Hickman officials opt for voters’ opinions re: medical cannabis

Hickman City Manager Jennie Overall provided a detailed update to Hickman Mayor Heath Carlton, Commissioners John Wiley Gannon, Richard Holloway, Robin Amberg and Robert Griggs during her first commission meeting, in her official capacity, Aug. 12.

City Attorney Leanna Wilkerson and the City’s Deputy Clerk Jane Parker were also present.

Overall first addressed the use of the city’s credit cards, noting that in order to provide full transparency, as well as to assure the city’s compliance with auditing procedures, employees of the city who utilize the city’s credit cards must be sure to not use personal accounts with that usage.

She reported the recent resignation of two city employees, Hickman Police Department officer Matt Quimby, and City Clerk Carrie Schmidt. The commission accepted both resignations.

Overall recommended the conditional hire, to offer a previous Hickman Police Department employee, Samantha Faoro, a position within the Hickman Police Department, pending the successful completion of the employee process.

Overall also recommended the hiring of Deputy Clerk Jane Parker, to replace City Clerk Schmidt. She shared with the commission that after researching the pay rate for Kentucky’s City Clerks, she found that the city of Hickman fell within average pay rates across the state. She proposed Parker’s pay rate be raised by $1.75 per hour, for 90 days, and then after that period, another $1.75 per hour be added to her pay rate, which would bring Parker’s pay rate within the average for City Clerks in Kentucky.

Overall said she would continue to study the functions and responsibilities of other city hall office positions such as Deputy Clerk and Treasurer.

The commission approved the recommendations by Overall, to appoint Parker and Faoro.

The City Manager provided information to the Mayor and Commissioners regarding a review and update of the city’s Employee Handbook, by Kentucky League of Cities, KLC.

She said in her research, she had found that previously, the city had agreed to contract with KLC to revise the employee handbook, however the process had not been completed. She said the process would need to be initiated again, if the commission chose to take that option with KLC, and the cost would be $7,534.73, which would include a first and second draft of the handbook. Overall noted that she could review and revise the handbook, or the task could be undertaken by the city attorney, however agreed the process would be time consuming. She also noted $1,500 would be provided back to the city from KLC, if KLC completes the handbook review and update.

The commission voted to contract with KLC for the employee handbook update.

Also included in her City Manager’s Report, Overall updated the officials on future training to be implemented, including KPPA Finance training in September, and the KLC conference Sept. 24-27.

Following discussion by the commission regarding the request from the City Manager to consider liquidation of unused, defunct vehicles be initiated to generate revenue for the purchase of a used vehicle for city use, the commission agreed Overall and Public Works Department Director John Amberg could review all current vehicles, operable or inoperable, and make recommendations as to whether to surplus and/or sell any of the vehicles not in use, or not safe for operations. Overall said she would then bring that information back to the commission.

Relative to the Public Works Department, John Amberg reported all pumps at the bypass are up and running, and a pump in the process of being rebuilt should be ready to “swap out” in a couple of weeks. He said the public works department had re-set tomb stones which had been overturned following a tornado in the area, and it appeared the bases of several stones appeared sunken, having settled. He suggested determining the responsible party regarding re-setting the bases/stones, whether it was the company who set the stones’, or the city’s.

In his report for the Hickman Fire Department, John Amberg updated the commission on the department’s receipt of a $3,500 grant for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). He said he had thought the grant funding would be more than the department had received, as the cost of one set of turnout gear could range from $2,385, to $3,463 to $5,400, and 18 sets would be needed.

Amberg said he had spoken with Commissioner Griggs regarding budget options to provide more funding for the PPE, and Griggs shared with the officials that some funding could be available.

Mayor Carlton asked whether ARPA funds could be tapped for assistance with funding the PPE, and Deputy Clerk Parker said she could check on ARPA fund restrictions and allowances.

John Amberg said with the $3,500 grant applied $39,400 would still be needed to fund the 18 sets of gear.

In regard to an agenda item listed, for options to address Medical Cannabis related businesses which could potentially locate within the city, Mayor Carlton said he wanted to hear from the commission as to their thoughts on actions, to include taking no action, or offering the question to voters, to address the matter.

He said to his understanding, a deadline of Aug. 13 had been set, in order to have the question appear on the ballot for voters in the upcoming election.

The commission unanimously agreed to have the question included on the upcoming ballot, as to whether medical cannabis related businesses would be able to operate within the city.

Mayor Carlton said if voters chose to agree with the operation of such businesses within the city, then further actions would be needed regarding zoning options.

An agreement with Community Ventures was approved by the officials, for the city to provide $20,000 in funding each year for three years, which in turn would result in Community Ventures working through the USDA Rural Partners Network, RPN, and assist with housing construction, home ownership and other services within the city, as well as grant acquisitions, training and education.

Joseph Vanden Raaf, who chairs the Hickman Recreation Tourism Convention Committee, HRTCC, updated the Mayor and Commissioners regarding the 2024 Pecan Festival date having been set by the committee, for Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the park. He said he had already received information requests from vendors interested in setting up.

The commission heard from Vanden Raaf that two members of the HRTCC had submitted resignations, Jamie Lane and Kenny Vowell. Both resignations were accepted by the commission.

Vanden Raaf also submitted three names for HRTCC vacancies, Abby Wheeler, Dana Johnson, both new members, and the reappointment of Robin Stacks. All recommendations were approved by the commission.

Preceding the conduction of business, the Commission recognized and honored Insteel for achieving a 25 year milestone in Hickman, and members of the Hickman Rotary Club for their contributions and service to the community.