My thing with the pool is they want us to help them financially, and I understand that, but before I would be comfortable doing that I’d want to see some changes.”
Wyatt described his experiences with the community pool as having expensive membership fees, inconvenient hours and an unmaintained poolside area. “Under those conditions, I would hate to see city dollars spent on something that is mismanaged.”
Alderman Matt Uhrig:
Matt Uhrig is concerned about a plan for an aquatic park at Discovery Ridge in Columbia. “There’s a long range plan for an aquatic park that will go in there with indoor and outdoor facilities that will be run by the City of Columbia. If that’s 20 years from now, it’ll make sense to make this little pool limp along, but if it’s five years from now, I don’t see how the Optimist’s Club can compete with an aquatic park run by our big brothers to the North,” Uhrig said.
Alderman John Hills:
At the January 19 meeting, John Hills believed discussing the issue was a moot point without first having input from the Optimist’s Club. “Let them come to us with plans, ideas, a budget. We don’t run the pool- it’s up to them,” Hills said.
Alderwoman Barb Henke-Christopher:
Henke-Christopher believes the community “votes with their dollars.” “If they aren’t here using (the pool)… then what is our best option?” she asked.
Alderman Randy Eckley and Alderman David Thomas did not comment on the issue.
At the March 2 Board of Aldermen meeting, Optimists Club president Mike Dalton and other Optimists came to discuss the pool issue. Dalton says he feels the pool has room to improve, but is a vital part of the community.
In addressing Randy Wyatt’s concerns about the opening and closing times of the pool, Glascock said “You are not the only one who has voiced that to us, that’s one of our top priorities.” He explained the committee is looking at changing hours to around 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At a later phone interview, Glascock also explained that the city reimburses the Optimist’s Club for it’s water bills by donating $3,000 annually. At the meeting, Dalton said he was unsure what that $3,000 was meant for, but that the club had budgeted for it.
Dalton also expressed that he and the board controlling the pool have discussed giving control to the City of Ashland. If that would happen, the Optimist’s would agree to give the city $5,000 annually to help with upkeep and management. The aldermen did not respond positively to this idea, and laughed when the idea of controlling the pool was suggested.
The pool currently operates at a $5,000 annual loss, according to Dalton.
Do you use the pool? What issues do you have with the pool? What changes would convince you use the pool more often, if any? Should the Optimist’s Club keep the pool, or get rid of it?
Ashland City Hall reporter's notebook 