July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Council can't take action
By Robert Banser-
DUNKIRK - A shortage of members prevented any action from being taken, but those council members present did schedule future sessions and discuss several other issues.
City officials decided to hold a public hearing on the 2010 budget on Monday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. A second hearing and adoption of the budget is slated for Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
Dunkirk clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler described the proposed budget as tight with no pay raises for city officials or employees. She said the maximum tax levy, or amount allowed to be raised through property taxes, had been reduced to $831,000 for 2010 from its current $912,000.
At the suggestion of city attorney William Hinkle, council members present scheduled a meeting for Friday to pay bills. That meeting will be held at 3 p.m.
Council members Judy Garr and Tom Johnson were present Monday along with Mayor Ron Hunt.
Absent from Monday's meeting were council members Craig Faulkner, Eric Bowler and Charles Rife.
However, more than 30 persons were crowded into the audience section of the council chambers. Hinkle explained that council members could hold discussions but not take any action.
As a result council members:
•Received a report from city consulting engineer Bob Haneline of The Schneider Corporation, Indianapolis, about the status of plans to construct water system improvements including a new water plant. Haneline said he is continuing discussions with state officials about securing state loan funds for the city improvements. "We're pushing forward" on meeting state requirements, Haneline said.
•Heard a complaint from Dunkirk resident Harriett Weekley that she felt her daughter, city police officer Andrea Weekley, had been singled out in being required to take a drug screening test immediately following an auto accident, involving her squad car, while she was on duty.
The squad car was attempting to pass a John Deere tractor, hauling a piece of farm equipment, when the collision occurred last month. Police reports indicated the tractor was not damaged but the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria squad car sustained between $1,000 and $2,500 worth of damage.
City officials said Officer Weekley passed the drug screening exam and did not receive any reprimands concerning the accident. Harriett Weekley asked if such drug screenings were common practice and who ordered the test. Police Chief Dane Mumbower said that he and Mayor Ron Hunt directed that she take the test.
"Andrea is not being singled out," Hunt said. However, other members of the audience disagreed, citing other accidents involving city vehicles where drug screening tests were not required.
"Andrea is always being singled out," Dunkirk resident Vicki Pettus said.
•Heard a request from Dunkirk resident Bill Blankenbaker to be listed as a speaker on the next regular council meeting agenda. Blankenbaker said he had planned to bring some concerns before the council Monday night, but decided he would rather wait for a full council to be present.[[In-content Ad]]
City officials decided to hold a public hearing on the 2010 budget on Monday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. A second hearing and adoption of the budget is slated for Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
Dunkirk clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler described the proposed budget as tight with no pay raises for city officials or employees. She said the maximum tax levy, or amount allowed to be raised through property taxes, had been reduced to $831,000 for 2010 from its current $912,000.
At the suggestion of city attorney William Hinkle, council members present scheduled a meeting for Friday to pay bills. That meeting will be held at 3 p.m.
Council members Judy Garr and Tom Johnson were present Monday along with Mayor Ron Hunt.
Absent from Monday's meeting were council members Craig Faulkner, Eric Bowler and Charles Rife.
However, more than 30 persons were crowded into the audience section of the council chambers. Hinkle explained that council members could hold discussions but not take any action.
As a result council members:
•Received a report from city consulting engineer Bob Haneline of The Schneider Corporation, Indianapolis, about the status of plans to construct water system improvements including a new water plant. Haneline said he is continuing discussions with state officials about securing state loan funds for the city improvements. "We're pushing forward" on meeting state requirements, Haneline said.
•Heard a complaint from Dunkirk resident Harriett Weekley that she felt her daughter, city police officer Andrea Weekley, had been singled out in being required to take a drug screening test immediately following an auto accident, involving her squad car, while she was on duty.
The squad car was attempting to pass a John Deere tractor, hauling a piece of farm equipment, when the collision occurred last month. Police reports indicated the tractor was not damaged but the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria squad car sustained between $1,000 and $2,500 worth of damage.
City officials said Officer Weekley passed the drug screening exam and did not receive any reprimands concerning the accident. Harriett Weekley asked if such drug screenings were common practice and who ordered the test. Police Chief Dane Mumbower said that he and Mayor Ron Hunt directed that she take the test.
"Andrea is not being singled out," Hunt said. However, other members of the audience disagreed, citing other accidents involving city vehicles where drug screening tests were not required.
"Andrea is always being singled out," Dunkirk resident Vicki Pettus said.
•Heard a request from Dunkirk resident Bill Blankenbaker to be listed as a speaker on the next regular council meeting agenda. Blankenbaker said he had planned to bring some concerns before the council Monday night, but decided he would rather wait for a full council to be present.[[In-content Ad]]
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