City of Mechanicsville

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

February 13, 2007

The Mechanicsville City Council met in special session on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at City Hall. Mayor David L. Furry called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members present for roll call were Jeff Christianson, Thomas Hall, Pam Logue-Newcomb and Larry Beck. Absent: Karrie Johnson. Others present included Earnie Albaugh, Jim Barber and Jason Best, Mechanicsville Telephone Company.

OPPORTUNITY for any citizen present to discuss items not on the agenda: Jason Best, Manager of the Mechanicsville Telephone Company, was present and explained the position of the telephone company towards the council considering the placement of an antenna on the water tower by Dynamic Broadband. He explained that there were approximately 25 customers who had been receiving DSL internet service without having dial tone service. The telephone company was not paying the fee to National Exchange Carrier Association for those customers and recently found out they had to. Therefore, the rates for those customers increased to cover that fee and resulted in being as much as or more than what they would be if they had dial tone as well. The primary concern is that the incoming company would not have any infrastructure costs and the potential to create an unfair trade advantage. The council thanked Jason for explaining the situation and they would take this information into consideration.

CONSENT AGENDA: Pam motioned, Larry seconded to approve the consent agenda which included the agenda. Roll call vote: Ayes: Christianson, Logue-Newcomb, Hall and Beck. Johnson was absent. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Budget work session: The council reviewed and proposed estimates for the budget which included consideration for a 3.3 cost of living increase for raises, and then requested that budget be prepared allowing a 35 cent per hour increase for part-time employees, a 50 cent increase for full time public works and a 60 cent increase for the police chief and city clerk positions. The ambulance incentive pay program was also discussed and proposed to be changed to $5 per call per person upon passage of the resolution. Council completed reviewing the line items with recommendations to increase some and lower other proposed numbers based on actual expenditures from the previous year and the year to date figures. Coppess was then directed to prepare the budget for publication and it was noted that there may need to be additional items reduced in order to present a balanced budget. Communication will take place with the Mayor and council members overseeing that program.

Set next meeting date: 3-12-07

Mayors Comments: None.

ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, council member Beck motioned, Logue-Newcomb seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 p.m. Ayes all. Meeting adjourned.

ATTEST:

____________________________ _______________________________

Linda K. Coppess, CMC David L. Furry, Mayor

City Clerk/Finance Officer