JUNCTION CITY — During Tuesday night’s Junction City Council meeting, Councilman Dewayne Taylor requested a referral to the Boyle County Ethics Commission regarding a special-called council meeting held Dec. 17. Taylor claimed he was not made aware of the meeting.
“They have been done wrong since you’ve been mayor,” Taylor told Mayor Jim Douglas. “It’s supposed to be either hand-delivered, fax, or certified mail, if I’m correct. And it has to be within 24 hours of notification of a special-called meeting. We had one … Dec. 17 is one of them that I was never notified, by phone, by person, or by fax, of course, or by letter. And this isn’t the only one that’s took place. I will go back in the records of every one I got, and I can bring them forward,” Taylor said.
Mayor Douglas asked Bill Noelker, city attorney, who is responsible for making certain members are notified.
“Ultimately, it’s the mayor, if you’re calling the session, but the clerk is obviously the conduit for that,” Noelker said.
The clerk said she was out of the state during the special December meeting.
For a matter to be sent to the ethics commission, it must be voted upon by council members. That vote was split Tuesday night, with recently re-elected members Hershel Fletcher and Kenny Baldwin, and new member Archie Coffman, voting “no.” Taylor, along with new members Troy Gammon and Jimmy Gipson, voted “yes.”
Douglas, before casting the deciding vote on the matter, asked Noelker why he shouldn’t allow it to go before the commission. Noelker stressed he could not make that decision, which was ultimately a “yes” from Douglas in favor of referring the issue to the commission.
“I don’t have anything to hide,” Douglas said, and asked the others if they had anything to hide.
Taylor responded that it was not a matter of things being hidden, but rather things being done improperly, prompting another discussion on who is responsible for making council members aware.
When questioned, Noelker responded that, since the council did approve the issue being referred to the ethics commission, “legally, the best thing is to let the ethics committee take a look at it.”
After the meeting, Noelker explained that it could take a few weeks before the commission meets to review the issue.
In other business:
The mayor explained that it has been an ongoing issue and that Junction City continually has complained to Danville.
“We stay on them constantly about that,” Douglas said.
“Say we had property that adjoined. If I made the drainage go onto you, and I damaged your property … I’m liable,” Baldwin said.
Another concern raised regarding the drive was the location, being so near to a city-maintained street. Gipson asked Noelker if that was a legal issue. He said he would check into it for the city.
Former Council member Sherrill Wall congratulated the new members on their places on the council and encouraged all members to work together.
“Junction City is going to go through a growth spurt here in the next year or so. It’s going to take all of your all’s participation to get through it,” Wall said.
“They have been done wrong since you’ve been mayor,” Taylor told Mayor Jim Douglas. “It’s supposed to be either hand-delivered, fax, or certified mail, if I’m correct. And it has to be within 24 hours of notification of a special-called meeting. We had one … Dec. 17 is one of them that I was never notified, by phone, by person, or by fax, of course, or by letter. And this isn’t the only one that’s took place. I will go back in the records of every one I got, and I can bring them forward,” Taylor said.
Mayor Douglas asked Bill Noelker, city attorney, who is responsible for making certain members are notified.
“Ultimately, it’s the mayor, if you’re calling the session, but the clerk is obviously the conduit for that,” Noelker said.
The clerk said she was out of the state during the special December meeting.
For a matter to be sent to the ethics commission, it must be voted upon by council members. That vote was split Tuesday night, with recently re-elected members Hershel Fletcher and Kenny Baldwin, and new member Archie Coffman, voting “no.” Taylor, along with new members Troy Gammon and Jimmy Gipson, voted “yes.”
Douglas, before casting the deciding vote on the matter, asked Noelker why he shouldn’t allow it to go before the commission. Noelker stressed he could not make that decision, which was ultimately a “yes” from Douglas in favor of referring the issue to the commission.
“I don’t have anything to hide,” Douglas said, and asked the others if they had anything to hide.
Taylor responded that it was not a matter of things being hidden, but rather things being done improperly, prompting another discussion on who is responsible for making council members aware.
When questioned, Noelker responded that, since the council did approve the issue being referred to the ethics commission, “legally, the best thing is to let the ethics committee take a look at it.”
After the meeting, Noelker explained that it could take a few weeks before the commission meets to review the issue.
In other business:
- The council voted to accept bids on a surplus truck. The sealed bids will be opened at the February meeting.
- Councilman Coffman wanted to know what could be done regarding the city of Danville digging up roads belonging to Junction City and then not repairing them.
The mayor explained that it has been an ongoing issue and that Junction City continually has complained to Danville.
“We stay on them constantly about that,” Douglas said.
- Taylor questioned the blacktopping of the drive-thru lane at Antle’s store on Meigs Lane, explaining that he had missed that meeting last summer. Individuals using the drive-thru enter and exit using Meigs Lane, only narrowly exiting the roadway. Douglas explained that Jackie Antle, owner of the store, offered to pay for his portion when the city decided to pave the roadway. However, the council decided to cover the cost, because the Allen Co., which repaired the road, said if it wasn’t fixed, there would be drainage issues.
“Say we had property that adjoined. If I made the drainage go onto you, and I damaged your property … I’m liable,” Baldwin said.
Another concern raised regarding the drive was the location, being so near to a city-maintained street. Gipson asked Noelker if that was a legal issue. He said he would check into it for the city.
- New and returning council members opted to speak, thanking residents for their votes. Some used the time to thank residents for voting. Gipson stressed the need for himself and fellow members to be available to the residents, even offering his phone number, (859) 583-5869, to all residents to call him with any problems they may have. He encouraged other members to follow suit.
Former Council member Sherrill Wall congratulated the new members on their places on the council and encouraged all members to work together.
“Junction City is going to go through a growth spurt here in the next year or so. It’s going to take all of your all’s participation to get through it,” Wall said.
