Some of the fees were lowered, as requested per citizen comments, and city attorney Peter Olson assured the council that changes can be made to the ordinance at a later date if desired. Councilman Harold Posey noted the importance of getting the ordinance on the books and the vote to adopt an alcohol ordinance passed unanimously.
A previously discussed option to pay off an existing BB&T loan for the purchase of water meters through remaining Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds was tabled to the next meeting and the decision to sponsor two baseball teams while allowing the teams to use the field as well as maintain the fields was approved unanimously.
After much discussion on changes regarding personnel in the city's charter as well as the employee ordinance, a decision was made to approve changes to the charter regarding amending a requirement for department heads to suggest possible employees to giving that option to department leaders. The charter amendment also changes the charter's language to make the city an "at will" employer, meaning the city does not need to wait for an infraction to terminate employment. Terminated employees may still appeal their excuse to the city council.
A change to the employee ordinance focused on time falsification. Following a discussion, the council voted to amend the ordinance regarding penalties to immediate termination should an employee willfully falsify their own time or the time of a fellow employee as opposed to the current $300 fine for the first offense.
A final debate regarding the installation of water meters throughout the city ended with an agreement to form a contract with United Utilities to install the remaining meters, which is estimated to take between three and five weeks to complete once work begins.
A special called meeting to discuss the city's budget was called for Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. at city hall.