MonticelloLive

The Monticello City Council held it’s regular monthly meeting Thursday night.

The minutes and financial report were approved.

Kimberly Fletcher pointed out the remaining balance from the city’s one cent sales tax shows an allocated balance of $136,369.38, which will include a flat-bed truck that was purchased last year, but was received this month.  There is an unallocated balance of just over $5,000 that will carry over to this year.

The water budget still needs to build up adequate reserves, the lease of tower space to Cinglair has certainly been helpful to the budget, and insurance bills coming due, also were noted in her report.

The February meeting will have printed budgets and updated salary schedules available.

Glenda Nichols presented the Chamber of Commerce report, stating that work has already begun in planning this year’s festival. She mentioned a recent ribbon-cutting at the Golden Living Center, on North Chester Street, who recently opened a “short term, rehabilitation wing”, and told the Council that there will be a ribbon cutting at the new Wells Fargo Home Mortgage office on W. Bolling St. on January 28.

Truman Hamilton presented the MEDC report, covering the status of pending grants for the MEDC building, and a report from the “20 for the Future” groups upcoming trip to Washington, D. C. to encourage more national support for local needs.

The intermodal facility meeting was held yesterday, and an update on construction was discussed.

The MEDC asked for “support” from the council in it’s application for grant funding for the Ridgeway Hotel.   It was presented in the form of a ”resolution”, which was handed out to council members just before the meeting.  Alderman Tim Chase said he didn’t mean to single out the MEDC, but that he felt that any resolution asking to be signed, should be presented to the council early enough to discuss with any concerned citizens.

Bennie Ryburn III told the council that the MEDC just needed to document their agreement and support on the rapidly approaching grant application, and whether it was in the form of a “vote” or “resolution” should carry the same effect.

Chase again repeated his concerns, when Alderman Clifton Bond began the process to approve the resolution to “support” the grant application.  The vote was unanimously in favor “support”. 

Ryburn did ask the council for a commitment of around $35,000 for sidewalk and lighting improvements to be included in next year’s budget plans, pending the Ridgeway Hotel’s receiving the grant for construction and remodeling.  The sidewalks would provide handicap access and adequate lighting for the residents of the Ridgeway.  He added this would only be requested if the grant is to be approved.