ORIGINALLY WRITTEN MICHELLE AVIS
Del Leeds presented badges and patches to the Florence Fire Department at the May 16 meeting of the Florence City Council.
Badges were ordered for presentation to Fire Chief Tim Parmley, Assistant Fire Chief Bob Ogle and Captain Terry Britton.
Leeds and city employee Rick Burcky had designed the department’s first patches to be distributed to all volunteer firefighters.
Leeds, who also is the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act compliance officer, later presented an ADA plan that was accepted by the council. Among other things, the plan calls for a public meeting to address ADA issues.
The council also accepted Resolution 2005-07, which establishes a five-year timber-management program. This makes the city eligible to apply to a National Hardwood Association program that provides hardwood trees for planting on public grounds. The trees could then become a future source of income for Florence when they reach maturity and can be harvested for lumber.
In other business, the council:
— accepted the city’s audit report after extensive review.
— approved a two-year service contract and purchase of a second cellphone for city employee use.
— tabled discussion of calling plans for the city phone lines.
— once again tabled discussion of Ordinance 776 on consumption of alcoholic beverages until the city attorney could be consulted.
— will check on whether a contract can be worked out for a more suitable schedule for mowing the cemetery.
— approved addition of lighting to the cemetery for illumination of flags during the Memorial Day weekend and removal of a tree that is disturbing gravesites in the cemetery.
— approved purchase of minor parts for swimming pool repair prior to its May 31 opening day. Admission prices will remain the same as last year’s.
— tabled the issue of city water tower cleaning because more information is needed.
— thanked the Marion Middle School, school board, and all middle school students who helped clean up around Florence April 29.
— heard that police would be stepping up seat-belt enforcement and offering information to the public over the following weeks.
— will look into what might be done about poison ivy in several locations around town.
— ended the meeting with a
10-minute executive session for personnel matters. No action followed.
