Common Council Meeting Minutes – November 22, 2021

Common Council, News

Mayor Costin called the meeting Martinsville Common Council to order on Monday, November 22, 2021. Councilman Phil Deckard Sr. led the prayer followed Mayor Costin leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

ATTENDANCE

THOSE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Kenny Costin, Mayor
  • Phil Deckard, District 1
  • Ben Mahan, District 2
  • Josh Ferran, District 3
  • Suzie Lipps, District 4
  • Phil Deckard II, District 5
  • Ann Miller, Councilwoman-at-Large
  • Jim Wisco, Councilman-at-Large
  • Dale Coffey, City Attorney
  • Rebecca Tumey, Clerk – Treasurer
  • Ben Merida, Deputy Clerk

A quorum was declared present.

No Council members participated electronically.  All Council persons were present.

MINUTES

Mayor Costin presented the Minutes of Monday, November 8 2021. to the Council. A motion to accept and allow the Minutes was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II.  Councilwoman Ann Miler seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken resulting in “yays” from all Council members. The Minutes are approved 7-0.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Costin discussed Martinsville being “under construction” for the past year; I-69 at Ohio Street will be opened soon; and that the city is facing several more issues. Those issues include

Moving the office of the Clerk-Treasurer, a new Police Station, renovating City Hall and moving water operations from S. Mulberry Street. Mayor Costin also announced the city will be working with out-side counsel regarding over-time pay on an employee.

NEW BUSINESS

Ordinance 2021-0027 / Expenditures of CAARES Relief Fund Monies – A motion to accept and allow was made by Councilman Jim Wisco. Councilwoman Suzie Lipps seconded the motion. A roll vote resulted in ‘yay” votes from Deckard Sr.; Deckard II; Wisco; Lipps; Mahan and Ferran. Voting “nay” was Councilwoman Ann Miller. The Motion passes 6-1.

CLAIMS

Mayor Costin presented the Claims.  A motion to accept and allow the Claims was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II, with Councilman Jim Wisco making the second.  A roll call vote resulted in the following:  voting “yay” were Council persons Deckard II, Deckard Sr.; Wisco and Lipps.  Voting “nay” was Council persons Miller, Mahan and Ferran.  The Motion passes 4-3.

COUNCIL COMMENT

Councilman Phil Deckard II asked to amend the agenda so that a resolution could be considered. The resolution would allow the Council to retain Ann Cowgur of Taft Law. A lengthy discussion resulted in Councilwoman making the motion to accept and allow Resolution 2021-639. Councilman Ben Mahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote resulted is “yay” from Council persons, Miller, Deckard Sr., Deckard II, Mahan and Ferran. Voting “nay” were Council persons Lipps and Wisco.  The Motion passes 5-2.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Citizen Cecelia Kreff expressed her beliefs of being “a Catholic pro-lifer.”

Mayor Costin wished a Happy Thanksgiving to all. He also issued a reminder about the upcoming Bobby Helms Christmas celebration on December 5, 2021.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, Mayor Costin declared the meeting adjourned.